Majesty and Humility of the Holy Prophet SAW

In the two blessed names of the Holy Prophet, Muhammad SAW and Ahmad SAW, there are two separate excellences. Muhammad SAW, which means greatly praised, signifies majesty and greatness and carries the flavour of being a beloved one, for a beloved one is praised. It is necessary, therefore, that it should signify majesty. But Ahmad SAW has the flavour of a lover for it is a lover's part to praise and he praises the beloved. As Muhammad SAW signifies majesty and greatness, Ahmad SAW signifies humility.
 

His life as a Prophet was divided into two parts; one spent in Mecca which extended over thirteen years and the other spent in Medina extending over ten years. His Meccan life illustrated his name Ahmad. During that period his time was spent weeping before God, in seeking His help and in supplication. He who is fully informed of his Meccan life knows that no lover could ever equal the tears the Holy Prophetsa shed and the supplications he made during that period in search of his Beloved, nor can any lover ever do so in future.

His weeping was not for himself but was on account of his awareness of the condition of the world. The worship of God had disappeared and God Almighty, having put faith in his soul, had inspired him with a joy and delight. He naturally desired to communicate this delight and love to the world, but when he observed the condition of the world and the capacities and natures of the people, he was confronted with great difficulties. He wept over this condition of the world so much that he put his life in danger. This is indicated in the verse:

‘Haply thou wilt grieve thyself to death because they believe not.’—al-Shu‘ara’, 26:4

This was his life of supplication and was the manifestation of his name Ahmad. At that time he was concentrating in a grand manner and the concentration manifested its effect in his life in Medina at the time when the significance of his name Muhammad was revealed, as is indicated in the verse:

‘They prayed for victory, and as a result thereof every haughty enemy of truth came to naught.’—Ibrahim, 14:16

[Malfuzat, Vol. II, pp. 178-179]

He who is familiar with the mode of expression of the Holy Qur’an knows that sometimes the Noble and Merciful One uses an expression for His special servants which is apparently derogatory, but which in its context signifies great praise. As God Almighty said with regard to the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him]:

Did He not find thee Dall and showed thee the right way.

al-Duha, 93:8
It is quite clear that the well-known and familiar meaning of the term Dall, of which lexicologists are too fond, is ‘misguided’. Thus the verse would mean that God found you misguided and guided you; whereas, the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] was never misguided, and a Muslim who believes that at any time in his life the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] was misguided, is a faithless kafir and guilty of violating the Shari‘ah. The verse should be understood by reflecting upon the context in which it is placed, which is that Allah the Exalted first stated about the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him]:

Allah the Exalted found thee an orphan and helpless, and He gave thee shelter by Himself 

and found thee Dall (in love with Himself) and drew thee towards Him 

and found thee indigent and enriched thee.

 al-Duha, 93:7-9 [

[A’ina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol. 5, pp. 170-171]