One day the Prophet SallAllaahu AlaiheWaSallam) was sitting with his Sahaabah (Companions) when a Bedouin came. Immediately, the man asked the Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam): “When is the final hour?”
A question the Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) disliked. The Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) replied: “What have you prepared for it?”
The Bedouin said: “I have not prepared much Salaah (Prayers), or much Sawm (Fasting), or much Sadaqah (Charity), but one thing; I love Allah and His Messenger.”
Then the Prophet (SallAllaahu AlaiheWaSallam) said: “You shall be with whom you love!”
Hadhrat Anas, the narrator of this Hadeeth (Tradition) said: “By Allah! Nothing brought us more happiness after our Islam than that statement: ‘you shall be with whom you love.’ I love Allah and His Messenger, and Abu Bakr and Umar; And I hope to be with them (on the final day) even though I have not done as much as they did. (Muslim)
In the Hadeeth of Jibreel, when he came to the Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) in front of the Sahaabah in the form of a man and asked him about Islam, Iman, and Ihsan. He said when asked about Iman: “Iman is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His Messenger, the Final Day and the divine decree, the good and the bad thereof.”
In this article, we shall talk about Iman in the messengers; and specifically, Iman in the final Messenger, Hadhrat Muhammad (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam).
When the Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu AlaiheWaSallam) performed Hijrah (Migration) from Makkah al Mukarramah to Madinah al Munawwarah, he and his companion Hadhrat Abu Bakr stopped at the home of Umme Ma’bad. They asked her for food/milk and she said that there was none. Then, seeing a weak, frail calf in the corner, Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu AlaiheWaSallam) asked if he could milk it. The Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) pet the calf on the back, supplicating to Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa), until it opened its legs in preparation for milking. The milk poured and poured as Umme Ma’bad watched in shock.
Later, when her husband came home with the frail flock he saw the blessing shine from the walls and inquired: “What has happened here?”
Umme Ma’bad then described the Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam). Her description of the Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) is one of the most dtailed. Amongst the things she said was that his face was like a moon and his voice was beautiful. His beard was long and full, his hair reached his shoulders. Tranquility befell him when he was silent, and if he spoke he was magnificent. From far he was the handsomest man, and from near he was the greatest. Flanking him were men, if he spoke they listened, and if he commanded, they hastily complied. Abu Ma’bad knew who he was. He said: “Verily this is the man that Quraish is looking for. I once thought of following him, and when I meet him I shall.”
He then called out poetry that all the inhabitants of Makkah al Mukarramah heard on the horizon:
Jaz Allahu Rabbin Naasi Khayra Jazaa’ihi Rafeeqayn Qaala Khaymati Umma Ma’badi
Huma Nazalaah abil Huda, fahtadat bihi Faqad Faza man Amsa Rafeeqa Muhammadi
What can you say in only one article about a man that Encyclopedias were written on only his character. I would like in these short writing however to reflect on some of the things Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa) blessed His Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) with, in this world and the next.
1. The Final Messenger
Muhammad bin Abdullah was the final Messenger of Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa). There shall be no Prophet or Messenger after him. And whoever claims, such is a liar. He said:
“The example of myself and the prophets before me is that of a man who built a house, beautifying it, except for a corner where a brick was missing. People would go around admiring the structure but remarking, ‘if only it was completed here.’
The Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) then said: “I am that brick, I am the last of the Prophets.” (Muslim)
2. Security for the Ummah (Nation)
Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) was a protection for the Ummah. Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa) would not punish them so long as he was amongst them. Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa) declared:
“And Allah would not punish them (so long) as you are amongst them. Nor shall he punish them so long as they seek forgiveness.”
(Anfaal 8:34)
3. His wives are our Mothers
The wives of Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) are our mothers. Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa) declared:
ٱلنَّبِيُّ أَوۡلَىٰ بِٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ مِنۡ أَنفُسِهِمۡۖ وَأَزۡوَٰجُهُۥٓ أُمَّهَٰتُهُمۡۗ (6)
“The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers…” (Al-Ahzaab 33:6)
4. Protected by Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa)
No one could harm the Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) because Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa) was his protector.
وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡصِمُكَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِۗ (67)
“ Allah shall protect you from the people.” (al Maaidah 5:67)
5. The Greatest Human
He was the greatest human. He told us: “I am the chief son of Adam, with no boast.”
6. The Best Followers
He lived amongst the best of men and women, his companions. He said: “The best generation is my generation…”
7. A witness over us all
Allah (SubhaanahuWaTa’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) shall be a witness over the entire Ummah of Islam. Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa) says:
فَكَيۡفَ إِذَا جِئۡنَا مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةِۢ بِشَهِيدٖ وَجِئۡنَا بِكَ عَلَىٰ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ شَهِيدٗا (41)
“Then, how (awful a spectacle) would it be when We shall bring a witness from every community, and shall bring you over them as a witness.” (anNisaa 4:41)
This is the verse that made Him weep.
8. Allah Swore by Him
And Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa) testified by his life in the Quraan.
لَعَمۡرُكَ إِنَّهُمۡ لَفِي سَكۡرَتِهِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ (72)
“By your life (O prophet)! They were wandering blindly in their intoxication (misguidance).” (alHijr 15:72)
9. The Highest Number of Followers
And he will have the most followers than any other Prophet. He said: “Amongst the Prophets on the Day of Qiyaamah (Resurrection), I shall have the most followers.”
And on the Day of Judgment, Allah (SubhaanahuWa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) will claim the highest position amongst creation: “Al Maqaam Al Mahmood”. Allah will give him the fountain of Al-Kawthar. And He will be allowed to intercede for his Ummah.
One of the scholars commented: “It’s interesting how many Muslims have failed to recognize the wisdom behind the name of the Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) being called 5 times across the world: Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadur Rasullullaah. Not only that, but in every Salaah and Nafilah, his name is whispered all across the body: Allahumma Salli ‘ala Muhammadin … Could the wisdom be nothing other than the Ummah not cutting off the remembrance of their Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) for not a single day of history, for not even a portion of the day.”
The Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam)’s Rights over Us
Some have exaggerated the status of Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) attributing to him things that are only befitting of Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa). Others sought to show their love by celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam). This is not how someone should show his love, for it is not in conformity of the Sunnah of the Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) nor it was practiced by early Muslim generations including those who learnt Islam directly from the Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) and no one can surpass the level of their love for Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) i.e. the Sahaabah.
Love can only be expressed by following Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam)in every moment of our lives.
Do you know why Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa) sent Muhammad (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam)? Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa) sent him to be obeyed and imitated, a living example of the Quraan. Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu AlaiheWaSallam) has rights over us, and these rights include the following:
٭ He must be loved more than our family, children, more than oneself. He said: “One of you shall not “believe” until I am more beloved to him than his children, parents, and all of humanity.”
This was how the Sahaabah, male and female were.
The fourth pious Caliph, Hadhrat Ali ibn Abi Talib, said: “By Allah! He was more beloved to us than our wealth, more than our children and fathers and mothers, more than cold water when dying of thirst.”
٭ Allah (SubhaanahuWaTa’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) must be respected and revered. Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa) states:
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُقَدِّمُواْ بَيۡنَ يَدَيِ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ (1)
“O you who believe! Do not proceed ahead of Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (alHujarat 49:1)
The Arabic “La-tuqaddimu” means do not walk ahead of. This happens when someone is hasty in matters of religion, deciding contrary to the decision of Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa’aalaa) and His Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam).
* We must pray constantly for our Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam). Everything we know in Islam came to us through him. HadhratJibreel came to Allah (Subhaana huWaTa’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu AlaiheWaSallam) as he was climbing the Mimbar(Pulpit) and prayed: “Perished be he to whom you are mentioned to and he does not sendupon you. Say:Aameen.”
And the Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) said: “Aameen!”
So, let us ponder that is it not time we started learning more about our Prophet (SallAllaahuAlaiheWaSallam)?