CHAPTER 1: EXAMPLE FOR HUMANITY – PART 1
Section One The Messenger: The Excellent Example
Allah The Exalted Says (what means): «There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern [example] for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.» [Quran: 33:21]
Ibn Katheer (a scholar) commented, “This holy verse contains the great principle of adhering to the sayings, actions and injunctions of the Messenger of Allah.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer (391/6).)
Allah sent His Messenger as mercy and guidance to humanity. Therefore, the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, became the best of examples for those hoping to please Allah, and those hoping for a high status in the Hereafter; for people who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption.
The definition of an “Example”:
A Muslim is always in dire need of following the example of the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), especially today when false claims prevail and the enemies of Allah are rallying doubtful matters and vain lusts to repel people away from the path of Allah.
Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was the ideal example that a Muslim must follow in actions and speech and he was a source of guidance in all matters. He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was the best example in various aspects of his life; as a religious leader (Imaam), a judge, a head of state, a teacher, a nurturer, a husband, a father, a manager and a leader.
Following the examples of Prophets, «So from their guidance take an example»:
Allah ordered His Prophet to follow the example of the prophets who came before him. He Says (what means): «Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, so from their guidance take an example.» [Quran: 6:90]
Ibn Katheer said, “This verse contains an order to the Prophet. And his nation ought to follow what he was ordered to do.”(Tafseer Ibn Katheer (190/2).)
Ibn Taymiyyah (a scholar) said, “The stories of the Prophets contain admonition for believers who will surely be tested and must not go into despair. Muslims must realize that those who were better than them (i.e., the Prophets) were tested. The outcome of these ordeals was in favor of the Prophets. Thus, a doubter must become certain, a sinner must repent, and a believer must become stronger in faith. It is through stories of the Prophets that one becomes able to follow their examples properly.”(Majmoo’ Al-Fataawa (178/5).)
We were ordered to follow the examples of the Prophets regarding the following matters:
Zeal in obeying Allah and worshiping Him:
This is one of the most important areas of obedience to the Prophets. The Prophets demonstrated the utmost diligence in performing acts of worship and prayer to Allah The Almighty.
This is the essence of the verse (which means): «And remember Our servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, those of strength and [religious] vision.» [Quran: 38:45]
‘Ataa’ Al-Khurasaani (a scholar) said, “The verse means: the ones with diligence in performing worship and knowledge of Allah’s affairs.” And Qataadah (a scholar) said, “They (the Prophets) were given a strong will to perform worship and a strong vision in religious matters.”(Majmoo’ Al-Fataawa (170/19).)
Verses that described the Prophets’ worship:
Allah Says that Abraham said (what means): «My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.» [Quran: 14:40]
And He Says in praising Ishmael (what means): «And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and Zakah and was to his Lord pleasing.» [Quran: 19:55]
And in praising Abraham and Isaac, Allah Says (what means): «And We made them leaders guided by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of Zakah; and they were worshippers of Us.» [Quran: 21:73]
As for Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, there were many narrations regarding his diligence in worship. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): «And during the night prostrate to Him and exalt Him a long [part of the] night.» [Quran: 73:26]
Allah ordered the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, Saying (what means): «worship Him and have patience for His worship. Do you know of any similarity to Him?» [Quran: 19:65]
And He The Exalted also Says (what means): «And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you. It is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.» [Quran: 17:79]
Diligence in remembering and mentioning Allah, and in supplicating to Him:
The Prophets used to mention Allah at all times, and they used to supplicate to Him continuously. This was in addition to their diligence in performing acts of worship.
Allah The Most High mentioned how His Prophets used to supplicate to Him to fulfill their needs. They used to plead with Him demonstrating their helplessness and dire need. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): «And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, “Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.” So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers [of Allah].» [Quran: 21:83-84]
Allah The Exalted also Says (what means): «And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darkness (That of the night, of the sea, and of the fish’s interior.), “There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers. So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers. And [mention] Zechariah, when he called to his Lord, “My Lord, do not leave me alone [with no heir], while you are the best of inheritors.” So We responded to him, and We gave to him John, and amended for him his wife. Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive.» [Quran: 21:87-90]
Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, invoked His Lord frequently, especially during times of hardship. During the Battle of Badr, the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, supplicated extensively hoping for Allah to grant him and his companions victory. ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (a companion and the second Caliph) said, “On the day of the Battle of Badr, Allah’s Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, faced the direction of the Qiblah (i.e. the Sacred Mosque in Makkah), extended his arms and invoked: “O Allah! Fulfill what You had promised me. O Allah! Bring about that
which You have promised me. O Allah! If this group of Muslims were to die then You will not be worshiped on this Earth.” He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, continued to invoke while raising his arms high until his upper garment fell off his shoulders. Then Abu Bakr (a companion and the first Caliph) picked up his upper garment and set it on the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s, shoulders. He hugged the Prophet
of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, from behind and said, “O Prophet of Allah! Enough invocation! Your Lord will surely fulfill His promise to you.” (Reported by Muslim (1763).)
By Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid
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