CHAPTER 1: EXAMPLE FOR HUMANITY – PART 2
The Prophets’ humility and tears when mentioning their Lord:
In Chapter 19 of the Quran, Allah praised some of the Prophets Saying (what means): «Those were the ones upon whom Allah bestowed favor from among the prophets of the descendants of Adam and of those We carried [in the ship] with Noah, and of the descendants of Abraham and Israel, and of those whom We guided and chose. When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell in prostration and weeping.» [Quran: 19:58]
Al-Si’di (a scholar) commented, “Prostration and weeping means that they submitted to the verses of Allah, and that their hearts were affected by them. They had great hope and fear to the point of crying and prostrating to their Lord.”(Tafseer As-Si’di (209/3))
Allah told us that Prophet Joseph said (what means): «My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous.» [Quran: 12:101]
Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was the most God-fearing of people. He used to say: “I hope to be the most God-fearing among you, and most knowledgeable of what to avoid.” (Reported by Al-Bukhaari (20) and Muslim (1110) on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah.) And he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to say: “O turner of hearts! Make my heart firm upon Your religion.” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi (3522) on the authority of Umm Salamah.)
And he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to say: “Verily, the hearts of the Children of Adam, all of them, are between the two fingers of the Most Merciful as one heart. He directs them wherever He wills.” (Reported by Muslim (2654) on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr. )
Following their example in possessing deep knowledge regarding Allah:
There can be no doubt that the Prophets were the most knowledgeable regarding Allah. This profound level of knowledge generated a lofty standard of firm belief and fear of Allah The Exalted. The more a slave knows about his Lord, the more he reveres Him and increases in worship, fear, sincerity and love to his Lord.
Allah granted this high status to His chosen servants, the Prophets and Messengers. They received this status through their perfect knowledge of His Names and Attributes. Therefore, they became worthy of being emulated.
Prophet Abraham told his father while inviting him to the true path: «O my father, indeed there has come to me of knowledge that which has not come to you, so follow me; I will guide you to an even path.» [Quran: 19:43]
And Allah Said about His Prophet Jacob (what means): «And indeed, he was a possessor of knowledge because of what We had taught him, but most of the people do not know.» [Quran: 12:68]
Allah also told us that Prophet Noah said to his people (what means): «I convey to you the messages of my Lord and advise you; and I know from Allah what you do not know.» [Quran: 9:62]
Allah addressed Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, Saying (what means): «and say, “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”» [Quran: 20:114]
Thus, we must follow the example of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He was sent as a mercy to humankind, an example to his followers and a standard-bearer showing Allah’s right path.
The Obligation of following the example of the Prophets and adhering to their guidance:
Ibn Al-Qayyim (a scholar) said,
“There is no path to happiness and success in this world or the Hereafter except at the hands of Messengers. And there is no way to determine the good from bad except through their teachings. Allah’s pleasure is never gained except through their example. Good actions, sayings and manners are only attained through the guidance they brought.
The Prophets are the scale by which our actions, sayings and manners must be weighed. And their example is the criterion between the people of guidance and those of misguidance.
We are in need of following their examples more than a body needs its soul, and more than an eye needs light to be able to see. In fact, every decreed obligation is surpassed by the obligation of following the example of the Prophets. If we neglect doing so for the blink of an eye then our hearts will become corrupt, just like a fish becomes when it is taken out of water.
Since happiness in this life and the Hereafter is linked with following the example of Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, a wise person who is seeking his own happiness and salvation must gain enough knowledge regarding the Prophet’s guidance and biography. This way he becomes a true follower and joins the party of the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
In this regard, there are those who gain a lot of knowledge, those who gain only a little of it and others who are deprived of it. Allah grants goodness to whomever He wishes. Indeed, Allah grants great bounties.”(Zaad Al-Ma’ad (69/1).)
Why do we have to follow the example of the Prophet of Allah, Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam?
We follow his example because his life is the most perfect of lives. Allah chose Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, based on His Knowledge and Wisdom. He selected him over all humans. Thus, we must learn about his blessed life that was guided and decreed by Allah; perhaps his lifestyle would become a beacon for us and a cause of salvation for our nation. The following are more reasons why we must follow the example of Prophet of Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam:
Out of obedience to Allah’s Orders:
We should follow the example of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, because we were ordered to do so by Allah. He, 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]
And Allah warned us against disobeying the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He Says (what means): «So let those beware who dissent from the Prophet’s order, lest Fitnah (trial) strike them or a painful punishment.» [Quran: 24:63]
Because Allah made Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, Faultless:
We should follow the Prophet’s example because his life was free from faults. He was chosen by Allah to deliver His message and was worthy of being followed. Allah safeguarded the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and protected him against all faults. In the event he did make a mistake (because he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used his best judgment in cases where he did not receive revelation), Allah did not approve of it and rectified it.
Thus, such a person is worth following, his biography is worth studying and his guidance is worth learning.
The Prophet’s life contained great wisdom:
We should follow the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, because his life contained great wisdom, whether in matters of faith, manners, guidance, and perseverance in calling towards Allah and fighting evil.
Following the Prophet’s example is the condition for achieving success and victory:
We will never gain success and victory unless we follow the example of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in his sayings, actions and manners. Hasn’t Allah made the Prophet’s biography and manners an example for us?
The Prophet served as an example in all situations:
As a man, a husband, a brother, a Prophet, a ruler, a leader, Allah made the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, an example for us to follow in all circumstances.
Learning the Prophet’s biography is necessary to follow him:
We must learn how to follow the example of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. We must learn various aspects of his life including the way he dealt with different people.
By Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid
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