Remembering the Prophet through his Sirah

Transcript of the Talk delivered by Dr. Munawar Haque on Feb 11, 2017 at AMDA

الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين

Assalamu alaikum! I am extremely humbled to have been asked to share some thoughts with you on the sirah of the noblest and the greatest of all souls ever to be born, the most influential human being to set foot on earth till the end of times, the best of creation, and the last and final Messenger of Allah (SWT)—our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Besides the Qur’an, one of the main sources from which we learn about the attributes of the Prophet (SAW) is the sirah, which refers to the study of his life, and all that is related to him.

There are several good reasons why the sirah of Muhammad (SAW) is so significant and relevant to our lives. Some of these are: to understand the Qur’an, to develop the love of the Prophet (SAW) in our hearts, to appreciate the sacrifices he made for his ummah, and to learn about his exemplary character so that we may follow in his footsteps. We know that Allah Himself has preserved and protected the Qur’an for all times to come, for He says,

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ 

“It is We Who have sent down the Reminder and We Who will preserve it” (al-Hijr, 15:9).

Preservation of the Qur'an is not only restricted to protecting its words from change. If that was the case, its meanings could be manipulated according to human desires, while its words remained intact. However, Allah (SWT) also protected the Qur'an's essential meanings from change by entrusting the explanation and the interpretation of the meanings of the Qur'an to the Prophet (SAW). In this respect, Allah (SWT) says,

وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

“And We have sent down the Reminder to you so that you can make clear to mankind what has been sent down to them so that hopefully they will reflect” (al-Nahl, 16:44).

   To understand the meanings of rulings and commandments in the Qur'an, we have to consider what the Prophet (SAW) said or did regarding them. For example, in the Qur'an, Allah commands the believers to offer salah, to pay zakah, to observe sawm, and to perform Hajj. However, in order to obey these instructions correctly, one must study the methodology of the Prophet in this regard. Among his many clarifications concerning salah, Allah's Messenger instructed his followers saying, وَصَلُّوا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي "And pray as you have seen me praying." Likewise he gave specific instructions regarding zakah, sawm, the rites and rituals of Hajj, and many other rulings in the Qur’an pertaining to the daily lives of believers. So, the Prophet's sayings and actions recorded in the collection of hadith were primarily based on revelation from Allah (SWT) and are considered a fundamental source of guidance in Islam. Concerning this aspect of Prophet (SAW), Allah (SWT) says in Surat an-Najm:

وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَى  إِنْ هُوَ إِلاَّ وَحْيٌ يُوحَى

“He does not speak from his own desire. It is nothing but Revelation revealed” (al-Najm, 53:3-4).

And the Prophet (SAW) reiterated this point in one of his recorded statements which said, “Indeed, I was given the Qur’an and something similar to it along with it.” He was referring to his divinely guided sayings and actions.

The uniqueness of Prophet (SAW) is that he was not only a great person in his own time, but he is great for all times, for all people of any race, color, ethnicity, or geographical location. His example was good for the 7th-century Arabs and it is good also for the humanity living now at the beginning of this 21st century. He is an excellent example for rich and poor, for young and old, for rulers and ruled, and for the intellectuals as well as the common man. Allah (SWT) sent him as His Prophet for all humanity. Allah says in Surat Saba,

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا كَافَّةً لِلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

“And We have sent you to all people to be a bearer of good news, as well as a warner; but most people do not know” (Saba, 34:28).

The daily life of the Prophet as recorded in Hadith represents an ideal code of good conduct. In fact, when the Prophet's wife `A'ishah (RA) was asked about his conduct, she replied, كَانَ خُلُقُهُ الْقُرْآنَ "His character was the Qur'an." He followed the Qur’an very meticulously and lived the Qur’an at every moment; in every detail of his life. His life was the reflection of Allah’s Words. He became the Qur’an in person—the embodiment of the Qur’an. Addressing His beloved Prophet, Allah says in Surat al-Qalam:

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ

“And you are surely on an exalted standard of character.” (al-Qalam, 68:4)

Because the Prophet (SAW) was guided by revelation in his personal life, his character and social interactions became prime examples of moral conduct for Muslims until the Last Day. Exhorting believers to follow the Prophet’s example, Allah says in Surat al-Ahzab,

لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الآَخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا

“The Messenger of Allah is an excellent model for those of you who put your hope in Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah very often.” (al-Ahzab, 33:21)

What are some of the attributes of Prophet (SAW)? His character was not restricted to just a few moral attributes, but included diverse traits and aspects of life. He was not only kind, compassionate, caring, generous and humble, but also strong, brave, eloquent, wise and insightful. He was a great planner, organizer and thinker, yet he was also a man of faith, trust and devotion to Allah. He was involved and active with his family and community but he did not neglect his prayers, fasting and devotion to Allah. Actually, he prayed so much that no one prayed like him. He was exemplary as a teacher, preacher, imam, leader, statesman, judge, commander of the armies as well as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a businessman, a neighbor, and a friend.

Before he received the honor of prophethood, he was known among the people of Makkah as “As-Sadiq Al-Amin,” the most honest and trustworthy person. He kept this character throughout his life. He never broke a pledge or promise. Even his enemies could not accuse him of being dishonest. He was also the most humble person. He used to mingle with the poor and sit with them. He stopped people standing up for him. He used to sit wherever there was a place available in an assembly and never sought a prominent or elevated place. The newcomers sometimes would not know who the Prophet was among the people. When he entered the city of Makkah as a conqueror leading a big army, he entered in a most humble manner, his forehead touching the saddle of his camel! He was also the most merciful person. Allah called him a mercy to the worlds.

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ

“And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.” (al-Anbiya, 21:107)

He was merciful to his family, followers, friends, and even enemies. He was merciful to young and old, to humans and to animals. Those who persecuted him in Makkah and killed his relatives and his followers were forgiven by him, when they were defeated in the battles and brought as captives. He did not ever take revenge or retaliated. He was the most forgiving person. Praising the Prophet’s attribute of mercy, Allah says,

لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ

“A Messenger has come to you from among yourselves. Your suffering distresses him: he is deeply concerned for you and full of kindness and mercy towards the believers.” (al-Tawbah, 9:128)

Consistency was a very important aspect of the Prophet’s moral behavior. Once he established some good way or practice, he used to follow it and adhere to it always. He used to say “The dearest deed to Allah is the one that is performed regularly, even if it was a little.” He prayed while the world of humans was asleep. He invoked God while others lost hope. He remained patient and steadfast in the face of adversity. His deep spirituality had freed him from the prison of the self. Freed from his own self, he neglected nobody’s self. His presence was a refuge. He loved, he forgave. Every day he begged God to forgive his own failings and shortcomings.

When a man or a woman came to him burdened with a mistake, however serious, he received that soul and showed him or her the way to forgiveness; to God’s gentle protection. He covered other people’s mistakes from the sight of others, while teaching everyone the need for personal rigor and discipline. He was able to express love and spread it around him. His wives were gratified by his presence, tenderness, and affection and his companions loved him intensely. He gave and offered his presence, his smiles, his very being.

He had listened to women in his society, who often experienced denial of their rights and ill-treatment. In the light of spiritual teachings, he guided them to assert themselves, express themselves, and claim the real freedom of heart and conscience. The Prophet (SAW) loved children, with their innocence, and gentleness. He kissed them, carried them on his shoulders, and played with them, reaching toward their innocence.

Everybody loved, cherished, and respected the Prophet (SAW) because his demanding personality enabled him to transcend his ego, and give himself. The Prophet (SAW) carried a universal message, both in the experience of love present throughout his life and in his reminders to people of the need to adhere to a universal ethics that transcends divisions, affiliations, and rigid identities. He was the beloved of God and an example among humans. May Allah (SWT) give us the tawfiq to follow his example; Allahumma Ameen.

The Prophet (SAW) advocated and demonstrated that justice is a condition for peace, and kept insisting that one cannot experience the taste of equity if one is unable to respect the dignity of individuals. He set slaves free and recommended that Muslims pledge to do so constantly; the faith community of believers had to be a community of free humans. Revelation showed him the way. He never ceased to give particular attention to slaves, the poor, and the lowly in society. He invited them to assert their dignity, to demand their rights, and to get rid of any feeling of inferiority; the message was a call for religious, social, and political liberation. In the presence of God, nothing could justify discrimination, social injustice, or racism.

All those who study Muhammad (SAW)’s life regardless of personal religious belief can derive teachings from his sirah. The Prophet (SAW) came to humankind with a message of faith, ethics, and hope, in which the Supreme Being reminds all people of His presence, His requirements, and the final Day of Return and Encounter.

Strangely enough, events that took place in 7^th century Arabia have much to teach us about the events of our time and their underlying significance. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was not trying to impose religious orthodoxy; he was not much interested in metaphysics—but to change people’s hearts and minds. He called the prevailing spirit of time jahiliyyah, understood as “Time of Ignorance,” that is, the pre-Islamic period in Arabia. But, as recent research shows, Muhammad (SAW) used the term jahiliyyah to refer not to an historical era but to a state of mind that caused violence and terror in 7^th century Arabia. This is much in evidence today in the West as well as in the Muslim world.

At the close of his mission, in the plain lying at the foot of  Jabal ar-Rahmah, the Mount of Mercy, men and women of all races, cultures, and colors, rich and poor, were present and listened to his message, which stressed, “the best among you is the best toward people.” When we claim to love someone, we need to learn more about that person, and this is especially true about Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Loving the Prophet (SAW) is ‘ibadah—a part of iman. In a well-known hadith, the Prophet (SAW) said, “None of you will attain true faith until you love me more than your parents, your children and the whole world.”

What does it mean? It means that you are willing to give up your desires to follow the example; to follow the way of the Prophet (SAW), which means preferring him over everyone and everything else. In fact, ayah 31 of Surat Aal Imran makes following the Prophet (SAW) a condition for loving Allah (SWT). 

قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

“Say, If you love Allah, follow me, and Allah will love you and forgive you your sins; Allah is most forgiving, most merciful.” (Aal ‘Imran 3:31)

Let us invoke blessings upon the noblest and the greatest of all souls, ever to be born, till the end of times.

اللهمّ صَلِّ على محمدٍ وعلى آلِ محمدٍ كما صلَّيْتَ على إبراهيمَ وعلى آل إبراهيمَ  إِنّك حميدٌ مجيد.

اللهمّ بارِكْ على محمد وعلى آلِ محمدٍ كما باركتَ على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيمَ  إِنّك حميدٌ مجيد.

أَقُولُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ وَلِسَائِرِ المُسْلِمينَ وَالمُسْلِمَاتْ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهْ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

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