11-11-2020
Narrated by Abu Huraira (r) that the Messenger (S) said: "I was sent to perfect good character (of people)."
Source: Al Adabul Mufrad
We are still in the third month of the Islamic calendar - Rabi’ul Awwal 1442 Hijri, in which Allah has sent His Mercy to all of humanity and when again, He opened the door of Hidayah (guidance), by sending the last Messenger, Muhammad (S) to the worlds as the Rahmah, to guide them from darkness to the Light.
The birth of the last Messenger, Muhammad (S) is indeed a great favor, not only for Muslims but for all of humanity.
That was a moment when the man of perfect morals came to help humanity in saving themselves and finding the way out from the darkness of ignorance (Jahl).
Almighty Allah describes His Messenger, Muhammad (S) in the following words: “And surely you have sublime, perfect morals.” (Al Qalam 4)
Yes, he was also sent to perfect the moral of others, as he taught us: “"I was sent to perfect good character." (Adabul Mufrad)
With regard to such great characteristics and perfection of our Messenger (S), Allah has made it an obligation for us and imperative to take him as our example and follow his teachings in regards to perfecting our character and morals.
It was confirmed in the Qur’an: “Say (O Muhammad, to mankind), if you (really) love Allah then follow me (follow the Qur’an and Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Say (O Muhammad (S)): ‘Obey Allah and the Messenger (S)’ But if they turn away, then Allah does not like those who reject faith. (Ali ‘Imran 31, 32) In the early days of Islam, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S), was teaching the people: “It is just one phrase - La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah - and if you accept this from me, the whole of Arabia and the whole world will follow you.”
This revolutionary slogan was a declaration of the freedom from being slaves to humans and our own desires.
The second part of it insists that the only means of uplift and social reform is the institution of Prophethood established by Almighty Allah.
Muhammad’s (S) Message was simple and powerful, clear and weighty, immediate and eternal.
His message was a call for moral revolution.
It was some sort of a moral vaccination in the time of spiritual chaos and wide-spread ignorance.
His message redefines life, law, government, mind and body.
When he (S) appeared, Arabia was a desert, a void.
Out of nothing a new world was formed through Allah’s Mercy, a new life, a new culture, a new civilization which influenced the life and thought of the world including our home Canada. Almighty Allah confirms that the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S) was sent as His Mercy to all the creatures of this universe: “And We have not sent you (O Muhammed (S)) except as a mercy for the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).” (Al Anbiya 107)
Muhammad (S) did not come to one or any particular nation!
He came to the entire world; to all people of the world to give them glad tidings and to warn them, as well. Allah informs us: “And We have not sent you (O Muhammad (S)) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men do not know.” (Saba 28)
The personality of Muhammad (S) is great. There is Muhammad (S), the Messenger; there is Muhammad (S), the Leader; there is Muhammad (S), the General; there is Muhammad (S), the Businessman; there is Muhammad (S), the Reformer; there is Muhammad (S), the preacher; there is Muhammad (S), the husband; there is Muhammad (S), the father; there is Muhammad (S), the neighbor, etc. In all these walks of life, in all these departments of human activities, he is like a hero!
When he liberated the Arabia from the chains of Jahl (ignorance), more than one million square miles of land lay at his feet but still he mended his own shoes and clothes. His mission was not to gain material values or wealth.
When he was approached by the Quraysh to give up the mission for wealth and power, he told them: “If you placed the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand, I would not stop this mission.”
Yes, this was our Messenger (S), ‘the perfect role model for all time and places till the Day of Judgment! Allah has sent him to be followed, listened to and taken as the role model: “And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad (S)) gives to you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids to you, abstain from it.” (Al Hashr 7)
After defeating the opponents, circumstances changed, but the Messenger Muhammad (S) did not.
In victory and in defeat, in power and in adversity, he is the same man, strong personality and firm character, just, merciful and forgiving to all.
But do we know this great man? Do we know his Sunnah and do we follow it?
If we say yes but we do not follow his teachings, our mere words will not work.
So, what should be done? As his followers, we should remember him every day by applying his Sunnah in our daily life, offering salawat on him in our prayers, being brothers and sisters to each other, as he taught us, not making divisions among ourselves and being examples to others.
What we should do in these times when some openly attack the Messenger (S), his teachings and Muslims?
1. We should remember his great personality, his great character and the teachings he brought to all of us,
2. We should revive his tradition in all walks of life,
3. We should confront ourselves and then turn our faces towards Almighty Allah, asking ourselves: “Do we really follow the guidance of Allah and his Messenger, Muhammad (S)? Can we be in the category of those who are called ‘the best Ummah ever appeared’? Do we, in our current conditions, deserve this reputation and status?
4. We should remind ourselves on the purpose of our being here and live Islam in its totality as our Din (the way of life).
5. We should remind ourselves on the Messenger of Allah (S) and his life and learn about his Sirah (history).
Following his teachings is a sign of our love and respect towards him.
This is to say: his teachings must be present in our hearts, homes, and the communities through the whole year, not just on special days and in special seasons.
Our love and respect for him needs to be shown in practice through ‘Ibadah, unity, brotherhood, love, re, strive in being on the path of truth, peace and justice, etc.
The Qur’an confirms it: “Only the true believers are those who believed in Allah and His Messenger and have never since doubted but have striven with their wealth and their persons in the cause of Allah. They indeed are the truthful ones.” (Al Hujurat 15)
Ya Rabb! Guide us to thank You every day when the sun rises for the Mercy you sent to us and all of humanity.
We pray to you Ya Rabb to aid us in guiding our children to love and follow Mustafa (S), our and their role model!
Allahumma Amin!.