The Prophet and You


A quick glimpse at our state could easily lead to despair and hopelessness. In fact, many of us are beleaguered at the dark waves of sadness and plight that have swept the Muslim nation away from its high goals and lofty morals. The Prophetic era seems light years away, and many of us are only left to imagine how things must have been.

Do not despair! For indeed, at this very moment there exists between you and Allah's beloved a relationship that can only be called special.

"The Prophet is closer to the believers than them selves"

"Whoever sends blessing upon me, Allah will send ten blessing upon him."

The birth of the Prophet is the greatest day in human history. Qatadah Al-Ansari (ra) stated that the Prophet was asked about fasting on Monday and he replied: "It is the day on which I was born and on which I received the Divine Revelation." Commenting on this Hafidh Ibn Rajab (ra) stated: "This hadith points out the desirability of fasting on days to remind one of the favors of Allah that took place on that day. Thus, the greatest blessing of Allah upon His servants was the appearance of Muhammad and him being sent to them as their Prophet and Messenger.

Allah says: "Indeed, Allah favored the believers when He sent a Messenger from amongst themselves."

It is easy, especially during these days, to become depressed and saddened by the condition of Muslims the world over. However, let us take sometime and reflect upon what it means to be a follower of the Prophet . In the Qur'an Allah calls upon the Prophet in many different places:

"O Prophet."

"O Messenger"

O you wrapped in your mantle."

"O covered one."

However, if you look carefully you'll never find:

"O Muhammad ."

But, if you look at the case of the other Messengers and Prophets of Allah you'll find something remarkable:

"And We said, 'O Adam.

"Oh Dawood."

One may ask, why has Allah addressed the other Prophets and Messengers directly but not the Prophet ? The great Mufasir Muhamad Al-Ameen Shinqiti (ra) stated that Allah did this to illustrate the status of the Prophet . Now imagine how lucky you are to be from the followers of the Prophet ! What does it mean to be from His nation? And how lucky you are to say: "And I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger and Slave of Allah."

Glad tidings! Glad tidings! Glad tidings!

Sometimes we feel far from the Prophetic age and this is a great cause for sadness. It is disheartening to see many Muslims giving up, turning tail and drowning in depression and pessimism. However, our relation with the Prophet is alive and well. In fact, we, in many ways, are lucky for our relation with the Prophet can only be called special .

The Prophet said: "Glad tidings for the one who saw me and believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn't see me, yet believed in me." However, in other narrations of the same hadith we find that our beloved said: "Glad tidings for the one who saw me and believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn't see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn't see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn't see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn't see me, yet believed in me." Yet still, in another narration, we find "Glad tidings for the one who saw me and believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn't see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn't see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn't see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn't see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn't see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn't see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn't see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn't see me, yet believed in me.8" It is well known amongst the scholars that the word, "Tuba" glad tidings means Paradise. In addition, it is well known that the Prophet would repeat things in order to show their importance.

I wish I could see our brothers

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah came to a graveyard and said, 'Peace be upon you, abode of a believing people. Allah willing, we will join you. I wish that we could see our brothers.' They said, 'Are we not your brothers, Messenger of Allah?' He said, 'You are my Companions. My brothers are those who have not yet come.' They said, 'How can you know someone of your community who has not yet come, Messenger of Allah?' He said, 'Do you not think that if a man had horses with white blazes which were among dark black horses, that he would recognize his horses?' They said, 'Yes indeed. Messenger of Allah.' He said, 'They will come with white blazes from wudu' and I will precede them to the Basin." When you read this hadith you should experience a great sense of happiness and humility. The Prophet mentioned you to his companions and referred to you as his brothers. Take a few moments, make wudu, and ponder on its implications.

You'll be with those you love

Sometimes I close my eyes and ask myself: "What it would be like to look at the face of the Prophet , to walk with him, to talk with him and to face his eyes, indeed pearls, and witness the intense glow of his countenance as it penetrates the deep dark caverns of my sin infested soul; illuminating it, bringing it warmth and comfort? Can you imagine the Prophet's radiant face? Can you imagine the pleasure in seeing it? Can you imagine the glow from it? Jabir bin Samurah (ra) said, "I saw him one night during a full moon. I looked at him. He was dressed in a red garment. I compared him with the moon and found that - for me - he was brighter than the moon."

Ar-Rabi' bint Muawwidh (ra) said: "Had you seen him, you would have felt that the sun was shining."

Longing to be with the Prophet is from one of the greatest signs of our faith. Once a companion came to the Prophet and stated that when he left the lessons of the Prophet and sat in his home he would begin to cry. The Prophet inquired for what reason? The Companion (ra) said, "I realize that I'm with you now. But when I die and if I enter the Paradise, then I will not be with you because of your lofty status. Thus, I will be away from you and am overtaken by tears at the thought." The Prophet turned to him and said, "A person will be with those he loved." Bilal (ra) upon his death bed was overcome by tears. When asked if he was crying out of grief he stated, "Tomorrow! Tomorrow I shall meet Muhammad and his companions." Our mother Aiesha (ra) states: "When Abu Bakr was informed that he would be migrating with the Prophet to Medina he began to cry." She adds, "It was the first time I'd ever seen someone cry out of happiness." Once a man came to the Prophet and asked him about a person who loves others, but for some reason could never see them. The Prophet responded, "A person will be with whom he loves."

Thus, although we are far away from the Prophet's time. We are still close to him by our love. Indeed, our love for him burns in the depths of our hearts creating a great anxiousness to see Him.

Exercising Your Relationship With The Prophet

1. Loving the Prophet:

Know that your sincere love for the Prophet will be a means of being with him at his fount and drinking from his noble hands. "A person will be with whom he loves." Anas bin Malik (ra) commented on this hadith by saying: "After Islam there is nothing I hold dearer then this. For I love the Prophet! I love Abu Bakr and Umar! And a person will be with who he loves!"

2. Learn his (sa) deen:

We should, from this day forward, try our best to learn and practice a new Sunnah every month. As families we can make competitions between ourselves; seeing who acted on the Sunnah the most each month. As Imam Ahmed said, "For every Sunnah practiced an innovation is destroyed."

3. Sending Salwaat:

We should send praises upon the Prophet and ask Allah's prayers for him. This is one of the keys to opening this special relationship. Every time you send salwaat upon the Prophet the following happen:

-Your salams are presented to Him and he responds to you 
-Allah will send ten blessings upon you
-Allah will remove ten of your sins
-Allah will raise your station ten fold

Thus, by sending salawat upon the Prophet , you enact that special relationship.

Send salwat upon him now and ponder its implications.

3. Latching on to his Sirah:

Start a sirah circle in one's home, local MSA, or Masjid. It is said that one talks about what the heart covets. Thus, studying the life of the Prophet is a sign of one's true love for him. One of the best books available is Muhammad Man and Messenger by Adil Salahi.

4. Reflect on his countenance:

We should reflect on the face of the Prophet . If he were to see the division amongst us that is tearing us apart, would he smile? Let us practice mercy on issues where differences are valid and avoid harsh words and work on what we agree according to our sacred law.

5. Tauba:

Repent to Allah and renew our commitment to His faith and our following of the Prophet .

6. The Mawlid:

Is an important time to rekindle the love we have for the Prophet . However, we should not engage in any actions, which violate our sacred law. For that reason Ibn Hajar (ra) stated: "The legal status of the mawlid is that it is a bid'a, which has not been transmitted on the authority of one of the pious ancestors from the (first) three centuries. Despite this, it comprises both good things as well as the reverse. If one strives for good things in the practicing thereof and the opposite is evaded, it is a good innovation. If not, then not." Thus, we should avoid mixing between genders and other acts which violate the nature of our sacred law.

7. Reflect:

We should use these days to strengthen our will; removing depression and anxiety that we have for the Ummah. We should reflect on our lofty status and look towards working at improving our condition on all levels.

I ask Allah to bless all of you and join us with the Prophet at his fount.

Suhaib William Webb is an American-born convert to Islam. He currently lives in Cairo where he studies at Al-Azhar University with a primary focus on Islamic Law.

References:

  1. Surah Al-Ahzab verse 6
  2. A sound hadith
  3. Related by Muslim (ra).
  4. Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali Lataif Al-M'arif pg. 98.
  5. Surah Ali Imran #164.
  6. See Adwaul Bayan by Sh. Shinquit (ra) under Tafsir Surah Hujrat.
  7. Related by Al-Suyuti in Jami Al-Saghir hadith # 5293.
  8. Related by Al-Suyuti in Jami Al-Saghir hadith # 2035.
  9. Related by Al-Suyuti in Jami Al-Saghir hadith # 1035.
  10. Related by Muslim and Malik in Al-Muwata.
  11. Hayat Sahaba under the chapter on faith.
  12. The Life of Abu Bakr (ra) by Sh. Muhammed Al-Salabi (ha). Unfortunately it is only in Arabic in two volumes.
  13. Related by Al-Nawawi in Riyad Al-Salihin.
  14. Sharh of Riyade Salhin by Sh. Bin Uthaimen (ra).
  15. All of these points are based on sound hadith. For more info see jalaaul afhaam by Ibn Qayyim (ra)


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Older Comments:
RASHILLAH ABDUL HAMID FROM SINGAPORE said:
Salaam Brother Webb, this is such a beautiful article.Facing
difficulties in life have made me closer to Allah n reading this
article really uplifted my spirits in facing another challenge in my
everyday life.I hope that Brother Webb will post more articles that
can help people like me.Insya Allah. n may Allah continue to give
us all Patience and Perseverance till our last breath.
2009-02-12

FATIMAH MUHAMMAD FROM CANADA said:
Salam Alaikum to all,
I enjoyed reading this article. I would like to say that if Muslims were really on their deen, then we would have no fear. Secondly, we must realize that we are being tested right now.
I once knew this Muslim brother and he told me that as long as he was praying, reading Quran and Hadith, this helped him get through any kind of difficulties. Muslims should fear Allah, and Allah alone.
I know some Muslims who are in despair and depressed. I sometimes remind them of the days of the Prophet (pbuh).
Good article indeed. Salam Alaikum to all.

Fatimah
2008-03-23

BANU HASHIM FROM UMMAH said:
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
Nahmaduhu wa NuSalli Ala Rasulihil-kareem

As-Salaamu 'Alaikum WRWB,
Indeed Rasool Allah SAWS and His (SAWS) love is the greatest blessing from Allah SWT and a means of salvation on the Day of Judgement.

Indeed celebrating the Mawlid of Rasool Allah SAWS is permissible and a good/desirable act.

There are few who object to its (Mawlid's)permissibility, however, the same folks or their like don't have any reservations or hesitations about celebrating Christmas, participating in tree decorations, or taking their kids to egg hunts on Easter, or send a deck of greeting cards and heart shaped candies to their children's schools on Valentine's day.

But, when it comes to remembering their own Prophet (SAWS) on the day He (SAWS) was born they throw out the word bida'a (negatively) like cash coming out of an ATM machine.

In any case our current state can be attributed to the fact that we as a nation has branched far away from Rasool Allah SAWS in turn branched away from the requirements of Allah SWT.

We all need to reflect on our situation and correct the areas of improvement. Allah SWT will not change our state unless we ourselves first make an effort towards positive change.

And in this process you are not alone ...

"Laqad jaa akum rasoolun min anfusikum AAazeezun AAalayhi ma AAanittum hareesun AAalaykum bil-mu'mineena raoofun raheem."

9:128 Now hath come unto you an Messenger from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that ye should perish: ardently anxious is he over you: to the Believers is he most kind and merciful.

AlHamdulillahi Rabbil-'Alameen, waS-Salaatu was-salaamu 'Ala Khayra-Khalqillah, habeebAllah, 'Ala man Arsalahullaahu Rahmatal-lil-'aalameeen Sayyidina Muhammad ibn-Abd-Allah"
2008-03-19

SHUJA FROM CANADA said:
If we really love the Prophet (saw), the following shall be done:

Unconditional and consistence repentance;
offering of two rakas of hajah (need) everyday for establishing Khilafat asap;
Establishing 5-time Salat;
Establishing of the insitution of Zakat;
Failing to do that,no matter how much we love the Prophet (saw), how big the beard is, we will be continued to be humiliated and the general humanity will continue to suffer.

The real love with the Prophet (saw) is to establish the just system on this planet, providing justice and equity to Jews, Hindus, Christians, trees, plants, animals, oceans, mountains and other creatures and only Muslims as leaders can do that, because they have the Glorious Qur'an as guidance.

Unfortunately, that is not happening.

Shuja
2008-03-18

YASMEEN HASNAIN FROM UK said:
JZK dear brother Webb. this is a spiritually uplifting article and inshallah the benefit of reciting salawat and following the sunnah by the readers motivated will be for the all including author and website. salam alaykum
2008-03-18

ADAM FROM NIGERIA. said:
But for the maulid paragraph all the points you presented are fantastic, Brother Suhaib. I love reading the article and i got much from it.

But have you ever asked yourself Suhaib, that how can something which is bidi'a be good at the same time? Especially when the beloved Prophet (SAW) affirmed the extent to which bidi'at are bad in his famous sayings amonsgt others that ..kullu bidi'atin dalala' that all inovations led to astray. Forget about those "professors" at Azhar who claimed to have new set of definitions for "kullu". Kullu will always remain kullu = all. If there were exceptions you can bet the beloved Prophet will have given us in the hadith or at best before his demised.

This religion, Islam brother is Qalal-Allah and Qalal-rasulul-Allah and no third component even the ijma' the ijtihad and the qiyas must by necessity be based on the first two. So be ware of reporting authentic hadith and then using logic to interprete it another way just to suit the circumstances. If all the world of muslims today will say maulid is part of Islam don't follow them follow that authentic traditon of the Prophet (SAW) that prohibits it.

2008-03-18