Sunnat Ki Tareef
TAG: uswa e husna
Rahbar, Rahnuma, Shafi-e-Mehshar, Saqi-e-Kauser
Rahbar, Rahnuma, Shafi-e-Mehshar, Saqi-e-Kauser
A Need For Prophet’s Traditions
To deal with this topic it is necessary to know the position of the Prophet in Islam (peace be upon him), because the indispensability of Ahadith depends upon the position of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Analyzing the problem we can visualize three possibilities:
1. The duty of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was only to convey the message, and nothing more was required from him.
2. He had not only to convey the message but also to act upon it and to explain it. But all that was for the specified period, and after his death, the Qur’an is sufficient to guide humanity.
3. No doubt he had to convey the divine message, but it was also his duty to act upon it and to explain it to the people. His actions and explanations are a source of guidance forever. His sayings, actions, practices, and explanations are a source of light for every Muslim of every age.
Muslim scholars are of the unanimous view that only the third point is the correct assessment of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) position in Islam. The Qur’an contains dozens of reminders of the important position of the Prophet (peace be upon him). For instance, the Qur’an says:
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad, peace be upon him) you have a good example for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much. (Al-Ahzab 33:21)
According to this verse, every Muslim is bound to have a good example of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as an ideal in life. In another verse, he has been made a hakam (judge) for the Muslims by Allah Almighty. No one remains Muslim if he does not accept the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) decisions and judgments as explained in Surah Al-Nisaa‚ (4:65).
The Qur’an is very clear in expressing its view on the position of the Prophet (peace be upon him). According to the Qur’an, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has four capacities, and he must be obeyed in every capacity. He is mu’allim wa murabbi (teacher and educator); he explains the Book; he is a judge; and he is a ruler. In all these capacities, he is an ideal example for the Muslims. I am quoting a few verses of the Qur’an just to give a hint of this topic:
Indeed, Allah conferred a great favor on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad, peace be upon him) from among themselves, reciting unto them His Verses (the Qur’an), and purifying them (from sins by following him), and instructing them (in) the Book (the Qur’an) and Al-Hikma [the wisdom and sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him], while, before that, they had been in manifest error. (Aal Imran 3:164)
O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad, peace be upon him), and those of you (Muslims) who are authority among you. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him), if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. (An-Nisaa‚ 4:59)
In all these verses, the Qur’an has explained various aspects of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) personality. One can judge the importance of the Prophet (peace be upon him) from these verses. I am reminded of another important verse of the Qur’an, which is actually a verdict against those who do not believe in Ahadith as an authentic source of law:
And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad, peace be upon him), after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers’ way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him Hell – what an evil destination! (An-Nisaa‚ 4:115)
The Qur’an, while pressing the Muslims to obey the Prophet (peace be upon him), goes a step further when it announces that the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) is above all the limitations of time and space. He is the Last Prophet (peace be upon him) and is a Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) for the whole of humanity for all time to come. Ahadith is nothing but a reflection of the personality of the Prophet (peace be upon him), who is to be obeyed at every cost.
Dr. Hamidullah in his book, Introduction to Islam, explains: “The importance of Ahadith is increased for the Muslim by the fact that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) not only taught but took the opportunity of putting his teachings into practice in all the important affairs of life. He lived for 23 years after his appointment as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). He endowed his community with a religion, which he scrupulously practiced himself. He founded a state, which he administered as the supreme head, maintaining internal peace and order, heading armies for external defense, judging and deciding the litigations of his subjects, punishing the criminals, and legislating in all walks of life. He married and left a model of family life. Another important fact is that he did not declare himself to be above the ordinary law which he imposed on others. His practice was not mere private conduct, but a detailed interpretation and application of his teachings.
Twelve Proofs That Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) Is A True Prophet
My brothers and sisters everywhere! with this essay, I am not singling out the adherents of Islam – to which I ascribe- but rather I am writing this essay to every man and woman throughout the whole world. I ask Allah that He facilitates that this essay reaches every ear, falls under the sight of every eye, and is understood by every heart… Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) the son of `Abdullah is Allah’s Prophet and the Final Messenger Sent by Allah to the Inhabitants of Earth.
My brothers and sisters everywhere! You should know that the Messenger, Muhammad the son of `Abdullah (s.a.w.s.) is Allah’s Messenger in reality and truth. The evidences that shows his veracity are abundant. None but an infidel, who out of arrogance alone, could deny these signs.
Among these proofs:
1. Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) was raised illiterate, unable to read or write, and remained like that till his death. Among all his people, he was known as being truthful and trustworthy. Before receiving revelation, he had no prior knowledge of Religion or any previously sent Message. He remained like that for his first forty years. Revelation then came to Muhammad (s.a.w.s.)with the Qur’an that we now have between our hands. This Qur’an mentioned most of the accounts found in the previous scriptures, telling us about these events in the greatest detail as if he witnessed them. These accounts came precisely as they were found in the Torah sent down to Moosa (a.s.w.s.) and in the Gospel sent down to Eesa (a.s.w.s.). Neither the Jews nor Christians were able to believe him regarding anything that he said.
2. Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) also foretold of everything that would occur to him and his community after him, pertaining to victory, the removal of the tyrannical kingdoms of Chosroes [the royal title for the Zoroastrian kings of Persia] and Caesar, and the establishment of the religion of Islam throughout the earth. These events occurred exactly as Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) foretold as if he was reading the future from an open book.
3. Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) also brought an Arabic Qur’an that is the peak of eloquence and clarity. The Qur’an challenged those eloquent and fluent Arabs of his time, who initially belied him, to bring forth a single chapter like the Qur’an. The eloquent Arabs of his day were unable to contest this Qur’an.
Indeed, till our day, none has ever dared to claim that he has been able to compose words that equal-or even approach-the order, grace, beauty, and splendor of this Glorious Qur’an.
4. The life history of this Noble Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) was a perfect example of being upright, merciful, compassionate, truthful, brave, generous, distant from all evil character, and ascetic in all worldly matters while striving solely for the reward of the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful of Allah.
5. Allah instilled a great love for Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) in the hearts of all who believed in and met him. This love reached such a degree that any of his companions would willingly sacrifice his (or her) self, mother, or father for him.
Till today, those who believe in Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) honor and love him. Any one of those who believe in him would ransom his own family and wealth to see him, even if but once.
6. All of history has not preserved the biography of any person in the manner it has preserved the life of Muhammad (s.a.w.s.), who is the most influential human in history.
Nor has the entire earth known of anyone whom every morning and evening, and many times thereafter throughout the day, is thought of by those who believe in him. Upon remembering Muhammad (s.a.w.s.), the believers in him will greet him and ask Allah to bless him. They do such with full hearts and true love for him.
7. Nor has there ever been a man on earth who is still followed in all his doings by those who believe in him.
Those who believe in Muhammad (s.a.w.s.), sleep in the manner he slept; purify themselves (through ablution and ritual washing) in the manner he purified himself; and adhere to his practice in the way they eat, drink, and clothe themselves.
Indeed in all aspects of their lives, the believers in Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) adhere to the teachings he spread among them and the path that he traveled upon during his life.
During every generation, from his day till our time, the believers in this Noble Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) have fully adhered to his teachings. With some, this has reached the degree that they desire to follow and adhere to the Prophet’s way in his personal matters regarding which Allah has not sought of them to adhere to in worship. For example, some will only eat those specific foods or only wear those specific garments that the Messenger liked.
Let alone all that, all those who believe in Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) repeat those praises of Allah, special prayers, and invocations that he would say during each of his actions during day and night, like what he would say when he greeted people, upon entering and leaving the house, entering and leaving the mosque, entering and leaving the bathroom, going to sleep and waking from sleep, observing the new crescent, observing the new fruit on trees, eating, drinking, dressing, riding, traveling and returning from travel, etc.
Let alone all that, all those who believe in Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) fully perform-even to the minute detail-every act of worship like prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage-as this Noble Messenger Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) taught and as he himself performed.
All of this allows those who believe in him, to live their lives in all aspects with this Noble Messenger Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) as their example, as if he was standing before them, for them to follow in all their doings.
8. There has never been nor will there ever be a man anywhere upon this earth who has received such love, respect, honor, and obedience in all matters-small and large alike-as has this Noble Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.).
9. Since his day, in every region of the earth and during every period, this Noble Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) has been followed by individuals from all races, colors, and peoples. Many of those who followed him were previously Christians, Jews, pagans, idolaters, or without any religion. Among those who chose to follow him, were those who were known for their sound judgment, wisdom, reflection, and foresight. They chose to follow this Noble Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) after they witnessed the signs of his truthfulness and the evidence of his miracles. They did not choose to follow Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) out of compulsion or coercion or because they had adopted the ways of their fathers and mothers.
Indeed many of the followers of this Prophet (s.a.w.s.), chose to follow him during the time when Islam was weak, when there were few Muslims, and when there was severe persecution of his followers on earth. Most people who have followed this Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) have done so not to acquire some material benefits. Indeed many of his followers have suffered the greatest forms of harm and persecution as a result of following this Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.). Despite all this harm and persecution, this did not turn them back from his religion.
My brethren! All of this clearly indicates to anyone possessing any sense, that this Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) was truly and really Allah’s messenger and that he was not just a man who claimed prophethood or spoke about Allah without knowledge.
10. With all this, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) came with a great religion in its credal and legal make-up.
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) described Allah with qualities of complete perfection, and at the same time in a manner that is free of ascribing to Him any imperfection. Neither the philosophers nor the wise could ever describe Allah like such. Indeed it is impossible to imagine that any human mind could conceive of an existing being that possesses such complete ability, knowledge, and greatness; Who has subdued the creation; Who has encompassed everything in the universe, small or large; and Who possesses such perfect mercy.
Nor is it in the ability of any human being to place a perfect law based upon justice, equality, mercy, and objectivity for all human activity on earth like the laws that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) brought for all spheres of human activity – like buying and selling, marriage and divorce, renting, testimony, custody, and all other contracts that are necessary to uphold life and civilization on earth.
11. It is impossible that any person conceives wisdom, morals, good manners, nobleness of characters as what this honorable Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) brought.
In a full and complete manner, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) spread a teaching regarding character and manners toward one’s parents, relatives, friends, family, humanity, animals, plants, and inanimate objects. It is impossible for the human mind alone to grasp all of that teaching or come with a similar teaching.
All of that unequivocally indicates that this Messenger Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) did not bring any of this religion from his own accord, but that it was rather a teaching and inspiration that he received from the One Who created the earth and the high heavens above and created this universe in its miraculous architecture and perfection.
12. The legal and credal make-up of the religion that the Messenger, Muhammad, (s.a.w.s.) brought resembles the engineering of the heavens and the earth. All of that indicates that He who created the heavens and the earth is the One Who sent down this great law and upright religion.
The degree of inimitability of the Divine law that was sent down upon Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) is to the same degree of inimitability of the Divine creation of the heavens and earth. For just as humanity cannot create this universe, in the same manner, humanity cannot bring forth a law like Allah’s law that He sent down upon His servant and messenger Muhammad (s.a.w.s.).
Shaykh `Abdul Rahman `Abdul Khaliq
- January, 1
- 765
- Prophet Character
- More
Tajdar e Risalat (PBUH) Ki Pairwi Aur Itaat
Itaat-e-Rasool Quran Ki Roshni Main
Seerat e Mustafa
Al Sadiq, Al Aameen (Sallallahu Alayhay Wasallam)
The Prophet Among His Family Members
Muhammad the last Prophet and Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is the exemplary character that all Muslims must emulate. His way is the straight path that a Muslim has to follow in order to succeed in this world and in the hereafter.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) despite being the Messenger of Allah, was a human being, and therefore he did and said things which even ordinary people can easily understand and follow. The Prophet (peace be upon him) had exemplary patience, a capacity to bear hardship and ability to forgive the erring people, especially the ones who ever ‘wronged’ him in one way or the other.
He also had the ability to be steadfast and resolute in the face of persecution. He kept his promises, fought bravely when attacked, was generous in giving, content with what he had, honest, clean-hearted, kind and compassionate. He always worshiped Allah in sincerity, behaved with people in a humane manner, loved children and respected the womenfolk. In sum, in him was Uswa Hasana, the exemplary character: The Prophet (peace be upon him) was the finest human being.
Men are judged in many ways. But the best scale to judge the character of a man is to see how good he is to the members of his family, especially to his wife. Because husband and wife know each other in a way that others, even parents cannot. A wife knows even those aspects of man’s personality that he can hide from others. This is the reason that a wife’s testimony about her husband’s character is regarded as the most authentic.
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) received the first revelation in the Cave of Hira, he naturally became a bit apprehensive. In such a state of mind he went to no one but to his wife. And what Khadijah told him enumerating his good qualities is remarkable indeed. Imam Bukhari has narrated this story in the beginning of his magnum opus, Sahih, because it contains Khadijah’s testimony about the character and personality of the Prophet (peace be upon him). And this testimony has come from a woman who was witness to even those aspects of the Prophet’s life that others were not in a position to know.
It would, therefore, be rewarding to know as to how the Prophet (peace be upon him) behaved with his wives? It just so happens that people forget the real message or miss the spirit of the message and take their cultural habits as real things, even give them precedence and superiority over matters which are more essential. This is truer about our attitude towards women than anything else. Over the centuries, we have developed an attitude which deprives women even of the rights that the Holy Qur’an had given them. Women have all the rights to get educated and contribute to the welfare of the Ummah in befitting manners.
But we, the Muslims, have confined them within the four walls of their homes and do not do enough for their proper education. The Prophet (peace be upon him) had made it compulsory for both Muslim men and women to acquire knowledge. The Ummah must introspect and think what it has done so far for educating half of its population.
When we study the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) we discover to our amazement that he was as much eager to teach women as he was about his male companions. Women were free to approach the Prophet (peace be upon him) and seek guidance from him. He never thought of them as a source of evil as some people think so today, and consequently deprive them of the opportunities that they deserve to have as a matter of right.
Some Muslims are harsh even toward their wives despite clear Islamic injunctions against such a treatment of women. Some think that being lenient to one’s children and wife is tantamount to spoiling them, and hence they never have fun or play with them. It would be advisable here to recount how the Prophet (peace be upon him) lived and behaved with his wives.
- September, 20
- 1193
- Prophet Character
- More
Ikhlaq Key Teen Pemaney
Ikhlaq Key Teen Pemaney