Of all the Anbiya 'Alayhimu-Salaam that Allah sent to different tribes and nations, Rasulu-Allah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was sent to the whole mankind. Allah says He sent him as a mercy to the whole universe. At another place, that (Mankind) will find in Rasulu-Allah the "uswat al-Hasana", i.e. the best example (to follow). Rasul-Allah's status, (i.e. darajat) therefore, was the flowering of all Anbiya 'Alayhimu salaam that precede him. In this sense, a Sufi poet by the name of Mahmud Shabistari explains in his book "Gulshan-i Raz"
Nabuwwat ra zuhur az Adam Aamad
Kamaalash dar wujud khaatam Aamad
(The very first to appear in the
chainhood of Nabuwwat was Adam (and) Its perfection was in (Muhammmad
who was)'the Seal of all Prophets.
Rasul-Allah (SAWA) was the flowering also because with him Allah chose
to perfect His Message. Allah, in completing His Message also sealed
the Nabuwwat and guaranteed mankind that He chose Islam as the only
religion in which mankind would find full perfection, blessing and
completion of all His laws.
Rasul-Allah was the flowering also because through him Allah has
guaranteed Islam to prevail over all other ideologies.
Since all the dimensions in the Sirat of Rasul-Allah (SAWA) are very
important for us to learn in order to follow his Sunna, it is
important that our Madrassas include in their syllabus the course on
the Sirat of Rasul-Allah (salla-llahu 'Alayhi wa Alihi wa Sallam).
In a short article here to mark the Milad this year, we are presenting
here a brief account on the morals and behavior of Rasul-Allah (SAWA).
For further quick reference, a reader may want to consult a paperback
entitled "A Glance at the Life of the Holy Prophet of Islam" (pages
123-130).
It is a fact that in the 7th century C.E.people were involved in
superstitious beliefs, myths and social traditions that literally
prevented humankind from progress. It is true that by that time, Nabi
Musa 'Alayhi Salaam and Nabi 'Isa ibn Maryam 'Alayhi Salaam had
already brought the Tawrat and the Injil respectively, revealed to
them by Allah for the Bani Israel. The Jews and Christians had,
unfortunately, deviated from the actual teachings of Nabi Musa and
Nabi 'Isa ibn Maryam 'Alayhumaa Salaam a great deal. The complete
guidance was not available.
In Arabia itself, people lived a wretched life-../style. We know that
apart from the aristocratic tribes of the Quraysh who prided
themselves on their tribes (Ashraf al-Qabail), the Bedouin Arabs as
nomads lived on raids and plunder. The non Arab slaves were treated as
chattel and so were the Arab women. We also know that some Arabs
believed birth of daughters to be harmful and would bury their infant
daughters alive! Imam 'Ali 'Alayhi salaam speaks about the conditions
of Arabs of the time in one of his sermons collected in Nahj
al-Balagha.
The peoples of the more civilized areas like the Roman empire and the
Persian empire were also involved in false beliefs and superstitions.
Women in their societies were also considered inferior. Morality was
lacking everywhere. This was literally a dark age! What was required,
therefore, was a true enlightenment, a true social revolution to
uplift the condition of mankind and to show them the purpose in the
life.
The transformation could only occur with the divine blessing from
Allah through the divinely appointed leader. Allah Subhanahu wata'ala
chose Muhammad Rasul-Allah (SAWA) for this great mission that changed
once and for all the condition of mankind. Rasul-Allah lifted mankind
once and for all from the abyss of darkness and showed them the path
to the true Light where they could live a good life on the earth and
prepare for the eternal Hereafter. The choice to choose the path was
left entirely upon human beings themselves. Those who chose the
correct path in the footsteps of Rasul-Allah were helped and guided by
Allah. Those that did not, would never find guidance unless they
realized and turned to Allah by obeying His commands through
Rasul-Allah (SAWA).
In order to achieve this status of the guided, Allah sent as an
example of virtue and morality, Rasul-Allah. A man of greatest
patience, charisma and gentle behavior, Rasul-Allah would be like a
beacon of light in the sea of darkness. Rasul-Allah's gentle behavior
is recorded in the Qur'an where Allah reveals in 3:159 "This is due to
the mercy from Allah that you deal with them (so) gently..." The
incredible understanding, gentleness and most importantly truthfulness
and high morals of Rasul-Allah brought about the revolution, first in
Arabia and then in the whole world.
For the very first time, mankind began to feel its worth. For the very
first time, the social status of women was raised and brought in line
with men. The revolution was amazing. It turned conflict into unity,
arrogance into modesty, illiteracy into motivation to learning and
selfishness into altruism. As men and women became models of morality,
darkness would begin to disappear. Rasul-Allah (SAWA)'s morality is
described in the Qur'an (68:4): "And without any doubt (O Muhammad)
you truly stand on an exalted character."
When he spoke, he did not use hurtful words. Rasul-Allah (Salla-LLahu
'Alayhi wa 'Alihi wa Sallama) was always cheerful. Rasul-Allah
disliked to be treated where others would feel inferior. When he was
among the people, he would mingle so much that a newcomer would not
even know who Muhammad (SAWA) was. With no love for the luxuries of
this world, Rasul-Allah taught that this world is only a passing place
and should be used to build for the permanent life in the Hereafter.
Rasul-Allah (SAWA) would feel angry only when he observed violation of
Allah Subhanahu wata'ala's commands.
Rasul-Allah paid full attention to the needs of people. When someone
talked to him , he listened to him attentively. Amazingly affectionate
to the downcast, like slaves in the society, he always endeavored to
remove their sufferings. With his own servants, Rasul-Allah was
extremely gentle. It is reported that one day, Anas ibn Malik, his
servant, knowing that Rasul-Allah (SAWA) had fasted, prepared milk for
him. Since Rasul-Allah was slightly late in returning home, Anas
thought that Rasul-Allah might have already broken the fast with
someone. He drank the milk he had prepared for Rasul-Allah,himself.
When Rasul-Allah returned, Anas discovered that Rasul-Allah had not
broken the fast yet. When Rasul-Allah was informed that Anas had
already drank his milk, he made no remark and behaved as if he was not
hungry. without any food, he still remained cheerful and still fasted
the next day. No wonder even the non-Muslim sources show that people
loved him so much that they would throng around him when he was doing
his Wudhu so that they would collect water flowing from his face and
hands to rub it on themselves.
Rasul-Allah loved his prayers. And he taught never to lie. Never did
he disrespect anybody and was always forgiving.
When he conquered Makkah and his defeated enemies asked him what he
would do with them, he said to them in the most touching and beautiful
manner that they were like brothers unto him. Just as Nabi Yusuf
'Alayhi Salaam had forgiven his brothers, so did he likewise forgave
them.
In the Khutba that he gave from jabal al-Rahma in his "Hajjat al-Widah"
he commanded people not to treat others inferior. The Arabs were not
superior to the Non-Arabs. Neither was a white man superior to the
black one. All were the children of one father and one mother, Nabi
Adam and Bibi Hawwa 'Alayhumaa Salaam; and Adam was created from the
dust, he said. The only one superior to Allah is the one who is the
most pious to Allah, the one who has the most Taqwa!
This was the true enlightenment that would illumine the world, for
Allah loves those who are Muttaqi and promises them an everlasting
happiness in the hereafter where they will be in the company of
Rasul-Allah at the Hawdh al-Kawthar. And this will be from the
greatest rewards of the Jannat.
How much do we long even now to be in the company of Rasul-Allah,
Salla-llahu 'Alayhi wa Aalihi wa Sallama).
We pray to Allah for that status, Amin.
by: Husein Khimjee