By ACP Alhassan Yaqub PhD
Forgiveness:- A village Arab man once urinated in the mosque area and the prophet did not rebuke him but only guided him on what and where to urinate.
– During the military campaigns of Ghatfan, an Arab Chieftain named Ghowras intend to kill the prophet when he failed, the Prophet forgave him. There are many other instance of people who wanted to kill him but when they failed, he eventually forgave them, such as the case of eighty men from Tan’im, a Jewish woman that tired to poison him, etc
His forgiveness to Abu Sufyan and the people of Makkah after Fathu Makkah (the triumphant entry of Muslims into Makkah in the 8th year of Hijrah.
His Mercy:- Unlike the Duahs of some Prophets to their people, such as in the case of Prophet Nuh and Musa. The Prophet’s Duah to his nation (e.g. Ta’if, Uhud) is “Allahummah hadihim Fa’innahum la ya’lamun”. i.e. “Oh Allah forgive my people, for they do not know”
An adulteress who repeatedly confessed her sins- then someone cursed her, the Prophet said ‘be gentle on her, do not curse her’.
The case of a drunkard who was also repeatedly punished, when people curse him the Prophet said “(be lenient on him) do not curse him, by Allah I know he loves Allah and His Messenger”.
Allah says in His praise to the Prophet: “And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from you”.
Keeping Promise:- Abdullah bn Hamsa’ kept him waiting for three days, when he eventually turned up, the Prophet’s comment was simply “O young man you make things difficult for me here, I was waiting for you here since three days ago”.
His Generosity:– Jabir Ibn Abdullahi (R. A) reported that the Prophet never said “NO” when he is asked to give out something as long as he has it. The Prophet gave 100 camels to individuals in many occasions. e.g. to Abu sufyan, Muawiyya, etc. He gave 300 sheep to Safwan Ibn Umayya Al-Jumli after fathu Makkah before he even accepted Islam. He once distributed 90,000 dirhams in a day.
He condemns racism, saying “there is no superiority of an Arab over non-Arab or a white man over a black man, except in righteousness’.
Thus, model person person to take as a role model and good example is our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the model of the society is the community of his Companions. Allah, The Most Knowledgeable expresses this reality in Suratun Najm, where He says: “Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. It is not but a revelation revealed.”
While our beloved Prophet put the Book of Allah in the centre of his life, the Qur’an put the Messenger of Allah and his Sunnah in the centre of people’s life. The following verse clearly shows this: “Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you.”
Following the Sunnah directly reminds us of the Prophet. Emulating the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) in every matter – even in the most simple ones – from eating to sleeping, guides us to our Lord, Who has sent him as a guide. It makes us feel that we are in the presence of Allah, The All-Seeing, All-Knowing. In this way, our simplest deeds, even our habits, gains the value of worship.
The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said in a hadith, “The Book of Allah was given to me and a similar of it (Sunnah) was also given along with it. It will not take long, someone with full belly on an armchair will one day say ‘The Qur’an is enough for you; whatever halal you find in it, accept it as halal; whatever haram you find in it, accept it as haram’ (thus denying the Sunnah).”
Since the Sunnah is the implementation of the Qur’an into daily life, it is a the right and best guidance for us. The Prophet (SW) declared this in his last sermon before tens of thousands of Sahaba, he said: “I leave behind me two things, the Qur’an and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.”
The Prophet (SAW) is an example; the role model for humanity of all times. Those who obey him actually obeys the Qur’an. Some verses that express this truth are as follows: “And obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.”
“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.”
“He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah.”
The Qur’an is the direct word of Allah, The Creator and Cherisher and the Sunnah gives the practical iinterpretation of the Qur’an. The Sunnah shows how the commandments and teachings mentioned in Qur’an can be put to practice. Sunnah wipes off all the arguments regarding the practicability of Qur’an’s teachings.
As Muslims! When we stand before Allah, The Most High, The Merciful and The Just on that fateful Day, we will be measured and judged based on the teachings of our beloved Prophet (SAW). Allah (SWT) will show us our heart, point out the spot of envy on it and ask us about it. Such a spot was never found on the heart of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)). We were given a lifetime, which is nothing but time, and asked to groom ourselves in accordance with the perfect example. If we want Allah (SWT) to reward our souls with Jannah, then we should eat, drink, sleep, walk, talk, breath and live in accordance with the teachings of our beloved/Prophet (PBUH). Allah says: “Fal yahzaril lazhina yukhalifuna an amrihi an tusibahum fitnatun aw yusibahum azabun alim”
..And let those who opposed to messenger’s commandment beware, less some Fitnah (trials, afflictions) should befall them”
Let us strive to follow the Prophet’s teachings which embodies compassion, justice, and mercy. May we be guided by his example, and may our lives reflect the values of his refined Message.
May Allah, The Most Merciful bless us with wisdom, understanding, and the ability to apply the Prophet’s teachings in our lives. May peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his family, companions, and all those who follow his teachings until the end of time.
Oh Allah! let us not be a disgrace to our beloved Messenger (PBUH) on that Day. Let us not be a cause for his having to delay entrance into Jannah. Ya Allah, fill our limbs and hearts with the light of sunnah, so that we may become more beloved to You. Aameen!
We pray for continues unity and peaceful coexistence of our Country and all other areas around the world. We pray for Allah’s guidance and blessings in the decisions of our leaders.
ACP Alhassan Yaqub PhD
Imam, Force Headquarters, Jumu’ah Mosque Abuja
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
