Last couple of weeks we focussed on the meaning of having true love of the Prophet S.A.W and how we should bring this in our lives. We then touched upon what the scholars of Islam mention regarding celebrating the birth of the Prophet S.A.W and why they admonish us to stay away from such celebrations. This week we will move on to how we should show our love for the Prophet S.A.W and his rights upon us. The best way is for us to show our love and fulfil the first right of the Prophet S.A.W is:
1. To obey and follow his Sunnah, carry out his commands, stay away from his prohibitions, tread his path and act upon it.
The Sahabah showed this as proven in the books of seerah and Ahadith. The incident of when Urwa ibn Masood went to the Prophet S.A.W at the time of Hudaybiyyah as a reformer from the polytheists of Makkah and reported back to them:
عروه بن مسعود ممثل الكفار في صلح الحديبية حاول أن يلمس لحية النبي عليه السلام وهو يتكلم معه، فضرب الصحابي الجليل المغيرة بن شعبة يده بنصل السيف، وقال له: “أخِّر يدك عن رسول الله وإلا لا ترجع إليك”. فلما رجع عروة بن مسعود إلى الكفار قال لهم: “والله يا قوم لقد وفدت على الملوك والأمراء وفدت على قيصر وكسرى والنجاشي، والله ما رأيت ملكًا قط يعظّمه أصحابه كما يعظم أصحاب محمد محمدًا، والله ما يتنخم النخامة إلا وقعت في كفّ رجل منهم، فدلك وجهه وجلده، وإن أمرهم نفذوا أمره، وإذا توضأ كادوا يقتتلون على فضل وضوئه، وإذا تكلموا خفضوا أصواتهم عنده، ولا يحدّون النظر إليه؛ تعظيمًا له”, نعم إنها شهادة من أعداء الله وأعدائه لصحابته على حبهم لنبيهم.
That when he was negotiating he stroked the Prophet S.A.W beard at which the graet companion Al-Mugheerah ibn Shu’bah retorted “remove your hand from the messenger of Allah or it will not return to you!”. Thereafter he said to the Quraysh that he has visited the great kingdoms of the world including the Persian and Abyssinian palaces, yet he has never witnessed any king being honoured like how the companions of Muhammad S.A.W honour him, he doesn’t spit except one of them catches it and rubs it on his face and skin, if he commands them to do something they rush to carry out that command, when he makes ablution they almost fight for the excess of his water and when he speaks the lower their voices nor stare directly at him in awe of him. Such was the understanding of the Sahabah of the Prophet S.A.W status they would obey and follow him.
2. To read his seerah (biography), ponder over his life and listen attentively to his words.
This will allow us to understand who he was increasing us in our knowledge of him and why those who met him were in awe of him from his character, looks, wisdom, hardships, efforts etc. we can appreciate the mission he was sent with and act upon his life lessons.
3. To assist him in propagating his message and defend him against those who slander him or try to diminish his teachings or ways.
We can do this by practically acting upon his teachings safeguarding them and preserving his way of life. The Sahabah’s would protect him at all costs as shown in the incident:
أحد الصحابة أخذه كفار مكة وعذبوه عذابًا شديدًا، وقالوا له وهو تحت التعذيب: أتحب أن محمدًا مكانك وأنت سالم معافى في أهلك ومالك، فصاح فيهم وقال: “والله ما أحب أني في أهلي ومالي وولدي معافى ويصاب رسول الله بشوكة”، وراح ينشد الشاعر فيه: سألوه هل يرضيك أنك سالم *** ولك النبي فدى من الإتلاف
فأجاب كلا لا سلمت من الردى *** ويصاب أنف محمد برعاف
يقول أبو سفيان عندما سمع ذلك: “والله ما رأيت أحدًا يحب أحدًا كما يحب أصحاب محمد محمدًا”.
Once a companion was being severely tortured in the early days of Islam in Makkah when the disbelievers asked him do you wish that Muhammad S.A.W was in your place and you were safe and sound with your family and wealth? The companion replied “By Allah I do not wish that while even a thorn pricks the messenger of Allah!” Abu Sufyan who was an enemy at that time remarked “By Allah I have never seen anyone love another like the companions of Muhammad S.A.W love him”. We learn from this how the Sahabah gave their lives, wealth and families for the sake of protecting the messenger of Allah S.A.W, we too should try to protect his teachings to preserve his legacy.
4. To love, honour and respect him by practically following his method.
We should honour and respect the Prophet S.A.W practically as a person shows his love by what he does rather than merely his words. This is why the Ulama wouldn’t celebrate Milaad once a year then neglect the Sunnah of the Prophet S.A.W after that. Rather they would adopt his way of life throughout the year in his honour out of love and devotion. The Sahabah were ready to sacrifice their lives out of the love and respect they had for him. The incident below of Abubakr R.A when the Prophet S.A.W said Allah gave him a choice between the Dunya and the hereafter and he chose the hereafter making Abubakr R.A weep as he understood what no one else did at that time that the Prophet S.A.W would be departing the world soon so he said “We will sacrifice ourselves and parents for your sake O messenger of Allah”.
فها هو أبو بكر رضي الله عنه عندما سمع النبي عليه السلام يودع أمته على المنبر يقول لهم: “إن الله عز وجل خيَّر عبدًا ما بين أن يُخلّد في الدنيا وبين ما عند الله، فاختار ما عند الله”، فبكى أبو بكر بكاء شديدًا فقال: “نفديك بآبائنا وأمهاتنا يا رسول الله”، فعرف أن رسول الله سيغادر هذه الدنيا.
All the incidents above prove the true and deep love the Sahabah had for Nabi S.A.W. We too should strive to achieve this practically so we gain the success the companions achieved in following the blessed life of Nabi S.A.W. This is the only way we will be successful in this world and the next, there is no other path so let us realise this now before it is too late and we miss out on the promises of Jannah that this path brings.