“We have not sent thee (O’ Muhammad Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) except as a Mercy to the Worlds.” (Quran -Surah 21 Ayah 107)
“Certainly, there is an excellent example for you in the Messenger of Allah, for him who looks forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.” (Quran-33:21)
Muhammed Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam rose like the sun from the horizon of Arabia and dissipated the intense darkness around the globe. His personality embodied the boldness of Moosa Alayhis Salaam, the courteousness of Haroon Alayhis Salaam, the patience of Ayoob Alayhis Salaam, the grandeur of Sulaiman Alayhis Salaam and the humility of Isa Alayhis Salaam. His leadership stands unparalleled in the annals of history. He despised the pomp of royalty, dutifully carried out the domestic tasks of the family; he kindled the fire, swept the floor, milked the cows and mended his own shoes and garments.
The Mission of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam
The mission of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam is eloquently portrayed in a speech which Ja’far Radhiyallaahu Anhu made to the ruler of Abyssinia in Africa. He said:
“O king! We were a people of ignorance, worshiping idols, eating the flesh of dead animals, committing abominations, neglecting our relations, doing evil to our neighbours and the strong amongst us would oppress the weak. We were in this state when Allah Ta’aala sent to us a messenger from amongst us, whose noble lineage and sincerity, trustworthiness and honesty were known to us. He summoned us to the worship of one true Allah and to divest ourselves of the stones and idols which we and our forefathers had been ascribing to Allah. He ordered us to be truthful in speech, to fulfil all that is entrusted to us, to care for our relatives, to be kind to our neighbours, to refrain from unlawful food and the consumption of blood. He forbade us from engaging in shameful acts and false speech…”
The Fundamental Principles Expounded by Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam at the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjutal Widah)
1. Belief in the worship of one Allah.
2. Equality of men, irrespective of colour or nationality.
3. Honour and respect based only on piety.
4. Sanctity of life, property and honour.
5. Abolition of interest and usury.
6. The rights and fair treatment of women.
7. The concept of accountability and personal responsibility.
8. Importance of the pillars of religion i.e. prayer, fasting, charity and pilgrimage.
9. The Qur’an and Sunnah as the only source of salvation.
10. The obligation of Dawah (conveying the message).
Importance of Salaat-Salaam (Durood Shareef)
“Allah and his angels send blessings on the Prophet. O you who believe! Send blessings on him, and salute him with all respects.” (The Holy Quran 56:33)
Ibn Masood Radhiyallaahu Anhu has narrated that Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: Verily the nearest person to me on the Day of Qiyaamah is one who sent the most Durood upon me. (Tirmizi)
Like this, a multitude of narrations exist expounding the virtues of this great act. When his favours are so many upon us then what a great injustice it will be should we fail to excessively send Durood upon him? Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has stated: The one who fails to send Durood upon me when I am mentioned in his presence is a miserly person indeed. (Mishkaat)
LOVE FOR RASOOLULLAH Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam
Rasoolullah’s Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam favours upon his Ummah are infinite and unlimited. Every Ummati accepts and acknowledges this. Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: You do not have (complete) Imaan until I am more beloved to you than your father, children and the rest of mankind. (Mishkaat)
The proof of our love for Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam will lie in the extent to which we emulate every aspect of his life. He is the agency between us and Allah. We can never gain the nearness of Allah until we commit ourselves to the complete obedience of every teaching of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.
Emulate His Objectives
The true measure of our love for him can be gauged from the following Hadith. Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: He who revives my Sunnah (makes effort to bring my Sunnah alive in mankind) certainly loves me and he who loves me will be with me in Jannah. (Targhib)
The extent to which we strive to bring his Deen alive serves as a scale of our love for him. One always works for the establishment and protection of what one loves.
The entire life of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam was directed towards the establishment of Deen and the saving of mankind from Hellfire. Towards this cause he underwent untold suffering and pain. What greater emulation can there be besides devoting our lives towards the fulfilment of the mission of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.
Hassan Basri (RA) narrates that Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: He who enjoins good and forbids evil is the vicegerent of Allah, His Rasool Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam and the Quran. (Tambeehul Gaafileen).
What greater accolade can we aspire for than the vicegerency of Allah and His Rasool Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam? Surely they are the chosen ones. Let us all jointly work for the greatest goal possible – the Mission of our Beloved Rasool Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.
