Contents:

  • Seerah
  • Rabi-ul-Awwal

download

Seerah

To know Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is more important than even knowing  ourselves. Allah Ta’ala declares: “The Nabi is closer to the Believers than their souls…” (Surah Ahzaab Verse 6). The very foundation of our Imaan lies upon knowing Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). It is impossible to fulfil the commands of Allah Ta’ala without the knowledge of the Seerah  of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). From our acts of worship to the mundane daily activities, the method and pattern of the Beloved of Allah Ta’ala will have to be followed. This is the one and only road to gain the love of Allah Ta’ala as explained in the words of the Qur’an: “Say (O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)) If you love Allah Ta’ala follow me, Allah will love you and forgive your sins.” (S.3 V.31)  Therefore a Believer should be well aware of the details of the life of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Hereunder, glimpses from the Seerah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) are discussed. This is  merely to create the thirst within us to undertake a detail study of the Seerah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).

PHYSICAL EXCELLENCE

The height of perfection was granted to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) even in his physical self. Many narrations contain the description of the physical excellence of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).  In one narration it is mentioned that the noble face of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would shine like the full moon.

Hazrath Jaabir (R.A.) says: “I once saw Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) on a moonlit night. At times I looked at the full moon and at times I looked at Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Indeed I concluded that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was more handsome than the moon”. (Shamaa’il Tirmizi pg. 16)

Regarding the palm of  the Nabi of Allah Ta’ala (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Hazrath  Anas (R.A.) says: “I have  never touched any fine silk which was softer than the palm of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) nor did I smell any fragrance better than the (natural) fragrance (of the body of) Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).”

Hazrath Ayesha (R.A.) reports that if  the  women who cut their hands when they saw Yusuf (Alaihis Salaam) had to see Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alalhi Wasallam), they would  have cut out their hearts.

These are just some of the many narrations that explain the physical beauty and excellence of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). A couplet of Hazrath Hassaan bin Thabith (R.A.) sums it all up. He says : “More handsome than you my eye has not seen; More beautiful than you no woman has given birth to; You have been created free from every blemish;  As if you were created just as you had wished.”

CHARACTER

A concise description of the character of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is found in the words of Hazrath Ayesha (R.A.) who said: “His character was the Qur’an.” The incidents pertaining to his noble character are numerous. Hazrath Anas (R.A.) says: “I remained in the service of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) for ten years. He never once told  me ‘oof.’ When I did something, he never asked me: ‘Why did you do so?’. If I did not do a certain task, he never asked me as to why I had not done so?” (Shamaa’il  Tirmizi pg.362)

In another narration Hazrath Ayesha (R.A.) says: “It was not the nature of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to talk indecently, nor did he engage himself in the use of obscene language. He would not shout and talk in the bazaars (which is against dignity). He did not avenge a bad deed with a bad one, but forgave it. Thereafter he would not even mention it.” (Shamaa’il pg.364)

Hazrath Jaabir (R.A.) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) never said ‘no’ to the request of a person.

HUMBLENESS

Thousands of examples of the humbleness of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) are to be found in the books of Ahadith. Hazrath Anas (R.A.) reports:  “Rasulullah  (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) attended invitations where bread made of barley and stale fat a few days old was served (i.e. without any hesitation he accepted these invitations.)” (Shamaa’il pg.344)

It is reported in some narrations that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would also do the modest tasks at home such as mending his shoes, milking the goat, mending his clothing as well as other household chores. (Shamaa’il pg.352)

What more can be said about the simplicity and humbleness of the Leader of all mankind, the Mercy unto the worlds and the most beloved of Allah Ta’ala?

DA’WAH

The greatest amount of hardship was undertaken by Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the path of calling the people towards Allah Ta’ala. At Ta’if he was stoned to the extent that his shoes became filled with his mubarak blood. One Sahaabi (R.A.) narrates: “I saw Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the times of Jahiliyah (referring here to the early days of Islam). He was inviting the people and saying: “O people, say لاإله إلا الله and you will be successful.” There were those who then spat in his face, there were those who threw sand upon him and others swore at him. This continued until midday.” (Hayyatus Sahaaba V.1 pg 266)

Despite all the difficulties and hardships that he had to bear, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) continued to invite towards the One Allah Ta’ala. His worry and concern for the Ummah would not let him rest.

IBAADAH (WORSHIP)

The sinless Messenger of Allah Ta’ala exerted himself in the worship of his Creator to an extremely great extent. It is reported that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would perform such lengthy nafl Salaah that his mubaarak feet would become swollen. When asked as to why he exerted himself to this extent whereas Allah Ta’ala had forgiven his past and future sins, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied: “Should I not be a grateful servant?” Numerous other incidents of this nature are to be found regarding the Ibaadah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).

NATURAL TENDENCY

Though the few incidents above are only tiny droplets from the oceans of the excellent qualities of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), they convey to us clearly the message that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was a perfect person in all respects. Hence it is only natural that one should be totally attracted to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). This is a natural tendency observed in people that they are attracted by beauty and perfection. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was the pinnacle of all beauty.

EMULATION

When one is attracted and drawn towards some person, this attraction kindles love for that person. If this love is genuine, it automatically propels one towards emulating that person. This is witnessed daily in people who are attracted by  film stars (falling stars). They begin emulating and following these people to the last detail, including the ridiculous hairstyles and outrageous clothing. When we have been drawn towards Rasulullah  (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and have truly loved him, this must propel us to follow him in every aspect of his perfect life. His Ibaadah, da’wah, generosity, tolerance and humbleness has to be followed. Likewise a true lover will emulate him in the manner of eating and drinking,in the manner of sleeping, in attire and appearance and every other aspect. This is the dictates of true love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Yet when these latter aspects are discussed, one hears voices in the wilderness blabbering: “The sum total of the Deen of these people is the length of the beard and the length of the pants.” Most definitely these two aspects are not the entire Deen. However they are part of the entire Deen. They are aspects that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) showed concern for. It does not behove of a true lover to show indifference towards what his beloved was concerned about.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the true love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and enable us to emulate him in every aspect. Aameen.

Rabi-ul-Awwal

The month of Rabiul-Awwal is known to one and all as being the month in which Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was born. With the onset of Rabiul-Awwal, programmes and functions to commemorate the noble birth abound. These programmes and functions stem from the love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). However, let us examine these programmes from another perspective.

The Ummah of every Messenger of Allah Ta’ala passed through two stages. The first was that period of time when the Ummah was living a life in total accordance to the teachings of their Nabi (Alaihis Salaam). Every action displayed their love and devotion for their Nabi (Alaihis Salaam). Hence they had no need to fix any special occasions wherein this love could be expressed.

The next stage came when the Ummah had abandoned the practical example of their Guide and Prophet. Instead they had adopted a way of life which had little or no resemblance to the way of the Prophet (Alaihis Salaam). Nevertheless, the love for their prophet still existed in their hearts to some degree but there was no practical expression of this love. As a result they began to observe certain special occasions in which this love could be expressed.

The Ummah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has also passed through the first stage. The Sahaaba (R.A.) displayed their total love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in every aspect of their lives. Hence no special occasion in the entire year was ever observed by them to commemorate anything in order to express their love. However, with the passing of time the Ummah abandoned the Sunnah and adopted in its place the way of the enemies of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Often one can not even distinguish a Muslim from a disbeliever. Hence Special occasions are now observed in order to express the love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). This obviously can never be a substitute for the Sunnah way of life. Therefore the only solution is to practically adopt the Sunnah totally and express the true love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in every action of our lives.