Relationship with the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam)

by Shazia Arif

Bismillah

As a Muslim, it is one’s duty to believe in the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) as the last and final messenger. And of course we all do that. But have you ever wondered who is the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam)? Do you believe in him just because you have to or is it out of love? Do you know him as well as you know yourself? I am pretty sure almost all of us had skeptical answers to these questions. So do you not think it is about time we learn who the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) was and build our relationship with him?

The Seerah

To build a strong relationship with someone, you have to know them. Just because the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) is not alive anymore, it does not mean we cannot get to know him. Rather, we should read and study his biography (Seerah). Once you learn about what an amazing and inspiring man he was, the love for him will grow in your heart inshaAllah.

When reading the Seerah, do not treat it like a regular story book; rather, immerse yourself in it and truly realize all the trials and tribulations the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) went through for us, all the pain he endured to make sure Islam spread far and wide to reach every generation, all the humiliation he had to face from his own people, JUST FOR US!

Hadith and Sunnah

Now reading the Seerah and learning about the Prophet’s (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) life, battles, struggles etc. is beautiful indeed. But after you have read it, you will also feel the desire to know and internalize the exact teachings of our beloved Prophet. The scholars of the past were able to preserve the Hadith and the Sunnah of the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) in books for all future generations to benefit from. 

What is Hadith? It is a written account of the Sunnah, everything the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) did, said, or silently approved of. We need to learn and implement the Sunnah in our own lives. After learning about the teachings of the greatest man to ever step foot onto this earth, why should not one follow in his footsteps? 

There’s a bonus for following the Sunnah! And that is...

“Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.’ ” (3,31) 

Just for following the Sunnah, you gain two things: love of Allah, and forgiveness from Him of your sins. Are not those the two things we all are in desperate need of? Indeed he (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) is a mercy for all of mankind!

Loving the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) is a part of Imaan

“...by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete faith) until I am dearer to you than your own self." (Bukhari) 

To have a strong relationship with someone, you need to love them. To love someone, you need to know them. By learning his Seerah and Hadith and following his Sunnah, you will gain ‘true love’ for the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) in your heart. This love will be genuine, straight from the heart, the type of love every Muslim needs to have for him.

As mentioned in the Hadith above, loving him is part of Imaan, part of your faith. You will not truly believe in Islam unless you love him the most!

Stay Away from Bid'ah

As time progressed, many acts of bid'ah (innovation) came into the religion. Many people have attributed these innovations to the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam). Obviously, this is wrong because it is attributing a lie to the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and to do so is a major sin. Some may argue that these innovations encourage more good deeds. However, acts of encouragement in Hadiths have their own blessings and we should stick to those acts.

Think about it. If you love someone, would you lie about them? Would you attribute a lie to them because you feel they are not good enough and you have to make them look good? What if someone did the same to you?

Durood

When you love someone and feel that your relationship is starting to build with them, you want to do something that will benefit them. Although the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) is not alive among us anymore, it does not mean we cannot be of benefit to him. We can pray for him and send peace and blessings upon the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and his family!

One of the ways of doing so is as follows:

للهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما صليت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم إنك حميد مجيد، اللهم بارك على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما باركت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم إنك حميد مجيد 

As we all strive to build a relationship with the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam), let us not forget that nothing comes without dua! Do your best and make dua to Allah to put that love in your heart for the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam), that it remains there, and that this love only leads you to do much more good in life, InshaAllah.

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please leave comments in the section below!

Posted in: ahadeeth,Muhammad,Prophet,Relationship,Shazia Arif,sunnah