[4:23am, 13/01/2015] mahmud Lanre Najimudin: Obedience to the Prophet (S) For the guidance of all mankind until doomsday, The Almighty Allah has given us The Holy Quran. He has chosen Islam as the lifestyle for mankind, and as a living example of the Islamic life, He has sent the Last Prophet Muhammad (S). We as Muslims believe in this and yet many of us have a wrong conception that following the orders of The Holy Quran is compulsory and following the ways of Muhammad (S) is optional is Islam and a totally separate thing. Well, this conception can only be the result of lack of knowledge about The Holy Quran. Because The Quran itself orders mankind to follow the Last Prophet (S). In the character of Muhammad (S), Allah Subhanu Wata’ala has poured down all the properties of a perfect human being, a role model which should be followed by every person If he wants peace in this life and the next. In The Holy Quran, Allah says: “There is indeed a good model for you in the Messenger of Allah – for the one who has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah profusely.” – Chapter 33- Surah Al-Ahzab:21. According to the most accepted explanation (tafsir), Maariful Quran, this verse was initially revealed in context of the battle of Ahzab, to remind the hypocrites that they should have followed the example of the Holy Prophet (S) who stood firm in the battle, but by the unique style of The Holy Quran, the direction is given in generic terms to lay down a universal rule that Muslims should follow the ways of their Prophet (S) in all aspects of life. Elsewhere in The Quran, The Almighty Allah describes the personality of Muhammad (S) as one who always wants only the good for mankind, and wants to save us from all sufferings: “Surely, there has come to you a Messenger from amongst you, hard on whom is your suffering, for the good of you he craves and for believers he is kind, merciful.” – Chapter 9 – Surah At-Tauba: 128. So it is clear that Prophet Muhammad (S) is the role model for mankind. Now, the following verses explain more clearly, that it is in fact not an option, but an order from Allah to follow Muhammad (S), to do what He tells us, to keep way from what He forbids. Allah Ta’ala says in The Quran : “Say (O Prophet): “if you do love Allah, follow me; Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.” Say:”Obey Allah and the Messenger.” Then, should they turn back, Allah does not love the disbelievers.” - Chapter 3 – Surah Al-Imran: 31, 32. In the explanation of the above verses, it is stated in Tafsir Maariful Quran : “...In other words, if a person living in the world of today claims that he loves his Creator and Master, then, he must test it on the touch-stone of his obedience to the Messenger, that is, match it against the frequency and quality of where and how he has been following him. Once this is done, the genuine and the fake of it will be exposed right there. How much true a person turns out to be in his claim will be visible from how much he makes it a point to follow the noble Prophet (S), using the guidance brought by him as the guiding force in his life. The same test will show that the weaker a person is in his claim, so equally weak he shall be in his obedience to the Prophet (S).” In another verse of The Holy Quran, The Almighty Creator states: “Whoever obeys the Messenger obeys Allah and whoever turns away, then, We did not send you to stand guard over them.” –Chapter 4 – Surah An-Nisaa: 80. The meaning of the above verse is as clear as it gets, that following the Prophet (S) and obeying his commands is actually the same as obeying the commands of Allah. Again, turning to Maariful Quran for the explanation: “Here, the obedience to the Prophet (S) has been equated with the obedience to Allah. From this it follows that whoever disobeys the Prophet (S), invariably disobeys the command of Allah. Since, obedience to Allah is obligatory, even rationally – so, obedience to the Prophet (S) also turns out to be equally obligatory. “ In the light of the above stated verses from The Quran and the explanations, there needs to be no further proof for the fact that, it is indeed the command of Allah that we follow the Sunnah of the Messenger (S) of Allah. Our Creator knows best what is best for us, and He has sent the Last Prophet Muhammad (S) as the role model for the entire mankind. So it is nowhere else but in the ways of the Prophet (S) that we can find true success. Henceforth we shall try to renew our efforts to adopt The Sunnah in every aspect of our life. May Allah keep us in the Straight Path. Ameen. [4:26am, 13/01/2015] mahmud Lanre Najimudin: He who obeys the Prophet ( saas) also obeys Allah Allah charges everyone with obeying the prophets He has sent. These messengers were blessed men who abided by Allah s commands , communicated His revelations , represented the human model most pleasing to Allah by means of their words and actions , in short by their whole manner of living . Allah reveals in the Qur an that those who abide by His messengers will be saved . For that reason , obedience to the Prophet ( saas ) is an obligation of the very greatest importance. Allah reveals the importance of obedience in the Qur an: We sent no messenger except to be obeyed by Allah s permission. If only when they wronged themselves they had come to you and asked Allah s forgiveness and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them they would have found Allah Ever- Returning , Most Merciful . ( Surat an- Nisa : 64) Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be with those whom Allah has blessed : the prophets and steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and righteous . What excellent company such people are ! ( Surat an -Nisa : 69) In several verses of the Qur an, Allah states that those who obey His messengers are in truth obeying Allah. Those who rebel against these messengers , on the other hand , rebel against Allah . Some of these verses are : Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah . If anyone turns away , we did not send you to them as their keeper . ( Surat an- Nisa : 80 ) Those who pledge you their allegiance pledge allegiance to Allah. Allah s hand is over their hands. He who breaks his pledge only breaks it against himself. But as for him who fulfils the contract he has made with Allah , We will pay him an immense reward . ( Surat al- Fath: 10) The Prophet ( saas ) has also stressed the importance of obedience in the hadiths : Whoever obeys me, obeys Allah, and whoever disobeys me, disobeys Allah , and whoever obeys the ruler I appoint, obeys me, and whoever disobeys him , disobeys me. 16 1 In the Qur an , Allah describes the Prophet ( saas ) as a protector and guide for the faithful. Muslims, therefore , referred to him in all matters , and sought his permission and opinion before engaging in anything . On subjects they were unable to agree upon among themselves , though even on matters they were able to solve by themselves, or when they received news concerning the security , health or economy of the community of the faithful, they immediately took them to the Prophet ( saas ) and abided by the sure and trustworthy advice or solution he recommended . This is a most important aspect of morality , commanded by Allah in the Qur an. In one verse , for instance, He orders all news to be forwarded to the Prophet ( saas ) or those representing him . The verse reads : When news of any matter reaches them they spread it about, whether it is of a reassuring or disquieting nature . If they had only referred it to the Messenger and those in command among them , those among them able to discern the truth about it would have had proper knowledge of it . If it were not for Allah s favor to you and His mercy, all but a very few of you would have followed Satan . ( Surat an - Nisa : 83 ) That, of course , is a most beneficial and wise command. For one thing , each order and rule of the Prophet ( saas ) is guaranteed by Allah. Furthermore , the Prophet ( saas ) was the wisest and cleverest member of the community of the faithful. Usually, most look to consult the most intelligent person and the one who best obeys his conscience , that is , the person they trust the most in any matter, in order to establish a decision. As well as all these characteristics of the Prophet ( saas ) , another wisdom in all news being gathered together in one person is that this will provide the best and most intelligent response because all the aspects of the event will be known by one person . In another verse , Allah commands the faithful to make the Prophet ( saas ) their judge in any disagreements between them . It is a command from Allah that all such disagreements should be taken to the Prophet ( saas ) at once , and that is therefore the most fitting course of action in terms of reason , morality and conscience . It is also most important to obey the rules set out by the Prophet ( saas ) , with all one s heart and with no reservations . Even if his decision conflicts with the interests of an individual , true believers will feel no doubts at all , and will immediately obey the command of the Prophet ( saas ) . Allah describes this important aspect of obedience in the Qur an: No, by your Lord, they are not believers until they make you their judge in the disputes that break out between them , and then find no resistance within themselves to what you decide and submit themselves completely . ( Surat an -Nisa : 65) Some hypocritical people , or people whose faith is weak, have failed to realize that the decisions of the Prophet ( saas ) are assured by Allah and opposed informing him of every situation, thus causing dissension. Allah describes the condition of such people in the Qur an : Among them are some who insult the Prophet , saying he is only an ear [ only a hearer] . Say , An ear of good for you, believing in Allah and believing in the believers, and a mercy for those among you who believe . As for those who insult the Messenger of Allah , they will have a painful punishment. ( Surat at -Tawba : 61 ) Since these people failed to grasp the essence of faith, and were unable to appreciate the merit of the Prophet ( saas ) , they adopted the wrong approach with regards to informing him about every matter. The ignorant are unable to use what they know for beneficial ends , for the good and security of mankind . They use it for gossip and to try to spread dissension, to turn people against one another and to plot against them . The Prophet ( saas ) , however , used all the information that was brought to him for the peace , security and health of Muslims and other groups under his protection , to avoid possible dangers and to thwart plots against believers . Identifying those whose faith was weak, he took measures to strengthen that faith, and prevented anything that might have weakened the faithful or damaged their morale . He brought in measures that would bring them good and lead to desirable outcomes . That is why Allah refers to him as an ear of good in one verse . All of the Prophet ( saas )s words, decisions and measures have led to good and positive results for believers as well as mankind . ( For further reading about the attributes of the Prophet ( saas ) , see “The Prophet Muhammad ( saas )” 1. Sahih Bukhari, Book 9, Number 251
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:34:46 +0000