Tuesday, February 4th, 2014
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the ideal example of character, the epitome of inner beauty, and the quintessence of good behavior.
Yet we struggle with patience, trustworthiness and kindness. We cover our faces with make-up to hide the spiritual darkness. And we are often heard yelling, seen rolling our eyes, and found wanting in our manners.
What is the missing link? Why is there a gaping crater between who he was and who we are?
Allah the Exalted says in Sūrat al-Aḥzāb,
{لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا}
{Ye have indeed in the Apostle of Allah a beautiful example for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day and who engages much in the praise of Allah} (35:21)
Thus it is that the embodiment of good behavior that lived in the Messenger of Allah is an example for those who fulfill the criteria. Those who have hope in God and the Last Day, and those who engage in much remembrance of Allah (dhikr).
Do we look forward to standing before Allah (swt) on our prayer carpets each day and night? Are we pouring our heart out in duʿāʾ and praise?
Do our deeds reflect great awareness of the final account? Is Islam our priority and are we burning with energy to serve this religion?
How many words a day do we utter? What percentage are words of remembrance? Do we sit and meditate with our hearts beating in His remembrance? Or are our hearts attached to the matters of this world?
On the day we become of those who look forward in hope and awe to the meeting with our Lord, those who anticipate the judgment day, and those who are ceaseless in our dhikr (remembrance); on that day we will be able to recognize the embodiment of goodness that is our Prophet ﷺ, and we will ourselves manifest his character on the earth.
On that day the victory of Islam will be true and real.
On that day Prophet Muhammad ﷺ will be reflected in each one of us.
Let that day be today.
