The Messenger of Allah and You..

Reflections on the Birth of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الحمد لله رب العالمين وأصلى وأسلم علي خير خلق الله محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم
وبعد:

A quick glimpse at our state could easily lead to despair and hopelessness. In fact, many of us are beleaguered at the dark waves of sadness and plight that have swept the Muslim nation away from it high goals and lofty morals. The Prophetic era seems light years away, and many of us are only left to imagine how things must have been? Don’t despair! For indeed, at this very moment there exist between you and Allah’s beloved (Allah bless him and give him peace) a relationship that can only be called special.

النَّبِيُّ أَوْلَى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ
“The Prophet is closer to the believers than their selves”

“Whoever sends blessing upon me, Allah will send ten blessing upon him.”

The birth of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) is the greatest day in human history. Qatadah Al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) stated that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was asked about fasting on Monday and he replied: “It is the day on which I was born and on which I received the Divine Revelation.”¹ Commenting on this Hafidh Ibn Rajab (Allah be pleased with him) stated: “This hadith points out the desirability of fasting on days to remind one of the favors of Allah Most High that took place on that day. Thus, the greatest blessing of Allah upon His servants was the appearance of Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) and him being sent to the as their Prophet and Messenger.²

Allah Most High says:

لقد مَنّ الله على المؤمنين إذ بعث فيهم رسولاً من أنفسهم
“Indeed, Allah favored the believers when He sent a Messenger from amongst themselves.” (Qur’an, 3:164)

There is no doubt, that for the vast majority of Muslims, this day is a very special day. Ahmed Shawqi (Allah have mercy on him), attempting to express his happiness and joy for this day, was so over come by his love for the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) that the following lines rushed from his mouth (Allah be pleased with him):

وُلِدَ الهُدى فَالكائِناتُ ضِياءُ وَفَمُ الزَمانِ تَبَسُّمٌ وَثَناءُ
“Guidance was born and the universe was illuminated.
The mouth of that age³ smiled and magnified (Allah).”⁴

“Don’t be sad nor fear.”

It is easy, especially during these days, to become depressed and saddened by the condition of Muslims the world over. However, let us take sometime and reflect upon what it means to be a follower of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). In the Qur’an Allah Most High calls upon the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) in many different places:

يأيها النبي
“O Prophet.”

يأيها الرسول
“O Messenger”

يأيها المدثر
“O you wrapped in your mantle.”

يأيها المزمل
“O covered one.”

However, if you look carefully you’ll never find:
يا محمد (صلي الله عليه وسلم)
“O Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace).”

But, if you look at the case of the other Messengers and Prophets of Allah you’ll find something remarkable:

وقلنا يآدم
“And We said, ‘O Adam.”

يا داود
“Oh Dawood.”

One may ask? Why has Allah Most High addressed the other Prophets and Messengers directly but not the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)? The great Mufasir Muhamad Al-Ameen Shinqiti (Allah be pleased with him) stated that the Allah Most High did this to illustrate the status of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).⁵ Now imagine how lucky you are to be from the followers of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)! What does it mean to be from His (Allah bless him and give him peace) nation? And how lucky you are to say: “And I bear witness that Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) is the Messenger and Slave of Allah.”

Glad tidings! Glad tidings! Glad tidings!

Sometimes we feel far from the Prophetic age and this is a great cause for sadness. It is disheartening to see many Muslim giving up, turning tail and drowning in depression and pessimism. However, our relation with the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) is alive and well. In fact, we, in many ways, are lucky for our relation with the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) can only be called special.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Glad tidings for the one who saw me (Allah bless him and give him peace) and believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn’t see me, yet believed in me.”⁶ However, in other narrations of the same hadith we find that our beloved (Allah bless him and give him peace)said: “Glad tidings for the one who saw me (Allah bless him and give him peace) and believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn’t see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn’t see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn’t see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn’t see me, yet believed in me.”⁷ Yet still, in another narration, we find “Glad tidings for the one who saw me (Allah bless him and give him peace) and believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn’t see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn’t see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn’t see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn’t see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn’t see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn’t see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn’t see me, yet believed in me. And glad tidings to the one who didn’t see me, yet believed in me.”⁸ It is well known amongst the scholars that the word, “Tuba” glad tidings means Paradise. In addition, it is well known that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) would repeat things in order to show their importance.

I wish I could see our brothers

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) came to a graveyard and said, ‘Peace be upon you, abode of a believing people. Allah willing, we will join you. I wish that we could see our brothers.’ They said, ‘Are we not your brothers, Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘You are my Companions. My brothers are those who have not yet come.’ They said, ‘How can you know someone of your community who has not yet come, Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘Do you not think that if a man had horses with white blazes which were among dark black horses, that he would recognize his horses?’ They said, ‘Yes indeed. Messenger of Allah.’ He said, ‘They will come with white blazes from wudu’ and I will precede them to the Basin.'”⁹ When you read this hadith you should experience a great sense of happiness and humility. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) mentioned you to his companions and referred to you as his brothers. Take a few moments, make wudu, and ponder on it implications.

You’ll be with those you love

Sometimes I close my eyes and ask myself: “What it would be like to look at the face of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), to walk with him (Allah bless him and give him peace), to talk with him (Allah bless him and give him peace) and to face his eyes, indeed pearls, and witness the intense glow of his countenance as it penetrates the deep dark caverns of my sin infested soul; illuminating it, bringing it warmth and comfort? Can you imagine dear Muslim the Prophet’s radiant face? Can you imagine the pleasure in seeing it? Can you imagine the glow from it?

Jabir bin Samurah (Allah be pleased with him) said, “I saw him one night during a full moon. I looked at him. He was dressed in a red garment. I compared him with the moon and found that — for me — he was brighter than the moon.”

Ar-Rabi‘ bint Muawwidh (Allah be pleased with him) said: “Had you seen him, you would have felt that the sun was shining.”

Longing to be with the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) is from one of the greatest signs of our faith. Once a companion came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and stated that when he left the lessons of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and sat in his home he would began to cry. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) inquired for what reason? The Companion (Allah be pleased with him) said, “I realize that I’m with you now. But when I die and if I enter the Paradise, then I will not be with you because of your lofty status. Thus, I will be away from you and am overtaken by tears at the thought.” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) turned to him and said, “A person will be with those he loved.”¹⁰ Bilal (Allah be pleased with him) upon his death bed was overcome by tears. When asked if he was crying out of grief he stated, “Tomorrow! Tomorrow I shall meet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) and his companions.” Our mother Aiesha (Allah be pleased with her) states: “When Abu Bakr was informed that he would be migrating with the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) to Medina he began to cry.” She adds, “It was the first time I’d ever seen someone cry out of happiness.”¹¹ Once a man came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and asked him about a person who loves others, but for some reason could never see them. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) responded, “A person will be with whom he loves.”¹² Anas bin Malik said about this hadith, “After Islam there is nothing I hold dearer then this. For I love the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)! I love Abu Bakr and Umar! And a person will be with who he loves!”¹³

Thus, although we are far away from the Prophet’s (Allah bless him and give him peace) time. We are still close to him (Allah bless him and give him peace) by our love. Indeed, our love for him (Allah bless him and give him peace) burns in the depths of our hearts a creates great anxiousness to see Him.

Some lessons:

1. The Mawlid is an important time to rekindle the love we have for the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). However, we should not engage in any actions, which violate our sacred law. For that reason Ibn Hajar (Allah be pleased with him) stated: “The legal status of the mawlid is that it is a bid’a, which has not been transmitted on the authority of one of the pious ancestors from the (first) three centuries. Despite this, it comprises both good things as well as the reverse. If one strives for good things in the practicing thereof and the opposite is evaded, it is a good innovation. If not, then not.” Thus, we should avoid mixing between genders and other acts which violate the nature of our sacred law.

2. We should use these days to strengthen our will; removing depression and anxiety that we have for the Ummah. We should reflect on our lofty status and look towards working at improving our condition on all levels.

3. We should remember that our love for the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) will be a means of our being with him (Allah be pleased with him) inshallah.

4. We should reflect on the face of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). If he were to see the division amongst us that is tearing us apart, would he smile? Let us practice mercy on issues where differences are valid and avoid harsh words and work on what we agree according to our sacred law.

5. We should, from this day forward, try our best to learn and practice a new Sunnah every month. As families we can make competitions between ourselves; seeing who acted on the sunnah the most each month. As Imam Ahmed said, “For every Sunnah practiced an innovation is destroyed.”

6. Spend these days in increased Salawat upon the Prophe (Allah bless him and give him peace), his family, companions and the believers.

7. Start a seerah circle in ones home, local MSA, or Masjid.

8. Repent to Allah and renew our commitment to His Most High faith and our following of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).

I ask Allah to bless all of you and join us with the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) at his fount.

Suhaib D. Webb
April 19, 2005

---