Muhammad Mustafa (pbuh) is the only prophet, and in fact, the only man in history to have every intricate detail of his life recorded. Only a limited account of the flawless conducts of other prophets, inherent with the resources of providing guidance for mankind and steering to what is good, have survived till today. But with an inner world of feeling thoroughly monitored, moment by moment, as it became actual in the simplest to the most involved of his words and actions, the ways of the Prophet of the Final Hour (pbuh) have been thoroughly preserved as befits the most precious heritage in history, awarded through the grace of Allah with the furthermore privilege of an assurance of survival till the very last man to come until the Final Hour.
Resisting failure at the face of the various trials and tribulations life has to offer compels us to place trust in the Almighty, be at peace with destiny, uphold patience, courage and perseverance, be altruistic and generous, with a contentedness and a richness of heart, and hold a steady balance against the possible discrepancies of the given circumstance.
The murshid’ul-kamil par excellence in exercising all these virtues as typified through a pure and exemplary life is Muhammad Mustafa (pbuh), the most generous gift of Allah, glory unto him, to humankind.
The life of the Blessed Prophet (pbuh) provides a splendid example for all generations to come until the Last Day. Of him, the Quran states:
“Nay, verily for you is a Reward unfailing; and you stand on an exalted standard of character.” (al-Qalam, 3-4)
The life and the gracious character of the Prophet (pbuh) mark the apex of human conduct, even simply with his pattern of behavior that is graspable by human understanding. The pinnacle of prophets and the archetype of human character who completed his mission in the midst of society by setting the best of examples to emulate, the Almighty has presented him to mankind as, in the words of the Quran, uswat’ul-hasana, the quintessential example.
Thus states the Holy Quran:
“You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a quintessential example for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah.” (al-Ahzab, 21)
In all stages of life, the Noble Prophet (pbuh) offers a brilliant perfection for all eyes to see, exuding all kinds of beautiful conduct, whether in concise or in detail. Whatever the most perfect forms of conduct there may be to follow, one may therefore find its epitome in the sublime life and the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). Muhammad Mustafa (pbuh) is the religious leader and the head of state. He is an example for those entering the garden of Divine Love, and no less for his gratitude and humbleness when abounding in the blessings of Allah.
Just as he is an example for his patience and trust in Allah, glory unto Him, in times dire, the Prophet (pbuh) is also an example for his generosity with and personal abstinence from the spoils of war. He is an example for extending the abundant compassion he had for his family to the slaves, the weak and stray; and all the more in his magnanimity and lenience towards the guilty.
Thus If you are wealthy, then ponder on the humbleness and generosity of that Great Prophet who reigned sovereign over entire Arabia and won over the hearts of every Arab notable through love…
If you are among the weak, then take reference from the Prophet’s life in Mecca under the rule of the horribly oppressive idolaters…
If you are triumphant, reflect on the Prophet of courage and submission who routed the enemy at the battles of Badr and Hunayn…
But, Allah forbid, should you become defeated, then remember the Prophet walking patiently and courageously amid his wounded and martyred Companions at the field of Uhud, having completely yielded to Divine Will…
And if you are a teacher, just think of the delicate, sensitive and affectionate Prophet conveying the pearls of his heart to the Students of Suffa by the Masjid’un-Nabawi …
If you are a student, picture the Prophet sitting before Jibril (a.s) at the moment of Revelation, cautious and motivated, filled with respect.
If you are a preacher, a counselor calling to the good, then give ear to the pleasant voice of the Prophet flashing sparks of wisdom from his heart to his Companions at the Masjid…
If you are left without an aid in your want to protect and communicate the Truth and elevate it, then take a look at the life of the Prophet who proclaimed the Truth to the ignorant and called them onto guidance at a time when he was deprived of all aid in Mecca…
If you have broken the resistance of the enemy, leaving them incapacitated, and devastated evil to proclaim the Truth, then bring before your eyes the sight of the Prophet, on the day of the Conquest, humbly and thankfully entering the sacred turf of Mecca, on camelback as if to fall prostrate, despite being a victorious commander…
If you own a farm and want to put things on track, then draw a lesson from the Prophet of competence who appointed the most able to revive and administer, in the best possible way, the lands of Banu Nadir, Khaybar and Fadak after seizing possession of them…
If you are lonely, then reflect on the son of Abdullah and Aminah, their dearly loved orphan of innocence…
If you are a teenager, closely consider the life of the youth, the future prophet, shepherding the stock of Abu Talib at Mecca…
If you are a trader set out with caravan loads of goods, ponder the integrity of the grandest man of the convoys destined for Yemen and Damascus…
If you are a judge, recall his just and prudential move inintervening to replace the Black Stone at the verge of Meccan notables going at each others’ throats… Then turn your glance once more to history and take a look at the Prophet in Medina at the Masjid’un-Nabawi delivering his verdict with the greatest conceivable justice between the poverty stricken destitute and well to do rich, as just as one can imagine.
If you are a spouse consider the deep emotions and compassion of the Blessed Husband of Khadijah and Aisha…
If you are have children then learn the affectionate conduct of the father of Fatimah, the grandfather of Hasan and Husayn…
Whoever you may be and in whichever circumstance you may find yourself in, you will find Muhammad Mustafa (pbuh) as the most perfect master and most beautiful guide at all times and places.
Such a master he is that one can correct all mistakes through emulating his Sunnah; and putting things back on course, make amends for all misplaced efforts. Following the light of his guidance, one will at once rid his path of drawbacks and find himself reach the gates of happiness…
The inner world of the Blessed Prophet (pbuh), to be sure, is an exhibition far more exquisite than a garden of paradise bursting with rare and elegant flowers and charmingly scented roses.
Truly evident is hence the fact that the life of the Prophet (pbuh) constitutes the most perfect example, even for those on opposite poles of the social plane. The life of a convict, for instance, can never provide an example for a judge, just as ajudge cannot be shown as an example to a convict.
Likewise, the fate of one grappling with poverty and struggling to earn a living throughout her life can never provide a case in point for one wealthy abounding in riches. But the life of the Blessed Prophet (pbuh) affords an example for both ends of the scale, for the reason that making him begin his journey of life from the lowest social end as an orphan, the Almighty proceeded him through each arduous stage of life till finally elevating him to the apex of power and authority, as prophet and head of state.
Each phase the Prophet (pbuh) underwent throughout the course of his life abundantly exhibits ideal modes of behavior to abide by in accommodating the ebbs and tides of human life in general. Thus in whatever position and circumstance one may be encumbered by, compliant with their means and capabilities, the life of the Noble Messenger (pbuh) offers concrete and perfect examples of actions to adopt and implement for all people.
He is thus the grandest masterpiece transpired by Allah, glory unto Him, in mankind. The exemplar par excellence for society to emulate, from the lowest end of the scale to the highest, for Believers steeped in his inimitable character, the Prophet of the Almighty (pbuh) is, at once, the ideal criterion in practice.
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