The sunnah (Syaings and actions) of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) teaches us the best actions and the most suitable ways to worship our lord. Allah Almighty states in the Quran Kareem “Says, ‘Obey Allah and obey the messenger. If you turn away, [know that] He is responsible for the duty placed upon him, and you are responsible for the duty placed upon you if you obey [the messenger], you will be rightly guided; the messenger’s duty to only to deliver the message clearly.”
However, today some Muslims may think that although the Prophet (peace be upon him) was a good person, his life is not relevant anymore. They may think this because so much has changed since the days of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), who lived over 1400 years ago, in comparison to the modern life of today. Others may believe that only the Quran needs to be followed and the Quran Kareem is enough as source of law and teaching. However, as true Muslims, this is not what We believe.
Allah Almighty sent the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم as a role model for us. He states in the Quran Kareem, ‘Indeed, the Messenger of Allah Almighty is an excellent example for those who yearn for Allah Almighty and the Last Day and remember Him often’ The verse explains that the reason why some Muslims fail to see the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم as a role model, is because they do not yearn for Allah Almighty, the Hereafter or remember Allah Almighty plentifully. Allah Almighty also says. ‘ Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah Almighty.
For Muslims, the Sunnah is just as important as the Quran. After the Quran Kareem, the Sunnah is the second source of law. Allah Almighty instructs us in the Quran, ‘Whatever the Messenger has brought, take it and whatever he has prohibited, stay away from it.’
Al-‘Irbad رضی اللہ عنہ narrates, ‘One day the Messenger of Allah Almighty led us in prayer, then faced us and gave us a persuasive reminder, at which eyes shed tears and hearts were left trembling… [the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ] added, ‘I advise you to be conscious of Allah Almighty and to hear and obey…. You must follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Caliphs. Grip onto it firmly and clench onto it with your jaws!..”‘ The prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم also said in a hadith “whoever obeys me, obeys Allah and whoever disobeys me, disobeys Allah.”
The companions of the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم eagerly followed the Sunnah. When they heard the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم order or advise something, they would immediately act on his words. Once, the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم saw a gold ring on the finger of a male companion. He took off the ring from the Companion and threw it away, saying [referring to the gold ring], ‘[how does] one of you take a piece of burning coal and place it in his hand?!’ afterwards. it was said to the man, ‘why do you not take the ring and derive some benefit from it?’ He replied ,’By Allah, i shall never take it after the Prophet had thrown it away!”
The zeal of the companions to follow the Prophet can also be seen at the time of the prohibition of wine. When the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم announced that Allah Almighty had prohibited wine, all of the Companions stopped handling wine straight away- if they were pouring wine, they immediately threw it away, The companions spilled all wine they had, so much so, that the streets of Madinah were flowing with wine.”
The companions were the most keen to listen and obey the Prophet and wasted no time in acting on the words of the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, regardless of whether they liked it or not, Ubadah ibn Samit رضی اللہ عنہ narrates, ‘ Wwe [the Companions] swore allegiance to the messenger of Allah Almighty to hear and obey in both times of difficulty and ease; at times when we felt like obeying and at times when we did not feel like obeying; [We also swore allegiance] to not argue with people in authority and to stand by the truth whenever we are, without worry of being blamed by the one who criticizes’,
Once, the companion ‘Abdullah ibn Masood رضی اللہ عنہ said, ‘ Allah Almighty curses women who tattoo, those who ask to be tattooed, those who pluck the eyebrows and those who make spaces between their teeth for beauty, changing the creation of Allah Almighty.’ This statement reached Um-e-Yaqoob who came to him and said, ‘It has come to me that you stated [the above].’ Abdullah ibn Masood رضی اللہ عنہ replied, ‘should i not curse those whom the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم cursed [and which] is also [stated] in the book of Allah.’
Thereupon, the woman said, ‘I have read what is in between the covers of the Quran yet i did not find [the statement],’ to which, he said in response, ‘If you had read it [thoroughly] you would have found it; Allah, the most high and glorious, says, “what Allah’s messenger brings to you, accept it and what he forbids you from, stay away from it!” what ‘Abdullah Ib Masood رضی اللہ عنھم meant was that the commands and prohibitions of the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ السلام were just as important as the verses of the Quran.
Note:
As Mulims we do not discriminate, abuse or hurt anyone who may have tattoos, gold rings, drinks alcohol or even plucks their eyebrows, Rather, we should follow Allah’s advice:” And invite on to the way of your lord with wisdom and good advice..”
Following the sunnah of the prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم is a sign of our love for him. Allah Almighty says, “Say [O Prophet], ‘If you love Allah, follow me, Allah will love you and forgive your sins; Allah is Most forgiving, Most Kind,” The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, ‘Whoever revives my sunnah has loved me and whoever loves me will be in Paradise with me.”
Sunnahs We can bring into our lives
- Respecting elders and having mercy on our young oness.
- Saying Salam to Muslims we know and we do not know.
- To speak politely.
- Using the miswak.
- Not finding fault with the food we eat.
- Drinking with the right hand.
- To always remain in the remembrance of Allah Almighty.
- To be kind to those who are rude to you.
- To always remain positive.