Wifāq ul Ulāma (SA) ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN 'ULAMA
“Allāh Ta’aala has certainly favoured the Mu’minīn by sending to them a messenger from among them, who recites His verses unto them, purifies them, and teaches them the Book and Wisdom. Most certainly they were in open error before this.”
A Great Favour of Allah
Allah Ta’ala uses the Arabic word “Mann” in the Ayah above to describe His favour upon us by blessing us with Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam. This is significant and indicates how great this bounty actually is. When describing other bounties, other words are used. The word “mann” is only used when describing those bounties of Allah that determine our everlasting success in the hereafter.
The birth, life, and Nubuwwah of Muhammad Sallalāhu’ Alayhi wa Sallam was THE greatest gift ever given to mankind. If one believes in and follows Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam, he will be saved from destruction in dunyā and Ākhirah. Through loving and following his Mubarak Sunnah, one will attain unimaginable heights. Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said: “A person will be with whom he loves” (Bukhāri, 6168)
Nabi Sallalāhu’ Alayhi wa Sallam deserves our utmost love and obedience.
By looking at the beautiful character and qualities He possessed, one will naturally develop a love for Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam. Nabi Sallalāhu’ Alayhi wa Sallam smiled very often. He was very considerate and was concerned about the comfort of those around him. He treated everyone well and granted them much respect. A Sahābi Radhiyallāhu’ Anhu states: “He would turn his full attention towards me such that I felt like I was the best from amongst all the people.” Moreover, our Habīb Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam was most kind to his servants. Anas Radhiyallāhu’ Anhu states that he served Nabi Sallalāhu’ Alayhi wa Sallam for ten years- and Nabi Sallalāhu’ Alayhi wa Sallam never scolded him!
Together with the natural love that should be born due to his lofty personality, we should consciously make an effort to increase our love for him. Hāfidh Ibn Hajar Rahimahullāh explains: “One generally loves another due to some benefit he gets from them; current or future. If anyone ponders over the benefit we get from Nabi Sallalāhu’ Alayhi wa Sallam, who has taken us from darkness into light, he will realise that Nabi Sallalāhu’ Alayhi wa Sallam is the means of him achieving an everlasting life of happiness, in the greatest of bounties- Jannah! Therefore, Nabi Sallalāhu’ Alayhi wa Sallam deserves to be loved above all and everyone else.” (Fathul-Bāri 1/59)
Without this love, a person will never be a true Mu’min. Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said: “None of you (fully) believe until I become more beloved to him than his father, his child, and all mankind!” (Bukhāri, 15).
Abundant Durood upon Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam and a concerted effort to inculcate Sunnah in our lives will indicate the level of love we have for Nabi Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam. Increasing our effort in this regard will significantly assist in nurturing and increasing this love. Any other expression of love that contradicts the Sunnah of Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam will prove counterproductive.
May Allah Ta’aala make us the true lovers of Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam and honor us with his companionship in Jannatul Firdaws. Aameen