Allah teaches us in His magnificent Koran that He created us only to Worship Him. He also instructs us repeatedly in the Coran to follow His prophet–Pboh. “Worshiping” we also learn could also mean doing anything that someone asked one to do, for that person’s sake, forgetting Allah. These profound teachings opens up huge possibilities and opportunities to man. The stress is on an uncompromising “Thauheed”
From this it follows that doing anything that the prophet -Pboh did becomes an act of worship. - BECAUSE we know that the messenger was UNDER ALLAH’S GUIDANCE ALL THE TIME; and because ALLAH ASKS US TO FOLLOW THE PROPHET. Thus the act of eating, drinking, even having a relationship with your spouse can become an act of worship - IF YOU REMEMBER ALLAH, AND YOU ARE DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING ACCORDING TO THAT WHICH THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH DID; BECAUSE ALLAH INSTRUCTED YOU TO FOLLOW HIS MESSENGER.
This explains why it becomes so important to know what the prophet – Pboh said and did. This is why from the earliest times - from the time of his companions (May Allah Be Pleased with them), everyone paid so much attention to the details of what the prophet –Pboh said, did or not do.
This also explains why we find the companions asking so many questions, so varied, and sometimes even so intimate. The reason being that the Messenger of Allah – Pboh, was under the DIRECT INSTRUCTIONS and DIRECT SUPERVISION BY ALLAH – and since they had submitted themselves to Allah, they wanted to do everything in life according to ONLY WHAT ALLAH WANTED.
Allah sent His prophet. Allah sent His Book. In His book He made clear that any person who was submitted to Allah HAD TO FOLLOW THE PROPHET IN EVERYTHING HE/SHE DID WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
Due to this the prophet’s life was A VIVID PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OF WHAT ALLAH WANTED OF MAN, IN EVERY IMAGINABLE SITUATION THAT MAN COULD FACE. Thus he was called to be a husband, father, Uncle, leader of a small group, a person under intense persecution, a refugee, a fighter, a commander of a small band of fighters, a head of state, a General, and he also had to demonstrate to us difficult and sensitive changes of law/ customs prevalent at that time.
IN ALL THESE ROLES THE PROPHET’S WAS UNDER CONSTANT SUPERVISION OF ALLAH (swt).
NO WONDER, the life of the Prophet (Pboh) has been said by his wife, Aisha (May Allah (Swt) be pleased with her) to be like "a walking Koran”. Allah’s prophet was under constant unrelenting scrutiny by friends and foe. He was subjected to unrelenting tests by his people, and was called upon by ALLAH to endure the discomfort of many real life situations that he had to enact in order to demonstrate in practical terms to his UMMAH - ALLAH'S COMMANDS.
What a monumental strain! It’s inconceivable that a human being with just his inherent capabilities could meet the challenges. By Allah’s Grace, By Allah’s Will the prophet (Pboh) had Allah’s Guidance and Support and was strengthened by the angel Gabriel (May Allah Be pleased with him). Thus HE BECAME THE PERFECT LIVING EXAMPLE OF ALLAH’S COMMANDS TO MANKIND. He became a person of the most perfect morals, and Allah made him the BEST EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW.
With the 1st generation – the memory of their prophet was seared into their memories. They lead their lives trying to completely submit to Allah and imitated their prophet with the ardour borne out of being eyewitnesses, and the certitude of the knowledge that HE WAS GUIDED BY ALLAH (Swt). The 2nd. Generation had direct access to this 1st Generation. The 3rd. to the 2nd. The 4th to the 3rd and so on.
Gradually Hadis became a well-established science and the most stringent literary quality control in the history of mankind was underway by early 200AH with such scholars as Bukhari and Muslim at the forefront. The Hadis we learn were already written during the life of the Prophet –Pbuh contrary to doubts cast in this respect by Orientalists and quite conclusively rebutted by Prof. Hamidullah with his research into this.
Finally I leave with you extracts from the Last sermon given by Prophet-Pbuh on the occasion of his final Pilgrimage. Please note the high-lighted words, and reflect then on them. May Allah Give us Guidance. ………………
O’ people! No Prophet would be raised after me and no new Ummah (would be formed) after you.
Verily I have left amongst you that which will never lead you astray, the Book of Allah, which if you hold fast you shall never go astray.
And beware of transgressing the limits set in the matters of religion, for it is transgression of (the proper bounds of) religion that brought destruction to many people before you.
Verily, the satan is disappointed at ever being worshipped in this land of yours, but he will be pleased by obedience in anything (short of worship that is) in matters you may be disposed to think insignificant, so beware of him in your matters of religion.
Behold! Worship your Lord; offer prayers five times a day; observe fast in the month of Ramadhaan; pay readily the Zakat (poor due) on your property; and perform pilgrimage to the House of God and obey your rulers and you will be admitted to the Paradise of your Lord.
Let him that is present, convey it unto him who is absent, for many people to whom the message is conveyed may be more mindful of it than the audience.
And if you were asked about me, what would you say?" They answered, "We bear witness that you have conveyed the trust (of religion) and discharged your ministry of Prophethood and looked to our welfare." ......
Dear Brothers & Sisters, How would YOU ANSWER THE PROPHETS QUESTION?
Allah Knows Best. Any mistake is mine, and please do correct me.
