#9 Prophet Muhammad: A Beautiful Example

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was an exceedingly humble man. He never claimed divine status, but insisted that others refer to him as God’s servant and messenger. Even the Quran emphasizes the Prophet’s reality as a man.

Yet the Quran also states: “Verily in the Messenger of God you have a beautiful example for everyone who looks forward [with hope and awe] to God....” (33:21)

Hence, in order to understand the Quran and model themselves after the most virtuous human being, Muslims strive to learn about the life of the Prophet(pbuh), and emulate his beautiful example.

The role of Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) in understanding Islam–and the sensibilities of Muslims–cannot be overstated. Love of the Prophet(pbuh) has been compared to the life blood that circulates continuously throughout the body. Love of the Prophet(pbuh) is the spiritually sustaining, life blood that circulates throughout the veins of his entire community.

Lack of awareness of the centrality of Prophet Muhammad(pbuh), and the reverence in which he is held by his followers, has proved a chasm of misunderstanding between Western civilization and the Muslim world. This chasm has often been widened by insidious voices within Western civilization that have–since the Middle Ages–consistently misrepresented and maligned the character of Islam’s most venerated figure.

True understanding of the Prophet(pbuh), Muslims say, can lead to no other destination than Love: love of this humble, yet praise-worthy, human being; love for every action, trait and characteristic of this noble man; love for everything that he loved and cared for; and ultimately, love for the Merciful God Who created this human being and sent him as a guide and mercy for humanity.

For Muslims, love of the Prophet is the surest path to love of Allah. The Quran commands: “Say [O Prophet]: ‘If you love God, follow me, [and] God will love you and forgive you your sins...’” (3:31) Walking the “path of Muhammad”(pbuh) is a profoundly spiritual endeavour, calling on believers to increase in humbleness, surrender, compassion, patience, generosity, truthfulness, selflessness and sincerity, following in the footsteps of their beloved Prophet(pbuh). For them, Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) is the highest spiritual guide, a fountainhead of blessings.

As humans we have heavenly goals but an earthly arena in which to act and strive to do good. Thus Muslims see in Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) a role model for every legitimate dimension of human life and activity. In him, Muslims find a role model for social justice, a friend of the poor, orphans, widows, women and children. Muslims see in their Prophet(pbuh) an ideal example of a devoted father and husband, an honest merchant, community arbitrator and peace bringer, educator, political leader and statesman. By following the Prophet’s example, Muslims strive to fulfill every worldly role as a means of gaining God’s pleasure both in this world and the next.

The Quran further tells believers: “Lo! Allah and His Angels shower blessings on the Prophet(pbuh). O you who believe! Ask blessings on him....”(33:56) Sending blessings on the soul of Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) has been a continuous practice of the Muslim community from the seventh century to the present. Muslims experience spiritual love and upliftment when they invoke blessings on their beloved Prophet(pbuh).

Thus countless Muslims–everyday, in every part of the world, for over fourteen centuries–have prayed: “May Allah send His peace and blessings upon His Beloved, our Master Muhammad.”