Monday, August 14, 2006

Loving the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

The last few days consisted of a hectic schedule, and there was some free time these two days in the morning and early afternoon, so students spent time at the Masjid of the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, and also were able to spend some time resting. Shaykh Muhammad continued with his two sessions of the Shifa’ during the evenings and nights. He said that if you love someone, you want to be just like that person; otherwise, you are not fully true in your love. Thus, he advised the students that we should all strive to emulate the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, as much as possible. Shaykh Muhammad covered the sections in chapter two on the signs of loving the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, on the meaning and reality of love for the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, and on the obligation of nasiha (advise) for the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him. He also covered the sections in chapter three related to exalting the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, and the necessity to respect and honor him, peace and blessings of God be upon him. One of the things Shaykh Muhammad pointed out is that whenever Allah addresses the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, in the Qur’an, he does not address him by his name but uses instead, “O Prophet” or “O Messenger,” addressing him by his titles, whereas the other prophets are addressed by their names, such as Noah and Joseph. The only time his name, “Muhammad,” is used in the Qur’an is in verses that are about him, and he is not addressed in those verses. This is due to Prophet’s high rank, peace and blessings of God be upon him, and is an indication of the great respect he must be shown. Shaykh Muhammad gave several examples of the high regard that people, such as Imam Malik, had for the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him. The Qur’an commands people to show respect to the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him. For example, Allah says that people should not speak before the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, speaks. Another verse says not to speak loudly to him but to lower one’s voice or else all of a person’s good actions are erased from his record. When Sayyidna Abu Bakr heard this aya, he said that he would speak to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of God be upon him, as if he were disclosing a secret. Sayyidna Umar would speak to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of God be upon him, in a tone such that he would ask Sayyidna Umar to repeat what he was saying. Shaykh Muhammad added that of the Prophet’s companions, only Abu Bakr and Umar would raise their eyes to look at the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him.

Shaykh Muhammad praised Turkish people for having the highest level of adab (good manners) with the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, and with the scholars, masjids, shariah, etc.

Shaykh Muhammad advised being in wudu’ as much as possible, especially while studying or teaching. He said that a good wudu’ is the key to a good prayer.

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