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It was in his Sadaqah that the entire universe came into existence. It was for his welcome, and to inform the creation of his coming, that Allah Ta’ala sent various Prophets on earth. He is the Noor of Allah Ta’ala, leader and Imam of the Ambiya and the Rasools. He is the hope of the distraught and the intercessor for the sinners. He is the Maalik of Jannat and the distributor of the Ne’mats (bounties) of Almighty Allah. He is the pride and honour of the skies and of the earth. Even the Throne and the rest of the universe rejoiced on the birth of our most Beloved Aaqa Muhammad Mustafa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is not only the perfect human being but he is the splendour of humanity. He is not only for a single nation, one city, one town or one country but he is the mercy unto the worlds until Qiyaamah. All the successes and benefits of the world are under the feet of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). All the levels and paths that lead to Almighty Allah find their basis from him. Thus we should remember him in every breath, on every step and in every time.
A Muslim may perform Salaah, keep Roza and perform many Hajj, but until he does not make his heart the city of love for the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), his faith is incomplete. Hazrat Anas (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) states that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once said that none amongst you is a true believer unless he loves me more than his life, family, parents and belongings.
Allah Ta’ala loves Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) so dearly that He swears an oath on the city, era and age of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). With His name Allah Ta’ala always mentions the name of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), showing his excellence. When Allah Ta’ala spoke of other Ambiya, He used their names, but for Huzoor (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) He used his blessed titles. He loves him so much that He and His Angels send Salaams to Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Love for the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is love for Almighty Allah. Without his obedience, there is no obedience to Allah Ta’ala. Not only should we send peace and salutations but we should spread the teachings of his life and the Sunnah of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). It is useless calling his name while being disobedient to him. If you love him, you will be steadfast in your Salaah. You will never lie and commit sin. A true lover will never do anything that is Haraam. He will always serve the servants of Allah Ta’ala and follow the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
He who loves him truly will not have pride and show disrespect to his elders. He will always be patient and grateful. The reason for this is that true love holds great tests and success is to accept the beloved totally. True love and respect for the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is the first condition of Imaan.
The following incidents serve to teach us how to love Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) the way the Sahaabah loved him:
During the Battle of Uhud, when an Ansari woman was told that her father, brother and husband had all become Shaheed, she did not become disturbed but rather continued to ask of Rasoolullah’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) condition, and after being told that he was safe and sound, then too was she not satisfied. It was only until she had seen the Holy Prophet’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) blessed face with her own two eyes that she exclaimed, “When you are present, there is no sorrow of anything else.” [Seerat ibn Hishaam]
When Hazrat Bilaal (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) was near to passing away, his wife said out of sadness, “What sadness is this?” Hearing this he exclaimed from his deathbed, “What happiness is this! Tomorrow I shall meet all my friends, Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and his companions.” [Zarqaani ala-Mawaahib]
It has also been stated by Hazrat Anas (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), “Once, a tailor invited the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) for a meal, and I had also accompanied him to go there. He presented us with bread and a curry which had pieces of meat and kaddu (calabash) in it. I saw Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) searching for the pieces of kaddu to eat, and from that day, I always loved to eat kaddu.” [Bukhari Shareef]
It has been reported that once, in the gathering of Imam Abu Yusuf (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) (the student of Imam Abu Hanifah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh)), the narration of kaddu being beloved to Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was mentioned before him. At this time, someone from the gathering said, “I do not like it.” An infuriated Imam Abu Yusuf (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) then took out his sword and exclaimed, “Renew your Imaan; if not, I shall kill you!” [Mirqaat]
This was the love that the Sahaabah had for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that even the slightest disrespect shown to him was severely dealt with. Many people claim to love Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), but there are some traits of a true lover of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that distinguishes him from the rest of the people:
- To follow the Sunnahs, actions and orders of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam); meaning to act upon Shariah to the best of one’s ability.
- To remember and speak of him, to read a large amount of Durood Shareef and to attend gatherings associated with him e.g. Meelad Shareef.
- To respect and revere Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as well as those things associated with him e.g. The Sahaabah Kiraam, Ahle-Baith, Madina, his Tabarrukaat (sacred relics), the Holy Qur’an and the Ahadith.
- To stay close to the friends of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and to remain far from his enemies.
- To practice abstinence from the world and to maintain that being poor is more excellent than being rich. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once said. “Poverty reaches the person that loves me as fast as the travelling of flood water.” [Tirmidhi Shareef]
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to become true lovers of Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and may we live and die in the love of our Beloved Aaqa Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Ameen.