Rabi ul Awwal & the Seerah

[ummtaalib]

 

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai (Rahimahullah)

  

The code of our Imān is to believe in the Oneness of Allāh Ta’ālā and the Nubuwwah of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam. Belief and reverence for Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam is an integral and inseparable component of our faith.

 

Imān cannot be accepted without believing in and revering Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam.

 

The actual reverence of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam is to believe that:

 

1) Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam came to this world as the greatest human being. This is a reality and not just a fairy tale.

2) Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam was chosen by Allāh Ta’ālā to be the recipient of divine revelation (Wahī).

3) Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam was bestowed the responsibility of conveying the message of Allāh Ta’ālā to humanity, which he fulfilled in the best manner.

4) Among the various Messengers of Allāh Ta’ālā, Rasūlullāh Sallallāh Alaihi Wa Sallam is the leader and most superior.

5) Happiness and success in both the worlds lies solely in following the Sunnah of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam.

 

The salvation of every human being is directly linked to believing in Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam. When one is placed inside the grave, he/she will be asked to recognize Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam. Consider the following narration:The deceased will be questioned in the grave, “What do you know about this man (Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam)?” (Sahīh Bukhārī)

 

In order for one to be true in revering Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam, the overwhelming love and obedience of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam should be present in every moment of one’s life. The demand of love is that the lover yearns to be in the company of the beloved. If this is not possible, then one adopts the beautiful ways and lifestyle of the beloved.

 

When we consider the endless efforts and sleepless nights of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam for the sake of his Ummah, then we would realise that even if we were to dedicate our entire lives in the service and obedience of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam, this would fall short of doing justice to the gratitude due to him. Taking out one day or one month to address the different facets of the beautiful life of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam is not sufficient. A believer should spend every day of his life imitating and spreading the Sunnats of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam.

 

Nevertheless, we cherish any opportunity we get to talk about Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam and inculcate in us and others the love and reverence of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam. May Allah Ta’ala fill our hearts with the love of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam and enable to live our lives emulating his Sunnah, Ameen.

 

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians