“And We have sent you but as a mercy to mankind.” [Qur’an, 21: 107]
The greatness of a leader is predicated upon his comprehension of the existing conditions of his society, his vision for the future, his own conviction in the mission he envisions to pursue, a coherent plan and strategy to divert the course of events in the desired direction, transparency in decision-making, his record of selfless civic engagement, and his demonstrated personal character echoing to his stated position. Leaders who possess these qualities not only touch the lives of millions, but change the destiny of their people forever. Those who recognize the altruism of a leader owe him more than just gratitude. They have some moral obligations toward him in a tangible way. The foremost of them is a clear understanding of what he stands for. The ideology and values of the leader must be reflected in personal lives of the followers. This is the primary aim of any genuine leader’s lifetime efforts and the best way to be grateful to him for the change he effects. It is also followers’ responsibility to vigorously carry on his mission for its wider and continuous manifestation.
With the passage of time, however, the followers become ideologues and factionalized. In an extreme case, for instance, those who reside on the fringes begin to see a diminished role of the leader in their daily life. Their desire for pragmatism under contemporary pressures weakens their conscience and commitment to once deeply held principles now reduced to occasional hiccups. On the contrary, the less intellectually inclined devotees are emotionally carried away and often escape human rationality and clarity of vision. Logic loses its meaning. It is hard to question the sincerity of their devotion, but the mystic view they develop about their leader unjustly tints his real position and the relevance of his manifesto to a momentous life with a deeper and wider appeal. Either attitude toward the celebrated leader is self-defeating and indecorous to his mission. An objective approach, however, requires recognizing the leader as an individual of own-kind with similar limitations yet disciplined, visionary and mission oriented; and accepting the cause he envisions for the betterment of people he intends to inspire. A relentless pursuit by the followers of leader’s ideals is the key to his mission’s success and enduring impact.
Among the world leaders, Allah’s Apostles are of the highest class. They are divinely appointed true leaders of mankind. They are inspired to reconnect people to their Creator and transform a socially sick establishment into a vibrant and balanced society governed by moral principles. They possess spotless personal character from childhood, look for no glory or gains, and practice what they teach. The Qur’an defines them: “…O my people, follow the Messengers: follow those who do not ask any fee of you and are on the Right Way.” [Q, 36: 20, 21] Without any conflict or contradiction, their message has been consistent and universal: “And the only Command they were given was to worship Allah, making their religion sincerely His, turning all their attention toward Him,…for this alone is the true and right Religion.” [Q, 98: 5]
Even among the Apostles of Allah swt, the Prophet Muhammad saw holds the highest rank. He is the conclusion of chain of Prophets. As the Final Prophet, his message is complete, perfect, universal, and lasting. His life is an epitome of compassion and mercy. He was a divinely inspired reformist and disciplinarian. He showed his kindness and magnanimity not only to those who belonged to the Islamic fraternity but also to those outside its orbit. In fact, Allah swt sent him as His mercy for humanity: “And We have sent you but as a mercy to mankind,” [Q, 21: 107] The life of the Prophet saw and his mission was the merciful fulfillment of Allah’s promise.
The followers owe, in return, loyalty to him. The first right of the Prophet saw is to accept him as Allah’s Messenger: “Believe in Allah and His Messenger and the light which We have revealed…” [Q, 64: 8] Second, the Prophet’s life is the best model that Muslims must emulate in their daily life and manners as verbatim as possible to seek Allah’s pleasure: “Verily in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example for him who looks unto Allah…” [Q, 33: 21]. From a more practical standpoint, however, the life example of the Prophet saw is the sole criterion by which all business pertaining to an Islamic life must be conducted. His judgement must be accepted as final in all disputes, being a pre-requisite for faith: “…they cannot become true believers until they seek your arbitration in all matters on which they disagree among themselves…” [Q, 4: 65] The guidance that the Prophet saw has delivered as Allah’s Messenger and the injunctions that he has put in place will remain the universal touchstone for Muslims. He has laid down the rule: “None of you can become a believer until his desires become subservient to what I have brought.” [Kitab Al-Hujjah]
There are two main sources for the understanding of Islam: The Qur’an – the word of Allah swt, and the actions and sanctions of the Prophet saw, which make up the Sunna and normally referred to as the Hadith. Just as the Qur’an must be strictly followed, the sunna must also be observed faithfully, because the sunna is the Qur’an in practice: “…We have now sent down this Reminder (Qur’an) upon you so that you may elucidate to people the teaching that has been sent down for them, and that the people may themselves reflect.” [Q, 14: 44] This is a fundamental duty of Muslims toward the Prophet saw for they are commanded: “…And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids, abstain...” [Q, 59: 7]
In fact, the obedience to Allah swt is unequivocally conditioned upon obedience to the Prophet saw: “He who obeys the Messenger thereby obeys Allah…” [Q, 4: 80] The Prophet saw himself underscored in his final sermon: “…I leave behind me two things: the Qur’an and my sunna and if you follow them you will never go astray. All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again…” Thus, Muslims not only have to devotedly practice the sunna, but also have to communicate it to others as part of Islamic teachings, without which the Qur’anic text can neither be explained nor can it be practiced duly.
Muslims are required to hold the Prophet saw in the highest esteem. Allah swt has promised that He would raise the fame of His Messenger in the world: ” And (O Prophet, have We not) exalted your renown for you?” [Q, 94: 4] Around the globe today, wherever Muslims exit, the name of the Prophet saw is raised in the call for the daily five times salat (prayer), the blessings of Allah swt are invoked on him in salat, and he is revered in the Friday sermons. The magnitude of his glory at such a grand scale can be surmised in Abu Saeed Khudri’s narration. He reports that the Prophet saw said: ” Archangel Gabriel came to me and said: My Lord and your Lord asks: In what way have I exalted your renown? I submitted: Allah alone has the best knowledge. He said: Allah says: whenever mention will be made of Me, you too will be mentioned along with Me.“
In accordance with this, Allah swt has made it incumbent upon Muslims to offer da’rud (salutations/greetings) to the Prophet saw: “Lo! Allah and His angels shower greetings on the Prophet. O believers, you should also shower greetings on him, and salute him with a worthy greeting.” [Q, 33: 56] In other words, those who have found the path of guidance through the teachings of the Prophet saw, should recognize his true worth and be grateful to him for his favor of bringing them forth from darkness unto light. After Allah swt, he is the most kind and most generous person to you: “There has come to you a Messenger of Allah from amongst yourselves; one who grieves at your sufferings, who is ardently desirous of your welfare, and who is tender and merciful toward the believers.” [Q, 9: 128] Therefore, we should exalt him, just as the angles do day and night, saying: “O Lord of the worlds: Just as your Prophet has done us countless and endless favors, so do You also show him endless and limitless mercy, raise him to the highest ranks in the world and bless him with the greatest nearness to Yourself in the Hereafter.”
Whether it is practicing a sunna or offering da’rud, believers must hold the Prophet saw dearer than anything else. Love is an ultimate form of loyalty and devotion. This state is reached when heart and mind are in harmony with ones convictions, rendering all other concerns non-consequential. The teachings of the Prophet saw, which center around tawheed (Sovereignty of Allah), provide believers with a firm intellectual frame of reference, a stable perspective, and an all-embracing-world view: “Thus, through a firm word, Allah grants firmness to the believers both in this world and in the Hereafter…” [Q, 14:27] Through these teachings they acquire stability in their conduct and moral behavior. Full realization of these virtues, however, is contingent upon unconditional love for the Prophet saw, without which Iman (faith) is not complete. So, he says: “None of you will believe until I am dearer to you than your children, your fathers and all people.” [Bukhari] In an eventual situation, the examples of which are many, a Muslim may have to risk his own life in order to protect the honor of the Prophet saw. This will not go unrecognized though as promised: “Whoever revives my Sunnah then he has loved me. And whoever loved me, he shall be with me in Paradise.” [Al-Tirmidhi]
This kind of Iman, founded on pure love for the Prophet saw, is essential for a wholehearted adoption and advancing his guidance universally. Without this level of enthusiasm, the demands of Islam in terms of upholding its message and influencing the course of the society with the Islamic thoughts and values cannot be met. Allah’s love itself for mankind has been tied to this state of mindset: “Say, (O Muhammad to mankind): If you love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you…” [Q, 3: 31] Thus, loving and obeying the Prophet saw is key to earning Allah’s love. More to the point, the love of Allah swt and the love of the Prophet saw are inseparable: “Tell them (O Prophet): If your fathers and your sons and your brothers and your wives and your tribe and the wealth you have acquired and the commerce which you fear may fail, and the mansions that you love, are dearer to you than Allah and His Apostle and striving in His cause, then wait until Allah’s Command arrives…” [Q, 9: 24]
True love and respect are different shades of adoration for a person one aspires to be identified with. Respect for the Prophet saw is but a part of Iman and a requirement for being a believer: “We have sent you (O Prophet) as a witness and a bearer of good news and a warner, so that you, O people, may believe in Allah and His Apostle, and may help him and respect him…” [Q, 48: 8,9] It has been stressed over and over again in the Qur’an that the Prophet saw is not only a bearer of good news to the believers but he is also their teacher, their law-giver, judge and guide, a purifier of their morals, and a model of life for them. Every word he utters or move he makes is a law which they must obey willingly and intensely across all functions of life.
It is not sufficient in Islam to be righteous in one’s own life. True loyalty to the Prophet saw demands that a righteous Muslim must also partake in the reformatory program of the Prophet saw and commit his energies to advancing his mission of transforming the society in a healthy way: “Believers! Respond to Allah, and respond to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life…” [Q, 8: 24] This directive seeks to impress upon people that civic engagement and the reformatory campaign the Prophet saw is inviting to is the source of lively existence of self-fulfillment, individually and collectively. If the believers failed to respond to the invitation of the Prophet saw, they would go morally lifeless and could also be included among those who were neglectful of their duties and lived sinful lives: “And guard yourselves against a chastisement which cannot fall exclusively on those of you who are wrong-doers…”[Q, 8: 25]
Subject to provisos referred to above, anyone who fulfills his obligation toward the Prophet saw by joining him in his effort to give a moral basis to the worldly life, adopts the right attitude, and strives to maintain an unblemished character, will not only be rewarded in the most certain life to come, but will also enjoy success in the present life: “Whosoever acts righteously, man or woman, and embraces belief, We will surely grant him a good life; and will surely grant such persons their reward according to the best of their deeds.” [Q, 16: 97]
Capsuling his mission and accomplishments, at age 40 when he became Prophet and started his mission, the ruling Quraysh of Mecca turned completely against him. After struggling for 13 years, he was forced to migrate to Medina, a city he had never been to before. Yet the entire community was eager to welcome him and accept his message. All of a sudden he found himself surrounded by a community of followers without any effort. Within eight years he re-entered Mecca in a peaceful takeover and granted amnesty to old foes. They immediately joined him under the banner of Islam. He sanctified the Ka’ba for the worship of one Allah and returned to Medina to establish the first pluralistic Islamic State with full participation of the non-Muslim factions of the community. Two years later (10 AH) he performed his first and last Hajj in Mecca with 120K companions and delivered his farewell sermon as a road map for Muslims going forward. Few months later (11 AH) he passed away at age 63.
The Prophet saw is the only Prophet who founded an Islamic State from ground up and became its head by virtue of being Allah’s Messenger. Even many renowned non-Muslim historians acknowledge him in their accounts as the most visionary and influential leader ever existed who has transformed societies across the globe and re-shaped the entire world with lasting impact in just short 23 years. He accomplished all this merely with the force of his character and inspirational teachings consistent with human lucidity. His approach is distinct in presenting a comprehensive vision of life in practice and a global view of humanity as one family of Allah swt. His legacy is enshrined in his teachings that uniquely remain intact as a source of divine guidance with no conceivable possibility of dissipating from the public domain. The true love is a sign of emotional connection with a figure one idolizes for his novel virtues and integrity of character. In Islam, that connection needs to be translated into action that pleases the entity so esteemed. The best way to love the Prophet saw is to advance his mission. That journey begins with the first step. In his own words, the purpose of his mission is: “I have been appointed to perfect your akhlaq (morals/manners).” [Bukhari] And he further says:” The best of you is the one who is the best in conduct.” [Bukhari, Muslim, and Tirmidhi] Thus, perfecting own manners substantiated with moral excellence in conducting day-to-day life is a necessary and sufficient condition to secure the fellowship of the cherished Prophet of humanity.
Islamic Point of View 