Emulating the Character of Prophet Muhammad
By Miriam Mohamed
Chicago, IL

 

During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world restrain themselves from halal food, drinks, and other pleasures from dawn to sunset, and make resolutions to transform into a better version of themselves. Throughout Ramadan we train ourselves to be virtuous, disdaining vices and sins and replacing them with good deeds. Now that Eid and its celebrations have come and gone, it is time to reflect on how to continue the good habits and acts of worship throughout the year. One way to preserve motivation and reach this goal is to emulate the character of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and connect it to new habits.

Abdur Raheem Kidawai’s beautiful book  Blessed Names and Characteristics of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings upon him, draws the reader nearer to the Prophet through contemplation and reflection upon his names and characteristics, their meaning, and how each shapes our daily lives. Each entry is based on authentic sources mainly from the Holy Qur’an but also from the reputable works of Ibn Qayyim, Al-Bukhari, and others.

Each page holds an entry written in gold Arabic lettering with an English translation directly beneath it. The book begins with his name Muhammad, The Praised One. “His name figures along with Allah in the credal statement of Islam …This again shows how widely he is praised.” 

There are 99 entries that follow this same structure. Each entry is a page long with no more than two to three short paragraphs containing the source of the name and/or characteristic and a brief explanation. Each simple entry embodies an attribute of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, that believers should strive to emulate. With Allah’s help and combined with action and Islamic qualities, believers can maintain their Ramadan resolutions by associating a new habit with a characteristic of our beloved Prophet. This is also a great way to introduce and inculcate a love for the Prophet in the hearts of our children, inshaAllah, God-willing.

(Miriam Mohamed is a mother to seven children and a granny to two cats!  She loves trying new things and learning cool facts. She has taught in an Islamic school setting, has experience assisting children with special needs, and enjoys volunteering and being a part of the community. Miriam lives in Chicago with her beautiful flowering cherry tree and big family.)

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