The Relevance and Importance of Sirah of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad- PBUH
لَقَدْكَانَلَكُمْفِيرَسُولِاللَّهِأُسْوَةٌحَسَنَةٌلِمَنْكَانَيَرْجُواللَّهَوَالْيَوْمَالْآخِرَوَذَكَرَاللَّهَكَثِيرًاالأحزاب 21)
Indeed, for you in the Messenger of Allah, there is a fine example to follow, for those who hope in Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much. (Al-Ahzab 33:21)
We are in the blessed month of Rabi'ulAwwal, the month in which our beloved Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him- was born. We should remember him always, but in this month Muslims all over the world pay more attention to his life and example. His life is an example and model for all times and for all people in every place.
He was the last Messenger of Allah and he was sent for the guidance of all people. Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him- was the greatest and the most perfect human being ever lived on the face of this earth. He was not a legend or a mythical figure; he was a real, historical being.
He was not only historical, he made history. He left greatest impact on the history of the world. His followers are now almost two billion and their number is ever growing and shall continue to grow.
The word 'Sirah' means 'life history, example, character and achievements.' Among Muslims this word is used as a term for the life of our blessed Prophet -peace be upon him. We know about his life from his Companions, those who saw him from very close quarters and those who lived with him. They were the eyewitnesses and they were the most trustworthy people. The Prophet made a great impact on them. There were no people who followed their Prophet and reported as much details of his life as the Companions of the Prophet did. We should pay attention to the Sirah of the Prophet -peace be upon him.
There is a lot of historical information in the Sirah, but the Sirah is not just history. There is a difference between the Sirah and history. We study history to know what happened in the past, to learn about the great events and stories and important personalities. We study history to increase our knowledge and we may take some lessons from the past events and people. The Sirah, however, is very different. It is altogether good. It is the nourishment of the soul and body. It inspires and motivates.
The study of Sirah is the study of Islam. We cannot learn Islam without knowing the Sirah. We cannot understand the Qur'an without the knowledge of Sirah. We cannot understand Islamic laws, ethics, spirituality and objectives (maqasid) without learning the Sirah. The Sirah teaches wisdom and helps us to deal with any situation at any time or place. Sirah makes us love Islam and motivates us to follow the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him.
Through the Sirah we learn the Personality of the Prophet -peace be upon him- as the Messenger of Allah. Sirah brings us closer to him. The more we know about him, the more we shall love him. Syedna 'Ali -may Allah be pleased with him said about the Prophet:
هوخاتمالنبيينأجودالناسكفاوأشرحهمصدراوأصدقالناسلهجةوألينهمعريكةوأكرمهمعشرةمنرآهبديهةهابهومنخالطهمعرفةأحبهيقولناعتهلمأرقبلهولابعدهمثله (سننالترمذى 5638)
He was the final Prophet, the most generous, the most open-hearted, the most truthful in speech, the most gentle in nature and the most kind in companionship. Whosoever saw him suddenly was overwhelmed by him but whosoever associated with him loved him. His describer says about him, 'I never saw anyone before him or after him like him.' (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith no. 5638)
The Sirah changed the life of millions of people and made them the best human beings. Those who follow him, Allah has promised them His love and forgiveness of sins. Allah says,
قُلْإِنْكُنْتُمْتُحِبُّونَاللَّهَفَاتَّبِعُونِييُحْبِبْكُمُاللَّهُوَيَغْفِرْلَكُمْذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُغَفُورٌرَحِيمٌ {31}قُلْأَطِيعُوااللَّهَوَالرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِنْتَوَلَّوْافَإِنَّاللَّهَلَايُحِبُّالْكَافِرِينَ {آلعمران 31-32}
Say, 'If you love Allah, follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is most Forgiving, Merciful.' Say, 'Obey Allah and the Messenger.' If they turn away then, indeed, Allah does not love the disbelievers. (Al 'Imran 3:31-32)
The Sirah of the Prophet presents to us the most perfect, the most ideal personality. The Sirah has many aspects and dimensions. It has spiritual, moral, social, political dimensions.
The life of the Prophet was the best in every way. He was exemplary and a role model for all people. One of the most important aspect of the Sirah is Prophet's mercy.
Allah has summarized his life and mission in the most beautiful and powerful way. He said:
وَمَاأَرْسَلْنَاكَإِلَّارَحْمَةًلِلْعَالَمِينَ }الأنبياء 107{
We sent you not (O Prophet) except as a mercy to the worlds (Al-Anbiya' 107)
The Prophet -peace be upon him- was the personification of mercy. His words and deeds reflected his kindness for all people. He taught his followers to be merciful always. His message was the message of love and kindness, care and compassion. He taught that all human beings are one family and they should treat each other with dignity, honor and equality. There should be no discrimination on the basis of race, color or nationality. The Prophet -peace be upon him- emphasized that we should be merciful to all people. Mercy, however, should begin from our homes. We must be merciful to our parents, spouses, children, and other kith and kin.
عَنْعَبْدِاللَّهِبْنِعَمْرٍوقَالَقَالَرَسُولُاللَّهِصَلَّىاللَّهُعَلَيْهِوَسَلَّمَالرَّاحِمُونَيَرْحَمُهُمْالرَّحْمَنُارْحَمُوامَنْفِيالْأَرْضِيَرْحَمْكُمْمَنْفِيالسَّمَاءِالرَّحِمُشُجْنَةٌمِنْالرَّحْمَنِفَمَنْوَصَلَهَاوَصَلَهُاللَّهُوَمَنْقَطَعَهَاقَطَعَهُاللَّهُ (الترمذي 1847)
Abdullah ibn Umar says that the Prophet -peace be upon him- said, "Those who are merciful, the Most Merciful will have mercy upon them. Have mercy upon those who are on earth, the One in Heaven will have mercy upon you. The 'rahm'( womb) is from al-Rahman ( The Merciful). Whoever will keep it connected Allah will connect him and whoever will cut its ties Allah will cut him away. (al-Tirmidhi 1847)
The Prophet gave special emphasis on bonding between family members. They should take care of each other. Good families make the society good. Love and mercy spread in the society through the good bonds between the family members.
The Prophet -peace be upon him- told people that the way to Jannah is through love and kindness:
عَنْأَبِيهُرَيْرَةَقَالَقَالَرَسُولُاللَّهِصَلَّىاللَّهُعَلَيْهِوَسَلَّمَلَاتَدْخُلُونَالْجَنَّةَحَتَّىتُؤْمِنُواوَلَاتُؤْمِنُواحَتَّىتَحَابُّواأَوَلَاأَدُلُّكُمْعَلَىشَيْءٍإِذَافَعَلْتُمُوهُتَحَابَبْتُمْأَفْشُواالسَّلَامَبَيْنَكُمْ (مسلم 81)
Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet -peace be upon him- said, "You shall not enter Paradise until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love each other. Should I tell you about something if you do, you will love each other. Spread Salam among you."
(Muslim, Hadith no. 81)
The Prophet emphasized that faith and love are interconnected. Love of Allah and love of other human beings are basic teachings of Islam.
عَنْأَنَسٍعَنْالنَّبِيِّصَلَّىاللَّهُعَلَيْهِوَسَلَّمَقَالَلَايُؤْمِنُأَحَدُكُمْحَتَّىيُحِبَّلِأَخِيهِمَايُحِبُّلِنَفْسِهِ (البخاري 12)
Anas said that the Prophet -peace be upon him- said, "None of you will believe until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." (al-Bukhari 12)
This is the most merciful and universal principle for the social life. If we start treating others the way we like ourselves to be treated, the society will indeed become the society of mercy and love.
Today the world is seeing the loss of mercy and love in most human dealings. It is for this reason that the study of Sirah has become much more important today.
