Whoever reads about the beautiful characteristics of the best of creation and the biography of the master of the former generations and the latter, the most perfect servant of Allaah in worship, the purest and most noble in conduct, the best in soul, the best in treatment to others, and the greatest in knowledge about Allaah (Azza wa Jall) – the Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) – there is no doubt that longing to see the owner of these characteristics becomes great in one’s heart, just as one’s love for him becomes great.
It is reported in Saheeh Muslim that Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Among the most beloved of my Ummah to me are people who will come after me, one of whom would wish to have seen me, even at the expense of his family and his wealth.” [Muslim, no. 2832]
This means that he would put his family and wealth forward for the sake of seeing the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), out of his intense Shawq (longing) and great desire to see him. Undoubtedly, this feeling should be established in the heart of the Muslim in addition to the Shawq of seeing him and meeting with him in the Delightful Paradise.
This should not be mere wishes or false talk, as in the case of some of the deviated sects who make baseless, false claims which lead them to superstitions, innovations, and misguidance. Rather, this Shawq should be a motivation for one to:
a) Take the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as his example and follow his way (Sunnah)
b) Remember him much
c) Read his Ahadeeth (narrations)
d) Send Salaat upon him profusely
Therefore, when one of the Companions asked of him: “I ask to be with you in Paradise.” He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Is there anything else?” He said: “That is all.” He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Help me to do that for you by prostrating a great deal.” [Muslim]
Meaning, adhere to the obedience of Allaah and His worship. The matter is not solely a wish, rather it is a belief established in the heart that is proven by actions.
Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said: “Whenever the slave increases in the remembrance of his beloved one and keeps him present in his heart, and he remembers his good characteristics which bring forth his love; his love and longing for him will increase until it dominates his heart. And if he turns away from the remembrance of him and his good characteristics in his heart, his love for him will decrease….” [End quote – Jalaa’ al-Afhaam]
Remembering the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is accomplished by the following:
a) Remembering his merits, good characteristics, and noble attributes
b) Remembering his manners, Sunnah, and biography
c) Striving to adhere to his authentic narrations
d) Following the way of the Sahabah, who are just, upright, and the best generation, and taking from them what they said about him and his characteristics.
One should not transgress the limits with him by excessiveness nor neglect; rather, one should be moderate. Violating the rights of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and having aversion to him is blameworthy, and this aversion takes many forms and aspects, such as the following:
1 – Weak love for the Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in one’s heart and preceding the love of this perishable world and false desires over his love.
He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, none of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children, and all mankind.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
In another narration reported by Al-Bukhaari, He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu): “You will not have complete faith till I am dearer to you than your own self.”
In order for one to know the scale of his love for the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), he should examine himself in light of Allaah’s Statement in Surat Aal-Imran [3:31]:
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allaah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allaah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
2 – Turning away from his Sunnah, his clear proofs, and his guidance, by being occupied with false theologies, corrupted desires and the like.
3 – Lack of respect for the narrations of the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), such that when his noble words and narrations are mentioned in some assemblies, they are received without regard. Rather, they are received with objections; with saying, “Why, how come, but, etc.” and so forth. Where is the magnification and honor for this noble Prophet, whom Allaah (Ta’ala) said in Surat an-Najm [53:3-4]:
وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ
“Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.”
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىٰ
”It is only an Inspiration that is inspired.”
4 – Turning away from reading his blessed biography and his noble manners, attributes, characteristics and stories; for his is the purest biography because it is about the master of the sons of Adam. There are from among people who turn away from this glorified Seerah (biography) by being occupied with reading the biographies of insignificant, unworthy people who have no value or effect on the Muslim nation and its progress. They read the biographies of those who have no share of reward in the Hereafter with Allaah, such that hours are wasted in reading about them, whilst they are completely heedless and averse towards the biography of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Undoubtedly, this is a form of breach of his right, and lack of knowledge of his value and status.
5 – One of the most grievous forms of breach is performing Bid’ah (innovations), magnifying them, defending them, and bringing proofs for them, whilst on the other hand turning away from what he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has brought. He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “He who does not follow my Sunnah (legal ways) in religion is not from me (not one of my followers).” [Al-Bukhaari no. 5063]
And he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said: “If someone innovates something which is not present in our religion (of Islamic Monotheism), then that thing will be rejected.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 2697]
Whenever he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to give a Khutbah (sermon) on Friday, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to say: “…The best of speech is the Book of Allaah, the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, and the worst of matters are those which are newly invented, and every innovation is a going astray..” [Muslim no. 967]
6 – Not taking care of sending Salaat (prayers) and Salaam upon him, especially when he is mentioned.
He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The miser is the one in whose presence I am mentioned but he does not supplicate for me.” [Authenticated by Al-Albaani in Al-Irwa’a]
(اللهم صَلِّ على مُحَمَّدٍ و على آل محمد كما صَلَّيْتَ على إبراهيمَ و على آلِ إبراهيمَ إنَّكَ حَميدٌ مجيد
و بَارِكْ على محمد و على آل محمد كما بَارَكْت على إبراهيمَ وعلى آلِ إبراهيمَ إنَّك حميدٌ مجيد)
And the Statement of Allaah (Ta’ala) in Surat al-Ahzaab [33:56] is sufficient for us in this regard:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
“Allaah sends His Salaat (Graces, Honors, Blessings, Mercy, etc.) on the Prophet (Muhammad) and also His angels too (ask Allaah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salaat on (ask Allaah to bless) him (Muhammad), and (you should) greet (salute) him with the Islamic way of greeting (salutation i.e. As-Salamu ‘Alaikum).”
7 – From among the forms of violating the rights of our Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is diminishing the status of his noble Companions, and their followers, and the Imaams of truth from among the bearers of the Sunnah and the supporters of the religion of Allaah.
Reducing the status of all these is considered a form of breach of the rights of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
Source:
Ash-Shawq Ilaa Ro’yat an-Nabiyy [Longing to see the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] by Shaikh ‘Abdur-Razzaq al-Badr
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