By Muneeb Nasir
(Excerpt from Friday Khutba delivered at the University of Toronto on March 13, 2009)
Muslims are thinking of Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him, in this month of Rabi ‘Awwal, which is widely reported as that of his birth.
They are recounting, remembering, and praising this great Prophet and Messenger of Allah, who affects their daily lives and whose example they try to follow.
Throughout the centuries, millions have revered and described the greatness of Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him.
We are among the tens of millions of people who believe in Allah, and who recite His praises, His Glory and Majesty; we have come to know the Almighty through the beloved Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad.
As Muslims, our daily challenge is how to live in the way of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him.
The way of the Prophet was not the way of kings or rulers, or politicians or military commanders.
The way of the Prophet was to uphold the real and permanent over the ephemeral and transitory, the spiritual over the material, the moral and ethical over that which brings quick profit or results.
His way was not the way of worldly glory but the way of humble devotion to Allah and service to humanity.
Many times we tend to speak of the Prophet Muhammad in terms of his roles and worldly achievements.
But these roles were not the ultimate reason for his impact on the world.
One often quoted essay written by a French historian, Lamartine, speaks of him and his impact on the world as follows:
"If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astounding results are the three criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad? The most famous men created arms, laws and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their eyes.
This man moved not only armies, legislations, empires, peoples and dynasties, but millions of men in one-third of the then inhabited world; and more than that, he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and souls. . . his forbearance in victory, his ambition, which was entirely devoted to one idea and in no manner striving for an empire; his endless prayers, his mystic conversations with God, his death and his triumph after death; all these attest not to an imposture but to a firm conviction which gave him the power to restore a dogma." (Lamartine, HISTOIRE DE LA TURQUIE, Paris, 1854, Vol. II, pp. 276-277).
Lamartine recognized that it was the Prophet’s character and personality that empowered him and his followers and made his message so transformative.
Indeed, the Prophet is most often described in the Islamic sources in terms of his exemplary character – the ‘best example’; ‘mighty character’; ‘mercy to the worlds’; ‘bringer of good news.’
The thread of proactive mercy ran throughout the fabric of the Prophet’s life and was one of the keys to his influence on those around him.
The loyalty and love of his followers and the respect he evoked among his enemies were the fruits of such magnanimity.
Muhammad’s mercy and kindness was inclusive – he played with children, showed a kindly humor toward adults, and even gave his followers friendly nicknames.
He visited the sick, inquired after the welfare of neighbors, friends and followers, and even those who disbelieved in him.
He shared everything with those around him, including their poverty.
He was always willing to forgive, rarely chastising those who disobeyed him. And he did not restrict his mercy to his followers.
In imitation of the Prophet, Muslims are expected to be merciful, to bring kind, and to seek the benefit of others—all others—not wish them harm or rejoice in the evil that befalls them.
The Prophet Muhammad said: “People who show mercy to others will be shown mercy by the All-Merciful. Be merciful to those on earth, and He who is in heaven will be merciful to you.”
His wife, Aisha reported that he once said, “Be kind, for whenever kindness becomes a part of something, it beautifies it; whenever it is taken from something, it leaves it tarnished.”
These are the times when we need to restore mercy and kindness in our relationships.
On February 25, 2009, the Right Rev. David Giuliano, moderator of the United Church, issued an open letter to Canadians in which he called for a generosity of spirit as we deal with these tough economic times.
“We are living with uncertainty, anxiety, and severe stresses that fray the bonds of relationships, harm physical and psychological health, and intensify social problems.
Debt is rising. Savings are shrinking. Lineups at food banks and shelters are getting longer.
To survive these tumultuous times, people need to change to a simpler lifestyle, rise above the rampant materialism and show kindness and compassion for one another.”
Rev. David Giuliano’s words are timely and need to be taken seriously as Canadians struggle to deal with the difficult circumstances due to the severe recession.
Acts of kindness can change hearts and minds.
I came across this letter in the Montreal Gazette written by someone whose life was impacted by the kindness of a total stranger:
A little more than 10 years ago, just after I'd been diagnosed with cancer, my wife and I moved to a new residence. As word of my disease spread, friends started calling less and less, or not at all.
Some would ask if they could help, but never followed through. Others offered excuses, but still stayed away. It was tough but we understood: Cancer scares people.
One morning our new neighbour knocked on our door and asked my wife in broken English, "Your husband is sick?" When my wife told him that was the case, this man's words were, "Don't worry about a thing, I am your brother, I am here to help."
Sure enough, every single day for the next 12 weeks, this man (who worked nights) drove me to my treatments, exams, etc. He would take my wife shopping and wait to bring her back home.
There is not enough space to describe the good deeds of this total stranger that fate brought to my door - a Muslim immigrant from an Arab country.
Thank you.
Raymond Clarke (The Good Samaritan redux The Gazette February 27, 2009).
This Muslim has lived up to the values of his religion.
The challenge of our times requires us to not only live by these values and principles in the situation of ease and happiness, but to live by them in all circumstances.
To honor the Prophet Muhammad is to live his message daily and not yearly; to live it at every moment and not at specific moments; to celebrate his praises through our fidelity to this message and not celebrate his praises and neglect the message.
May Allah instill in our hearts His love and love of our fellow human beings.
May Allah make us always instruments of His Mercy, and give us mercy and forgiveness on the day we will need them.
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