
A father; a husband; a statesman; a judge; a peacemaker; a teacher; a warrior; a counsellor; and on top of all this, he was the final prophet and the greatest of all creation. This was who Prophet Mohammad PBUH was.
At the age of 40, his Lord would instruct him to: “Rise and warn.”[1]
He would rise, warn, strive and sacrifice. He would cry till 23 long years had elapsed, the religion was complete, and his blessed soul was finally ready to depart from his fatigued body back to Allah. His wife, ‘Aisha, was asked: “Did the Prophet Mohammad PBUH ever pray sat down?” She responded:
نَعَمْ، بَعْدَ مَا حَطَمَهُ النَّاسُ
“Yes, after the people had destroyed him.”[2]
It’s this breath-taking work ethic and endless sacrifice to the cause of Islam that caused people, rather, the entirety of creation, to adore him. If you ask for a description of this love, we can say that it was a love that caused the stone to speak, that made tree trunks weep, that moved trees from their places, caused camels to shed tears and a love that humbled lions. Those who ask, “What miracles did the prophet PBUH come with besides the Qur’an?” I respond: All of what you just read.
(1) Adored by the universe:
We said that it was;
A love that caused the stone to speak
The Prophet PBUH said:
إِنِّي لَأَعْرِفُ حَجَرًا بِمَكَّةَ كَانَ يُسَلِّمُ عَلَيَّ قَبْلَ أَنْ أُبْعَثَ إِنِّي لَأَعْرِفُهُ الْآنَ
“I know of a stone in Mecca that used to greet me with Salām before I became a prophet. I know it’s location till this day.”3
This wouldn’t be the only incident described. Abū Dharr stated:
إني لشاهد عند رسول الله في حلقة وفي يده حصى فسبحن في يده وفينا أبو بكر وعمر وعثمان وعلي فسمع تسبيحهن من في الحلقة
“I was a witness to a gathering in which the Prophet PBUH was present. He had pebbles in his hands, and they praised Allah whilst in his hands. Abū Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman and ‘Ali were present, and all those who were there heard them glorifying Allah.”4
A love that made tree trunks weep
Jaabir b. ‘Abd Allah said:
“The Prophet PBUH used to stand by a tree on Friday. On one day, an Ansari woman said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, shall we make a pulpit for you?’ He replied, ‘If you wish.’ So they made a pulpit for him. When Friday arrived, he proceeded towards the pulpit to deliver the sermon. All of a sudden, the tree screamed like a child!
The Prophet PBUH descended from the pulpit and embraced it. It continued moaning like a child who was being quietened, and then said:
كَانَتْ تَبْكِي عَلَى مَا كَانَتْ تَسْمَعُ مِنْ الذِّكْرِ عِنْدَهَا
“It cried as it missed hearing the reminder near it.”5
He also said:
أما والذي نفس محمد بيده لو لم التزمه لما زال هكذا إلى يوم القيامة حزناً على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فأمر به فدفن
“I swear by the One who possesses my soul, had I not hugged it in this manner, it would have continued crying till the day of reckoning out of grief for the Prophet of Allah.” He then instructed that it should be buried. 6
A love that moved trees from their places
Jabir b. ‘Abd Allah said:
“We set out for travel with the Prophet PBUH until we got to a fragrant valley. The Prophet PBUH went to relieve himself and I followed him with a container of water. The Prophet PBUH looked about, but he found nothing to conceal him except two trees at the end of the valley. So he made his way to one of them, took hold of one of its branches and said, ‘Comply with me by Allah’s permission’.
فَانْقَادَتْ مَعَهُ كَالْبَعِيرِ الْمَخْشُوشِ الَّذِي يُصَانِعُ قَائِدَهُ
And so it came under his control like the camel who has its bridle in the hand of its rider.
He then came to the second tree, took hold of a branch and said, ‘Comply with me by Allah’s permission’, and it too submitted to his control. He walked with them until he was standing between the two trees he pulled the two branches together and said,
الْتَئِمَا عَلَيَّ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ فَالْتَأَمَتَا
‘Cover me by the permission of Allah, and so they covered (him).’
I was afraid that the Prophet PBUH would be bothered by my closeness which may cause him to move further, so I began to talk to myself. During one of my glances, I saw the Prophet PBUH making his way back towards me, and the two trees had returned to their places.”[3]
Ya’la b. Murra said:
“There are three things that I saw from the Prophet PBUH (one of which was) .. we travelled with the Prophet PBUH and camped to rest. As the Prophet PBUH was asleep, a tree made its way to him, splitting the earth, till it enveloped him. Then it returned to its place. When he woke up, I mentioned this to him, to which he responded:
هي شجرةٌ استأْذَنَت ربَّها في أن تُسَلِّمَ على رسولِ اللهِ – صلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّم -، فأَذِن لها
‘It’s a tree that sought permission from its Lord to greet the Prophet of Allah PBUH, and it was granted permission.”[4]
A love that caused camels to shed tears
The Prophet PBUH once entered the garden of a man from the Ansar. A camel from within saw him, and at once, it broke down into tears. The Prophet PBUH came to it and wiped the temple of its head until it settled and then said, “Who is the owner of this camel?” A young man from the Ansar said, “This is mine, O Messenger of Allah.” He said:
أَفَلَا تَتَّقِي اللَّهَ فِي هَذِهِ الْبَهِيمَةِ الَّتِي مَلَّكَكَ اللَّهُ إِيَّاهَا فَإِنَّهُ شَكَا إِلَيَّ أَنَّكَ تُجِيعُهُ وَتُدْئِبُهُ
“Will you not fear Allah concerning this animal which Allah has placed under your possession? It has complained to me that you keep it hungry and fatigue it.”[5]
A love that humbled lions
Safeena, the servant of the Prophet PBUH, said:
“I once sailed the sea, and my boat fell into disrepair mid-sea. So I held onto one of the planks till the waves had taken me to a jungle. No sooner than I arrived that I saw a lion running in my direction. I said,
يَا أَبَا الْحَارِثِ، أَنَا مَوْلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
‘O lion! I am the servant of the Prophet PBUH.’
At once, the lion stopped in its tracks and lowered its head. He pushed me with his shoulder, showing me the way out of the jungle, and made noises which I interpreted as him bidding me farewell.”[6]
(2) Adored by his companions:
If this was the level of love which animals, stones and inanimate creatures harboured towards him, what then of the love of the companions? Human beings who travelled, ate and spoke with him. What must they have felt towards him? Well, perhaps we can summarise the answer by describing how: They wouldn’t allow the droplets of water during his ablution to reach the ground. In fact, these aren’t my words, but the words of an enemy of his who observed the behaviour of the companions around the Prophet PBUH, and who then reported back to his people saying:
أَيْ قَوْمِ وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ وَفَدْتُ عَلَى الْمُلُوكِ وَوَفَدْتُ عَلَى قَيْصَرَ وَكِسْرَى وَالنَّجَاشِيِّ وَاللَّهِ إِنْ رَأَيْتُ مَلِكًا قَطُّ يُعَظِّمُهُ أَصْحَابُهُ مَا يُعَظِّمُ أَصْحَابُ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مُحَمَّدًا وَاللَّهِ إِنْ تَنَخَّمَ نُخَامَةً إِلَّا وَقَعَتْ فِي كَفِّ رَجُلٍ مِنْهُمْ فَدَلَكَ بِهَا وَجْهَهُ وَجِلْدَهُ وَإِذَا أَمَرَهُمْ ابْتَدَرُوا أَمْرَهُ وَإِذَا تَوَضَّأَ كَادُوا يَقْتَتِلُونَ عَلَى وَضُوئِهِ وَإِذَا تَكَلَّمَ خَفَضُوا أَصْوَاتَهُمْ عِنْدَهُ وَمَا يُحِدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ النَّظَرَ تَعْظِيمًا لَه
“O people! By Allah, I have visited the kings, and I have visited Caesar, Khosrau and the Negus, yet by Allah, I have never seen a king who was more honoured by his people than the honouring the companions of Mohammad PBUH showed him. By Allah, if he spat, the spittle would fall in the hand of one of them who would rub it on his face and skin. If he ordered them, they would carry out his order immediately, and if he performed ablution, they would compete over the remains. When he spoke, they would lower their voices in his presence, and they would not look at his face continuously out of sheer respect.”[7]
I will not cite a single example of love which the companions exemplified towards him during times of ease, despite such narrations being in their hundreds. Instead, I will limit the next set of examples to those from times of adversity and hardship as this is when the truest dimensions of love transpire.
Love during pre-war consultation
When the Muslims found themselves before an army while clad to their teeth with armour in what would later be known as the battle of Badr, the Prophet PBUH wanted to know how keen the companions were. Particularly, seeing that the Muslims were surprised by a much larger Meccan army than expected. He consulted them, and both Abū Bakr and ‘Umar spoke beautiful words before Al-Miqdaad b. ‘Amr stood up and said the following:
يا رسول الله، امض لما أراك الله فنحن معك، والله لا نقول لك كما قالت بنو إسرائيل لموسى: اذهب أنت وربك فقاتلا إنا ههنا قاعدون، ولكن اذهب أنت وربك فقاتلا إنا معكما مقاتلون
“O Messenger of Allah, proceed to what Allah has shown you, for we are with you. By Allah, we will not say to you like what the children of Israel said to Musa, ‘Go, you and your Lord and fight, we shall remain right here’. But we say to you, ‘Go, you and your Lord, and fight, we shall fight with you.’”
The Prophet PBUH admired this but continued requesting further advice. It was at this point that some of the companions realised that the Prophet PBUH wanted the opinion of the Ansār as they would be fighting beyond their territories. He wanted to assess how enthusiastic they were. Sa’d b. Mu’aadh was the first to realise this, and so he rose and said:
لعلك تخشى أن تكون الأنصار ترى حقا عليها ألاتنصرك إلا وفي ديارهم، وإني أقول عن الأنصار وأجيب عنهم، فاظعن حيث شئت، وصل حبل من شئت، واقطع، حبل من شئت، وخذ من أموالنا ما شئت، وأعطنا ما شئت، وما أخذت منا كان أحب إلينا مما تركت، وما أمرت فيه من أمر فأمرنا تبع لأمرك، فو الله لئن سرت حتى تبلغ البرك من غمدان لنسيرن معك، وو الله لئن استعرضت بنا هذا البحر فخضته لخضناه معك
“It seems that you are alluding to us. Perhaps you fear that the Ansār do not think that they have to help you outside their own territory. I speak for the Ansār and answer for them. Go where you wish, join whom you wish and cut off whom you wish. Take what you wish from our property and give us what you wish. What you take from us is dearer to us than what you leave. Whatever you command, we will follow it. By Allah, if you were to travel until you reached Bark Ghamdan (a difficult terrain that’s around 500km away from Madina), we would go with you. By Allah, if you were to cross this sea, we would plunge into it with you.”[8]
Love seconds before war
As the Prophet PBUH lined up his men before a war, he noticed that one companion – Sawād b. Ghaziyya – was not standing in line. He prodded him with a stick and said, “Stand in line O Sawād”. Sawād responded, “O Messenger of Allah, you’ve hurt me. Allah has sent you with the truth and justice, so give me retribution.” At once, the Prophet PBUH lifted his garment, uncovering his belly and said, “Prod me back”. Sawād leapt onto the Prophet PBUH, hugging him and kissed his stomach. The Prophet PBUH asked him why he did this, to which he responded:
يَا رَسُولَ اللّهَ حَضَرَ مَا تَرَى ، فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ يَكُونَ آخِرُ الْعَهْدِ بِك أَنْ يَمَسّ جِلْدِي جِلْدَك
“O Messenger of Allah, you see the situation that we’re in, and so I wanted my last moments to be one’s where my skin touches yours.”[9]
Love post-war
Such love was in no way limited to men, but the women from the companions did not fall short. After the battle of Uhud had subsided, a woman from the tribe of Deenār was given the news that her father, brother and husband had been martyred. Her response caught them by surprise, “What happened to the prophet of Allah?” They said, “He is, Alhamdu li Llah, well”. She said, “Where is he? I want to see him”. They pointed him out for her, to which they heard her say:
كل مصيبة بعدك جَلَلٌ
“As long as you are well, every calamity is small.”[10]
Love as their souls bade them farewell
How could we forget the words of Sa’d b. Al-Rabee’ who uttered some of the most inspiring words that have come to pass moments before he would pass away. The Prophet PBUH had sent Zaid Ibnu Thābit back to the battlefield of Uhud post-war to search for Sa’d. Zaid walked through the battleground, stepping over corpses and decapitated limbs, he finally found Sa’d on the ground. Sa’d had received fatal injuries and was breathing his last. Zaid knelt beside him and said, “Sa’d, the Prophet of Allah PBUH conveys his salām to you and asks, ‘How are you feeling?’” Sa’d replied with a weak voice:
وعلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم السلام، قل له، يا رسول الله، أجد ريح الجنة
“Return my greetings to the Prophet PBUH and tell him that I can smell the fragrance of Paradise.”
Then he said:
وقل لقومي الأنصار : لا عذر لكم عند الله إن خلص إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وفيكم عين تطرف
“.. And tell my people from the Ansār that you have no excuse before Allah if any harm touches the Messenger of Allah whilst any of you possesses an eye which blinks.” He then passed away.
Have you ever come across love that equals this?
(3) But why all of this love?
Before the companions was a spectacle of a human being, a wonder from Allah’s creation, a man who was an embodiment of every value he promoted, and in every possible domain of excellence, they saw him excel.
Had you seen how he worships, you would think that Allah had sent him for no reason other than to be a devout worshipper. A worshipper who when lovers had tucked away under the veils of the night, his sides would forsake his bed. He would stand for prolonged hours in prayer, causing the skin of his feet to crack and weeping till he’d soak his beard, clothes and the soil beneath him in glorification of Allah and sheer obsession with Him.
Had you seen his generosity, you would think that Allah had sent him for no reason other than to relieve the poor from their financial burdens, to suffice the orphans and assist the wayfarers. He would do this to a level where his companions would describe his giving as being “like that of the blowing wind”[11] and like “a man who doesn’t fear poverty.”[12]
Had you seen his bravery, you would think that Allah had sent him for no reason other than to organise the armies, devise the strategies and to lead the warriors. That he had sent him to strengthen the hearts of those who had buckled, to a level where “whenever the ferociousness of war would intensify” – the companions would say – “we would hide behind him, and the most courageous of us were those who were fighting beside him.”[13]
Had you known his compassion, you would think that Allah had sent him for no reason other than to wipe away the tears of the heartbroken, to pick up those who were let down and to pass a caring hand over the face of an orphan. That he was sent to give attention to the handicapped, and to accept the most basic of invitations by the downtrodden in society.
(4) Those that just missed him by a few years
Despite the 1400 or so years that separate us from the Prophet Mohammad PBUH, nevertheless, the flame of love within our hearts towards him remains this intense. Imagine, therefore, the pain of those Muslims who came ever so close to meeting him in person but had missed the opportunity by just a few years or even months or weeks. They saw the clothes that he wore, the utensils that he’d used, the houses he lived in, and the braids of his hair that were kept in the homes of some companions, but being his companions was not decreed for them by Allah.
A man came to the companion, Al-Miqdad b. Al-Aswad and said to him:
طوبى لهاتين العينين اللتين رأتا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم والله لوددنا انا رأينا ما رأيت وشهدنا ما شهدت
“How blessed are those two eyes of yours that saw the Prophet Mohammad PBUH. I swear by Allah, I wish that I had seen what you had seen and taken part in what you had taken part in.”[14]
Thābit Al-Bunāni said to the companion Anas Ibnu Mālik:
أعطني عينيك التي رأيت بهما رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم حتى أقبلها
“Hand me over those two eyes of yours that saw the Prophet PBUH so that I may kiss them!”
Is-hāq Al-Tujaibi said:
كان أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم بعده لا يذكرونه إلا خشعوا واقشعرت جلودهم و بكوا
“Whenever the companions of the Prophet PBUH made mention of the Prophet PBUH, they would be overcome by serenity; their skins would shiver, and they would weep.”
Mus’ab b. ‘Abd Allah said: “Whenever Imam Mālik made mention of the Prophet PBUH, his colour would change and he would lean forward. When he was asked about this, he said:
لو رأيتم ما رأيت لما أنكرتم علي ما ترون و لقد كنت أرى محمد بن المنكدر وكان سيد القراء لا نكاد نسأله عن حديث أبدا إلا يبكي حتى نرحمه
“If you had seen what I had seen, you wouldn’t be surprised by my behaviour. I have seen Muhammad Ibnul Munkadir who, whenever we would ask him about a Hadeeth, he would cry till we’d feel pity towards him.”
He also said about Safwan b. Saleem:
إذا ذكر النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم بكى فلا يزال يبكي حتى يقوم الناس عنه و يتركوه
“Whenever he would make mention of the Prophet PBUH, he would cry profusely, till people would get up and leave him sat by himself.”[15]
(5) The most beautiful of all creation
Not only was he the most splendid in character, but he was also the finest of all people in appearance. We are, by our nature, inclined to those of sublime morality; however, when such manners are married with physical beauty, the levels of attachment ascend to even greater heights. Thus it was Allah’s wisdom that He fashioned each prophet in the finest of forms, and as for the most splendid of them, he was our very own.
Ka’b Ibnu Maalik’s description
He said:
كَانَ إِذَا سُرَّ اسْتَنَارَ وَجْهُهُ حَتَّى كَأَنَّ وَجْهَهُ قِطْعَةُ قَمَرٍ
“Whenever he became happy, his face would illuminate as if it was a portion of the moon…”[16]
Jābir b. Samura’s description:
رأيت النبي له صلى الله عليه وسلم في ليلة إضحيان (المضيئة المقمرة) فجعلت أنظر إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وإلى القمر وعليه حلة حمراء فإذا هو عندي أحسن من القمر
“I saw the Prophet PBUH on a clear night. I looked at the Prophet PBUH and the moon. He was wearing a red garment, and in my eyes, he was even more beautiful than the moon.”[17]
Abū Huraira’s description:
كان رسول الله أبيض الوجه ؛ كأنما صيغ من فضة
“The Messenger of Allah was white, as if he had been fashioned from silver.”[18]
Al-Barā’s description:
كَانَ رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم – مَرْبُوعاً (بين الطويل والقصير)، وَلَقَدْ رَأيْتُهُ في حُلَّةٍ حَمْرَاءَ مَا رَأيْتُ شَيْئاً قَطُّ أحْسَنَ مِنْهُ
“The Messenger of Allah PBUH was of an average height. I once saw him wearing a red garment. I have never seen anything more beautiful than him.”[19]
Anas b. Mālik’s description:
He said:
مَا مَسِسْتُ حَرِيرًا وَلاَ دِيبَاجًا أَلْيَنَ مِنْ كَفِّ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم، وَلاَ شَمِمْتُ رِيحًا قَطُّ أَوْ عَرْفًا قَطُّ أَطْيَبَ مِنْ رِيحِ أَوْ عَرْفِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم
“In my life, I have never touched any silk garment or pure silk that was softer than the palm of the Prophet PBUH, nor have I ever smelt a scent that was sweeter than that of the Prophet PBUH.”[20]
Anas had served the Prophet PBUH for a staggering 10 years, and this makes his description that much more amazing. Usually, those who are closest to us – wives, children, helpers, etc. – are the ones who see the worst side of us as barriers fall. Nevertheless, for the duration of those 10 years, Anas only ever heard, saw, felt and smelt from him purity, sweetness and goodness.
Umm Ma’bad’s description:
The description of Umm Ma’bad is arguably the most eloquent and detailed description that we have of the Prophet PBUH. The sheer level of admiration for him cannot be missed from reading between the lines.
The Prophet PBUH was making his way to Madina after Mecca had rejected his Da’wah. He stopped at the tent of an old lady and asked her for provisions. She told him that they do not have anything. The Prophet enquired about a sheep which he saw at the back of the tent to which she replied that it is too weak even to graze. He sought permission to milk it, mentioned the name of Allah, made Du’aa, and lo and behold the udder filled. He milked for her, his companions, and he was the last to drink. He left behind an abundance of milk for her before taking a pledge from her and then departed.
When her husband – Abū Ma’bad – returned, he asked her how this milk came about, to which she said, “By Allah, a blessed man passed by today.” He said: “Describe him to me” to which she said:
رَأَيْتُ رَجُلا ظَاهَرَ الْوَضَاءَةِ أَبْلَجَ الْوَجْهِ حَسَنَ الْخَلْقِ
“I saw a handsome man, of glowing appearance, who had a beautiful face and was of good proportions.
لَمْ تَعِبْهُ ثُحْلَةٌ وَلَمْ تُزْرِ بِهِ صَعْلَةٌ
.. with neither a large stomach nor a small head.
وَسِيمٌ ، فِي عَيْنَيْهِ دَعَجٌ ، وَفِي أَشْفَارِهِ وَطَفٌ ، وَفِي صَوْتِهِ صَهَلٌ ، وَفِي عُنُقِهِ سَطَعٌ ، وَفِي لِحْيَتِهِ كَثَاثَةٌ أَزَجُّ [..]
He was of a smart of appearance, with intense black eyes, long eyelashes, a husky voice, a long neck, a full beard, and thin eyebrows.
إِنْ صَمَتَ فَعَلَيْهِ الْوَقَارُ ، وَإِنْ تَكَلَّمَ سَمَاهُ وَعَلاهُ الْبَهَاءُ
When silent, dignity was upon him, and when he spoke, splendour overcame him.
أَجْمَلُ النَّاسِ وَأَبَهَاهُ مِنْ بَعِيدٍ ، وأَحْلاهُ وَأَحْسَنُهُ مِنْ قَرِيبٍ
He was the most splendid and striking of men from a distance, and the sweetest and most beautiful from close up.
حُلْوُ الْمِنْطَقِ ، فَصْلٌ لا هَذِرٌ وَلا تَزِرٌ ، كَأَنَّ مَنْطِقَهُ خَرَزَاتٌ نَظْمٌ يَتَحَدَّرْنَ
He was well-spoken, clear in what he speaks, saying neither too much nor too little. Rather, his words flowed as if they were pearls cascading from a string.
رَبْعٌ لا يَأْسَ مِنْ طُولٍ ، وَلا تَقْتَحِمُهُ عَيْنٌ مِنْ قِصَرٍ ، غُصْنٌ بَيْنَ غُصْنَيْنِ فَهُوَ أَنْضَرُ الثَّلاثَةِ مَنْظَرًا وَأَحْسَنُهُمْ قَدْرًا
He was neither too tall nor too short. It was like looking at a beautiful branch between two branches, but he was the most radiant of the three and the most respected.
لَهُ رُفَقَاءُ يَحُفُّونَ بِهِ ، إِنْ قَالَ أَنْصَتُوا لِقَوْلِهِ ، وَإِنْ أَمَرَ تَبَادَرُوا إِلَى أَمْرِهِ ، مَحْفُودٌ مَحْشُودٌ لا عَابِسٌ وَلا مُفَنَّدٌ
He had companions who surrounded him. If he spoke, they listened to him, and if he commanded, they rushed to fulfil his command. He was well served and well attended. Neither did he frown, nor did he overlook anyone.”[21]
(6) Finally, what about us?
Where do we fit into all of this? Our love for him is real, so what is there in it for us? The Prophet PBUH had not forgotten about us and spoke describing people of whom I am certain exist in our very midst today.
He said:
إن أناسا من أمتي يأتون بعدي يود احدهم لو اشترى رؤيتي بأهله و ماله
“There are a people who will come after me who will love me so intensely, that they would be willing to give up their entire family and wealth in return for a single glance at my face.”[22]
Thus, their love is such that if their homes were to be taken away from them, their cars and every penny to their name. If they were to take their husband/wife, children, parents and family at large, rendering them the loneliest of people on planet earth in exchange for a single glance at the Prophet PBUH, there would be some who would accept this exchange.
I know that you miss him and that your love for him is true, but such claims are precious and do require proof. If you’ve missed out on his companionship in the life of this world, then what are you willing to do to earn it tomorrow?
Will habits still be habits? Will the dress code not change? Will alcohol and interest-based transactions continue as per usual? Will the boycotting of family members not be reconsidered? Will the visionless and project-less life not change?
Rabee’a b. Ka’b said that “I used to spend the evenings with the Prophet PBUH, serving him by bringing him his water for ablution and needs. He once said to me “Make a request”. Rabee’a said, “My request is to be your companion in Jannah”. He said, “What else?” I said, “It’s just this”. He said,
فأَعِنِّي عَلَى نَفْسِكَ بِكَثْرَةِ السُّجُودِ
“So help me fulfil this for you by praying as much as you can.”[23]
Source: www.islam21c.com
Notes:
[1] Al-Qur’an, 74:2
[2] Muslim
3 Muslim, on the authority of Jaabir b. Samura
4 Al-Tabaraani
5 Al-Bukhari
6 Sunan Al-Daarimi
[3] Muslim, on the authority of Jaabir
[4] Ahmad, on the authority of Ya’la b. Murra
[5] Sunan Abì Daawood, on the authority of ‘Abd Allah b. Ja’far
[6] Al-Haakim
[7] Al-Bukhari, on the authority of Al-Miswar b. Makhrama
[8] Al-Raheeq Al-Makhtoom
[9] Ibn Hishaam
[10] Al-Bayhaqi, Dalaa’il An-Nubuwwa
[11] Al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Ibnu ‘Abbaas
[12] Muslim, on the authority of Anas
[13] Muslim, on the authority of Anas
[14] Ahmad, on the authority of Jubair b. Nufair, who narrates from his father
[15] Al-Qādi ‘Iyaad, Ash-Shifā
[16] Al-Bukhari and Muslim
[17] Al-Tirmidhi
[18] Al-Tirmidhi
[19] Al-Bukhari and Muslim
[20] Al-Bukhari
[21] Zād Al-Maād, Ibnul Qayyim
[22] Al-Hākim, on the authority of Abū Huraira
[23] Muslim