Life has its challenges. We go through highs and we also go through lows. We take the highs for granted but when we hit a low we nag, complain, get depressed etc. but in reality highs and lows are the nature of life. So putting these highs and lows to the side lets focus on daily habits, actions, traits, character, personality and discipline.

Everyone needs a role model in which we can extract how to conduct daily activities, what is the best way to handle tough and difficult situations and most importantly how we must conduct ourselves in order to have a fruitful and successful life. Humanity needs a role model in which it is able to show that regardless of a tough situation that person was still able to triumph over all odds.

That person who everyone person in the world can relate to is Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم . He is firstly one of the most influential men not just in terms of calling to al-Islam (worship of God) however people mostly in the Western world are completely unaware of him being supremely successful in other areas. People who live in the western world need to step out of the bubble that Prophets of God are some type of superheros that make you warm and fuzzy inside and did miracles. Yes to an extent they are kind of like superheros like for example all people look at when Prophet Musa (Moses, may peace and blessings be upon him) is that he split the Red Sea and that it can only happen in comics.

However people need to realise that these were REAL human beings who ate, slept, drank, talked with people, worked and made a living. However it is understandable that people don’t think like this because we don’t exactly have day to day records of what exactly Prophet Musa (Moses, may peace and blessings be upon him) did so we can’t exactly grasp what he was like as a day to day person. However that is completely and utterly different from what we have in regards to Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم life or ‘seerah’ at it is called in Islamic studies is very well documented. In fact he is one of the most well documented people in history. You have very specific ‘hadiths’ (words, actions, or habits of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم). This come in various forms such as conversations he had with people to specific actions he did in terms of how he prayed etc. and also how he dealt with his family, his wives, his daughters etc. to the advice that he gave to the ‘Sahaba’ (companions of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).

Classical scholars who learnt hadith sciences knew hadiths to the tune of a million ! However the transmission or chain of narration of the hadiths is very pedantic so the most authentic hadiths were compiled by Imam Buhkari and Imam Muslim and complied in the Sahih Buhkari and Muslim collections.

We can gather from the Seerah about what actions Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم did on a daily basis and also how he conducted himself around people. But on top of that we have a timeline of significant events in his life. What distinguishes Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم in comparison to any other person in human history is the following.

He was the most successful Prophet out of all the previous Prophets. He eradicated idolatry from Arabia He transformed a tribalistic Arabia into one unified nation which went onto conquer the Persian and Roman Empires.

From this alone you can extract that not only was he successful in the religious sphere but he was highly successful in the political realm. So from these facts you can come to know that he was a leader of his people, a statesman, lawgiver etc. and was supremely successful if not the most successful person in terms of leading a nation to spread “La Ilaha Illa Allah” (There is no deity worthy of worship except God) and still have followers of that religion in the mass of 4.1 billion people today. And the estimate is that in 2020 every 1 in 4 person in the world will be a muslim and Islam will be the biggest religion on Earth by 2030. This was all possible because of one man which is Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم .

The Quranic verse sums up just how significant of a person Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم

“And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for Mankind” [Quran 21:107]

Not only was The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم a Prophet, statesman, leader, lawgiver, lawmaker etc. he was also a husband, father, neighbour, teacher, close friend and companion. These qualities and attributes people can surely extract huge lessons because even though he went through the toughest of lives he was still able to be the best husband, best father, best neighbour, best teacher, best companion to people etc.

This is why Muslims look to how Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم conducted his life. Despite having the most responsibilities out of anyone else he still had time to worship God way more than any other person. Muslims are obligated to pray 5 times a day however Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was obligated to pray 6 times a day.

He would even pray to Allah to the point where his feet were swollen.

Al-Mughirah ibn Shu’bah reported: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم would pray until his feet were swollen. It was said: “Why do you do this when Allah has forgiven your past and future sins?” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Shall I not be a grateful servant?” Source: Sahih Muslim 2819

Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was the last and final messenger. He is already guaranteed paradise. He doesn’t even need to pray optional prayers. But he still chose to do so. This is a man full of gratitude and character.

Even with this amount of gratitude as a person and the amount of character it shows what type of person he was. But putting all these religious actions to the side he was also supremely successful on a secular level. Many people like Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great were rulers of their people and were successful in that sense but we do not necessarily have good recounts of their character. We also know from recorded history that the people did not like their rulers. On top of that these same rulers lived in ridiculous amount of wealth.

This is where Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was hugely different from all these rulers. Not only did he tell people the best way to conduct their lives i.e. fasting, praying, remembering of Allah in a spiritual sense but he was a ruler over his people towards the end of his life. He accumulated wealth over his life but he gave as much charity as he could.

Also the most amazing characteristic is that Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم died penniless. He was a ruler over his people but he still lived in poverty.

Umar ibn Al Khattab states that: I visited Allah’s Messenger Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and he was lying on a mat. I sat down and he drew up his lower garment over him and he had nothing (else) over him, and that the mat had left its marks on his sides. I looked with my eyes in the storeroom of Allah’s Messenger. I found only a handful of barley equal to one sa’ and an equal quantity of the leaves of Mimosa Flava placed in the nook of the cell, and a semi-tanned leather bag hanging (in one side), and I was moved to tears (on seeing this extremely austere living of the Holy Prophet), Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Ibn Khattab, what wakes you weep? I said: Apostle of Allah, why should I not shed tears? This mat has left its marks on your sides and I do not see in your storeroom (except these few things) that I have seen; Caesar and Chosroes are leading their lives in plenty whereas you are Allah’s Messenger. His chosen one, and that is your store! Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Ibn Khattab, aren’t you satisfied that for us (there should be the prosperity) of the Hereafter, and for them (there should be the prosperity of) this world? I said: Yes. [Book 009, Number 3507]

He taught people good character. But most of all the people Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ruled over loved him immensely.

Zaid Ibn Hariytha said: “I swear by Allah that I would not even like a thorn to prick Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ” Abu Sufyaan said: “I have never seen people love anyone as much as much as the companions of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم loved Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم” The Companions of The Prophet (Sahaba) vol. 1 pg. 509

Also this is one of the reasons why people loved him so much

Prophet Muhammmad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “I have been sent to perfect good character.” Source: al-Muwaṭṭa 1614, Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Alongside his superb character he had an amazing amount of forgiveness. A great example of his forgiveness and perseverance is apparent when he pardoned the people of Makkah after its conquest.

When Prophet Muhammmad صلى الله عليه وسلم gathered the people; who had abused, harmed and tortured him and his companions, and had driven them out of the city of Makkah, he said:

“What do you think I will do to you?’ They answered: ‘You will only do something favorable; you are a kind and generous brother, and a kind and generous nephew!’ The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ‘Go – you are free to do as you wish.” (Baihaqi #18055)

To have this amount of forgiveness for the people who made Prophet Muhammmad’s صلى الله عليه وسلم life a living hell is frankly something out of this world.

This level of forgiveness and mercy is further emphasised with his interaction with children. When a person shows love and affection to children they are a person who has mercy and compassion.

One such example can be seen from the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم life when He used to say to kids:

“I’ll give such and such (i.e. gift or so) to the one who comes to me first.” So they used to race and fall on His back and chest. (Ahmad)

Despite being such an important figure in his community Prophet Muhammad made it very clear about not over praising him

Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “ Do not exceed in praising me as the Christians over-praised Jesus (that they made him the son of God). I am a bondsman of Allah, therefore, call me the bondsman of Allah and His Prophet”. (Tirmidhi 046 : 313 : Hadith 001)

He always had God on his mind and was always very humble in the process. A Prophet who tells people to not praise him and at the same time tells his people to only call him a Prophet is someone who has an incredible character.

To prove The Prophet’s noble character there is an account where the enemy in that particular time Abu Sufyaan was summoned by Heraclius the Ruler to describe Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم .

Abu Sufyan narrated that Heraclius told his translator to tell my companions that he wanted to put some questions to me regarding Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and that if I told a lie they would contradict me. By Allah, had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar, I would not have spoken the truth about the Prophet. Heraclius asked, “Has anybody amongst you (The Arabs) ever claimed the same before him?” (that they were a Prophet of God) I replied, “No.” He said, “Was anybody amongst his (The Prophet’s) ancestors a king?” I replied, “No.” He asked, “Do the nobles or the poor follow him?” I replied, “It is the poor who follow him.” He said, “Are his followers increasing or decreasing?” I replied, “They are increasing.” He asked, “Does anyone among those who embrace his religion become displeased and renounce the religion afterwards?” I replied, “No.” He said, “Have you ever accused him of telling lies before his claim?” I replied, “No.” He said, “Does he break his promises?” I replied, “No. We are at truce with him but we do not know what he will do in it.” I could not find opportunity to say anything against him except that. He said, “What does he order you to do?” I said, “He tells us to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship anything along with Him, and to renounce all that our ancestors had said; he orders us to pray, to speak the truth, to be chaste and to keep good relations with our families.” Source: Sahih Bukhari 7

This is an amazing thing that even the enemy of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم is testifying only good things about Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم . This is how amazing Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was. To further show his character…

On the day of Ibrahim’s (Prophet Muhammad’s صلى الله عليه وسلم son’s) death, the sun eclipsed and the people said that the eclipse was due to the death of Ibrahim (the son of the Prophet). Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. They do not eclipse because of someone’s death or life. So when you see them, invoke Allah and pray till the eclipse is clear.” Sahih Bukhari Chapter No: 18

This is amazing in the sense that if he was a false prophet he would have automatically claimed “see my son died and now there is a sun eclipse so hence I am a true Prophet”. Instead he emphasised praising God when seeing the sun eclipse.

Also at the same time the Meccans offered the Prophet (peace be upon him) wealth and fame in return for him to stop preaching Islam, but he refused. To this offer he replied:

“By Allah, if they put the sun on my right and the moon on my left to leave this matter, I would not, until Allah shows me otherwise or I die trying for its sake.” (Ibn Hisham, As-Sirah an-Nabawiyyah, Volume 1, page 265)

The same person who was a ruler over his people had never even tasted proper luxurious food in his lifetime.

‘A’isha reported: We the family of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم used to spend (the whole) month in which we (did not need to) kindle the fire as (we had nothing to cook) ; we had only dates and water (to fill our bellies). Hadith no: 168

Despite his responsibilities as a prophet, a teacher, a statesman, and a judge, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم used to milk his goat, mend his clothes, repair his shoes, help with the household work.

At the same time he was offered big amounts of wealth by his enemies in order to stop preaching Islam to people. But Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم still refused.

Utba went and sat by Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and said: “If what you want is money, we will gather for you out of our property so that you may be the richest of us ; if you want honour, we will make you our chief so that no one can decide anything apart from you ; if you want sovereignty, we will make you king , and if this ghost which comes to you, which you see, is such that you cannot get rid of him, we will find a physician for you, and exhaust our means in getting you cured of it’, or words to that effect. ” (Alfred, Guillaume. The Life of Muhammad, A Translation of Ibn Ishaq’s Sirat Rasu Allah. Oxford University press, 2002. PP. 131-132)

He made many sacrifices throughout his lifetime. At the same time he was tested immensely such as being witness to the death of 7 of his children. He watched his uncle pass away in horrific circumstances. Not only that but Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was an orphan.

This same person who went through ridiculous amounts of hardship and pain was able to unify the Arabian Peninsula to worship One God. He took the Bedouin Arabs from being people who are looked down upon and uneducated to people who basically pioneered today’s day and age through the Islamic Golden Age.

He was named ‘The Most Influential Man in History”.

This fact might shock people. But lets look at the explanation.

My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels. Of humble origins, Muhammad founded and promulgated one of the world’s great religions, and became an immensely effective political leader. Today, thirteen centuries after his death, his influence is still powerful and pervasive. The majority of the persons in this book had the advantage of being born and raised in centers of civilization, highly cultured or politically pivotal nations. Muhammad, however, was born in the year 570, in the city of Mecca, in southern Arabia, at that time a backward area of the world, far from the centers of trade, art, and learning. Orphaned at age six, he was reared in modest surroundings. Islamic tradition tells us that he was illiterate. His economic position improved when, at age twenty-five, he married a wealthy widow. Nevertheless, as he approached forty, there was little outward indication that he was a remarkable person. “From the 100, a Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History” by Michael H. Hart

As Michael H. Hart alludes to, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم didn’t have things going for him. But he was still able to go against all odds in order to be the most influential person in history.

In spite of tremendous opposition, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم transformed not just society but the whole world.

He is the clearly the best role model and the greatest human being the world has ever seen. He is an incredible person. A person who sacrificed his life for the sake of Allah is indeed a person who people should admire and look upto.

The reason why he sacrificed so much is not for money, fame, power or women. It is so the world can worship the One true God, The Creator of the Heavens and Earth.

Now its time you should should worship that same God.

Peace and Love.

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