As
millions of Muslims worldwide mark the
birthday of Prophet Muhammad (May God's
peace and blessings be upon him), it
is a good time to reflect on the exemplary
life of this remarkable human being.
In this age it is very difficult to follow
the example of the Prophet.
We live in a world of more-is-better -- more
food, more wealth, more money, etc. Our egos
stand in the way of our reaching out to God
and to His creation. We allow ourselves to
judge others too easily, but cannot accept
anyone else's judgment of us. We have become
self centered, not God centered.
But in the Holy Qur'an, God Almighty states:
"You all have an excellent example in God's
Messenger (especially) those who hope to
meet God, who believe in the Last Day, and
who always remember God." (33:21)
The Qur'an also states: "Say (Oh Muhammad),
'If you love God, then follow me. God will
love you and forgive your sins, as God is
All- Forgiving, All-Merciful'." (3:31)
In the life and teachings of the Prophet,
there are many examples for Muslims and
non-Muslims alike, concerning how to love
God Almighty, and about the benefits to be
gained by filling our hearts and lives with
that love.
Today I would like to share with you seven
of the Prophet's teachings to which I
personally aspire and which I have pledged
to follow in my life:
1. "Whoever believes in God and in the Last
Day should say what is good or keep silent;
and one should also be generous to his/her
neighbors and guests." (adapted from Imam
Muslim's narration)
2. "Always look to those who are less
fortunate than you; do not look up to those
who are more fortunate... in order that you
not take lightly God's bounties upon you."
(adapted from the narrations of Imam
Al-Boukhary and Imam Muslim)
3. "Give gifts to one another, as this will
enhance your love for one another." (adapted
from the narration of Imam Al-Boukhary)
4. "God has no mercy on people who show no
mercy to others." (adapted from the
narrations of Imam Al-Boukhary and Imam
Muslim)
5. God's Messenger used to pray: "O God, I
seek your protection from anxiety, sorrow,
weakness, laziness, cowardice, stinginess,
the burden of debts, and being oppressed by
others." (as narrated by Imam Al- Boukhary
and Imam Muslim)
6. "The worst thing for a person to fill is
the stomach. A few mouthfuls are sufficient
for anyone to survive. If a person insists
on filling the stomach, then one should fill
a third of it with food, another third with
water, and leave one third empty for easy
breathing." (adapted from the narration by
Imam Tirmizi)
7. "Live in this world as if you were a
stranger or a traveler." (as narrated by
Imam Al-Boukhary)
[Prof. Mohamed Elmasry is a faculty member
at the University of Waterloo and national
president of the Canadian Islamic Congress.]
