TRUE LOVE OF THE PROPHET (SAAW) ACCORDING TO THE BOOK AND THE SUNNAH

From: Bernard@City-Net.Com  Newsgroups:
alt.religion.islam,soc.religion.islam

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Indeed, all praises are due to Allah.  We praise Him, seek
His Aid, and beg for His Forgiveness.  We seek refuge in
Allah from the evil in ourselves and from the evil outcomes
of our deeds.  Whomsoever, Allah, Ta 'Ala, guides, no one
and nothing can take that person astray.  Whomsoever,
Allah, Ta 'Ala, takes astray, no one or nothing can guide
that person.  I bear witness that there is nothing worthy
of worship except Allah who is alone without any
associates.  I bear witness that Muhammad ibnu 'Abd Allah
(SAAW) is Allah's 'Abd (slave) and Messenger.  To proceed:

Allah has commanded in the Qur'an (what means):  "O you who
believe!  Have Taqwah (true fear of Allah) according to His
right and die not except that you are a Muslim.  O
Mankind!  Have Taqwah of your Lord.  The One Who created
you from a single soul and from him He created his mate and
from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah
through Whom you demand your mutual rights and do not cut
off the ties of kinship; surely Allah is ever a Raqeeb
(All-Watcher) over you.  O you who believe!  Have Taqwah of
Allah and always speak the truth.  He will direct you to do
righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins.  And
whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (SAAW) he has
indeed achieved a great achievement."

Verily, the best speech is the Book of Allah and the best
guidance is the guidance of Muhammad ibnu 'Abd Allah
(SAAW).  The worst of all affairs in this Diyn are
innovations.  Every innovation is a Bid'ah and every Bid'ah
is a going astray and every going astray is in the Hell
Fire.

DEVELOPING TRUE LOVE FOR ALLAH'S MESSENGER (SAAW):

Having the proper love for Allah's Messenger (SAAW) is a
must for any Muslim who is striving to please his/her Lord
and who seeks his/her Lord's Forgiveness.  Learning how to
properly apply this love for the last Nabee (SAAW) is to
properly implement the testimony: wa ash hadu ana
Muhammadan rusulu Allah (SAAW).  Indeed, one cannot just
say he/she loves the Prophet (SAAW) while his/her actions
and 'Aqeedah are fundamentaly against what the Prophet
(SAAW) brought (i.e. the Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah).
Hence, the first step in the process of developing this
love is to acknowledge that the Prophet (SAAW) has a claim
over the believers.

Allah has said in the Qur'an (what means):  "The Prophet
(SAAW) is closer to the believers than their ownselves..."
[Al-Ahzab: 6].

Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah (Rahimullah), one of the great
scholars of this Ummah, relates that this Ayah means the
Prophet (SAAW) has a "higher claim" on the believers than
they have on themselves.  This claim involves two important
matters:

1.  WE CONSIDER ALLAH'S MESSENGER (SAAW) TO BE DEARER THAN
ONE'S OWN SELF.

This is so because this claim is based on love.  One has
the most claim to oneself for one loves oneself more than
anything.  Thus, a person knows what types of foods,
clothing, etc. he/she likes to eat, drink, etc. more than
all others.  However, when it comes to Islam, we know that
Allah knows us better than we know ourselves; thus, we
submit to Him and His Orders.  We it comes to the Prophet
(SAAW), we are to love him more than our own selves; thus,
we too put his commandments above our own opinions, logic,
etc.

Once this true love is established, compliance, obedience,
satisfication with his (SAAW) jugdements, and other matters
related to true love will follow.  This is confirmed in the
following authentic Haadith found in Sahih Al-Bukhari:

Narrated 'Abd Allah bin Hisham: 'We were with the Prophet
(SAAW) and he was holding the hand of 'Umar ibnu Al-Khattab
(RAA).  'Umar said to him, "O Allah's Messenger (SAAW)!
You are dearer to me than everything except my ownself."
Allah's Messenger (SAAW) said: "No, by Him in Whose Hand my
soul is, (you will not have complete Faith) untill I am
dearer to you than your ownself."  Then 'Umar (RAA) said:
"However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my
ownself."  He (SAAW) then said: "Now, O 'Umar, (now you are
a believer)."

LESSONS FROM THIS HAADITH:

A.  The Negation and Affirmation:

The Prophet (SAAW) negates (i.e. rejects, denies) that a
person can have complete Imaan with his statement, "No, by
Him in Whose Hand my soul is...".  Thus, the affirmation,
or condition of having complete Imaan, follows: "...until I
am dearer to you than your ownself...".  Therefore, the
Muslim will never attain true Imaan unless he/she considers
the Prophet (SAAW) to be dearer to him/her than everything
including one's ownself.

B.  Character of the Sahabah:

Upon hearing that true Imaan can only be achieved through
loving the Messenger (SAAW) more than everything, including
one's self, 'Umar (RAA) quickly complied with the
commandment of the Prophet (SAAW).  The Sahabah wasted no
time in doing those acts which were pleasing to Allah and
His Messeger (SAAW).

2.  SECOND IMPORTANT MATTER:

The Messenger (SAAW) has more rule over an individual than
that individual has over his/herself.  This means that a
person only does those actions which are in accordance with
the Book of Allah and the authentic Sunnah of His Messenger
(SAAW).

Therefore, three critical conditions must be fulfilled in
order for a deed to be accepted:

a.  One must confess his/her belief in Islam (i.e. one must
be a Muslim).  b.  One must have Ikhlaas of the Niyah (i.e.
purity of the intention).  c.  One must do that deed in
accordance with the Book of Allah and the authentic Sunnah
of His Messenger (SAAW).

If one of these conditions are not meet, that person's deed
will not benefit him/her in the least.  Of course, absence
of knowledge is always an exception (eg. a person may make
Wudhu but does not know the specific parts of the body that
are to be washed; thus, he/she washes those parts which
he/she thinks to be significant.  His/her Wudhu was not
done in accordance with the Book and the Sunnah; however,
he/she did not know the way to make Wudhu according to the
Book and the Sunnah; hence, their Wudhu would be accepted
for a and b were fulfilled, wa Allahu 'alam).  These are
the conditions which the Salaaf As-Salih (Pious
Predecessors) understood with regards to the acceptance and
rejection of a deed.

Another implications of the testimony: Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allah (SAAW).

BELIEF THAT HE (SAAW) WAS SENT TO ALL OF MANKIND AND THE
JINN

Verily, Allah, azza wa jall, has said in the Qur'an (what
means):  "Say (O Muhammad SAAW): O mankind!  Verily, I am
sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah - to Whom belongs
the dominion of the Heavens and the Earth.  La illaha illa
Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He).  It is
He Who gives life and causes death.  So believe in Allah
and His Messenger (SAAW), the Prophet who can neither read
nor write, who believes in Allah and His Words, and follow
him so that you may be guided." [Al-A'raf: 158].

The prophet (SAAW) said (what means):  "And the Prophets
were formerly sent to their people only, whereas I have
been sent to all mankind."  [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Therefore, recognizing that he (SAAW) was sent as a mercy
to all of mankind will, Inshallah, help kindle the proper
love for him which will be manifested through obedience to
his rulings.

FINALITY OF HIS PROPHETHOOD

Indeed, there is no Messenger/Prophet after Muhammd ibnu
'Abd Allah (SAAW) as Allah, Ta 'Ala, says in His Book (what
means):

"Muhammad (SAAW) is not the father of any man among you,
but he is the Messenger of Allah, and the last (end) of the
Prophets.  Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything."
[Al-Ahzab: 40].

The Prophet (SAAW) has said (what means):  "And the line of
the Prophets is closed with me."  [Muslim].

Believing that Muhammad (SAAW) is the final Messenger of
Allah confirms Allah's statement (what means):  "...This
day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed my
Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your
religion..." [Al-Ma'idah:3 (in part)].  Thus, if Islam were
not a complete way of life, then this religion would need
to be constantly updated.  In order to update this
religion, there would have to be another Prophet after
Muhammad (SAAW).  However, this is not so as Allah
completed this Diyn and it can never be changed from its
true form.

BELIEVING THAT HE (SAAW) HAS BEEN GIVEN TWO (2) RELELATIONS

Al-Hamdulilah, Allah, azza wa jall, has give the Prophet
(SAAW) two revelations as understood by the Minhaj of the
Ahlus Sunnah Wal Juma'ah.  These are, of course, the Qur'an
and the authentic Sunnah.  Allah confirms this with His
saying (what means):

"Nor does he (Muhammad SAAW) speak of his own desire.  It
is only an Inspiration that is inspired."  [An-Najm: 3-4].

"Indeed, Allah conferred a great favour on the believers
when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad SAAW) from
among themselves, reciting unto them His Verses (the
Qur'an), and purifying them (from sins by their following
him), and instructing them (in) the Book (the Qur'an) and
Al-Hikmah (the wisdom and the Sunnah of the Prophet SAAW -
i.e. his legal ways, statements, actions, etc.), while
before that they had been in manifest error."  [Al-'Imran:
164].

The Prophet (SAAW) has also said (what means):  "I have,
indeed, been given the Qur'an and something like it along
with it (i.e. his Sunnah)."  [Abu Dawud].

Thus, there is no mere choice between following the Sunnah
and not following it.  It has been sent down as part of
revelation; thus, it must be adhered to in full.  It is
adhered to the way the Prophet (SAAW) explained it and the
way the Sahabah understood it.  Allah confirms this with
His saying (what means):

"We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed by the permission
of Allah."

"Obey Allah, and the Messenger (SAAW).  But if they turn
away (then know), that Allah loves not the infidels."
[Al-'Imran: 31-32].

THE PROPHET HAS RIGHTS UPON HIS FOLLOWERS

These rights are:  1.  We believe in what the Prophet
Muhammad (SAAW) has said.  2.  We obey him in what has been
commanded and forsake what he has forbidden or
discouraged.  3.  We worship Allah according to the
Shar'iah of His Messenger (SAAW), not by whims and Bid'ah
(innovations).  4.  We judge ourselves by the Shar'iah of
Prophet Muhammad (SAAW), and not by any other law.  5.  We
love Allah's Messenger (SAAW) more than our parents,
children, all of mankind, indeed our very selves.

Allah has confirmed the above with His statement (what
means):

"Say (to them O Muhammad SAAW): If you love Allah, follow
me, and Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins;
Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Merciful. Say:  Obey Allah, and
the Messenger (SAAW), but if they turn away (then know),
that Allah loves not the infidels."  [Al-'Imran: 31-32].

"And let those who oppose his (Muhammad's SAAW) command
beware, lest a trail befall them (that will lead them to
Kuffur) or a painful punishment be inflicted on them."
[An-Nur: 63].

"You have indeed a good example in the Messenger of Allah
(SAAW) for whosoever hopes for Allah and the Last Day, and
remembers Allah much." [Al-Ahzab: 21].

"It is not for any believer, man or woman, when Allah and
His Messenger (SAAW) have decreed a matter, to have the
choice in their affair.  And whosoever disobeys Allah and
His Messenger (SAAW) he has gone astray into manifest
error." [Al-Ahzab: 36].

"But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they
make you (O Muhammad SAAW) judge in all disputes between
them, and find in their souls no resistance against your
decisions, but accept (them) fully with submission."
[An-Nisa: 65].

Thus, we see in this last Ayah that Allah negates that a
person can have Imaan unless that person makes the Prophet
(SAAW) judge in *all* affairs and that we accept his (SAAW)
decisions with submission.  This Ayah is indeed serious as
Allah swears to this negation with His saying (what means),
"But no, by your Lord...".

The Prophet (SAAW) stressed the importance of obeying and
following his Sunnah with his saying (what means):

"All of my people will enter Jennah except those who
refuse."  When asked about those who refuse, he said: "He
who obeys me will enter Jennah, while he who disobeys me
has refused."  [Al-Bukhari].

He (SAAW) also said (what means):  "If anyone introduces
into this affair of ours anything which does not belong to
it, it is rejected."  [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

And:  "None of you believes untill I am dearer to him than
his father, his child, and all of mankind."  [Al-Bukhari
and Muslim].

And:  "There are qualities for which anyone who is
characterized by them will experiece the sweetness of
Imaan: he to whom Allah and His Messenger (SAAW) are dearer
than all else; he who loves a human being for Allah's Sake
alone; and who has as great an abhorrence of returning to
Kuffur (disbelief) after Allah has rescued him from it as
he has being cast into the Hell Fire."  [Al-Bukhari and
Muslim].

Although the Prophet (SAAW) is the best of examples and
following his Sunnah is obligatory, we must remember that
it is not right to overpraise him (SAAW) as he was not
divine, but a man.  Some deviant sects of Islam direct
their 'Ibaadah to the Prophet (SAAW); however, this is
Shirk Al-Akbar (association in the highest degree) which
will not be forgiven unless that person makes sincere
Tawbah before his/her death.

A MAN AND NOT DIVINE

Allah says (what means):

"Say (O Muhammad SAAW): I am only a man like you: it is
revealed to me that your God is One God: So, let him who
hopes for the meeting with his Lord, do righteousness, and
not associate anything in the worship of hsi Lord."
[Al-Kahf: 111].

The Prophet (SAAW) said (what means):  "Do not overpraise
me as the Christians overpraised the son of Mary (i.e. 'Isa
AS).  I am His slave, so say: Allah's slave and Messenger."
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

SENDING SALAAT AND SALAAM UPON THE NABEE (SAAW)

This is an action which the believer are commanded to do as
Allah says in the Qur'an (what means):

"Indeed, Allah and His angels send Salaat (i.e. Allah
mentions the Prophet's SAAW name in the presence of the
angels) upon the Prophet (SAAW).  O you who believe!  Send
your Salaat and your Salaam upon him (ie. by saying Salla
Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam, etc.)."  [Al-Ahzab: 56].

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