By Sheikh Saud al-Shuraim – 25 Rabiul Awwal 1436

His Eminence Sheikh Saud al-Shuraim – May Allah protect him – delivered this Friday Khutbah titled “Loving the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) in Words and Deeds” in which he spoke about loving the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) and cited supporting evidence from the Holy Qur’aan and the Noble Sunnah. He further explained that the real evidence of such love is following his Sunnah (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him).

All praise is due to Allah, Who has revealed to us the most meritorious of His Books, sent to us the most estimable of His Prophet, and perfected the prescriptions of His religion which He has accepted for us. All praise is then due to Him for the grace of Islam! All praise is due to Him for the grace of the Holy Qur’aan! All praise is due to Him for the grace of constancy in faith. It is Allah Who has guided us to these blessings, for without His assistance we would never have been inspired any guidance.

I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, alone with no associate; and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Servant and Messenger of Allah. He is Allah’s most favourite Friend and select person from among humankind. He conveyed the divine Message, acquitted himself in his consigned mission, advised the Ummah and left it the day-bright Straight Path from which only those doomed to perdition would deviate. May Allah send His profuse Salaat (Graces, Honours, and Mercy) and Peace be upon the Master of mankind, his wives (the Mothers of believers), his noble and virtuous family, his Companions, the taabi’een (the contemporaries of the Companions of the Prophet [May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him] after his death), and all those who follow in their footsteps till the Day of Judgement.

Now then,
The most commendable advice to be proffered to me and to you as well is to observe Taqwaa (fear of disobeying divine commands) vis-à-vis Allah (Glory be to Him). Taqwaa does represent for the believer the real provision in the Herein and the actual salvation and elevation in rank in the Hereafter. Thanks to Taqwaa, livelihood is secured and destitution is lifted.

“…And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine… and whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him.” [Al-Ṭalaaq: 2-4]

O Servants of Allah!

One of the aspects of Almighty Allah’s bounteous blessings bestowed upon His servants is the fact that He created in them hearts that are capable of devotional sentiments through which they ascend to Him (May He be glorified). Such ascension could only become effectual if they exploited their devotional inclinations and substantiated them by showing love for Allah and His Messenger (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him), without separating in both emotional bonds between words, deeds, and conceptions.

Loving the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) is indeed part and parcel of loving Allah. Thus, he would not love Allah he who does not love the Prophet of Allah (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him), even if he took an oath between the Ruku and the Maqaam to prove that he loves Allah, for Allah (May He be glorified in His sublime dominion) says:

“Say (O Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Aale Emraan: 31]

The person we are talking about here is the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him), the Master of Adam’s Progeny, the Mercy and the Blessing bestowed upon all mankind. He who obeys him will have consequently obeyed Allah:

“He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), has indeed obeyed Allah,…”[Al-Nissaa’: 80]

Likewise, he who gives him Bay’ah (pledge of allegiance) will have by the same token given it to Allah:

“Verily, those who give Bai’a (pledge) to you (O Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) they are giving Bai’a (pledge) to Allah. The Hand of Allah is over their hands…” [Al-Fath: 10]

Similarly, the Messenger’s judgement is derived from Allah’s judgement: “But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” [Al-Nissaa’: 65]

Allah is the Greatest! How great the verses above are! How great what they contain is as regards the significance of the love of the Messenger of Allah and his obedience:

“…It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah, and beg Him to pardon and forgive your sins, in order that you may enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Hell-fire), for the believers (he Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam is) full of pity, kind, and merciful.” [Al-Tawbah: 128]

O Servants of Allah!
The high prestige, power, glory of the Ummah, as well as its victory over its enemies depend entirely on the extent of the love it shows for its Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) both in words and deeds, in public and in private. A reading of the chronicle of the Ummah – which actually resonates with stories of victory, empowerment and supremacy over the rest of all nations- could only confirm beyond any doubt what I am saying.

Conversely, the Ummah has only been struck by powerlessness and vulnerability after its love for the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) has lost momentum, after it has distanced itself from his way, ceased to support him, and desisted from championing his Sunnah. As a result, the Ummah has gradually privileged reason over the divine revelation that was revealed to him, which has given rise to increased over-audacious questioning of the Prophet’s Sunnah and later turned into slanderous statements about his person. You are dearer to me than my parents, O you most beloved Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon you).

In fact, an Ummah in which love for the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) has lost its vitality and his support has withered away really deserves humiliation, degradation, and hegemonic domination exerted on it by other nations. It is no surprise to see this happen if we recall what Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) had said, “None amongst you will achieve the status of true believer until I am dearer to him than his parents, children, and anyotherperson.” [Reported by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim]

Also, Allah (Glory Be to Him) said: “…And never will Allah grant to the disbelievers a way (to triumph) over the believers” [Al-Nissaa’: 141]

If we examine the verse and Hadeeth above, we will realise that whoever loves the Messenger (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) will reach the status of true believer, and whoever has reached that status will never be overpowered by the infidels in whatever way: whether they are individuals or communities in the Ummah. Nonetheless, it does not follow from the foregoing argument that whenever the Ummah experiences degradation due to its faltering commitment to the endearment of Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) and espousal of his message, this should be proof of its hatred for him. This is real misconception. Alternatively, what is meant here is the absence of perfect love for the Prophet whereby his command, judgement, and espousal of his teachings rank above all other considerations. In fact, the presence or absence of evils totally depends on whether our love for him is faultless. In this regard, Allah (May He be glorified in His sublime dominion) said: “And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant, etc.) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.” [Al-Nur: 63]

When the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) was once holding Omar Ibn Al-Khaṭṭaab’s hand, the latter said, “O Messenger of Allah!You are indeed dearer to me than anything else except myself.” The Prophet said, “I swear by Allah who is in command of my soul: Not until I become dearer to you than your own self.” So, Omar said,“Now, I swear by Allah that you are dearer to me than my own self.” The Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) said, “Only now, O Omar.” [Reported by Imam Bukhari]

The Sheikh of Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah – May Allah bless his soul- said, “The act of praising, extolling, glorifying, and revering him (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) represents the groundwork of the entire religion and the failure to do so means the disintegration of the entire religion.” So, meditate on the meaning of the Sheikh’s statement above, may Allah protect you, bearing in mind the reality of the Ummah and recalling Allah’s verse dealing with His Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him): “…If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance…” [Al-Nur: 54]

Showing love for the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) is not just a chimera, nor is it aburdensome duty beyond the scope of human capacity. Instead, it is a form of spiritualism, relief, and joy only experienced by those who are offered such a blessing and only relinquished and underestimated by those whose hearts are there onlyto pump blood. Such behaviour characterises heartless and ruthless people who simply act as merchants of transient pleasures and cause their hearts to be replete with all sorts of things which distract attention away from the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him). These are certainly not the character traits of the truthful and devout servants of Allah and of the Companions of Hishonest Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him).

When the envoy of Quraish, Urwah Ibn Massud, came back from his mission related to the Ḥudaibiyah Peace Agreement, he described the attitude of the Companions – May Allah be pleased with them all- towards the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) as follows, “I swear by Allah: I have frequently visited monarchs within a delegation: I have been to Caesar, to Khosrau (designation of the Persian kings), and Negus (title of the former emperors of Ethiopia). I swear by Allah that I have never seen a king so revered by his followers as Muhammad actually is. I swear by Allah, he is so much venerated by His Companions that whenever he expectorates, one of them would rush to intercept the spittle and spread it over his face and skin; whenever he instructs them they would proceed to carry out his commands; whenever he performs his wuḍu (ablutions) they would almost fight for collecting the water dripping down his hands; whenever he speaks they lower their voices; and they do not gaze at him fixedly in reverence for him.” [Reported by Imam Bukhari]

In the same story reported by Bukhari, it is also mentioned that while Urwah was talking to the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) he was stretching his hand until it touched the Prophet’s beard (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him). So, Al-Mugheerah Ibn Shu’bah – who was sitting just behind the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) keeping guard and holding his sword- said to Urwah, “Hold your hand back from the beard of the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) beforeit never gets back to you.” Then, cUrwah held his hand back.

“When the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) shared with Abu Ayyub Al-AnSaari – May Allah be pleased with him- his house with the upper storey for Abu Ayyub and the lower one was reserved for the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him), Abu Ayyub kept in mind that he was residing in a house the lower floor of which was occupied by the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him). In the evening, he was aware that he was lying midway between the Prophet and Revelation (as coming from above through Archangel Gabriel). Therefore, he resisted falling asleep in an attempt to avoid causing dust to fall down from the ceiling and disturbing the Prophet’s sleep.” [Narrated by Imam Muslim]

O Servants of Allah! It is this kind of love for the Prophet that yields integrity, supremacy, and empowerment. Ibn Al-Qayyim – May Allah bless his soul- said: “What is meant here is that pride, contentment and adherence are commensurate with our will to comply with the Messenger’s Sunnah, and so are guidance, success, and salvation.”

Allah Almighty has made blissfulness, both in the Herein and the Hereafter, contingent upon adherence to the commands of the Prophet (May Allah’s Salaat and Peace be upon him) and wretchedness a consequence of disobeying him. The Prophet’s followers are then promised guidance, security, success, pride, contentment, ecstasy, accord, support, and good living in the Herein and the Hereafter. However, for those who choose to oppose him, they are promised nothing but humiliation, degradation, fear, aberrance, failure, and misery in the Herein and the Hereafter.

Therefore, do observe Taqwaa – O Servants of Allah! Now that this has been brought to your attention, you are called upon to make your commitment in this regard, for true success lies solely in the adherence to Allah’s commands.The Almighty says: “Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad) from amongst yourselves (i.e. whom you know well). It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad) is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah, and beg Him to pardon and forgive your sins, in order that you may enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Hell-fire), for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful (129). But if they turn away, say (O Muhammad): “Allah is sufficient for me. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), in Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.”[Al-Tawbah: 128-129]

May Allah bless you and me by the Glorious Qur’aan and make its verses and wise sayings beneficial to you and me! This is what I have said. If it is correct, it is so thanks to Allah, but if it is wrong, it is my own fault and Satan’s. I seek forgiveness from Almighty Allah for myself, you, and for all Muslims. Therefore, do ask Him forgiveness and repent to Him; verily, He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful!