Purify your intention for the sake of Allah 2

The Prophet \was the best example to follow in every

aspect of character. He was the most generous, the bravest, the

most forbearing, and more bashful than a virgin. He was the most

truthful and trustworthy person, as the disbelievers will bear

witness to even before the believers, as will the sinners before

the righteous. So much so that Khadijah – may Allah be pleased

with her − said to the Prophet \when he first received revelation,

“Allah shall never subject you to any indignity, for you always

maintain your ties with those of your kin, and you are always

generous in giving; you are diligent, and you pursue what others

regard as a lost cause; you calm the heart of your guest, and you

lend your support to those who seek justice and redress.”

As a matter of fact, Allah’s words in his praise are something

we will continue to recite until the Last Day, “And indeed, you

(O Muhammad \) are on an exalted standard of character!”

The Prophet’s character in its entirety was the Qur’an. When he

recited, “Be good, for Allah loves those who are good” he was

good to the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the noble

and the weak. When he heard Allah’s words, “Forgive and overlook...”

he forgave and overlooked. When he recited, “Speak well

to the people...” he spoke well to all.

If the Prophet \really is our example, then let us study his

life carefully, and in particular how he would deal with others,

rectify their faults, bear their harms with patience, tire himself at

their service, and call them to guidance. One day he was seen

helping a poor person, the next making peace between two Muslims,

the next calling the disbelievers to Islam, and so on, until

he grew old and his bones became weak. ‘A’ishah – may Allah be

pleased with her – said while describing the Prophet \, “Most

of his prayers, when he grew old, he offered sitting.” Can we

guess why? She explained, “Because the people had completely

exhausted him.”

The Prophet \was so eager to improve his character that

he would pray to Allah, “O Allah, just as you have beautified my

physical being, beautify my character.” (Ahmad, Sahih)

He \also would say, “O Allah, guide me to the best of manners,

for none guides to them except You. Protect me from bad

manners, for none can protect me except You.” (Muslim)

Hence, we are in need of emulating the Prophet \in his

character when we deal with Muslims so that we may win them

over, and when we deal with the non-Muslims so that we can

educate them about Islam.

A hint...

Purify your intention so that your interpersonal skills can

turn into acts of worship, with which you can draw closer to

Allah.