The Wrappings of Gratitude

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah Most-Compassionate, Most-Merciful

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was born in Makkah in 570CE. An example for all of humanity, he was a remarkable man that excelled in every aspect of his life not only as a Messenger and Prophet, but as a ruler, philosopher, orator, soldier, husband, friend, father, uncle, nephew, and a grandfather. He was a man of complete love, and patience, of courage, wisdom, generosity, intelligence and magnitude who inspired, and continues to inspire countless millions from every walks of life throughout the world. Of the prophet, Allah says in the Quran:

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

“We sent thee not save as a mercy for the peoples.”

(Al Anbiya 21:107)

He belongs not only to the Muslims but to humanity, and may we all be benefitted by his immense noble character. Hadrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, had the best manners among all human beings” (Bukhari and Muslim). God says in the Quran of the prophet that he was sent as a mercy for the people of the world, we cannot ever gain a true estimation of the prophet, nor of the honour bestowed on him to be a guide to all of humanity, an honour that had not been granted to any of the prophets or messengers before him, peace be upon them all. Although to gain a true estimation of our prophet is a life long undertaking, we can still see that no other human being has received such Divine Love as that of our own prophet, whom we are so fortunate to have been chosen to follow.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا

وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللَّهِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَسِرَاجًا مُّنِيرًا

وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ فَضْلًا كَبِيرًا

“O Prophet! Truly We have sent thee as a Witness, a Bearer of Glad Tidings, and Warner,-

And as one who invites to Allah’s (grace) by His leave, and as a lamp spreading light.

Then give the Glad Tidings to the Believers, that they shall have from Allah a very great Bounty.

(Ahzab 33:45-47)

But truly beautiful are the words of Allah when He says of the prophet:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

“Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect”

(Ahzab 33:56)

The Final Sermon

Shortly before his death, the Prophet Muhammad (s) delivered a sermon during Hajj pilgrimage, which came to be known as his “Final Sermon”. This final sermon was not only a reminder to his followers, but an important admonition for the rest of time. His words ring unerringly true in our times they did the day they were spoken. In those words are contained the illumination of problems with solutions, rights conferred to the weak and poor, the responsibilities of the strong – justice and mercy, and above all God-consciousness – remembering God in all of our actions. Thus it was that on the 9^th of Dhul Hijjah, in the 10^th Islamic year, the Messenger of Allah did stand for the final time before such a gathering of the faithful. The circle was complete and exactly ten years after the Muslims had been forced to migrate from Makkah for the sake of their religion and under considerable persecution, so did Allah return them ten years later with victory. And now did the faithful believers stand, patiently, ever eager to listen to the words of their beloved prophet, to recount them over and over to others generation after generation.

After praising, and thanking God, the Prophet, may God send His praises upon him said:

“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. God has Judged that there shall be no interest, and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abd’al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived…

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under a trust from God and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God, say your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you have the means.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; white has no superiority over black, nor does a black have any superiority over white; [none have superiority over another] except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before God and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me, and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and it may be that the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

Thus the beloved Prophet completed his Final Sermon, and upon it, near the summit of Arafat, the revelation came down:

“…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Grace upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion…” (Al-Maidah 5:3)

Though the Prophet has left this world, his words are still living in our hearts. May we all be guided by his beautiful light. Ameen.