Al-Ameen Part 1: Introduction

1. Al-Ameen Part 1: Introduction

2. وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ And verily, you (O Muhammad SAW) are on an exalted standard of character. (Al-Qalam 68:4)

3. Seerah: Meaning-Linguistically سأر يسير سيرأ ‘To follow a way.’ ‘ A way of life.’ ‘The way of life he followed.’ -events, manners, description etc -study of the life of the Prophet

4. Reasons to study the Seerah • Aid Sabr during calamities • Lessons and contemplations • Order to follow his example: Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day and remembers Allâh much. (Al-Ahzab 33:21)

5. Sign of Love of the Prophet • Educates us about the Quran Itself e.g. Asbaabul-Nazul • Seerah is a miracle in itself • Precise methodology for revival of Ummah • How did Prophet train the Sahabah • Primary way of defending the Prophet

6. Sources of Seerah • Quran e.g al-fil, Badr, Ahzab etc. • Book of Hadeeth • Early books of Seerah: e.g. Urwa Ibn Zubair (d. 92H) Son of Utman ibn Affan (d.150H) Muhamad Ibn Ishaq (d.216) Seerah ibn Hisham

7. Shamaail • Dalaail ul Nubuwah e.g. Imam Bayhaqi • Biographies of companions/narrators of hadith • General books of history

8. شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله , وأن محمداً رسول الله

9. Rights of the Prophet • To believe in him: فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَالنُّورِ الَّذِيأَنزَلْنَا وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌTherefore, believe in Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and in the Light (this Qur'ân) which We have sent down. And Allâh is All-Aware of what you do. (At-Taghabun 64:8)

10. To Obey him: • يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَطِيعُواْ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلاَ تَوَلَّوْا عَنْهُ وَأَنتُمْ تَسْمَعُونَO you who believe! Obey Allâh and His Messenger, and turn not away from him (i.e. Messenger Muhammad SAW) while you are hearing. (Al-Anfal 8:20)

11. To Follow Him: لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيراًIndeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day and remembers Allâh much. (Al-Ahzab 33:21)

12. To Love Him: - The Prophet said, "None of you will believe until I am more beloved to you than your children, your fathers, and all people." - Anas said that a man came to the Prophet and asked, "When will the last Hour come, Messenger of Allah?" He said, "What have you prepared for it?" He said, "I have not prepared a lot of salah or fasting or charity for it, but I love Allah and His Messenger." The Prophet said, "You will be with the one you love." He also said, "Whoever loves me will be with me in the Garden."

13. Ibn Rajab says about love of the Messenger sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam: Love for the Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam is at two levels. The first level is obligatory. This is the love that requires one to accept whatever the Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam brought from Allah and to receive it with love, pleasure, esteem and submission, without seeking guidance from any other source whatsoever. This is then followed by excellent following of him in whatever he conveyed from his Lord and to affirm whatever he has reported of obligations, to remain away from anything he has prohibited of forbidden acts, to give support for his religion and to strive against those who oppose him according to one's ability. All of this are necessary components that one must possess and a person's Faith is not complete without them.

14. The second level is superior [and not an absolutely necessary component of Faith]. This type of love requires following his example in an excellent way and fulfilling the following of his Sunnah with respect to his behavior, manners, voluntary deeds, superogatory actions, eating, drinking, dressing, excellent behaviour with his wives and other aspects of his perfect manners and pure behavior. It also includes learning about his life and days. It also includes the heart trembling when mentioning him, saying prayers and blessings upon him often out of what resides in the heart of love for him, esteem for him and respect for him. It also includes loving to listen to his words and preferring them over the words of others of the creation. And one of the greatest aspects of this love is to follow him in his abstinence of this world, his being suffices with a little and his turning to and desiring of the everlasting Hereafter.

15. To judge by his Shariah: 2 Deviations -Trivialise Sunnah -?Sunnah is imcomplete=concept of Bidah

16. Send Salah and Peace upon him: • إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًاAllâh sends His Salât (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy, etc.) on the Prophet (Muhammad SAW) and also His angels too (ask Allâh to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salât on (ask Allâh to bless) him (Muhammad SAW), and (you should) greet (salute) him with the Islâmic way of greeting (salutation i.e. As­Salâmu 'Alaikum). (Al-Ahzab 33:56)

17. Next Week: • Historical background • History of the Arabs • Prophet’s Lineage

18. Homework! • How many of the names of the Prophet can you find out? • Prize for the most