PROPHET MUHAMMAD: THE PERFECT ROLE MODEL

Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬was the final prophet in the long chain of prophets sent by
Allah Almighty to guide people to the right path i.e. the path of Islam. Not only was
he a messenger of Islam but also an epitome of etiquette and an embodiment of
perfect mannerisms. Even the bitterest enemies of his couldn’t help but admit that he
was Al-Sadiq Al-Amin i.e. the truthful and the trust worthy.

In this Quranic verse, Allah clearly tells mankind that Prophet Muhammad (s) was
sent as a model for mankind to follow and the success in this life and the hereafter
depends on following him.

Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to
follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and
remembers Allah much.
Quran (Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse 21)

The Surah discusses the important event of the Battle of the Trench (or Al-Ahzab: the
Clans), which took place in the month of Shawwal. In view of the context in which
this verse occurs, the object of presenting the Holy Prophet’s conduct and way of life
as a model was to teach a lesson to the people, who had been motivated by
considerations of selfish interests and personal safety on the occasion of the Battle of
the Trench. The Ayat contains an important principle for all Muslims, i.e. to follow
the Messenger of Allah in all his words, deeds, etc.

Its meaning also is presenting the Prophet’s life is no model for the person who is
forgetful of Allah, but it certainly is a model for him who remembers Allah much
and consistently. Also, to those who claims to be the believers, Muslims and
followers of the Messenger. Even those who opposed his mission during
his life time had to acknowledge his unblemished character before and after his
declaration of his mission. Therefore, whoever made a claim should take the
Prophet’s life as a model for themselves in every affair of life.

Let’s take a brief look at the beautiful personality of Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬and
some of his outstanding qualities which are an example for all mankind, irrespective
of religion to becoming a better person. He, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has taught
the Muslims that their character should be such that others feel secure with him with
respect to their lives and properties. He has told not to inflict any harm to the
women and children during a war, not to mutilate the bodies of those who are killed
in the battle, let alone killing innocent people. Once, a Christian chieftain named Adi
bin Hatim al-Ta'i, came for an audience with the Prophet of Islam, who happened to
be sitting on a cushion. On seeing the visitor he took the cushion from underneath
and offered it to his Christian guest, himself preferring to sit on the ground. This
admirable display of modesty by the great Prophet so deeply affected Adi bin Hatim
al-Ta'i, that the Christian chief immediately embraced Islam.

He also has declared that all are equal and their grades exist on the bases of
their fear of God. The Prophet said: “I will not give up five habits as long as I live: To
eat sitting on ground with slaves, to ride on pony without a saddle, to milch goat
with my own hands, to wear coarse woolen cloth and to greet children, so that it
may become a popular habit after me and people follow suit.” When he would sit
among the people, those who would see such a gathering for the first time would
find it difficult to point who was the prophet, as he would be without any pomp or
distinction from others.
Hence contemporary Muslims and even non Muslims can take the last Prophet
Muhammad as the perfect model in ethics and practically create a united mankind.