The great favour from Allah

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

Muslims are a very special group of people; and one reason that alludes to this is that Allah has given the believers a very special Messenger. Allah makes mention of this in Surah Imran;

“Allah did confer a great favour on the believers when He sent among them an apostle from among themselves, rehearsing unto them the Signs of Allah, sanctifying them, and instructing them in Scripture and Wisdom, while, before that, they had been in manifest error.” (3: 164)

He sent a Messenger who taught us how to purify ourselves; how to recite the His Glorious Words, how to understand the Messages contained in the Book, and the wisdom contained in the Verses of the Book. And he further taught us how to use the Book to our benefit in both worlds.

It is part of our Beliefs that Allah sent revealed Books to some of the past Messengers. But where are those books today? Where are the Books of Jesus, David, Moses and Abraham (may Allah be pleased with them)? Not a single authentic copy of any one of the Books previously revealed is available. So that, the followers of those faiths that were given revealed Books are deprived of the opportunity to read what was actually revealed.

But in the case of Islam, today, so many centuries after, the Qur’an was revealed, it is still preserved. Not a single dot has been added or subtracted. And when Allah sent the Book for mankind He sent the best of all creations to teach it, explain it and to live according to its teachings in order that we may be able to apply its teachings in our daily lives.

The Qur'an was sent to take mankind out of darkness and put them into light, but how can a person utilize it without having an expert to teach and explain it.

Take for example Hazrat Umar (ra). He was someone that had considerable knowledge and wisdom. His foresight was recognised by the Prophet (pboh). As an expression of recognition of Umar's capability the Prophet is reported to have said “if ever there was to be Prophet after me surely it would have been Umar”. And even Hazrat Umar (ra) used to go to Hazrat Zaid (ra) and others for the knowledge of the meaning on certain surahs’ and ayats’.

To further emphasize this great favour; Allah has made it that the Sunnah of Prophet (saw) is recorded in the books of ahadith. His daily life, both day and night, is recorded for all of humanity to learn and take pattern from it. And he is the best model and exemplar for us. And following his Sunnah has great benefit. For Example Joseph (as) and his brother Benjamin followed the sunnah of their father Prophet Jacob (as) and his other brothers deviated from that teaching. In the end when all were reunited Joseph (as) said

‘Allah has indeed been gracious to us (all): Behold, He that is righteous and patient, - never will Allah suffer the reward to be lost, of those who do right’. (12:90)

If you don’t see the benefit here you will in the hereafter. He has taught us the wisdom contained it the Qur’an. For example he has told us the benefits for reciting certain Surahs at certain times; he has taught us the consequences of certain actions. And history records the end of those who sincerely follow and obey the Messenger.

Before Islam the Arabs were a barbaric group. So much so that they used to actually bury their baby girls alive. And look at how refined they became. Some of them even knew their faith in the next world. The Asharatul Mubash-sharah; the 10 companions who received the glad tidings of Jannah while still in this world; how did they achieve this? By following and obeying the Messenger .

Today, sadly we see people argue ‘if you don’t love Prophet(saw)you’ll go to hell’. Others argue that ‘following the Prophet(saw)is simply to follow his sunnah’. And unfortunately they will continue fighting. We cannot ‘talk love’. Cherish this great gift Allah has blessed us with. Establish a close relationship with Prophet(saw)and the rewards will be great in this world and the next.

Remember he has said that on the Day of judgement “amongst my followers some will have the status of the Messengers of the Bani Israel.” Prophet Moses (as) struck the rock and water began flowing. Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani (ra) ate a chicken and when he was finished collected the bones and blew over it and the chicken came back to life. So even here we see the manifestation of this hadith.

When Allah says that He has conferred a great favour on the believers, He means, in addition to all that is contained in Religion of Islam, the way a believer has to live; for example, the care taken to stay pure and clean, the knowledge available in the verses of the Holy Book; and the focus and goal of life.

It should therefore be the mission of every true believer to get close to the Lord; and one sure way of achieving this is to attach yourself to the things He loves. Allah loves Prophet(saw); there is no doubt in this. One of his names is ‘Habibullah’ – the beloved of Allah . The more you attach yourself to him the higher you will ascend insha Allah.

Remember the higher you ascend spiritually and morally the clearer will be your understanding of Islam as the one who is on the top of the mountain will be able to see further away from the one who is stuck at the foot of it. And the more enlightened you become the more of the Qur’an you will be able to understand and the more guided you will be, as Allah says of the enlightened; they are ‘men endued with understanding’.

Don’t waste life by getting mixed up with those who argue and fight, and those who constantly deny and criticize. Follow the teachings of our beloved Prophet(saw). His life is recorded for us to take pattern. He was able to ascend right up to meet his Lord in this world and he opened the way for those who wish to do the same. To ‘climb up’ to Allah is never easy but falling into the pits is; as it is easier to fall than to climb. Remember, he is a favour of Allah to us.

Beg Allah to make the journey back to Him easy and bearable and may He enable us to pattern the life of the ‘gift’ He has blessed us with, the best of all creations; Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha (saw) .