Why is it that the Muslims of today seem to be different from the Muslims in the time of the Prophet (pboh)?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

Why is it that the Muslims of today seem to be different from the Muslims in the time of the Prophet (pboh)?

This question was asked to His Eminence Sheikh Maulana Dr. Fazlur Rahman Ansari; and this was his reply.

The Muslims of nowadays are not comparable to the Companions of the Prophet (pboh) and other historically pious men because they are not endeavouring to follow in the true footsteps of the Prophet (pboh).

The five obligatory principles of Islam are not the only things which make a person to become a perfect Muslim; although they are the fundamentals of Islam. There are other things which go together with these for the perfection of Faith and one's personality. This we understand by looking at the whole life of the Prophet (pboh).

Some Muslims make the mistake of looking for guidance from the life of the Prophet (pboh) when he began getting revelations. They do not understand that he was the Final Prophet before he even came to this world. As he is reported to have said: I was a Messenger and Adam was still between mud and water.

As an example for us we find that in his infancy the Prophet (pboh) became known to be the Truthful one. Later on in life he established the principle of Trustworthiness and finally; he was the embodiment and symbol of Love for humanity.

All these are lessons for mankind; and especially for the Muslims. If one wants to walk along the path of righteousness, and has hopes of getting close to his Lord; in addition to standing firmly on the five fundamental principles, he will have to perfect his life along the path set by the Messenger (pboh); only then will he be able to feel that he is contributing to the welfare of humanity and is ascending the pathway that is leading to the Lord of the universe.