What inspires our deep love for the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)?

What inspires our deep love for the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)?

When we think about our loved ones, we think of how they make us happy and comfort us during tough times. How about Prophet Muhammad s.a.w? We have never met him, we have never heard him speak nor have we ever talked to him yet we yearn to meet him, we long to be by his side and are always missing him. And guess what, loving the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w is innate in the hearts of the believers and is deemed a virtuous act. The Prophet Muhammad said:

 لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى أَكُونَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ والِدِهِ وَوَلَدِهِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ

“None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind.”

(Narrated by Imam Bukhari)

No one is more deserving of our love other than the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w and we will find many reasons to love the Prophet. This list is not exhaustive but here are 7 things that make us love Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. deeply. 

1. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w never lies – not even as a joke

In this day and age, it is easy to fall into the sin of committing a lie in our daily offline and online interactions. It is also very common that lies are used in jokes and games on the basis that it is just for fun. But unlike us, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w has never lied and is well-known as the Al-Amin, the Trustworthy. 

Lying is prohibited in Islam even if it is in the form of a joke and it is emphasised in many hadiths as mentioned below: 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w mentioned: “It is not right to lie in earnest or in jest, or for any one of you to promise something to his child then not fulfil that promise.” (Narrated by Imam Bukhari). He also mentioned in another hadith: “The slave will not complete faith unless he refrains from lying when joking, and refrains from arguing even when he is upon the truth.” (Narrated by Imam Ahmad).

That is how Prophet Muhammad s.a.w values honesty and is an honest man with high integrity. Imagine even his enemies from the Quraysh clan could attest to how he is the most trustworthy. 

How can we not feel blessed to have him as our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w and love his honesty and trustworthiness? 

2. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w was never boastful 

As we learn more about religion and think that we know better and have better morals than others we may adopt the ‘holier than thou’ attitude whether we realise it or not. We may be mindless like that but not Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. 

He s.a.w was the most beloved by Allah s.w.t and was given the highest rank in the heavens. Despite his special place, he was never arrogant and felt highly of himself. He also reminded the Sahabah not to be too extravagant in praising him as mentioned in the following Hadith: 

 “Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a Slave. So, call me the Slave of Allah and His Apostle.” (Narrated by Imam Bukhari).

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w also showed how true happiness is achieved through contentment (Qana’ah) and inspired us to live a simple life. He never took advantage of his status for worldly gains. In the early days of Islam, there was a time when Prophet Muhammad s.a.w the people of Quraysh offered him to be a king, an abundance of wealth and women to stop him from spreading Islam. But Prophet Muhammad s.a.w rejected all offers as those were never his goals and ambitions. 

Many other Hadiths highlight Prophet Muhammad s.a.w’s humility and humbleness to remind us about his humility and make us admire him so much more!

3. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w was always put together

The first impression always matters. Prophet Muhammad set a good example for Muslims to care for their appearance. This does not mean we should be extravagant to look good but to show a Muslim should look pleasant and not dishevelled. Like Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., he took care of his appearance by dressing pleasantly and encouraged us to do so.

Ibn Sa’ad reported that Jundub Ibn Makeeth (ra) said: “Whenever a delegation came to meet the Messenger of Allah, he would wear his best clothes and order his leading companions to do likewise. I saw the Prophet (saw) on the day that the delegation of Kindah came to meet him; he was wearing a Yemeni garment and Abu Bakr and Umar were dressed similarly.”

We feel good and confident when we dress well and it is even more encouraged as a Muslim to look good to recognise the blessings that Allah has given us. 

The Prophet (SAW) said:  “Allah loves to see the sign of His Bounties on his slave.”

4. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w was a forgiver

It takes time to forgive someone who has wronged us because of the emotional scar that they have left on us and for some, the scars are physical which may lengthen the healing process. Some would hold grudges even towards their parents. But not in the case of our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. He never held grudges towards anyone even towards his enemies!

There was a time when the people of Mecca breached the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, and Muslims were being ill-treated until they had to seek refuge in Habshah and the Madinah. It was a tough period for Muslims at that time and it lasted for 20 years. When Prophet Muhammad s.a.w and his army finally conquered Mecca and came back, the non-believers were around Kaabah waiting to be punished. Al-Qasim ibn Salam reported:

When his enemies came to the Ka’bah, they were holding onto its door and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “What do you say? What do you think?” They said three times, “We say you are the son of our brother.” The Prophet said, “I say to you as Joseph said to his brothers: No blame upon you today. Allah will forgive you, for he is the most merciful of the merciful.” (12:92) In another narration, the Prophet said to them, “Go, you are free.”

This was the noble example set by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Even when he had the power to retaliate against those who had wronged him and his followers, he chose forgiveness instead.

As a result, many embraced Islam, drawn to the beauty and wisdom of his teachings. Through his actions, many witnessed the radiant wisdom and compassion that he had been conveying all along.

5. Allah’s love towards Prophet Muhammad

There is nothing compared to Allah’s love towards Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. In the Quran, Allah addresses Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. with names that emphasise His love towards him such as “O you wrapped ˹in your clothes˺!” (Surah Al-Muzzammil 73: 1) and “Mercy for the whole world.” (Surah Al-Anbiya’ 21:107). Allah s.w.t raised him to the highest heavens, closest to Him, where no other being, not even the angels, could reach. He brought him close when he was at his lowest, after the loss of his beloved wife and uncle, and when his tribe had rejected him.

During his childhood, Allah sent Jibril a.s. to expand the chest of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w to fill his heart with wisdom, knowledge, and faith. 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w had always been under Allah’s care. In the Quran, Allah s.w.t promised to watch over him and protect him s.a.w: “So be patient with your Lord’s decree, for you are truly under Our ˹watchful˺ Eyes. And glorify the praises of your Lord when you rise.” (Surah At-Tur 52:48).

6. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w was a people person

We are often selective when we socialise with others as we may have some reservations towards certain people- well, we are not everyone’s cup of tea and vice versa. But Prophet Muhammad s.a.w was loved by many.

During the time of the Prophet s.a.w, he was approached by many sahabahs each with different issues and complaints from matters regarding marriage, worship, illness, consumption, and more. It shows how Prophet Muhammad s.a.w held no barriers between him and the sahabah. It was also reassuring for the sahabah to know that Prophet Muhammad s.a.w was a trustworthy that they could consult. 

 Prophet Muhammad s.a.w often gathered with the sahabahs after Fajr and during such gatherings, he ensured that no one was left out, including women. He would ask the sahabiyyah to set a different time and place where he would come to them and hold gatherings so they could also learn from him.

7. Prophet Muhammad love us more than anyone could love us

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w’s love for us is so profound that it supersedes time and decades. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w supplicated for us in every prayer. He would cry and weep when he thought of his ummah as stated in the following hadith: 

ʿĀ’ishah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhā) said: When I saw the Prophet ﷺ in a good mood, I said, “O Messenger of Allah, supplicate to Allah for me.” So, he said, “O Allah, forgive ʿĀ’ishah for her past and future sins, and for what she did in private and in public.” ʿĀ’ishah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhā) laughed so much that her head fell into her lap. The Prophet said to her, “Does my supplication make you happy?” She said, “Why would your supplication not make me happy?” The Prophet said, “By Allah, it is my supplication for my ummah in every ṣalāh.” (Ibn Ḥibbān).

Even during his final moments, the Prophet ﷺ could be heard whispering, “Ummati, ummati” (My people, my people), showcasing his everlasting concern and love for his followers.

Our deep love for Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) stems from his unparalleled virtues—his honesty, humility, mercy, and devotion to Allah and his people. His love for us transcends time, and even though we have never met him, the connection we feel is undeniable. He was, and remains, the perfect example of how to live, and we are blessed to follow in his footsteps. May Allah increase our love for the Prophet (s.a.w.) and unite us with him in the Hereafter.