The Path of the Prophet

nation-building. Those who earnestly seek to be included amongst God’s chosen servants must follow the path of the Prophet in all respects. In no walk of life should they consider themselves free to tread another course. The most important practice of the Prophet’s personal life was preaching the word of God. A study of his life shows that his most significant concern was to bring people to the path of the Lord. That his concern had turned to anguish is clear from this verse of the Quran: You will perhaps fret yourself to death on account of their unbelief.40 The Prophet said that one who disregarded his sunnah was not one of his community. Just as this remark applies to the marriage contract and other social obligations, so does it equally apply to calling people to the path of God. Therefore, only those have the right to be called faithful followers of the Prophet, who, along with other obligations enjoined by him, adopt this all-important practice of the Prophet. One aspect of the Prophet’s public mission was a realistic, step-by-step approach to everything he did. In applying theoretical standards, he always made allowances for practical realities. He was always careful to introduce social reforms gradually. In modern jargon, his approach can be called evolutionary rather than revolutionary. ‘Aisha, the Prophet’s wife, has explained this principle very clearly: The first chapters of the Quran to be revealed were short ones making mention of heaven and