THE PROPHET AND HIS COMPANIONS

THE PROPHET AND HIS COMPANIONS An Introduction to the Sublime Attributes T HE following is a selection from the books of Islamic history portraying the desired traits of a believer’s life. Embracing true faith nullifies past sins While emigrating from Makkah to Madinah, the Prophet of Islam came across two men in the mountain pass of Rakooba. He invited them to Islam, and they accepted the invitation. He asked them their names, and they said they belonged to the tribe of Aslam. They were bandits, they told him, and for this reason people called them “Muhanan”, or “The Two Despicable Ones”. “No,” the Prophet said, “you are two honourable ones.” (Musnad Ahmad) Unity under all conditions Hold fast to the cord of God and let nothing divide you. (3: 103) The Prophet Muhammad has likened a community with the human body. According to him, a community is like one body. When even a single part of the human body suffers for any reason the restlessness is felt in all parts of the body. The stress that has been laid upon unity among the members of a community makes it compulsory for all to respect and care about the comfort of their brethren. Be a giver member of society The Prophet said. “For every limb of man’s body, for every new day, there is an act of charity to be performed. To judge fairly between two people is an act of charity. To give someone a hand climbing on his mount, or taking luggage off it, is an act of charity. A good word is an act of charity. To remove any obstacle from a path is an act of charity.” (Bukhari and Muslim) Become deserving of God’s love A few of the Companions were sitting with the Prophet. So silent were they that it was as if there were birds perched upon their heads. No one was saying a word. Some people came I want to be able to present a clean sheet of my life to God. If I owe anybody anything, which I forgot to repay, or have physically or mentally harmed anyone without my knowledge, then I request him to accept compensation or forgive me. (Prophet Muhammad)