Day 6: Following the Excellent Sample

“You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern of conduct (an excellent example) for anyone for him who hopes in Allah and the Final Day…” (Qur’an 33:21)

Everyone desires an example to follow or a good practice to guide, so that mistakes are not repeated and success is replicated. This is human nature from our predecessors’ time in the cave even till today’s era of corporate governance. Indeed, this is the reason why God did not only send revelations, but along came the prophets; being human and while exhibiting human weaknesses, they were examples to follow.

Prophet Muhammad has been described as having “uswatun hasanatul” - a beautiful pattern of conduct or an excellent example.” God encourages us to listen to the Prophet’s instructions and follow his actions. But how do you follow him?

There are two approaches to applying the Sunnah. First, some people approach the idea of following the prophet by believing that “every act and saying of the Prophet (pbuh) was directed by revelation (Wahy) and the Muslim is expected to copy everything. Hence, the way he used to eat, sit, dress, appear, live and earn a living etc must be adopted irrespective of the social context and circumstances that surrounded him.” Allah says: “Nor does he (Muhammad) say (aught) of (his own) desire. It is no less than inspiration sent down to him.” (Qur’an 53:3-4).

Secondly, another group of Muslims approach following the Sunnah by believing that some actions of the Prophet (particularly the rituals and law) were based on revelation while in certain circumstances he (pbuh) “exercised his personal judgment and reasoning (ijtihad) wherein he was not directly guided by any specific revelation. Therefore, in following his guidance one should consider the spirit or intention and the context or circumstances surrounding his non-ritual actions. This however does not imply that his actions are irrelevant to today’s situation.”

Instances of this was when the Prophet was corrected for focusing his attention on the Quraysh leaders rather than the blind Muslim questioner (Ibn Maktum): “(The Prophet) frowned and turned away, because there came to him the blind man (interrupting). But what could tell you but that perchance he might grow in purity…?” (Qur’an 80:1-3). Similarly, the Prophet once forbade for himself the consumption of honey, and Allah corrected him thus: “O Prophet! Why do you hold to be forbidden that which Allah has made lawful to you: you seek to please your consorts…?” (Qur’an 66:1).

Muslims who follow the first approach insist on strict compliance with daily routines of the Prophet (pbuh) irrespective of the social context whereas those who follow the second approach see that sticking to compliance without consideration of the existing societal context could even result in the opposite of what the Prophet’s intentions were.

This means there is the need for greater tolerance and accommodation on the part of the Muslims for what may at first appear as being too conservative or to too liberal. However, most Muslims adopt one of these two approaches or a mixture of the two depending on the issue in question.

“We have already sent down to you verses making things clear an example from (the story of) people who passed away before you and an admonition for those who fear (Allah).” Qur'an 24 verse 34