The Prophet of Mercy Website

By Harun Yahya Turkish Muslim Thinker

An Example to all People

Those situations the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was involved in, as they are related in the Qur'an, demonstrate his resignation, and submission to Allah. For instance, the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) words when he and his friend were hiding in a cave after leaving Mecca, are one of the finest examples of that submission. The Qur'an says:

[If you do not help him, Allah did help him when those who disbelieved drove him out and there were two of them in the Cave. He said to his companion, "Do not be despondent, Allah is with us." Then Allah sent down His serenity upon him and reinforced him with troops you could not see. He made the word of those who disbelieved undermost. It is the word of Allah which is uppermost. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.] (At-Tawbah 9:40)

Whatever the situation might have been, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) always submitted to Allah in the knowledge that there was beauty and goodness in all that He created. These words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to his people as related in the Qur'an are a telling instance of that submission:

[If good happens to you it galls them. If a mishap occurs to you, they say, "We made our preparations in advance," and they turn away rejoicing. Say: "Nothing can happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is Our Master. It is in Allah that the believers should put their trust.] (At-Tawbah 9: 50-51)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) by his submission to Allah, was an example to all Muslims, and he warned that people would never have the power to alter anything that came from Allah:

"Everything is by decree—even incapacity and ability." (Reported by Mailk)

"… When you ask for anything ask it from Allah, and if you seek help in Allah. Know that if the people were to unite to do you some benefit they could benefit you only with what Allah had recorded for you, and that if they were to unite to do you some injury they could injure you only with what Allah had recorded for you. The pens are withdrawn and the pages are dry." (Reported by At-Tirmidhi)

Every believer who abides by the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has to face every calamity with the same submission as he, and to have faith that there is beauty and goodness in everything. We must not forget that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was one of Allah's most God-fearing servants, and was also tested with great difficulties and trying circumstances.

There were people ready to create various kinds of difficulty in the communities he addressed. They tried to plot against the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) by behaving hypocritically. Polytheists refused to abandon the religion of their ancestors, others asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to bring them a sign to suit their best interests, they tried to kill, arrest or exile the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and basically placed all kinds of difficulties in his path.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was always patient with the unbelievers. He continued to communicate the religion of Allah and to instruct Muslims in the Qur'an while he protected them from danger. The source of that determination, success and courage lay in his strong faith in Allah, his godliness and submission. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) always knew that Allah was with him, as when he was in the cave, and he knew that every situation was ordained by Allah. He had faith that everything came from Allah and would result in the best possible outcome. The following hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is an example of his submission:

"Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight he thanks [Allah], thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is good for him in it." (Reported by Muslim)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) always did his best, whatever the situation, though knowing that the outcome depended on Allah. He relied on and trusted in Him. In return for that submission, Allah granted him strength and success.

Allah instructed the Prophet to be patient in the face of those who made problems for him, and he was faithful to that prescription throughout his life. One verse says:

[They have the word, "Obedience!" on their tongues but when they leave your presence, a group of them spend the night plotting to do other than what you say. Allah is recording their nocturnal plotting. So let them be and put your trust in Allah. Allah suffices as a Guardian.] (An-Nisaa’ 4: 81)

The words the Prophet was commanded to say in another trying situation also reveal his godliness and submission:

[If they argue with you, say, "I have submitted myself completely to Allah, and so have all who follow me." Say to those given the Book and those who have no Book, "Have you become Muslim?" If they become Muslim, they have been guided. If they turn away, you are only responsible for transmission. Allah sees His servants.] (Aal `Imran 3: 20)

One comment by the Prophet regarding the recompense awaiting those who demonstrate submission is as follows:

"If you put your faith completely in Allah, He will arrange for your sustenance in the same way as He provides for the birds. They go out in the morning with their stomachs empty and return filled in the evening." (Reported by At-Tirmidhi).

The Prophet's words and actions are the best possible models for the believers. That is why every believer who finds himself faced with a difficulty of any sort, or a situation he does not like, must think of the verses of the Qur'an and the fact that Allah creates everything; adopt the submission of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and accept the destiny chosen for him by Allah.

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