A Beautiful Pattern Of Conduct

You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah. (Soorah al-Ahzaab, 33: 21)

There are numberless books and other resources on Seerat an-Nabi. Recorded lectures on the same subject are plenty. We have added many more PowerPoint presentations. Over and above the verse cited above we have printed, published, recited and memorized countless number of times.

I, however, always wonder if we really believe in this verse and are mindful of the Seerah. We teach it in our Institutions and when we get out of the classrooms then do all those things which are contrary to the “beautiful pattern of conduct”.

For instance, the one of “beautiful pattern of conduct” always gave. It is worth finding out how much he thought of receiving. How much he fought for his rights and how much he concentrated on duties. If we believe in him being the Ideal Character we should see if he ever reacted emotionally to any situation. We may also think how we should – in all such situations.

The one of “beautiful pattern of conduct” was connected with everyone and everything and never felt aloof and isolated from anyone and anything. How much connected we feel? He had CONCERN even for the die-hard enemies. How much of that seven letter word concerns us.

How much he was communal in outlook and how much we are? How much he cared for the ‘customers’ and how much we do? How much he spoke in the language of his mukhaatabeen (addressees) and in their terminologies and how much we do? What educational methodology was his and what is ours?

How was he able to groom ordinary human beings into legendary individuals in a short period of time and how many of such people we have groomed in centuries together?

How much tolerant and humble he was and what is the degree of our tolerance and humbleness? How much he had divided deen from dunyaa and how much we do on a daily basis – consciously (and unconsciously)?

How much he had divided knowledge into the ‘secular’ and ‘religious’ categories and how much we have? How much he cross-questioned the people to enable them to think and how much we do? How much was he thankful for the favors of Almighty and how much we are?

He EDUCATED the people and enlightened them. How much we educate and enlighten? He emancipated (liberated) the individuals spiritually. How much we are emancipating them? How many sects he divided the Believers in and how many we have divided them in? How much meanings he put in his words and how much we do? How he ushered the humanity into the ‘world of ideas’ leaving behind the ‘world of personalities’?

How in a short period of time he made the people appreciate the fact that: Muhammad is no more than a Messenger: many were the Messengers that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve him) with gratitude. (Aal ‘Imraan, 3: 144)

How much he twisted Islam to suit the situations and how much he tried to fashion the society according to the everlasting principles of Islam? What is our outlook in this respect? How much he quoted Qur’an out of context ignoring its cumulative (total) spirit and how much we do? How much he talked about Muslims and how much he talked about humanity?

How much time, energy and resources he devoted for non-issues and how much of the same we do? The fact that the distinction between issues and non-issues is blurred is beside the point. How much he divided the masjid into parts and staged campaigns for separate homeland and how much he accepted the status quo and started with the doable – focusing on the wildly important?

How comprehensive or atomistic outlook he had and how much of the same we do? Was his thinking partial or holistic? How is ours? How many preconceived notions he lived with and what a big number of those we live by – on a daily basis? How much he related whatever he said with the persons and situations and how many ‘missiles’ he ‘fired’ dogmatically?

haqeeqat rewaayaat meiN kho ga’ee
yeh ummat khuraafaat meiN kho ga’ee

By Wasim Ahmed