Why We Love the Prophet (PBUH)
My brothers and sisters,
We love Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) because we will be placed among those we love in the afterlife. An Arab man came to the Prophet (PBUH) and asked, “When is the Hour?” The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) answered, “What have you prepared for it?” He replied, “My love for Allah and His Messenger.” He continued, “Then you will be with those you love.” My brothers and sisters, with this love you will find the Messenger of Allah who will offer you a drink from the spring through which you will gain happiness and all sorrows will end therein.
Al-Qurtobi relates that Thawban, a servant of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), loved the Prophet (PBUH) deeply and could not bear to be away from him for long. One day the Prophet met Thawban while he was in a really sad state, and when he asked Thawban what was wrong, he answered, “Oh Messenger of Allah no harm has touched me nor pain, only that if I do not see you for a long time I miss you and then I remember that in the afterlife I will not be able to see you because you will be with other Prophets. If I enter heaven I will be in a level lower than the one you are in, and if I do not enter, there is no chance I will see you ever.” It was then that Allah (SWT) revealed the verse, “All who obey Allah and the Messenger are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah: the prophets (who teach), the sincere (lovers of Truth), the witnesses (who testify), and the Righteous (who do good): Ah! What a beautiful fellowship!” (4:69)
Not only were his companions mesmerized by him (PBUH), but even things which could not speak or move loved him (PBUH). It has been reported to us that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to lean on a branch of a tree when giving his sermons before a pulpit was placed for him in the Masjid. When the Messenger of Allah mounted the pulpit for the first time, loud weeping was heard from outside. The Messenger of Allah descended from the pulpit and went to the branch from which the noise was coming. He (PBUH) stroked the branch until it stopped weeping. He then said, “Had I not embraced it, it would have continued to weep until the Day of Resurrection.” Such was his mercy, peace and blessings be upon him.In addition to his mercy for all, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) loved his Ummah dearly. It has been reported to us that one day after reciting the following verses, Prophet (PBUH) began to cry, “So whoever follows me, then surely he is of me; and whoever disobeys me, then surely You are Ever-Forgiving, Ever-Merciful.”(14:36), and “In case You torment them, then surely they are Your servants; and in case You forgive them, then surely You are The Ever-Mighty, The Ever-Wise.”(6:118). Allah (SWT) sent Jibreel (A) to ask him why he cried though Allah knows best. The Prophet (PBUH) answered, “My ummah, my ummah.” Allah (SWT) sent Jibreel (A) to inform Prophet Muhammad (S) that Allah will satisfy him with his Ummah.
My brothers and sisters, in order to taste the sweetness of faith, we must love the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). In order to love him, we must love to mention his name (PBUH), study his seerah, memorize his words, and follow in his footsteps. No human deserves our love more than him (PBUH), for there is no human who loves us more than him (PBUH). There is no human who left al-Ta’iif as his noble feet bled from the stones thrown at him, who was expelled from his home city, who lived three years of starvation under a shameful embargo, and who withstood the punishment and wrath incurred upon him by his own people just so the message would be delivered to you and me. We should be shocked at those who would rather follow the example of someone other than him. My brothers and sisters, in order for the Messenger of Allah to intercede for us on the Day of Resurrection we must earn it by loving him more than our parents, children, and our own selves. “Indeed, Allah and His angels send prayers upon the Prophet. Oh you who believe! Send your prayers and peace upon him.”(33:56)
Sh. Jamal Said