RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MESSENGER OF GOD

Never Losing Sight of Inner Spirit

A VERSE from the Quran concerning the relationship with the Prophet of Islam is as follows: Say, ‘If you love God, follow me and God will love you and forgive you your sins. God is most forgiving, and most merciful.’ (3: 31)

In this verse of the Quran, following the Prophet means making the Prophet one’s guide. This verse shows that whoever wants to follow the path of God, it is necessary for him to seek guidance for himself from the exemplary model of the Prophet. The traveller on the path of God-realization cannot afford to remain aloof from the guidance of His Messenger.

The case of the Prophet, on one hand, is that he was a seeker of God. Then God guided him to His way. He showed the Prophet through revelation what the authentic way to follow the path of God is. This example of the Prophet has been recorded in various books of Hadith (compilation of the sayings and deeds of the Prophet). This model is the only authentic guide for the seeker on the path of God-realization till the Day of Judgement.

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Following the Prophet is as much required in the present age as it was required in the previous times. It is necessary to discover the reapplication of the model of the Prophet according to the new circumstances so that one can follow the Messenger with true spirit.

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A human being learns divine wisdom through study of Hadith and Sunnah (model set by the Prophet). When a person practises this wisdom, he becomes deserving of God’s mercy. He begins to receive God’s help at every stage. He walks on the path of God without straying until he reaches the final destination, which is another name for Paradise.

Following the footsteps of the Prophet is as much required in the present age as it was required in the previous times. However, it is necessary for the follower of the Prophet to discover the reapplication of the model of the Prophet according to his changed circumstances so that he can follow the Messenger with true spirit. It is not difficult for a sincere seeker to rediscover this kind of reapplication.