The Prophet (SAW) had SO much concern for humanity. Even with the Munafiqoon where Allah says to the Prophet in regards to them: "Ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them; even if you ask forgiveness for them seventy times, Allah will not forgive them.." [9:80]
The Prophet (SAW) said, I will ask more than seventy times.
The Patched Robe
There was a Jew of Damascus who was reading a holy book one day when he came across the name of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) written in it. Not liking this, he removed the name. But the next day he found it there again. Again he took out the name; but on the third day it had appeared again. He thought: “Perhaps this is a sign that a true Emissary has come. I will journey southwards to Madinah.”
And he forthwith started out, not tarrying until he reached the city of the Prophet. When he arrived there, knowing nobody, he was near the Mosque of the Prophet when the Sahabi Anas (ra) arrived. He said to Anas: “Friend, take me to the Prophet.”
Anas (ra) led him into the mosque, which was full of people in anguish. Abu Bakr (ra) the successor was sitting there at the head of the assembly. The old man went up to him, thinking he must be Muhammad, and said: “O Chosen Envoy of God, a strayed old man has come to offer you peace.” Hearing the title of the Prophet used, everyone present burst into a flood of tears. The stranger was uncertain as to what to do. He said: “I am a foreigner and a Jew, and I am unaware of the rites of the Faith of Submission to the Will of Allah. Have I said something untoward? Should I have remained silent? Or is this a ritual observance? Why do you cry? If it is a ceremony, I have never heard of it.”
Omar (ra) said to him: “We do not weep because of anything which you have done. But you must hear, unfortunate one, that it is a but a week since the Prophet left the earth. When we heard his name, grief took possession of our hearts anew.”
As soon as he heard this, the ancient tore his clothes in anguish. When he had recovered a little, he said: “Do me one favour. Let me have at least a robe of the Prophet. If I cannot see him, at least let me have this.”
Omar (ra) answered: “Only Fatima (ra) could give us one of his robes.” Ali (ra) said: “But she will not allow anyone to go near her.” But they went to her door and knocked, and explained what they wanted.
Fatima (ra) answered: “Verily, the Prophet spoke truly when he said, shortly before he died: ‘A wayfarer, who has love towards me and who is a good man, will come to the house. He will not see me. Give him, therefore, this patchwork robe as if from me, and for me treat him gently, offering salutations.’”
The Jew put the robe on himself and, professing Islam, asked to be taken to the Prophet’s grave. It was at this place that he breathed his last.
Source: From the book “Ilahi-Nama” by Shaikh Farid Al-Din Attar.
The prophetic Method of Correcting Mistakes
The prophetic Method of Correcting Mistakes - Nazim Mangera
There was a man named `Abd Allah who loved Allah and His Messenger so much that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had to declare about him: "Indeed, he loves Allah and His Messenger." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (6282)]
This man named `Abd Allah so loved the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he used to delight in presenting the Prophet with any delicacy that came to Medina, so when any merchant caravan arrived with something like butter or honey, he would take it for him as a gift. Later, when the seller demanded payment, `Abd Allah would bring the seller to the Prophet and say: "Give this man its price."
The Prophet (peace be upon him) would then say: "Didn't you give it to me as a gift?"
`Abd Allah would say: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah; however I cannot afford to pay."
The two of them would laugh together and then the Prophet (peace be upon him) would have the merchant paid.
This was the type of close and jovial relationship that `Abd Allah and the Prophet had with each other.
It remains to be said that `Abdullah was an alcoholic. He would often become so drunk that he had to be brought staggering through the streets before the Prophet (peace be upon him) to be sentenced for public drunkenness, and each time, the Prophet would rule to have the prescribed punishment carried out. This was a common occurrence.
After `Abd Allah had departed from one of these all too frequent sentencing, one of the Companion's declared about `Abd Allah: "O Allah curse him! How often he is summoned for this!"
The Prophet (peace be upon him): rebuked that Companion, saying: "Do not curse him, for I swear by Allah, if you only knew just how very much indeed he loves Allah and His Messenger" [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (6282)]. He then added: "Do not help Satan against your brother."
We can learn a lot from the Prophet's attitude.
We should reflect first upon the close and affectionate relationship this Companion enjoyed with the Prophet (peace be upon him), in spite of this Companion's shameful fault. Though the Prophet (peace be upon him) was who he was, it did not prevent him from relating to `Abd Allah in a familiar manner, of being his friend, and joking with him.
This shows us that in the society envisioned by the Prophet (peace be upon him) people were not segregated into the pious and the sinners, with social interactions debarred between the two groups. Rather, it was a unified, inclusive society, where each person could be at a different level of piety. Some were at the forefront of righteousness, some were moderately pious, while others were prone to fall into sin. However, no one lived aloof from society, nor was anyone shunned. Everyone remained part of society.
This inclusiveness meant that when some members of society fell into error, the effects of their mistakes were limited and short-lived. No one was marginalized, so there was no chance sinfulness to grow on society's "fringes". When anyone made a mistake, there was no end of brotherly support from others in society who were more than willing to lend a helping hand and get that person back on track.
Another lesson the Prophet's conduct shows us is the importance of maintaining a positive outlook. In spite of the fact that `Abd Allah was frequently being summoned before the Prophet (peace be upon him) for public drunkenness, the Prophet drew everyone's attention to one of Abd Allah's positive qualities – that he loved Allah and His Messenger. Yet, when we think about this particular quality, we find that it was not something unique for `Abd Allah, but a quality that all believers have in common. Nevertheless, the Prophet (peace be upon him) chose to praise `Abd Allah for this reason. In doing so, the Prophet could cultivate, encourage, and strengthen this quality in everyone. He also reminded them that if someone slips up, that person's faith and love of Allah is still intact.
We can imagine how `Abd Allah must have felt when he learned that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said this about him. He must certainly felt it as an immense honor to have Allah's Messenger declare this about him. It served to help him overcome his bad habit and gave him hope, by confirming that his essential being was not permanently marred by the mistakes.
It was the Prophet's way to point out the good qualities of those who sinned and fell into error. We sometimes forget this, and treat past sins as impenetrable barriers to future good. A person who commits a shameful deed is never allowed to live it down, but is instead often remembered only for that sin. We need to realize that this helps Satan to avail upon the sinner and get that person to sin again. The Prophet's approach, by contrast, inspires virtue. When reminded of `Abd Allah's frequent drunkenness, he boasted of that man's possessing the greatest virtue of loving Allah and His Messenger.
Finally, `Abd Allah had done something that was clearly wrong. There can be no doubt that `Abd Allah committed a sin. Imbibing intoxicants is a major sin, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) had often cursed wine. Nevertheless, after the Prophet had the prescribed sentence carried out upon `Abd Allah for his public drunkenness, he did not seek anything further against him. He saw any further reprimand to be helping Satan against the man. Rather, he turned everyone's attention to his merits that compensate for his shortcomings.
This should give us pause, when we consider how harshly we sometimes behave in our disagreements with others whose transgressions are far less serious or certain than `Abd Allah's were. Sometimes, it is merely our opinion that someone has done something wrong and the matter is really open to other points of view, but we still have no hesitations about railing against our opponents with everything in our verbal arsenal. How far this is from the example set by the Prophet (peace be upon him), who when faced with a person committing an obvious sin, still found it better to speak good about that person. He still kept up his good relationship with that person, despite his shortcomings.
The Prophet's conduct with `Abd Allah is an excellent example for us, full of valuable lessons regarding not only how we should treat one another, but how society can foster social bonds that are strong, wholesome, and nurturing, bonds which can serve to dissuade people from falling into sin.
- By Dr. `Abd al-Wahhâb al-Turayrî.
There was a man named `Abd Allah who loved Allah and His Messenger so much that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had to declare about him: "Indeed, he loves Allah and His Messenger." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (6282)]
This man named `Abd Allah so loved the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he used to delight in presenting the Prophet with any delicacy that came to Medina, so when any merchant caravan arrived with something like butter or honey, he would take it for him as a gift. Later, when the seller demanded payment, `Abd Allah would bring the seller to the Prophet and say: "Give this man its price."
The Prophet (peace be upon him) would then say: "Didn't you give it to me as a gift?"
`Abd Allah would say: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah; however I cannot afford to pay."
The two of them would laugh together and then the Prophet (peace be upon him) would have the merchant paid.
This was the type of close and jovial relationship that `Abd Allah and the Prophet had with each other.
It remains to be said that `Abdullah was an alcoholic. He would often become so drunk that he had to be brought staggering through the streets before the Prophet (peace be upon him) to be sentenced for public drunkenness, and each time, the Prophet would rule to have the prescribed punishment carried out. This was a common occurrence.
After `Abd Allah had departed from one of these all too frequent sentencing, one of the Companion's declared about `Abd Allah: "O Allah curse him! How often he is summoned for this!"
The Prophet (peace be upon him): rebuked that Companion, saying: "Do not curse him, for I swear by Allah, if you only knew just how very much indeed he loves Allah and His Messenger" [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (6282)]. He then added: "Do not help Satan against your brother."
We can learn a lot from the Prophet's attitude.
We should reflect first upon the close and affectionate relationship this Companion enjoyed with the Prophet (peace be upon him), in spite of this Companion's shameful fault. Though the Prophet (peace be upon him) was who he was, it did not prevent him from relating to `Abd Allah in a familiar manner, of being his friend, and joking with him.
This shows us that in the society envisioned by the Prophet (peace be upon him) people were not segregated into the pious and the sinners, with social interactions debarred between the two groups. Rather, it was a unified, inclusive society, where each person could be at a different level of piety. Some were at the forefront of righteousness, some were moderately pious, while others were prone to fall into sin. However, no one lived aloof from society, nor was anyone shunned. Everyone remained part of society.
This inclusiveness meant that when some members of society fell into error, the effects of their mistakes were limited and short-lived. No one was marginalized, so there was no chance sinfulness to grow on society's "fringes". When anyone made a mistake, there was no end of brotherly support from others in society who were more than willing to lend a helping hand and get that person back on track.
Another lesson the Prophet's conduct shows us is the importance of maintaining a positive outlook. In spite of the fact that `Abd Allah was frequently being summoned before the Prophet (peace be upon him) for public drunkenness, the Prophet drew everyone's attention to one of Abd Allah's positive qualities – that he loved Allah and His Messenger. Yet, when we think about this particular quality, we find that it was not something unique for `Abd Allah, but a quality that all believers have in common. Nevertheless, the Prophet (peace be upon him) chose to praise `Abd Allah for this reason. In doing so, the Prophet could cultivate, encourage, and strengthen this quality in everyone. He also reminded them that if someone slips up, that person's faith and love of Allah is still intact.
We can imagine how `Abd Allah must have felt when he learned that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said this about him. He must certainly felt it as an immense honor to have Allah's Messenger declare this about him. It served to help him overcome his bad habit and gave him hope, by confirming that his essential being was not permanently marred by the mistakes.
It was the Prophet's way to point out the good qualities of those who sinned and fell into error. We sometimes forget this, and treat past sins as impenetrable barriers to future good. A person who commits a shameful deed is never allowed to live it down, but is instead often remembered only for that sin. We need to realize that this helps Satan to avail upon the sinner and get that person to sin again. The Prophet's approach, by contrast, inspires virtue. When reminded of `Abd Allah's frequent drunkenness, he boasted of that man's possessing the greatest virtue of loving Allah and His Messenger.
Finally, `Abd Allah had done something that was clearly wrong. There can be no doubt that `Abd Allah committed a sin. Imbibing intoxicants is a major sin, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) had often cursed wine. Nevertheless, after the Prophet had the prescribed sentence carried out upon `Abd Allah for his public drunkenness, he did not seek anything further against him. He saw any further reprimand to be helping Satan against the man. Rather, he turned everyone's attention to his merits that compensate for his shortcomings.
This should give us pause, when we consider how harshly we sometimes behave in our disagreements with others whose transgressions are far less serious or certain than `Abd Allah's were. Sometimes, it is merely our opinion that someone has done something wrong and the matter is really open to other points of view, but we still have no hesitations about railing against our opponents with everything in our verbal arsenal. How far this is from the example set by the Prophet (peace be upon him), who when faced with a person committing an obvious sin, still found it better to speak good about that person. He still kept up his good relationship with that person, despite his shortcomings.
The Prophet's conduct with `Abd Allah is an excellent example for us, full of valuable lessons regarding not only how we should treat one another, but how society can foster social bonds that are strong, wholesome, and nurturing, bonds which can serve to dissuade people from falling into sin.
- By Dr. `Abd al-Wahhâb al-Turayrî.
"Things" that Loved the Prophet
“Things” that Loved the Prophet
عن انس قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى أكون أحب إليه من والده وولده والناس أجمعين
Anas radi Allahu anhu narrated that the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “None of you truly believes (has emaan) until I am more beloved to him than his father, his child and all of mankind.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Loving the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam is a part of emaan, and Allah ta’ala has made it obligatory for us to love the Messenger alayhi salaam. Why? It is because loving the Prophet shows that you love Allah. It is because Allah sent him sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam that we are Muslims. There should be no one in this world more beloved to us than Allah and His Messenger.
We all claim to love the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam with our tongues, but do our actions show this?
When we love someone, how do we act? We want to be just like them. We think about them a lot. Whenever we remember them, we become happy. Their words comfort us. Their actions teach us. We love to hear about them all the time.
Do you really love the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam? Do you practice his sunnah? Do you read his words? Do you learn from his teachings? Do you read about his life? Do you defend him? Do you spread his message? alayhi Salaatu Rabbuna wa Salaam!
There are so many stories displaying the love of the sahaba for the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam that we can regurgitate them all, because we have memorized them and not internalized them.
Here are some stories of non-human living beings that loved him alayhi salaam based on a lecture by Shaykh AbdulBary Yahya, “things” that loved the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam more than we do!
The Tree Stump
Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah radi Allahu anhu: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to stand by a tree or a date-palm on Friday. Then an Ansari woman or man said. “O Allah’s Apostle! Shall we make a pulpit for you?” He replied, “If you wish.” So they made a pulpit for him and when it was Friday, he proceeded towards the pulpit (for delivering the sermon). The date-palm cried like a child! The Prophet descended (the pulpit) and embraced it while it continued moaning like a child being quietened. The Prophet said, “It was crying for (missing) what it used to hear of religious knowledge given near to it.”
Ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma narrated: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to deliver his sermons while standing beside a trunk of a datepalm. When he had the pulpit made, he used it instead. The trunk started crying and the Prophet went to it, rubbing his hand over it (to stop its crying).
Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to stand by a stem of a date-palm tree (while delivering a sermon). When the pulpit was placed for him we heard that stem crying like a pregnant she-camel till the Prophet got down from the pulpit and placed his hand over it.
These ahadeeth are classified as mutawaatir, meaning so many sahaba narrated it that it cannot be fabricated. The different narrations show that they all witnessed it in the masjid. This is a miracle of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and the narrations of the sahaba are all authentic, found in Bukhari and Muslim. This tree trunk, which seems like a lifeless being to us, is actually alive and was so affected by the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Allah ta’ala says the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam is a “rahmatan lil ‘aalameen”, a Mercy for all that exists, and we see this in how he comforted this stump. Imagine the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam soothing and hugging this tree stump!
Mount Uhud
Narrated Anas radi Allahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam ascended the (mountain) of Uhud with Abu Bakr and ‘Uthman and it shook. Allah’s Apostle said, “Be calm, O Uhud!” I think he stroked it with his foot and added, “There is none on you but a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs.” (Bukhari)
The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was traveling one time: “and when Uhud was within sight, he said: This is the mountain which loves us and we love it.” (Muslim)
This is a mountain, made up of rocks and stones, yet we are made of flesh and have been given hearts that beat…do we love the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam as this mountain? Do we shake like this mountain out of love for him?
A Stone
The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “I know a stone in Makkah that used to salute (give salaams) me before I received the revelation, I still know it now.” (Muslim)
How often do we salute/send salawaat on the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam? The Prophet knew this stone, and if we send salawaat on him, especially on Fridays, they will be presented to him from us.
A Tree
Narrated by Ya’la ibn Murrah ath-Thaqafi radi Allahu anhu said, “one time we were walking with the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam and he stopped at a place to spend the night. When the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam went to sleep, a tree uprooted itself and came to the Prophet and enveloped him. When the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam woke up, he said: ‘this is a tree that when it saw the Prophet, it asked Allah to give salaams to the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and Allah gave it permission.’” (Musnad Ahmad, Tabarani and Bayhaqi: Saheeh)
Do we ask to see the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam in our dreams? Yet a tree is asking to send salaams on the Prophet alayhi salaatu wa salaam.
These are not the only stories mentioned in the sunnah and witnessed by the Companions. Let us strive more to love the Prophet alayhi salaatu wa salaam: learn about his life, read about his companions, act upon his authentic statements and teachings, send salawaat upon him and defend him, alayhi salaatu wa salaam.
May Allah ta’ala shower His peace and blessings upon our Messenger, and fill our hearts with love for Him and his messenger, bless us to see him in our dreams and to grant us his companionship in Jannatul Firdaws, Ameen
source: http://www.ilmfruits.com/category/gems
عن انس قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى أكون أحب إليه من والده وولده والناس أجمعين
Anas radi Allahu anhu narrated that the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “None of you truly believes (has emaan) until I am more beloved to him than his father, his child and all of mankind.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Loving the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam is a part of emaan, and Allah ta’ala has made it obligatory for us to love the Messenger alayhi salaam. Why? It is because loving the Prophet shows that you love Allah. It is because Allah sent him sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam that we are Muslims. There should be no one in this world more beloved to us than Allah and His Messenger.
We all claim to love the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam with our tongues, but do our actions show this?
When we love someone, how do we act? We want to be just like them. We think about them a lot. Whenever we remember them, we become happy. Their words comfort us. Their actions teach us. We love to hear about them all the time.
Do you really love the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam? Do you practice his sunnah? Do you read his words? Do you learn from his teachings? Do you read about his life? Do you defend him? Do you spread his message? alayhi Salaatu Rabbuna wa Salaam!
There are so many stories displaying the love of the sahaba for the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam that we can regurgitate them all, because we have memorized them and not internalized them.
Here are some stories of non-human living beings that loved him alayhi salaam based on a lecture by Shaykh AbdulBary Yahya, “things” that loved the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam more than we do!
The Tree Stump
Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah radi Allahu anhu: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to stand by a tree or a date-palm on Friday. Then an Ansari woman or man said. “O Allah’s Apostle! Shall we make a pulpit for you?” He replied, “If you wish.” So they made a pulpit for him and when it was Friday, he proceeded towards the pulpit (for delivering the sermon). The date-palm cried like a child! The Prophet descended (the pulpit) and embraced it while it continued moaning like a child being quietened. The Prophet said, “It was crying for (missing) what it used to hear of religious knowledge given near to it.”
Ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma narrated: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to deliver his sermons while standing beside a trunk of a datepalm. When he had the pulpit made, he used it instead. The trunk started crying and the Prophet went to it, rubbing his hand over it (to stop its crying).
Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to stand by a stem of a date-palm tree (while delivering a sermon). When the pulpit was placed for him we heard that stem crying like a pregnant she-camel till the Prophet got down from the pulpit and placed his hand over it.
These ahadeeth are classified as mutawaatir, meaning so many sahaba narrated it that it cannot be fabricated. The different narrations show that they all witnessed it in the masjid. This is a miracle of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and the narrations of the sahaba are all authentic, found in Bukhari and Muslim. This tree trunk, which seems like a lifeless being to us, is actually alive and was so affected by the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Allah ta’ala says the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam is a “rahmatan lil ‘aalameen”, a Mercy for all that exists, and we see this in how he comforted this stump. Imagine the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam soothing and hugging this tree stump!
Mount Uhud
Narrated Anas radi Allahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam ascended the (mountain) of Uhud with Abu Bakr and ‘Uthman and it shook. Allah’s Apostle said, “Be calm, O Uhud!” I think he stroked it with his foot and added, “There is none on you but a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs.” (Bukhari)
The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was traveling one time: “and when Uhud was within sight, he said: This is the mountain which loves us and we love it.” (Muslim)
This is a mountain, made up of rocks and stones, yet we are made of flesh and have been given hearts that beat…do we love the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam as this mountain? Do we shake like this mountain out of love for him?
A Stone
The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “I know a stone in Makkah that used to salute (give salaams) me before I received the revelation, I still know it now.” (Muslim)
How often do we salute/send salawaat on the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam? The Prophet knew this stone, and if we send salawaat on him, especially on Fridays, they will be presented to him from us.
A Tree
Narrated by Ya’la ibn Murrah ath-Thaqafi radi Allahu anhu said, “one time we were walking with the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam and he stopped at a place to spend the night. When the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam went to sleep, a tree uprooted itself and came to the Prophet and enveloped him. When the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam woke up, he said: ‘this is a tree that when it saw the Prophet, it asked Allah to give salaams to the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and Allah gave it permission.’” (Musnad Ahmad, Tabarani and Bayhaqi: Saheeh)
Do we ask to see the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam in our dreams? Yet a tree is asking to send salaams on the Prophet alayhi salaatu wa salaam.
These are not the only stories mentioned in the sunnah and witnessed by the Companions. Let us strive more to love the Prophet alayhi salaatu wa salaam: learn about his life, read about his companions, act upon his authentic statements and teachings, send salawaat upon him and defend him, alayhi salaatu wa salaam.
May Allah ta’ala shower His peace and blessings upon our Messenger, and fill our hearts with love for Him and his messenger, bless us to see him in our dreams and to grant us his companionship in Jannatul Firdaws, Ameen
source: http://www.ilmfruits.com/category/gems
Did the Prophet Uni task or Multi task?
Multitask may not be the way to prosperity
Whenever you hear of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) life, you become amazed at his productivity. He (peace be upon him) was a Prophet, a Messenger, a teacher, a governor, a father, a husband, a friend and human. He (peace be upon him) had multiple roles in his life, and excelled at each one of them without exception. It made me wonder, did Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) uni-task or multitask?
Most of us grew up in the age of multitasking, where you can’t call yourself productive if you weren’t a good multitasker. You’re expected to do 10 things at at a time, and that’s how you’re supposed to survive the 21st century. But does it make sense? After all multitasking is less efficient (due to the need to switch gears for each new task, and then switch back again), it’s complicated, prone to stress and errors, and it’s simply crazy!
Let’s look at the Seerah and how the most productive busy person (peace be upon him) in history used to work.
Going through the Seerah, we could not find evidence of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) multitasking (please correct us if we are wrong). He always seemed to fully concentrate on the ‘project’ or person at hand and gave them his full attention. When he prayed he fully concentrated in his Salah, when he was with his family he was always present with them (both physically and mentally), when he was in the battle-field he was fully engaged. We never seen him distracted, or out of focus (peace be upon him).
In an interview with Sheikh Tawfique Chowdhury last Summer, he said something that really stuck: He said, “Have you ever heard of the Prophet’s wives complain that the Prophet didn’t spend enough time with them? Why is that? Because he used to spend quality time with them.” Even though he was super busy and had multiple roles to play, he focussed on each of his role individually, at the present moment, and didn’t get distracted.
You may argue that this was then, and now in the 21st century, it’s almost impossible to survive if you don’t multitask. I beg to differ. Multitasking has resulted in nothing more than stress and poor quality work from all of us.
So what is uni-tasking and how can you develop a uni-tasking habit? Single-tasking is doing your work, one task at a time, each task done with full focus and dedication. The following 5 steps are taken from Leo Babatua’s book on Focus which I highly recommend for you to read:
1. Become conscious
When you start doing something, become more aware you’re starting that activity. As you do it, become aware of really doing it, and of the urge to switch to something else. Paying attention is the important first step.
2. Clear distractions
If you’re going to read, clear everything else away, so you have nothing but you and the book. If you’re going to do email, close every other program and all browser tabs except the email tab, and just do that. If you’re going to do a work task, have nothing else open, and turn off the phone. If you’re going to eat, put away the computer and other devices and shut off the television.
3. Choose wisely
Don’t just start doing something. Give it some thought — do you really want to turn on the TV? Do you really want to do email right now? Is this the most important work task you can be doing?
4. Really pour yourself into it
If you’re going to make Dhikr, do it with complete focus, complete dedication. Put everything you have into that activity. If you’re going to have a conversation, really listen, really be present. If you’re going to make your bed, do it with complete attention and to the best of your abilities.
5. Practice
This isn’t something you’ll learn to do overnight. You can start right now, but you’re not likely to be good at it at first. Keep at it. Practice daily, throughout the day. Do nothing else, but practice.
Let us follow the best example set by our final Prophet (peace be upon him).
– Productive Muslim
Whenever you hear of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) life, you become amazed at his productivity. He (peace be upon him) was a Prophet, a Messenger, a teacher, a governor, a father, a husband, a friend and human. He (peace be upon him) had multiple roles in his life, and excelled at each one of them without exception. It made me wonder, did Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) uni-task or multitask?
Most of us grew up in the age of multitasking, where you can’t call yourself productive if you weren’t a good multitasker. You’re expected to do 10 things at at a time, and that’s how you’re supposed to survive the 21st century. But does it make sense? After all multitasking is less efficient (due to the need to switch gears for each new task, and then switch back again), it’s complicated, prone to stress and errors, and it’s simply crazy!
Let’s look at the Seerah and how the most productive busy person (peace be upon him) in history used to work.
Going through the Seerah, we could not find evidence of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) multitasking (please correct us if we are wrong). He always seemed to fully concentrate on the ‘project’ or person at hand and gave them his full attention. When he prayed he fully concentrated in his Salah, when he was with his family he was always present with them (both physically and mentally), when he was in the battle-field he was fully engaged. We never seen him distracted, or out of focus (peace be upon him).
In an interview with Sheikh Tawfique Chowdhury last Summer, he said something that really stuck: He said, “Have you ever heard of the Prophet’s wives complain that the Prophet didn’t spend enough time with them? Why is that? Because he used to spend quality time with them.” Even though he was super busy and had multiple roles to play, he focussed on each of his role individually, at the present moment, and didn’t get distracted.
You may argue that this was then, and now in the 21st century, it’s almost impossible to survive if you don’t multitask. I beg to differ. Multitasking has resulted in nothing more than stress and poor quality work from all of us.
So what is uni-tasking and how can you develop a uni-tasking habit? Single-tasking is doing your work, one task at a time, each task done with full focus and dedication. The following 5 steps are taken from Leo Babatua’s book on Focus which I highly recommend for you to read:
1. Become conscious
When you start doing something, become more aware you’re starting that activity. As you do it, become aware of really doing it, and of the urge to switch to something else. Paying attention is the important first step.
2. Clear distractions
If you’re going to read, clear everything else away, so you have nothing but you and the book. If you’re going to do email, close every other program and all browser tabs except the email tab, and just do that. If you’re going to do a work task, have nothing else open, and turn off the phone. If you’re going to eat, put away the computer and other devices and shut off the television.
3. Choose wisely
Don’t just start doing something. Give it some thought — do you really want to turn on the TV? Do you really want to do email right now? Is this the most important work task you can be doing?
4. Really pour yourself into it
If you’re going to make Dhikr, do it with complete focus, complete dedication. Put everything you have into that activity. If you’re going to have a conversation, really listen, really be present. If you’re going to make your bed, do it with complete attention and to the best of your abilities.
5. Practice
This isn’t something you’ll learn to do overnight. You can start right now, but you’re not likely to be good at it at first. Keep at it. Practice daily, throughout the day. Do nothing else, but practice.
Let us follow the best example set by our final Prophet (peace be upon him).
– Productive Muslim
The Prophet's Methods of Education
The Prophet’s methods of Education
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a perfect teacher and instructor. Almighty Allah chose Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to be an ideal example for all Muslims to follow. In this context, Allah Almighty says in the Noble Qur’an: Verily in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example for him who looks unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much. (33:21)
In bringing up his Companions, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) adopted various educational methods. Following are some of them:
1. Using illustrative parables:
Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) saying, ‘Behold! Can anything of his dirt remain on the body of any one of you if there were a river at his door in which he washes himself five times daily?’ They said, ‘Nothing of his dirt will remain (on his body).’ He said, ‘That is like the Five Prayers by which Allah obliterates sins.’” (Reported by Muslim)
2. Drawing the addressee’s attention by means of taking oaths:
Abu Shurayh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!” It was said, “Who is that person, o Allah’s Messenger?” He said, “That person is he whose neighbor does not feel safe from his evil.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
3. Being joyful in advice so that his Companions would not get bored:
In this context, we recall the incident when a man came to the Prophet (pbuh) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! Give me a mount.” The Prophet (pbuh) said, “We shall give you a she-camel’s child to ride on.” He said, “What shall I do with a she-camel’s child?” The Prophet (pbuh) replied, “Do any others than she-camels give birth to camels?” (Reported by Abu Dawud)
4. Considering the state of the addressee:
Abu Wa’il reported that Abdulrahman used to give a religious talk to the people on every Thursday. Once a man said, “O Abu Abdulrahman! (By Allah) I wish if you could preach us daily.” He replied, “The only thing which prevents me from doing so, is that I hate to bore you. No doubt, I consider your state in preaching by selecting a suitable time just as the Prophet (pbuh) used to do with us, for fear of making us bored.”(Reported by Al-Bukhari
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a perfect teacher and instructor. Almighty Allah chose Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to be an ideal example for all Muslims to follow. In this context, Allah Almighty says in the Noble Qur’an: Verily in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example for him who looks unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much. (33:21)
In bringing up his Companions, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) adopted various educational methods. Following are some of them:
1. Using illustrative parables:
Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) saying, ‘Behold! Can anything of his dirt remain on the body of any one of you if there were a river at his door in which he washes himself five times daily?’ They said, ‘Nothing of his dirt will remain (on his body).’ He said, ‘That is like the Five Prayers by which Allah obliterates sins.’” (Reported by Muslim)
2. Drawing the addressee’s attention by means of taking oaths:
Abu Shurayh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!” It was said, “Who is that person, o Allah’s Messenger?” He said, “That person is he whose neighbor does not feel safe from his evil.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
3. Being joyful in advice so that his Companions would not get bored:
In this context, we recall the incident when a man came to the Prophet (pbuh) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! Give me a mount.” The Prophet (pbuh) said, “We shall give you a she-camel’s child to ride on.” He said, “What shall I do with a she-camel’s child?” The Prophet (pbuh) replied, “Do any others than she-camels give birth to camels?” (Reported by Abu Dawud)
4. Considering the state of the addressee:
Abu Wa’il reported that Abdulrahman used to give a religious talk to the people on every Thursday. Once a man said, “O Abu Abdulrahman! (By Allah) I wish if you could preach us daily.” He replied, “The only thing which prevents me from doing so, is that I hate to bore you. No doubt, I consider your state in preaching by selecting a suitable time just as the Prophet (pbuh) used to do with us, for fear of making us bored.”(Reported by Al-Bukhari