10-21-2017, 08:31 AM
As-Salaam alaikum,
In Ayat 21 of Surat Ahzab of the Holy Qur'an (33:21), Allahu Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala says:--
"You have indeed in the Apostle of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct), for anyone
whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah."
So, since our object is Allah Ta'ala and the Final Day, we are charged to follow the Prophetic guidance shown by Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam-- the guidance referred to as "a beautiful example.." that Allah loves. Teachers of old have always taught that the Prophet's beautiful example lies primarily in the inner qualities of his soul... designated by his compassion, justice, generosity, forgiveness etc...
We should imitate him in this, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, by obeying the rules of Islamic Shari'a and overcoming everyday forgetfulness of the soul. This is closely related with the teaching in Ayat 31 of Surat Ali-Imran:--
"Say: If you love Allah, follow me, and Allah will forgive you your sins" (3:31)
In otherwords, the way to become worthy of Allah's love is to follow Prophetic guidance. The goal of following this guidance is explained by a famous Hadith Qudsi in which the Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, quotes the words of Allah, Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala:--
"When My Servant approaches Me through good works, then I love him. When I love
him, I am the hearing with which he hears, the eye with which he sees, the hand with
which he grasps, and the foot with which he walks." [Bukhari, Hadith No. 6502].