Love for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
As Muslims it is of vital importance that love of the Prophet (PBUH) flows through our heart. This love is a
prerequisite for every believer, as mentioned in the Hadith.
‫نَ حَتَّى أَحَدُكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ لَا‬
‫بَّ أَكُو ا‬
‫ه والِدِهِ مِنْ إِلَيْ ِاه أَحَ ا‬
‫سِ وَوَلَدِ ِا‬
‫أَجْمَعِينَ وَالنَّا ا‬
None of you have truly believe (complete sound faith) until I am more beloved to him than his father, his son
and all of humankind.
(Bukhari and Muslim)
Loving the Prophet (PBUH) is only achieved by observing his teaching, as proved by the Hadith:
ْ‫ن‬
‫أَحَ َّبنِي فَقَدْ سُنَّتِي أَحْيَا وَمَ ا‬. ْ‫ن‬
‫نَ أَحَبَّنِي وَمَ ا‬
‫الْجَنَّ اةِ فِي مَعِي كَا ا‬
Whoever actively observes my Sunnah, then he has loved me. And whoever loves me, shall be with me in
Paradise.
(Tirmidhi)
A few ways to build this love and to follow in our beloved Prophet’s (PBUH) footsteps are suggested below:
1. Looking up to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the perfect role model
A basic part of human nature is to emulate the behaviour and actions of those who we admire. The Prophet’s
(PBUH) character is a form of beauty that captured the hearts of many. Allah has declared in the Qur’an:
‫نَ لَّقَ ْد‬
‫لِ فِي لَكُمْ كَا ا‬
‫نَ لِّمَن حَسَنَة أُسْوَةا اللَّهِ رَسُو ا‬
‫اْلخِرَ وَالْيَوْمَ اللَّ َاه يَرْجُو كَا ا‬
ْ َ‫كَثِيرًا اللَّ َاه وَذَكَ ار‬
Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example, for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last
Day, and remembers Allah often.
(Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:21)
This verse shows Allah has made the Prophet (PBUH) an example for us both in the physical aspect and also
in our search for spiritual excellence. The Prophetic way is the best way of life so it will benefit in this life
and the next.
2. Following Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) beautiful footsteps
The Prophet (PBUH) was sent to perfect our moral values. He mentioned:
‫مَ بُعِثْتُ إِنَّمَا‬
‫حَ ِِلُتَمِّ ا‬
‫اِلَخْالقِ صَالِ ا‬
I was sent to perfect good character.
(Bukhari)
This Hadith emphasises to us the importance of moral values. By analysing this Hadith further, it is clear that
the Prophet (PBUH) is not only teaching us to show good manners to others but to also display it to Allah.
3. Sending our peace and blessings upon Prophet (PBUH)
Our love for the Prophet (PBUH) should lead us to constantly utter words of remembrance for him. Sending
peace and blessings will not only increase our love for the Prophet (PBUH) but also increase the Prophet’s
love for us. This can be seen in the Hadith:
“The people who will be the nearest to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who send their peace and
blessings upon me more often.”
(Tirmidhi)
Should following in his (PBUH)’s blessed footsteps ever become too difficult on us, it is advised that we
increase in our salutations upon him. This will relieve us of our hardships and guide us in the path of
pursuing the Prophet’s (PBUH) love.
4. Reading about our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
We cannot love someone that we do not know. In order to increase our love, we must have more knowledge
about the Prophet (PBUH). Even though we have not met the Prophet (PBUH) in person, Anas bin Malik
proved this by:
ُ‫ت‬
‫تُ أنِّي ودد ا‬
‫لَ إخواني لقي ا‬
‫ قا ا‬: َ‫ل‬
‫سَ – وسلَّمَ آلِهِ وعلى عليهِ اللَّهُ صلَّى – النَّبيِّ أصحابُ فقا ا‬
‫نُ أولي ا‬
‫ك نح ا‬
‫ قالَ إخوانَ َا‬: ‫أنتُم بل‬
‫يرَوني ولم بي آمَنوا الَّذينَ إخواني ولكنْ أصحابي‬
“I wish I could meet my brothers.” The Companions said, “Are we not your brothers?” The Prophet said,
“You are my companions, but my brothers are those who believe in me although they never saw me.”
(Ahmad)