RENAISSANCE APRIL 2020

20 Monthly Renaissance April 2020 Biography The Unlettered Prophet (54) Khalid Masud Exemplary Personality When God sends a messenger, He also sends a book of guidance for him. The work of the messenger, as explained before, is to communicate this book to people and to act upon it himself. Even before becoming a messenger, he is the best example of morality and of impeccable character during his time. When he receives the teaching of revelation, he achieves an even higher level of excellence and presents a model of deed and word most beloved by God. This is the reason why people of faith are taught to make the practical example set by the Prophet (sws) to be their standard. This standard is called uswah ḥ asana. The Quran, addressing the People of the Book, said that for everyone of them who had expectations of meeting his Lord and being accountable on the Day of Judgement, and remembered God often, the best example was that of the Prophet (sws), (33:31). Every person of faith should have the goal to mould his life along this perfect example, because this is what is pleasing to God. The Prophet (sws)’s disposition, noble character, patience and perseverance, trust in God, steadfastness, honesty and penitence are obvious from the day and night routines of his blessed life. However, it seems necessary to mention a few A ḥ ad ī th here to give our readers a glimpse, so that those desirous of drinking from this spring of purity find an instant guide. Otherwise, to describe the Prophet (sws)’s personality would take volumes. During his Makkan days, the Prophet (sws) was busy in the struggle to spread the religion of truth and the deniers of Quraysh were using each and every legitimate and illegitimate method to resist him, when the Qur’ ā n praised the Prophet’s