What will people say?

The second point that we learn is that the noble saintsرَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ  were not concerned about the world’s greatest leader, chief, king, prime minister or any other dignitary when it came to act upon the Sunnah. However, it is unfortunate that yet alone acting upon the Sunnah, we show laziness in acting upon the things that are obligatory (Fard) or compulsory (Wajib).

O devotees of the Prophet! If we wish to become successful in this world and the hereafter, save ourselves from the punishment of Hell and attain the Lord’s pleasure, obtain the intercession of the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, become worthy of the bounties of Paradise and gain proximity to the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم therein, we need to follow the way of the Prophet’s beloved Companionsرَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم . This is because their routine and every permissible and righteous action were compliant with the prophetic Sunnah.

Loving the Acts of the Beloved

Let us take a look at an inspirational incident to see how these people adopted the way of the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in their lives. It is stated on page 27 of the book titled ‘Sahabah-e-Kiraam ka ‘Ishq-e-Rasool’: ‘Sayyiduna Anas رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ mentioned: ‘One companion رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ of the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was a tailor. He had invited the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم to his home for a meal. The Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم accepted the invitation and arrived at his home on the stipulated day. I too was also present with the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم during that invitation. Roti, made of barley, and curry, containing gourd and bland dry meat, was presented to the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Whilst eating, I saw that the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was looking for the pieces of gourd from around the dish. From the point I saw that the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم liked gourd so much, I too began liking gourd for myself.’’ (Bukhari, vol. 3, p. 537, Hadees 5436)

Hakeem Al-Ummat, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na’eemi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه writes in the commentary of this Hadees:

‘A few things are learnt from this Hadees: