Islam by Riza Mohammed

Author:Riza Mohammed
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kube Publishing Ltd

15

The Ḥadīth: Its Relevance to Contemporary Society

Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi

The sayings and doings of the Prophet not only complement the Qur’ān but being the authentic record of the Prophet’s life, they lead his followers to the source of revelation and provide them access to the inner, spiritual dimension of the Prophet’s teachings. Every religion which seeks to build an ideal pattern for society prescribes certain ethical rules and devotional observances for achieving that end. These are, nevertheless, only the outward manifestations of that system. Life in complete harmony with the spirit of such rules and laws, can be realized only by forming and moulding the life of the followers of that religion after the perfect model of that system. In the case of Islam, this model is obviously the life of the Prophet of Islam. His sayings and doings, the minute details of his everyday life, provide us with the means of realizing the inner reality, the gist and spirit of the Islamic system of beliefs and observances.’

THE MISSION OF THE PROPHET

Let us begin with the aims and effects of the mission of Prophet Muḥammad. These, according to the Qur’ān, consist of the following:

1. Recitation of the revealed verses;

2. Teaching of the Book;

3. Teaching of Wisdom; and

4. Cleansing and Purification.

He it is who sent among the unlettered ones a messenger of their own, to recite unto them His revelations and to make them clean, and to teach them the Scripture and Wisdom, though heretofore they were indeed in error manifest (62: 2).

Even as We have sent unto you a Messenger from among you, who recites unto you Our Revelations and makes you clean, and teaches you the Scripture and Wisdom, and teaches you that which you knew not (2: 151).

Indeed, the mission of Prophet Muḥammad comprehends the four above-mentioned objectives. Just as the blessed Prophet gave to humanity a new Scripture and bestowed upon it new knowledge, in the same way he granted to it new moral virtues and sentiments, a new belief and faith, a new devotion and eagerness, a new magnanimity and high-mindedness, a new spirit of self-effacement and solicitude for the Hereafter, a new ideal of contentment and contemptuous disregard of worldly goods and glory, a new concept of love and affection, compassion and kindliness, and a new joy of worship and a wealth of divine fear, repentance and supplication.

Upon these very characteristics was founded the entire structure of Islamic Society and from them originated the religious environment commonly known as the Era of the Prophet and the ṣaḥābah. The Companions were the finest result and symbols of the efforts of the Prophet as the Apostle of God. One has only to look at this august body of men for the manifestation of the various aspects of Prophethood in everyday life.

The mission of the Prophet and his teachings were the fountainhead of these blessings and the whole of Islamic life and social design of the first century of Islam stemmed from them. But if an in-depth study was made of

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