Our Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam came to all people with a heavenly message. He was not driven by worldy ambition, he had no treasure from which to spend, no splendid gardens from which to eat and no castle in which to live. Despite all this, his loving followers pledged allegiance to him and remained steadfast, enduring a hard life full of difficulties. They were few and weak, always in fear of being uprooted by those surrounding them and yet they loved the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam wholly and completely.
They were besieged in a mountain pass, and during that time, they had little or no food. Their reputations were attacked, their own relatives waged war against them and yet their love for him was perfect.
Some of them were dragged over the hot sands of the desert, some were imprisoned, and others were subjected to inventive and innovative ways of punishment - all of which the disbelievers inflicted upon them. Having to endure all of that, they still loved him unreservedly with heart and soul.
They were deprived of home, country, family and wealth. They were driven out from the playing fields of their childhood and from the homes in which they were raised. Despite all this suffering, they loved him unequivocally.
The believers faced trials because of his message. The very ground under them was shaken violently, and yet their love for him continued to grow.
The best among their youth constantly had swords hanging menacingly over their heads.
Their men moved forward lightly across the battlefield, advancing to death as if they were upon an excursion or holiday, for the simple reason that they loved him unconditionally.
One of them was charged with the duty of carrying the Prophet's message to a king in a foreign land, and that person knew that it was a mission from which he would not return. Yet he went and fulfilled his duty. One of them was sent of a mission knowing that it would be the cause of his death, and he went happily, for he loved the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam with unmitigated love.
But why did they love him and why were they so happy with his message and content with his example? Why did they forget the pain, the suffering and the hardship that resulted from following him?
To put it simply, he epitomised benevolence and righteousness. They perceived in him all the signs of truth and purity. He was a symbol for those who sought out higher things. With his tenderness, he cooled the rancour from the hearts of the people, with words of truth he soothed their chests and with his message, he filled their souls with peace.
He poured happiness into their hearts until the pain that they endured from being at his side was made to seem insignificant. And he instilled into their souls a belief that made them forget every injury and every adversity they had to endure.
He polished their insides with his guidance and he illuminated their eyes with hsi brilliance. He removed from them the burdens of ignorance, the depravities of idolatry and the evil consequences of polytheism. He extinguished the fires of malice and animosity from their souls and he poured the water of faith into their hearts. Thus, their minds and bodies became tranquil and their hearts found peace.
They tasted the beauty of life with him and they knew delight in his company. They found happiness at his side, safety and salvation in following him and inner-richness and emulating him:
"And we have sent you [O Muhammad] not but as a mercy for all that exists." (Qur'an Al-Anbiyaa' 21:107)
"And verily you [O Muhammad] are indeed guiding [mankind] to the straight path." (Qur'an Ash-Shoora 42:52)
"And He brings them out of darkness [by Allah's will] unto light..." (Qur'an Al-Maa'idah 5:16)
"He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger [Muhammad] from among themselves, reciting to them His Verses, purifying them [from the filth of disbelief and polytheism] and teaching them the Book and Al-Hikmah [As-Sunnah: legal ways, orders, acts of worship, etc. of Prophet Muhammad]. And verily, they had been before in manifest error." (Qur'an Al-Jumu`ah 62:2)
"He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the fetters [bindings] that were upon them." (Qur'an Al-`Araaf 7:157)
"Answer Allah [by obeying Him] and [His] Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life." (Qur'an Al-Anfaal 8:24)
"And you were on the brink of a pit of Fire and He saved you from it." (Qur'an Ale-`Imran 3:103)
They were truly happy with their leader and they so rightly deserved to be.
O Allah, send prayers and peace upon Muhammad, the liberator of minds from the shackles of deviation and the rescuer of souls from the curses of falsehood, and be pleased with his noble Companions as a recompense for their striving and for their efforts.
Sheikh `Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni's "Don't Be Sad"
