This expression contains a key word “lead” which means “to show the way”. It is a quality of a person who can drive people forward with a view to achieve a common goal, like a captain on a ship, commander in chief of Army Forces, and CEO of a company etc. There are some general inevitable characteristics that an individual must possess to be able to become a successful pioneer, such as confidence, honesty, communication skills, empathy, optimism, encouraging, intuition, acting as a role model and so on.
For Muslims, no one has ever come closer to Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) in having headship distinctiveness and they consider Muhammad (PBUH) as the greatest reformist and leader. Allah (SWT) has regarded Him (PBUH) in the Holy Quran in these words:
“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.” [Quran, 33: 21]
THE HOLY QURAN AND THE ROLE MODEL STATUS OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH)
In the Holy Quran the only verse that refers literally to the status of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) a role model is as follows:
The Arabic word uswa (example) in the original verse means example or model that should be obeyed and followed. A person who follows another person's lead imitates that person; they follow their attitude and style. That is to say, they identify themselves with that person. In terms of Islamic faith, uswa, that is to say being an example or a role model, is an attribute that is found in those who possess goodness, beauty and righteousness. This verse shows the importance of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) sunnah in the lives of Muslims. As a matter of fact, the Quran clearly states that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has a superior character and demonstrates an exemplary life style.
THE SUNNAH AND PROPHET MUHAMMAD'S (PBUH) STATUS AS ROLE MODEL
Islamic scholars state that the terms sabil (road), sirat al-mustaqim (straight path) and uswa al-hasana (best of examples), which are mentioned in the Holy Quran, in the hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and in the words of his Companions, are words and terms that represent the concept of the sunnah. All these terms indicate the path to be followed and the model to be taken as an example. The name of this road is the sunnah, and it is collectively followed by the Companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the believers.
Detailed Reading available in PDF.Format: Pdf
Total Files: 04File Size: 21 MB
Detailed Reading available in PDF.
Post a Comment