Lead by Example –
During the construction of the house of Allah, the Exalted, the Masjid An Nabawi, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him actively took part in its construction. This has been discussed in Imam Ibn Kathir’s, the Life of the Prophet, Volume 2, Page 166. While building the Mosque, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, would chant, “O Allah, there is no good except the good of the afterlife; please aid the Helpers and the Emigrants!” This has been discussed in a Hadith found in Sunan Abu Dawud, Number 453.
The main event under discussion indicates the importance of leading by example. It is important for all Muslims, especially parents, to act on what they advise to others. It is obvious if one turns the pages of history that those who acted on what they preached had a much more positive effect on others compared to those who did not lead by example. The best example being the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, who not only practiced what he preached but adhered to those teachings more strictly than anyone else. Only with this attitude will Muslims especially, parents have a positive impact on others. For example, if a mother warns her children not to lie as it is a sin but often lies in front of them her children are unlikely to act on her advice. A person’s actions will always have more of an impact on others than their speech. It is important to note that this does not mean one needs to be perfect before advising others. It means they should sincerely strive to act on their own advice before advising others. The Holy Quran has made it clear in the following verse that Allah, the exalted, hates this behaviour. In fact, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, has warned in a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 3267, that the a person who commanded good but refrained from it themself and prohibited evil yet acted on it themself will be punished in severely Hell. Chapter 61 As Saf, verse 3:
“Greatly hateful in the sight of Allah is that you say what you do not do.”
So it is vital for all Muslims to strive to act on their advice themself then advise others to do the same. Leading by example is the tradition of all the Holy Prophets, peace be upon them, and is the best way to affect others in a positive way.
In addition, the supplication made by the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, during the construction of the Mosque indicates that one will only achieve good in both worlds when they connect their worldly blessings to the hereafter.
In reality, in most cases nothing in this material world in itself is good or bad, such as wealth. What makes a thing good or bad is the way it is used. It is important to understand that the very purpose of everything which was created by Allah, the Exalted, was for it to be used correctly according to the teachings of Islam. When something is not used correctly it in reality becomes useless. For example, wealth is useful in both worlds when it is used correctly such as being spent on the necessities of a person and their dependents. But it can become useless and even a curse for its bearer if it is not used correctly, such as being hoarded or spent on sinful things. Simply hoarding wealth causes wealth to lose value. How can hoarded paper and metal coins be useful? In this respect, there is no difference between a blank piece of paper and a note of money. It is only useful when it is used correctly.
So if a Muslim desires all their worldly possessions to become a blessing for them in both worlds all they have to do is use them correctly according to the teachings found in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. But if they use them incorrectly then the same blessing will become a burden and curse for them in both worlds. It is as simple as that.
One can adopt the correct attitude when they understand the purpose of these blessings.
Every worldly blessing a Muslim possesses is only a means which should aid them in reaching the hereafter safely. It is not an end in itself. For example, wealth is a means one should use in order to obey Allah, the Exalted, by fulfilling the commands of Allah, the Exalted, fulfilling their necessities and the necessities of their dependents. It is not an end or an ultimate goal in itself.
This not only aids a Muslim in maintaining their focus on the hereafter but it also aids them whenever they lose worldly blessings. When a Muslim treats each worldly blessing, such as a child, as a means to please Allah, the Exalted, and reach the hereafter safely then losing it will not have such a detrimental impact on them. They may become sad, which is an acceptable emotion, but they will not become grieved which leads to impatience and other mental problems, such as depression. This is because they firmly believe the worldly blessing they possessed was only a means so losing it does not cause a loss in the ultimate goal namely, Paradise, the loss of which is disastrous. Therefore, still possessing and concentrating on the ultimate goal will prevent them from becoming grieved.
In addition, they will understand that just like the thing they lost was only a means they firmly believe they will be provided with another means to reach and fulfil their ultimate goal by Allah, the Exalted. This will also prevent them from grieving. Whereas, the one who believes their worldly blessing is the end instead of a means will experience severe grief when losing it as their whole purpose and objective has been lost. This grief will lead to depression and other mental issues.
Muslims should treat each blessing they possess as a means to reach the hereafter safely not as an end in itself. This is how one can possess things without being possessed by them. This is how they can keep worldly things in their hands and not in their hearts.
To conclude, the one who adopts the correct attitude will use the blessings they have been granted correctly, as outlined in Islamic teachings. This will ensure they achieve a balanced mental and physical state and ensure they correctly place everything and everyone within their life while adequately preparing for their accountability on Judgement Day. This leads to peace of mind in both worlds. Chapter 16 An Nahl, verse 97:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”
It is important to remember that only Allah, the Exalted, possesses the knowledge and foresight to provide people with the perfect code of conduct so that they achieve peace of mind in both worlds. Man-made codes of conduct cannot achieve this outcome as they lack in knowledge, experience, foresight and due to biases found within them. Therefore, a person must accept and act on Islamic teachings even if it contradicts their desires. They must behave as a wise patient who accepts and acts on the medical advice of their doctor knowing it is best for them even though they are prescribed bitter medicines and a strict diet. Just like this patient will achieve good physical health, the one who accepts and acts on Islamic teachings will achieve peace of mind in both worlds.
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