The Seerah: An Example to Live By- Ismael Mukhtar, Yasser Ibrahim

Ismael Mukhtar

-The seerah stay in the books rather than action within ourselves

Leadership
-He was a leader loved by his followers
-One of his companions said " The person who saw him the first time will respect him, be overhelmed with his personality. A person who knows him closely will love him."
-Abu Sufyan said "I have met many leaders, I have never met a leader who was loved by his followers"
-"Had I been harsh to them, they would have depareted and left"- Prophet (saw)

Charateristics of Prophet (saw) as a leader
-A leader who consulted his followers
-"I have not seen anyone more consulting than Rasuallah "
-Any person who practices shura, they will be guided to the best in their affairs.

-In the Battle of the Trench, an army of 10,000 was heading to destory Islam. When the news reached the prophet (saw) the first thing he did was consult his companions for suggestions. And a wonderdul suggestion was given by an ex-slave to build a trench around so they couldn't cross. When the army arrived and found no way to cross over because of the trench they left.

A man who put the right person in the right place
-When the Prophet (saw) was calling people to Islam in Makkah. Many people rejected except 6 who accepted and went to Madinah and brought more people who accepted the message. In hajj they asked the Prophet (saw) to bring them a teacher. He sent Musab. A young man who understood the message and was a persuasive speaker. In a year he brought HUGE transformations.

-A man (or king) eas angry people weren't idol worshipping so he sent his cousin to Musab but instead be became a muslim. So he himself decided to go with a sword and and told him "To leave this place or face the consequences" Musab said "Oh Sab please get off the horse and listen to what I have to say" He ended up getting of the horse and listened to him. He found the message so true that became a muslim. This job was done in the best manner.

-After delibration of Makkah, a group of tribes felt threatened and decided to attack. Rasuallah (saw) left makkah with 2000 men and arrived at the valley of Hunaim. Muslims were being attacked from every direction to the point where Rasuallah was only left with a few men. He then turned to Al Abaas, call the people of the tree and attacked the enemy. Al Abaas was chosen because he had a strong voice.

Dealing with Crisis effectively and fearly
-Don't pass judgement until you hear directly from the person
-don't judge people by one mistake they did in their life.

Sensitivity to all segements of the community
-he related to all people of the community--> women, youth...
-he would be leadinga prayer and her hears a baby crying. He would shorten the the prayer by reading smaller surah's as not to cause inconvince to the mother.

Yasser Ibrahim

-You can't confine the seerah into just events that happened in the past.
-We have limited the Prophet (saw) to the masjid. Ex: the way he made sujood, the way he put his arms on his chest.
-We are selective to the Prophet (saw). We pick and choose to our convience."Do not be like those who have taken their religion as a joke or play"

1) Make the seerah into a map and reference point
-The Prophet (saw) didn't tell people to do something until he did it and was a role model of it.
-Rasicsm in Makkah--> A black woman came to the Prophet (saw). Upon seeing her he got up, took of h is turban and laid it down ofr her so she can sit on it. The people asked "Who is this?" he replied" It's Umm Aymen. My mother of mothers"

2) You must love the Messenger of Allah (swt)
-We need to know alot about him as that we can genuinely love him
-Love has to first be conditional then genuine.

-Thauban doesn't show up to the masjid for prayers. The Prophet (saw) asks about him and a man tells him that he is sick. The Prophet (Saw) pays a visit and Thauban says "O Rasuallah! I miss you even though I'm in the same gathering as you" I became sick because I was thinking that Ig Allah (swt) puts me in Jannah, I wno't see you as much as you would be in a higher level. If Allah (swt) were to put me in Jahannam/Hell I won't be able to see you at all. The Prophet (saw) the said "We will resurrcected with among those who we love"