The life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is an example for every person of this world who believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment. This source of light and guidance can lead us always and in any situation. The world has seen a lot of scholars, philosophers and preachers but none was as great as the Prophet (PBUH). Allah sent His messengers in every period of history to guide humanity. The world had been waiting for the last Prophet for centuries. This long wait was ended with the Prophet (PBUH) who was sent as the last Prophet of Allah Almighty. His Sharia was regarded as the last message of Allah and the previous Sharias were abolished. His guidance was declared sufficient till the end of this world. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “If Hazrat Musa had been alive he would had no option but to follow me.”
The Prophet (PBUH) was born and died in the month of Rabi-ul-Awal. He is an embodiment of mercy for all mankind. All the prophets guided the humans but the Prophet (PBUH) brought a revolution in the lives of people. This revolution is unprecedented in the history of mankind. Our love for the Prophet (PBUH) involves not only devotion and passion for him but the following of his example also. The Quran and Sunnah are the basis of our religion. The holy life of the Prophet (PBUH) guides us in our individual and collective life. He stressed that Muslims should display good behaviour with others. They should have good character also. It shows the importance of behaviour and character in life. Hazrat Abu Huraira reported that on the occasion of Haja-tul-Wida, he said, “I am leaving two things among you. You will never deviate from the right path. These are the Holy Quran and my Sunnah. These two things will not be separated. Until they will come to their destination, namely, the Hoz-e-Kausar.”
If we’ll follow the Quran and Sunnah, we cannot deviate from the right path. These two things will keep on guiding us to the last day of this world. We’ll keep on consulting the Quran for the solution to every problem. Allah has ordered that we have to obey the Prophet (PBUH). It is said in the Holy Quran that the people who believe in Allah should obey the Prophet (PBUH). They should not waste their virtues. It means that the obedience of the Prophet (PBUH) is the obedience of Allah. It is clear that the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Holy Quran are the basis of Islam. These two things complete the religion. Prophet (PBUH) taught us that we need to be better in confronting hate, rather than stooping to the same level as those who promote hate. We need to have a bigger heart and be better than those who spread negativity. Allah s.w.t tells us in Surah Al-Fussilat verse 34 that we need to “Repel that which is evil with that which is better”.
As the embodiment of the Quranic values, our beloved Prophet (PBUH) had shown, in many instances, how to rise above hate and enmity. He emphasised that forgiveness is greater than revenge, perseverance is larger than retaliation, and love is better than hate. We have to follow the Quran and Sunnah in order to defeat these negative forces. The Holy Quran is the foundation of Islam and Sunnah has given a shape to this building. In short, it is most important for the Muslim Ummah to follow the Quran and Sunnah.

—The writer is a research scholar at Department of Computer Science, SBBS University, Jalandhar. [email protected]

Aufaid Ahmad Wani