A Soul’s Whisper Across Time: A Letter to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from 2023
Writing my feelings in a letter to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) on his Birthday in 2023.
As I wake up today, I feel a different kind of warmth in the morning light. It’s the day we remember and celebrate the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) some 1453 years ago. The bond between the Ummah and the Prophet is something really special. It’s like a timeless friendship that grows stronger with each passing day, with every prayer we say in his love and honor.
Sometimes, late at night, I find myself whispering words of praise. It's like my heart has its own way of saying thanks:
"Oh the light that guides us in the dark,
Your love, a life’s spark.
The way you lived, so remarkable,
Your teachings, our life’s arc."
The Quran beautifully mentions, "Indeed, Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad PBUH) from among themselves" (Surah Al-Imran, 3:164). This verse often resonates within me, filling my heart with gratitude for the boundless wisdom you brought into our lives, dear Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
Even though centuries stand between us, our love and respect for you, dear Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), remains the same. I'm just a small part of this big, beautiful community, but your life and teachings touch my heart deeply. They help me navigate through the ups and downs of life. As I sit down to write this letter today, I am filled with emotions that travel through time, expressing a tiny bit of the huge love, gratitude, and respect we all hold for you.
Reflection on Your Early Life, O Beloved Prophet
Your early days in the humble city of Mecca often fill my heart with a sense of wonder and profound respect, O Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him). As a trustworthy and honest man, known as Al-Amin, your destined role as the last Prophet was revealed, a journey that is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
There were times when life brought forth severe trials, like during those years of boycott when food and essentials were scarce. Yet, you remained steadfast, O Prophet of Mercy (Peace Be Upon Him). The soothing verses of Surah Al-Duha often resonate in my heart during such reflections, especially the comforting words, “Your Lord has not forsaken you, nor has He become displeased,” (Quran 93:3). They feel like a gentle reminder of hope and resilience, not just for you, but for all of us, especially when life throws curveballs our way.
I often draw solace from a Hadith where you reminisced about your early days, saying, “I used to herd the sheep of my family on the hills and the hillocks of Mecca.” (Al-Bukhari). It’s a humbling recollection, a reminder of the simplicity and humility that characterized your noble life.
Every little detail from those days, each step you took towards spreading the message of Islam, feels like a chapter filled with lessons of patience, humility, and enduring hope. It's astounding how your early life lays a foundation of faith that continues to inspire millions around the globe, guiding us towards leading a life filled with purpose and compassion.
The State of the Ummah
As I reflect on the state of the Ummah today, dear Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), it's a complex tapestry of hope, faith, challenges, and trials. Your Ummah has blossomed across the globe, each individual carrying a spark of faith ignited by your profound teachings. The sense of brotherhood and compassion you instilled in the hearts of believers continues to be the glue that binds us together.
However, the world has evolved into a realm of numerous ideologies and beliefs, and sometimes the core values you imparted are being tested and strained. We face challenges from within and outside; the misinterpretation and misuse of your teachings by a small faction of extremists have painted a skewed picture of the beautiful faith you bestowed upon us. The wave of atheism, liberalism, and other ideologies that deviate from the path of righteousness you laid down, are attempting to pull at the very core of this Ummah.
In these turbulent times, the verse, "And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided..." (Quran 3:103), resounds as a reminder for us to hold tightly to the rope of faith and unity.
Your Hadith, "The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever" (Sahih Bukhari), beautifully encapsulates the essence of unity and empathy that should prevail within the Ummah.
Amidst the cacophony of modern ideologies, your teachings, O Beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), remain our unwavering beacon of light, fostering resilience, compassion, and a sense of unity within the community. Your life, characterized by simplicity, humility, and an unwavering dedication to the truth, continues to be the model that inspires us to live harmoniously with each other and the world around us.
Your legacy, O beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), continues to be the anchor that steadies the ship of the Ummah amidst turbulent waters, guiding us towards a shore of unity, peace, and understanding.
The Last Sermon and its Relevance
Your Last Sermon, O Beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), resounds through the ages as a profound testament to the universal values of equality, justice, and human dignity. As you stood on the plain of Arafat, your words carved a path of righteousness that continues to guide the conscience of the Ummah.
You said, “All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; none have superiority over another except by piety and good action.” These words are a beacon of equality and a stark reminder in a world where divisions and prejudices often rear their ugly heads.
The challenges of modernity sometimes stretch the fabric of traditional values, yet the essence of your sermon continues to be a guiding light amidst the confusion. It helps us navigate through the murky waters of prejudice, discrimination, and hatred, steering us towards a harbor of respect, understanding, and love for all of humanity.
The verse, "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you..." (Quran 49:13) mirrors the essence of your message, reminding us of the beauty in our diversity and the essence of righteousness.
After embracing Islam and undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage, Malcolm X discovered the profound truth in your teachings concerning racial equality. Reflecting on your Last Sermon and the unity he witnessed during Hajj, he stated, "America needs to understand Islam because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem."
Your Last Sermon is not merely a speech but a legacy of wisdom that beckons the heart of every believer, urging us to uphold the values of justice, equality, and compassion in every walk of life. The relevance of your words, O Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him), transcends time, providing a solid foundation upon which the Ummah can build a community grounded in love, understanding, and respect for all.
A Heartfelt Note of Love and Gratitude
O Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), as I pen down this humble letter from the heart of 2023, my soul trembles with a blend of love, reverence, and a relentless yearning to walk on the path you laid out so beautifully. Though my eyes have not seen you, my heart feels your presence in every beat, in every whisper of prayer, in every struggle against the waves of doubt that sometimes threaten to engulf the faith residing within.
I am blessed beyond measure to be a follower of your radiant path, yet I am far from a saint. My heart bears the weight of sins, of times I faltered and broke the covenant. Yet, it's your enduring love, your boundless mercy, and the essence of your noble character that pulls me back onto the path of light, even when the shackles of despair clasp tightly around my soul.
The ideologies of the devil relentlessly cast their shadows, constantly attacking, making me question the essence of all that is pure and true. The struggle is arduous. Keeping faith feels like holding onto a fragile thread amidst a storm of doubt and confusion. Yet, your love, your life, and your unwavering faith in Allah stand as a lighthouse amidst the turbulent seas of life, guiding my trembling heart back to the shore of faith and hope.
Your life, O Beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), is a moon that slices through the dark night of uncertainty, casting a gentle glow on the path of righteousness. Your compassion, humility, and unyielding commitment to truth are the stars that twinkle in the dark sky of life's journey, whispering hope into the ears of my heart.
As I stumble and strive to walk in your footsteps, I find my heart soaked in gratitude for the divine wisdom and love you showered upon humanity. Your legacy is not merely a chapter in history but a living, breathing refuge for hearts like mine, seeking solace amidst the chaos of existence.
May Allah's peace, blessings, and mercy be upon you, O Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), today, tomorrow, and for all the days that my heart continues to beat with the name of Allah and His beloved Messenger reverberating through its core.
Thank you, O Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)
Indeed, Allah showers His blessings upon the Prophet, and His angels pray for him. O believers! Invoke Allah’s blessings upon him, and salute him with worthy greetings of peace. (Quran 33:56)