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(I begin) In the Name of Allah, the All-Kind (or All-Beneficent), the All-Merciful (or All-Compassionate)
In Nahj al-Balāghah, Imām ʿAlī (ʿa) presents a deeply moving portrayal of the Noble Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ), inviting us to not only admire him but to truly follow his example. As we celebrate the Prophet’s birthday this week, it is the perfect time to reflect on his life, character, and guidance.
Today, we explore seven key aspects from different sermons of the Nahj al-Balāghah that show the Prophet (ṣ) as a living light for humankind, encouraging us to love him, emulate his lifestyle, and make the Qurʾān our guide:
🌟 Aspect 1: The Prophet as a Guide
Leading humanity from darkness to light:
فَهَدَاهُمْ بهِ مِنَ الضَّلاَلَةِ، وَأَنْقَذَهُمْ بمَكانِهِ مِنَ الجَهَالَةِ.
"Through Muḥammad (ṣ) Allah guided them out of wrong and with his efforts took them out of ignorance." (Sermon 1)
Imām ʿAlī (ʿa) explains that before the Prophet’s arrival, people were lost in confusion and falsehood. Beliefs were divided, customs were corrupted, and truth was buried under ignorance. The Prophet (ṣ) appeared as a lighthouse, illuminating the path of righteousness, guiding hearts to the straight way, and untangling the knots of human misguidance.
Following him today means seeking clarity in our decisions, honesty in our conduct, and compassion in our interactions. He is the ultimate guide from moral darkness to spiritual light.
📖 Aspect 2: The Prophet and the Qurʾān
The living teacher of Allah’s Book:
وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، أرْسَلَهُ بِالدِّينِ المشْهُورِ، وَالعَلَمِ المأْثُورِ، وَالكِتَابِ المسْطُورِ، وَالنُّورِ السَّاطِعِ... (Sermon 2)
"I also stand witness that Muḥammad (ṣ) is His slave and His Prophet. Allah sent him with the illustrious religion, effective emblem, written Book, effulgent light."
وَاقْتَدُوا بِهَدْيِ نَبِيِّكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ أَفْضَلُ الْهَدْيِ، وَاسْتَنُّوا بِسُنَّتِهِ فَإِنَّهَا أهْدَى السُّنَنِ. وَتَعَلَّمُوا الْقرْآن فَإِنَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْحَدِيثِ، وَتَفَقَّهُوا فِيهِ فَإِنَّهُ رَبِيعُ الْقُلُوبِ، وَاسْتَشْفُوا بِنُورِهِ فَإِنَّهُ شِفَاءُ الصُّدُورِ، وَأَحْسِنُوا تِلاَوَتَهُ فَإِنَّهُ أَنْفَعُ الْقَصَصِ.
Tread the course of the Prophet for it is the most distinguished course. Follow the sunnah of the Prophet for it is the most right of all behaviours. Learn the Qurʾān for it is the fairest of discourses and understand it thoroughly for it is the best blossoming of hearts. Seek cure with its light for it is the cure for hearts. Recite it beautifully for it is the most beautiful narration.”(Sermon 110)
The Prophet (ṣ) was the living embodiment of the Qurʾān. Every action, word, and decision reflected divine guidance. Learning the Qurʾān under his example revives hearts, sharpens understanding, and instills certainty. When we study the Qurʾān and emulate his life, we connect with the light that transformed a society lost in moral darkness.
❤️🩹 Aspect 3: The Prophet as a Physician
Healing hearts from ignorance and sin
طَبِيبٌ دَوَّارٌ بِطِبِّهِ، قَدْ أَحْكَمَ مَرَاهِمَهُ، وَأمْضى مَوَاسِمَهُ، يَضَعُ من ذلِكَ حَيْثُ الْحَاجَةُ إِلَيْهِ، مِنْ قُلُوب عُمْي، وَآذَان صُمٍّ، وَأَلْسِنَة بُكْم; مُتَتَبِّعٌ بِدَوَائِهِ مَوَاضِعَ الْغَفْلَةِ، وَمَوَاطِنَ الْحَيْرَةِ;
The Prophet was like a roaming physician who has set ready his ointments and heated his instruments. He uses them wherever the need arises for curing blind hearts, deaf ears, and dumb tongues. He followed with his medicines the spots of negligence and places of perplexity.
Imām ʿAlī (ʿa) presents the Prophet (ṣ) as a spiritual healer, treating not just physical ills but the wounds of the heart and soul. He addressed confusion, lifted burdens of guilt, and cured hearts of arrogance, envy, and despair. Today, seeking the Prophet’s guidance is like visiting a physician for the soul—his words and example restore peace, clarity, and hope.
📣 Aspect 4: Bashīr & Nadhīr
The bringer of glad tidings and warnings
فَإِنَّ اللهَ عزّوجلّ جَعَلَ مُحَمَّداً (صلى الله عليه وآله) عَلَماً لِلسَّاعَةِ، وَمُبَشِّراً بِالْجَنَّةِ، وَمُنْذِراً بِالعُقُوبَةِ.
“Certainly, Allah made Muḥammad (the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him and his descendants) a sign for the Day of Judgement. a conveyor of tidings for Paradise and a warner of retribution. “(Sermon 160)
The Prophet (ṣ) was both a merciful guide and a stern reminder. His glad tidings inspired hope, and his warnings nurtured consciousness. Following him invites us to live balanced lives—seeking the joy of obedience while avoiding the pain of transgression.
🌟 Aspect 5: His Outstanding Merits
Unmatched character and conduct
فَهُوَ إِمَامُ مَنِ اتَّقَى، وَبَصِيرَةُ مَنِ اهْتَدَى، وسِرَاجٌ لَمَعَ ضَوْؤُهُ، وَشِهَابٌ سَطَعَ نُورُهُ وَزَنْدٌ بَرَقَ لَمْعُهُ; سِيرَتُهُ الْقَصْدُ، وَسُنَّتُهُ الرُّشْدُ، وَكَلاَمُهُ الْفَصْلُ، وَحُكْمُهُ الْعَدْلُ
“He is the leader (Imām) of all who exercise fear (of Allah) and a light for those who seek guidance. He is a lamp whose flame is burning, a meteor whose light is shining and a flint whose spark is bright. His conduct is upright, his behaviour is guiding, his speech is decisive and his decision is just.” (Sermon 94)
وَاقْتَدُوا بِهَدْيِ نَبِيِّكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ أَفْضَلُ الْهَدْيِ، وَاسْتَنُّوا بِسُنَّتِهِ فَإِنَّهَا أهْدَى السُّنَنِ
“Tread the course of the Prophet for it is the most distinguished course. Follow the sunnah of the Prophet for it is the most right of all behaviours.” (Sermon 110)
Muḥammad (ṣ) was a beacon of moral excellence, unmatched in honesty, justice, humility, and compassion. Following him means aligning our actions with ethical ideals, striving for fairness, integrity, and generosity in every sphere of life.
🕊️ Aspect 6: Obedience to the Prophet (ṣ)
The pathway to salvation and closeness to Allah:
فَتَأَسَّ بِنَبِيِّكَ الاْطْيَبِ الاْطْهَرِ(صلى الله عليه وآله) فَإِنَّ فِيهِ أُسْوَةً لِمَنْ تَأَسَّى، وَعَزَاءً لِمَنْ تَعَزَّى ـ وَأَحَبُّ الْعِبَادِ إِلَى اللهِ الْمُتَأَسِّي بِنَبِيِّهِ، وَالْمُقْتَصُّ لاِثَرِهِ
"You should follow your Prophet, the pure, the chaste, [may Allāh bless him and his descendants]. In him is the example for the follower, and the consolation for the seeker of consolation. The most beloved person before Allāh is he who follows His Prophet and who treads in his footsteps" (Sermon 160)
Obedience to the Prophet (ṣ) is not blind submission—it is entrusting one’s heart to wisdom, mercy, and divine guidance. It connects us to the soul of Islam, ensuring that our faith is alive, practical, and transformative.
🤲 Aspect 7: Duʿās of Imām ʿAlī (ʿa) for the Prophet
A reflection of love and reverence:
اللَّهُمَّ دَاحَيَ الْمَدْحُوَّاتِ... (Sermon 72)
"My God, the Spreader of the surfaces (of earth) and Keeper of all skies... send Thy choicest blessings on Muhammad Thy servant and Prophet..."
Imām ʿAlī (ʿa) shows us that love for the Prophet (ṣ) is expressed in ṣalawāt, prayer, reverence, and emulation. His life inspires not just admiration but active devotion, making our hearts yearn to follow the path illuminated by the Prophet’s example.
💫 Conclusion: Love, Follow, and Live His Way
The Noble Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ) is not just a figure of history; he is the living guide for our hearts, minds, and deeds. Nahj al-Balāghah reminds us that to truly love him is to:
Walk in his guidance,
Learn the Qurʾān and live by it,
Seek spiritual healing
Reflect his character in our own, and
Obey him sincerely in thought and action.
This week, as we celebrate his birthday, let us renew our love for the Prophet (ṣ), open our hearts to the Qurʾān, and let his life guide every step we take.
Ṣalawāt