Allah says in the Quran,
"Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example to follow for him who hopes in (the meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much" (al-Ahzab, 21)
This is a very great blessing for this ummah. Allah has given us a perfect example of how to apply this religion. In every aspect of our lives, we have a human example to look to. We can see how he behaved under different circumstances and we can know with certainty that the way he behaved was in accordance with the revelation of Allah.
This is just one of the many blessings that we Muslims have received. In the other religions, such as Christianity or Judaism, they do not have such a wonderful example. They do not possess a detailed and authentic record of how their prophets lived. Hence, when it comes to day to day matters in their lives, they have no authentic reference that they can turn to that will give them the satisfaction of knowing what God wants from them in each and every moment of their lives.
If we look at how humans behave around us, it is common or normal for people to look at others and to take them as their examples. Indeed, for the majority of the people, it seems that they are in need of an example. Perhaps such examples give them guidance, hope and confidence.
al-Hamdulillah, Allah has provided us with the best possible example. We Muslims do not have to look to the kinds of people that the non-Muslims are looking at as examples and sources of guidance. We don't have to look to movie actors, rock stars, athletes, or politicians as our sources of guidance. Believe it or not, this is who the disbelievers are looking at as their examples. The saddest thing is when Muslims also start taking these people as their role models. Allah has blessed us with the most excellent role model and yet we turn to people like this.
We must turn to the Messenger of Allah (saw) as our role model. However, not everyone has access or the time to study the life of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). Furthermore, the time that he lived was many years ago and something's have changed since that time - some people cannot see that although things have seemed to change, in reality, they have not fundamentally changed since the time of the Prophet (saw).
For these and other reasons, even devout Muslims look to other people as, you could say, "supplementary" role models or examples.� People who are closer to their own situation and environment. Many of us need to see examples and role models in front of us today who are reacting to the thing that are going on now. All Muslims probably realize that the Prophet (saw) is the best example but sometimes it is simply hard for them to figure out exactly how that example fits into their life today when they are, for example, living in a non-Muslim environment where haram things are all around them. How does one cope in such an environment?� What does one do when faced with specific situations in this environment?
In these cases, who should we take as examples and role models?. The answer is those people who are taking their example from the Prophet (saw) and through their knowledge and understanding of the Prophet (saw) are applying his teachings to today's situation. That is, in essence, those people of knowledge and taqwaa.� They are the heirs of the Prophet (saw) as he stated in the Hadith,
"The scholars are the heirs of the Prophets" (Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, and others, according to al-Albaani, it is sahih, Sahih al-Jami as-Sagheer, no.6297)
They have the knowledge to understand the Quran and the Sunnah and see its guidance for today.� And they have the taqwaa (piety) to apply that knowledge today. Knowledge without piety is not sufficient, and piety without knowledge is also not sufficient.
That is who we should be taking as examples for our own lives. But there is another very important aspect to this topic that I would like to stress. That is, whether you like it or not, whether you even realize it or not, virtually every single one of you is an example and a role model for somebody else. Again, you may not realize that fact but it is the case.� The Messenger of Allah (saw) was an example for the entire ummah, and this role has passed on to us with respect to certain individuals.� Some reflection will make you realize that this is exactly the case.
Satan may use that bad example as a source of excuses for others. Even if they feel that something is wrong, they will say to themselves, "Ah, but so and so does it so it couldn't really be that bad", and therefore they do it.
At this point, someone might argue that he is not responsible for the example that others get from him. He is only responsible for his deeds and everybody else is responsible for their own deeds.� In fact, Allah says clearly in the Quran in more than one place,
"No bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another" (al-Anaam, 164)
However, that verse does not mean that you are not responsible for the kind of influence you assert over others.� The effect you have over others is, in fact, the result of your own deeds and part of the burden that you must bear. This is made clear in a number of hadith of the Prophet (saw).� For example, he said,
"No one is killed unjustly but a share of his blood will be upon the first son of Adam for he was the first to introduce killing" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
Obviously, that son of Adam did not teach or encourage the later murderers to commit murder.� But he set the example for them and, therefore, he shares in the sin of all of those who commit murder after him.
Another hadith states, "Whoever introduces some good practice in Islam which was followed after him (by people) would be assured of reward like the one who followed it without the reward of either fo them being diminished in anyway.� And he who introduced some evil practice in Islam which was followed by others would bear the burden like that of the one who followed this (evil practice), without the burden of either of them being diminished in any way".� (Muslim).
This particular hadith shows us the positive result of setting a good example and the negative result of setting a bad example. The story behind the hadith, which was concerned with giving charity, was wherein one Muslim set a good example for the others and the others followed suit.� It was not that he had introduced something new into Islam as some people may mistakenly conclude from that hadith.
Therefore, the effect that you have on others and the examples that you set for others can very well be considered part of your deeds and part of what you earned. If it is a good example, you may receive great rewards for all of those people whom you influenced in a positive manner. If it is an evil example, you may be responsible for all of those people who followed your evil example.
Keep in mind, also, that you may not consider yourself an example or role model for anyone. In reality, as I tried to stress in this subject, whether you realize it or not and whether you like it or not, there is a great chance that you are a role model or example for some people around you. Think about your life and think about how you are influencing other people.
Look at the people close to you and see how they are behaving. Try to see if the mistakes they are making are the same mistakes that you make and that they, in fact, got them from you. Look to see if the good things they are doing are the same as the good things that you do and see if they actually got them from you.
Take the time to study this and take the time to think about it. The possibility of setting a good example is a wonderful opportunity to please Allah. It is an opportunity to follow the Prophet (saw) - the Prophet (saw) set an excellent example and we are supposed to follow his example by also setting an excellent example ourselves.
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