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Good Examples That A Muslim Should Follow
We must look at the best role model and example and try to emulate the lifestyle of that person. We know, of course, that is the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S).
"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 33:21)
"And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted (standard of) character." (Al-Qalam 68:4)
Our families and we should know how Muhammad (S) lived, acted, and behaved so we could attempt to shape our behavior to the way he (S) acted.
Our behavior and character should be like that of the Messengers of Allah in dealing with others. This way we can, Insha’Allah, set a good example to others. I am addressing to myself first and foremost. One’s example goes a long way in how people perceive them. If we set a good example then people will be more likely to listen to what we have to say.
"And by the Mercy of Allah, you (Muhammad) dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from you." (Al-Imran 3:159)
We should display this good character all the time, as we know that Muhammad (S) had the best character in not only dealing with non-Muslims, but with his family and companions as well.
Now a days we seem to know so much about the lifestyles of the rich and famous, but not about the examples of Muhammad (S) and his companions.
"And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun (ones who emigrated from Makkah to Medina) and the Ansar (residents of Medinah who helped the Muhajirun) and those who followed them exactly. Allah is well pleased with them, as they are well pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success." (9:100)
One could probably rattle off more about politicians, actors, movie stars, and musicians than people like Prophet Muhammad (S), his family, and his companions. It is obvious what group what should try to follow.
Muhammad (S) said (what means), "A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look whom you befriend." (Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhee) He (S) also said (what means) "The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows. So as for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him." (Bukhari and Muslim)
Muhammad (S) also told us we will be with those who we love in the Hereafter (Bukhari and Muslim). If we find ourselves in love with disbelievers then we might find ourselves in big trouble in the Hereafter. If we find ourselves loving what Prophet Muhammad (S) and his companions were all about and the things they did to please Allah Who we love the most, then Insha’Allah we will be in Janat (Paradise) with them.
In order to follow the example of these Salf-us-Salih (pious predecessors), we need to obtain the knowledge of how they adhered to Islam and how they called to Islam so we do these things in the correct manner. This way we can Insha’Allah set a good example for others to see both Muslims and non-Muslims.
"And who is better in speech than he who invites to Allah, and does righteous deeds, and says, ‘I am one of the Muslims." (Al-Fussilat 41:33)
"Say, This is my way. I invite unto Allah with sure knowledge. I and whosoever follows me with sure knowledge. And Glorified and Exalted be Allah. And I am not of the polytheists." (Yusuf 12:108)
We should still be ones who are strong in sticking to the Qur’an and Sunnah, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and not allowing ourselves to fall into sin and bid’ah, but we should present the Qur’an and the Sunnah in the best way to all people.
"Invite to the Way of your Lord with wisdom (The Qur’an) and fair admonition, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided." (Al-Nahl 16:125)
We should preach in the best way, be quick
to forgive others for their shortcomings so they may forgive us, and not waste our time
with foolish people.
"Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish." (Al-A`raaf 7:199)
If there are any of you who for whatever reason are having a conflict with another Muslim, if you haven’t intentionally talked to a fellow Muslim, then be the one who forgives first and makes amends. If we are in a situation when we don’t deal with our fellow Muslims we should never expect to be able to bring disbelievers to Islam.
A good way to help us stick to the Straight Path and set a good example is to associate with good friends who are good Muslim examples, as Muhammad (S) said, "A person follows the way of his dear friend." (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi) Associate people who remember Allah Ta’Ala much and whom strive to obey Allah and His Messenger.
Bad Examples That A Muslim Should Stay Away From
In talking about good examples to follow, one might notice a theme of holding on to one’s Muslim identity. In doing dawah, Allah tells one of the things we should proclaim is we are Muslims and not disbelievers like the polytheists.
Judging from this we can see, we should have our own Muslim identity and we should not imitate the disbelievers in our behavior.
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S) said,
"Be different from the Jews and Christians." (Bukhari, Muslim)
"Be different from the disbelievers." (Bukhari, Muslim)
"Whoever imitates a people is one of them." (Ahmad).
We should not be like them in their ways of:
* Worship (praying to the dead, limiting Allah’s Knowledge, etc.)
* Their celebrations (Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s day, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.)
* Their appearance (men not having beards, women not covering fully, wearing jewelry on our left hands)
* Men wearing earrings and necklaces, shaving part only part of one’s head, etc.
* Their behavior (men and women interacting before marriage as a couple, use of foul language)
* Eating with the left hand, listening to music instead of the Qur’an, etc.)
Muhammad (S) told us, "You will follow the ways of those nations who preceded you very closely; even if they entered a lizard’s hole you would follow them into it." (Bukhari, Muslim)
We can see many Muslims today and see the validity of Muhammad (S)’s statement. It has gone to the point where their fellow Muslim brothers and sisters ridicule men with beards and women wearing hijab.
We should not run away from who we are and our perfect religion of Islam. The one thing we are permitted to proud of is our religion. There is no shame if some non-Muslims see you praying to Allah. There is no shame in a Muslimah covering her head with a scarf and her clothes with a jalbab (outer garment). We should not be ashamed to talk about Islam to others.
Instead of trying to be like the non-Muslims, we should be doing our best to bring them to Islam.
"He who seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted of him, and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter." (Al-Imran 3:85)
We need to be Good in our behavior as well as our appearance. We want our actions and talk to lead people to Islam, to lead them to follow the Quran and Sunnah, and to not turn them away.
Sometimes even Muslims may not be even following the right minhaj, but if we are harsh with them, then they will never come to the right away.
As Muslims we should not boycott one another for more than 3 days for some non-Islamic reason.
Muhammad (S) the major acts that bring people to Paradise are taqwa and the good behavior (husnal khulaq). Finally we should remember.
Aisha (R) said, Muhammad (S)’s behavior was that of the Qur’an.
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