Advices of the Prophet [pbuh] for Our Lives

Indeed the teachings of our Prophet [pbuh] are not just about the belief in Allah [SWT] but are also life lessons that everyone can benefit from.

For sure we cannot quote all the ahadith of our Prophet [pbuh] but the most relevant and outstanding ones. We all should read the Prophet’s biography where we will find his way of life full of wisdom, from which we can learn a lot. This will encourage us to follow the steps of our Prophet [pbuh], imitating his noble character and developing true love for him.

It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"My Lord gave me nine bits of advice and I give them to you. He advised me:

1. To be sincere whether in private and in public

2. To do justice whether in anger or in happiness

3. To be moderate whether in riches or in poverty

4. To join (in relations) with those who (try) to cut me off

5. To give to those who deprive me

6. To forgive those who do wrong to me

7. That my silence is to be thoughtful

8. My speech to be mindful (of Allah)

9. My vision to take admonition

(Reported by Razeen Al-Uqali)

These are some very important bits of advice that Allah gave to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). He lived by them throughout his whole life. He was a perfect example of these virtues. He also gave these bits of advice to us. These bits of advice contain the basic ethics of Islam. Islamic ethics are not ordinary ethics; they are divine and prophetic. The ethical principles given here require special effort, training and sacrifice. It is not easy or simple to live by these principles, but they have lasting values and they bring eternal blessings.

This is our daily challenge. Our challenge is how to live by these ethics in our daily life. The challenge is not to live by these values and principles in a situation of ease and happiness, but to live by them in all circumstances. The challenge is to live by these principles, teach them to our younger generation, and to form and build a community of faithful who are willing to dedicate themselves to them.

Prophet Muhammad [peace and blessings be upon him] said:

"Seek help from Allah and do not lose hope. And if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don't say, 'If I had not done (something differently), (the troubles) would not have happened,' but (instead) say, 'Allah did that what He had ordained to do.' Your 'if (I had done)' opens the (gate for Satan.)"

[Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1227]

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"A wise person is one who keeps watch over his bodily desires and passions, and (keeps away) from that which is harmful, and strives for that which will benefit him after death. And a foolish person is one who subordinates himself to his cravings and desires, and expects from God the fulfillment of his futile desires." [At-Tirmidhi- Hadith 16]

‎”Take advantage of five matters before five other matters: your youth before you become old; your health before you fall sick; your wealth before you become poor; your free time before you become busy; your life before your death.” -

Prophet Muhammad [pbuh]

(Narrated by ibn Abbas; from Musnad Imam Ahmad])

We all know that everything we have is temporary; our wealth, our health; our life. It’s very easy to forget this on a daily basis since we get so caught up in Dunia (the worldly matters); every morning we wake up so we take it for granted not realizing that there will be a morning where we won’t wake up.

Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] delivered his last Khutbah (sermon) on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah (12th and last month of the Islamic year), 10 years after Hijrah (migration from Makkah to Madinah) in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat. His words were quite clear and concise and were directed to the entire humanity. This was his last great advice:

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, and this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury (interest); therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn ‘Abd’al Muttalib (Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived…

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship ALLAH, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over white except by piety (taqwa) and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before ALLAH and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, NO PROPHET OR APOSTLE WILL COME AFTER ME AND NO NEW FAITH WILL BE BORN. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QURAN and my example, the SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O ALLAH, that I have conveyed your message to your people”.

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(Reference: See Al-Bukhari, Hadith 1623, 1626, 6361) Sahih of Imam Muslim also refers to this sermon in Hadith number 98. Imam al-Tirmidhi has mentioned this sermon in Hadith nos. 1628, 2046, 2085. Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal has given us the longest and perhaps the most complete version of this sermon in his Musnad, Hadith no. 19774.)