The Prophet Muhammad:No One Has Ever Been Followed Like Him

No One Has Ever Been Followed Like Him

To what extent is the Prophet ﷺ imitated! How accurately is he emulated! How many people strive to follow his every action! And with how much love, reverence, and grandeur is this imitation carried out! No other human being in history has been as widely and lovingly imitated as the Prophet Muhammadﷺ. A Muslim’s life, from dawn to dusk and beyond, is interwoven with practices inspired by his teachings, reflecting an unparalleled devotion and attention to detail.

A Muslim’s day begins with praising Allah, a practice rooted in the Prophet’s ﷺ habit of commencing his day with heartfelt supplications. These exact supplications, preserved with care, are repeated by countless Muslims every morning. Before dawn, as the world sleeps, the believer awakens and recites Quranic verses reflecting on Allah’s signs in the creation of the heavens and the earth, just as the Prophet ﷺ did.

The ritual purification of ablution (wudu), a prerequisite for prayer, mirrors the precise actions and supplications taught by the Prophet ﷺ. Facing the Kaaba, the Muslim washes their hands, face, arms, and feet in a specific order, accompanying each step with heartfelt prayers. Every detail—from the number of times water is poured to the way each body part is cleansed—faithfully reflects the Prophet’s ﷺ example. As dawn breaks, the call to prayer (adhan) echoes, reminiscent of the call made by Bilal during the Prophet’s ﷺ time. Muslims then perform the two units of Sunnah prayer before the obligatory Fajr prayer, replicating the Prophet’s ﷺ exact postures, hand gestures, and recitations. Every bow, prostration, and supplication during Fajr is performed with utmost care, adhering to the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings.

This imitation extends beyond prayer. In fasting during Ramadan, believers follow the Prophet’s ﷺ guidance on when to break the fast, what to avoid, and how to act if the fast is unintentionally broken. In acts of worship like Hajj, Zakat, Friday prayers, and Eid celebrations, every step is modelled after the Prophet’s ﷺ actions. Even in daily routines—business dealings, sleep, waking, eating, and interacting with others—the Prophet’s ﷺ example is meticulously followed.

But the Prophet ﷺ didn’t just teach actions; he imparted values and ethics. His statement, “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself,” continues to guide Muslim interactions, fostering trust and harmony. From greeting others with “As-salamu alaykum” to showing kindness to neighbours, believers strive to emulate his mercy and integrity in all social interactions.

When a child is born, parents often name them Muhammad or Ahmad or choose names beloved by the Prophet ﷺ. This act instils a lifelong connection with him. Parents also teach their children the Prophet’s ﷺ knowledge, values, and compassion—his love for orphans, kindness to parents, and care for the needy. His ﷺ personal habits—using kohl, wearing perfume, applying oil to his hair, and trimming his nails—are carefully adopted by believers, turning simple acts into cherished traditions.

His ﷺ guidance also encompasses health and personal care. His recommendations—performing hijama (cupping), eating moderately, using black seed, sleeping early, taking afternoon naps, and brushing teeth before and after meals—are still integrated into daily life, promoting physical well-being and mindfulness. His advice on gatherings, travel, and personal hygiene are equally observed, elevating these actions into acts of devotion.

Not only are the teachings and actions of the Prophet ﷺ about life meticulously imitated, but his guidance concerning the afterlife of a person is followed with the same devotion and precision. How should a deceased person be cared for? How should one pray for them? How is the Funeral Prayer (Salat al-Janazah) to be performed? What supplications should be included in that prayer? How should the deceased be bathed? Should martyrs be bathed at all? How should a person be placed in their grave, and in which direction should their face be turned? Who inherits the deceased's property, and how should it be distributed? What should be done about the debts of the deceased?

All these questions were answered by the Prophet ﷺ with clarity, and to this day, his instructions are followed precisely. From washing the body of the deceased in a manner the Prophet ﷺ prescribed—gently and with care—to ensuring the burial takes place with the face turned towards the Qiblah, every step reflects his guidance. The martyrs, as per his teachings, are buried in the condition they were found, unbathed and shrouded in their clothes, as a mark of their noble sacrifice.

Even after burial, the Prophet’s ﷺ example continues to guide the actions of the living for the deceased. Good deeds done on behalf of the departed are modelled after his practices. For instance, the Prophet ﷺ prepared food for the friends of Khadijah on her remembrance days, showing how love and memory transcend time. When Sa‘d ibn Ubadah passed away, the Prophet ﷺ instructed the digging of a well in his name as an ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah). These examples inspire countless acts of kindness performed by believers for their deceased loved ones. How many wells are still being dug today by children in honour of their deceased mothers, following the Prophetic tradition? How many believers dedicate charitable acts, prayers, and supplications to benefit their loved ones in the afterlife, imitating the practices of the Prophet ﷺ?

Even the smallest of details in life and death are addressed in his teachings. Once, a Jew asked Salman al-Farisi, “You claim your Prophet ﷺ taught you everything. Did he even teach you how to behave when relieving yourself?” Salman replied confidently, “Yes, indeed. He has forbidden us to face the Qiblah at the time of easing oneself or urinating. He has also forbidden us from cleansing ourselves with our right hand, from using less than three stones for cleaning, or using dung or bone for the purpose.”

How extraordinary it is that a man who walked this earth over 1,400 years ago continues to shape lives so profoundly! Every step, every word, every gesture of the Prophet ﷺ serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path of millions with love, reverence, and hope. 

End of the Session

Read Biography of the Messenger of Allah 

To what extent is the Prophet ﷺ imitated! How accurately is he emulated! How many people strive to follow his every action! And with how much love, reverence, and grandeur is this imitation carried out! No other human being in history has been as widely and lovingly imitated as the Prophet Muhammadﷺ. A Muslim’s life, from dawn to dusk and beyond, is interwoven with practices inspired by his teachings, reflecting an unparalleled devotion and attention to detail.

A Muslim’s day begins with praising Allah, a practice rooted in the Prophet’s ﷺ habit of commencing his day with heartfelt supplications. These exact supplications, preserved with care, are repeated by countless Muslims every morning. Before dawn, as the world sleeps, the believer awakens and recites Quranic verses reflecting on Allah’s signs in the creation of the heavens and the earth, just as the Prophet ﷺ did.

The ritual purification of ablution (wudu), a prerequisite for prayer, mirrors the precise actions and supplications taught by the Prophet ﷺ. Facing the Kaaba, the Muslim washes their hands, face, arms, and feet in a specific order, accompanying each step with heartfelt prayers. Every detail—from the number of times water is poured to the way each body part is cleansed—faithfully reflects the Prophet’s ﷺ example. As dawn breaks, the call to prayer (adhan) echoes, reminiscent of the call made by Bilal during the Prophet’s ﷺ time. Muslims then perform the two units of Sunnah prayer before the obligatory Fajr prayer, replicating the Prophet’s ﷺ exact postures, hand gestures, and recitations. Every bow, prostration, and supplication during Fajr is performed with utmost care, adhering to the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings.

This imitation extends beyond prayer. In fasting during Ramadan, believers follow the Prophet’s ﷺ guidance on when to break the fast, what to avoid, and how to act if the fast is unintentionally broken. In acts of worship like Hajj, Zakat, Friday prayers, and Eid celebrations, every step is modelled after the Prophet’s ﷺ actions. Even in daily routines—business dealings, sleep, waking, eating, and interacting with others—the Prophet’s ﷺ example is meticulously followed.

But the Prophet ﷺ didn’t just teach actions; he imparted values and ethics. His statement, “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself,” continues to guide Muslim interactions, fostering trust and harmony. From greeting others with “As-salamu alaykum” to showing kindness to neighbours, believers strive to emulate his mercy and integrity in all social interactions.

When a child is born, parents often name them Muhammad or Ahmad or choose names beloved by the Prophet ﷺ. This act instils a lifelong connection with him. Parents also teach their children the Prophet’s ﷺ knowledge, values, and compassion—his love for orphans, kindness to parents, and care for the needy. His ﷺ personal habits—using kohl, wearing perfume, applying oil to his hair, and trimming his nails—are carefully adopted by believers, turning simple acts into cherished traditions.

His ﷺ guidance also encompasses health and personal care. His recommendations—performing hijama (cupping), eating moderately, using black seed, sleeping early, taking afternoon naps, and brushing teeth before and after meals—are still integrated into daily life, promoting physical well-being and mindfulness. His advice on gatherings, travel, and personal hygiene are equally observed, elevating these actions into acts of devotion.

Not only are the teachings and actions of the Prophet ﷺ about life meticulously imitated, but his guidance concerning the afterlife of a person is followed with the same devotion and precision. How should a deceased person be cared for? How should one pray for them? How is the Funeral Prayer (Salat al-Janazah) to be performed? What supplications should be included in that prayer? How should the deceased be bathed? Should martyrs be bathed at all? How should a person be placed in their grave, and in which direction should their face be turned? Who inherits the deceased's property, and how should it be distributed? What should be done about the debts of the deceased?

All these questions were answered by the Prophet ﷺ with clarity, and to this day, his instructions are followed precisely. From washing the body of the deceased in a manner the Prophet ﷺ prescribed—gently and with care—to ensuring the burial takes place with the face turned towards the Qiblah, every step reflects his guidance. The martyrs, as per his teachings, are buried in the condition they were found, unbathed and shrouded in their clothes, as a mark of their noble sacrifice.

Even after burial, the Prophet’s ﷺ example continues to guide the actions of the living for the deceased. Good deeds done on behalf of the departed are modelled after his practices. For instance, the Prophet ﷺ prepared food for the friends of Khadijah on her remembrance days, showing how love and memory transcend time. When Sa‘d ibn Ubadah passed away, the Prophet ﷺ instructed the digging of a well in his name as an ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah). These examples inspire countless acts of kindness performed by believers for their deceased loved ones. How many wells are still being dug today by children in honour of their deceased mothers, following the Prophetic tradition? How many believers dedicate charitable acts, prayers, and supplications to benefit their loved ones in the afterlife, imitating the practices of the Prophet ﷺ?

Even the smallest of details in life and death are addressed in his teachings. Once, a Jew asked Salman al-Farisi, “You claim your Prophet ﷺ taught you everything. Did he even teach you how to behave when relieving yourself?” Salman replied confidently, “Yes, indeed. He has forbidden us to face the Qiblah at the time of easing oneself or urinating. He has also forbidden us from cleansing ourselves with our right hand, from using less than three stones for cleaning, or using dung or bone for the purpose.”

How extraordinary it is that a man who walked this earth over 1,400 years ago continues to shape lives so profoundly! Every step, every word, every gesture of the Prophet ﷺ serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path of millions with love, reverence, and hope.