[To Look Attentively at the Biography of the Noble Prophet – sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam -]
For sure, a cause for the increase of eemaan is to look into the life story of the Prophet, to study it and to reflect on his fine qualities and noble and praise worthy characteristics that are mentioned in his biography.
He is the one who was trusted by Allaah with His revelation, the chosen one from amongst His creation and His ambassador between Himself and His slaves. He is the one who has been sent with the upright religion and the straight path. Allaah sent him as a mercy unto the worlds, a leader of the righteous and as a proof over all of His creation.
Allaah enjoined upon His slaves obedience of His Prophet (SAWS), exaltation of him, respect for him, love of him and the establishment of the rights that are due to him.
Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said:
“…and within this context, you can comprehend that the dire need of the slaves, which surpasses all other needs, is the need for knowledge of the Prophet, for that which he brought, for the belief in what he informed of and for having obedience to his commands.
If the happiness of the slave in both abodes is dependent upon the guidance of the Prophet – sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam -, it becomes a must upon everyone who sincerely wants to advise his own self and who desires his own salvation and happiness, to know of the guidance, life story of the Prophet – sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam – and his standing, which will take him out of the circle of those who are ignorant of him and will place him amongst his followers, his group and party.
People in this respect are an assortment of those who know little, those who know more and those who are deprived of any knowledge whatsoever. All favor is in Allaah’s hand, He bestows it to whoever He wills and Allaah is the possessor of great bounty.”
One who contemplates for example, on the statement of Allaah when describing His Prophet – sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam -:
“Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you; for the believers, he is full of pity, kind and merciful.”
(Surah At-Tawbah: (9) 128)
And His Saying:
“And verily, you are indeed upon an exalted standard of character.”
(Soorah al-Qalam (68):4)
And His Saying:
“And it was but by the mercy of Allaah that you dealt with them gently. Had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have dispersed away from you…”
(Soorah Aal-‘Imraan (3): I 59)
Likewise, there are other aayaat in addition to these.
Look into the Sunnah, at the reports of the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, on the description of the Prophet – sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam -. Such as the hadeeth of Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, in which she says:
“Whenever the Messenger of Allaah – sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam – was given a choice between two matters, he would choose the easiest of the two as long as it did not entail any sin. If it was sinful, he would be the furthest removed from such a thing. He never avenged for his own self; only when the sanctuaries of Allaah were violated would he then avenge them for Allaah.”
[Related by al-Bukhaaree, (6/566 Fath) and Muslim 4/ 1813]
The hadeeth of Anas Ibn Maalik, may Allaah be pleased with him, in which he reports:
“I served him for ten years and by Allaah, not once did he ever say to me, ‘uff’. He never said of something I did, ‘Why did you do that?’ or of something I did not do, ‘Why did you not do that?”
[Related by al-Bukhaaree, (10/456 Fath) and Muslim 4/1805]
Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, also said:
“He was the most generous person, the most handsome and the bravest of people.”
[Related by al-Bukhaaree, (6/95 Fath) and Muslim 4/1802]
He also said:
“The Messenger of Allaah was the best person in character and manners …”
[Related by Muslim 3/1692]
The hadeeth of ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr, may Allaah be pleased with him; he says:
“The Messenger of Allaah was never indecent (i.e., in speech, action, etc) by nature and nor did he ever purposely adopt such indecency, and he used to say ‘The best of you, is the finest of you in character and manners’.”
[Related by al-Bukhaaree, (10/456 Fath) and Muslim 4/1810]
The hadeeth of Aboo Sa’eed al-Khudree, may Allaah be pleased with him; he said:
“The Messenger of Allaah – sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam – was shyer than a virgin in her quarters, and whenever he disliked something, we would notice that from the expression on his face.”
[Related by al-Bukhaaree, (6/566 Fath) and Muslim 4/1809]
Similarly, there are so many other Hadeeths that would take a period of time to mention.
Thus, whoever contemplates over these will benefit greatly. Furthermore, this is a great matter, which strengthens the love in the heart of a Muslim for his Prophet – sallallahu alaihe wasallam – and an increase of love for him is an increase in eemaan. It brings about adherence and righteous actions, which in effect are amongst the greatest openings and ways of guidance.