Surah Al-Ahzaab (33) — Ayah 21

(Ayah 21) ➊ {لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِيْ رَسُوْلِ اللّٰهِ اُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ …:’’ اُسْوَةٌ ‘‘} and {’’قُدْوَةٌ‘‘} to be followed, an example. In this, there is reproach for those who stayed behind from the battle, meaning it was your duty that just as Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was risking his life at that time and was bravely facing all hardships and difficulties, you too should have risked your lives. It was not the case that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) had thrown you into danger while he himself sat in some shelter resting! If he had done so, you might have had an excuse, but he was at the forefront in every task. In digging the trench, wielding the pickaxe, carrying the soil, even in reciting war chants with the companions, in staying hungry and awake, in being personally present at the front throughout the battle, he was with everyone, rather ahead of all. The word {’’ كَانَ ‘‘} is for continuity, meaning even before this, in bearing the hardships from the disbelievers in Makkah and Ta’if, in the perilous journey of migration, in bearing the wounds and shocks of Uhud, in short, at every difficult stage throughout his life, he was always at the forefront and an example for you. Then your showing cowardice and seeking to avoid any task cannot be considered reasonable in any way.

➋ Although this verse was revealed about jihad, its wording is general, so it applies to every occasion and situation. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is the best example for Muslims in all his sayings, actions, and states, upon which they must follow, and it is not permissible for them to avoid following him in any matter of their individual or collective life. Allah Almighty said: «{ قُلْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّوْنَ اللّٰهَ فَاتَّبِعُوْنِيْ۠ يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّٰهُ وَ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوْبَكُمْ وَ اللّٰهُ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ }» [ آل عمران : ۳۱ ] “Say: If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” And see Surah Al-A’raf, verses (156 to 158) and Surah Al-Hashr (7).

➌ {اُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ:} Uswah (example) is of two kinds: one is Uswah Hasanah (good example) and the other is Uswah Sayyi’ah (bad example). Uswah Hasanah is the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), because whoever follows him will walk the straight path and reach the honored and blessed Paradise. Whoever is against the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is Uswah Sayyi’ah, as when the disbelievers were commanded by the messengers to follow them, they said: «{ اِنَّا وَجَدْنَاۤ اٰبَآءَنَا عَلٰۤى اُمَّةٍ وَّ اِنَّا عَلٰۤى اٰثٰرِهِمْ مُّهْتَدُوْنَ }» [ الزخرف : ۲۲ ] “Indeed, we found our forefathers upon a way, and indeed, we are guided by following their footsteps.”

➍ {لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُوا اللّٰهَ وَ الْيَوْمَ الْاٰخِرَ … :} Only those people walk upon this Uswah Hasanah and only they are granted its ability who possess three qualities: first, faith in Allah, hope to meet Him and see Him; second, faith in the Hereafter and hope for its reward; and third, remembering Allah abundantly. These three things keep such people always ready and prepared to follow the Messenger, unlike the disbeliever and hypocrite who has neither faith in Allah, nor in the Hereafter, nor has he ever remembered his Lord, so for such people there is nothing before them except the life of this world and its pleasures, and thus they are never ready to take the Messenger as an example.

21-1. That is, O Muslims! And O hypocrites! For all of you, in the person of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, there is the best example, so follow him in jihad and in patience and steadfastness. Our Prophet remained hungry in jihad to the extent that he had to tie stones to his stomach, his face was wounded, his incisor tooth was broken, he dug the trench with his own hands, and for almost a month he stood firm before the enemy. Although this verse was revealed in the context of the Battle of Ahzab, in which, especially at the time of war, the exemplary conduct of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was to be kept in view and followed, this command is general, meaning that in all sayings, actions, and conditions of the Prophet ﷺ, it is necessary for Muslims to follow him, whether they relate to worship, social life, economy, or politics; in every aspect of life, his instructions are obligatory to follow. (ۭ وَمَآ اٰتٰىكُمُ الرَّسُوْلُ فَخُذُوْهُ ۤ وَمَا نَهٰىكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوْا) 59. Al-Hashr:7) (اِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّوْنَ اللّٰهَ فَاتَّبِعُوْنِيْ يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّٰهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوْبَكُمْ ۭوَاللّٰهُ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ) 3. Aal-e-Imran:31), also have the same implication.

21-2. From this, it becomes clear that only he will adopt the example of the Messenger who believes in meeting Allah in the Hereafter and remembers Allah abundantly. Nowadays, Muslims in general are deprived of both these qualities, which is why the example of the Messenger holds no importance in their hearts. Among them, those who are religious have their leaders as pirs and mashayikh, and those who are worldly and political have their guides and leaders as the masters of the West. There are many verbal claims of devotion to the Messenger of Allah, but none of them are willing to accept him ﷺ as their guide and leader. So to Allah is the complaint.

21. (O Muslims!) Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah ﷺ you have an excellent example [29] for whoever hopes in Allah and the Last Day [30] and remembers Allah often.

[29]
The Conduct of the Prophet ﷺ During Battle. He is a Mandatory Example for All Muslims:

The greatest responsibility in war lies upon the commander-in-chief. The commander-in-chief of the Muslims was none other than the Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself. The enemy’s overwhelming numbers, the severe shortage of food, and the gravity of the situation did not cause the slightest wavering in the steadfastness of this Prophet. In every circumstance, he placed his trust in Allah, remained hopeful of Allah’s help, and awaited His assistance. Yet, at the same time, with utmost dedication, he participated alongside you in every task of the battle, shoulder to shoulder with you. O Muslims! Your conduct should be the same, and you should keep the person of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ before you as a model. In terms of the context, this sentence means just that, but this command is general: not only in war, but in every situation, and not only in military commands and strategies, but in every aspect of life, the person of the Messenger should be kept as a model before you. Thus, in this brief sentence, both the obedience and the following of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ have been made obligatory and mandatory upon all Muslims.

[30]
What Kind of People Do Not Follow Him?

At the same time, Allah Almighty has also made it clear that only those people can follow the Messenger who possess three qualities: first, that they have sincere faith in Allah; second, that they also have faith in the Day of Judgment and hope for a good reward for their deeds from Allah; and third, that they remember Allah at all times. In other words, those who do not take the person of the Messenger as a model for themselves, or deviate from any of his sayings or actions, or do not consider his obedience and following as mandatory and obligatory—in reality, neither do they have faith in Allah nor in the Day of Judgment. This verse is a clear and strong proof of the obligation of unconditional obedience and following of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.