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.