A Perfect Family Man Holy <strong>Prophet</strong> <strong>Muhammad</strong> (<strong>pbuh</strong>) is the supreme example of a family man. He was a loving husband, an affectionate father and a doting grandfather. As long as the faithful Khadija (<strong>pbuh</strong>) was alive, he never <strong>to</strong>ok another wife. Even later on in life, when he had married several women, he used <strong>to</strong> cherish the loving memory of the faithful Khadija (<strong>pbuh</strong>). His marriages were not for pleasure, but were a humanitarian means <strong>to</strong> further the cause of Islam, as is evident from the women he married. In the case of Sawda, Umm Salama and Zainab bint Khuzaima, it was <strong>to</strong> take care of poor and helpless widows well in their middle ages, while the marriage <strong>to</strong> Juwairiyah was <strong>to</strong> grant her freedom from captivity. Still others such as those <strong>to</strong> Umm Habiba, Safiya, Ayesha, Hafsa and Maimoona were meant for uniting some prominent Arab tribes, who were often at loggerheads with each other, and also <strong>to</strong> safeguard the internal political status of the newfound Islamic State. And the marriage <strong>to</strong> Zainab bint Jahsh was for the sake of enacting a new law, because she was the divorcee of his adopted son Zaid bin Hareth. As the Holy Qur’an testifies, the <strong>Prophet</strong> married her in order <strong>to</strong> put an end <strong>to</strong> the prevalent belief that adopted sons were like real sons and that wives or widows of adopted sons were like daughter-in-laws. In short, the philosophy behind his marriages was entirely revolutionary and ushered in positive changes in ignorant Arabia. He was an affectionate father and his only surviving child, daughter Fatima (<strong>pbuh</strong>), was dearer <strong>to</strong> him than life. His famous saying (Hadith): “Fatima is a part of me, and whoever annoys her (in fact) annoys me,” stands as a firm testimony <strong>to</strong> this fact. His<strong>to</strong>ry is a witness that he used <strong>to</strong> stand up <strong>to</strong> greet his daughter. Many prominent and wealthy Arabs had approached him for Fatima’s hand, but he politely refused them, and according <strong>to</strong> divine <strong>com</strong>mandment married her <strong>to</strong> his faithful cousin Imam Ali (<strong>pbuh</strong>). Hence Fatima and Ali were the parents of his two grandsons Hasan and Hussain; through whom the continuity of the <strong>Prophet</strong>’s noble progeny has been ensured. Hasan and Hussain were the apple of his eyes and he affectionately doted on them. They used <strong>to</strong> play with him and ac<strong>com</strong>pany him <strong>to</strong> the mosque. Once when the two grandsons were seated on his shoulders, a <strong>com</strong>panion remarked: “What and excellent mount”, <strong>to</strong> which the <strong>Prophet</strong> re<strong>to</strong>rted “What excellent riders <strong>to</strong>o”. Thus, <strong>Prophet</strong> <strong>Muhammad</strong>’s (<strong>pbuh</strong>) behavior with his illustrious household (Ahlul-Bait) is a lesson for us. It was not blind love of a doting father or grandfather as some may misinterpret but was something divinely ordained as is clear from several verses of the Holy Qur’an. Therefore, it is obliga<strong>to</strong>ry for <strong>all</strong> Muslims <strong>to</strong> love and respect his chosen family, and adhere <strong>to</strong> their radiant path, which is the only way <strong>to</strong> save the Ummah from pitf<strong>all</strong>s. Praise be <strong>to</strong> Almighty God, Lord of the Worlds. “One, who gets up in the morning and is not concerned about the affairs of other Muslims, is NOT a Muslim.” “One who listens <strong>to</strong> the c<strong>all</strong> of a Muslim, and does not respond <strong>to</strong> it, is NOT a Muslim.” http://www.islamicoccasions.<strong>com</strong>
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