Allāh and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O you who believe! Send your blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.”[1]

Alḥāmdulillāh, today is the auspicious day of Jumuʿah (Friday), a day for which we know as reported by Aus b. Aus (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) that the Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said:

“Among the best of your days is Friday; so supplicate Allāh more often for me in it, for your supplications will be displayed to me.” He was asked: “O Messenger of Allāh! How will our blessings be displayed to you when your decayed body will have mixed with the earth?” He (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) replied, “Allāh has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of the Prophets.”[2]

At a time where justice is denied, where ignorance prevails, where one group of people are made to feel that there is an organised effort to oppress, rob and degrade them, where neither they nor their property will be safe and neither their lofty, envied values nor those whom they revere in high esteem will be safe from ridicule, let us remember him and send salutations upon him. He (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) is the undisputed best of all human beings, and most successful even from a secular, material perspective. Those whose exhausted attempts at rational, intellectual critique who are forced to gratuitous insult and wanton mockery will never take away anything from the greatness of the one whose mention Allāh Himself has raised:

Did We not expand for you, [O Muḥammad], your breast? And We removed from you your burden; Which had weighed upon your back? And raised high for you your repute? For indeed, with hardship [there is] ease. Indeed, with hardship [there is] ease. So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship]. And to your Lord direct [your] longing.[3]

This is a man (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) who is being praised constantly throughout the globe. There is no minute in the day where there is not someone, somewhere, calling the Adhān, the Iqāma, or engaged in prayer, whilst declaring that “I bear witness that Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allāh!” No moment passes except someone, somewhere, is sending ṣalawāt upon him, or delivering a lesson about his life, or narrating one of his noble statements, or making duʿā’ to Allāh and sealing it with the ṣalāh upon His beloved Messenger (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). All prophets including Mūsā and Īsā (ʿalayhima al-Salām) acknowledged his status and prayed behind him, and Allāh has made it such that there is no one who knows about him (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) and yet does not believe in him except he will be deprived from entering Jannah.

No amount of abuse, insult and mockery from the ignorant can come even close in comparison to this man’s lofty status and praise, for he has been named Ahmad (the one given and giving the highest quality of praise capable for a human) and Muḥammad (the one given the highest quantity of praise capable for a human) (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). Let us therefore not become too distracted from the real purpose of this life, longing for Allāh and glorifying Him and that which He loves, especially on the day of Jumuʿah.

ʿAmr b. al-ʿĀs (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) used to say:

“I could not look him in the eye because of awe. If I were to be asked to describe him I would not be able to, because I could not look him in the eye.”[4]

“And verily, you [O Muḥammad (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam)] are on an exalted standard of character.”[5]

Many may expect us to rush to respond to the unfortunate shooting at the French magazine headquarters recently. Although we will soon respond if Allāh permits us, we wish to do so with some reasoned analysis once the dust has settled and facts have become clear, and not waste our time with speculation, allowing the agenda to be dictated for us.

“I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.”[6]

I therefore trust and pray my dear brothers and sisters that you will do as I do and not let the actions of the wicked distract you from making the most of this day of Jumuʿah. The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said:

“Whoever sends ṣalāh upon me once, Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) will send ṣalāh upon him tenfold.”[7]

Ubay b. Kaʿb (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) narrated:

I said: “O Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam), I frequently invoke Allāh to elevate your rank. How much of my supplications should I devote to you?” He said, “You may devote as much as you wish.” When I suggested a quarter, he said, “Do whatever you wish, but it will be better for you if you increase it.” I suggested half, and he said, “Do whatever you wish, but it will be better for you if you increase.” I suggested two- thirds, and he said, “Do whatever you wish but it will be better for you if you increase it.” I said, “Shall I devote all my supplications invoking Allāh to elevate your rank?” He said, “Then you will be freed from your worries and your sins will be forgiven.” [8]

Let us earn the pleasure of Allāh jalla waʿāla in saying the following as many times today as we can:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

“O Allāh, let Your Blessings come upon Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad, as you have blessed Ibrāhīm and the family of Ibrāhīm. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allāh, bless Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad, as you have blessed Ibrāhīm and the family of Ibrāhīm. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious”.