We all desire to be loved. We all crave companionship. It is our human need to want these things, as it’s part of our design. But, often at times we suffer when a relationship ends. It does not meet our expectations and we go through life hurting. The pain of relationships can make us feel like we are not enough. That is often the relationship we have with each other. But, there is a special relationship that can help us understand our place in this world better and help us maintain stronger relationships. How? By making our relationship with our Creator, stronger. But, how can we have a strong relationship with Allah?
There are many ways we can build a better relationship with Allah. One of the ways we explore this is by examining the relationship the Prophet Muhammad (saw) had with his Lord.
In this blessed month of Ramadan, if we allow ourselves some time to learn about the Prophet’s (saw) exemplary way of life, it can transform our own relationship with Allah. One of our goals in this month is to seek the pleasure of Allah and nearness to him. For a Muslim, this is true success.
It is important to know that to truly love Allah is to always have him at the forefront of your heart. This love should translate into your deeds and be a source of light for you. When the Prophet (saw) was in Makkah, before he was a Prophet, he would go deep into the Mount of Hira, on the outskirts of the city. It was here that he would meditate and seek closeness to Allah. From the beginning, we are learning that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) was trying to understand his place in the world and coming to know about the One who Created him. In the seerah we learn, when revelation came, the Prophet Muhammad (Saw) was afraid. He ran to his wife, to seek comfort in her.
When the time came to spread the message, he was nervous, but he was brave. He stood on the mountain of Safah and started his call. Despite feeling scared, he still did what he needed to do, because he placed his absolute trust in Allah. As more revelations came, and years had passed, the Prophet (saw) was tried and tested, but he always remained close to Allah, relying on him as the storms hit.
As the Quran was revealed, the Prophet (saw) was the first to act upon the commands and we see from this example how it demonstrated the truth of the message. During the end of his life, the Prophet, as he lay on his death bed, had a choice to choose the life of this world or Allah.
When you put Allah first, you will have a blessed life. When you follow the example of the Prophet (saw) and use it as an example to serve others, you win. In this blessed month, exemplify the Sunnah and serve others. The Prophet (saw) made it his mission to serve Allah, and through serving Allah, he was able to serve creation. He put Allah first in all matters and he left this dunya with a beautiful ending. During the month of Ramadan, make it your goal to give, for His sake, and walk the path of the most Beloved (saw) to Allah.