Master of the Pious

Our Prophet: The Most sublime, the Most Great

Master of the Pious

(Part 17)

Abu al-Nur Rashid ‘Ali ‘Attari Madani

اَنَا اَتْقَاكُمْ لِلهِ، وَاَعْلَمُكُمْ بِحُدُودِ اللهِ

“I am the most fearful of Allah from all of you, and I am the most knowledgeable concerning His boundaries.”^[1]

The final Prophet of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم gave this message on multiple occasions. In some versions, he said, “˹From all of you˺, I am the most in awe of Allah...” whilst in others, it states, “The most knowledgeable about Allah.”

On one occasion, an Ansari Companion was kissed by his wife whilst he was fasting. He became fearful as to whether his fast was invalidated. When this was mentioned to the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, he said, “The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم also does this.” (Meaning, being kissed by your wife does not invalidate the fast).

After this beautiful reply, the Companion began to think, “The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is not like us. He has been granted exclusive specialities and authority by his Lord in countless matters, and perhaps he has been given dispensation to do this (being kissed by one’s wife whilst fasting).” When this question was presented to the final Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, he said:

اَنَا اَتْقَاكُمْ لِلهِ، وَاَعْلَمُكُمْ بِحُدُودِ اللهِ

“I am the most fearful of Allah from all of you, and I am the most knowledgeable concerning His boundaries.”^[2]

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was clarifying that if this action was impermissible or a sin, he would have been the first to abstain from it.

Sayyiduna Anas رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ narrates a similar incident in which some people asked the blessed wives of the final Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم about the acts of worship he would perform. When the people were informed about this, they thought, “He is the beloved of Allah Almighty, and for his sake, the sins of the previous and later people are forgiven. Therefore, we are in great need of performing worship.” One of them exclaimed that he would always offer salah for the entire night, another said that he would consistently fast, and another said that he would remain celibate. Then the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم came to them and said:

By Allah, I am more fearful and more mindful of Allah than all of you. Yet I keep ˹supererogatory˺ fasts but sometimes leave them; I perform salah ˹during the night˺ but sometimes I sleep instead; and I marry. Whosoever turned away from my Sunnah has nothing to do with me.^[3]

There are other similar narrations too. Nevertheless, when exploring these narrations, two prominent points come forward: Firstly, moderation is liked by the final Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Secondly, he is the most fearful of Allah Almighty, having utmost piety, unmatched virtue, and unparalleled knowledge of the boundaries established by Allah Almighty.

The previously mentioned narrations show his preference for moderation in all matters. As for his fear of Allah Almighty, that is revealed by even a cursory study of his life, as his unprecedented piety and mindfulness of Allah Almighty was an inseparable aspect of his daily life.

Bear in mind, the higher and more important the rank, the greater number of and more important responsibilities one carries. The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم possesses the highest and greatest rank in the universe. Allah Almighty granted him every treasure and authority. Despite this, our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was still mindful of Allah Almighty, never wanting to displease Him and always driven by love for Him. This unmatched degree of piety and mindfulness is one of the reasons for his eminent rank among creation, as Allah declares:

اِنَّ اَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ اَتْقٰىكُمْؕ-

“Indeed, the most honourable amongst you, according to Allah, is the one who is most pious amongst you.”^[4]

His rank is such that he is vested with the authority to grant tidings of Paradise to whomever he wishes. Yet, he remained humble before Allah Almighty and cried profusely when standing at a graveside, remarking, “Prepare for this grave.”^[5]

Allah Almighty stated:

وَ مَا كَانَ اللّٰهُ لِیُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَ اَنْتَ فِیْهِمْؕ-

“And it is not befitting to Allah to punish them whilst you, O Beloved, are in their midst,”^[6]

Despite this exclusive merit, his fear of Allah Almighty was such that whenever strong winds would blow and clouds would cover the sky, fear would be seen in his radiant face, only ceasing when it began to rain. When Sayyidatunā ʿĀʾisha رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا enquired about this, he explained, “I feared these clouds were punishment from Allah Almighty sent upon my ummah.”^[7]

He would seek Allah’s forgiveness seventy or a hundred times a day. His supplications are filled with expressions of fearing Allah Almighty and seeking refuge from His punishment.

May Allah Almighty let us bask in the Prophet’s lights, fill our heart with love for him, and make us living embodiments of his character.

اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم