“Indeed
in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad salallahu alayhi wasalam) you have a good
example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last
Day and remembers Allah much.” (33:21)
“And live with them (your
wives) kindness…” (4:19)
• If one studies the life
of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam during the month of Ramadan, it will
become apparent the balance he maintained in fulfilling the rights of his
beloved wives while at the same time not falling short in his devotions to
Allah. This was despite the fact that he said, ‘I am the most
Allah-consciousness among you and I am the most knowledgeable of Allah from all
of you.’ (Bukhari). At the same time in another narration he said, ‘The best
among you is the one who is the best to his wife and I am the best to my
family.’ (Tirmidhi)
• Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam displayed this exemplary side of his character too in the most
unique manner:
1. His
salallahu alayhi wasalam teaching them
Many of the narrations which depict the life of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam during Ramadan have been narrated to us on the authority of his beloved wives. This is a clear indication of how he attempted to involve them to be part of his daily activity and to educate them. Aisha radhiyallahi anha narrated that she asked Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam, ‘If I happen to find the night of power, what should I say in du’a?’ He replied, ‘Say: O Allah! You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Generous, You love to forgive, so please forgive me.’ (Muslim)
Many of the narrations which depict the life of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam during Ramadan have been narrated to us on the authority of his beloved wives. This is a clear indication of how he attempted to involve them to be part of his daily activity and to educate them. Aisha radhiyallahi anha narrated that she asked Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam, ‘If I happen to find the night of power, what should I say in du’a?’ He replied, ‘Say: O Allah! You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Generous, You love to forgive, so please forgive me.’ (Muslim)
2. His
salallahu alayhi wasalam wives being informed about him
Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam did not live a life wherein he excluded his family members from the activities of his mission of Prophethood and his acts of worship. Once, Aisha radhiyallahi anha was asked, ‘How was the (tahajud) salah of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam during Ramadan?’ She replied, ‘He would not perform more than eleven raka’ah of salah neither in Ramadan nor out of Ramadan. He would first perform four raka’ah, do not ask of how wonderful and how long it was! Thereafter he would perform another four raka’ah, do not ask of how wonderful and how long it was! Thereafter he would perform three raka’ah (witr).’ (Bukhari)
Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam did not live a life wherein he excluded his family members from the activities of his mission of Prophethood and his acts of worship. Once, Aisha radhiyallahi anha was asked, ‘How was the (tahajud) salah of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam during Ramadan?’ She replied, ‘He would not perform more than eleven raka’ah of salah neither in Ramadan nor out of Ramadan. He would first perform four raka’ah, do not ask of how wonderful and how long it was! Thereafter he would perform another four raka’ah, do not ask of how wonderful and how long it was! Thereafter he would perform three raka’ah (witr).’ (Bukhari)
3. His
salallahu alayhi wasalam intimate relations with his wives
The wives of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam serve as the greatest source of reference for the Ummah to come to know of this aspect of his noble life. Aisha radhiyallahi anha narrated regarding Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam, ‘When the last ten days (of Ramadan) arrived, he would tightly fasten his lower garment (i.e. refrain from intimate relations), spend the nights in the worship of Allah and awake his family members (to join in the same).’ (Bukhari) In another narration, she reports saying, ‘Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam would kiss his wives whilst he was fasting.’ Aisha radhiyallahi anha was asked, ‘Was it the compulsory or the optional fast?’ She replied, ‘In both, the compulsory and optional fasts.’ (Muslim) As the scholars have stated, if a person has a fear that such an action will lead to invalidating the fast, then one should refrain completely from it.
The wives of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam serve as the greatest source of reference for the Ummah to come to know of this aspect of his noble life. Aisha radhiyallahi anha narrated regarding Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam, ‘When the last ten days (of Ramadan) arrived, he would tightly fasten his lower garment (i.e. refrain from intimate relations), spend the nights in the worship of Allah and awake his family members (to join in the same).’ (Bukhari) In another narration, she reports saying, ‘Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam would kiss his wives whilst he was fasting.’ Aisha radhiyallahi anha was asked, ‘Was it the compulsory or the optional fast?’ She replied, ‘In both, the compulsory and optional fasts.’ (Muslim) As the scholars have stated, if a person has a fear that such an action will lead to invalidating the fast, then one should refrain completely from it.
4. His
salallahu alayhi wasalam encouragement to exert in worship
In as much as the noble Messenger salallahu alayhi wasalam busied himself in the worship of Allah, he was always concerned of the spiritual welfare of his household and never lagged in this duty. Ali radhiyallahi anhu says that during the last ten days if Ramadan, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam would awake his family members (to engage in the worship of Allah). (Tirmidhi) Similarly, when Aisha and Hafsa radhiyallahi anhun sought his permission to sit in I’tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadan, he permitted them to do so. (Bukhari)
In as much as the noble Messenger salallahu alayhi wasalam busied himself in the worship of Allah, he was always concerned of the spiritual welfare of his household and never lagged in this duty. Ali radhiyallahi anhu says that during the last ten days if Ramadan, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam would awake his family members (to engage in the worship of Allah). (Tirmidhi) Similarly, when Aisha and Hafsa radhiyallahi anhun sought his permission to sit in I’tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadan, he permitted them to do so. (Bukhari)
5. His
salallahu alayhi wasalam marriage during Ramadan
What better example can there be of the moderation in the personality of the most beloved of Allah salallahu alayhi wasalam, in spite of his apparent preoccupation only with His creator and the mission he had at hand! Tarikh Tabari has cited a narration that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam married Zainub bint Khuzaimah radhiyallahi anha, the mother of the poor, in the Ramadan of the third year of hijra and he consummated the marriage in the very same month.
What better example can there be of the moderation in the personality of the most beloved of Allah salallahu alayhi wasalam, in spite of his apparent preoccupation only with His creator and the mission he had at hand! Tarikh Tabari has cited a narration that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam married Zainub bint Khuzaimah radhiyallahi anha, the mother of the poor, in the Ramadan of the third year of hijra and he consummated the marriage in the very same month.
• These are but a few
glimpses of the life of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam during this great
month, more so with reference to how he interacted with his wives and family
members during these days. A keen observer will find many more such examples
recorded in the books of Seerah and Hadith. May Allah bestow us with His love
and the love of His Beloved salallahu alayhi wasalam. Ameen.
From: at-Talib
