04/04/2015
No seeker ever got closer to knowing about “The Way” (Sunnah) of the Prophet than he who asked Aisha (ra) about the character of the Prophet (saw). So, Allah (swt) guided her to answer him with an amazing precision. For, she said: “don’t you read the Qur’an?” and when the inquirer answered in the affirmative, She added “His (the prophet) Character was the Qur’an”.
No teacher can ever get better opportunity to teach another the way of the Prophet (pbuh). The inquirers’ question was perfect. Plus, his choice of teacher and subject matter: the beloved wife of the Prophet (pbuh); Aisha (ra). No wonder he got a perfect answer.
But for us today, this perfect opportunity will be lost trying to narrate several thousands of hadith to teach our students the way or Sunnah of the prophet. In the hope that s/he can somehow piece together a personality out of this to emulate. Nothing can be far from reality. But for Aisha (ra), the way of the prophet was simply the Quran. Thus the core of the whole of this our affair is the Qu’ran. And unless we’re prepared to study, understand and implement it in our lives, we risk repeating those same mistakes that stalled Islamic civilization after several centuries of progress whilst we keep running round in cycles, reciting and reading the Qur’an. And Allah knows best. As Muslims, if we’re not going to learn the Quran, to what use can we put the hadith?
Without the Soul, the Body is but a mass of flesh and bones. May Allah (swt) have Mercy and guide all of us back to his straight path. Yaa Rabbal Aalameen.
As to what follows: Muslim :: Book 4 : Hadith 1623 and Malik :: Book 47 : Hadith 47.2.9
Muslim :: Book 4 : Hadith 1623
(Sa'd b. Hisham b. 'Amir and Hakim b. Aflah) Went to 'A'isha and sought permission to meet her. she granted them permission and they came before her.
She said: Are you Hakim?
He replied: Yes.
She said: Who is there with you?
He said: He is Sa'd b. Hisham.
She said: Which Hisham?
He said: He is Hisham b. 'Amir. She blessed him ('Amir) with mercy from Allah and spoke well of him.
Hakim: “Mother of the Faithful, tell me about the character of the Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him).”
She said: Don't you read the Qur'an?
Hakim said: Yes I do. Upon this;
She said: The character of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) was the Qur'an.
He (Hisham) said: I felt inclined to get up and not ask anything (further) till death….
Malik :: Book 47 : Hadith 47.2.9
Yahya related to me from Malik from Salama ibn Safwan ibn Salama az-Zuraqi that Zayd ibn Talha ibn Rukana, who attributed it to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Every deen has an innate character. The character of Islam is modesty.'