“The Life of the Final Messenger ﷺ: A Model of Mercy, Patience, and Justice”

“The Life of the Final Messenger ﷺ: A Model of Mercy, Patience, and Justice”

By: Md Salman Alam Qasmi
Lecturer: MMERC, Mumbai

All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, who sent His beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as a mercy for mankind, a light for the seekers of truth, and a guide for the lost hearts. Today, as we remember his blessed life, from his noble birth to his departure from this world, we must not only admire his greatness but also draw lessons for our own lives.

The last Messenger of God was born in the blessed city of Makkah in the year of 571, CE. When the world was drowning in ignorance and injustice. His father, Abdullah, had passed away before his birth. From the very beginning, he was an orphan, but this orphan was destined to be the leader of all creation and to be mercy for whole humanity. His blessed face shone with light, and the signs of prophethood surrounded him. He grew up pure, honest, and trustworthy, a young man who never bowed before idols, who never told a lie, and who became famous among his people as As-Sadique and Al-Ameen, the most truthful and the most trustworthy.

As a youth, he worked as a shepherd and then as a trader, where his honesty and integrity amazed all who dealt with him. When he managed the trade of the noble lady in Makkah, Khadijah (ra), she was so impressed by his character that she proposed marriage, and thus began a blessed companionship after getting married to him. Hazrat Khadijah (ra) became not only his wife but his first supporter, his source of comfort, and his partner in every struggle. Their home was a place of love, peace, and mutual respect.

At the age of forty, when the world around him was darkened with idolatry, oppression, and injustice, the light of prophethood descended upon him in the cave of Hira. The angel Jibrael (as) brought him the first words of the Qur’an: “Read in the name of your Lord who created.” These words opened a new chapter for humanity. He came trembling to his beloved wife, and she reassured him with words of faith and conviction, becoming the first believer in his mission. Soon after, his closest companion Abu Bakr (ra), his young cousin Ali (ra), and his loyal servant Zayd (ra) embraced Islam, showing that this call was not a matter of blood or age but of faith and sincerity.
From that moment on, his life was no longer his own. It was dedicated entirely to Allah and to the mission of saving humanity from deep darkness. He bore insults, rejection, and persecution from his own tribe and his own city, but he never gave up. When the people of Makkah mocked him, calling him a liar and a magician, he remained patient. When Makkan disbelievers tortured his companions, he endured with them, comforting them with the promise of Paradise. He never prayed for revenge but for guidance, saying, “O Allah, forgive my people, for they do not know.”

When life in Makkah became unbearable, Allah opened the doors of Madinah for him. The people of Madinah welcomed him with the beautiful words of “طلع البدر علينا من ثنيات الوداع.” and made him their leader. There he established the first Islamic state based on justice, equality, and brotherhood. He united the tribes, created a bond of love between the Ansar and Muhajirun, and taught that all believers are one body. The rich must care for the poor. The strong must protect the weak, and that no Arab should have superiority over a non-Arab except in piety. His Masjid in Madinah became the center of learning, worship, where hearts were purified and souls were refined.

In Madinah, his staunch enemies did not leave him in peace. Battles were forced upon him, yet he never fought for power or wealth but for spreading justice in each knock of the world and for removing cruelty from this earth. Therefore, at Badr, though small in number, his companions stood firm by his side, proving their love with their blood. At Uhud, when he was wounded and his face bled, they shielded him with their own bodies, crying, “May my life be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah!” At Khandaq, when hunger gripped them and the enemy surrounded them, they never lost hope because their beloved Prophet (saws) was among them. Their love for him was not in words but in sacrifice, in standing firm when others fled, and in obeying him even when their own desires were against it. All these things were only for saving the humanity from the clutch of oppressors.

The Prophet ﷺ was not only a leader on the battlefield but also the best of husbands, the most loving father, and the gentlest teacher. He mended his own clothes, sat with the poor, visited the sick, and never raised his voice harshly. Children would climb on his back in prayer, and he would prolong his prostration out of love for them. His heart was vast, filled with mercy even for animals and birds. Truly, he embodied the Qur’anic description: “And we have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.”

The climax of his mission came at the conquest of Makkah. After years of persecution and exile, he returned not as a tyrant but as a forgiving leader. Standing before those who had driven him out, mocked him, fought him and put the camel tripe over him during offering the prayer, he asked, “What do you think I will do with you today?” They replied, “You are a noble brother and the son of a noble brother.” He declared, “Go, for you are free.” No revenge, no cruelty, only forgiveness. That day, thousands entered Islam, not by the sword, but by the greatness of his character.
In the final years of his life, he delivered the Farewell Sermon, a summary of his mission and a message for all humanity. He reminded us of the sanctity of life, righteousness, and honor. He declared that all people are equal, regardless of race and color, and that women must be treated with kindness and respect. He emphasized the Qur’an and his Sunnah as the guiding lights forever, leaving no excuse for those who come after him.
Soon after, his health declined. In his final moments, he raised his eyes towards the heavens, saying, “With the highest Companion.” His blessed soul departed, and the earth wept, the companions were shaken, and the sky seemed darker. Abu Bakr (ra) stood firm and reminded the believers: “Whoever worships Muhammad, then know that Muhammad has passed away. But whoever worships Allah, then Allah is alive and never dies.”

The companions, lovers of the Prophet (saws) in every situation, carried forward his mission with unwavering faith. They spread Islam to each corner of the world, bearing hardships, hunger, and exile, yet never letting go of the teachings of their beloved. They loved him more than their own lives, and in their every action, we see their devotion. Bilal (ra), when asked to call the Adhan after his death, broke into tears, unable to say “Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah,” for the beloved was no longer among them. Umar (ra), the strong one, wept like a child. Ali (ra), the lion of Islam, said that after his death, the earth was never the same.

My dear brothers and sisters, the life of the Prophet ﷺ is not just a story of the past. It is a living guidance for all of us and the upcoming generations till the Day of Judgement. His patience teaches us how to endure trials. His forgiveness shows us how to treat our enemies. His love for his companions and family members teaches us how to build relationships together. His humility reminds us that greatness lies not in power but in service and affection. And above all, his devotion to Allah shows us the true purpose of our lives.

Let us ask ourselves: do we love him as his companions loved him? Do we obey him as they obeyed him? Do we sacrifice our lives for his mission as they sacrificed? If not, then our hearts are in need of revival. Because true love for the Prophet ﷺ is not in mere words but in following his Sunnah, in spreading his message, in living by his character, and in longing to meet him on the Day of Judgment, where he will intercede for his true followers.

O Allah, make us among those who love your beloved more than our lives, our wealth, and our families. O Allah, grant us his companionship in Jannah as You granted his companions in this world.