Episode (2) Being with the Prophet ﷺ

"And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be in the company of those blessed by Allah: the prophets, the people of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous—what honorable company!" [Quran 4:69]

In this episode, we will look at what occurred before this verse was revealed and how love of and obedience to the Messenger is a means for being with him ﷺ in Paradise.

Episode (3) The Protection of Togetherness

"O believers! Be mindful of Allah and be with the truthful." [Quran 9:119] This verse teaches us the importance of being with the believers and being in the presence of the living inheritors of the Prophet ﷺ who embody his Sunna.

Sh. Yahya Rhodus gives us a number of practical ways we can be "with" the truthful, and he explains the ascending degrees of truthfulness that we must seek to attain.

Episode (4) The Prophet ﷺ is the Straight Path

"Indeed, that is My Path—perfectly straight. So follow it and do not follow other ways, for they will lead you away from His Way. This is what He has commanded you, so perhaps you will be conscious ˹of Allah˺." [Quran 6:153]

In this episode, we reflect on the Prophet ﷺ as our guide along the Straight Path. We must honor and appreciate the gift of guidance we have in him ﷺ and not follow other ways that will take us away from the path of felicity and true success.

Episode (5) The Prophet ﷺ is the Firmest Handhold

"So whoever renounces false gods and believes in Allah has certainly grasped the firmest, unfailing hand-hold. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." [Quran 2:256]

The more that we know about our Prophet ﷺ, the greater our certitude will be in him and in the religion that was revealed to him. We see this manifested in Abu Bakr's response (may Allah be well pleased with him) after the Prophet ﷺ returned from the Night Journey and Heavenly Ascension.

Episode (6) Not Seeing the Special Qualities of the Prophet ﷺ

"If you call them to guidance, they do not hear. And you ˹O Prophet˺ may see them looking at you, but they cannot see." [Quran 7:198]

This lesson focuses on how the Quran calls us to "see" the Prophet ﷺ. In order to recognize who the Prophet ﷺ really, we require spiritual sight that is illuminated by sincere faith.

Episode (7) Being Veiled by the Prophet’s ﷺ Human Side

"And they say ˹mockingly˺, “What kind of messenger is this who eats food and goes about in market-places ˹for a living˺?" [Quran 25:7]

"The disbelieving chiefs of his people said, “We see you only as a human being like ourselves, and we see that no one follows you except the lowliest among us, who do so ˹hastily˺ without thinking." [Quran 11:27]

The Quran calls us to see through the veils that prevent people from seeing the true. Instead of benefiting from the way of the Prophets who are role models for us, some people due to their arrogance and ignorance, underestimate the true nature of those chosen by Allah as guides for humanity. We must recognize that the human side of the Prophet ﷺ is a door for us to understand his special qualities and to follow his path, thereby attaining nearness to Allah ﷻand His reward.

Episode (8) The Prophet’s ﷺ Human Side Is a Door to His Special Qualities

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Even though I am a man like you, I receive revelation that your God is only One God. So whoever hopes for the meeting with their Lord, let them do good deeds and associate none in the worship of their Lord.” [Quran 18:110]

Instead of equating the Prophet ﷺ with other regular human beings, Allah ﷻ call us to reflect on His Beloved's special qualities and his being given revelation. When studying the human qualities of the Prophet ﷺ, we see his miraculous nature, magnificent character, and special qualities, further deepening our reverence and love for him.

Episode (9) The Greatest Tribulation: The Passing of the Prophet ﷺ

The Companions (may Allah be well pleased with them) had the greatest reverence for and understanding of Allah’s Book, which led them to have a deep love and unbreakable connection to Allah’s Beloved ﷺ.

This lesson highlights examples of the Companions’ faith and their connection to the Prophet ﷺ, which further illustrates the closeness of the connection between the Quran and the Prophet.

Episode (10) The Companions’ Attachment to the Prophet ﷺ after His Passing

The Companions (may Allah be well pleased with them) had the greatest reverence for and understanding of Allah’s Book, which led them to have a deep love and unbreakable connection to Allah’s Beloved ﷺ.

Even after the Prophet's passing ﷺ, the Companions' love remained unwavering. In this lesson, we look at a few more examples of their attachment to the Prophet ﷺ.

Episode (11) “I have chosen you for Myself”

Allah ﷻ tells us regarding Prophet Musa ﷺ, "I showered you with My love ˹O Moses˺ so that you would be brought up under My ˹watchful˺ Eye." [Quran 20:39]

Two verses later, Allah ﷻ says, "And I have selected you for Myself. " [Quran 20:41]

If this is the degree of love and care Allah granted Prophet Musa (peace be upon him), what does that say of the rank granted to Allah's Beloved ﷺ? This should inspire us to follow his Sunna, have greater reverence for his teachings, and be even more committed to his path so that we may also be granted Allah's love ﷻ.

Episode (12) “For you are truly under Our ˹watchful˺ Eyes”

"So be patient with your Lord’s decree, for you are truly under Our ˹watchful˺ Eyes. And glorify the praises of your Lord when you rise. And glorify Him during part of the night and at the fading of the stars." [Quran 52:48-49]

These verses highlight how Allah ﷻ is consoling His Prophet ﷺ and describing the extent of His care and protection for His Beloved.

Episode (13) “We will make you turn towards a prayer direction that will please you”

Our mother Aisha (may Allah be well pleased with her) said, after seeing how Allah ﷻ was continuously fulfilling the Prophet's wishes, "Your Lord truly hastens to give you what you want!"

Allah ﷻ says, "Indeed, We see you ˹O Prophet˺ turning your face towards heaven. Now We will make you turn towards a direction ˹of prayer˺ that will please you." [Quran 2:144]

And, "And ˹surely˺ your Lord will give so much to you that you will be pleased." [Quran 93:5] When reflecting on these verses and the vastness of Allah's generosity towards His Prophet, we should be inspired to appreciate the blessing of being from the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Episode (14) “If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins”

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “If you ˹sincerely˺ love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Quran 3:31]

The Sunna of the Prophet ﷺ is the path to Allah’s love. When reflecting on this verse, it teaches us the centrality of love within Islam and that the foundation of the spiritual path is following the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Episode (15) “It is the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger they should seek"

"They swear by Allah to you ˹believers˺ in order to please you, while it is the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger they should seek, if they are ˹true˺ believers." [Quran 9:62]

In this episode, Sh. Yahya Rhodus points out a beautiful and subtle aspect of the Arabic which shows the Prophet's ﷺ perfect alignment with Allah's will and good pleasure ﷻ. The Companions had a deep understanding of these verses, which is why they sought to bring joy to the Prophet ﷺ, knowing that if the Messenger was pleased with him that it was a sign that Allah ﷻ was pleased with him.

Episode (16) “So, by His grace, you became brothers”

"And hold firmly together to the rope of Allah and do not be divided. Remember Allah’s favor upon you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts, so, by His grace, you became brothers." [Quran 3:103]

With the coming of the Prophet ﷺ, who is described as Allah's grace in the verse above, Allah miraculously united the hearts of the believers despite tribal feuding that had existed between the Aws and Khazraj for many generations. This verse highlights how the Prophet ﷺ is a blessing for us in all times and that his way contains solutions for even the most complex problems.

Episode (17) “Surely those who pledge allegiance to you are actually pledging allegiance to Allah”

Allah ﷻ says, "Surely those who pledge allegiance to you ˹O Prophet˺ are actually pledging allegiance to Allah. Allah’s Hand is over theirs. Whoever breaks their pledge, it will only be to their own loss. And whoever fulfills their pledge to Allah, He will grant them a great reward." [Quran 48:10]

And, "Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you ˹O Prophet˺ under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down serenity upon them and rewarded them with a victory at hand." [Quran 48:18]

This lesson focuses on the events preceding the revelation of these verses and highlights the blessing of being connected to the Prophet ﷺ, and that those who pledge their allegiance to him are actually pledging their allegiance to the Lord of the heavens and the earth ﷻ.

Episode (18) “Whoever obeys the Messenger has truly obeyed Allah”

"Whoever obeys the Messenger has truly obeyed Allah." [Quran 4:80]

When the hypocrites attempted to criticize the Prophet's exalted rank ﷺ and create discord within the community, Allah ﷻ revealed the verse above. This further confirmed and emphasized His Prophet's authority. Knowing this helps us remain steadfast in following his Sunna ﷺ and protects us from deviating from his path.

Episode (19) “Say, ‘What is with Allah is far better than amusement and merchandise’”

Allah ﷻ says, "O believers! When the call to prayer is made on Friday, then proceed ˹diligently˺ to the remembrance of Allah and leave off ˹your˺ business. That is best for you, if only you knew. Once the prayer is over, disperse throughout the land and seek the bounty of Allah. And remember Allah often so you may be successful. When they saw the fanfare along with the caravan, they ˹almost all˺ flocked to it, leaving you ˹O Prophet˺ standing ˹on the pulpit˺. Say, “What is with Allah is far better than amusement and merchandise. And Allah is the Best Provider.” [Quran 62:9-11]

These verses tell us about the special blessings and mercy those with the Prophet ﷺ receive. In this lesson, Sh. Yahya Rhodus discusses ways we can, despite living 1400 years later, be "with" the Prophet ﷺ.