Like a father – the Prophet ﷺ
Allah Almighty stated in Surat al-Jumuʿah that His greatest favour to this Ummah was that He sent us the final, perfect Messenger ﷺ with the final, perfect message for humanity. He reminds us not to take this blessing for granted:
هُوَ ٱلَّذِی بَعَثَ فِی ٱلۡأُمِّیِّـۧنَ رَسُولࣰا مِّنۡهُمۡ یَتۡلُوا۟ عَلَیۡهِمۡ ءَایَـٰتِهِۦ وَیُزَكِّیهِمۡ وَیُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبۡلُ لَفِی ضَلَـٰلࣲ مُّبِینࣲ
“It is He who sent among the unlettered ones a messenger from among themselves, reciting His verses to them, purifying them, and teaching them the Scripture and wisdom—although they were indeed in clear error before that.” (Al-Jumuʿah, 62:2)
Allah Almighty also said of the Prophet ﷺ in Surat al-Qalam:
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمࣲ
“And indeed, you are of great moral character.” (Al-Qalam, 68:4)
Similar verses appear in Surat al-Baqarah and elsewhere highlighting the blessing of imaan, guidance, and revelation. When Allah called the Arabs before Islam ummiyyeen, it did not mean they were illiterate, but that they had no divine book. Although many could not read or write, including the Prophet ﷺ, this description meant they were without revelation.
Then Allah sent them the Book, the final and perfect scripture, through the final and perfect Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ. Through this, Allah intended to shape them into the best Ummah, as He said:
كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ
“You are the best of nations raised up for mankind: you enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allah.” (Aal ʿImran, 3:110)
The phrase kuntum khayra ummah, “you were the best nation”, does not mean the Arabs were already the best nation, but that they would become the best nation by upholding their responsibility to promote goodness and reject evil. What changed them was not their race, colour, or language, but the message and carrying out their mission.
A nation that enjoins good and forbids evil is good; one that abandons this becomes corrupt. This is why Allah wants us to be the best Ummah by reducing and resisting corruption, because corruption destroys societies and civilisations.
The Prophet ﷺ as a gifted mercy
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّمَا أَنَا رَحْمَةٌ مُّهْدَاةٌ
“I am but a gifted mercy.” (Sunan al-Darimi)
Mercy was manifest in his character. As Allah described: “Indeed, you are of great moral character” (Al-Qalam, 68:4). His companions spread Islam across the world through their good character and dealings.
The Prophet’s ﷺ fatherly role over his Ummah is reflected by his own words:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: إِنَّمَا أَنَا لَكُمْ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْوَالِدِ أُعَلِّمُكُمْ
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“I am to you in the position of a father — I teach you.” (Abu Dawud, al-Nasa’i, Ahmad, al-Darimi)
The Prophet ﷺ deliberately chose the word al-waalid (the father). His choice of words likened his care, compassion, and guidance for his Ummah to that of a father for his children.
He was teaching them, advising them and giving them guidance through his experience, protecting them out of his love, supported by the revelation and the mercy from Allah.
No father can be compared to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He taught them what to do without patronising or controlling and dominating them. He nurtured their minds and hearts, wanting their success in both this world and the Hereafter.
Scholars on the fatherlike qualities of the Prophet ﷺ
- Ibn Hajar al-ʿAsqalani (Fath al-Bari): The Prophet ﷺ compared himself to a father not in lineage but in care, teaching, and compassion, showing that his guidance came from sincerity and paternal concern.
- Al-Khattabi (Maʿālim al-Sunan): Just as a father teaches his child what benefits him in worldly life, the Prophet ﷺ teaches the Ummah what benefits them in religion, worldly affairs, and the Hereafter.
- Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (Jāmiʿ al-ʿUlūm wa’l-Ḥikam): His words “I teach you” point to his essential mission of teaching knowledge. This corresponds with the Qur’an: “And He teaches them the Book and wisdom” (Aal ʿImran, 3:164).
- Al-Munawi (Fayd al-Qadir): The fatherly analogy implies mercy, guidance, and discipline. He ﷺ taught his Ummah even the smallest details, such as etiquette in relieving oneself and purification, because of his complete concern for them.
Thus, the Prophet ﷺ was not merely the conveyor of revelation but the teacher, mentor, and nurturer of his Ummah.
Our responsibility today
The Prophet ﷺ’s message was not for Muslims alone, but for all of humanity and an open invitation to everyone to embrace his mercy and study his biography. His mercy was universal, his character exemplary, his teaching all-encompassing.
Today, in times when Islamophobia is rising sharply, by 72% in some reports and even 700% according to the Islamophobia Response Unit, attacks on Muslims, shops, and communities are fuelled by propaganda and hatred. Behind this are those who deliberately distort the message of Islam.
All incidents of Islamophobia should be reported to the police. Authorities have stressed that without reports, they cannot act. By reporting, we protect ourselves and reduce harm. Many do not report instances believing that it will achieve nothing. However the opposite is true. Nothing can be done, unless we document what is happening.
Our duty is to embody the Prophet’s ﷺ mercy and character. Be the best representation of Islam in our community, wherever we are. Be agents of goodness. The best daʿwah is to be living examples of Islam, showing integrity, compassion, and promoting true justice.
Remembering him in Rabiʿ al-Awwal
In the month of Rabiʿ al-Awwal, when the Prophet ﷺ was born, we naturally remember him more. Though we remember him every day, in our adhkar, our salah, and in our duʿas, in this special month, we can renew our efforts by following his sunnah more closely, studying his seerah, and sharing his biography with our families.
There are concise and accessible works available: Imam al-Suyuti’s Shama’il Zahr al-Khama’il summarises the Prophet’s ﷺ qualities, and Our Master Muhammad by Shaykh Abdullah Siraj is available in Arabic and English. The best form of daʿwah, of course, is to embody his sunnah in our lives.
We ask Allah Almighty to enable us to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet ﷺ, to be people who spread goodness, resist corruption, and represent Islam with mercy and dignity. Ameen.
Based on the Khutbah of Shaykh Haytham Tamim on 29th August 2025 / 5th Rabbi al Awwal.