Salaam!
Firstly, thank you brother Joseph Islam for your time and comments. Your comments were intelligible. Thanks a lot.
Brother
khalid zia, I noticed the following comment you made.
In the verse regarding Prophet Ibrahim, a specific example of Uswa Hasana is given and on the other hand the verse regarding Prophet Muhammad there is no specific example given - hence the Prophet Muhammad as a "Usawa Hasan" is not limited.
Are you implying here that Uswa Hasana of prophet ibrahim was confined to certain specific examples? This is a highly defamatory and derogatory remark and it seems you do not know the status of Prophet Ibrahim. The verse in which (60:4) the Uswa Hasana mentioned about prophet Ibrahim and his companions is a highly focused verse. What is stated in the verse is that prophet Ibrahim and his companions boldly stood up and declared that they worship Allah alone and they are disgusted with them and their deities they worship (see also 37:85-86) and that they totally reject their way of life and consider it wrong. Therefore, the uswathun hasana mentioned here is linked to each and every moment of their life. Surely I have turned myself, being upright, wholly to Him Who originated the heavens and the earth, and I am not of those who associate (other things with Allah) 6 :79.
Now, The Quran does not point us to any other books that we must seek in order to follow the best example of Prophet Ibrahim. Does this mean that today we cannot follow his best example? Before answering we need to know what aspects of their best examples are we to follow. Are we to dress as they did? Do we mimic their eating habits? Now Prophet Ibrahim probably wore the same clothing that was the norm in his time and probably sported a beard, as did his Kaffir father. Probably, he sat on the floor and ate with his hands, as did his Kaffir father. Allah does not leave us guessing - He tells us the EXEMPLARY conduct of the Prophet Ibrahim in the Qu'an that we are supposed to follow.
The first act, of course is Submission to Allah alone: “Our Lord! And make us both submissive to Thee”. - (2: 128)
And He bowed his will to the Command of Allah: “When his Lord said to him, Be a Muslim, he said: I submit myself to the Lord of the worlds”. - (2: 131)
He also did not associate anyone or anything with Allah (6:76-79)
He is also the one who is not afraid to tell the truth to his elders (6:74)
He was a good host (11:79)
His first instinct was to forgive and give people more chance to mend their ways. Even for Lot's people he pleaded mercy. ”Most surely Ibrahim was forbearing, tender-hearted, oft-returning (to Allah)?” (11:74-75)
This is the example we are supposed to follow. Now, just like Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Muhammad was also born into a culture - he wore the clothes that they wore; he had a beard as was the custom in his days. Abu Jahl also sported a beard; he ate as they did, most probably with his hands sitting on a floor. The question is: are we to follow this cultural example, or are we to follow best example outlined by Allah that we saw in the case of Prophet Ibrahim?
Allah did not leave the best example of the Prophet Muhammad that we are to follow until eternity, to outside obscure sources. We will see that Allah has defined the best example of the Prophet Muhammad in the Quran. (a) Absolute submission to Allah aloneSay: 'My prayer and my rites, my living and my dying, are for Allah alone, the Lord of all the worlds.'" (6:162).
Prophet said to his companion "have no fear for Allah is with us": (9: 40)
Say: Allah is sufficient for me, there is no god but Him. In Him I have placed my trust for He is the Sustainer, in awesome almightiness enthroned.” - (9: 129)
(b) The Prophet was always devoted and stead fast on his dutySay: "It is not for me to change it of my own accord. I follow nothing except what is revealed to me. I fear, were I to disobey my Lord, the punishment of a Dreadful Day." (10: 15-16)
Say: "I do not ask you for any wage for it, nor am I a man of false pretentions." (38: 86)
© The Prophet showed great patience at all times“So be patient in the face of what they say and glorify your Lord” (50: 39)
“Be patient. But your patience is only by Allah. Do not be grieved by them and do not be constricted by the plots they hatch. Allah is with those who fulfill their duty and with those who are good-doers.” (16: 127-128)
(d) The prophet was most considerate and compassionate Prophet always supported the community of the faithful with his strong conscience, and was a benefactor to them at all times. Because of these traits, the Prophet is described in many verses as "your companion." (34:46: 53:2, 81:22)
“A Messenger has come to you from among yourselves. Your suffering is distressing to him; he is deeply concerned for you; he is gentle and merciful to the believers.”(9:128)
"And take the believers who follow you under your wing." (26: 215)
“It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them. Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted they would have broken away from about thee; so pass over (their faults) and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them…”(3:159)
(e) The Prophet was an embodiment of tolerance and justiceThe Prophet never wanted to force the religion on others. The Prophet abided by the verse "There is no compulsion where the religion is concerned" (2:256)
"My Lord has commanded justice…" (7: 29)
“Stand out firmly for justice as witnesses to Allah even as against yourselves or your parents or your kin and whether it be (against) rich or poor.”(4:135)
"when ye judge between man and man that ye judge with justice (4:58)
(f) The Prophet was a bearer of glad tidings "O Prophet! We have sent you as a witness, and a bringer of good news and a warner" (33:45),
Say: "My servants, you who have transgressed against yourselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Truly
Allah forgives all wrong actions. He is the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful." (39: 53)
“Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil) but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.”(2:155)
(g) The Prophet relieved Muslims of Difficulties“Those who follow the Messenger, the Ummi, whom they find written down with them in the Torah and the Gospel, commanding them to do right and forbidding them to do wrong, permitting them good things and prohibiting them bad things, relieving them of their heavy loads and the chains which were around them..” (7: 157)
(h) The Prophet would consult with the faithful “It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them. Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted they would have broken away from about thee; so pass over (their faults) and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then when thou hast taken a decision put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)”(3:159).
(i) The Prophet was always kind-hearted and courteous Some of those who surrounded the Prophet were less than well-mannered and cultured. The Prophet on the other hand, was very thoughtful, courteous, patient and civilized, and treated such people nevertheless with the greatest tolerance. Allah came to rescue the prophet in these circumstances.
“You who believe! Do not go into the Prophet's rooms except when you are invited to come and eat. Do not wait there while the food is being cooked. However, when you are called, go in, and when you have eaten, disperse, not remaining there to chat with one another. Doing that causes annoyance to the Prophet though he is too reticent to tell you so. But Allah is not reticent with the truth... (33: 53)
Conclusion:-It is unreasonable and unthinkable that Allah would instruct us to follow the Prophet's personal mode of behaviour, because a person's mode of behaviour is determined by many different factors, such as customs and tradition, his education, personal upbringing and personal inclinations. The Prophet's mode of eating, of dress and indeed of general behaviour would not be much different from that of other Arabs, including Jews and Christians, of the time, except on matters prohibited in Islam.
So were the methods of the Prophet's wars and his administration of the Medina city-state. The weapons he used, such as swords, spears, arrows and shields were in accordance with the prevailing technology. Today, with the development of modern weapons, the Muslims obviously cannot fight with the medieval weapons used by the Prophet, although they must emulate his staunch faith in Allah and complete adherence to Allah's teachings.
Regards,
Optimist