- 1.Belief: That is to believe in his Prophethood and Messengership, that he was sent by Allah as a messenger to mankind,
“So believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Qur’an which We have sent down.” (64:08)
“O you who have believed, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before. And whoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has certainly gone far astray.” (An-Nisaa, 4:136)
- Obedience: To obey him in what he has commanded, and abstain from what he has prohibited,
The Prophet peace be upon him said, “All my nation will enter paradise except those who would refuse.’ They asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, who would refuse?’ He replied, ‘Whoever obeys me will enter paradise, whoever disobeyed me has in fact refused.” (Bukhari)
“And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger – those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions.” (An-Nisaa 4:69)
To disobey him has dire consequences in the hereafter, as Allah says (the translation of which is),
“And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers – We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.” (04:111)
- ‘Ittibaa’: To emulate his example, and follow his Sunnah (religious tradition and way),
“Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.” (3:31)
“Say, [O Muhammad], “O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death.” So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided.” (Al-Araaf 7:158)
- Love: To love him a respectful and admirational love more than one’s self and family,
“None of you believes until I become more beloved to him than his parents, children and all of humanity.” (Ibn Majah)
- Reverence: To honour and respect him,
“…So they who have believed in him, honoured him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him – it is those who will be the successful.” (7:157)
- Seal of Prophets: To believe he is the final messenger, and that there are no more prophets after him,
“Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets.” (33:40)
- Tasleem and Salawaat: To send peace and blessing upon him at the mention of his name,
The Messenger of Allah said, “The miser is the one in whose presence I am mentioned but he does not supplicate for me.” [At- Tirmidhi].
“Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.” (Al-Ahzab 33:56)
- To defend him: To defend his honour and his reputation and that of his family and companions.
- Correct Information: To share the truth about him, and spread correct knowledge.
“Whoever tells a lie against me (intentionally) then let him occupy, his seat in Hellfire.” (Bukhari)
- Learning more about him: We can only do the above by learning about him, finding out who he was, what was his message, and what was his mission.