Prophet’s (s) Day

Today’s post is about one of the most beautiful gems I was able to get in my Seerah Intensive experience in 2017.  When I thought about Prophet Muhammad (s), I saw him as a Messenger of God and a leader of Muslim community.  I failed to see him as a human being who has to sleep and eat while carrying the heavy burden of being the final messenger who has to give the final message to all of humanity. Can you imagine yourself in that situation?  I am looking at my planner where I jot down doctor’s appointments, henna session for my business, meeting with friends, and important tasks to do during the day.  Nowhere can I imagine fitting “lead a nation of believers” as an every day task.  Thinking about that makes me realize what an incredible human being our messenger (s) had to be moulded into by our Perfect Creator (swt).

So it was a welcomed moment when Shaikh Abdulnasir Jangda gave us a glimpse of what a typical, Prophetic Day looked like. I mean, he did not have an Erin Condren planner to divide his tasks and alarm clock and phone notifications to help make his days productive.  His day was scheduled around the prayer times and his energy and focus came from a delicate balance of tasks and worship.  Throughout it all, there was a clear understanding of where he was going, what he wanted to achieve, and how he kept Allah (swt) as his focus.

I want to share with you what I learned about a Prophetic Day, what the Prophet (s) did, how he managed to be a Prophet and a human being, and what reflections I derived from it. Obviously, Shaykh ANJ focused on a typical day after the conquest of Makkah, and not one that was spent on the battle field.  I will list the beginning and end of a time period and how it was spent.

A Typical Prophetic Day

1am – 2am to Fajr: Prophet Muhammad (s) spent this time in worship. As we know, he spent it with dhikr (remembrance), tahajjud (optional night prayers for the believers but obligatory on him from Allah (swt)), and making beautiful duas (supplications) for us.

Fajr to Sunrise: After leading Fajr at the masjid, he (s) would spend this time in answering questions from the (lucky!) community of believers.

Sunrise to Noon: Prophet (s) would eat and head out to be with the people.  He would help others, engage with people in the marketplace, be an active member of the community.

Noon to Dhur: He (s) took a siesta, a 20-minute nap to recharge.

Duhr to Asr: This time was dedicated to spend with specific people. If there was a scheduled meeting about something, or he was meeting with his extended family, or a special appointment was made, this was the time that he allocated for that.

Asr to Maghrib:  After taking care of “business” with the people, Prophet Muhammad (s) dedicated this time to be home with his family.

Maghrib to ‘Isha:  This was yet another time to given to the community where they could have a Q&A session in the masjid.

Isha – onwards: He prayed isha and then headed home to his wife.

 

My Reflections:

• If there was a perfect work-life balance, it was with our messenger (s).  Move over Tony Robinson, you were beat 1400 years ago. Throughout the day, he spent time with family, with the community, with official tasks, and in worship.  It does not get any better than that.
• He (s) spent significant amount of time building the community.  He (s) did not sit all day reciting Qur’an, rather he got out and engaged with the people.  He said hello, he bought groceries, he stopped by to help people along the way, he visited the sick and he spent a functioning day in the community.  We sometimes think that being a pious person means to seclude ourselves in our rooms, but rather in our Prophet (s) we have an example of being someone who lives in this world. Moreover, how else are others supposed to learn about Islam if they do not see anyone in their daily life?
• Prophet Muhammad (s) spent time in building people up.  He reserved slots in the day where people were learning from him, they would ask the questions that were troubling them, or if they had a dream they wanted to tell him, or if there was something that they did not understand was discussed by him.  So this was not a time to chit-chat with friends, but rather a time to build people up by guiding them where they needed guidance.  This taught me that there is a time for people and a time for socialization.
• It still amazes me that as a Prophet (s) who has such a big burden of carrying the message and also dealing with the community situations, he was so careful and attentive to everyone.  He stopped and took time to address problems, he sat and enjoyed people’s company, he dedicated time to be with his family, he walked around and said his regards to the cashier – you know what I mean.  He honored people by being present in his interactions with them. He did not sit on a high chair waiting for people to approach him, but he got out of his way and found those who needed him instead.  We see this practice being emulated by his companions when they became Khalifas.  Abu Bakr (r) and Umar (r) are known to go out in the community at odd hours of the day to help those who were under their care.  Companion’s love for the Prophet (s) did not come by Him (s) being unapproachable, but by him caring and showing love, attention, and compassion to those around him.

After listening to this, I felt even more awe for our messenger (s).  What an incredible human being! This was a real person who balanced it all so well. It is truly a blessing to have so much information preserved about him and to be of those from his nation.

.اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ .إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

.اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ .إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

Allahumma salle ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad, Kama sallayta ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahim, innaka hameedum majeed.

Allahumma barik ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad, Kama baratta ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahim, innaka hameedum majeed.

“O Allah, let your Blessings come upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have sent blessings upon Ibrahim (Abraham) and his family.  Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.  O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.”

What are some reflections you get from this timeline?

– S