Dr. Fiaz Maqbool Fazili
O Messenger of Allah. I love you more than myself, more than anything dear on this earth.
May I be sacrificed for you.”
This is not merely a phrase; it is a seismic declaration that erupts from the deepest chambers of a believer’s heart. It is the echo of a covenant made not by pen and paper, but by soul and spirit. To the outside ear, it may sound like an exclamation of extreme devotion. But to the one who utters it with understanding, it is a statement of fact as fundamental as breathing. It is the key that unlocks a divine secret: that loving him (PBUH) is not just an act of worship, but the very cure to every wound the heart carries. He is, as the Hadith suggests, Shifa al-Qalb—the balm for every soul that has forgotten how to heal.
Sending abundant ṣalawāt (salutations) upon the Messenger ﷺ is an expression of our love, reverence and obedience to him., commanded by the Lord of universe in Chapter Ahzab of Quran.
Love for Prophet Muhammad saw , a core tenet of faith for Muslims, is shown by holding him dearer than oneself, family, or possessions, and is demonstrated through actions such as sending blessings (salawat), learning his life and Sunnah, applying his teachings, and living with kindness and justice. This love stems from his embodiment of perfection, his mercy and wisdom, and his direct connection to Allah, which makes him an ultimate role model for all of humanity.
In our beloved Kashmir, a land whose beauty is matched only by the resilience of its people, we understand wounds. We understand hearts that carry the weight of loss, uncertainty, and a longing for tranquility, solace and peace. In such a landscape, where the very earth seems to whisper prayers for solace, the love for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) transcends the realm of ritual and becomes our ultimate sanctuary. It is the unassailable fortress where our faith finds its strength and our weary spirits find their rest.
But what does this love truly mean? Is it the love of nostalgia for a history long past? Is it the love of mere celebration on certain dates? The Quran provides the definitive answer, framing it not as a suggestion, but as a non-negotiable tenet of faith:
“Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.’” (Quran)
This verse, powerful and direct, lays down a hierarchy of love. It does not forbid love for family or worldly pursuits; these are natural and sanctioned. Instead, it commands that the love for Allah and His Messenger must reign supreme in the heart. It is the compass that must always point true north, ensuring all other loves are aligned correctly. When our love for the Prophet (PBUH) becomes the central axis around which our entire existence revolves, every other relationship and endeavour falls into its rightful, blessed place.
This love is beautifully and intimately expressed in the words of the companion Hassan ibn Thabit (RA), who said: “Ya Sha’iyan Nabi Inna Arsalnaka…” – addressing the Prophet (PBUH) as the one who is our light, our guide, our beloved. This is the language of the heart, the poetry of faith that has been recited for centuries. It signifies a love that is active, vocal, and proud.
However, true love is never passive. It is not a sentiment to be locked away in the heart. The love for the Prophet (PBUH) is a dynamic force that demands expression. It is a verb, not a noun. To love him is to know him. To know him is to emulate him. To emulate him is to live a life that is a blessing to oneself and to all of creation.This is where love becomes shifa—healing.
Allah heals the wound of ignorance, in a world drowning in information but starved of wisdom, the Seerah is our lighthouse. His life is the perfect practical manual for navigating every human experience—from personal heartbreak and family disputes to governance and justice. When we are lost,in pain, hardships, trials and tribulations his Sunnah is the map elixir of reassurance and solace.
Allah swt heals the wound of hopelessness. Consider seerah, his life (PBUH): orphaned, persecuted, exiled, and betrayed. Yet, his heart never hardened, and his trust in Allah never wavered. His unwavering resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity is the ultimate antidote to despair. For a people tested by trials, his example teaches us that our struggles are not a sign of Allah’s abandonment, but a means of elevation in His sight.
His life heals the wound of hatred and division. He was sent as a mercy to all worlds (Rahmatan lil ‘Alameen). His character mended fractured tribes, forgave bitter enemies, and showed compassion to the weak, the poor, and the outcast. In a time of increasing polarization, loving him means embodying this mercy. It means breaking the chains of prejudice, offering forgiveness where it is difficult, and extending a hand of kindness even to those who may disagree with us. It is to see the world through the lens of Rahmah.
His seerah heals the wound of spiritual emptiness. In the relentless pursuit of worldly gains, many souls feel a hollow ache, a feeling that something is missing. The constant remembrance of Allah (Dhikr) that he taught us, the prayers he guided us to perform, and the connection to the Divine that he facilitated—this is the nourishment for which our souls truly hunger. Loving him means partaking in this spiritual feast and finding a contentment that the world cannot give nor take away.
For us in Kashmir, this love is our identity and our armour. It is what has preserved our faith and culture through countless challenges. It is the melody in our Naats, the peace in our prayers, and the strength in our silence. It is the gentle patience of our mothers and the dignified perseverance of our fathers. To love the Prophet (PBUH) is to inherit his legacy of patience (Sabr), truthfulness (Sidq), co existence and trust in Allah (Tawakkul).
Therefore, let our declaration of “Fidaka Ya Rasool Allah” be more than words. Let it be a commitment.on this day/ month when most of Believe are blessed ones, as Prophet Muhamnad saw ( birth date) coincides
let it be a commitment to learn his Seerah, to understand the context and wisdom behind his Sunnah, so our emulation is informed and sincere. Let it be a commitment to embody his character—his honesty in our business, his kindness to our neighbours, his compassion to the needy, and his respect for our parents. Let it be a commitment to defend his honour not just with our words, but with our impeccable conduct, presenting to the world the beautiful, merciful face of Islam that he embodied. Let it be a commitment to make our love a catalyst for positive change in our society, to build communities that reflect the justice, mercy, and compassion he lived and died for.
The Prophet (PBUH) is indeed the balm for the soul. His seerah is Shifa al-Qalb. By loving him as we ought to—actively, completely, and unconditionally—we do not just heal our own hearts. We become vessels of that healing, extending the mercy he brought to the wounded world around us. May our lives, our actions, and our very beings become a living testament to that eternal cry of the heart: We love you, O Messenger of Allah, more than ourselves, more than anything dear on this earth.
The Author is a Surgeon at Mubarak hospital, Healthcare policy analyst, Certified Professional in Quality improvement in Hospitals can be reached at drfiazfazili@gmail.com
