The aim for every believer and every spiritual seeker who has found a truly guided path, is to embody the deeply spiritual qualities, virtues and characteristics of their prophet.
For me, the most beautiful path I’ve ever seen and experienced is the spiritual path of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings upon him. The overarching aim of my life is quite simply to be more like him.
What are the qualities he embodied that I’m aiming for?
You can find mentioned on every page of the Quran, and in every description of the Prophet, peace and blessings upon him. In fact, his wife Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said that his character was the Quran.
Here are some of the characteristics to aim for if you want to be more like him:
- Courageous even when facing ridicule, insult and violent opposition. The Prophet, peace and blessings upon him, was so courageous that he didn’t let such attacks impact or influence him in any way. He had the courage to live by all of the other virtues despite the circumstances he was in
- Loving kindness and benevolence. He is said to be the embodiment of loving kindness for ‘all of the worlds’.
- Trustworthiness, honesty and truthfulness. Even when his opponents were trying to kill him and exile him, they still trusted him so much that they left all of their wealth and belongings with him, because they knew that no matter what else happened, he would not take their belongings or betray their trust.
- Resilience – both in terms of tremendous spiritual discipline and in pursuing his goals, no matter what obstacles came his way
- Consciousness and spiritual connection – his devotion to and knowledge of Allah was evident to all who met him. His spiritual presence alone was stunning, such that some people instantly knew he was a true Prophet of God, just by looking at him.
- Gratitude – ‘should I not, then be a grateful servant’ was his response to his wife asking why – even though he had no sins and was guaranteed the highest rank in Paradise – he continued to pray so ardently at night that his feet would begin to swell up
- Seeking deeper knowledge – he insisted that seeking knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim man and woman who claims to follow his path
- Forgiveness – he was always forgiving and never held a grudge against anyone – even those who had previously tried to kill him and his companions
There are of course many more qualities that he embodied. Over 200 names have been given to him, and each one contains character traits that are noble and that all of us would love to have in ourselves and love to see in those around us.
The aim for a believer isn’t to merely admire these qualities, it’s to embody them.
One of the greatest blessings of my life is to have come across a simple understanding of psychology that leads us away from negative character traits and leads us to almost effortlessly increase in the positive character traits of the Prophet, peace and blessings upon him.
That’s why I say that the Spiritual Switch connects us with Allah and turns us into our best selves.
It gives each of us our best chance and embodying the qualities above and being more like the Prophet Muhammad, peace & blessings upon him.
If you want some of that in your life, then pluck up the courage, resilience, and fortitude to go forth and seek out some knowledge:
