Sunna

So, what is it to follow the Sunna of the Messenger?

What were the most important things in the daily life of the Messenger?

Did he obsess over the length of his trousers or his beard?

Well, not as far as we can tell.

Clearly the most important thing in the Messenger's life was the Sala.

Whatever else was happening,

his day and night were above all structured around many hours of prayer.

Beyond that, his lifestyle was extremely modest.

He fasted two days a week throughout the year,

as well as the fast of Ramadhan.

He ate very little and often went hungry.

Although as a merchant he had specialised in fine fabrics,

he himself wore patched clothing,

but he was generous to all who asked from him.

He was gentle and loving.

He was the most laughing and smiling of men.

Many people seem to think that following the Messenger

means simply copying the Messengers outward habits

with no concern for what should be within,

like a long beard on a face without a smile.

But which is the characteristic

that most distinguishes the Messenger?

Which is the most worthy of emulation?

How does the Messenger connect us to God,

as individuals and as a community?

When we choose to surrender to God

we need to know how God would like us to behave,

but how can that be possible

when the Messenger we follow

lived in a very different world from now,

and especially now in Scotland.

We find ourselves having to consider

whether the Messenger would have worn a turban

while living in a steady Scottish drizzle.

But however we might imagine him

dressed for the vagaries of the Scottish climate,

whatever features we might imagine,

we can be sure of the kind of man he would be.

You know his character,

the things that he considered to be most important

in life day to day.

He did not spend hours each day talking of legalities,

but spent all his time showing how to live a life in surrender.

No doubt, if you had made the Shahada before him

and asked him what to do,

he would have told you

to pray five Sala prayers a day,

to fast during Ramadhan,

to pay Zaka and give to charity,

to be honest,

and a trustworthy friend.

Wearing the right clothes gives little protection

if what's inside is mean and angry.

Following the Messenger is not following a set of rules,

a cage of restrictions imposed on your life,

but a matter of self restraint,

finding a way to fill your life with gratitude, love and mercy,

For now you have a way to look at your behaviour

and compare it to what you think

the Messenger would have done in your situation.

And what better way to serve God

than to live a life modelled on the behaviour of the Messenger,

doing your best to be honest and trustworthy,

generous and charitable,

tolerant and forbearing,

loving and merciful,

and the most laughing and smiling of individuals.