Oh people - The example of the Prophet is the best example. We see this in even indrect stories from his life.
And Al Bukhari and Muslim as well as others narrated from Abu Hazem bin Dinaar that: People came to Sahl bin Sa’d al-Sa’edee (may Allah be pleased with him) when they were differing about the kind of wood used for the minbar (pulpit in the masjed of the Prophet). So they asked him about it. He said: By Allah, I know (the wood) of which it was made; I saw it the first day when it was placed there, and the first day when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sat on it. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent (word) to a woman from the Ansar whom Sahl named: Order your boy, the carpenter, to construct for me a wooden pulpit so that I sit on it when I speak to the people. So she ordered him and he made a pulpit from tarfa (a type of wood found in the desert) of al-Ghabah (a place near Madinah). Then he brought it. [Muslim added that he made these three steps] And it was sent to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, who commanded that it be set up here. Then I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ascend it and pray on it, and say the Takbir while he was on top of it, then he bowed when he was on top of it, then he came down backward and prostrated at the base of the Minbar, then he went back. When he had finished he turned to face the people and said: ‘O people, I only did this so that you can follow me in prayer and learn how I pray.'” [al Bukhari 2049 Muslim 544]
Many Benefits:
- Firstly, these tabi’een (successors of the companions) debated and deliberated about the minbar. And when they differed they referred the matter to someone with knowledge of it.
- Secondly, this hadeeth demonstrates that your messenger ﷺ used to take the easiest way in his worship, rather in all his affairs, whenever possible.
- Thirdly, Sahl (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Then I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ascend it and pray on it, and say the Takbir while he was on top of it, then he bowed when he was on top of it, then he came down backward and prostrated at the base of the Minbar, then he went back. When he had finished he turned to face the people and said: ‘O people, I only did this so that you can follow me in prayer and learn how I pray.'”. This indicates the great significance of the prayer. And it is from the first things that must be taught. And to repeatedly teach it and command its performance.
And it was narrated in Al Bukhari also from Jaber bin Abdallah (may Allah be pleased with him) that:
The Prophet ﷺ used to stand by a tree or a date-palm on Friday. Then an Ansari woman or man said. “O Allah’s Messenger ﷺ ! Shall we make a minbar (pulpit) for you?” He replied, “If you wish.” So they made a minbar (pulpit) for him and when it was Friday, he proceeded towards the minbar (for delivering the sermon). The date-palm cried like a child! The Prophet ﷺ descended (the minbar and embraced it while it continued moaning like a child being quieted. The Prophet ﷺ said, “It was crying for (missing) what it used to hear of religious knowledge given near to it.” [al Bukhari 3584]
And in another narration for Al Bukhari also related by Jaber:
When the minbar (pulpit) was made for him, and he was on it. Then we heard the date-palm trunk making a sound like a pregnant she-camel until the Prophet ﷺ went to it, and placed his hand over it, then it became quiet.” [al Bukhari 3585]
Benefits:
From among them is seeking the best for the religion. And when safeguarding interests, feelings are not taken into account. Rather, one acts seeking Allah’s pleasure.
However, this does not rule out good conduct and accommodating feelings. Take a look at how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ interrupted his khutbah and it was the Friday Khutbah. Then he went to this dead date-palm tree trunk to soothe it and calm it down.
This was an inanimate object that the Messenger ﷺ soothed and pleased. And some are too arrogant to please their father or mother. Or is too conceited for pleasing his wife and children. Or looks down upon some of his colleagues or employees. Where is this from that? And by Allah the souls that Allah created that we owe good behavior have more priority and right to accommodating feelings and beautiful conduct than any piece of stone or wood.
And from the benefits of this hadith is that missing out on remembrance and the Quran is what should make someone cry.
And from this hadith is a sign of his ﷺ prophethood. Al Shafi’ said: Allah did not give a prophet like he gave Mohammad ﷺ. So a man said to him: Isa was given the ability to give life to the dead. Then Al Shafi’ responded: Mohammed was given the loving date-palm trunk whose sound was heard. This is bigger than that.
And Hassan Al Basri (may Allah have mercy upon him) used to say when discussing this Hadith: Oh Muslims: The wood was affectionate to the Messenger of Allah ﷺlonging to meet him. For you are more deserving in yearning him.
