How to love Muhammad

Assalamualaikum...

I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah.

They say you can never love a person whom you have never seen. I just smile and said: “I haven’t seen My prophet Muhammad S.A.W but i love him dearly

When the Prophet visited Al Bakki’ (a burial-ground in Madienah next to the Prophet’s mosque) before his death, he told his companions:” I wish I could see my brothers.” They replied:”Aren’t we your brothers?” The Prophet said:”No, you are my companions, my brothers are those who didn’t see me and yet follow me and believe in me. I’ll wait for them on Al Hawdh (the Place where the Prophet is going to give all survivors a handful water from his noble hands that will make them never feel thirsty again after this hard day-the Judgment Day- and this will be directly before entering Paradise).

If you ask me, why do I love him, the
Prophet Muhammad (May Peace be upon him) -
I love him because he cared about us
Muslims, and loving him is a condition –

If you love Allah, then love the Prophet
Muhammad – Allah loved him very much.
He was Allah's Final Messenger, and
The hearts of many did his mercy touch.

His beautiful character makes me admire
Him – his trustworthiness and honesty –
Even before he became God's Prophet,
Disbelievers knew that he was trustworthy.

I love the Prophet Muhammad because
Of good manners he was the best example.
I love how he was patient throughout his life
And how his morals were never skeptical.

He cared about his nation too, thus he taught
Us what we should know about our religion.
When given the chance he'd always educate,
Blessing us with advice through his companions.

As a father and grandfather, the Prophet
Muhammad was kind and tender loving.
His mercy to the poor, widows and orphans –
His good treatment of them is too astounding.

His tolerance, even to non-Muslim
Neighbors, is also something to be admired.
His mercy too was further manifest
Through his kind treatment of the slaves he hired.

As a leader – he was charismatic,
As a warrior – marked with strength and bravery,
As a family man – full of mercy,
And a husband who treated his wives fairly –

As a friend – he was accommodating –
Full of cheer, he brought smiles to people's faces –
Respectful to the old, and kind towards the young –
Mercy was the Prophet Muhammad's basis.

I love how he was merciful – and because
Of his mercy, he always tried to guide.
I love how he struggled to obey Allah,
And how he remained patient all through his life.

I love how he was able to do so much –
So many good deeds, despite his simple life –
How he could survive on mere dates and water,
And yet stand for long hours when praying at night.

I love how he was so thankful to Allah –
How he was always ready to sacrifice.
I love how his character was dignified –
How he was strong and gentle at the same time.

I love the patience of Prophet Muhammad –
In worshipping Allah, in fasting, and praying –
His patience in helping Muslims, and in hard times,
And how he was merciful and forgiving.

Because of my love for Prophet Muhammad,
I try to follow him – and say "you should too" –
If you truly love Allah, then love Muhammad –
Let your following him make your love more true.

O' Allah, help us obey you, and help us
Follow Muhammad – in this world and to Heaven –
Grant us his companionship in Paradise,
And freedom to drink from his blessed fountain.
Ameen.

Written by Mariam Mababaya