Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

19 March 2025

6 minute read

Islamic educator Nabeela Bhigjee says that in order to implement the Seerah in our lives, we need to firstly reflect on the character of the Prophet SAW. Learning about the humility, compassion and interactions of Nabi Muhammad SAW in his everyday life is a stepping stone to putting knowledge into action.

According to Nabeela, the West has “glorified” the modern lifestyle to make it look glamorous, whereas it dehumanises people and leads to discontent and unhappiness. As Muslims, when we reject this ideal and instead follow in the Sunnah footsteps of Rasulullah SAW, great benefit will enter our lives.

In a hadith, it is stated that Nabi Muhammad SAW said something to the effect: “The best of you is he who is best to his family, and I am the best among you to my family.” Many of us have the opposite approach where we are good to strangers but not within our families. The compassion Nabi SAW had for his family can be seen in the affection he had for his daughter Fatima RA; his playful interactions with his wife Aaisha RA; his display of love towards his wives and children; his SAW’s habit of making family time a priority and paying attention to the simple things. If we stabilise our home life, good habits are formed and reflected in other areas of our lives.

Nabi SAW created a balance between his personal, spiritual, and social life. He SAW started his day with tahajjud salaah, meditation and connecting with Allah. Emulating Nabi SAW by starting early every morning is how we can be energised and attain great blessings. Rasulullah SAW engaged in horse-riding and archery. He would spend quality time with his family and fostered strong relationships with the Sahabah RA. Instead of reproaching the Sahabah RA, Nabi SAW taught and corrected through kindness, respect and humility; thereby making their focus the worship of Allah and obedience to him.

Nabeela shared some easy ways to implementing Seerah in the home for us and our kids:

1. Instil a love for Sunnah from a young age by making sure our actions align with our teachings.
2. Bring alive Sunnah in the home by practicing simple sunnan like greeting and smiling, and emulating Nabi SAW in acts like dressing, eating and talking.
3. Monitor your child’s media consumption as children act on what they see.
4. Continuously make dua for your children.
5. Establish a prayer routine with a focus on the quality of your salaah.
6. Connect with the Quran.
7. Be consistent with zikr and dua.

Emotional intelligence plays a vital role in enabling family members “to navigate relationships, to manage emotions, to reduce stress, and to create a peaceful home.” Even in adversity Nabi SAW had the emotional intelligence that is lacking in our lives today. Nabi SAW always entered his home with a smile, and he understood his family members well, and showed appreciation.

Nabeela says that we can encourage teenagers and young adults to make the Seerah a part of their lives by “acknowledging their challenges,” and putting more content online to connect them to deen involuntarily. Establish the attendance of weekly taleem and programs to grow their love for the Seerah and for Nabi SAW. Bring the realities of Jannah and Jahannam to the forefront.

“We are trying too hard to fit into society,” says Nabeela. Community spirit can be fostered by following the sunnah example of keeping good relations with neighbours; visiting the sick; attending the janazah; and mixing with people.

Nabi Muhammad SAW defended the poor and the needy and ensured fair treatment of all. He SAW promoted equality, supporting the widows and orphans and leading by example. Nabi SAW taught us that regardless of social status, wealth or background, all people are equal. Nabi SAW also encouraged the Sahabah RA to support one another. By speaking out against social injustice, volunteering; educating ourselves, giving back to the community, treating people with respect and inviting others to the deen through our characters, key aspects of social justice can be implemented in our lives.

No religion has given status and honour to women as Islam has done, and Nabeela says that feminism is an extreme that oppresses instead of liberates women. Nabi SAW treated women with dignity, kindness and respect, and was the perfect husband and father. “He (SAW) broke tradition and valued religion,” giving rights to women that had not been given to them before.

Although the Seerah was taught to us over 1400 years ago, it can be fitted into every part of our modern lives.

Listen to the full interview with Faaiza Munshi on New Horizons.