Introduction:

The messenger of Allah was the best of teachers

We need to learn and adopt his style of teaching when teaching our children, our friends and family and anyone who we come across in our lives.

There are many styles of teaching the messenger of Allah used and much can be said about them

However, today I will discuss just two in todays khutbah

Once one studies his teaching styles it will leave no doubt that the Sunnah is indeed revelation from Allah, because He is our creator He knows us the best and  therefore He sent his messenger with guidance that we can easily follow:

Part 1

Teaching Style 1

1. Repeating the same phrase whilst delivering different messages (repeat x 3)

Example 1

وعنها عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ “‏ركعتا الفجر خير من الدنيا وما فيها‏”‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ وفي رواية لهما لأحب إلي من الدنيا جميعًا‏.‏

‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The two Rak’ah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are better than this world and all it contains.

خير من الدنيا وما فيها  –  is the phrase that is repeated

There are great virtues and significance of the two Rak’ahs of the Fajr prayer (the dawn prayer) in Islam,

“The Prophet, used to teach his Ummah (community) virtuous deeds, explaining their rewards and merits as a means of encouraging people to perform them.

In this hadith, the Prophet, , says: ‘The two Rak’ahs of Fajr,’ referring to the Sunnah (voluntary) prayers of Fajr, which are performed between the Adhan and the Iqama ‘are better than this world and what it contains.’

This means that the reward for these prayers in the Hereafter is greater and more excellent than all the joys of this world.

These two Rak’ahs are counted among the Sunan al-Rawatib (the regular Sunnah prayers) associated with the obligatory prayers. The Prophet’s, emphasis on them highlights their great importance and reward, and is an encouragement to be diligent in performing them.

It was also the practice of the Messenger of Allah, to make these two Rak’ahs brief. In the Sahihain (Bukhari and Muslim), Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported: ‘The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, used to pray the two Rak’ahs of Fajr lightly, so much so that I would wonder whether he recited Al-Fatiha (the opening chapter of the Quran) in them or not.’

And in Muslim, from Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him: ‘The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, used to recite in the two Rak’ahs of Fajr: Surah Al-Kafiroon (The Disbelievers), and Surah Al-Ikhlas (The Sincerity).’

The hadith illustrates the virtue of the two Rak’ahs of Fajr.”

Example 2

وعن سهل بن سعد رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏”‏رباط يوم في سبيل الله خير من الدنيا وما عليها، وموضع سوط أحدكم من الجنة خير من الدنيا وما عليها، والروحة يروحها العبد في سبيل الله تعالى، أو الغدوة خير من الدنيا وما عليها‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

خير من الدنيا وما عليها  – the phrase that is repeated

Sahl bin Sa’d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Observing Ribat (e.g., guarding the Islamic frontier for the sake of Allah) for a single day is far better than the world and all that it contains. A place in Jannah as small as the whip of your horse is far better than the world and all that it contains. An endeavour (fighting) in the Cause of Allah in the evening or in the morning is far better than the world and all that it contains.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

What is Al- Ribat?

“‏ أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِمَا يَمْحُو اللَّهُ بِهِ الْخَطَايَا وَيَرْفَعُ بِهِ الدَّرَجَاتِ إِسْبَاغُ الْوُضُوءِ عِنْدَ الْمَكَارِهِ وَكَثْرَةُ الْخُطَا إِلَى الْمَسَاجِدِ وَانْتِظَارُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الصَّلاَةِ فَذَلِكُمُ الرِّبَاطُ فَذَلِكُمُ الرِّبَاطُ فَذَلِكُمُ الرِّبَاطُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

the complete and correct performance of wudu in adverse conditions, a great number of steps towards the mosque, and waiting after one prayer for the next prayer. That is the firm hold, that is the firm hold, that is the firm hold.”

Part ii

Teaching Style 2: Mentioning things that are significant things in groups of three

Example 1

Narrated by Abdullah bin Amr: The Prophet Muhammad said, “There are three signs of a hypocrite: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks his promise; and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust.”

It is so easily to remember, and if you can remember you can check yourself against these things!

• Can you keep a secret?
• If someone tells you something in confidence can you keep it to yourself?
• Do you constantly lie and deceive people?

Example 2

“‏إذا مات ابن آدم انقطع عمله إلا من ثلاث‏:‏ صدقة جارية ،أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو له‏”‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased).”

صدقة جارية

• Have you given a charity which will be continues?
  • Do you know what is the best of charities?

عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أُمِّي مَاتَتْ أَفَأَتَصَدَّقُ عَنْهَا قَالَ النبي صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَأَيُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ سَقْيُ الْمَاءِ

Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, my mother has died. Shall I give charity on her behalf?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Yes.” I said, “Which charity is best?” The Prophet said, “A drink of water.”

ولد صالح يدعو له

• A righteous child that supplicates for their deceased parent
• Are you busying yourself educating your children upon Islam?
• Are you teaching them about the lives of the sahabah or are they busy with their favourite football team?

علم ينتفع به

• Are you busy teaching the people?
• Are you transmitting knowledge to the people?
• So many scholars that dies
  • Take Al Hafiz Al Nawawi (Abu Zakariyah Yahya ibn Sharf Al Nawawi) – who from amongst us has not heard his name?
  • Sahib, Riyad Al Saliheen wa Arbaeen A Nawawi
  • How many years has it been since he died? (1277 à 747 years)
  • How many people have benefited from the knowledge he left? Can you even imagine

• And as Sh Saleh Al Fawzan mentions that the best of these three is the beneficial knowledge..  

Example 3

Three Things That Follow a Dead Person:

Narrated by Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, “Three things follow a dead person to his grave: members of his family, his wealth, and his deeds. Two of them return and only one remains. His family and wealth return, but his deeds remain.”

• So you will know that no one can help you no matter how much they love you
• No wealth can help you, no matter how much of it you acquire.
• Only your righteous deeds will help you in that situation, the situation of death, which is inevitably every one of us will face sooner or later

Conclusion

So, I hope this Khutbah provides motivation to those listening to learn more about the beautiful teaching styles of our messenger

Implement them in our daily lives especially with out children

And Spread his Sunnah amongst our communities

So that they can benefit and ultimately help the society as a whole.