Refining Our Personality

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is a transcript of a talk by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad. 

Allah (s.w.t.) Said to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.): 

سُوۡرَةُ الکهف

قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۟ بَشَرٌ۬ مِّثۡلُكُمۡ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمۡ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَٲحِدٌ۬‌ۖ ... (١١٠) 

Say: “I am but a man like yourselves, (but) the inspiration has come to me, that your God is one God ...” (Surah al-Kahf:110) 

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was a human being, in that he used to eat, sleep and work, etc.  In this respect he is human.  Some of the people at that time was expecting a different creature to be their prophet - someone who had a miraculous birth like Jesus (a.s.).  They were surprised to find such a “simple” man sent to them to preach about the Oneness of Allah (s.w.t.). 

In order to properly understand this lesson we must first draw reference to the iron ore that is extracted from the earth.  This basic metal goes through a series of refining processes that enables it to be transformed into various materials such as steel, wire and so forth.  The same iron ore but the different processes enable it to take on a completely different shape and construct; it can even glow like the filament in a bulb.  The human body is the basic material and Allah (s.w.t.) has Infused in it a non-basic material which is the soul.  Just as the wire in the bulb glows, so too, we believers must casue our personalities to become an embodiment of light. 

Even at a very young age Prophet (s.a.w.) was so refined that on a couple of occassions the light of his personality was seen by others.  On one occasion, Sayyidatina ‘Aishah bint Abu Bakr (r.a.) swore by Allah (s.w.t.) that when she looked at Prophet (s.a.w.) he was brighter than the full Moon.  He was so refined that his “light” was visible to others.  Yes, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was a human being, but he has shown us that it is possible for this simple human to become so refined that the personality becomes an embodiment of light.  One of the signs of the Greatness of Allah (s.w.t.) is that He has Enabled man, this insignificant piece of mud, to grow and become refined and He has Bestowed upon us the capacity to recite His Holy Words and engage in acts of worship that His angels engage in. 

Let us therefore use the trials and tribulations that are presented to us to refine our personalities, just as our beloved Prophet (s.a.w.) did.  And we put our faith and trust in Allah (s.w.t.) and, insha’Allah, He will Take Care of our affairs.