The year 2025 has just begun, marked in its first weeks by terrorist attacks around the United States, blizzards sweeping through the Midwest, and wildfires erupting in Los Angeles, leaving homelessness and desperation in their wake. All the while, Gaza is still in flames, Syria is experiencing a delicate transition of power, war is raging in parts of Africa, and Muslim minorities continue to suffer in places like China and Myanmar.
Amid a world that seems to be in constant turmoil, rather than cower against these odds, American Muslims spring into action. They flock to California with aid for the displaced, open their places of worship for the cold and destitute, console those who lost loved ones, and denounce all kinds of violence. Continuously, Muslims rally for peace and speak out against injustice while staying true to their religion. These people of faith and resilience join hands with their children and pray for better days as the world wonders where they get their strength. The answer lies in Islam, and the formula for the will to move forward is in the Quran and the Prophetic narrations of the Sunnah.
Although no one expects trials and tribulations to occur, religious communities understand their inevitability, for they know life will not always be easy. Allah says in the Quran:
“We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure— who say, when struck by a disaster, “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will ˹all˺ return.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:155-156)
Elsewhere, we are assured:
“Surely with ˹that˺ hardship comes ˹more˺ ease.”
(Surah Ash-Shahr, 94:6)
In these tests, there is always hope. Our life path takes us through rough patches, treacherous terrain, and unexpected turns, but ultimately, we reach our destination and hopefully, inshaAllah, God Willing, come out stronger. One of the ways to overcome our challenges and set a good example for the youth is to help those in need, hence a Muslim’s ability to serve despite continuous persecution. Tragedies become opportunities to demonstrate how our faith encourages us to use our abilities for good. There are plenty of examples of how the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, served people even when he was being abused and defamed. Through his excellent character and personal sacrifices, our religion was able to triumph and become one of the world’s leading and enduring faith traditions. Additionally, even people outside of Islam recognize the Prophet as the most influential man in history. They understood that he was not only a religious figure, but a respected political leader, compassionate community servant, and dedicated husband and father.
Subsequently, being a good Muslim not only entails spiritual grounding, but also emulating the leadership qualities of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, to serve our communities. Families can follow the example of our beloved and teach the ways he honored and helped his fellow human beings to the younger generation. In this manner, we can continue our legacy of faith and resilience and be beacons of light for those around us who are still in the dark. Allah says in the Quran:
“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often.”
(Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:21)
Here are some of the ways the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, served his followers despite being the messenger of Allah!
1. He served his family.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, demonstrated the highest level of patience, service, and care for his family. Despite his responsibilities as a leader and messenger, he prioritized the needs of his household. He mended his own clothes, helped with household chores, and made time for his family. His actions showed that serving one's family is a noble act of faith.
Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported:
“I was asked, ‘What did the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, do in his home?’ I said, ‘The Prophet was a man among men. He would remove fleas from his clothes, milk his sheep, and serve himself.’”
(Musnad Ahmad 26194)
In another hadith, she said,
"He used to keep himself busy serving his family and when it was time for the prayer, he would get up for prayer."
(Sahih Bukhari 6039)
Reading these narrations, a person may think this sounds like an ordinary human being. Yet the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, carried the heavy task of caring for a whole emerging nation of believers. Nevertheless, he prioritized the needs of his family when needed to show that it is not a separate and burdensome task, but rather a vital part of religious devotion.
2. He served his followers.
Oftentimes, in our religious communities, we hear about the lack of mentorship and even spiritual abuse that transpires from flawed leadership. However, this is a far cry from the perfect teachings and example of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. He would treat his followers with unparalleled care and humility. He listened to their concerns, prayed for them, and always encouraged them to better themselves. The Prophet was approachable, even to the most marginalized in society, and ensured everyone felt valued, to the point that some of his companions thought they must be the most beloved person to him. His empathy and excellent manners ensured his followers listened to his advice attentively, never doubting the sincerity of his message.
Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“The most beloved people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to people. The most beloved deed to Allah is to make a Muslim happy, or remove one of his troubles, or forgive his debt, or feed his hunger. That I walk with a brother regarding a need is more beloved to me than that I seclude myself in this mosque in Medina for a month. Whoever swallows his anger, then Allah will conceal his faults. Whoever suppresses his rage, even though he could fulfill his anger if he wished, then Allah will secure his heart on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever walks with his brother regarding a need until he secures it for him, then Allah Almighty will make his footing firm across the bridge on the day when the footings are shaken.”
(Al-Mu’jam al-Awsat lil-Tabarani 6026)
3. He served children.
The Prophet’s, peace and blessings be upon him, love and kindness toward children are well-documented. He greeted them, played with them, and showed patience with their antics. By doing so, he created an environment of warmth and affection, making children feel included and loved, something that is crucial to their spiritual development. His young servant, Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, learned about these qualities firsthand and narrated dozens of hadith about how the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, interacted with children and served their needs.
In an authentic hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik, it was said that a slave-girl of Al-Madinah would take hold of the hand of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and take him wherever she desired.
(Riyad as-Salihin 604)
Anas ibn Malik also reported that:
“The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would come to us and I had a little brother whose nickname was Abu Umayr. He had a pet sparrow he used to play with and it died. The Prophet entered one day and saw him grieving, so he said, ‘What is the matter with him?’ They said, ‘His sparrow has died.’ The Prophet said, ‘O Abu ‘Umayr, what happened to the little sparrow?’”
(Sunan Abi Dawud 4969)
Children need attention, love, and gentle reminders, along with the basics like shelter, food, and clothing. These tales displaying the Prophetic level of patience and understanding is a lesson for how adults should interact with children.
4. He served the elderly.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, respected and cared for the elderly, recognizing their wisdom and status in the community. He emphasized honoring them and prioritized their needs, setting an example for others to follow. More importantly, he taught the believers how to honor them in the best way, and these lessons are preserved in the Sunnah.
In a beautiful narration, reported by Abu Huraira, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“If one of you leads people in prayer, let him lighten it as among them are the weak, sick, and elderly. If one of you prays by himself, let him pray for as long as he wishes.”
(Sahih Bukhari 671)
5. He served the needy.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, consistently helped those in need, whether by providing food, shelter, clothing, or financial support. He lived modestly himself and gave away whatever he could, often prioritizing others over himself. A person can feel the impact of his example on the generosity of Muslims worldwide.
Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:
“I was walking with the Prophet on the stony ground in Al-Madinah in the afternoon when Uhud Mount came into sight. Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, ‘O Abu Dharr!’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, here I am responding to you.’ He said, ‘If I had as much gold as the weight of Uhud, it would not please me to have a single dinar out of it with me after the passage of three days, but I would hold back something for the repayment of a debt. I would distribute it among the slaves of Allah like this and like this and like this.’ And he pointed in front of him, and on his right side and on his left side. We then walked a little further and he said: ‘The rich would be poor on the Day of Resurrection, except he who spent like this and like this and like this,’ and he pointed as he did the first time.
(Riyad as-Salihin 464)
6. He served the sick.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, regularly visited the sick, prayed for their recovery, and offered them comfort. Sometimes, he even offered some remedies, both medicinal and spiritual in nature. His visits were not limited to Muslims; he extended his compassion to anyone in need. His actions teach us the importance of showing care and solidarity during someone’s time of vulnerability.
In a moving narration, a companion named Jubayr ibn Mut’im, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Come with us to the tribe of Waqif. We, who can see, will visit a man whose eyes cannot.” (Musnad al-Bazzar 3425)
Not only was the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, determined to travel to visit a blind man, but he also invited some of his followers to come with him. The wording of his invitation demonstrates how he reminded them of their own blessings (of being able to see) prior to mentioning the person who lost their sight to encourage them to be grateful about their own condition.
7. He served women.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, elevated the status of women in a society that marginalized them. He treated women with unparalleled respect, compassion, and fairness, whether they were his wives, daughters, or members of the community. He advocated for the education of women and ensured their voices were heard and valued, even consulting them on matters of importance. The Prophet’s treatment of women serves as an important reminder of their rights and dignity in Islam, encouraging us to follow his example in our interactions with women today.
One example of how the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, served women was by allowing them to attend the congregational prayers and making special time and space for them. Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“It would be better if you left this door to the mosque for women (to enter from it).”
(Sunan Abi Dawud 462)
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught us by his words and example that service is part of faith. So, when people wonder why Muslims are at the forefront of relief efforts and community service around the world, we can answer confidently: This is Islam. We are taught that every good deed is an act of worship if it is done with the intention to please our Creator. We learn how to navigate today’s challenges with compassion, humility, and resilience by incorporating the teachings of the Prophet. Each act of service is a testament to the integrity of Islam's principles.
In a frightening world filled with uncertainty, the Quran and Sunnah offer a roadmap for hope and success. The examples in our religious texts remind us that trials are not merely obstacles but opportunities to educate the masses about the beauty of Islam through service and steadfastness. Following the Prophetic teachings and nurturing these values in the next generation will guarantee we remain a source of light amid darkness. Allah promises ease after hardship and assures us that even the toughest tests, when met with patience and action, are pathways to ultimate success.
Wendy Díaz is a Puerto Rican Muslim writer, award-winning poet, translator, and mother of six (ages ranging from toddler to teen). She is the co-founder of Hablamos Islam, a non-profit organization that produces educational resources about Islam in Spanish (hablamosislam.org). She has written, illustrated, and published over a dozen children’s books and currently lives with her family in Maryland. Follow Wendy Díaz on social media @authorwendydiaz and @hablamosislam.
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