Part 2 – The Prophet’s Faith Ritualised Actions & Practices 

Part 2 – The Prophet’s Faith Ritualised Actions & Practices 

Part 2 – The Prophet’s Faith Ritualised Actions & Practices

This Blog Series explores the Prophet Muhammad’s Islamic value driven leadership, and is based on my Master’s Degree in Islamic Studies research, at ISRA’s Centre for Islamic Studies & Civilisation, Charles Sturt University.

This second article in our blog series, explores the second key Islamic value driven leadership aspect of the Prophet (pbuh) that transformed Arab society – the daily faith actions or worship that enabled the community to put their shared values into action under his leadership, such as enjoining good and forbidding evil or striving to always do good to please God. (Noor 2015)

Armstrong (2013) explains how the Prophet (pbuh)was not content to work for social reform only, but believed that without an inward transformation; anything else would be short lived. An example of this was his teaching of the ritual actions that enabled them to cultivate a new spiritually refined attitude. (Armstrong, 2013) Praying five times a day (salat), which interrupted their ordinary business, for example ensured that serving and worshipping one God was now their first priority.

The Prophet’s faith and commitment to preach and teach the idol worshipping Arabs, the new Islamic belief system of strict monotheism – the unity and oneness of God (Tawhid), centred on serving and worshipping God alone. A large part of Quranic revelations he taught them were about this, such as “O my people, serve God: You have no god other than He” (Quran 11:84). (Gulen, 2005)

Tawhid (Belief in One God Alone) led to the development of a new and higher consciousness

Tawhid being foreign to the Arabs caused them to re-evaluate their actions, intentions and long held beliefs regarding social norms, and transformed their morals, ethics, spirituality, values and beliefs, leading them to developing a new and higher consciousness (El’amin, 2008). For example, charity actions traditionally done to enhance one’s status, was now negated because a key principle of Tawhid that the Prophet (pbuh)taught his growing community of followers, was having a pure intention of doing actions solely to please God. (El’amin 2008)

Tawhid caused the re-evaluation of actions, intentions and long held beliefs and transformed their morals, ethics, spirituality, values and beliefs.

It’s important to note that Tawhid was the cornerstone of the Prophet’s mission and vision of creating a peaceful and prosperous world, for God’s pleasure (Noor 2015). His committed goal was to transform society which he achieved by enlightening humanity in every human dimension of life in particular in his main role as a mercy to humanity. (Gulen, 2005)

The new concept of generous was one who practiced charity and justice

Divine injunctions that ritualised aspects of Islam, aside from prayer were; zakat (charity to the poor), fasting and others aimed at transforming their quality of life and the well-being of the community. (Noor, p113) The practice of zakat alone encouraged Muslims to grow in a new direction, removing old beliefs such as fear of poverty. (El’amin, 2008) The new concept of being generous was no longer giving away one’s fortune, but one who practiced charity and justice. (Armstrong, 2013)

It’s noteworthy to also mention that having a new place of worship to gather five times a day for the ritual prayers naturally increased the solidarity and unity of the community. Five times a day, in the presence of God, they would gather to increase their belief and submission to God, the Prophet and Islam, which strengthened their solidarity and values. (Gulen, 2005) In addition, the Friday prayers allowed him to teach the new values to the community. (Hassan, 2016)

An education system ensured values and moral teachings were established

To ensure his values and moral teachings were firmly established and translated into the virtues and habits of Arab society, the Prophet (pbuh) created an education system that met the needs the community in terms of morality, spirituality, economics, administration, justice and other areas. He established a school in the mosque, teaching concepts such as the purpose of life, death and the highest human values amongst other Quranic teachings.

He also taught basic education and changed their habits, attending to his community’s needs, such as basic hygiene and etiquettes (for example, washing the hands before eating). (Hassan, 2016) Overall, the Prophet’s intellectual and spiritual insights and wisdom brought immense benefits to his followers. (Mir, 2010) He called people countless times to follow the teachings of God with wisdom and counsel, never resorting to tactics, but always acting and speaking with wisdom. (Gulen, 2005)

Written by Cynthia Aisha Meguid
Well-Being – Teacher, Educator, Consultant & Coach

Reading Reference List

This blog article is based on my Master’s Degree in Islamic Studies Research, at ISRA’s Centre for Islamic Studies & Civilisation, Charles Sturt University, Australia. 

Continue reading Blog Series: Part 3 – The Prophet Muhammad’s Islamic Values Based Leadership – His Justice with Equality