Sunnah should not be abstained from Because of Embarrassment

The Sahaba Ikhram (R.A) would always remain immersed in the love of The Highly Celebrated, The Sovereign of Madina, The Leader of the Prophets, Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W).

Nothing, neither the lure of worldly things, nor any regard for any member of the society, would ever stop them from practicing the Sunnah. Sayyiduna Hassan Basri (R.A) narrates that Hazrat Ma'qil bin Yasaar (R.A) (who was the leader of the Muslims of that area) was once eating when one of his bites of food fell on the ground. He (R.A) picked it up, cleaned it, and then ate it.

The people sitting around gave a scornful eye at him and glanced at each other ridiculing him on his action. Someone said, "May Allah (S.W.T) grant you many favours. O’ our Leader! These people are looking at our leader in an amusing manner because he has picked up a dropped bite of food from the floor, even though there is other food available."

Hazrat Ma'qil bin Yasaar (R.A) replied, “I cannot abstain from that, which I have heard from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) merely because of these Ajamis [non-Arabs]. We would advise each other that if a morsel (a bite) of food falls down, it should be cleaned, eaten and not left for the Devil (to consume)”. (Ibn-e-Maja, Vol: 4, Pg: 17, Hadith: 327)

Sunnah is like Medicine

Shaikh Khidir from Toronto Canada once gave a very beautiful example on the importance of following the ways (Sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). He said that Sunnah is like medicine.

When we visit the doctors for treatment, they write on the prescriptions the medicines we need. We take these prescriptions to pharmacists who then sell the medicines to us. Sometimes these medicines are bitter and hard to swallow, but we still consume them as we know that the cure is in them.

Similarly, each and every Sunnah has physical and spiritual cure for us in this world and in the hereafter. Even if some of the Sunnah are hard to follow, we should still follow them as there is cure in them.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (R.A) narrates from the Beloved Prophet (S.A.W): “At the time of corruption, if one revives a Sunnah (i.e. by practising it), he will be rewarded equivalent to one hundred martyrs in Islam.” (Baihaqi)

Another Hadith states: “He who does not follow my Sunnah is not from Me”.

It is important to follow the teaching and practices of our Beloved Prophet (S.A.W). If we do not follow the Sunnah, then how can we call ourselves true Muslims. Islam is about following the commands of Allah (S.W.T) and the teachings of his Beloved Prophet (S.A.W).