Asalaam Alaykum,

Ustādhah Umm Muhammad shares her thoughts on connecting with The Creator and The Greatest of Creation

"Read the Quran like a personal love letter from Allah," my teacher beautifully advised me. However, I have found that reading the Quran as a love letter from Allah to His Beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to be more fulfilling. Every verse can take on a new hue of endearment when looked at from this lens. Rasul Allah ﷺ is addressed in the Quran over and over again through the "kaf" of mukhatabah (you) and the word "qul (say)." For example, "Say, “This is my way. I invite to Allah with insight—I and those who follow me. Glory be to Allah, and I am not one of the polytheists" [12:108]. "...And you are truly of outstanding character" [68:2]. Allah is constantly praising him ﷺ in His eternal speech. 

We take for granted that he ﷺ is the most knowledgeable of creation and our teacher, but there was a process to his learning. He ﷺ didn't begin spreading the message knowing all the details of the stories of other prophets. These were slowly shared with him over the 23 years of revelation. I can only imagine the solace that chapter Yusuf provided to the new Muslim companions when it was revealed during the embargo. As they were starving by the actions of their own tribe, they could relate to the betrayal Sayyiduna Yusuf عليه السلام experienced from his brothers and hope for a similar triumph that followed. Throughout the Quran, we can see Allah lovingly encouraging the Messenger ﷺ and his companions to steadfastness. 

Of course, as members of his ﷺ community, we too have a share in the love. Rasul Allah's ﷺ generosity is such that when Allah promises him in the Quran, "And of course, your Lord will give you so much that you will be well pleased" [93:5]. The Prophet ﷺ responded, "If that is the case, then I will not be pleased as long as one of my ummah is in the fire" (Qurtubi). Per his ﷺ nature as the mercy to all of the worlds, we benefit from the love that was poured onto him with the Quran. This Rabi al-Awwal, let us marvel at Allah's love for His messenger Muhammad ﷺ. Let us read the Quran parallel with the Sirah and grow in love for both.