As a verse of the Quraan reveals, "… Muhammad is the Messenger of A'allaah and the Final Seal of the Prophets." (Surat al-Ahzab: 40), the Prophet Muhammad (ssalla A'allaah a'allayhy wasalam) was sent to mankind as the last prophet. He was a living example of the sublime morality of A'allaah's last revelation. He was a friend of A'allaah and inspired humanity by his nearness to Him. He was His representative, noble in His eyes, and a friend to all believers.
As A'allaah has revealed in another verse, "We will impose a weighty Word upon you..." (Surat al-Muzammil: 5), he charged His last prophet, Muhammad (ssalla A'allaah a'allayhy wasalam) with a heavy responsibility. Due to the Prophet (ssalla A'allaah a'allayhy wasalam) ' s strong faith in A'allaah, he fulfilled that responsibility in the best possible way, called mankind to the path of A'allaah and Islam, and illuminated the way for all believers.
Although we have never seen the Prophet (ssalla A'allaah a'allayhy wasalam), we can still do our very best to come to know his exemplary behavior, his sayings and the pleasing morality he displayed, by means of the verses of the Quraan and the hadiths (the sayings and teachings of the Prophet (ssalla A'allaah a'allayhy wasalam). We can try to be like him, in order to be close to him in the hereafter. People today, and the young in particular, take many individuals as role models, imitate the way they behave, speak and dress, and try to be like them. Yet, since the great majority of these people are not on the right road themselves, they lack proper morality and attitudes. It is therefore a serious responsibility to lead people to the truth and the best morality and behavior. A Muslim needs to try to emulate the behavior and the morality of the Prophet Muhammad (ssalla A'allaah a'allayhy wasalam). A'allaah confirms that in a verse:
You have an excellent model in the Messenger of A'allaah, for all who put their hope in A'allaah and the Last Day and remember A'allaah much. (Surat al-Ahzab: 21)
Like the Prophet Muhammad (ssalla A'allaah a'allayhy wasalam), the other prophets were also role models for believers, and enjoyed A'allaah's good pleasure. A'allaah says in one verse:
There is instruction in their stories for people of intelligence. This [the Quraan] is not a narration which has been invented but confirmation of all that came before, a clarification of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for people who believe. (Surah Yusuf: 111)
