UAE Friday sermon: the meetings of Prophet Mohammed

Mosque-goers will be told to follow the Prophet's example when hosting guests

Prophet Mohammed would form assemblies to have conversations with his companions and advise them on the teachings of Islam, the sermon will tell mosque-goers on Friday.

Getting-together is an old tradition and used to be known as Dar An-Nadwa (a meeting house or club). Poets referred to this tradition among Arabs saying: "And if you visit them, around their houses you will find gatherings, the thoughts of which may cure ignorance."

The Prophet’s meetings were an occasion to observe many high-mannered attitudes and qualities. They were assemblies of knowledge, humbleness, modesty, and tolerance.

Prophet Mohammed would give utmost care to his meetings with people by getting well-prepared before going out. He also received and welcome his guests in his majlis in a hospitable manner. When greeted, he would return the greeting with a better or equal one, in line with what is advised in the Quran: "and when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]." (An-Nisaa: 86).

After greeting his guests, the Prophet would humbly sit among them. Describing his merits, Allah says: “and indeed, you are of a great moral character." (Al-Qalam: 4).

His character was praised by many of his companions, such as Jabir Ibn Samura who said: "I sat with the Messenger of Allah more than one-hundred times. Meanwhile, he would be silent, listening to his companions."

His assemblies were also occasions for whereby young and elderly people could meet and each generation could exchange their experiences and expertise. The aim here was to encourage young people to learn from their elders.

Women also attended the Prophet’s meetings. Abu Saeed Al Khudri said, "A woman came to the Messenger of Allah and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Men (only) benefit by your teachings, so please devote to us from (some of) your time, a day on which we may come to you so that you may teach us of what Allah has taught you.' Allah's Messenger said, 'Gather on such-and-such a day at such and- such a place.' They gathered and Allah's Messenger came to them and taught them of what Allah had taught him."

The sermon will implore God to guide Muslims to follow the example of the Prophet in their homes, during meetings and in all daily life.

Prophet Mohammed would conclude his meetings with an invocation that the angel Jibril (Gabriel) taught him, saying, "Glory is due to You, Oh Allah, and praise. I bear witness that there is no deity save You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance."