A Day in the Life of Prophet Muhammad(SAW)

Reading the Prophet's Day

The Prophet's day represents a cross section of his expansive

life. It provides a host of profound revelations:

1 . The Prophet looked at his day as the time framework for his

achievements. Human history has never witnessed anything

approaching the achievements of God's great messenger,

Muhammad (peace be upon him) .

2. The first thing that captures attention in the Prophet's daily

life is its superior clarity that shines all the time. There were no dark

corners or missing chains in his life. Everything in it was clear and

transparent. We know what he did at home, when he closed his

door, how he lay in his bed, what he did with his wife at sleeping

time and we hear his breathing when he was asleep and the first

thing he said when he woke up.

As I was studying the daily programme of the Prophet, I felt

that I know about him more than I know about my own father. His

was a shining life; he was a Prophet walking under the sun.

3. In following his day, you see in practice the meaning of his

statement: "Prayer is the apple of my eye." Prayer, obligatory,

voluntary or night worship, is clearly apparent throughout his day.

I t represents the stops that give psychological comfort throughout

the day. He appears to receive through his prayer what God

bestows on him of added strength and blessings. Thus, after each

prayer his strength of resolve is renewed and greatly enhanced.

Prayer was the source of strength and comfort for him. He seemed

to want it now whenever it was due. He said to Bilal, expressing his

longing to it: "Bilal, give us the comfort of prayer." Perhaps nothing

expresses more clearly and accurately how he spiritually longed to it

than his words, 'give us its comfort'. That indicates perfect

communion between him and the Creator.

Ibn al-Qayyim mentions that the total of his regular prayers in

his day and night was 40 rak 'ahs, which he always maintained.

These were divided into 17 obligatory rak 'ahs, 10 or 1 2 regular

voluntary rak 'ahs and 11 or 13 in night worship. Any extras were

not regular. These extras could be a prayer in midmorning, or one at the place of a person he is

visiting, or one offered in greeting to the mosque. A Muslim will do very well to maintain this figure

throughout his life. Imagine that you are knocking at a door 40

times every day and night: could there be a speedier response or a

quicker opening of the door?

4. His night worship was the most absorbing that gave him

most enjoyment of addressing his Lord. It was a case of profound

spiritual experience.

5. You cannot help being extremely amazed that the Prophet