Contending with what the Prophet Brought

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “None of you believes until his inclinations conform to what I have brought.” [Dailami]

Every Muslim must examine his acts in light of the Quran and Sunnah, suspend his own inclinations and follow what the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) brought. Allah Most High says in the Quran: “When Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, no believer, male or female, has a choice in their affair.” [33:36]

However, the matter of leaving aside one’s own preferences in favour of the commands of Allah and His Messenger is simpler than what this hadith is describing a believer as doing: A believer’s very preferences are in line with Islam. Thus, we have not tasted true belief till obeying Allah and His Messenger are what satisfy us, as our own hearts are inclined to follow these commands.

Our feelings and our beliefs are a product of our socialization. Since birth we have been surrounded by people whose reactions, tastes, emotions, and inclinations have conditioned our own. Through human contact, through the media, through movies, books and the education system we have learnt what to react to and how to react to it. If our feelings are now not in line with what Allah’s Messenger brought then we need to do some unlearning and reconditioning with the right influences.