Who Are Our Role Models

Main Topic

Evaluating who we take as role models and examining our spiritual and financial integrity in daily life.

Key Lessons

• Modern society encourages taking non-believing celebrities and athletes as role models, while emulating pious scholars or Sunnah practices is often mocked.
• The Nafs uses sly reasoning to avoid seeking genuine consultation (Mashwarah) and making spiritual reformation (Islah).
• True success in business comes from honesty, trustworthiness, and keeping promises, rather than seeking worldly prestige through unethical financing or unpaid debts.
• Unpaid debts and broken promises bring grave accountability in the Akhirah, even for a martyr.

Quranic/Hadith References

• Hadith regarding the truthful and trustworthy merchant (Tajir al-Saduq al-Ameen) being resurrected with the Prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs.
• Hadith on the duas before Salam seeking protection from Jahannam, punishment of the grave, trials of life/death, Dajjal, and protection from sins and debt (minal ma'tham wal maghram).
• Hadith stating that all sins of a Shaheed (martyr) are forgiven except debt.
• Hadith stating that Allah does not look at physical appearances but at hearts and deeds.

Practical Advice

• Take Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alayhi wasallam, the Sahaba Radiallahu anhum, and pious scholars as primary role models instead of celebrities.
• Consult a pious spiritual guide sincerely without picking and choosing answers that suit your desires.
• Maintain utmost honesty in business dealings by keeping your word, paying suppliers on time, and avoiding unnecessary debt.
• Practice basic religious discipline, such as mastering waking up independently for Fajr prayer.