Like a Father to His Companions

📖Sunan Abī Dāwūd 8
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, I am only like a father to you in the way that I teach you. When one of you goes to relieve himself, he should not face the direction of prayer or turn his back to it completely, and he should not cleanse himself with his right hand.”

Quranic Context:

📖Quran 33:40
Muhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. And Allah is ever Knowing of all things.

📖Quran 33:21
There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.

Explanation:
The Prophet ﷺ clarified that his role is like a father in teaching, guiding, and caring for his followers. This does not mean he is a biological father – Allah denied this in the Qur’an for wisdom, as the Prophet ﷺ had sons in childhood but none survived to manhood. This prevented anyone from falsely claiming prophethood through lineage.

• Calling him “father” in the sense of messenger, teacher, and guide is correct, but calling him a biological father is wrong, because Allah has denied this. It was only for his companions that he used such a comparison of care, not as a permanent title for later generations.

The Prophet ﷺ also said:
📖Sahih Muslim 249a
“I wished we had seen our brothers.” They (the companions) said: “Are we not your brothers, O Messenger of Allah?” He ﷺ replied: “You are my companions, and our brothers are those who have not yet come.”
This shows the distinction — companions were cared for like children under his guidance, while later generations are his “brothers” in faith, not his children.

What We Learn from This Hadith:

• Respect for the qiblah must be maintained even when relieving oneself – mIslam teaches dignity in all aspects of life.
• The right hand is for noble actions (eating, giving, greeting), while the left is for cleaning – Islam organizes even the smallest actions.
• The Prophet ﷺ’s guidance covers every detail of life, proving Islam is a complete way of life.
• Love for the Prophet ﷺ should be expressed by following his teachings, not by innovating titles that Allah has forbidden.

Quranic Context:

📖Quran 2:125
And [mention] when We designated for Abraham the site of the House, [saying], “Do not associate anything with Me, and purify My House for those who perform ṭawāf and those who stand in prayer, and those who bow and prostrate.”

This verse shows that even the Ka‘bah was purified for worship – so a Muslim must also respect its direction (qiblah), even when relieving oneself, and maintain dignity.

📖Quran 69:19
Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will say, “Here, read my record!”
The right hand is associated with honor, nobility, and purity, while the left is for lesser tasks like cleaning.

📖Quran 6:38
We have not neglected in the Book a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.
→ From prayer to cleanliness, Islam provides complete guidance.

📖Quran 3:31
Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
Love for the Prophet ﷺ is proven by following his Sunnah, not by giving him biological titles Allah denied.