How to Love the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
When I started learning about Islam more deeply, one thing kept coming up: we should not only respect, but also love the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. But how do you love someone you’ve never met? As a new Muslim—only a few months into my journey—this concept felt distant, how someone who just embraced Islam can develop that kind of love?
The Confusion of a New Heart
I remember feeling confused. Everyone around me spoke with such warmth and affection about the Prophet ﷺ. I’d hear stories from other Muslims, watch lectures on YouTube, and see the love radiate from their eyes when they spoke about Him ﷺ. And yet… I didn’t feel it myself. Not the way they did. I respected him, yes, but that burning love they talked about? I couldn’t relate.
Deep down, I wondered, Will I ever feel that love? As someone who wasn’t born into the faith, I felt behind—like I had to catch up with everyone who had grown up hearing about the Prophet ﷺ from day one.
Afraid to Ask
Honestly, I was too embarrassed to ask anyone. It’s one thing when a child asks, “How do I love the Prophet ﷺ?” but a grown woman in her late twenties? I feared the answer would be hard to process and wouldn’t make sense to me. Everything about Islam was still so new—I had only just begun learning Arabic, how to pray, and the basics of faith.
But something changed over time.
Understanding Through Learning
With every Islamic lesson I took—whether it was about du’as, prayer, or the ethics of Islam—I felt something shifting within me. My understanding of Islam began to deepen, not just intellectually, but spiritually. After each session, it wasn’t just that I knew more—I felt more connected. It was as if I finally began to understand Islam on a different, deeper level. I started to see what other Muslims see, to feel what they feel. I began to see the world differently. I understood why we dress modestly, why we guard our hearts, why we worship the way we do.
My family didn’t understand these changes in me. I’d try to explain, but the looks on their faces showed confusion. And I couldn’t blame them—I used to be just like them. But now, I could see both sides. I was living a new life, one guided by a different kind of truth.
I think many reverts will understand exactly where I’m coming from. Take wearing the hijab and dressing modestly, for example. I’ve had people say things like, “Why would you cover your long, beautiful hair?” or “Why this person wear baggy clothes when she has a such a nice figure?”
My answers were always sincere: “Out of self-respect. For protection. Out of love and respect for husband/wife.” But the looks on their faces told me everything—they didn’t get it. Not even a little. And that’s really hard.
It’s like, once you become Muslim, your entire perspective shifts. You start to see the world through a wider lens—a lens shaped by purpose, faith, and values. You see the beauty behind the actions, not just the surface.
I just wish more people would keep the door open—just a crack—to understand. Especially my family. To be curious rather than judgmental. I get so emotional when it comes to my family and my faith. I pray that every revert is able to guide their loved ones to the truth, with the help and mercy of Allah. Ameen.
And even though I still didn’t have the answer to how to love the Prophet ﷺ, I knew I was on the right path.
The Turning Point: Learning the Seerah
The real change came when I began reading the Seerah—the biography of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. To be honest, I was nervous at first. History was never my favorite subject in school, and I feared I wouldn’t connect with the stories. So naturally, when the time came to open the Seerah book and dive into the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, I panicked. This wasn’t just any story—this was the life of the most beloved man in all of history. He ﷺ deserves the deepest respect for everything he did for us, for this Ummah.
I was scared. What if I read it and don’t remember anything? Or worse—what if I don’t feel anything? What if I’m not moved the way I should be? That thought genuinely worried me.
But I knew I couldn’t delay it any longer. It was time.
But Alhamdulillah, my Islamic teacher read it with me slowly, page by page, lesson by lesson.
And that’s when it happened.
This is the book that was recommended to me by my teacher – Seerat-ul-Mustafa (affiliate Amazon) a beautifully detailed biography of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Authored by the renowned Islamic scholar Hadhrat Moulana Idrees Kaandhelwi (رحمه الله).
From Respect to Love
The more I learned about the Prophet ﷺ—his character, his gentleness, his strength, his sacrifices—the more my heart softened. The stories of his patience, forgiveness, and simplicity brought me to tears. He ﷺ endured so much for us. He ﷺ prayed for us. He ﷺ loved us before we were even born.
This wasn’t just learning history. It was like my heart was waking up!
The more I read, the more I felt. Suddenly, I wasn’t just respecting him— I felt a deep, genuine love growing in my heart. My iman grew stronger. I began to feel proud to perform sunnah acts, because I knew they brought me closer to him ﷺ. Even small things—like drinking water while sitting, using miswak, or starting tasks with Bismillah—felt meaningful.
That’s when my teacher told me: Love is shown through actions.
That’s when it truly hit me. When you genuinely love someone, you go out of your way for them—your actions speak louder than any words ever could. Real love is lived, not just spoken. You don’t just say you love the Prophet ﷺ—you live it. You follow His sunnah acts, imitate his character, and try to embody his gentleness, courage, and humility in your own life.
And in doing so, you start to feel the love deepen—not only for Him ﷺ, but for this beautiful faith He ﷺ brought to us.
So, How Do You Love the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been Muslim. What matters is your intention and effort. The love of the Sahabah (his companions) was deep and immediate—but we can also grow in love by getting to know Him ﷺ and by living according to his teachings.
Here are a few simple steps that helped me:
- Learn about his life: Read the Seerah. Watch lectures. Reflect on his character.
- Follow his sunnah: Every act of sunnah is a gesture of love. Start small but stay consistent.
- Make du’a: Ask Allah to fill your heart with love for His Messenger ﷺ.
- Teach others: Pass on what you learn to your children, family, and friends. Let the love grow.
It’s our responsibility to revive the forgotten Sunnah and remind the world of the mercy and beauty that was embodied by our Prophet ﷺ.
A Final Reminder
Let this be a sign for you: you can do better, and you can start today. Forward this message to someone who may need it. Share the love of our Prophet ﷺ, and let that love shine through your actions.
“May Allah, fill our hearts with love for Your Prophet ﷺ, help us to follow his path with sincerity, and reunite us with him in Jannah. Ameen.”
