My Model for a world that thirsts for another way.

“Awakened Muslims must understand that their salvation and victory lie in recognizing and following the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). There is no doubt that courageous and faithful youth are the greatest hopes of Islam and stand at the forefront of this great struggle. We hope for the triumph of light over darkness.” This statement reflects the central vision of the book My Role Model (Olgou-ye Man), written by Hojjat al-Islam Seyyed Javad Beheshti. The author maintains that contemporary humanity is in urgent need of becoming familiar with the way of life of the Prophet and the divine Book he brought. He expresses hope that God’s promise regarding the global spread of the message of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) will soon be realized. Written in a simple and accessible style, the book explains the moral virtues and behavioral model of the Prophet of Islam. It is based on narratives and traditions from his life, covering his childhood, his conduct (sīra), and his selection as the final Messenger. Various sections of the book recount the Prophet’s Ascension (Mi‘raj), his migration (Hijrah) to Medina, and the battles of early Islam. In the final section, the Prophet is presented through the lens of the Qur’an, with forty verses that examine different dimensions of his character. In other words, the author introduces the Prophet’s conduct, traditions, personality, and interactions from a Qur’anic perspective.

My Role Model was prepared for adolescents and young people at the request of the Planning Headquarters for the Year of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Ministry of Education. Al-Hoda International Publications, affiliated with the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, has translated and published the book in both Arabic and English. Although primarily intended for youth, the book is also beneficial for adult readers. The author hopes it contributes to the promotion of prophetic ethics and lifestyle. The book is organized into seven sections: The Rising of the Sun, The Childhood of Muhammad (PBUH), A Journey into the Unseen, The Migration (Hijrah), Memories of War and Struggle, Work and Effort, Physical Education and Muhammad (PBUH) in the Mirror of the Qur’an. 

Seyyed Javad Beheshti was born in 1954 in Kashan. He pursued traditional seminary education up to the advanced level of jurisprudence (kharij al-fiqh). He has held several executive positions, including Director General of the Office of the Qur’an and Ahl al-Bayt Affairs and advisor to the Minister of Education. He has authored around ten books, including: Interpretation of Family Verses in the Qur’an, Methods of Inviting to Prayer, A Reconsideration of Religious Literature. He is also a recognized expert affiliated with the Headquarters for the Promotion of Prayer and a contributor to the well-known television program Lessons from the Qur’an, presented by Hojjat al-Islam Mohsen Qara’ati. He studied at the Haqqani Seminary.

Lessons from the Prophet

 The book was published in 2006 (1385 SH), the year that Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, designated as the “Year of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).” In his Nowruz message, he emphasized that society should revisit the teachings of the Prophet and incorporate them into daily life and practical programs. The need to promote the Prophet’s teachings—ethical conduct, dignity, pursuit of knowledge, mercy, and unity—led the Ministry of Education to commission this book as a step toward fostering moral development among teachers, parents, and students.

Efforts to Promote Prayer

 Hojjat al-Islam Seyyed Javad Beheshti has devoted his life to explaining and promoting the culture of prayer (salat). His frequent presence in media programs has made him a prominent figure in this field. His books Along with Prayer and Methods of Inviting to Prayer have received considerable attention. He attributes his commitment to attending the mosque—especially for the dawn prayer—to his mother. From the age of six, he accompanied her to the mosque even during cold winter mornings. After the prayer, he would recite Du‘a al-‘Ahd and Ziyarat Ashura before returning home. He considers this path to be the way of salvation and dedicates his efforts to encouraging others to follow it.