In this post, I will try to examine some of the habits that lead Benjamin Franklin to become "the Benjamin Franklin," his 13 points of virtue. I will delve into these 13 points and their eerie similarity to the Sunnah (traditions) of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
As a teenager, Franklin rejected Christianity and became a deist. Deists are similar to today's agnostics, who believe in a God, but do not follow any religion. So, without a religion Franklin didn't have any code of living, and every human being by nature needs a code of living. If a man wants to become great, he must be disciplined and follow certain virtues. Therefore, as a teenager, Franklin made up his own points of virtues that he lived by in an effort to become a virtues man.
The strange thing is, when one looks at his points of virtues, it is strikingly similar to Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) Sunnah. As if Franklin studied Muhammad (peace be upon) and derived these points. These 13 points are as follows:
1. Temperance: "Eat not to dullness, drink not to elevation."
Benjamin Franklin in his autobiography says "Eat not to dullness, drink not to elevation," meaning, do not eat or drink too much. This is his first goal in his ultimate goal to a virtuous life. The reason for this is that eating and drinking are the most primal of urges, and if we can tame these urges we can tame our other urges. Drinking and eating less also gives us a clear head and mind to do other tasks. Surprisingly (or not), Prophet Muhammad has commanded Muslims to do this about 1000 years before Franklin. He (peace be upon him) said:
“The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must do that (fill his stomach), then let him fill one third with food, one third with drink and one third with air.”
[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1381)]
Muhammad (peace be upon him) is clearly telling us not to eat too much, to eat only an amount that is needed. Is it just by coincidence that Franklin followed Muhammad's advice? Who knows. But the fact is that Franklin followed something our Prophet, peace be upon him, had said 1000 years before him, and became the legend that he is today.
2. Silence: "Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; Avoid trifling Conversation."
His second goal was to be silent. Not to talk too much, and only to talk when the situation necessitates. In other words, only speak good, or keep silent. This way he did not cause harm to others in trifling conversations or unintentionally by the tongue. Coincidentally (or not), Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised his followers to do the same.
Abu Huraira (r.a.) narrated that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:
''He who truly believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or keep silent.''
[Recorded by Sahih Bukhari]
The hadith is self explanatory and Franklin's point pretty much says the same thing. But the important thing to note is that Franklin intentionally or unintentionally followed Muhammad's (peace upon him) advice.
I will not go through the rest of the virtues. The other ones are obvious in their Islamic values, and every Muslim should no doubt follow them. If I go through each and every one of the virtues you will probably get lazy and stop reading. I am feeling lazy as well. However, here is just a list of the rest, and you can figure out how they relate to the Sunnah.
3. Order
4. Frugality
5. Resolution
6. Industry
7. Sincerity
8. Justice
9. Moderation
10. Cleanliness
11. Tranquility
12. Chastity
13. Humility
Franklin's life is just another sign for us Muslims to realize the practicality of the Sunnah and Islam. If a man follows the Sunnah, it will bring the best out of him, even a non-Muslim.
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