If you say: What is the reality of His saying, "Certainly, there has been for you in the Messenger of Allah a good example," and it is read: "uswah"? I say: There are two aspects to it. The first is that it is in itself a good example, meaning: a role model, which is the one who is followed, just as you say: In the egg, there are twenty of us in iron, meaning: it is in itself this amount of iron. The second is that it has a trait that deserves to be emulated and followed. It is the sharing of oneself with those who hope for Allah, replacing "for you" with "for those who are oppressed among them who hope for Allah and the Last Day": from your saying, "I hoped for Zaid and his virtue," meaning: the virtue of Zaid. Or he hopes for the days of Allah. The Last Day is particularly so. And hope means either aspiration or fear. And he mentioned Allah frequently and linked hope with many acts of obedience and diligence in righteous deeds. The one who emulates the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, is one who is like that.