The Prophet Muhammad Noble Qualities
Banu Salleh.
In the name of Allāh, the Most
Gracious, the Most Merciful;
All the praise and thanks is due to
Allāh, the Lord of al-‘ālameen. I testify that there is none worthy of worship
except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam, is His Messenger
Description: Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) is known to have observed a very simple life not seeking material
gains, greatness, glory, or power but
forever with Fear of Allāh, sincere humility was ingrained in his heart untill
he died. The noble characteristics and the Sunnah which the Muslims must upheld
it. He said, "Allāh has sent me as an apostle so that I may demonstrate
perfection of character, refinement of manners and loftiness of deportment”.
Allāh Says in the Qur’an: “And We have
not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” (Al-Anbiya’ 21:
107)
1 - Appearance.
The height of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was a
little above the average. He was sturdy built with long muscular limbs and tapering
fingers. The hair was long and thick with some waves in them. His forehead was
large and prominent, his eyelashes were long and thick, his nose was sloping,
his mouth was somewhat large and his teeth were well set. His cheeks were spare
and he had a pleasant smile. His eyes were large and black with a touch of
brown. His beard was thick and at the time of his death, he had seventeen gray
hairs in it. He had a thin line of fine hair over his neck and chest. He was
fair of complexion and altogether was so handsome that Abu Bakar As-Siddiq
(radiyallāhu’anhu) composed this couplet on him:
"As there is no
darkness in the moonlit night, so is Mustafa, the well-wisher, bright."
The Prophet’s (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) gait was firm and he
walked so fast that others found it difficult to keep pace with him. His face
was genial but at times, when he was deep in thought, there were long periods
of silence, yet he always kept himself busy with something. He would not speak
unnecessarily and what he said was always to the point without any padding. At
times he would make his meaning clear by slowly repeating what he had said. His
laugh was mostly a smile. He kept his feelings under firm control; when
annoyed, he would turn aside or keep silent; when pleased he would lower his
eyes [At-Tirmidzi]
1.1 - The Seal of Prophethood
Abdullah bin Sarjas (radiyallāhu’anhu) says: "I came to
Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) while there were people sitting in his
company. I went around to the back of Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
(The narrator may have done this physically). Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) understood what I was trying to do. He removed the sheet (body wrap)
from his back. I saw the place of the “Seal of Prophethood “between his two shoulders.
It was like a cluster surrounded by til (moles) which appeared to be like a
wart. I came before Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) and said to him.
May Allāh forgive you (or Allāh has forgiven you, as is mentioned in Surah
Fath, 'That Allāh may forgive you, your former and your latter sins').
Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied: 'May Allāh forgive you too'.
The people said to me that Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) has made
du’ā for your maghfirah (forgiveness). I replied: 'Yes, and for you too,
because Allāh Ta’āla has said: ‘O Muhammad, seek forgiveness for yourself and
the Mu'min males and females also"'. [Shama’il Tirmidzi]
2 - His Character and Disposition
The uniqueness of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
is that he was not only a great person in his own time, but he is great for all
times, for all people of any race, color, nationality or geographical location.
His example was good for the 7th century Arabs and it is good for the humanity
living now at the beginning of this 21st century. He is an excellent example
for the rich and poor, for young and old, for rulers and ruled, for the most
intelligent as well as the most common people. Allāh sent him as His Prophet
for all humanity.
Allāh also says: “Say, [O Muhammad],
"O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, [from Him] to
whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity
except Him; He gives life and causes death." So believe in Allah and His
Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and
follow him that you may be guided.” [Al-A’raf 7: 158]
Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) practiced what he
preached. He very carefully and meticulously followed the Qur’an, Allāh’s Word
that was revealed to him. He followed and lived the Qur’an at every moment in
every detail of his life. His life was the reflection of Allāh’s Words. He
became the Qur’an in person, the embodiment of the Qur’an or one may even say
in a metaphorical sense “the Word in flesh”.
It is narrated that Sa’ad ibn Hisham (radiyallāhu’anhu) said he
asked ‘Aishah, (radiyallāhu’anha), Prophet’s wife: “Tell me about the character of the Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam).” She said, “His character was the Qur’an.”
[Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 24139].
Allāh Says about the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam):"By the grace of Allāh, you are gentle towards the
people; if you had been stern and ill-tempered, they would have dispersed from
round about you" [Surah Ali-‘Imran, 3:159)
About him the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: "Allāh has
sent me as a Messenger so that I may demonstrate perfection of character,
refinement of manners and loftiness of deportment." [Mālik; Ahmad]
By nature, Rasulullah (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was gentle and
kind hearted, always inclined to be gracious and to overlook the faults of
others. Politeness and courtesy, compassion and tenderness, simplicity and
humility, sympathy and sincerity were some of the keynotes of his character.
[Bukhari, Tarmidzi, Ibn Hisham]
In the cause of right and justice, The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) could be resolute and severe but more often than not, his severity
was tempered with generosity. He had charming manners, which won him the
affection of his followers and secured their devotion. However, as virtual king
of Arabia and an Apostle of Allāh, The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
never assumed an air of superiority. It was not that he had to conceal any such
vein by practice and artifice, but eternally with fear of Allāh, sincere
humility was ingrained in his heart. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
used to say, "I
am a Prophet of Allāh but I do not know what will be my end."
[Bukhari]
In one of his sermons calculated to instill the fear of Allāh and
the day of reckoning in the hearts of men, The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said: “O people of Quraish be prepared
for the hereafter, I cannot save you from the punishment of Allāh; O Bani Abd
Manaf, I cannot save you from Allāh; O ‘Abbas, son of Abdul Mutalib, I cannot
protect you either; O Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad, even you I cannot
save." [Sahihyn, Tirmidzi]
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to invoke: "O Allāh! I am but a man. If I hurt anyone in any
manner, then forgive me and do not punish me." [Ahmad, Musnad, Vol.
6 pg. 103]
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) always received people
with courtesy, showed respect to older people, and stated: “To honor an old
man is to show respect to Allāh.” [Bukhari]
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) would not deny courtesy
even to wicked persons. It is stated that a person came to his house and asked
permission for admission. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) remarked
that he was not a good person but might be admitted. When he came in and while
he remained in the house, he was shown full courtesy. When he left ‘Aishah
(radiyallāhu’anha) said: "You did not think well of this man, but you
treated him so well." The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied: “He is a bad person
in the sight of Allāh who does not behave courteously and people shun his
company because of his bad manners.” [Bukhari]
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was always the first to
greet another and would not withdraw his hand from a handshake until the other
man withdrew his. If one wanted to say something in his ears, he would not turn
away until one had finished [Abu Dawud, Tirmidzi]. He did not like people to
get up for him and used to say: “Let him who likes people to stand up in his honour, he
should seek a place in hell.” [Abu Dawud].
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) would himself, however,
stand up when any dignitary came to him. He had stood up to receive the wet
nurse who had reared him in infancy and had spread his own sheet for her. His
foster brother was given similar treatment. [Abu Dawud].
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) avoided sitting at a
prominent place in a gathering, so much so that people coming in had difficulty
in spotting him and had to ask which the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
was. Quite frequently uncouth Bedouins accosted him in their own gruff and
impolite manner but he never took offence. [Abu Dawud].
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to visit the
poorest of ailing persons and exhorted all Muslims to do likewise [Bukhari].
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) would sit with the humblest of
persons saying that righteousness alone was the criterion of one's superiority
over another. He invariably invited people be they slaves, servants or the
poorest believers, to partake with him of his scanty meals [Tirmidzi].
Whenever The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) visited a
person, he would first greet him and then take his permission to enter the
house. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) advised the people to follow
this etiquette and not to get annoyed if anyone declined to give permission,
for it was quite likely the person concerned was busy otherwise and did not
mean any disrespect [Tirmidzi].
There was no type of household work too low or too undignified for
him. ‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) has stated: "He always joined in household
work and would at times mend his clothes, repair his shoes and sweep the floor.
He would milk, secure, and feed his animals and do the household
shopping." [Bukhari, Tirmidzi]
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) would not hesitate to do
the menial work of others, particularly of orphans and widows [Nasa’ie,
Darimi]. Once when there was no male member in the house of the companion Kabab
bin Arat (radiyallāhu’anhu) who had gone to the battlefield, he used to go to
his house daily and milk his cattle for the inhabitants [Tabaqat Ibn Sa’ad Vol.
6, p 213].
Prophet Muhammad’s followers loved him, respected him, and trusted
him to an amazing extent. Yet he
continued to emphasize that deification should be directed to Allāh and not to
him personally. Anas bin Mālik,
(radiyallāhu’anhu), one of Prophet Muhammad’s companions, said: “There was no person whom they loved more than the
Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam), yet when he came to them, they
did not stand up for him because he hated their standing up for him”,
[Musnad Ahmad, (12117), and Al-Tirmidzi, (2754).]; as other people do with
their great people.
3 - Mode of Living.
Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) is known either
before or during his mission as a Prophet of Allāh to have observed a very
simple life not seeking material gains, greatness, glory, or power, but forever
with Fear of Allāh, sincere humility was ingrained in his heart untill he died.
The Prophet’s house was but a hut with walls of unbaked clay and a
thatched roof of palm leaves covered by camel skin. He had separate apartments
for his wives, a small room for each made of similar materials. His apartment
contained a rope cot, a pillow stuffed with palm leaves, the skin of some
animal spread on the floor and a water bag of leather and some weapons. These
were all his earthly belongings, besides a camel, a horse, and a mule and some
land, which he had acquired in the later part of his life [Bukhari, Muslim, and
Abu Dawud]. His blanket had several patches [Tirmidzi].
Once a few of his disciples, noticing the imprint of his mattress
on his body, wished to give him a softer bed but the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
politely declined the offer saying: "What have
I to do with worldly things? My connection with the world is like that of a
traveler resting for a while underneath the shade of a tree and then moving
on." [At-Tirmidzi, Al-Bukhari,]
Amr Ibn Al-Harith, a brother in law of the Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) said: “When the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) died, he
did not leave a cent, a slave man or woman, or any property except his white
mule, his weapons and a piece of land which he had dedicated for the good of
the community” [Bukhari].
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) advised the people to
live simple lives and himself practiced great austerities. Even when he had
become the virtual king of Arabia, he lived an austere life bordering on
privation. His wife Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) said: “There
was hardly a day in his life when he had two square meals” [Muslim,
Sahih Muslim, Vol.2, pg 198]. When he died, there was nothing in his house
except a few seeds of barley left from a mound of the grain obtained from a Jew
by pawning his amour [Bukhari].
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) had declared unlawful
for himself and his family anything given by the people by way of zakat or
sadaqah [types of charity]. He was so particular about this that he would not
appoint any member of his family as a zakat collector [Sahah-Kitab Sadqat].
4 - Dress.
The dress of Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) generally
consisted of a qamis, tamad (trousers), a sheet thrown round the shoulders and
a turban. On rare occasions, he would put on costly robes presented to him by
foreign emissaries in the later part of his life. [Ahmad]. Ibn ‘Umar
(radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: “When the Messenger of
Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) fastened an amamah, he used to put the
shamlah between his shoulders." [Shama’il Tirmidzi]
In another narration Umm Salamah (radiyallāhu’anha) related: "Of all the clothing, Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) preferred wearing the qamis (Thowb, kurtā) the most".
[Shama’il Tirmidzi]
Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallāhu’anhu) says that the Messenger of Allāh
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to say: "Choose
white clothing, as it is the best clothing. And bury your dead in it."
[Shama’il Tirmidzi]
The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) had very few
spare clothes, but he kept them spotlessly clean [Bukhari].
Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) wanted others also to put
on simple but clean clothes. Once a person putting on dirty clothes and he
remarked, "Why can't this man wash them?"
[Abu Dawud].
On another occasion, Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
enquired of a person in dirty clothes whether he had any income. Upon getting a
reply in the affirmative, he observed: "When Allāh has blessed you with His bounty, your
appearance should reflect it." [Abu Dawud]
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to observe: "Cleanliness
is piety". [Al-Bakhari]
4.1 - The Prophet’s Ring
Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallāhu’anhu) narrated: “Allāh's Messenger
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) had a ring made of silver. He used it as a stamp
on letters, but did not always wear it." (Shama’il Tirmidzi)
4.2 - The Prophet’s Sandal
Qatadah (radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: “I
asked Anas (radiyallāhu’anhu) to describe the sandals of Allāh's Messenger
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) and he replied, 'Each sandal had two
straps." (Shama’il Tirmidzi)
Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu’anhu) related that the Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Whenever one of you puts on his shoes, he
should begin with the right, and when he removes his shoes he should begin with
his left. The right foot should be first when putting on and last when
removing.”(Shama’il Tirmidzi)
4.3 - The Prophet’s Fragrance
Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu’anhu) narrated that the Messenger of
Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: "The
fragrance of a male is the fragrance which spread and is transparent, and the
fragrance of a female is that which is colored and less fragrant.”
(Shama’il Tirmidzi)
4.4 - The Prophet's Sword
Anas bin Mālik (radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: “The handle of the sword of the Prophet of Allāh
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was made of silver.” (Shama’il Tirmidzi)
4.5 - The Prophet’s Eating and Drinking
Anas bin Mālik (radiyallāhu’anhu) said: “The
Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to lick his three fingers
after having eaten.” [At-Tirmidzi]
Umar bin Abi Salamah (radiyallāhu’anhu) came to the Messenger of
Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) while food was being served to him. The
Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “O
my son come near, recite Bismillāh, and eat with your right hand from that
portion which is in front of you.” [At-Tirmidzi]
‘Amar bin Shu'ayb grandfather (radiyallāhu’anhu) related: "I had seen the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) drinking whilst standing and also whilst sitting."
[At-Tirmidzi]
‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anhu) said: "The
drink most liked by the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was
that which was sweet and cold." [At-Tirmidzi]
4.6 - The Smiling, Laughing and Jesting Of the Prophet
‘Abdullah bin Harith (radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: “I did not see anyone who smiled more than the Messenger
of Allāh.” [At-Tirmidzi]
‘Abdullah bin Harith (radiyallāhu’anhu) related: "The laugh of Allāh's Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) was but a smile." [At-Tirmidzi]
Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: "The
Sahabah asked, "O Messenger of Allāh, you joke with us? The Messenger of
Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied, 'Yes, but only the truth." [At-Tirmidzi]
Al-Hasan Al-Basri (radiyallāhu’anhu) said : “An old woman came to
the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) and made a request, O
Messenger of Allāh! Make Du’a that Allāh grants me entrance into Jannah. The
Messenger of Allāh replied, ‘O Mother! An old woman
cannot enter Jannah’. The woman started crying and began to leave. The
Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Say
to the woman that one will not enter in a state of old age, but Allāh will make
all the women of Jannah young virgins. Allāh Ta’āla says, Lo! We have created
them a (new) creation and made them virgins, lovers, equal in age (Surah
Wāqi’ah, 35-37)”. [At-Tirmidzi]
4.7- The Prophet’s weeping
‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud (radiyallāhu’anhu) said: “Allāh's Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) once asked
me to recite the Qur’an to him. I said, “O Messenger of Allāh, should I recite
it to you when it has been revealed to you” Allāh's Messenger (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) responded, “I love to hear it from another person.”
Thereupon, I began reciting Surah An-Nisā’. When I reached the ayah, "How
when we bring of every person a witness, and We bring you (O Muhammd) a witness
against them?' (An-Nisā’, 4:41), I saw tears flowing from both of his
eyes." [At-Tirmidzi]
Aishah (radiyallāhu’anhu) narrated: One
night, Allāh's Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) kept repeating one ayah
the whole night, and continued to weep:
“If you should punish them - indeed they are your servant; but if you
forgive them-indeed it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.”
(5:118) [At-Tirmidzi]
4.8 – Prophet’s Speech
The Prophet's voice was clear, his speech eloquent. Rasūlullāh
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) looked dignified in silence and attractive while
speaking. Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) always spoke to the point,
and his words were explicit and distinct. He was very patient so that everyone
can understand; He never spoke a word that could be misinterpreted or never
spoke any foul words. Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was a naturally
powerful orator.
Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was well versed in Arabic
and quite familiar with the dialects and accents of every tribe. He spoke with
those who hosted him using their own accents and dialects. He mastered and was
quite eloquent at Bedouin dialect as well as the clarity and the splendor of
the aesthetic speech of town. Above all, there was the assistance of Allāh
embodied in the revealed Verses of the Qur’an.
4.9 -The Prophet’s walk
Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu’anhu) said: “I
did not see anyone walk faster than the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam). It was as if the earth folded for him. A few moments ago he would be
here, and then there. We found it difficult to keep pace when we walked with
him, and he walked at his normal pace." (Shama’il Tirmidzi)
4.10 – Patience
Amr bin ‘Abasa (radiyallāhu’anhu), relates that he asked the
Prophet, (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam), “What is
faith?” He replied, “Patience and a magnanimous spirit.” ‘Amr then asked, “What
is the best form of faith?” He replied, “Good character.” [Al-Bukhari]
Khabbab bin Al-Arat (radiyallāhu’anhu) narrated: We complained to
Allāh's Apostle (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) of the persecution inflicted on
us by the infidels) while he was sitting in the shade of the Ka’bah. We said to
him, "Would you seek help for us? Would you pray to Allāh for us?"
Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
said: "Among the nations before you a
(believing) man would be put in a ditch that was dug for him, and a saw would
be put over his head and he would be cut into two pieces; yet that (torture)
would not make him give up his religion. His body would be combed with iron
combs that would remove his flesh from the bones and nerves, yet that would not
make him abandon his religion. By Allāh, this religion (i.e. Islam) will
prevail till a traveler from Sana (in Yemen) to Hadrarmaut will fear none but
Allāh, or a wolf as regards his sheep, but you (people) are hasty.”
(Al-Bukhari)
4.11 - Bravery and Courage
Bara bin Azab (radiyallāhu’anhu) narrated: "In the battle of
Hunayn, as Muslims were being taken out by archers, the people turned to the
Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam). Abu Sufyan bin Harith was
leading the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) mule. Rasūlullāh
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) got down, prayed, and invoked Allāh's help.
Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: 'I am the Prophet. This is the
truth. I am the son of Abdul Mutallib. O Allāh, descend your help." Bara'
continued. "When the battle grew fierce, by
Allāh, we would seek protection by the Prophet's side, and the bravest among us
was he who confronted the onslaught in the front, by the Prophet's side." (Muslim)
4.12 - Humility
‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) narrated: "He
used to remain busy serving and helping his household, and when the time for
prayer came he would perform ablution and go for prayer. He would patch his own
sandals and sew his own garments. He was an ordinary human being, milking his
sheep, and doing his own chores." [At-Tirmidzi]
Being the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam), a
living example for all the eternity, and the discussion of his noble and great
character would never come to an end. It is as the scholars have said:
"Describing the greatness of Allāh's Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) is that ocean that knows no shore." (Ibn Hajar Fathul Bāri)
5 - Daily Routine.
On the authority of ‘Ali, Tirmidzi has recorded that the Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) had carefully apportioned his time according to
the demands on him for:
1. Offering worship to Allāh
2. Public affairs, and
3. Personal matters.
After The Early Morning Prayers (Solat Fajar) the Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) would remain sitting in the mosque reciting
praises of Allāh till the sun rose and more people gathered. He would then
preach to them. After the sermons were over, he would talk genially with the
people, enquire about their welfare and even exchange jokes with them. Taxes
and revenues were also distributed at this time [Muslim, Sahih Muslim, and
Sunan At-Tirmizi]. He would then offer Solah Dhuha (Chaste Prayers) and go home
and get busy with household work [Bukhari, Muslim, and At-Tirmizi]. The Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) would return to the mosque for The Mid-Day (Solat
Dzuhur) and afternoon prayers listen to the problems of the people and give
solace and guidance to them. After The Afternoon Prayers (Solat ‘Asar) , he
would visit each of his wives and, after The Evening Prayers(Maghrib), his
wives would collect at one place and he would have his dinner [Muslim, Sahih
Muslim].
After The Night Prayers (Solat ‘Ishā’), the Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) would recite some surahs of the Qur’an and before going to
bed would pray: "O Allāh, I die and live with
thy name on my lips."
On getting up, he would say: "All
praise to Allāh Who has given me life after death and towards Who is the
return."
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to brush his teeth
five times a day, before each of the daily prayers.
After midnight, he used to get up for The Tahajjud Prayers Solat
Tahajjud), which he never missed even once in his life [Bukhari, Sahih
Bukhari]. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was not fastidious about
his bed: sometimes he slept on his cot, sometimes on a skin or ordinary mattress,
and sometimes on the ground [Zarqani].
On Friday, the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to give
sermons after The Weekly Jumma’ah Prayers (Solat Jumma’ah). He was not annoyed
if anyone interrupted him during the sermons for anything. It is stated that
once, while he was delivering his sermon, a Bedouin approached him and said,
"O Messenger of Allāh, I am a traveler and am ignorant of my religion. “The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) got down from
the pulpit, explained the salient features of Islam to him and then resumed the
sermon” [At-Tirmidzi].
On another occasion his grandson Husain, still a child, came
tumbling to him while he was delivering a sermon. He descended and took him in
his lap and then continued the sermon [At-Tirmidzi].
6 - Generosity
Anas bin Mālik (radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: "It never happened that Allāh's Messenger
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was asked anything for the sake of Islam and he
did not give. There came to him a person and he gave him a large flock (of
sheep and goat) and he went back to his people and said, "My people, embrace Islam, for Muhammad gives so much charity it
is as if he has no fear of poverty." [Muslim]
Ibn Shihad reported:
Allāh's Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) went out along with the
Muslims and they fought at Hunayn, and Allāh granted victory to His religion
and to the Muslims. Allāh's Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) gave one
hundred camels to Safwan bin Umayyah. He again gave him one hundred camels, and
then again gave him one hundred camels. Sa’id bin al-Musayyib said that Safwan
told him, "By Allāh! Allāh's Messenger
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) gave me what he gave me, and he was the most
detested person in my eyes. But he continued to give until he became the
dearest to me." [Muslim]
7 - Faith and Trust in Allāh
Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) preached to the
people to trust in Allāh Subhānahu wa Ta’ala. His whole life was an
inspirational example of the precept. In the loneliness of Makkah; in the midst
of persecution and danger; in adversity and tribulations; and in the thick of
enemies in the battles of Uhud and Hunain, ‘the complete faith and trust in
Allāh Almighty’ is the feature in his life. However great the danger that
confronted him, he never lost hope and never allowed himself to be unduly
agitated.
Rasūllulāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) received an interesting
offer. An envoy of the pagan leaders,
Utbah, came to him saying: “...If you want money, we will collect enough money
for you so that you will be the richest one of us. If you want leadership, we will take you as
our leader and never decide on any matter without your approval. If you want a kingdom, we will crown you king
over us...” Only one concession was
required from Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) in return for
that, to give up calling people to Islam and worshipping Allāh alone without
any partner. Wouldn’t this offer be
tempting to one pursuing worldly benefit?
Was Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) hesitant when the
offer was made? Did he turn it down as a
bargaining strategy leaving the door open for a better offer? The following was Prophet Muhammad
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) answer: “In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, and the Most
Merciful” And Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) recited to
Utbah the verses of the Surah Al-Fussilat 41:1-38.11 The Following are some of
these verses: “A revelation from (Allāh), the Most
Gracious, the Most Merciful; a Book whereof the verses are explained in detail;
a Qur’ān in Arabic, for people who know, giving good news and warning, yet most
of them turn away, so they do not listen”. [Surah Al-Fussilat, 41:2-4]
Abu Talib knew the feelings of the Quraish when the Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) started his mission. He also knew the lengths to
which the Quraish could go, and requested the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) to abandon his mission, but the latter calmly replied: “Dear uncle,
do not go by my loneliness. Truth will not go unsupported for long. The whole
of Arabia and beyond will one day espouse its cause.” [Ibn Hisham]
On another occasion and in response to his uncle, Abu Talib ’s
plea to stop calling people to Islam, the Prophet’s, (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam), answer was as decisive and sincere: “I swear by the name of Allāh, O Uncle!,
that if they place the sun in my right-hand and the moon in my left-hand in
return for giving up this matter (calling people to Islam), I will never desist
until either Allāh makes it triumph or I perish defending it.”
[Al-Sirah Al-Nabawiyah, Ibn Hisham, vol. 1, pp. 265-266.]
Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) and his few
followers did not only suffer from persecution for thirteen years but the
unbelievers even tried to kill him several times. On one occasion they attempted to kill him by
dropping a large boulder, which could barely be lifted, on his head. [13
Al-Sirah Al-Nabawiyah, Ibn Hisham, vol. 1, pp. 298-299.] Another time they tried to kill him by
poisoning his food. [Ad-Darimi, (68), and Abu Dawūd, (4510)]
A dejected and oppressed disciple was comforted with the words: “By Allāh, the day is near when this faith will reach its
pinnacle and none will have to fear anyone except Allāh.” [Bukhari]
To another well-wisher, the Prophet's (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said: “Allāh will not leave me forelorn.”
It was the same trust in Allāh Subhānahu wa Ta’ala which
emboldened the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) to say his prayers openly
in The Haram in the teeth of opposition. The Quraish were once gathered there
and were conspiring to put an end to his life when he next entered the haram.
His young daughter Fātimah, who happened to overhear their talk rushed weeping
to her father and told him of the designs of the Quraish. He consoled her, did
his ablutions and went to the Ka’abah to say prayers. There was only
consternation among the Quraish when they met him [Ahmed, Musnad, Vol. 1, pg.
368].
Then leaving his house for Madinah he asked Ali bin Abi Talib to
sleep on his bed and told him: “Do not worry; no one will be able to do you any harm”
[Ibn Hisham] Even though the enemies had surrounded the house, he left the
house reciting the Quranic verse: “We have set a barricade before them and a barricade
behind them and [thus] have covered them so that they see not” [Surah
Yasin, 36:9)
Abu Bakar As-Siddiq (radiyallāhu’anhu) was frightened when
pursuers came close to the cavern in which he and Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) were hiding during their flight, but the Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) heartened him: “Grieve not. Allāh is with us.”
A guard was kept at the Prophet's house in Madinah because of the
danger that surrounded him but he had it withdrawn when the Quranic verse was
revealed: “Allāh
will protect you from the people” [Surah Al-Māidah, 5:67].
A man was caught waiting in ambush to assault the Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) but he was directed to be released with the
words: “Even
if this man wanted to kill me, he could not.” [Ahmad, Musnad, Vol.3
pg. 471]
A Jewess from Khaibar had put poison in the Prophet's (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) food. He spat it out after taking a morsel but a disciple who
had his fill died the next day. The Jewess was brought before the prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) who questioned her: “Why
did you do this?” “To kill you,” was her defiant reply. The Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) in turn told her, "Allāh
would not have allowed you to do it." [Muslim]
In the battle of Uhud when the rear guard action of the Makkan
army had disorganized the Muslim army and had turned the tables, the Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) stood as firm as a rock even though he had
suffered personal injuries. When Abu Sufian bin Sakhaar taunted the Muslims and
shouted "Victory to hubal!" [Hubal was one of their idols], the
Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) asked ‘Umar Al-Khattab (radiyallāhu’anhu)
to shout back, “Allāh
is our protector and friend. You have no protector and friend. Allāh is Great,
Magnificent.” [Ibn Hisham].
Again, in the Battle of Hunain, when the unexpected assault of the
army had swept the Muslim force off its feet and a defeat seemed imminent, the
Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) did not yield ground. With trust in Allāh
Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, he showed such courage that the Muslim army rallied behind
him to win a signal victory.
8 - Justice.
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) asked people to be just
and kind. As the supreme judge and arbiter, as the leader of men, as
generalissimo of a rising power, as a reformer and apostle, he had always to deal
with men and their affairs. He had often to deal with mutually inimical and
warring tribes when showing justice to one carried the danger of antagonizing
the other, and yet he never deviated from the path of justice. In administering
justice, he made no distinction between believers and nonbelievers, friends and
foes, high and low. From numerous instances reported in the traditions, a few
are given below.
Sakhar, a chief of a tribe, had helped Muhammad (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) greatly in the siege of Taif, for which he was naturally
obliged to him. Soon after, two charges were brought against Sakhar: one by
Mughira of illegal confinement of his [Mughira's] aunt and the other by Banu
Salim of forcible occupation of his spring by Sakhar. In both cases, he decided
against Sakhar and made him undo the wrong. [Abu Dawud]
Abdullah Bin Sahal (radiyallāhu’anhu), a companion, was deputed to
collect rent from Jews of Khaibar. His cousin Mahisa accompanied him but, on
reaching Khaibar, they had separated. Abdullah was waylaid and caused to a
death. Mahisa reported this tragedy to the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) but as there were no eyewitnesses to identify the guilty, he did not
say anything to the Jews and paid the blood money out of the state revenues
[Bukhari]
A woman of the Makhzum family with good connections was found
guilty of theft. For the prestige of the Quraish, some prominent people
including Asama Bin Zaid interceded to save her from punishment. The Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) refused to condone the crime and expressed
displeasure saying:
"Many a community ruined itself in the past as
they only punished the poor and ignored the offences of the exalted. By Allāh,
if Muhammad's [My] daughter Fātimah would have committed theft, her hand would
have been severed." [Bukhari]
The Jews, in spite of their hostility to the Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam), were so impressed by his impartiality and sense of justice
that they used to bring their cases to him, and he decided them according to
Jewish law. [Abu Dawud]
Once, while he was distributing the booty or spoils of war, people
flocked around him and one man almost fell upon him. The Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam), pushed the men with a stick causing a slight abrasion. He was
so sorry about this that he told the man that he could have his revenge, but
the man said, "O Messenger of Allāh, I forgive
you." [Abu Dawud]
In his fatal illness, the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
proclaimed in a concourse assembled at his house that if he owed anything to
anyone the person concerned could claim it; if he had ever hurt anyone's
person, honor or property, he could have his price while he was yet in this
world. A hush fell on the crowd. One man came forward to claim a few dirhams,
which were paid at once. [Ibn Hisham]]
9 - Equality
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) asked people to shun
notions of racial, family or any other form of superiority based on mundane
things and said that righteousness alone was the criterion of one's superiority
over another. It has already been shown how he mixed with everyone on equal
terms, how he ate with slaves, servants and the poorest on the same sheet [a
practice that is still followed in Arabia], how he refused all privileges and
worked like any ordinary laborer. Two instances may, however, be quoted here:
Once the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) visited Sa’ad Bin
Abadah (radiyallāhu’anhu). While returning, Sa’ad sent his son Quais with him.
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) asked Quais to mount his camel with
him. Quais hesitated out of respect but the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) insisted: “Either mount the camel or go
back.” Quais decided to go back. [Abu Dawud]
On another occasion he was traveling on his camel over hilly
terrain with a disciple, Uqbah Bin ‘Amir. After going some distance, he asked
Uqbah to ride the camel, but Uqbah thought this would be showing disrespect to
the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam). But the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) insisted and he had to comply. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) himself walked on foot, as he did not want to put too much load on
the animal. [Nasā’ie]
The prisoners of war of Badar included Al-‘Abbas bin Abdul
Muttalib (radiyallāhu’anhu), the uncle of the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam). Some people were prepared to forgo their shares and remit the
Prophet's (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) ransom but he declined saying that he
could make no distinctions. [Bukhari]
During a halt on a journey, the companions apportioned work among
themselves for preparing food. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) took
upon himself the task of collecting firewood. His companions pleaded that they
would do it and that he need not take the trouble, but the Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) replied:"It is
true, but I do not like to attribute any distinction to myself. Allāh does not
like the man who considers himself superior to his companions."
[Zarqani, Vol 4 pg. 306]
10 - Mercy, Forgiveness and Compassion.
Allāh Says about the character of
Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam): in many places in Al-Quran: "And
verily, you are on an exalted standard of character."
[Al-Qalam, 68:4] And Allāh describes Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) a
mercy for the worlds: “And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for
the worlds.” [Al Anbiya, 21:107]
10.1 - A Mercy for the Believers
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) without a shadow of doubt was the epitome of mercy. This is not only
due to Allāh describing him as such, but due to the manifestation of mercy in
his character. There are two particular scenarios that stick out above the
rest:
‘Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-‘As
(radiyallāhu’anhu) narrated: Verily the Messenger
of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) recited the words of Allāh, the Great
and Glorious that Ibrahim uttered: My Lord! Lo! They have led many of mankind
astray: "But whoso followed me, he verily is of me" (Ibrāhīm, 14:35),
and Jesus (‘alaihissalam) said: "If thou punished them, lo! They are Thy
slaves, and if Thou forgiveth them--verily Thou art the Mighty, the Wise"
(Al-Māidah, 5:117). Then he raised his hands and said: ‘O Lord, my Ummah, my Ummah, and wept’. So Allāh, the High and the
Exalted, said: O Gabriel, go to Muhammad (though your Lord knows it fully well)
and ask him: what makes thee weep? So Gabriel (p.) came to him and asked him,
and the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) informed him of what he
had said (though Allāh knew it fully well). Upon this Allāh said: O Gabriel, go
to Muhammad and say: Verily We shall please thee with regard to your Ummah and
shall not displease thee. [Muslim]
The Messenger’s compassion towards the
believers was of the utmost degree. The Qur’an describes his compassion in the
following verse, which means: “There has certainly
come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you
suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers
is kind and merciful.” [Al-Tawbah: 9:128]
Sa’ad bin ‘Ubādah (radiyallāhu`anhu)
once became ill, so Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) visited him
in his house. On seeing his faithful companion in a pitiful state, Rasūlullāh
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was moved to tears. Then, Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Allāh does not punish because of tears, or because of
grief, but he punishes because of this; and he pointed to his tongue.”
[Al-Bukhari]
10.2 - A Mercy for the Enemies
The prisoners of war taken captive at
the battle of Badr were amongst his bitterest enemies. Nevertheless, he
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) made sure that they were given the best of
treatment. Among them was Suhayl bin ‘Amr who was a fiery speaker and was denouncing
the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam). ‘Umar (radiyallāhu`anhu) one the
Prophet’s closest companions, suggested that two of his lower teeth be pulled
out so that he might not be so vile in his speeches. The Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) replied: “Were I to do this, Allāh would disfigure me on the Day
of Judgement, despite the fact that I am His Messenger.”
‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) narrates that
Allāh's Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) never took revenge on his own
or on behalf of anyone. She also said that
the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was not unseemly or obscene in
his speech, nor was he voiced loudly in the streets, or he return evil for
evil, but he would forgive and pardon. The people of the Quraish rebuked him,
taunted and mocked at him, beat him and abused him. They tried to kill him and
when he escaped to Medinah, they waged many wars against him yet when he
entered Makkah victorious with an army of 10,000; he did not take revenge on
anyone. He forgave all of them. Even his deadliest enemy Abu Sufian bin Harb,
who fought so many battles, was forgiven, and anyone who occupied in his house
was also forgiven. The leaders of T'aif, who engaged rogues to throw stones at
him when he visited that town to invite them to Islam, were also forgiven.
In Makkah, his people inflicted him
with every kind of suffering, eventually forcing him to emigrate to Madīnah,
and then waged war on him for five years. However, when he conquered Makkah
without bloodshed in the twenty-first year of his Prophethood, he forgave them.
At-Tabari narrated:"Being a
Prophet of absolute mercy, one who came to secure the happiness of mankind both
in this world and the next, The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) entered
Makkah, bowing on the back of his mule, as a victorious conqueror. He displayed
neither hint of self pride nor thought of either vengeance or retaliation. He
proceeded toward the Ka'bah in utmost modesty and absolute gratitude to Allāh
Almighty, who had made him victorious in his sacred mission. Rasūlullāh
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) stopped at the Ka’bah and asked those who
assembled there, 'How do you expect me to treat you?' They responded
unanimously: "You are a noble one, the son of a noble one. Rasūlullāh
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) announced to them his decision: “No blame
wills there be upon you today. Allāh will forgive you; and He is the Most
Merciful of the Merciful (Yusuf, 12:92) You can disperse.”
This marked the end of the polytheism
in Makkah. While Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was toppling down the
idols at the Ka'bah one after the other, Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) recited, 'Say, "Truth has come and falsehood has disappeared.
Indeed falsehood is subject to disappearance." And, almost all
of the Makkans, who had been the enemies of Islam until one day before,
acquired the honour of becoming companions to Allāh's Messenger (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam). [Tafsir At-Tabari]
"An Abyssinian slave Wahshi bin
Harb, who killed his uncle, Hamzah bin Abdul Mutallib, in the Battle of Uhud,
and after the victory of Makkah embraced Islam and came to him, was forgiven.
The wife of Abu Sufian, Hindun bint ‘Utbah
she cut open the chest of Hamzah and torn his liver and heart into pieces in
the Battle of Uhud. She quietly came to the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) and accepted Islam. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
recognised her but did not say anything. She was so impressed by his
magnanimity and stature that she said, "O
Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam), no tent was more deserted in
my eyes than yours; but today no tent is lovelier in my eyes than yours."
Ikramah, son of Abu Jahal, was a great
enemy of Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) and Islam. He ran away after
the victory of Makkah and went to Yemen. His wife embraced Islam and brought
him to the Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam). The Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) was pleased to see him and greeted him with the words: "O emigrant rider, welcome."
And Ikramah became a Muslim.
Sufwan bin Urnaiyah, one of the chiefs
of Makkah, was also a great enemy of the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
and Islam. He sent Umair Ibn Wahab, with a promise of reward, to kill
Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam). When Makkah was conquered, he ran
away to Jeddah and hoped to go to Yemen by sea. Umair Ibn Wahab came to the
Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) and said, "O
God's Messenger! Sufwan ibn Umaiyah is a chief of his tribe. He has run away
from fear and will throw himself into the sea." Sufwan bin Urnaiyah
was given amnesty. When he came back, he requested the Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) to give him two months to think. He was given four months and
then he became a Muslim by his own will.
Habir Ibn Al-Aswad was another vicious
enemy of The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) and of Islam. He had
inflicted a grievous injury to Zainab, daughter of the Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam). She was pregnant and was emigrating to Medinah. The polytheists
of Makkah obstructed her and Habir Bin Al-Aswad intentionally threw her down
from the camel. She was badly hurt and had a miscarriage. He had committed many
other crimes as well. He wanted to run away to Persia but then he came to
Prophet Muhammed (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) who forgave him. [Tabaqat Ibn Hisham]
‘Abdullah bin Ubayy, leader of the
hypocrites of Medinah, was forgiven. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
offered his funeral prayer and prayed to Allāh for his forgiveness. The Qur'an
mentions this incident in these words:
"And never (O Muhammed) pray for one of
them who dies, nor stand by his grave. Lo! They disbelieve in God and His
Messenger, and they died while they were evil doers."
‘Abdullah bin Ubayy worked all his
life against Muhammed and Islam and left no stone unturned in bringing him into
disrepute and in trying to defeat his mission. He withdrew his 300 supporters
in the Battle of Uhud and almost broke the backbone of the Muslim. He had
engaged in intrigues and hostilities against the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) and the Muslims. It was he who raised the incident of ifk (false
accusations of Aishah's adultery) through his allies to discredit the Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) by spreading scandal about his wife, ‘Aishah.
"Lo! They who
spread the slander are a gang among you. Deem it not a bad thing for you; nay,
it is good for you. Unto every man of them will be paid that which he has
earned of the sin; and as for him among them who had the greater share therein,
his will be an awful doom." [Surah An-Nur, 24:11]
The Prophet Muhammed (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) was all for forgiveness and no amount of crime or aggression
against him were too great to be forgiven by him. He was the complete example
of forgiveness and kindness, as mentioned in the following verse of the Qur’an:
"Keep to forgiveness [O Muhammed], and enjoin kindness, and
turn away from the ignorant." [Surah Al-Araf, 7:199]
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) always repelled evil with the good of forgiveness and kind behaviour,
for, in his view, an antidote was better than poison. The Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) believed and practiced the precept that love could foil
hatred and aggression could be won over by forgiveness. Prophet Muhammed
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) overcame the ignorance of the people with the
knowledge of Islam, and the folly and evil of the people with his kind and
forgiving treatment. With his forgiveness, he freed people from the bondage of
sin and crime, and also made them great friends of Islam. Prophet Muhammed
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was an exact image of the following verse of the
Qur'an:
"Good and evil are not alike. Repel evil with what is
better. Then he, between whom and you there was hatred, will become as though
he was a bosom friend." [Surah Fusilat, 41:34]
10.3 - A Mercy for Women
Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) was also very kind and affectionate towards women. Women were very
badly treated in those times. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) gave
them honour and dignity at par with men in the community. ‘Umar
(radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: "We did not have much regard for women while
we were at Makkah, but they were better treated in Madīnah. Allāh's Messenger
established women's rights through his sayings and commandments, which improved
their position and status."
10.4 - A Mercy for Children
Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) was particularly compassionate towards children. Showing mercy and
love to children has a special place in the Prophet Muhammad's manners.
Rasūlullāh espouse the importance of mercy in children's spiritual development,
the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) stated, "Whoever does not show mercy to his
children is not one of us” [Muslims]. The Prophet Muhammad
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) taught that children should be approached with
mercy, love, respect, and trust, while Islamic teachings particularly emphasize
mercy and love.
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) was especially fond of children and used to get into the spirit of
childish games in their company. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
would have fun with the children who had come back from Abyssinia and tried to
speak in Abyssinian with them. It was his practice to give lifts on his camel
to children when he returned from journeys [Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2
pg.886].
A companion, recalling his childhood,
said: "In my childhood I used to fell dates by
throwing stones at palm trees. Somebody took me to the Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) who advised me to pick up the dates lying on the ground but
not to fell them with stones. He then patted me and blessed me."
[Abu Dawud]
Another hadith ‘Aishah
(radiyallahu’anha) said “One day the Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was in one of the markets of Medinah. He left the
market and so did I. Then he asked thrice, "Where is the small
child?" Then he said, "Call Hasan." So Hasan got up and started
walking with a necklace of beads around his neck. The Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) stretched his hand, and Hasan did the same. The Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) embraced him and said, "O Allah! I love him, so please love him and love those who love
him”. Since Allah's Apostle said that,
nothing has been dearer to me than Hasan. [Al-Bukhari, Libas]
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) would pick up children in his arms, play with them, and kiss them.
[Abu Dawud] ‘Aishah (radiyallahu’anha)
narrated: “Once Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) was hugging his beloved grandsons, Hasan and Husain, when Aqrah bin
Hābis told him, ‘I have got ten
children. So far, I have not kissed any of them.’ Allāh’s Messenger
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) responded: “The one with no pity for others is
not pitied.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] According to another version, he said: “What can I do for you if Allāh has removed
from you the feeling of compassion?” [At-Tirmidzi] In one
narration, The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) gave this meaningful reply: “The
uncompassionate will not be treated mercifully” [Al-Bukhari, “Adab”
18].
Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) was particularly compassionate towards children. The Prophet shorten
the recitation of the surah in the solat when a child cries: Although
Rasulullah (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) recited sixty verses during the first
raka’ah of Solat Fajar, the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) completed the
Solat by reading one of the shortest verses in the second raka’ah when he heard
a child cry. When Rasullullah (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was asked why he
did that, he gave this meaningful reply: “When I stand for solat, I intend to prolong it, but on
hearing the cries of a child, I cut it short, as I dislike troubling the child's
mother.” [Al-Bakhari, An-Nasa’ie, Qiblah 35]
In some cases, The Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) held babies in his arms to be able keep them in places of
Solat while he was performing it. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
held them in his arms while he was standing and carefully placed them to his
side when prostrating. On this subject the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) did not make any distinction between boys and girls. It was narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) came to the masjid carrying Umamah, his granddaughter, on his shoulder. Keeping her on his
shoulders, the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) led [the people]
in the Solat. When he bowed, he put her down and took her up when he got up. He
kept on doing so until he had finished his Solat. [Al- Bukhari, Muslim]
The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) did not seek to remove children from the congregation while
he was preaching. One of his sahābah
said: "I
saw our Prophet giving a sermon. Hasan was sitting on his knees. During his
speech he occasionally would bow down, kiss the child, and say: "I love
him." [Al-Bukhari]
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said: “Whoever
has three (or two or one) girls or sisters and treats them well and does not
prefer male children over them and educates them in the best manner, Allāh will
make them a shield against hell and will put them in heaven” [Ibn
Majah, ; At-Tirmizi, ; Abu Dawud].This hadith indicates about compassion
and mercy to their daughters.
‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) narrates: “A woman came to me. She had two girls with her. She
wanted something. However, I did not have anything except one date. I gave it
to her. The woman divided it into two pieces and shared it between her
daughters; nothing was left for her. They left. Later the Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) came. When I told him about this situation, he (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Whoever befriends and treats their daughters well like
this, the girls will be a shield for them against the fire”
[Al-Bukhari].
The Importance given to the protection
of children is a hadith, which the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Allāh divided
His mercy into one hundred pieces. He kept ninety-nine pieces and sent one
piece to earth. Due to this piece, animals step carefully so as not to harm
their offspring” [Al-Bukhari; Muslim].
In another hadith the Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) says: “Those who have to protect their family and children and
are killed for this reason are martyrs” [Al-Bukhari, Muslim,
At-Tirmidzi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Mājah,
Nasa’ie].
10.5 - A Mercy for Slaves
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) strongly enjoined the duty of kind and generous treatment upon
slaves, servants and labourers engaged in manual work. Jābir bin Samrah
(radiyallāhu’anhu) related the Apostle of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
as saying: "Feed them with the food which you
eat, clothe them with such clothing as you wear, and do not cause trouble to
Allāh's creatures." The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) is
further stated to have said: "Those whom Allāh
has made your dependents are your brothers, servants and helpmates. Anybody
whose brother has been made subservient to him ought to feed him with the food
he eats and clothe him with the clothes he wears; command him not to do that
which he is unable to do and if it becomes necessary to do so then he should
help him in doing the job."
10.6 - A Mercy for Animals
His compassion encompassed not only human beings, but also
animals. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) not only preached to the
people to show kindness to each other but also to all living souls. He forbade
the practice of cutting tails and manes of horses, of branding animals at any
soft spot, and of keeping horses saddled unnecessarily [Muslim, Sahih Muslim].
If he (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) saw any animal over-loaded or ill fed, he
would pull up the owner and say:"Fear Allāh in your treatment of
animals." [Abu Dawud].
A companion came to him with the young ones of a bird in his sheet
and said that the mother bird had hovered over them all along. He was directed
to replace her offspring in the same bush [Abu Dawud]
Shaddād bin 'Aws (radiyallāhu`anhu)
reported the Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) as saying: “Allāh has commanded you to show kindness to everyone, so
if you have to kill, kill in a good manner, and if you slaughter an animal,
slaughter it gently. If anyone of you has to slay an animal, he should sharpen
the blade first and treat the animal well.” Ibn ‘Abbās
(radiyallāhu`anhu) related that a man threw a goat on its side and then started
sharpening his knife. When the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) saw him he
said: "Do you want to kill it twice? Why did
you not sharpen the knife before”?
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) forbade his companions to keep the unintelligent creatures hungry or
thirsty, to disturb or to overburden them. He commended that kindness and
putting them at ease were meritorious acts tending to bring man nearer to
Allāh. Abu Hurayrah (radiyallāhu`anhu) reported the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) as saying: "A traveller who was
thirsty saw a well in the way. He got inside the well and when he came out he
saw a dog licking mud due to thirst. The man realised that the dog was as
thirsty as him, so he got into the well again, filled his leather sock with
water and carried it out holding it with his teeth. Thus, he quenched the
thirst of the dog. Allāh was pleased with this act of kindness and pardoned his
sins." The Companions asked: "O Messenger of Allāh is there
recompense in the matter of beasts and wild animals also?" The Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied: "There is recompense in regard to
every creature that has a living heart."
‘Abdullāh bin ‘Umar (radiyallāhu`anhu)
related that the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “A woman was cast away to hell only because she had
withheld food and water from her cat and refused to set it free so that the cat
might satisfy its hunger by eating worms and insects.”
Once on return from a military
campaign, a few Companions took away the chicks of a bird from their nest to
stroke them. The mother bird came back and when it could not find its chicks in
the nest, it began to fly around screeching. When informed of the matter,
Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) ordered the chicks to be put
back in the nest. [Abu Dawūd; Bukhari]
As his army marched towards Makkah to conquer it, they passed a
female dog with puppies. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) not only
gave orders that they should not be disturbed, but posted a man to see that
this was done. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) stated: "Verily,
there is heavenly reward for every act of kindness done to a living
animal."
On the whole the Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) was ornamented with peerless attributes of perfection. He was
brought up, educated and taught (the Qur’ān) by Allāh. He was even praised by
Allāh:
“And verily, you [O
Muhammad (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam)] are on an exalted standard of
character.” [Al-Qalam 68:4]
Allāh's Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) was the kindest of men in the same way as he excelled all others in
courage and valour. Being extremely kind-hearted, his eyes brimmed with tears
at the slightest sign of inhumanity.
The love and compassion of Allāh’s
Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) for all kinds of creatures was not of
the kind claimed by today’s ‘humanists’. He was sincere and balanced in his
love and compassion. He was more compassionate than any other person. He was a
Prophet raised by Allāh, the Creator and Sustainer of all beings, for the
guidance and happiness of conscious beings - mankind and jinn - and the harmony
of existence. Therefore, he lived not for himself but for others; he is a mercy
for all the worlds.
“Indeed, in this
[Qur’an] is notification for a worshipping people. And We have not sent you, [O
Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” [Al-Anbiyā’: 21:106-107]
10.7 - Love for the Poor.
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) enjoined upon Muslims to
treat the poor kindly and to help them with alms, zakat, and in other ways. He
said: "He is not a perfect Muslim who eats his fill and lets his neighbor
go hungry."
He asked: “Do you love
your Creator? Then love your fellow beings first."
Monopoly is unlawful in Islam and he preached that "It is
difficult for a man laden with riches to climb the steep path that leads to
bliss."
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) did not prohibit or
discourage the acquisition of wealth but insisted that it be lawfully acquired
by honest means and that a portion of it would go to the poor. He advised his
followers: “To
give the laborer his wages before his perspiration dried up.”
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) did not encourage
beggary either and stated: “Allāh is gracious to him, who earns his living by his
own labor, and that if a man begs to increase his property, Allāh will diminish
it and whoever has food for the day, it is prohibited for him to beg."
[Bukhari].
To his wife, Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) the Prophet (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) said: “O Aishah, love
the poor and let them come to you and Allāh will draw you near to Himself.”
[Bukhari]
One or two instances of the Prophet's (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) concern for the poor may be given here. A Madinite, Ibad Bin Sharjil,
was once starving. He entered an orchard and picked some fruit. The owner of
the orchard gave him a sound beating and stripped off his clothes. The poor man
appealed to the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) who objected the owner
thus: "This man was ignorant, you should
have dispelled his ignorance; he was hungry, you should have fed him."
His clothes were restored to the Madinan and, in addition, some grain was given
to him [Abu Dawud].
The creditor was harassing a debtor, Jabir Bin Abdullah
(radiyallāhu’anhu), as he could not clear his debt owing to the failure of his
date crop. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) went with Jabir to the
house of the creditor and pleaded with him to give Jabir some more time but the
creditor was not prepared to oblige. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
then went to the oasis and having seen for himself that the crop was poor, he
again approached the creditor with no better result. He then rested for some
time and approached the creditor for a third time but the latter was adamant.
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) went again to the orchard and asked
Jabir to pluck the dates. As Allāh would have it, the collection not only
sufficed to clear the dues but also left something to spare [Bukhari].
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) love for the poor was so
deep that Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to pray: “O Allāh, keep me poor in my life and at my death and
raise me at resurrection among those who are poor.” [Bukhari].
11 - His Names
The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) has many names
reflecting his attributes and qualities. Some of the most beautiful names of
the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) mentioned in both the Qur’an and
Hadith are the following:
Muhammad (the praised one), Ahmad (most
praiseworthy), Hamid (the giver of praise and thanks), Ar-Rasul (the
Messenger), An-Nabi (the Prophet), Shahid (the witness), Rashid (the
righteous), Bashir (the giver of good news), Nadhir (the warner), Da’ie (the
caller to Allāh), Hadi (the guide), Mahi (the remover of evil), Fatih (the
conqueror), Ra’uf (the compassionate), Rahim (the merciful), Mujtaba (the
chosen one), Mustafa (the selected one), Murtada (the well-pleasing in the
sight of Allāh), As-Sadiq (the truthful), Al-Amin (the trustworthy), Musaddiq
(the confirmer of truth), Habibullah (Allāh’s beloved one), Safiullah (the one
selected by Allāh), Najiullah (the one protected by Allāh), Shakur (the most
grateful one), Karim (the noble one), Hakim (the wise one), Sayyid (the
leader), Siraj Munir (the shining lamp), Jawwad (the generous one), `Adil (the
Just), and Khatam Ar-Rusul (the Final Messenger).
Those were the attributes and qualities that the Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) enjoyed which made the hearts of souls of the
people close to him, draw near to him and love him. Those traits made him so
popular that the restraint and enmity of his people grew less and they started
to embrace Islam in large crowds.
This description is in fact no more than a rapid review or rather
short brief lines of Muhammad’s (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) aspects of full
perfection. It is trying to encompass the whole perfect picture of the Prophet
(Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam). No one can ever claim to be possessed of full
knowledge or complete mastery of the great attributes of the greatest man in
this universe. Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was a man who always sought Allâh’s light, to
such an extent that he was wholly imbued with the Qur’ânic approach. May Allah
Bless him.
12.The Salawāt upon The Prophet(sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
It was related that Abdullāh
bin Zaid (radiyallāhu’anhu), one who was shown the adzān
(the call for Solāt) in a dream, narrated it on the authority
of Abu Mas’ud Al-Ansari (radiyallāhu’anhu)
said:
“We approach Rasūlullāh
(sallallāhu
‘alayhi wa sallam) at a gathering at Sa’ad bin ‘Ubadah. Bashir bin Sa’ad said
to Rasūlullāh
(sallallāhu
‘alayhi wa sallam), “Allāh has commanded us to send Salāh
upon you, O Rasūlullāh. How can we send Salāh
(salawāt)
upon you?” Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wa sallam) remained quiet for so long that we wished that he had not
asked him, then Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu
‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “[For Salāh on me]
‘Say: Allāhumma salli ‘ala Muhammadiñ Wa ‘ala āli Muhammad kamā
sallaita ‘ala āli Ibrāhīm; Wa bārik ‘ala
Muhammadiñ wa ‘ala āli Muhammad kama bārakta ‘ala āli Ibrāhīm, fil-‘ālameen; Innaka Hamīdun Majīd.
(O Allāh!
Send Prayers upon Muhammad and the members of his household as You Sent Prayers
upon the members of Ibrahim's household; And Send Blessings to Muhammad and the
members of his household as You granted Blessings upon the members of the
household of Ibrāhīm, among all the nations’ Verily You are
Most Praiseworthy, Full of Glory)’;
‘And the Salutation [i.e ‘As-salāmu ‘alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuh’] as you
about knows it’.”
[Recorded by Muslim (803): Book on
Blessings on the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) after Tashahhud;
this narration uses the phrase: ‘ala āli Ibrāhīm,
fil-‘ālameen;
Innaka Hamīdun Majīd”];
this narration is Linguistically sound; more comprehensive] This was also
recorded by Abu Dawud (976 and 980): sahih, An-Nasa’ie, At-Tirmidzi and Ibn
Jarir. At-Tirmidzi said, "It is Hasan Sahih.''
13.The Virtues of Salawāt.
The Salawāt reflects the honour, love, faith,
attachment to our Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) which signifies to be the deep
faith in Allāh.
None is considered a true believer until one loves him more than one parents
and all others. The Salawāt
indicates the honour, love, belief, attachment to him as our Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) which signifies to
be the deep faith in Allāh.
Allāh tells the mankind the purpose of sending
Prophet Muhammad (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wassalam) as He Says in the
Qur’an: “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad],
except as a mercy to the worlds.” [Al-Anbiya’
21: 107]
Allāh Almighty says: “Say: ‘O people! I am
sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allāh,
to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but
He: it is He that gives both life and death. So believe in Allāh and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who
believed in Allāh and His Words: follow him that (so)
you may be guided.” [Al-A’raf
7: 158]
Anas Ibn Mālik (radiyallāhu'anhu) narrated the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “No one of you truly believes until I am
dearer to him than his father, his son, his own self and all the people.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri, 15; Muslim, 44].
The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) also said: “Whenever someone seeks Allāh’s
blessings for me, Allāh returns the soul to my body until I reply to his
salutation." [Reported by Abu Dawud]
Imām Ahmad related that Abu Talhah
Al-Ansārī (radiyallāhu’anhu) said: The Messenger
of Allāh
(Sallallāhu’alayhi
wasallam) arose one morning in a very pleasant mood with signs of good tidings
apparent on his face. They said, “O
Messenger of Allāh,
we see that you look happy.” Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The angel came to me and
told me, ‘O Muhammad, would it not please you if your Lord, may He be
glorified, said: ‘No member of your Ummah sends Solāh
(Salawāt)
upon you but I send Solāh upon him tenfold, and no member of your Ummah sends
greetings of Salām
upon you but I send greetings of Salām upon him tenfold’.’” I said, “Of course.’” [This was also recorded by An-Nasā'ie Ibn Abi Shaybah, ‘Abd bin Hamīd and At-Tirmidzi; Cited with slightly
different wording in Imām
Abu Sulayman al-Jazuli's Dala'il Al-Khayrat (The Index of Good Things)]
‘Abdullāh bin Mas’ud (radiyallāhu’anhu) narrated that the Messenger of
Allāh
(Sallallāhu’alayhi
wasallam) said: "Those who are most deserving of my intercession
on the Day of Judgment are those who used to increasingly seek Allāh’s Blessing (salawāt) for me.” [This is recorded by
Ahmad, Al-Bukhari, At-Tirmidzi and Ibn Hibbān said hasan]
Anas Ibn Mālik (radiyallāhu’anhu) reported that the Messenger of
Allāh
(Sallallāhu’alayhi
wasallam) said: “There are three under the shade of Allāh
on a day when there is no shade except His; the one who relieved a distress
from someone from my nation; the one who invigorate my Sunnah and the one who
invoked blessings on me (Salawāt) the most”. [This
is recorded in the Mustadrak and the Musnad of al-Firdaus; Al-Hāfiz As-Suyūtī also
recorded it in his Burūj
Al-Hilāl.]
And the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) likened those who do not salawāt upon him when his name is mentioned as a miser: "The miser (wretched; niggardly, mistaken) is the
one who hears my name mentioned and does not seek blessings for me.” [Reported by At-Tirmidzi]
And Allāh Almighty Knows best.
[Via Srikandeh]
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