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Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him)
"We have not sent you (O
Muhammad) but as a universal (Messenger) to men giving them glad tidings
and warning them (against sin) but most men understand not." (Quran:
34/28)
"Indeed in the Messenger of
Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for
(the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much." (Quran:
33/21)
Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) Allah’s Messenger to the Whole
Mankind
Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h was
Allah's great Prophet and Messenger like Jesus, the Son of Mary. The
Prophet's mission, however, is universal. Allah (S.W.T.) meaning: (the
Exalted, Most Glorious) tells mankind that Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) is
no more than a Messenger (Quran: 3/144), the unlettered Prophet who
believes in Him and His Words (Quran 7/158). He is the Seal of the Prophets
and the true universal Messenger of Allah to the whole mankind (Quran:
33/40). Allah (S.W.T.) makes this very clear:
"We have not sent you (O
Muhammad) but as a universal (Messenger) to men giving them glad tidings
and warning them (against sin) but most men understand not." (Quran:
34/28)
The Messenger (p.b.u.h.) possesses
an exalted (standard of) character (Quran 68/4) and an excellent exemplar
for him who hopes in Allah (S.W.T.) and the Final Day, and who remembers
Allah (S.W.T.) much (Quran 33/21). Allah (S.W.T.) endowed him with exalted
standard of character for us to follow. Every aspect of his life has been
fully dealt with, providing complete guidance to the whole mankind. For our
guidance, Allah (S.W.T.) commands us to believe and obey His Messenger
(p.b.u.h.):
"Say
(O Muhammad to mankind): ‘If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e.
accept Islamic Monotheism, follow Quran and the Sunnah), Allah will love
you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’
Say (O Muhammad): ‘Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad).’ But if they
turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers." (Quran: 3/31)
"O
mankind! Verily, there has come to you the Messenger (Muhammad) with the
truth from your Rabb (Sustainer, Lord). So believe in him, it is better for
you. But if you disbelieve, then certainly to Allah belongs all that is in
the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise."
(Quran: 4/170)
"O
you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger (Muhammad) and render
not vain your deeds." (Quran: 47/33)
It
is a must that we obey Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.). Allah (S.W.T.) tells us
that he who obeys His Messenger (p.b.u.h.) obeys Him:
"He
who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad) has indeed obeyed Allah, but he who
turns away, then we have not sent you (Muhammad) as a watcher over
them." (Quran: 4/80)
Allah
(S.W.T.) sent His Messenger with Guidance and the religion of truth to make
it prevail over all religions. He says:
"It
is He (Allah) Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of
Truth that he may proclaim it over all religion even though the Pagans may
detest (it)." (Quran: 61/9)
Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) being
the True Messenger of Allah (S.W.T.) not only sincerely believes and
testifies to the Oneness of Allah, the Only True God, Who Alone deserves
all praises and true worship, but also teaches the same universal message.
In one of his teachings we learn how he teaches us to glorify and testify
Allah (S.W.T.) as True:
“Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with
him) narrated that when the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) got up at night to offer the
Tahajjud (midnight) prayer, he used to say: “O Allah! All the praises are
for you. You are the Holder of the heavens and the earth, and whatever is
in them. All the praises are for You. You have the possession of the
heavens and the earth and whatever is in them. All the praises are for You.
You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and all the praises are for
You. You are the King of the heavens and the earth and all the praises are
for You. You are the Truth and Your Promise is the truth, and to meet You
is true. Your Word is the truth and Paradise is true, Hell is true, all the
Prophets are true, Muhammad is true, and the Day of Resurrection is true. O
Allah! I surrender (my will) to You. I believe in You and depend on You,
repent to You, and with Your help I argue (with my opponents, the
non-believers). And I take You as a Judge (to judge between us). Please
forgive me my previous and future sins; and whatever I concealed or
revealed. And You are the One Who makes (some people) forward and (some)
backward. There is none to be worshipped but You.” (Bukhari 2/221, 9/482
and 534)
If you are among those who have
read some of the countless distortions written against Islam and the
Prophet (p.b.u.h.), time has come that you believe in him as the true
Messenger of Allah (S.W.T.) to all humanity. Verily, Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) is
the true universal messenger and the final Prophet of Allah. In fact, he is
known as the As-Siddiq and Al-‘Amin (the Truthful and the Trustworthy).
Many non-Muslims who knew and listened to him during his time, embraced
Islam because of his truthfulness. Indeed, Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) is true and
he teaches nothing but the Truth. Above all, he teaches us the worship of
the One True God, which is the very essence of the true religion, Islam.
For your salvation, believe in Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) as the true,
final Messenger of Allah (S.W.T.) and believe in the Message with which he
was sent. Believe in Islam as the true religion from Allah (S.W.T.). Take
admonition from the following authentic Hadith:
“Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased
with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) said, ‘By Him in Whose
Hand is the life of Muhammad, he amongst the community of Jews or
Christians hears about me; but does not affirm his belief in that with
which I have been sent (i.e., Islam) and dies in his state (of disbelief),
he shall be but one of the denizens of Hell-Fire.’” (Muslim 1/ 284)
The Life of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)
Birth and Prophethood:
Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) was
born on the twelfth (12) of Rabiul Awwal 53 B.H. (570 A.D of the Christian
era) in a noble family of Banu Hashim ancestry. However, he was not
fortunate enough to have been born wealthy as he was born an orphan. His
father, Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib, died of sickness at the age of 25 on a
trading journey to Syria, leaving his wife Amenah only a few months
pregnant.
His grandfather, Abdul Muttalib,
who was the chief of Makkah at that time, showed pride in him as Muhammad
(p.b.u.h.) compensated him for the loss of his son who died in the prime of
his youth. His mother showed affection for her son as she awaited the best
nurses to come and take care of him: The tradition at that time was that
nurses would come from the desert seeking to be the custodians of the
children of nobility in return for good pay and gifts. Giving that Muhammad
(p.b.u.h.) was not wealthy all nurses turned away from him, Halimah of the
Banu Saad tribe was one of them, but when she could not find any other
child she was ashamed to return home empty-handed, so she went back and
took Muhammad, and since then Allah showered his mercy on her; for instance
animals started giving plenty of milk after they had been dry. Therefore,
she and her husband felt they were blessed to have taken Muhammad
(p.b.u.h.) and became very attached to him.
Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) spent five
years with Banu Saad during which nothing out of the ordinary happened
except one told incident which scared Halimah and became known as “the
splitting of his chest.” When he was playing with the other boys Jibril
held him, threw him down, split his chest, took out his heart and took out
a clump from it and said: “this is Satins portion of you.” Then he washed
him in a basin made of gold with the water of Zam Zam, then sealed his
chest and returned him where he was. (Anas, Muslim and Ahmed) The boys ran
to Halimah and said Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) has been killed. They came back and
found him alive but pale.
Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) returned to
Makkah at the age of five to his mother and grandfather who took good care
of him, but the days refused to allow him tranquility among those tender
hearts, as his mother died during a visit to Madinah to visit her husband’s
grave. She took Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) and his maid Umm Aiman with her. On the
way back, she fell very sick and died in Abwaa leaving Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)
with Umm Aiman.
His grandfather always took good
care of him and never left him alone, he took him to all public gatherings.
However, at the age of eight, Abdul Muttalib died leaving him into his
uncle Abu Talib’s care. Since Abu Talib had many children and was not
wealthy, Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) insisted on sharing the burdens of life with
him. He went with his uncle on a trading journey to Syria at the age of
thirteen. He met a monk called Bahira during the journey who looked at his
face and the sign on his back (the sign of Prophethood) and asked Abu
Talib: “What is this boy to you?” ‘My son he said.’ “His father
should not be alive.” Said Buhira. Abu Talib then said, ‘Yes, in fact he is
my brother’s son’ and told him the rest of the story. The monk said “Now
you are telling me the truth. Take him back and be careful of the Jews over
him.”
Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) then returned
to Makkah and resumed his life, working as a shepherd in his early life. He
did not acquire knowledge or education from a monk or a philosopher or
sorcerer, as was the norm then. Instead he read through the pages of life and
took what he found good. He combined the good qualities of discipline with
spiritual purity, rightness and contentment.
In this manner, he entered his
third phase of life and got acquainted with his first wife Khadijah (May
Allah be pleased with her) who was a merchant woman of nobility and wealth.
She had heard of his truthfulness and trustworthiness, so she offered him
to take her trade to Syria (before marrying him). He was 25 years old and
she was 40 years old when they got married. Their marriage lasted until she
died at the age of 65.
The Message of Islam:
Every year, Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)
used to leave Makkah to spend Ramadan in the cave of Hira where he used to
meditate and worship for self-purification away from the falsehood of
Jahilia. In this cave, He met with the heavenly host and listened to the
voice of the angel telling him to read. He knew that he had become a
Prophet of Allah (p.b.u.h.) and that it was Jibril, the ambassador of
revelation who came to him; then the mission’s struggle began.
Quraish spared no efforts to fight
Islam and persecuted those who embraced it. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and his
companions abused, ridiculed, humiliated, accused of indulging in magic,
and the weak and oppressed believers were tortured until they disbelieved,
died or swooned (as they had no clan to defend them).
In spite of all that Islam grew
stronger, so Quraish decided to change strategy and agreed not to buy, sell
or intermarry with Muslims or those who approved of their religion,
protected them or sympathized with them. They wrote this agreement which
was called “The General Boycott” on a piece of parchment and hung it inside
the Kabah as a secret pact. Therefore, Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) and his
followers were forced into confinement in the Vale of Banu Hashim where
they were cut off of any assistance. This boycott lasted three long years
during which only the bond of faith kept the hearts together and gave them
strength. It ended after Hisham Ibn Amr (who felt very upset about the
terrible plight of Muslims) gathered some clans around him and agreed to
break the pact. They went to Makkah to tear the parchment and to their
surprise they found that the worms had already eaten it up except the
words: “In Your name O God.”
After ten years of suffering for
the mission of Islam, Muhammad suffered the loss of his wife Khadijah and
his uncle Abu Talib, in other words, he had lost his public life, as his
uncle defended him and protected him from any calamity, and his private
life, as Khadijah loved, supported and shared with him the miseries and
pains of the Dawah.
Muhammad’s Attractive Leadership:
Muhammad led a very ordinary life
yet the life style he practiced offered an example for others to follow. So
this is an invitation to search through the Prophet’s (p.b.u.h.) lifestyle
and adopt what he did in his daily activities.
To start with read what Al Hasan
(son of Ali) said about the Prophet of Allah (p.b.u.h.) “Doors are not
locked under him, nor do door keepers stand for him, and trays of food are
not served to him in the morning or the evening. He sits on the ground and
eats his food from the ground. He wears coarse (rough) clothes and rides on
a donkey with others sitting behind him, and he licks his fingers after
taking food.”
His regular deeds:
His habits were really simple in
all aspects of his life as we see. He never started any activity without
saying “In the name of Allah.”
General Conduct in Living with
People:
Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) used
to say Salam when he would arrive to a place where people were seated and
when he wished to leave, he also said Salam as “the former is as
appropriate as the latter.” (Abu Dawud)
He did not like people exalting him
“He came out once leaning on a stick and a group of people stood up, he said:
don’t stand up as foreigners stand up exalting each other therewith.” (Abu
Dawud)
When visiting people, he used to
ask permission to enter saying “Peace be upon you, may I enter.” (Abu
Dawud) and when his guests were leaving he used to go with them to the door
of the house.
Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) used
to receive gifts and to give gifts back. (Bukhari) and he said “Make gifts
to one another for a gift removes rancor from the chest.” (Tirmithi)
At home, he used to serve his
family. Aisha was asked about what the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) used to do in his
house, she said “He used to work for his family, that is to serve his
family, and when the prayer time came, he went out for prayer.” (Bukhari)
Death of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.)
The pains of sickness attacked the
Prophet (p.b.u.h.) since the ending of Safar of the eleventh year. Once he
fainted and his family put medicine in his mouth. When he awoke, he showed
his dislike of that. During his illness he would supplicate “O Allah help
me in the pangs of death.” (Bukhari: narrated by Aisha)
He was warning Muslims -- even when
he was in the throes of death -- that they should stay committed to
monotheism by saying “Allah’s curse be upon the Jews and Christians, they
took their Prophets’ graves as mosques.” (He was warning them against the
action.) (Bukhari and Muslim)
The last thing the Prophet
(p.b.u.h.) did before his death (according to Aisha): “He lay down in my
lap, brushed his teeth harder than he had ever done before”, then his eyes
were fixed and he was saying ‘Nay, the Companion on high from paradise.’ -I
said to myself “You were given the choice and you have chosen, by Him who
sent you with the Truth. Then, he passed away.” (Bukhari)
This was a brief study of the
Prophet’s (p.b.u.h.) way of life. It must be stressed that we will never
really understand the Sirah unless we study the Quran and Sunnah.
Praise and Glory be to Allah, we
seek Allah’s forgiveness and we turn to him in repentance.
His Attributes and Manners
Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)
combined both perfection of creation and perfection of manners. This
impression on people can be deduced by the bliss that overwhelmed their
hearts and filled them with dignity. Men’s dignity, devotion and estimation
of Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) were unique and matchless. No other man in
the whole world has been so honored and beloved. Those who knew him well,
were fascinated and enchanted by him. They were ready to sacrifice their
lives for the sake of saving a nail of his from hurt or injury. Being
privileged by lots of prerogatives of perfection that no one else had been
endowed with, his Companions found that he was peerless and so they loved
him.
Here, we list a brief summary of
the versions about his beauty and perfection. To encompass all, this is,
admittedly, beyond our power.
Beauty of Creation:
Describing Allah’s Messenger
(p.b.u.h.), who passed by her tent on his journey of migration, Umm Ma‘bad
Khuza‘iyah said to her husband:
“He was innocently bright and had
broad countenance. His manners were fine. Neither was his belly bulging out
nor was his head deprived of hair. He had black attractive eyes finely
arched by continuous eyebrows. His hair glossy and black, inclined to curl,
he wore long. His voice was extremely commanding. His head was large, well
formed and set on a slender neck. His expression was pensive and
contemplative, serene and sublime. The stranger was fascinated from the
distance, but no sooner he became intimate with him than this fascination
was changed into attachment and respect. His expression was very sweet and
distinct. His speech was well set and free from the use of superfluous
words, as if it were a rosary of beads. His stature was neither too high
nor too small to look repulsive. He was a twig amongst the two, singularly
bright and fresh. He was always surrounded by his Companions. Whenever he
uttered something, the listeners would hear him with rapt attention and
whenever he issued any command, they vied with each other in carrying it
out. He was a master and a commander. His utterances were marked by truth
and sincerity, free from all kinds of falsehoods and lies.”
Ali Bin Abi Talib (May Allah be
pleased with him) describing him said: “Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) was
neither excessively tall nor extremely short. He was medium height among
his friends. His hair was neither curly nor wavy. It was in between. It was
not too curly nor was it plain straight. It was both curly and wavy
combined. His face was not swollen or meaty-compact. It was fairly round.
His mouth was white. He had black and large eyes with long haired eyelids.
His joints (limbs) and shoulder joints were rather big. He had a rod-like
little hair extending from his chest down to his navel, but the rest of his
body was almost hairless. He had thick hand palms and thick fingers and
toes. While walking, he lifted his feet off the ground as if he had been
walking in a muddy remainder of water. When he turned, he turned all. The
Prophethood Seal was between his shoulders. He is the Seal of Prophets, the
most generous and the bravest of all.
His speech was the most reliable.
He was the keenest and the most attentive to people’s trust and was very
careful to pay people’s due in full. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was the most tractable
and the most yielding companion, seeing him unexpectedly you fear him and
venerate him. He who has acquaintance with him will like him. He who
describes him says:
“I have never seen such a
person neither before nor after seeing him.”
Jabir bin Samurah (May Allah be
pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) had a broad
face with reddish (wide) eyes and lean heels.
Abu Tufail said: “He was white,
good-looking. He was neither fat nor thin; neither tall nor short.”
Anas bin Malik (May Allah be
pleased with him) said: “He had unfolded hands and was pink-colored. He was
neither white nor brown. He was rather whitish. In both his head and beard
there were as many as twenty gray hairs, besides some gray hairs at his
temples.” In another version: “and some scattered white hairs in his head.”
Abu Juhaifa (May Allah be pleased
with him) said: “I have seen some gray color under his lower lip.” Al-Bara’
said: “He was of medium height, broad-shouldered; his hair went up to his
earlobes. I saw him dressed in a red garment and I (assure you) I have
never seen someone more handsome. At first he used to let his hair loose so
as to be in compliance with the people of the Book; but later on he used to
part it.”
Bara also said: “He had the most
handsome face and the best character.” When he was asked: “Was the
Messenger’s face sword-like?” “No,” he said: “it was moon-like.” But in
another version: he said, “His face was round.” Rabi Bint Muawwidh said:
“Had you seen him, you would have felt that the sun was shining.” Jabir bin
Samurah said, “I saw him at one full-moony night. I looked at him. He was
dressed in a red garment. I compared him with the moon and found that he
was better than the moon.”
Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased
with him) said: “I have never seen a thing nicer than Allah’s
Messenger (p.b.u.h.). It seems as if the sunlight were moving within his
face. I have never seen one who is faster in pace than Allah’s Messenger
(p.b.u.h.). It seemed as if the earth had folded itself up to shorten the
distance for him. For we used to wear ourselves out while he was at full
ease.”
Kab bin Malik (May Allah be pleased
with him) said: “When he was pleased, his face would shine with so bright
light that you would believe that it was a moon-piece.” Once he sweated hot
at Aishah’s, and the features of his face twinkled; so I recited a poem by
Abu Kabeer Al-Hudhali:
“If you watch his face-features,
you will see them twinkling like the lightning of an approaching rain.”
Whenever Abu Bakr saw him he would
say:
“He is faithful, chosen (by Allah),
and calls for forgiveness. He shines like a full-moon light when it is far
from dark (clouds).”
Umar used to recite verses by
Zuhair describing Haram bin Sinan:
“Were you other than a human being,
you would be a lighted moon at a full-moon night.” Then he would add:
“Thus was Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.).”
When he got angry his face would go
so red that you would think it were “an inflected red skin-spot with
pomegranate grains on both cheeks.” Jabir bin Samurah said: “His legs were
gentle, delicate and in conformity. His laughter is no more than smiling.
Looking at him will make you say ‘He is black-eyed though he is not so.’”
Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased
with him) said: “His two front teeth were splinted so whenever he speaks,
light goes through them. His neck was as pure and silvery as a neck of
doll. His eyelids were long-haired but his beard was thick. His forehead
was broad; but his eyebrows were like the metal piece attached to a lance,
but they were unhorned. His nose was high-tipped, middle-cambered with
narrow nostrils. His cheeks were plain, but he had (little hair) running
down like a rod from his throat to his navel. He had hair neither on his
abdomen nor on his chest except some on his arms and shoulders. His chest
was broad and flatted. He had long forearms with expansive palms of the
hand. His legs were plain straight and stretching down. His other limbs
were straight too. The two hollows of his soles hardly touch the ground.
When he walks away he vanishes soon; but he walks at ease (when he is not
in a hurry). The way he walks seems similar to one who is leaning forwards
and is about to fall down.”
Anas (May Allah be pleased with
him) said: “I have never touched silk or a silky garment softer than the
palm of the Prophet’s (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him); nor have
I smelt a perfume or any scent nicer than his.” In another version, “I have
never smelt ambergris nor musk nor any other thing sweeter than the scent
and the smell of Allah’s Messenger (Peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him).”
Abu Juhaifa said: “I took his hand
and put it on my head and I found that it was colder than ice and better
scented than the musk perfume.”
Jabir bin Samurah — who was a
little child then — said: “When he wiped my cheek, I felt it was cold and
scented as if it had been taken out of a shop of a perfume workshop.”
Anas said, “His sweat was
pearl-like.” Umm Sulaim said: “His sweat smelt nicer than the nicest
perfume.”
Jabir said: “Whoever pursues a road
that has been trodden by Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) will certainly scent
his smell and will be quite sure that Allah’s Messenger (Peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) has already passed it.” The Seal of
Prophethood, which was similar in size to a pigeon’s egg, was between his
shoulders on the left side having spots on it like moles.
The Perfection of Soul and
Nobility:
The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was noted
for superb eloquence and fluency in Arabic. He was remarkable in position
and rank. He was an accurate, unpretending straightforward speaker. He was
well-versed in Arabic and quite familiar with the dialects and accents of
every tribe. He spoke with his entertainers using their own accents and
dialects. He mastered and was quite eloquent at both Bedouin and town
speech. So he had the strength and eloquence of Bedouin language as well as
the clarity and the decorated splendid speech of town. Above all, there was
the assistance of Allah embodied in the revealed verses of Quran.
His stamina, endurance and
forgiveness — out of a commanding position — his patience and standing what
he detested — these were all talents, attributes and qualities Allah
Himself had brought him on. Even wise men have their flaws, but Allah’s
Messenger (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), unlike everybody, the
more he was hurt or injured, the more clement and patient he became. The
more insolence an ignorant anybody exercised against him the more enduring
he became. Aishah said:
“Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.)
whenever he is given the opportunity to choose between two affairs, he
always chooses the easiest and the most convenient. But if he is certain
that it is sinful, he will be as far as he could from it. He has never
avenged himself; but when the sanctity of Allah is violated he would. That
would be for Allah’s not for himself. He is the last one to get angry and
the first to be satisfied. His hospitality and generosity were matchless.
His gifts and endowments manifest a man who does not fear poverty.”
Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased
with him) said: “The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was the most generous. He is
usually the most generous of all times in Ramadan, the times at which the
angel Gabriel (p.b.u.h.) comes to see him. Gabriel used to visit him every
night of Ramadan and review Quran with him. Verily, Allah’s Messenger
(p.b.u.h.) is more generous at giving bounty or charity than the blowing
wind.” Jabir said:
“The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) would never
deny anything he was asked for.”
His courage, his succor and his
might are distinguishable. He was the most courageous. He witnessed awkward
and difficult times and stood fast at them. More than once brave men and
daring ones fled away leaving him alone; yet he stood with full composure
facing the enemy without turning his back. All brave men must have
experienced fleeing once or have been driven off the battlefield at a round
at a time except the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) Ali said: “Whenever the fight grew
fierce and the eyes of fighters went red, we used to resort to the Prophet
(p.b.u.h.) for succor. He was always the closest to the enemy.”
Anas said: “One night the people of
Madinah felt alarmed. People went out hurriedly towards the source of
sound, but the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) had already gone ahead of them. He was on
the horseback of Abu Talhah which had no saddle over it, and a sword was
slung round his neck, and said to them: ‘There was nothing to be afraid
for.’”
He was the most modest and the
first one to cast his eyes down. Abu Saeed Al-Khudri said: “He was shier
than a virgin in her boudoir. When he hates a thing we read it on his face.
He does not stare at anybody’s face. He always casts his eyes down. He
looks at the ground more than he looks sky-wards. His utmost looks at
people are glances. He is willingly and modestly obeyed by everybody. He
would never name a person whom he had heard ill-news about — which he
hated. Instead he would say: ‘Why do certain people do so....’” Al-Farazdaq
verse of poem fits him very much and the best one to be said of:
“He casts his eyes modestly but the
eyes of others are cast down due to his solemnity and words issue out of
his mouth only while he is smiling.”
The Prophet (Peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) is the most just, the most decent, the most truthful at
speech, and the most honest of all. Those who have exchanged speech with
him, and even his enemies, acknowledge his noble qualities. Even before the
Prophethood he was nicknamed Al-Ameen (i.e. the truthful, the trustworthy).
Even then — in Al-Jahiliyah — they used to turn to him for judgment and
consultation. In a version by Tirmidhi, he says that Ali had said that he
had been told by Abu Jahl that he (Abu Jahl) said to Allah’s Messenger
(Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): “We do not call you a liar; but
we do not have faith in what you have brought.” In His Book, Allah, the
Exalted, said about them:
“It is not you that they deny, but
it is the Verses (Quran) of Allah that the Dhalimun (polytheists and
wrong-doers) deny.” (Quran: 6/33)
Even when Heraclius asked Abu
Sufyan: “Have you ever accused him of lying before the ministry of
Prophethood?” Abu Sufyan said: “No.”
He was the most modest and farthest
from being arrogant or proud. He forbade people to stand up at his presence
as other people usually do for their kings. Visiting the poor, the needy
and entertaining them are some of his habits. If a slave invited him, he
would accept the invitation. He always sat among his friends as if he were
an ordinary person of them. Aishah said that he used to repair his shoes,
sew or mend his dress and do what ordinary men did in their houses. After
all, he was a human being like others. He used to check his dress (lest it
has some insects on). Milking the she-sheep and catering for himself were
some of his normal jobs. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was the most truthful to
his pledges, and it is one of his qualities to establish good and steady
relationship with his relatives — ‘Selat-Ar-Rahem’. He is the most
merciful, gentle and amiable to all people. His way of living is the
simplest one. Ill-manners and indecency are two qualities completely alien
to him. He was decent, and did not call anybody names. He was not the sort
of person who cursed or made noise in the streets. He did not exchange
offences with others. He pushed back an offence or an error by forgiveness
and overlooking. Nobody was allowed to walk behind him (i.e. as a
bodyguard). He did not feel himself superior to others not even to his slaves
(men or women) as far as food or clothes were concerned.
Whoever served him should be served
by him too. ‘Ugh’ (an utterance of complaint) is a word that had never been
said by him to his servant; nor was his servant blamed for doing a thing or
leaving it undone. Loving the poor and the needy and entertaining them or
participating in their funerals were things the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) always
observed. He never disgraced a poor man for his poverty. Once he was
traveling with his Companions and when it was time to have food prepared,
he asked them to slaughter a she-sheep. A man said: I will slaughter it,
another one said: I will skin it out. A third said: I will cook it. So,
Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) said: I will collect wood for fire. They said:
“No. We will suffice you that work.” ‘I know that you can do it for me, but
I hate to be privileged. Allah hates to see a slave of his privileged to
others.’” So he went and collected fire-wood.
Let us have some of the description
of Hind bin Abi Halah: “Allah’s Messenger was continually sad, thinking
perpetually. He had no rest (i.e. for long). He only spoke when it was
necessary. He would remain silent for a long time and whenever he spoke, he
would end his talk with his jawbone but not out of the corners of his
mouth, i.e. (snobbishly). His speech was inclusive. He spoke inclusively
and decisively. It was not excessive nor was it short of meaning. It was
amiable. It was in no way hard dishonoring. He glorified the bounty of
Allah; even if it were little. If he had no liking for someone’s food, he
would neither praise nor criticize.
He was always in full control of
his temper and he would never get seemed angry unless it was necessary. He
never got angry for himself nor did he avenge himself. It was for Allah’s
sanctity and religion that he always seemed angry.
When he pointed at a thing he would
do so with his full hand-palm, and he would turn it round to show surprise.
If he were angry he would turn both his body and face aside. When he was
pleased, he cast his eyes down. His laughter was mostly smiling. It was
then that his teeth which were like hail-stones were revealed.
He never spoke unless it was
something closely relevant to him. He confirmed the brotherhood
relationship among his Companions; and thus he made them intimate and did
not separate them or implant enmity among them. Those who were honorable
with their peoples, were honored and respected by him and were assigned
rulers over their own peoples. His cheerfulness was never withdrawn at
anyone’s face; even at those whom he warned his people from or those whom
he himself was on the alert of. He visited friends and inquired about
people’s affairs. He confirmed what was right and criticized the awful and
tried to undermine it. He was moderate in all affairs. He was equal to
others and was not privileged. He would never act heedlessly, lest the
others should get heedless. Each situation was dealt with in its proper
due.
Righteousness was his target; so he
was never short of it, nor indifferent to it. People who sat next to him
were the best of their people and the best of them all were — for him —
those who provided common consultations. For him, the greatest ones and the
highest in ranks were the best at providing comfort and co-ordination and
succor. Remembrance (of Allah) was a thing he aimed at and established
whenever he sat down or stands up. No certain position was assigned for him
to sit on. He sat at the end of the group, seated next to the last sitter
in the place. He ordered people to do the same. He entertained his
participants in social gatherings alike so that the one addressed would
think that there was no one honored by the Prophet Allah’s Messenger but
himself. He whoever sat next to him or interrupted him in order to ask for
his advice about an affair of his, would be the first to start the talk and
the one to end it. The Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
would listen to him patiently till he ended his speech. He never denied a
request to anyone, if unapproachable, then few gratifying words would work,
instead.
His magnanimity, broad mindedness
his tolerance could embrace all people and entitled him to be regarded as
father for them all. In justice, all of them were almost equal. Nobody was
better than another except on the criterion of Allah fearing. A favored
one, to him, was the most Allah fearing. His assembly was a meeting of
clemency, timidness, patience and honesty. Voices were not raised in rows
or riots. Inviolable things were never violable. Fearing Allah and worship
were their means to sympathy and compassion. They used to esteem the old
and have mercy on the young. They assisted the needy and entertained
strangers.
Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) was
always cheerful, easy, pleasant-tempered and lenient. He was never rude or
rough nor clamorous or indecent. He was neither a reproacher nor a praiser.
He overlooked what he did not desire, yet you would never despair of him.
Three qualities he disposed of: hypocrisy, excessiveness, and what was none
of his concern. People did not fear him in three areas: — for they were not
qualities or habits of his —: He never disparaged, or reproached nor did he
seek the defects or shortages of others. He only spoke things whose reward
was Divinely desirable. When he spoke, his listeners would attentively
listen to him casting down their heads. They only spoke when he was silent.
They did not have disputes or arguments about who was to talk. He who
talked in his presence would be listened to by everybody till he finished
his talk. Their talk would be about the topic discussed or delivered by
their first speaker. Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) used to laugh at what
they laughed at and admired what they used to admire. He would always show
patience with a stranger’s harshness at talk. He used to say:
“When you see a person seeking an
object earnestly, assist him to get his need. And never ask for a reward
except from the reward-Giver, i.e. Allah.”
Kharijah bin Zaid said: “The
Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was the most honored among the people with whom he sat.
His limbs could hardly be seen. He was often silent and rarely talked when
speech was not a necessity. He turned away from those whose speech was rude
or impolite. His laughter was no more than a smile. His speech, which was
decisive, it was neither excessive nor incomplete. Out of reverence and
esteem and following the example of their Prophet (Peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him), the Companions’ laughter at his presence — was smiling,
as well.”
On the whole the Prophet (p.b.u.h.)
was ornamented with peerless attributes of perfection. No wonder to be like
that for he was brought up, educated and taught (Quran) by Allah. He was
even praised by Allah:
“And verily, you (O Muhammad) are
on an exalted standard of character.” (Quran: 68/4)
Those were the attributes and
qualities that the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) 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 aspects of
full perfection. Trying to encompass the whole perfect picture of the
Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). 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. No one can ever give this man, the
top of perfection, his due description. He was a man who always sought
Allah’s light, to such an extent that he was wholly imbued with Quranic
approach.
O Allah! Send your blessings (and
the Holy Words of Yours) upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You
have sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are worthy
of all praise, All Glorious.
O Allah! Bless Muhammad and the
family of Muhammad as You have already blessed Ibrahim and the family of
Ibrahim. You are worthy of all praise, All Glorious.
The Prophet as the Model for
Truthfulness and Trustworthiness
The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) is known as
Siddiq and Ameen (the Truthful and the Trustworthy). People during
his time, except the most arrogant unbelievers among them, believed him as
such. The following Hadith for instance tells us:
Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased
with him) narrated that when the Verse:
"And warn your tribe of near
kindred.” (26:214) was revealed, Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) went out, and
when he had ascended Safa mountain, he shouted, ‘O Sabahah!’ The people
said, "Who is that?” "Then they gathered around him, whereupon he
said, ‘Do you see? If I inform you that cavalrymen are proceeding up the
side of this mountain, will you believe me’ They said, “We have never heard
you telling a lie.” Then he (p.b.u.h.) said, ‘I am a plain warner to
you of a coming severe punishment.’ Abu Lahab said, "May you perish!
You gathered us only for this reason?” Then Abu Lahab went away. So the
Surat: "Perish the hands of Abu Lahab!” (111:1) was revealed.”
(Bukhari 6/495)
The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) is known to
have always told the truth even when he joked with his Companions. In fact,
he even cursed those who make lies just to make people laugh:
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased
with him) narrated that when they said, “Messenger of Allah, do you make
jokes with us!” He (p.b.u.h.) replied, ‘I say nothing but the
truth.’” (Tirmidhi 4885)
Mu'awiyah Ibn Jaydah al-Qushayri
(May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.)
said, “Woe to him who tells things, speaking falsely, to make people laugh
thereby. Woe to him! Woe to him!” (Abu Dawud 4972)
We, the Du'at (Dawah makers) should
emulate the great Messenger of Allah. We must fear Allah (Subhanahu wa
Ta’ala) and always tell the truth. As Muslims, we are expected to be
truthful and trustworthy:
“O you who believe! Fear Allah and
be with those who are truthful.” (Quran: 9/119)
“That Allah will reward the people
of Truth for their Truth, and punish the Hypocrites if that be His Will, or
turn to them in Mercy; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran:
33/24)
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased
with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.)said, “A Muslim is one
from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe and a believer is one in
whom people place their trust in regard to their life and wealth.”
(Tirmidhi 33 and Nasa'i)
To be truthful, we should equip
ourselves with the knowledge of the Truth. This is one of the reasons why
we need to seek correct knowledge of Islam, as much as possible. We should
always be ready with whatever questions non-Muslims ask about Islam. If we
do not know or are not sure of the answer(s) then we have to be frank. We
can delay the answer and ask somebody who is knowledgeable (an Imam or a
Muslim scholar) to answer the question. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and His
Messenger (p.b.u.h.) enjoin us to ask those who know:
“... Then ask those who have been
reading the Book from before you...” (Quran: 10/94)
“...If you realize this not, ask of
those who possess the Message.” (Quran: 16/43)
Abdullah Bin Amr As (May Allah be
pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) heard some
people disputing about Quran. Thereupon he said: “It was because of this
that those gone before you had perished. They set parts of the books
against the others (whereas the fact is) that the Book of Allah has been
revealed with one part confirming the others. Therefore, do not falsify
some parts with the others and speak only that which you know; that which
you do not know, refer it to one who knows it well.” (Tirmidhi 237,
Ahmad and Ibn Majah)
We should never attribute something
that has no basis in Quran and Sunnah to the Prophet (p.b.u.h.), or to
Islam as a whole. We should take admonitions from the following warnings:
Ali (May Allah be pleased with him)
narrated that the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said, “Do not tell a lie against me
for whoever tells a lie against me (intentionally) then he will surely
enter the Hell-fire.” (Bukhari 1/106 and Ibn Majah 1/31)
Salama (May Allah be pleased with
him) narrated that he heard the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) saying, “Whoever
(intentionally) ascribes to me what I have not said then (surely) let him
occupy his seat in Hell-fire.” (Bukhari 1/109)
Wathila bin Asqa (May Allah be
pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) said, “Verily,
one of the worst lies is to claim falsely to be the son of someone other
than one’s real father; or to claim to have had a dream one has not had; or
to attribute to me what I have not said.” (Bukhari
4/712)
Abdullah Ibn Abbas (May Allah be
pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) said: Be
mindful when transmitting a Hadith from me. (Transmit) only that which you
know (very well) for he who intentionally lies about me will find his abode
in Hell-Fire.” (Tirmidhi 232)
There are many Islamic teachings on
truthfulness that should inspire us to be truthful. We can share them
to non-Muslims. Non-Muslims should know that we, the true Muslims, adhere
to truth for we are certain that Islam is the religion of Truth. Islam
teaches truthfulness. It enjoys its followers to adhere to truthfulness and
refrain from lies as shown in the following authentic teachings:
Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with
him) narrated that the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said, “Truthfulness leads to Birr
(righteousness) and Birr leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the
truth until he becomes a Siddiq (truthful person). Falsehood leads to Fujur
(i.e., wickedness, evil-doing), and Fujur leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a
man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allah, a liar.”
(Bukhari 8/116 and Muslim 4/6307-6310)
Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with
him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) as saying, “It is
obligatory for you to tell the truth, for truth leads to good deeds and
good deeds lead him who does them to paradise. If a man continues to speak
truth and makes truth his objective, he will be recorded in Allah’s
presence as eminently truthful. Avoid falsehood, for falsehood leads to
wickedness and wickedness leads to hell. If a man continues to speak
falsehood and makes falsehood his objective, he will be recorded in Allah’s
presence as a great liar.” (Muslim 4/6309)
We must include in our prayers that
Allah will give us the best character and manners, which include being
truthful. We should also avoid situations or things that will lead us to
make lies. One of these is debt as the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) warns us in the
following Hadith:
Aishah (May Allah be pleased with
her) narrated that the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) used to invoke Allah in the
prayer saying, “O Allah, I seek refuge with you from all sins, and from
being in debt.” Someone said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger! (I see you) very often
you seek refuge with Allah from being in debt.’ He replied (p.b.u.h.), “If
a person is in debt, he tells lies when he speaks, and breaks his promises
when he promises.”” (Bukhari 3/582)
In everything we do, we must fear
Allah and always tell the truth. Telling lies do great harms to us
especially in the eternal world. If we die without asking Allah’s
forgiveness and we are recorded in His presence as liars, then we will have
a terrible punishment in the Hereafter. As much as possible, we must
avoid telling lies. We must take warning from the following Hadith:
Samura bin Jundub (May Allah be
pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said, “I saw (in a
dream) two men came to me.” Then the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) narrated the story
(saying), “They said, 'The person, the one whose cheek you saw being torn
away (from the mouth to the ear) was a liar and used to tell lies. And the
people would report those lies on his authority till they spread all over
the world. So he will be punished like that till the Day of Resurrection.’”
(Bukhari 8/118)
To non-Muslims who invent lies
against Allah Subhanahu WA Ta'ala, it is our duty to warn them to refrain
from their disbeliefs. They should take lessons from the many clear Signs
of Allah, being the Only God worthy of our sincere worship and stop
associating partners with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. They should fear
Allah’s curse and severe punishment in the Hell-Fire:
“And those who believe in Allah and
His messengers they are the Truthful and the martyrs in the eyes of their
Rabb. They shall have their Reward and their Light. But those who reject
Allah and deny Our Signs, they are the Companions of
Hell-Fire.” (57:19)
“Who does more wrong than those who
invent a lie against Allah? They will be turned back to the Presence of
their Rabb and the witnesses will say, ‘These are the ones who lied against
their Rabb!’ Behold! The curse of Allah is on those who do wrong!” (11:18)
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