The Noble Qur’an: “The
Messenger of Allah is certainly a good example for those of you who have hope
in Allah and in the Day of Judgment and who remembers Allah very often.” Surah al-Ahzab,
Ayah 21
“(Muhammad) We
have sent you for no other reason but to be a mercy for mankind.” Surah
al-Anbiya Ayah 107
“You have attained
great moral standard (religion)” Surah al-Qalam Ayah 4
Honesty:
Muhammad ibn Abdullah (s.a.w.s.) was a Prophet before even Adam was created.
Before he openly invited people towards Islam, he travelled to Syria in
connection with Hazrat Khadija (s.a.)’s business. This journey made his
honesty, reliability and efficiency clear although before this journey people
trusted him with their valuables and used to call him “Muhammad, the trustworthy”. When declared his Prophet Hood, the
Qureshites became hostile towards him but continued to deposit their valuables
with him! That’s why; he left behind the
Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) at the time of his Migration to
Madinah to return the trusted valuables of the Qureshites even though they
planned to kill him.
Behavior with his
family: He was kind to his family. He was never harsh to his wives. He used
to say that both men and women have good and bad qualities, so always look at
the good qualities of your spouses. He was extremely affectionate to his
children and grandchildren and showed love and tenderness to them. He had
special attachment to the young Imam Hassan(a.s.) and Imam Hussayn (a.s.). At numerous occasions, they would sit on
his back while he was praying and would elongate his prostration to accommodate
them. Once, on way to Eid prayers, he became a camel for them and made camel
sounds to please them. He adored his daughter, Lady of Paradise Hazrat Fatima
Zahra (s.a.) and used to call her “The Mother of her Father”.
Treatment of
slaves: He was extraordinarily kind
to the slaves. He told people that slaves were their brothers and that treat them as equal; provide
the same food as they ate and give them the same type of clothes as they
themselves wore. He described slave-trading as the worst occupation.
Social behavior:
He was always kind, cheerful, and courteous
with people, took a lead in greeting
all including children and slaves.
He did not stretch his feet in front of anyone and did not recline in the
presence of others. In his company, all sat in a circular form, and none had
any distinct place or position. He was watchful of his companions and if he did
not see any of them for two or three days, he would inquire about him. If any
one of them was ill, he used to visit him, and if he had any problem, he will
try to resolve it. In a gathering, he would not address or pay attention to any
one individual but equally attended to all. He did not like that he should be
sitting and others serving him. He personally took part in whatever was to be
done. He used to say that Allah hates a
man who considers himself superior to others.
Soft as well as tough:
In his personal affairs, he was soft, sympathetic and tolerant. But in the matters of principle, he was tough and never showed any leniency.
At the time of Victory of Makkah, he overlooked all wrongs committed by them against
him over 23 years and declared a general amnesty. He accepted the apology of
the murderer of his beloved uncle Hazrat Hamza (a.s.). But on that very
occasion, he punished a woman of Banu Makhzum, who committed theft. She
belonged to a respectable family, who regarded the punishment as an insult.
Some of the companions also interceded on her behalf, but he said angrily that
the Divine Law could not be suspended for the sake of an individual.
Imam Ali (a.s.)
about the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.): The King of Martyrs Imam Hussayn (a.s.)
inquired from his father Imam Ali
(a.s.) about the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and he said: “He would work to
unite the people and not divide them. He was balanced and did not go to
extreme. His gatherings were gatherings of kindness and modesty, patience and
trust. He was always smiling and easy to get along with. He would not seek to
find fault with people or to flatter the people. He forbade himself three
things; showing off, excess in anything, and interfering in those things which
did not concern him. He held back three things from the people: he would not
condemn or rebuke any one, nor would he seek out another’s secrets, and would
only speak in matters in which he sought Divine Rewards. He would never
interrupt another person while he was speaking until he asked permission or his
speech had ended or the other person had stood to leave. Whenever he saw that
one of his companions was dejected, he would joke with him to delight him.
Noble Conduct: Whenever he shook hands with anyone he would
never withdraw his hand until the other person withdrew his hand first.
He never criticized food. If he liked it he would eat it,
if he did not like it he would leave it.
Whenever anyone sat with him and later stood up to leave
he would also stand up to see him off out of respect.
He did not treat anyone harshly and would accept an
apology of one who offered it.
He was always smiling except the times when he Noble Qur’an
descended upon him or he was giving sermon.
He would never requite a bad action with a bad action but
would forgive and pardon.
Whoever spoke to him about a matter he would listen with
patience until the person was satisfied and left.
Once, he was in debt to a Jewish man. The man came to
collect the debt. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: “I have nothing to give you.”
The man said: “Then I will not leave your side until you fulfill your debt.”
The man sat with him till he prayed noon and after noon prayers then the sunset
prayers and dawn prayers. The companions were threatening him. When he saw this
he told the companions: “What are you doing to him?” The companions said: “Do
you let a Jew detain you?” He said: “My Lord did not send me to wrong a
covenanter or anyone else.” When day rose the Jewish man said: “I testify that
there is no god but God, and Muhammad is His servant and apostle. Divide my
wealth in the way of God. I swear that I have only done what I have done so
that I may see your description confirms to the description in Torah.”
He would attend funerals and visit the sick.
He angered for the sake of Allah not for his own sake.
He would sit with the poor people and eat with paupers
and give them food with his own hands.
He was extremely modest and if ever he was asked for a
thing he would give it.
Imam Jaffer
al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “The Apostle of Allah, may Allah bless him and his
family, said: “My Lord has ordered me to cultivate seven characteristics: to
love the paupers and approach them, and to say often the words: ’there is no
power or strength except through God, and to maintain the bonds of kinship even
if they should cut the ties with me, and to look to those who are lower than me
and not to look to those who are above me, and not to be affected in the way of
God by the aspersions of the blamer, and to speak the truth however bitter it
may be, and not to ask anything of anyone.”
Merciful nature: He was a model of mercy and kindness. It is
related that the Prophet, if he heard during the prayer, a child crying, he
would hasten the end of prayer so that the child’s mother could go to the
child.
It is related that he smiled when some prisoners of war
were brought before him. One of the prisoners said: “O Muhammad, you take us
prisoner and then you smile?” He said: “I smiled because I want to take you to
felicity and Paradise, where as you want to flee towards wretchedness and
Hellfire.”
Kindness to
animals: His forgiveness and
kindness was not confined to human beings but also encompassed animals. Once he
saw that a she –camel was hobbled but was loaded and it was evidently heavy for
her. He said: “Where is her owner? Tell him he should be prepared for a suit against
him on the morrow.”
Reference:
The Noble Qur’an
The Prophet Muhammad-A Mercy to the world by
Imam Muhammad Shirazi
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