It
is difficult to circumvent the characteristics of the person who
received the last Message of Allah to whom Allah praises by saying,
“Wa Innaka La Ala Khuluqin Azeem” “You have attained a great
moral standard”(68:05)
“Wa
Ma Arsalnaka Illah Rahmatan LilA'alameen” “(Muhammad), We have
sent for no other reason but to be a mercy for mankind.” (21:107)
The
Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) while still a young boy, did not like to
sit idle and wanted to share responsibilities while living with
Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and he shepherd his sheep. He encouraged
Muslims to work and said, “ Worship consists of seventy parts,
the best of which consists of which is to earn a livelihood by lawful
means. The supplication of one who sits at home and who asks Allah
for provision without working is not answered.” When praying he
always said, “O Allah! I take refuge in you from idleness,
laziness.”
While
working for Sayyida Khadija (s.a.) on trading trips, he always
observed justice and equity and avoided telling lies and fraud.
He
became well-known for his truthfulness and honesty. They called him
al-Sadiq (the truthful) and al-Amin (the trustworthy).
During his prophetic mission, the Quraysh opposed him but still
entrusted him with his goods. On the night of Migration to Madina, he
ordered Imam Ali (a.s.) to stay in Makkah to return the things people
had entrusted him to the owners.
He
was very much concerned about the rights of poor and oppressed people
and strive hard to reinstate their rights.
He
was completely against slavery, by his mature reason and sound
conscience that all human beings are alike in the fundamental nature
and talents, but could not change the thousand year old custom. He
advised the masters and the slaves to regard one another as brothers.
He began convincing them that they were all from the same race and
were created from clay! He said, “Whites have no natural
privilege over blacks. Slaves are your brother. You should feed them
of what you eat, dress them of what you dress. Do not ask them to do
things beyond their capacity and help them do things. All your men
and all your women are servants of Allah, and He is the True
Master of all.” Later on, he paved the way for freeing of
the slaves by giving different incentives of granting them a reward.
He
was interested in cleanliness of body and clothes from his childhood.
He was fond of perfume. He possessed excellent manners and social
behavior. He was careful to greet every one first, even the slaves
and the children. While being addressed, he did not interrupt the
speaker and treated his associates in such a manner that the
associate would go away thinking himself to be the dearest person to
the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). He did not speak unnecessarily, spoke
slowly and clearly and never used bad language.
He
was a perfect model of modesty and shyness. He never got annoyed at
anyone's behavior but on occasions, but annoyance might appear on his
face. He never used to complain or object. He frequently visited the
sick and participated in funeral processions. He did not allow anyone
to speak against anyone else except for pleading for justice.
He
always overlooked the maltreatment and disrespect shown towards him.
He did not hold grudge against anyone and never sought to take
revenge. He readily pardoned any mistreatment of his sacred person,
but he did not disregard those who violated the limits of the divine
law.
He
judged the people's actions on the following statement, “Actions
are judged according to intentions and everyone will be recompensed
according to what he intends.”
Sources
used:
The
Glorious Qur'an, A Glimpse of the Character Traits of the Holy
Prophet by Sayyid Abul Fadl
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