The following are some toughts on the beautiful character of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)
Special attention to everyone
Amr ibnul Aas reports:
- Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) gave attention, spoke and showed love to the worst person of a nation. So that, the person may feel he is being given special attention.
- He used to give attention, and spoke to me also in a manner, that I began to feel that I was the best among the community.
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Therefore, one day I asked:
- 'O Messenger of Allah, am I better or is Abubakr better?' He replied: 'Abubakr'.
- I then asked: 'Am I better, or 'Umar?' He replied. "Umar'.
- I asked: 'Am I better or 'Uthmaan?' He replied: 'Uthmaan'.
- When I asked him these questions, Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam told me the truth.I felt I should not have asked such a question.
Commentary
- He made everyone feel special and important. So much attention was give to this sahabi that he felt that perhaps he had a higher status to other important companions.
- He asked Rasulullah to confirm if what he was thinking was true. Its good to clarify your thoughts with others who know better.
- The companions knew the status of Hadrat Abu Bakar, Umar and Uthman in the eye of Rasulullah.
- Sometimes, to please others we tell them that we love them more than anyone else, but Rasulullah never lied. He did not misinform others or gave wrong expressions.
Prophet's treatment of the children
Anas bin Maalik Radiyallahu 'Anhu says:
- I remained in the service of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam for ten years. He never once told me 'Oof '.
- When I did something, he never asked me, why did you do so?
- When I did not do a certain task, he never asked me why I did not do it.
- Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam had the best character among all people.
- I never felt a silk cloth, nor pure silk, nor any other thing softer than the palm of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam.
- Nor did I smell any musk or any other fragrance, more sweet smelling than the sweat of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam".
Commentary
- Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam not uttering even the word 'Oof' on anything is due to his high and noble character and humbleness.
- He did not regard Sayyidina Anas Radiyallahu 'Anhu fulfilling or not fulfilling a duty to be something from Sayyidina Anas Radyallahu 'Anhu's own side, but something that is from Allah, and was always contented with it.
- 'Only that shall happen that Allah wills. If it is destined to happen it shall happen'. This is the uttermost pleasure from a beloved's deed.
- The perspiration of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu.'Alayhi Wasallam was collected and used as a fragrance.
- The one with whom Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam shook hands, a fragrance emitted from that hand for a whole day.
He did not hit anyone
Ayesha Radiyallahu 'Anha reports:
- Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam did noy hit anything with his mubaarak hands, besides the time when he made jihaad in the Path of Allah.
- He did not hit a servant nor a women (wife, slave girl etc.)'.
Commentary
By hitting, it is meant to hit in anger and not against one hitting un-intentionally and playfully.
He never talked indecently and forgave others
Ayesha Radiyallahu 'Anha reports, that:
- It was not the nature of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam to talk indecently, nor did he engage himself in the use of obscene language.
- Nor did he shout and talk in the bazaars.
- He did not avenge a bad deed with a bad one, but forgave it, and thereafter did not even mention it.
Commentary
- We do not guard our tongue and speak whatever comes into our minds. We are not careful if our language is polite or obscene.
- Our Holy Prophet taught us to be careful of our tongue all the time and only say good things.
- Sometimes we tell obscene jokes or indulge in indecent conversations in order to keep our gatherings happy. But all sorts of obscene and indecent talk is prohibited all the time.
- There is no harm if one goes into the bazaar to fulfil one's needs, but to go there and shout about is against dignity. One should complete ones needs and return in a quiet manner. If we can be calm at a shopping place, we can be calm and quiet at other places too, such as a Masjid.
Story of Zayd bin Sanah (Jewish scholar) accepting Islam:
- 'There was not a sign of prophethood in Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam which I had not found in him, except for two signs, which I did not have the opportunity to test. The first is that his hilm (gentleness) will overcome his anger. The second is, the more one acts foolishly towards him the more he will tolerate it. I looked for a chance to test these two signs, and kept on coming and going to his gatherings.
- One day Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam came out of his house. 'Ali was with him. just then a badawi type of person came and said:'O Rasulullah, my community have accepted Islaam, and I had told them that, if they became Muslims, they shall receive abundant sustenance. And now such a time has come where drought has befallen us. I fear that they will leave Islaam. If the idea is suitable, it is suggested that you assist them.
- Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam looked towards a person who may have been 'Ali. He replied, 'Ya Rasulullah, there is nothing available'.
- Zayd was witnessing this incident and he decided to test Rasulullah. He offered to lend money to Holy Prophet so he could help the person. Holy Prophet accepted his offer.
- Rasulullah gave the money to this badawi and said to him, do not forget to be just, and fulfil their needs with this.
- Zayd Radiyallahu 'Anhu further says, when two or three days were left for the time to collect his money back (dates), Rasulullah was sitting near a well.
- I came and caught the hem of the kurtah and sheet of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam and cynically said: 'O Muhammad, you do not want to pay my debt. I swear by Allah, that I know all the children of 'Abdul Muttalib very well. You are very poor payers'.
- Umar looked at me in anger and said: 'O enemy of Allah! what are you mumbling? I swear by Allah, that if I did not fear (the presence of Rasulullah) I would have severed your head'.
- Rasulullah was looking at me very calmly, and said smilingly to 'Umar: ''Umar, This person and I are in need of something more. He should have told me to take care in fulfilling his rights and should have advised in a better manner when putting forward his claim. Go take him and fulfill his rights, and for having scolded him give him in lieu extra dates in excess of his right'.
- Umar took me and fulfilled my rights and gave me the extra dates.
- I had seen the last two remaining signs of prophethood: his forbearance (hilm) suspersedes his anger; and that, the more one acts foolishly towards him, the more he will tolerate it. Now I have tested these two also, therefore I make you witness to my acceptance of Islam.
Getting angry over transgression of Allah's prohibitions and choosing the easy path
Ayesha Radiyallahu 'Anha says: '
- I have never seen Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam avenge himself for a personal affliction, but if one transgressed a prohibited thing from those prohibited by Allah then there was no one more angry than Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam.
- Whenever Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was given a choice between two things, he always chose the one that was simple, if it did not lead to any type of sin.
Commentary
- During the Battle of Uhud, Rasulullah's mubaarak teeth became shaheed (broken), and his blessed face became full of blood.
- His companions said. 'Make du'aa against these people'.
- Instead Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam made this du'aa: 'O Allah, grant my people guidance, for they do not know'.
- Once a badawi came and pulled the sheet of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam so hard that it made a mark an his mubaarak neck.
- Then the badawi demanded food to be loaded on his camel. Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam laughed off and had grain loaded onto his camels.
- If anything is said or done against our dignity how do we feel?
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He always chose easy and simple things:
- Especially he always chose the easy and simple thing for the ummah such as missing taraweh prayers in case it becomes obligatory for the ummah.
- In worldly matters where a choice between two things were given, he chose the simple one.
- Individually, he chose challenging tasks for himself in order to get closer to Allah, such as praying at night and fasting consecutive days
Holy Prophet Muhammad was the most generous person
- Jaabir Radiyallahu 'Anhu says. "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam never said 'No' to a request of a person".
- Anas Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: "Rasulullah. Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam did not store anything for the next day".
It is reported from hadrat Umar that once a needy person came to Rasulullah and asked for some help.
- At that time Rasulullah did not have anything to give to him. So he asked the person to go to a shop and buy something to fulfil his needs at the expense of rasulullah.
- On hearing this Hadrat Umar said "O Messenger of Allah, whatever you possessed you have already given away. Allah did not make you responsible for that which is not in your means".
- Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam felt annoyed at hearing this.
- Thereupon a person from among, the Ansaar said: "O Rasul, of Allah, spend whatever you wish, and do not fear any lessening from the Lord of the Throne".
- Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam smiled and the happiness could be seen on his mubaarak face due to the saying of the Ansaari.
- Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam than said: "Allah Ta'aala has commanded me to do this".
Commentary
The following is another beautiful hadith shareef that shows the genrosity and magnanimus spirit of Holy Prophet Muhammad:
Hadrat Bilal also mentions that Rasulullah did not keep anything for himself. Hadrat Bilal was made responsible for looking after the needs of people if they come to Holy Prophet for assistance. He was even ordered to take out a loan to fulfil the needs.
Once a person from the mushrikeen (polytheists) came to him and said that he could take out as many loans from him as he needed them. So Hadrat Bilal asked him for assistance whenever he needed to help others. The creditor kept giving him with ease.
But then one day the creditor came and started demanding him money back. He threatened Hadrat Bilal to repay his moeny till the end of the month or otherwise he would take Hadrat Bilal as his slave.
There was no other way but to turn to Rasulullah for help. Hadrat Bilal had not taken the loan out for himself but to help others with the permission of Rasulullah and not only the Holy Messenger could help.
After Isha prayer, he came in the presence of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam and narrated the whole incident to him. He also said that: 'There is no way to pay this debt so quickly, nor do you have anything nor do I have anything I will hide away. When you pay the debt I will come out, otherwise, that mushrik will disgrace me very much'.
Before the morning prayers a person came running to Hadrat Bilal and said that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam is calling him. When he presented myself, Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam said: 'Allah Ta'aala has made a means to pay your debt. These four camels are standing, and are laden with gifts sent by the ruler of Fadak'.
Hadrat Bilal paid the full debt that morning, and informed Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam that Allah Ta'aala has freed him from debts.
The Hadith shareef continues:
Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam asked: 'Is there anything left from the gifts or not?'. I replied: 'A little is left'. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said: 'Distribute it, so that I may be at ease'. The evening fell and yet there was some left. After Isha prayer Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam inquired again, upon which I replied: 'The needy ones did not arrive, there is still some left'. Thereupon Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallarn spent the night in the masjid and did not go home. The next day after Isha he inquired again, whereupon I replied: 'Allah Ta'aala has freed you from its responsibilities. Everthing has been distributed'. Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam then thanked Allah, and went to his home. (Abu Dawood)