This Is The Prophet

This Is The Prophet


May Allah bless him and grant him peace Prepared by A Select Group Of Muslim Scholars All rights reserved First Print 1427 A.H./2006 A.D.

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 In The Name of Allah, The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful This message is addressed to mankind everywhere. To anyone who still does not know who is the Last Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): he is the Prophet whom Allah willed to be His Last Messenger to the earth – not to certain people – or a certain race – but to all mankind and to all races, to you and us.

Indeed, all the Prophets and all the Messengers (peace and blessings be upon them all) were blessed with the most gracious appearance and had the noblest form and character. Allah has chosen and elected them and certainly Allah is most knowing of where He places His message [6: 124] and as such was Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

When we say: Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is the Prophet of Allah and His Last Messenger, we are talking about the Choice of Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; not for them was the choice [28: 68] thus The Almighty chose him – and He is the most knowing of His creatures – to convey His Message and to set an excellent example to people. That choice dictates that the Messenger should be the highest in all human characteristics (both the physical and the ethical]. He is a human just like the rest of people; he may forget as they forget. He eats food and walks in the markets. He does not know the Unseen except what Allah should will [He is] Knower of the unseen, and He does not disclose His [knowledge of the] unseen to anyone except whom He has approved of messengers  [72: 26-27] He is the same as all people but he is superiorly the highest in any quality that can exist in a human. How can it be otherwise and The One Who chose and elected him above the worlds is Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He. Truly, as said one of the Companions of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him): “Verily, Allah has looked into the servants’ hearts and found Muhammad’s heart the best heart among the servants, thus He chose him for Himself and sent him with His Message. Then, He looked into the servants’ hearts, after Muhammad’s heart, and found his Companions’ hearts the best hearts among the servants, thus He made them the ministers of His Prophet, to fight for His Religion. Thus, whatever the Muslims see good it is good in the Sight of Allah and whatever they see evil it is evil in the Sight of Allah.”

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Who is a prophet? The Word Nabi (i.e. Prophet) is derived from the word Naba’ (i.e. News); he is so termed for being an informant as well as an informed one. He is informed, meaning that Allah, all praise and glory is to Him, informs Him and reveals to him. He is also an informant of Allah’s Commands and Revelations. (Lisân Al-‘Arab1 3/561-573)

Qualifications for Prophethood It must be known that prophethood is a pure bounty from Allah, not to be had by acquisition or diligence. But it is a gift from Allah Who chooses whomever He wills from His servants. He prepares and adapts him in a special way: He protects him from spiritual impurity, mental deviance, moral corruption and inborn aberration. He bestows upon him spiritual, mental and moral excellence that qualifies him for the noble station of prophethood, which are among the qualifications for prophethood and receiving Divine Revelation.

Among the qualifications for Prophethood Idealism: meaning human perfection and spiritual sublimity unequalled in non-prophets. Noble descent: he should be of noble birth and pure origin from the best righteous people. Nobility here means raising oneself highly above any moral defects and freeing oneself from whatever may disturb the idealized qualities of bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry and may undermine human values through any disgraceful deviant behavior that sound natures certainly abhor. Freedom: prophets should not be salves, because slavery is a demerit that could never characterize or befit the high station of prophethood. Slavery would then be the cause of refusing his message or taking him as a model. Time factor: which signifies the existence of a pressing need such as spiritual emptiness, moral and social corruption that dictate the birth of a prophet who would restore to life its goodness and to man his value.

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The Arab tongue.

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The Prophets Peace be upon them There came a multitude of prophets, a very great number. Allah, all praise and glory is to Him, says what means: And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger [16: 36] and He also says what means: And there was no nation but that there had passed within it a warner [35: 24] Among them are Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Lot, David, Solomon, Jonah, Zachariya, John, Moses, Aaron, Jesus and Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon them all. Mankind should believe in all the Prophets. Whoever disbelieves in one of them, has in the Sight of Allah disbelieved in them all. Allah, all praise and glory is to Him, says what means: Indeed, those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and wish to discriminate between Allah and His messengers and say, "We believe in some and disbelieve in others," and wish to adopt a way in between – Those are the disbelievers, truly. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment. [4: 150-151] And this is the creed of the Muslims, followers of Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), for Allah says (what means): The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." [2: 285] Thus, every human should believe in the infallibility and perfection of the Prophets of Allah and fulfill the obligation of honoring and respecting them all.

The Attributes of the Prophets Whoever Allah elects for the position of prophethood, Allah must grace with certain attributes indispensable to the honorable station of prophethood. These attributes are: truthfulness, honesty, conveyance of the Message, and insight (adapted from Aqidah Al-Mu’min2 by Al-Jazâiri). No doubt, the Messengers and the Prophets represent human perfection in its most sublime forms. Even if they differed in shape and outward appearance, they, peace and blessings be upon them, are the utmost of perfection. Indeed, they arouse wonder and admiration for Allah brought them up under His Eye. Together with the perfection of form they are graced with a high status of moral perfection that none can ever excel them in.

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The Believer's Creed.

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These noble manners certainly have the greatest influence in guiding and instructing people. Had not the Prophets been marked by this perfection, which Allah bestowed upon them, people would not have followed them. For people never follow a man whose defects are many and whose virtues are little. Such noble attributes, excellent qualities and virtues are a must in prophethood which Allah, all praise and glory is to Him, confers upon His Prophets in support of them and can never be to other than them. Truly, if we examine the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), we will see that Allah has graced him, perfected him, honored him and favored him far more than what we have mentioned. How many people have entered into the Religion of Allah and followed the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) just by seeing the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). ‘Abdullâh bin Salâm (may Allah be pleased with him), the Jewish rabbi, who was the most knowledgeable in the Torah, embraced Islam just by seeing the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and discerning the agreement of his physical and moral description with his description stated in the Torah. Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), is the mercy that Allah has sent to mankind. He was the best of all people, the most graceful of all people and the most perfect of all people, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

Better than you my eyes have never seen And more perf ect women have never begot You are created f ree f rom every def ect As if created just as you want

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Who is Muhammad


?

(By analogy with the previously mentioned)

His name and lineage: He is Muhammad bin ‘Abdullâh bin ‘Abdul-Mutalib bin Hâshim bin ‘AbdManâf bin Qusai bin kilâb bin Murrah bin Ka‘b bin Luaiy bin Ghalib bin Fahr bin Mâlik bin An-Nadr bin Khuzaimah bin Mudrikah bin Ilyâs bin Mudar bin Nizâr bin Ma‘d bin ‘Adnân, and ‘Adnân is from the children of Ishmael, son of Abraham (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them both). The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Verily, Allah has chosen Kinanah from the Children of Isma‘il (Ishmael), and has chosen the Quraish from Kinanah, and has chosen from the Quraish Banu Hashim, and has chosen me from Banu Hashim.” [Sahîh Muslim] Among his names: Ahmad, Al-‘Aqib (there will be no prophet after him), AlMuqafâ (the Last of the Prophets), the Prophet of mercy, Al-Hashir (gatherer) and Al-Mahi (the one through whom Allah obliterates disbelief). His nickname: Abul-Qâsim (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). His birth: The Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was born on Monday in the month of Rabi’ I in Makkah Al-Mukarramah [Makkah the Honored] in a house known by the House of Birth, in the Year of the Elephant 571 A.H. from known parents. His father: ‘Abdullâh bin ‘Abdul-Mutalib, and his mother: Âminah bint Wahb. His grandfather named him Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) before his birth. He neither named him ‘Abdul-‘Uzza nor ‘Abd-Shams.




His Description Physical characteristics:

Allah, all praise and glory is to Him, bestowed upon His Messenger Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) from the perfection of form, grace of countenance, strength of mind, soundness of understanding, eloquence of tongue, powerfulness of senses and organs, temperance in action, nobility of descent which none among people has ever had.

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The Messenger


as though you are seeing him:


The Messenger of Allah : «Had the handsomest face of all people, and had the best appearance. He was neither very tall nor short» [Agreed upon] The Messenger of Allah Muslim]


: «Had a white handsome face» [Reported by


The Messenger of Allah was: «Of moderate height, having broad shoulders, a thick beard, (of a white complexion) suffused with redness, his hair reaching his earlobes. Once I saw him in a red cloak; never have I seen anyone more handsome than him» [Reported by An-Nas’ay]




The Messenger of Allah had: «Big hands and feet, and a handsome face. I have not seen anybody like him, neither before nor after him» [Reported by Al-Bukhary] His face was: «Like the sun and the moon, and it was round» [Reported by Muslim]




The Messenger of Allah : «Whenever the Messenger of Allah was happy, his face brightened, as if it was a piece of the moon, and we used to recognize it (i.e. his happiness) from his face» [Agreed upon]




The Messenger of Allah : « His laughter was no more than smiling, and if you look at him you will say that his eyes are outlined in Kohl, though he is not» [Reported by At-Tirmidthy] Jâbir bin Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: «I have seen the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) on a fullmoonlit night wearing a red garment, so I kept looking at him and at the moon, and truly he was more beautiful in my eyes than the moon» [Reported by Ad-Dârmy, At-Tirmidthy, Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak; also Al-Dhahabi and Abu Y‘alâ approved it] Abu Ishaq reported that Al-Barâ’ (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked, “Was the face of the Prophet (as long or bright) as a sword?” He said, “No, but (as round and bright) as a moon.” [Reported by Al-Bukhary] Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Muhammad bin ‘Âmmâr bin Yâsir narrated that he said to Ar-Rabî’ bint Mu‘wwadh bin ‘Afrâ’ (may Allah be pleased with her), “Describe to us the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).” She said, “My son! If you see him you see the sun shining.” [Reported by AdDârmy and Ya‘qûb bin Sufyân Al-Faswai in Al-Ma‘rafah wa At-Târikh3] Ibn ‘Abbâs (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The front teeth of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) were evenly spaced. When he talked like light was seen shining forth his front teeth.” 3

Knowledge and History.

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[Reported by Ad-Dârmy and At-Tirmidthy in Ash-Shamâ’il; also by Al-Baghawi in Sharh Al-Sunnah4] Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I have never seen anyone more handsome than the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), as if the sun is running through his face.” [Reported by Imam Ahmad, Ibn Habân, Ibn Sa‘d in At-Tabakât, and Ibn Al-Mubârak in Az-Zuhd5] Al-Bara’ bin ‘Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was the handsomest of all the people, and had the best appearance. He was neither very tall nor short.” [Reported by Al-Bukhary and Muslim] Al-Bara’ bin ‘Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) also said: «The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was of moderate height, having broad shoulders, his hair reaching his earlobes. Once I saw him in a red cloak; never have I seen anyone more handsome than him» [Reported by AlBukhary and Muslim] Hind bin Hâlah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: «The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was majestic and highly honored. His face used to glisten as the glisten of the moon on a full moonlit night. Taller than a man of medium height but shorter than the one conspicuously tall» [Reported by At-Tirmidthy in Ash-Shamâ’il, Ibn Sa‘d in AtTabakât and Al-Baihaqi in Dala'il An-Nubuwwah6] ‘Ali bin Abu Tâlib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: «The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had a white complexion, his whiteness tinged with red…as if sweat on his face was pearls. I have never seen anybody like him, neither before nor after him» [Reported by Ibn Sa‘d in At-Tabakât] Jâbir bin Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: «I saw the seal (of prophethood) between shoulders of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), a red gland (its size was) like a pigeon’s egg and its color was the same as that of his body» [Reported by Muslim] His arrival at a place was known by his pleasant scent, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: « …and I have never smelt ambergris or musk more pleasant than the smell of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)» [Agreed upon] And he was given Jawâmi’ Al-Kalim7 (The pithy yet comprehensive sayings). ‘Â’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: «The Messenger of Allah did not use to narrate (tell hadiths) as you narrate (i.e. did not narrate hadiths quickly one after another as you narrate quickly), but he used to speak forth clear decisive words, memorized by those who sit with him» [Reported by AtTirmidthy] 4

Commentary on hadith. Asceticism. 6 Proofs of Prophethood. 7 i.e. the shortest expression carrying the widest meanings. 5

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When the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah together with Abu Bakr and Âmir bin Fahîrah, Abu Bakr’s servant, and their guide, ‘Abdullâh bin Uraiqt Al-Laithy, they passed by the tents of Umm Ma‘bad Al-Khuza‘iyah who was an old woman. She used to sit in the tent yard, offering food and water. They asked her for date or meat to buy. But they did not get any of this from her and their supply had already run out. She (Umm Ma‘bad) related saying: “So, the Messenger of Allah looked at a goat at one side of the tent and said: ‘What is this goat Umm Ma‘bad?’ She (Umm Ma‘bad) said: ‘This is a goat that fatigue left it behind the sheep.’ He (the Prophet) asked: ‘Is there milk in it?’ She (Umm Ma‘bad) replied: ‘It is weaker than this.’ He (the Prophet) said: ‘Would you permit me to milk it?’ She (Umm Ma‘bad) said: ‘Yes, let my father and mother be sacrificed for you, if you see that it can be milked then do milk it.’ So, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) asked to bring him the goat; he wiped its udder with his hand and he mentioned the Name of Allah and said: ‘O Allah! Give her blessings in her goat.’ He (the sub-narrator) said: ‘So, she (Umm Ma‘bad) moved its legs farther apart for milking. Then, the Prophet asked for a big vessel that would suffice the company. And He milked in it lots of flowing milk. He gave Umm Ma‘bad milk to drink and she drank till she was satisfied. He then gave his Companions milk to drink till they were satisfied. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was the last to drink. So, they all drank and satisfied their thirst. Then, he milked into the vessel again and he left it with her. Then they departed from her.’” It did not take long before her husband, Abu Ma‘bad, came driving skinny, emaciated sheep. On seeing the milk he was amazed, and said: “From where did you get this (milk) when only an unmated goat that does not give milk is in the house?” she (Umm Ma‘bad) replied: “No by Allah, but a blessed man passed by us and such and such things happened from his narrative.” Abu Ma‘bad said: “By Allah, I believe he is the man wanted from the Quraish. Describe him for me Umm Ma‘bad.” She said: “I saw a man possessed of visible brilliance, his face bright, his appearance graceful, neither weak nor his head small, handsome and elegant. His eyes had a deep black hue with long eyelashes. His voice was mellow and his neck long. He had a thick beard. His long black eyebrows were beautifully arched and connected to each other. When silent, dignity was upon him. And when he spoke, he transcended and magnificence crowned him. From far, he was of all people the most beautiful and glorious, and from near he was the most handsome and graceful. His speech was agreeable, his words decisive, none spoken more or less, as though a string of beads flowing down. He was of moderate height, neither the eye would dislike him because of tallness nor scorn him because of shortness. A branch between two branches. Among the three he appeared the most flourishing and the most honorable. He had companions who surrounded him. When he spoke, they listened to him attentively. When he gave orders, they were quick to execute them. Honored, obeyed and surrounded by his companions. He never frowned or confuted (others), may Allah bless him and grant him peace.”

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Whereupon, Abu Ma‘bad said: “By Allah, it is him. The man from the Quraish whom we were told of his story what was narrated in Makkah. And I have resolved to accompany him and I will if I find the way to it.”

Moral characteristics:




The Messenger is the perfect man and the absolute excellent example. He was endowed with praiseworthy noble manners and civilities. He reached perfection and moderation in them, so greatly that Allah, all praise and glory is to Him, praised him in His Saying: And indeed, you are of a great moral character [68: 4] ‘Â’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said in Sahîh Muslim: « His manners were (that of) the Qur’an» which endorses his saying: «Verily, Allah has sent me to perfect noble manners, and complete good deeds»




The Messenger possessed all nobilities of character and it is no wonder. For Allah, all praise and glory is to Him, says (what means): And has taught you that which you did not know. And ever has the favor of Allah upon you been great [4: 113] Since Almighty Allah is The One Who taught him and edified him, certainly the learner must attain the highest, most perfect, and most complete education.




Therefore, not a fault was known about our Prophet or a slight mistake was reported that he made. Persecution only increased him in patience and the transgression of the ignorant only increased him in tolerance. As ‘Â’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) attested: He never retaliated for himself but he only prayed: “O Allah! Forgive my people for they know not.” His nobility on the Day of the Conquest of Makkah towards the disbelievers proves this for he pardoned them all saying: “Go, for you are the free ones.”




His biography is rich in examples and testimonies on this. The religious scholars cared to single out his merits and his noble manners for studying and writing, owing to their great importance to the Muslim and non-Muslim. Knowing his virtues (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is the way of filling the heart with love and veneration towards him; which in turn is the way of venerating his Shari‘ah [Islamic Law] and following his religion and Sunnah.

His noble manners and good fellowship: Indeed, any speaker who wishes to discuss the biography of this Prophet, his manners and virtues (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) feels profound reverence and high esteem. No matter what he says, still he will never do him justice. For what can a human – negligent and intemperate – possibly do when speaking about the Chosen Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), whom Allah, all praise and glory is to Him, has elected for conveying His Message and Religion.

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What can we say about the one whom Almighty Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, has praised and testified that he is on an exalted standard of character; about the man whose manners are that of the Qur’an. But although we cannot fully and justly discuss the exalted manners of the Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), even if we do our utmost, still we feel that the Ummah8 and the whole world need today to have this ideal model presented before it. To open for it these pages from the biography of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), who serves as the best example. For we are living today in a world where selfishness and desires master people. When you read one of the books of the Sunnah9, Sirah10 or Shamâ’il11 you find them replete with proofs on the noble manners of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). It is impossible when discussing the noble manners of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) to give him his due. Not a single quality of moral excellence and righteousness but the Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had the greatest share of. No wonder for Allah, all praise and glory is to Him, has sent him to perfect gracious good manners. Since this was the purpose of sending the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) his biography and way of life must be a speaking witness to this. And here are the events and circumstances of his life stand giving testimony. If you discuss one from among his high noble manners like mercy, leniency, agreeable companionship, modesty, generosity, munificence and patience you will not give it all due honor even if you strived. Still you will find the context inadequate to give him his due. Let alone when you want to discuss his manners in general. Therefore, we here summarize some of the testimonies to the perfection of his manners, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The Companions described his noble manners in many hadiths. ‘Ali bin ‘Abu Tâlib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: «Of all people the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was the most magnanimous, the most truthful, the most lenient in disposition, and (affording) the noblest companionship.» [Reported by At-Tirmidthy]




Of all people he was the most peaceful, the most just, the most chaste and the most truthful since the beginning of his life. His opponents and enemies acknowledged this and before prophethood he was known by AlAmeen [the Honest, the Reliable and the Trustworthy]. Ibn Ishaq said: He was named Al-Ameen for the righteous, good manners that Allah gathered in him.

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Nation. Prophetic Tradition. 10 Biography of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). 11 The virtues and noble character of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). 9

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Before his mission as a prophet people used to turn to him for judgment and consultation. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: «By Allah, I am the trustworthy in the heaven and the trustworthy on the earth»




As for his dignity , his silence, his deliberation, his magnanimity and his good guidance, Jâbir bin Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to sit cross-legged and maybe he squatted. He talked but little. He was often silent; did not talk unless it was necessary. He turned away from those who talked unmannerly. His laughter was no more than smiling. His speech was decisive, neither excessive nor incomplete. Out of reverence and following his good example (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), his Companions’ laughter at his presence was smiling as well. His assembly was that of patience, modesty, goodness and honesty. Voices were never raised in it, nor things prohibited praised. When he spoke people bowed their heads (i.e. fell silent), as though upon their heads were birds. Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, gifted him with kindness and leniency, saying: So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. [3: 159] Allah, all glory is to Him, conferred great favor upon the believers by sending them this Prophet endowed with these great qualities: There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful. [9: 128] The gracious manners he observed in associating with his Companions are celebrated. He used to respond to the call of any asker whenever he called upon him. He accepted the gift from generous givers and rewarded them for it.




The Prophet brought people affectionately together and never set them apart. He was always thoughtful for others; inquiring about people’s affairs and paying them visits. He gave every attender of his assembly due attention and care so much that he felt that none was more honorable than him. He never openly confronted anyone with what he disliked of him. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I served the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) for ten years but he never said to me: ‘Fie’. And he never said to me about something I did: ‘Why did you do this?’ Nor about something I did not do: ‘Why did not you do this?’” [Reported by At-Tirmidthy and Abu Dâwûd]

‘Abdullâh Jarîr Al-Bajly (may Allah be pleased with him) described how the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) treated him saying: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had never prevented me from entering upon him since I embraced Islam, and whenever he saw me, he would smile in my face.” [Reported by Ibn Mâjah]

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For his gentleness he never turned down an asker and he was never asked anything and he said: “No.” And here is Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) when a woman who used to clean the Masjid died people thought little of her; they offered the Funeral Prayer for her and buried her at night, so he said: “Will you allow me?” and he went to her grave and offered Funeral Prayer for her.




The Prophet cared about those people. He is the one who led the Ummah while confronting the Jews, the tribes of Ghatfan and Quraish, the hypocrites and the Bedouins here and there. He is the one who shouldered judgment between people, issuing Fatwas12, solving people’s problems and their education! His splendid liberality and great generosity: of all people the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was the most generous and he was even more generous in the month of Ramadan, when Angel Jibrîl (Gabriel, peace be upon him) used to meet him every night of Ramadan to teach him the Qur’an; he was more generous than the fast wind (which brings rain and welfare). Never anything was asked of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) but he liberally gave it. A man once came to him and the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) gave him a herd of sheep that filled the area between two mountains, so the man returned to his people and said: “O people! Embrace Islam, for Muhammad gives like the one who does not fear poverty.”







His kindness : The Prophet said: «Verily, Allah is kind and loves kindness and He gives for kindness what He does not give for violence and what He does not give for anything else other than it (kindness)»




The Prophet also said: «Be kind and beware of violence. Verily, kindness whenever exists in a thing graces it, and whenever taken away from a thing disgraces it» A Bedouin once urinated in the Masjid whereupon the people ran to punish him but the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) prevented them and he asked for water to be poured over the place of urine to purify the place. He then talked to the man kindly and taught him that he should not urinate over the land of the Masjid; that there were special places for that. He explained this while showing utmost kindness and mercy. When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) deputed any of his Companions on a mission, he would say: «Give glad tidings and do not cause aversion (towards Islam), facilitate (religious) matters and do not render them difficult»

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Legal rulings.

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His modesty : the Messenger of Allah said: «Allah has revealed to me that you must be humble, so that no one boasts over another and no one oppresses another» ‘Â’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked: “What did the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) use to do in his house?” She replied: “He used to keep himself busy serving his family.”




From his modesty is that he used to ride the donkey and also ride behind others on the same mount; he used to visit the sick; attend funerals; he neither had a doorkeeper nor shut himself away from people.




His mercy : he used to say: « Show mercy to those who are on the earth, He Who is in the heaven will show mercy to you»




He was merciful to his Ummah. Allah, all praise and glory is to Him, says (what means): There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful. [9: 128]




The Messenger of Allah said: «When anyone of you leads the people in the prayer, he should shorten it for amongst them are the young, the old, the weak, the sick and people who have business to attend. And when anyone among you prays alone then he may prolong (the prayer) as much as he wishes»




He was merciful to the weak. About servants he said: «They (the servants) are your brothers. Allah has put them under your command. So feed them from what you eat and clothe them from what you wear and do not charge them (with duties) beyond their capacity. And if ever you charge them (with a hard task) then help them» [Reported by Muslim]




The Messenger of Allah said: « I strongly warn you against (wasting or usurping) the right of the two weak ones: the orphan and the woman» [Reported by Ahmad] The Messenger of Allah


also said: « I enjoin you to be good to women»

His mercy towards animals, plants and inanimate objects truly fill you with wonder. He informed that Allah made a woman enter Hellfire because she tortured a cat and imprisoned it till it died of hunger [she neither gave it food nor water nor set it free to eat from the vermin of the earth]. And Allah made another women enter Paradise because she watered a dog that was about to die of thirst.







His courage : The Prophet Muhammad reached the acme of perfection in bravery till his Companions said about him: «Whenever the fight grew fierce and the eyes of fighters went red, we used to resort to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) for protection. He was always the closest to the enemy» And on the Day of (the Battle of) Hunain

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when his Companions were defeated he firmly stood in the battlefield, courageously fighting thousands alone, till his Companions returned to the battle and fought with him and Allah granted them supreme victory.




His forgiveness : He used to pardon those who wronged him. He pardoned those who persecuted him, expelled him and conspired to kill him. When Allah, all praise and glory is to Him, made him prevail over them he could have taken revenge, but he just said to them: “Go, for you are the free ones.” He also pardoned the man who wanted to assassinate him: the story of Ghaurath bin Al-Harith.







His Hayâ’13 : The Messenger of Allah said: «Verily, for every religion is a (special) character and the character of Islam is Hayâ’13» [Reported by Ibn Mâjah and Al-Albany authenticated it] From his Hayâ’ is what the mother of the believers, ‘Â’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), narrated: that a woman asked the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) about the ritual bath she should take after completion of menstruation. He told her how to take the bath, then said: “Take a piece of cotton scented with musk and purify yourself.” The woman asked: “How should I purify myself (with it)?” He said, “Glory by to Allah! Purify yourself.” And he felt shy and turned away from her. Whereupon ‘Â’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) pulled her to her side and said: “Follow with it the trace of blood (i.e. rub with it the place soiled with blood).” [Agreed upon] See how his Hayâ’ prevented him from going into details of this matter till the mother of the believers handled it, for being related to feminine issues.




The Messenger of Allah never confronted any person with whatever conduct he disapproved of him; he rather used to exclaim saying: “What is the matter with those people who…?




His loyalty : he was truly loyal to his Companions; even in dreams (from the hadith of ‘Umar]. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was loyal to his wives. He always remembered the gracious acts of his wife Khadîjah (may Allah be pleased with her) towards him. Even after her death and his remarriage still he never forgot her favor and never denied it.




He was loyal even to his enemies. He never made a covenant with one of his enemies and he broke it, never.




His justice : The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) realized justice with all its kinds and forms. The weak never despaired of getting his right. And the strong never sought to usurp the right of the other. 13

Al-Hayâ’: a sublime moral behavior involving a mixed emotion of modesty, virtue, bashfulness, chastity, humility, purity, piety, courtesy… and is marked by deep reverence, respect, dread and awe shown to Allah and reluctance to commit whatever He has forbidden.

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He used to inflict retribution on the oppressor, whoever he was, for whatever wrong he did to the oppressed, whoever he was. What outshines this excellence is his presenting himself to retribution, saying: «If I have ever insulted or hit anyone let him return to me the offense» When he was only deserving of all goodness, for he never hurt anyone.







His patience : Of all people the Messenger of Allah was the most patient and the most forbearing. He was the most constant and patient in worshipping Allah. He used to arise and stand for more than half of the night offering prayer. He showed patience in calling people to the worship of Allah from the day Allah, all praise and glory it to Him, entrusted to him this duty till the day he met Allah, all praise and glory it to Him, untiring, unyielding and never slacking.




The Messenger Muhammad , among all the Messengers of Allah (peace and blessings be upon them all), shouldered the greatest share in the responsibility of calling people to worshipping Allah, conveying the Message and striving in His Cause. Therefore, he was the most persecuted and afflicted since the dawn of his Call to Islam till he met His Maker. He was persecuted by the Quraish and other tribes in Makkah and after he migrated to Al-Madînah he suffered hard persecution at the hands of the disbelievers, the hypocrites and the Jews. But these hardships and severe trials only increased his perseverance and steadfastness by the help of the firmness of heart that Allah bestowed on him and the patience that Allah, The Exalted and Ever-Majestic, gave him. The disbelievers confronted him with all colors of harm – for calling them to Allah – from insult and abuse to physical injury. They pelted him with stones, cut his face, conspired to kill him….and so forth!!




In return, the Prophet met their harm and ignorance with gracious patience; he even refused to invoke Allah against them. On the day Allah granted him supreme victory over those who declared themselves his enemy; on this day he could have killed them, crucified them or burned them. But he was merciful to them and pardoned them. And as such are the manners of the Prophets, especially Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) who excelled every noble manner, thus virtues became a fount flooding from the sublime manners of the Messenger Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), whom Allah has educated and taught him good manners and indeed He superbly educated him and taught him.

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From among the virtues of his noble manners Wholeness:

People who set an example in noble manners are celebrated for one kind or domain of good behavior and hardly none other is known about them. As for the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), Allah gathered in him the perfection of noble manners. For in every kind or domain you see that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has reached the utmost.

Not a weakness and combining the antitheses: Many people when blessed with a certain praiseworthy manner, such manner may dominate them in several situations and make them swerve from rightness. The one who is blessed with mercifulness and his heart becomes merciful and people praise his mercy may face a situation that necessitates behaving differently but pity prevails upon him. And the same can be said about the one blessed with liberality and generosity; it may turn into extravagance and prodigality. Also the one blessed with bravery may turn into a kind of rashness or may make him deviate from rightness at a certain situation. As for the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) who never turned down a person in need or a person asking intercession, he accepted the intercession of the bondwoman and the bondman, the old and the young. When Usamâ bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him), his beloved one, son of his beloved one, came to intercede for a woman who stole in order not to be punished, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) became angry and he said to him: “Do you intercede in one of the penalties prescribed by Allah?” Then he rose and delivered a sermon saying: “What destroyed those who came before you was that if the noble amongst them stole, they would leave him, and if the weak amongst them stole, they would inflict the prescribed penalty of Allah upon him. By Allah, if Fâtimah, daughter of Muhammad, stole I would cut off her hand.” What we have mentioned from his noble manners and good companionship are just tiny drops from a deluge, which cannot be wholly brought in an article or a book. And we beg that Allah blesses us with noble manners and faithful adherence to the example of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

Perfection Among the attributes that supports prophethood is human perfection. This perfection is considered from four aspects: perfection of form, perfection of character, virtues of speech and virtues of action. And all these forms of perfection existed in the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

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Perfection of form Through having moderate appearance and form. And to be marked by tranquility, dignity and inspiring veneration within souls, even though he never exalts himself because of grandeur or trespasses because of sway. Together with being endowed with utmost modesty. And that is attained through cheerfulness, affability and cordiality. In these aspects Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is in the lead. For he was always cheerful and smiling. He even commanded to act likewise, saying: «Smiling in the face of your brother is charity.» He was certainly more beloved to his Companions and to the Muslims who succeeded them than their parents, their children and everything. Such perfection is also attained through being approachable to people, and the haste of hearts to believe him and obey him, and the inclination of souls to comply and follow him. And that how Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was with everyone he met: amiable, beloved, obeyed, awed by mankind and jinn; even by animals, trees and stones. Except those who are destined to misery and torment from the disbelievers among mankind and jinn.

Perfection of manners Through sagacity, truthful insight, sound opinion and right management. He is not to be deceived by a trick and is never helpless in adversities. But is always patient and persevering neither weakens nor surrenders. In all this the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) stands as a matchless model and an excellent example. From the perfection of manners is also modesty, lowering the wing14, meekness, patience, honoring the pledge and fulfilling the promise. Perfection of manners is also achieved through renunciation of worldly pleasures and satisfaction with having little of it. Thus, the person should never crave after worldly life even if he possesses it. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) ruled a state and Allah, all praise and glory is to Him, gave him many booties nevertheless he did not keep to himself or to his family any of them. But he gave it all to the poor and the needy. And sometimes he borrowed or incurred debts to help a person in need. When he died he left nothing to his family, no estates, no lands, no gold or silver!!! He who was in the life of this world an ascetic and just with the little of it contented and did not care whether it smiled or frowned at him how much the more he is obligated not to lie about Allah by falsely claiming prophethood and preaching the life of the Hereafter.

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Leniency, softness, mildness, gentleness...

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Virtues of speech Through extreme wisdom and encompassment of great knowledge though he might be illiterate, can neither read or write, as the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). For he showed in the precision of the matters he clarified and the accuracy of the matters he revealed what dazzled the minds and amazed the wise, not for once faltering in words or actions. Up till now the wonders of his faith and the marvels of his knowledge are endless, inexhaustible; unlike opinions of philosophers that soon sink into oblivion! Among the virtues of speech: precision of what he legislates through giving proof and clarifying with the most evident justification. And warning just with little (words) against serious matters. Among the virtues of speech: keeping the tongue from distorting words or speaking false news detached from truth. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), was known by his honesty and truthfulness before and after his mission as a prophet. And if a lie was known about him this would have been taken as a plea against him and a proof for belying his message. But he never lied therefore they had no plea against him. Among the virtues of speech: the clarity of his answer if a question is posed to him. And the strength of his plea if someone argues with him, without stammering or faltering. Among the virtues of speech: calling people to adhere to virtues and reject demerits and vice. As encouraging people to stick to commendable behavior, like keeping good relations with kith and kin and being kind to the orphans. Among the virtues of speech: fluency, perspicuity, brevity, eloquence without affectation or arbitrariness. Together with uttering graceful words having lucid meanings. Indeed, of all people Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was the most eloquent.

Virtues of action:




Through his high repute and just policy till souls willingly submitted and followed him with hope and fear of Allah. Among these virtues was his fairness in the law of his religion, with neither excess nor negligence; but observed moderation with neither intolerance nor laxity, for the best of matters are the middle. Among the virtues of action: is that he did not make his Companions incline towards worldly life nor towards its renunciation, but towards moderation as Allah, The Most Exalted, says (what means): But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. [28: 77]

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Among the virtues of his deeds: is that he clarified to the Ummah how they should worship Allah and showed them what is lawful and what is unlawful; he also detailed the permissible and the impermissible regarding contracts, marriage and transactions. To the extent that the people of the Book (i.e. the Jews and Christians) needed much of his Shari‘ah15 during his time; but his Shari‘ah needed no other law. Then he settled for the Shari‘ah the principles that regulate neglected affairs and deduced for them justified rules. All this during his brief mission, which certainly bespeaks of its miraculousness and the fact that: [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy [41: 42] Among the virtues of his deeds: was his munificence, generosity and splendid liberality as far as giving all he had and keeping nothing to himself or to his family, be it at the beginning of his mission as a prophet or after Allah opened before him from the splendor of worldly life. Because he believed in another everlasting life of the Hereafter. Its delights are inexhaustible and its blessings are endless. Indeed, Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) shall have in it a greater share and a far blessed fortune; he and whoever follows him. Among the virtues of his deeds: and proofs of his prophethood is that he strove against all his enemies who beset him on all sides, though in a country only supported by a meager, small party. Still Allah, all praise and glory is to Him, granted him supreme victory with fighting and with terror (cast into the hearts of his enemies); a victory incompatible with the small number of his soldiers and their scant weapons. Which only serves to assert that this victory is only from Allah, The Best of Supporters, Who grants victory to His Messengers and those who follow them.

Among the virtues of his deeds: was his valor and might in fighting. He was never affected by the force of his enemies, their hosts and their multiple advanced weapons, and the day his Companions and followers were affected and tried to run away he remained steadfast; he neither fled, nor run away. But he unsheathed his sword and fought thousands alone, while repeating: “I am the Prophet, no lying. I am the grandson of ‘Abdul-Mutalib.” And he remained thus till his Companions returned to fighting and Allah granted them supreme victory. Such bravery and courage in battles, along with trust in victory, in spite of the flight of his followers can only be shown by a Prophet! For Allah promised him this, saying (what means): Indeed, We will support Our messengers and those who believe during the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses will stand [40: 51]

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Islamic Law.

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The Question that poses itself Is it possible that all these fine qualities and excellent attributes, all these sublime merits and virtues be combined except in an honorable Prophet and Messenger? Besides, only little have we mentioned from his gracious qualities and virtues that are truly countless and endless; moreover they never fully existed in anyone among the worlds except in Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), according to the testimony of his enemies before his companions and his opponents before his followers. His enemies struggled hard to seize against him a fault or a lapse or to win against him a slight error in jest or in earnest, but they found no way to that, and his history is the best witness: Creatures did testif y to his virtue even enemies And to virtuousness enemies never testif y




On the whole: the sign of his noble manners is a major great sign among the signs indicative of his prophethood and his message: his virtues, his noble manners and his sublime attributes have never been united in any human before him, nor shall they be in any human after him. None has ever heard or seen the like of his patience, his meekness, his fidelity, his asceticism, his generosity, his truthfulness, his modesty, his silence, his words, his deeds, his forgiveness, let alone his high noble descent.




Some of his merits

1-He shall intercede the greatest intercession on behalf of the creatures until judgment is executed between them. 2-His sins of the past and the future are forgiven. 3-He is the Sayyid16 of the Offspring of Adam; he is the Sayyid of all creatures. 4-He shall be given the Flag of Praise on the Day of Resurrection. 5-He shall have the Praised Station, which is interpreted as intercession and his prostration under the Throne of the Most Merciful, be ever glorified His Majesty and Might.

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A sayyid is one who possesses the most superior characteristics and highest manners, and thus holds an exalted position above the rest of the people. This title befits the Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) since he is the best of mankind in both this life and the next. As for this life, he was described as having the highest morals and manners. As for the next life, then the reward is connected to the manners and actions of this life. So if he (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) surpassed their best commendable acts and traits in this life, then he will also surpass their positions in the next life. [Excerpted from the Islamic Network]

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6-He was granted victory with terror cast into the hearts of his enemies. 7-Booty was made lawful to him though it was unlawful to the Prophets before him. 8-The whole earth has been made to him and to his Ummah a Masjid (a place for praying) to pray wherever he was, and its soil a purifier: when no clean water is available Tayammum17 can be performed using clean earth. 9-The Prophet who has the largest number of followers on the Day of Resurrection. 10-The first to enter Paradise and knock at its door.

Peace and Blessings of Allah Be ever bestowed upon Beloved Prophet Muhammad

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Tayammum: The ablution which is performed when no clean water is available, it involves using clean earth (i.e. dust or soil).

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