Morals of Prophet Muhammad (part 2 of 2)

Objectives

· To learn about the truthfulness, bravery, fairness, kindness, sincerity, and humility of Prophet Muhammad.

Arabic Words

· Salah - the Arabic word to denote a direct connection between the believer and Allah. More specifically, in Islam it refers to the formal five daily prayers and is the most important form of worship.

· Masjid - the Arabic term for mosque.

Truthfulness

Aisha, the wife of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“The trait and characteristic which the Prophet hated most was lying. A man would tell a lie in the presence of the Prophet and he would hold it against him, until he knew that he repented.”

Tirmidhi

Amazingly, his enemies attested to his truthfulness. Abu Jahl, who was one of the staunchest enemies of Islam, said: “O Muhammad! I do not say that you are a liar! I only deny what you brought and what you call people to.” Allah says:

“We know indeed that what they say certainly grieves you, but surely they do not call you a liar; but the unjust deny the verses of Allah.”

(Quran 6:33)

Bravery and Courage

Ali said:

“You should have seen him on the Day of Badr! We sought refuge with the Messenger of Allah. He was the closest among us to the enemy. On that day, the Messenger of Allah was the strongest one among us.”

Ahmed

Anas, speaking of his courage in peace time, said:

“The Messenger of Allah was the best of people and the most courageous. One night, the people of Madina were frightened and headed towards the sounds they heard during the night. The Messenger of Allah met them while coming back from the place of the sound, after he made sure that there was no trouble. He was riding a horse that belonged to Abu Talha without any saddle, and he had his sword with him. He was assuring the people, saying: ‘Do not be frightened! Do not be frightened!”

Saheeh Al-Bukhari

He caught up with people riding a horse with no saddle, and he carried his sword. He took the lead and did not wait for others to investigate the source of trouble.

Justice and Fairness

The Messenger of Allah was fair in every aspect of his life and in the application of the religion. Aisha said:

“The people of Quraish were extremely concerned about a woman from the tribe of Makhzum who committed a theft. Speaking to themselves, they said, ‘Who can intercede on her behalf with the Messenger of Allah?’

They finally said: ‘Who dares to speak to the Messenger of Allah in this matter except Usama, the son of Zaid, the most beloved young man to the Messenger of Allah.’ So Usama spoke to the Messenger of Allah regarding the woman. The Messenger of Allah said:

‘O Usama! Do you intercede (on their behalf to disregard) one of Allah’s punishments!’

The Messenger of Allah got up and delivered a speech, saying:

‘People before you were destroyed because when the noble among them stole, they would let him go and if the poor and weak stole they would punish him. By Allah! If Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand.’”

Saheeh Al-Bukhari

His sense of fairness was so intense that he allowed others to avenge themselves if he harmed them. Usaid, the son of Hudhair, said:

“A man from the Ansar, was cracking jokes with people and making them laugh, and the Prophet passed by him and poked him lightly with a branch of a tree that he was carrying.

The man exclaimed: ‘O Prophet of Allah! Allow me to avenge myself!’

The Prophet said: ‘Go Ahead!’

The man said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, you are wearing a garment, and I was not when you poked me (i.e. you jabbed my exposed skin, so it is only fair I do the same to you)!’

The Messenger of Allah raised his upper garment (to expose his side), and the Ansari (merely) kissed it, saying:

‘I only meant to do this, O Messenger of Allah!’”

Abu Dawud

Kindness and Compassion

The Prophet was the kindest of people and this was also apparent in his treatment of infants.

“The Messenger of Allah performed the salah (prayer) while he was carrying an infant girl named Umama, daughter of Abul-Aas. When he bowed, he put her on the ground, and when he stood up, he would carry her again.”

Saheeh Al-Bukhari

Sincerity

The Prophet was sincere and honest in all his matters, as Allah had ordered him in the Quran:

“Say, Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded and I am the first (among you) of the Muslims.”

(Quran 6:162-163)

Humility

The Messenger of Allah was the humblest person. He was so humble that if a stranger were to enter the mosque and approach him while he was sitting with his Companions, one would not be able to distinguish him from the rest. Anas said:

“Once, while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah in the masjid, a man on his camel approached. After he tied it with a rope, he asked: ‘Who amongst you is Muhammad?’ The Messenger of Allah was sitting on the ground while he was leaning, with his Companions. We directed the Bedouin, saying: ‘This white man leaning on the ground!’ The Prophet did not differ nor distinguish himself from his Companions.”

The Prophet would not hesitate to help the poor, needy and widows in their needs. Anas said:

“A woman from the people of Madina who was partially insane said to the Prophet: ‘I have to ask you [your help] about something.’ He helped her and took care of her needs.”

Saheeh Al-Bukhari