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Some of the Prophet's Manners & Characteristics
1.Sound Intellect The Messenger (pbuh) had an excellent, complete and sound intellect. No man has ever had an intellect as complete and perfect as his. Qadhi Iyaadh16, may God have mercy on him, said: This becomes clear to an individual when the researcher reads the Prophet’s biography and understands his state of affairs, and his meaningful and inclusive utterances and traditions, his good manners, ethics and moral character, his knowledge of the Torah and Gospel and other Divine Scriptures, and his knowledge of statements of the wise, and knowledge of by-gone nations, and ability to strike examples and implement policies and correct emotional manners. He was an example and paradigm to which his people could relate to in all branches of knowledge; acts of worship, medicine, laws of inheritance, lineage, and other matters as well. He knew and learned all of this without reading or examining the Scriptures of those before us, nor did he sit with their scholars. The Prophet had no formal schooling, and was without knowledge of the above before being commissioned as a Prophet, nor could he read or write. The Prophet (pbuh) was wise to the fullest extent of his mental capacity. God, the Exalted, informed him of some of what had taken place (in the past) and of that which would take place in the future. This is a sign that the Dominion belongs to God, and that He is capable over all things.17 2. Doing Things for the Sake of God The Prophet (pbuh) would always do deeds through which he would seek the pleasure of God. He was harmed and abused when he invited and called people to Islam; yet he was patient and endured all of this, and hoped for the reward of God. Abdullah b. Masood said:
Jundub b. Sufyaan said that the Messenger’s finger bled during one of the battles, and he said:
3. Sincerity The Prophet (pbuh) was sincere and honest in all his matters, as God had ordered him. Allah, the Exalted, says:
4. Good Morals, Ethics and Companionship The Prophet (pbuh) was a living example for all humans to follow. His wife A’ishah was asked about his manners, and she said,
In this statement, A’ishah meant that the Prophet (pbuh) abided by its laws and commands and abstained from its prohibitions, and observed the virtuous deeds mentioned in it. The Prophet (pbuh) said:
Allah, the Exalted, described the Prophet (pbuh) saying:
Anas b. Malik served the Prophet (pbuh) for ten years; He was with him day in and day out, both when the Prophet (pbuh) traveled and when he was a resident in Madeenah. He was knowledgeable of the Prophet’s manners. He said:
5. Politeness and Good Manners The Prophet (pbuh) showed good manners and was courteous to all, even to children. Once when the Prophet was in a gathering, a drink was brought to the Prophet (pbuh) and he drank from it. On his right side there was a young boy and on his left side were elderly men. Feeling obliged by the respect of elders, and not wanting to hurt the feelings of the child, he asked the young boy:
6. Love for Reformation and Reconciliation Whenever a situation occurred which called for reconciliation, the Prophet (pbuh) would hurry to resolve it. Once when he heard that the people of Qubaa’19 disputed with each other about a matter, the Prophet (pbuh) said:
7. Ordering with the good and forbidding evil If the Prophet (pbuh) saw an act which opposed a tenet of the religion, he would reprimand it in a suitable manner. Abdullah b. Abbas said: The Messenger of God pbuh saw a man wearing a gold ring20, so he reached for it, [and] removed it…. He then said:
Abu Saeed al-Khudri said: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:
8. Love of Purification A companion passed by the Prophet (pbuh) while he was not in a state of purification. He greeted him with God’s name, but the Prophet (pbuh) did not return the greeting until he performed ablution and apologized saying:
9. Safeguarding and Minding One’s Language The Messenger of God (pbuh) would busy himself with the remembrance of God; he would not talk in vain. He would lengthen his prayers and shorten the speech, and he would not hesitate to help and take care of the needs of a needy, poor or widow. (Ibn Hib’ban #6423)
10. Excelling in Acts of Worship A’ishah said that the Prophet of God (pbuh) used to pray during the night until his feet would swell. She said, ‘Why do you do this, O Messenger of God, while God has forgiven your past and future sins?’ The Prophet (pbuh) replied:
11. Forbearance Once some companions came to the Prophet (pbuh) complaining about a tribe, namely the Daws, who refused to accept Islam, asking him to curse them. The Prophet (pbuh) raised his hands in prayer and instead said:
12. Good Appearance The companions knew the Prophet (pbuh) to be the most beautiful of people. One companion said:
13. Asceticism in Worldly Affairs There are many examples in the Prophet’s life which prove that he had no concern for the pleasures of this life. Abdullah b. Masood said:
Amr’ b. al-Haarith said:
14. Altruism Sahl b. Sa’d said: The Prophet (pbuh) had more care for those around him than for his own self. "A woman gave the Messenger of God (pbuh) a Burdah (gown). The Prophet (pbuh) asked his Companions: ‘Do you know what a Burdah is?’ They replied, ‘Yes, O Prophet of God! It is a piece of woven cloth [similar to a shawl]. The woman said: ‘O Prophet of God! I have woven this shawl with my own hands, for you to wear.’ The Messenger of God (pbuh) took it while he direly needed it. After a while, the Messenger of God (pbuh) came out of his home wearing it, and a Companion said to the Messenger of God (pbuh): ‘O Prophet of God! Grant me this shawl to wear!’ The Messenger of God (pbuh) said: ‘Yes.’ He then sat for awhile, and headed back home, folded it and gave it to the person who asked for it. The Companions scolded him saying: ‘It was not appropriate for you to ask for his shawl; especially since you know he does not turn anyone down or send them away empty-handed! The man said: ‘By God! I only asked him to give it to me because I want to be shrouded in this shawl when I die.’ Sahl, the narrator of the Hadeeth said: ‘The shawl was used as a shroud for that man when he died." (Bukhari #1987)
15. Strong Faith and Dependence on God Although the Prophet (pbuh) and his companions faced severe trials from the disbelievers, he always reminded them that the end was for the believers, and that the Will of God will come to pass. When Abu Bakr and the Prophet hid in a cave after they had left their homes in order to migrate to Madeenah, the disbelievers of Makkah had sent scouts in search of them. They came so close to the cave that Abu Bakr could see their feet. Abu Bakr said:
16. Kindness and Compassion The Prophet was the kindest of people, and this was also apparent in his treatment of infants.
17. Simplification and Ease The Prophet (pbuh) always sought to make things easy for people. The Messenger of God (pbuh) said:
18. Fearing God, being Mindful to not trespass His Limits The Messenger of God (pbuh) said:
19. Spending Generously Anas bin Malik said:
Ibn Abbas said:
Abu Dharr said:
Jabir b. Abdullah said:
20. Cooperation The Prophet (pbuh) was not a king who commanded his followers to carry out his orders. Rather he always carried out his own affairs and helped others in collective duties. A’ishah was once asked about how the Prophet (pbuh) behaved with his family. She said:
Al-Baraa bin ‘Azib said:
21. Truthfulness A’ishah said:
Even his enemies attested to his truthfulness. Abu Jahl, who was one of the harshest 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.’ God, the Exalted, says:
22. Aggrandizing the limits set by Allah, A’ishah said:
23. Pleasant Facial Expression Abdullah bin al-Harith said:
24. Honesty, Trustworthiness and Reliability The Prophet (pbuh) was wellknown for his honesty. The pagans of Makkah -who were openly hostile towards him- would leave their valuables with him. His honesty and reliability was tested when the pagans of Makkah abused him and tortured his companions and drove them out of their homes. He ordered his cousin, Ali b. Abi Talib to postpone his migration for three days to return to people their valuables.22
25. Bravery and courage Ali said:
As for his courage and bravery under normal circumstances - Anas b. Malik said:
He met up with people riding a horse with no saddle, and he carried his sword, for there might be a reason or need to use it. He did not wait for others to investigate the source of trouble as is usually done in these situations.
26. Bashfulness and Modesty Abu Ayoub al-Ansari said that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
A’ishah said:
27. Humbleness The Messenger of God (pbuh) was the most humble person. He was so humble that if a stranger were to enter the mosque and approach the Prophet’s sitting place while he was sitting with his Companions, one would not be able to distinguish him from his Companions. Anas bin Malik said:
The Prophet (pbuh) would not hesitate to help the poor, needy and widows in their needs. Anas b. Malik said:
28. Mercy and Compassion Abu Masood al-Ansari said:
Once when the Prophet (pbuh) went to visit his grandchild he shed some tears.
29. Patience and Forbearance Anas bin Malik said:
Another example of his patience is the story of the Jewish Rabbi, Zaid bin Sa’nah. Zaid had given something as a loan to the Messenger of God (pbuh). He himself said, "Two or three days prior to the return of the debt, the Messenger of God (pbuh) was attending the funeral of a man from the Ansar. Abu Bakr and Umar, Uthman and some other Companions were with the Prophet (pbuh). After he prayed the funeral prayer he sat down close to a wall, and I came towards him, grabbed him by the edges of his cloak, and looked at him in a harsh way, and said: 'O Muhammad! Will you not pay me back my loan? I have not known the family of Abdul-Mutalib to delay in repaying debts!'
A great example of his forgiveness and perseverance is apparent when he pardoned the people of Makkah after its conquest. When the Messenger of God (pbuh) gathered the people; who had abused, harmed and tortured him and his companions, and had driven them out of the city of Makkah, he said:
30. Patience The Messenger of God (pbuh) was the epitome of patience. He was patient with his people before calling them to Islam; for they would worship idols and do sinful acts. He was patient and tolerant with the abuse and harm the pagans of Makkah inflicted on him and his Companions and sought the reward of God. He was also patient and tolerant with the abuse of the hypocrites in Madeenah.
31. Justice and Fairness The Messenger of God (pbuh) was just and fair in every aspect of his life and in the application of the religion. A’ishah said:
The Messenger of God (pbuh) got up and delivered a speech, saying:
The Messenger of God (pbuh) was just and fair and allowed others to avenge themselves if he harmed them. Usaid b. Hudhair said:
32. Fearing God, and Being Mindful of Him The Messenger of God (pbuh) was the most mindful person of God. Abdullah bin Masoud said:
Upon hearing this verse, the Messenger of God (pbuh) said:
A’ishah said:
33. Richness and Contentment of the Heart Umar b. al-Khattab said:
34. Hoping for Goodness, Even for his Enemies A’ishah said:
Footnotes 16.A great scholar of Islam who wrote many works, including on the Biography of the Prophet (pubh). 17.Qadhi Eiyadh, ‘Al-Shifa bita’reefi Hoquooqil-Mostafa’ 18.According to Islamic etiquette. One should always begin from the right. 19.A town previously on the outskirts of Madeenah. 20.It is prohibited for men to wear gold in Islam. 21.It was forbidden by God for the Prophet (pbuh) or his family to accept any form of charity. 22.Ibn Hisham’s Biography, Vol. 1, p.493 [Arabic Edition]. 23.The fourth chapter of the Qur’an. 24.Bukhari #3034.
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