Allah the Exalted has said: “Verily, you (Muhammad) are on an exalted standard of character”.
(Surah Al-Qalam 68:5)
Allah furthermore says: “O you who believe! Do not
enter the houses of the Prophet for a meal without permission. If you are
invited, you may enter, but be punctual (so that you will not be waiting while
the meal is being prepared). When you have finished
eating, leave his home. Do not sit around chatting among yourselves. This will
annoy the Prophet but he will feel embarrassed to tell you. God does not feel
embarrassed to tell you the truth...” (Al-Ahzab
33: 54)
This is a reference to a particular incident. Some
companions stayed longer than what was proper on this occasion at the home of the
Messenger of Allah (pbuh) who was anxious to retire for the night. They
continued in conversation. Although the Prophet of Allah (pbuh) was
inconvenienced by their late stay, he nevertheless refrained from telling them
anything. This was in regard to his personal matters and not to such affairs
which came within the purview of Tabligh.
Hazrat Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (ra) narrated “The Prophet (pbuh) was more shy (from Haya: i.e. pious shyness from committing religious indiscretions) than a veiled virgin girl.”
He further reported [i.e. Hazrat Sa’id Al-Khudri): “When
he (pbuh) saw something detestable, we would realize it from the effect on his
auspicious face”. (Bukhari, Muslim)
He would not generally mention it due to excessive
modesty.
Hazrat Anas bin Malik (ra) related an incident when he
was a small child and began by saying: “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was
one of the best of men in character. One day he sent me to do something, and I
said: “I swore by Allah that I would not go”. But in my heart I felt that I
should go to do what the Prophet of Allah (pbuh) had commanded me; so I went
out and came upon some boys who were playing in the street. All of a sudden the
Messenger of Allah (pbuh) who had come up behind caught me by the back of the
neck, and when I looked at him he was laughing (or smiling - in another
version). He said: “Go where I ordered you, little Anas.” I replied: “Yes, I am
going, Apostle of Allah!” Anas said: “I swear by Allah, I served him for seven
or nine years [or ten years - in other versions], and he never said to me about
a thing which I had done: Why did you do such and such? Nor about a thing which
I left: why did not do such and such?” (Muslim, Abu Dawud)
Hazrat Anas (ra) further narrated: “I was walking
with Messenger of Allah (pbuh) who was wearing a Najrani cloak with a very
thick border when a Bedouin happened to meet him. He took hold of the side of
his cloak and drew it violently. I noticed that the violence of jerk had
bruised the neck of Messenger of Allah (pbuh). The Bedouin said: ‘O Muhammad!
Give me out of Allah’s wealth that you possess.’ Messenger of Allah (pbuh)
turned to him and smiled and directed that he should be given something.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)
Another report by Hazrat Anas (ra) in which he addressed
Hazrat Thabit (ra) said: “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) came to me as I was
playing with playmates. He greeted and sent me on an errand and I made delay in
going to my mother. When I came to her she said: ‘What detained you?’ I said: “The
Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sent me on an errand.” She said: “What was the
purpose?” I said: “It is something secret.” Thereupon she said: “Do not then
divulge the secret of Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) to anyone”. Anas said: “By Allah, if I were to
divulge it to anyone, then, O Thabit, I would have divulged it to you.” (Muslim)
Musa bin Anas (ra) reported on the authority of his
father [i.e. Anas bin Malik (ra)]: “It never happened that the Messenger of
Allah (pbuh) was asked anything for the sake of Islam and he did not give that.
There came to him a person and he gave him a large flock (of sheep and goats)
and he went back to his people and said: ‘My people! Embrace Islam, for
Muhammad gives so much charity as if he has no fear of want.’” (Muslim)
Hazrat Jaabir (ra) said that the Messenger of Allah
(pbuh) never refused to give anything which he was asked. If he had it, he
would give it. If he did not have it, he would present an apology and make a
promise to give it at another time. (Bukhari, Muslim)
Hazrat Jubair Bin Mut’im (ra) said that once he was
walking with the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) on the occasion of his return from
Hunain. A group of Bedouins surrounded the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and were
asking for gifts. They grabbed from the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) everything
which he had until finally they snatched even the shawl from his body. The
Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “At least return my shawl. If I had camels
as numerous as the trees, I would have distributed them among you; you would
then not have found me to be miserly and small of heart”. (Bukhari)
Hazrat Aswad (ra) narrated that he asked Hazrat Aisha
(ra): “What did the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) do at home?” She replied: “He
would assist his wives in their housework”. (Bukhari)
Some examples of the type of housework done by the
Messenger of Allah (pbuh) are mentioned in the following Hadith.
Hazrat Aisha (ra) narrated: “The Messenger of Allah
(pbuh) would mend his shoes. Sew his clothing, and do the work of the house as
ordinary people among you do.” She also narrates that the Messenger of
Allah (pbuh) did not act like a master at home. He would milk the goats
himself. (Tirmidhi)
Hazrat Aisha (ra) narrates that the Messenger of Allah
(pbuh) never killed anything with his own hands nor did he beat any servant.
Yes, Jihad in the Path of Allah was an exception. He never hit anyone in anger
nor inconvenienced anyone unnecessarily or in revenge. However, when the prohibitions
of Allah were violated, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) took appropriate action
for the sake of Allah the Exalted. (Muslim)
In the Book Shamaa’il Tirmidhi, there are two lengthy
narrations which I will relate to you. Hazrat Imam Hasan and Hazrat Imam Husain
(ra) narrated on the authority of their father, Hazrat Ali (ra):
“At home the Messenger of Allah (saw) divided his time
into three periods. In one period he remained engrossed in the worship of Allah
[Glorified and Sublime be He]. In the other period, he engaged himself in
fulfilling the rights of his family. One period he reserved for himself.
This was the atmosphere of the special and
distinguished gatherings of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh).
Regarding the time the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) spent
outside the home, Hazrat Imam Hasan and Hazrat Imam Husain (ra) narrated on the
authority of their father, Hazrat Ali (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh)
was at all times pleasant and smiling. People would not quarrel in his
presence. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) did not speak until another speaker
completed and became silent. He overlooked the disrespect which was in the
conversation of a stranger. He did not interrupt a conversation unless it
exceeded the bounds of what is permissible. He would then intervene and bring
it to an end either by his express prohibition, or by leaving the company.
This was his attitude with the general public, i.e.
with those with whom he had connection, especially, the Sahaba. Regarding his
attitude towards his enemies, this striking positive quality is to be retained
from his blessed countenance and thoughts.
Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) narrated that once someone
asked Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh): “O Messenger of Allah! Curse the Mushrikeen
[i.e. the polytheists, idol-worshippers, those who disbelieved and caused great
harm to the Muslims].” The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) replied: “I was not
sent as one who curses. I was sent only as a mercy.” (Muslim)
So, my dear disciples, this is but a brief of the
blessed character and life of the best of mankind, the king of all creatures of
the King of kings, i.e. Allah. Except for Jihad which was a divine command to
act upon when the Muslims were attacked and Allah wanted Islam to have the
upper hand like He promised, but in ordinary days, the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) did not exceed the bounds of humanity. He managed to display true
friendship and leadership qualities which created love in the hearts of his
blessed wives, companions and the rest of the believers. The enemies also saw
him as a trustworthy opponent, one who did not go against his words. The
promises of the Prophet were sacred to him and He strived to fulfil them with
all his might with the help of Allah.
This is the right model that we all Muslims should
strive to follow, for if a little Muhammad is born in us, Islam will only go
from progress to progress. This is the aim of the present Divine Manifestation
of this era with the rise of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, and the advent of
this humble self the Khalifatullah of the age. We should strive to revive his
Sunnah and hold fast to the Divine Commandments as recorded in the Holy Quran.
May Allah enable us to tread on the same blessed path of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) and to get the needed divine succour to achieve our aim in all
humility and trust in Allah. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
--- From the Special Address of Imam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius on the occasion of a Sirat-un-Nabi (pbuh) Programme in the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International.