AL ASHARI SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

 *The Character of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)*

The Prophet (SAW) was known in Arabic for his magnificent eloquence and fluency. He was remarkable in rank and status. He was a precise, clear speaker. He was well-versed in Arabic and thoroughly acquainted with the dialects and accents of every tribe. He would speak to his guests using their own accents and dialects. He was proficient and quite eloquent both in the language of the Bedouins and in the clarity and splendid speech of the townspeople. Above all, he was endowed with Allah’s help in the revealed verses of the Qur’an.

His endurance, tolerance, and forgiveness while he held an important position; his patience and steadfastness in adverse circumstances — these were all talents. They were virtues and qualities that Allah Himself bestowed upon him. Even wise people have their shortcomings, but the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was different from others: the more he was hurt or injured, the more gentle and patient he became. The more rudeness and ignorance anyone showed toward him, the more tolerant he became.

He was the last to become angry and the first to be pleased. His hospitality and generosity were unmatched. His gifts and presents reflected a man who did not fear poverty. His generosity reached its peak during Ramadan when the angel Jibreel (AS) would visit him. Jibreel (AS) would meet him every night of Ramadan and review the Qur’an with him. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah was more generous in giving reward or charity than the blowing wind.

His courage, his bravery, and his strength were distinctive. He was the most courageous. He saw strange and difficult times and faced them firmly. More than once, brave and courageous men fled; yet he stood with full patience, facing the enemy without turning his back.

All brave men would have experienced fleeing at least once or being driven from the battlefield at some time — except the Prophet (SAW). He was the most humble person and was far from being arrogant or proud. He forbade people to stand for him, as others usually do for their kings. Meeting and entertaining the poor and needy were some of his habits. If a slave invited him, he would accept the invitation. He always sat among his companions as if he were an ordinary person.

The Prophet (PBUH) was the most truthful in his pledges, and establishing good and stable relations with his relatives was one of his virtues. He was the most kind, gentle, and friendly among all people. His way of life was the simplest. Bad behavior and vulgarity were two qualities that were completely foreign to him. He was civil and never spoke ill of anyone; he was not a person who cursed or made noise in the streets. He did not exchange offense with others. He would repel an offense or mistake by forgiving and overlooking it. He did not let others walk behind him. He did not consider himself superior to those who walked behind him. He did not consider himself superior to others, even to his slaves, as far as food or clothing was concerned. Whoever served him, he served in return. He never used the sound ‘Uff’ to express displeasure toward any of his servants; nor did he ever blame his servant for anything or for leaving a task incomplete. Loving and entertaining the poor and needy or attending their funerals were deeds that the Prophet (SAW) always observed. He never humiliated a poor person for his poverty.

Once he was traveling with his companions, and when it was time to prepare food, he asked them to slaughter a sheep. One man said: “I will slaughter it,” another said; “I will skin it,” the third said: “I will cook it.” So the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “I will gather wood for the fire.” They said: “No, we will do this work.” He replied: “I know you can do it for me, but I do not like to have privilege; Allah does not like to see one of His servants having privilege over others.” So he went and collected firewood. He always had complete control over his anger and never became angry unless necessary; he never became angry for himself nor did he take revenge for himself. It was for the sanctity of Allah and for the religion that he became angry.

Whenever he pointed at something, he did so with his hand, and to express surprise he would turn. If he was angry, he would turn both his body and face away. When he was pleased, he would lower his eyes. His laughter was mostly a smile. Then his teeth would appear like hailstones. He would not speak unless it was something closely related to him. He affirmed the bond of brotherhood among his companions and thus made them close, and did not separate them or create enmity among them. He honored those who were respectable among their people. His cheerfulness never diminished before anyone — even before those about whom he had warned his people or toward whom he himself was cautious. He would visit friends and inquire about people’s affairs. What was right he would affirm, and he would criticize the unpleasant and try to weaken it. He was generous in all matters. He was equal to others and had no privilege; he was never deprived of it or set apart from it. The people sitting next to him were the best among their people, and the best of them — to him — were those who cared the most. For him, the greatest and highest in rank was the one best in providing comfort, cooperation, and help.

Remembrance of Allah was important to him, and he did it whenever he sat or stood. No fixed place was assigned for his sitting. He would sit at the end of the group, next to the last person. He ordered people to do the same. He gave equal access to his participants in a social gathering so that the person addressed would think that no one else but he himself was honored by the Prophet. Whoever sat beside him and interrupted him to seek his advice about some matter of theirs, that person would be the first to begin the conversation and also to end it. The Prophet (SAW) would listen to him patiently until he finished his speech. He never rejected anyone’s request; if it was beyond reach, a satisfying word in return would suffice. The generosity of his soul, broad thinking, and tolerance could embrace all people, and he was entitled to be considered a father to them all. In justice, they were all equal. His gathering was a gathering of mercy, humility, patience, and honesty. Voices were not raised there; there was no shouting. Things that were inviolable were never violated there. Fear of Allah and worship were the means of his sympathy and mercy. He respected the elders and was merciful to the young. He helped the needy and entertained strangers.

The Messenger of Allah was always cheerful, easygoing, smiling, and kind. He was never rude or vulgar. He neither blamed excessively nor praised excessively. He ignored what he did not want, yet no one was disappointed by him. He kept himself away from three habits: hypocrisy, excess, and what did not concern him. People did not fear him in three areas: he neither belittled them nor blamed others, nor did he search for others’ faults or shortcomings. He spoke only of things for which reward was divinely desired. When he spoke, his listeners listened attentively with heads bowed. They would speak only when he was silent. Among them there was no dispute or debate over who would speak; whoever spoke in his presence was listened to by all until he finished his speech. Their conversation was about the topic discussed or presented by the first speaker. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) would laugh at what people laughed at and praise what they praised. He always showed patience toward the harsh words of strangers.  

*Reference: Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum, pages 577 to 583*