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.

1
 
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.

1
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.

2
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 ‘Abd-

Manâf 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), Al-
Muqafâ (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
: «Had a white handsome face» [Reported by

Muslim]

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 full-
moonlit 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 Ad-
Dârmy 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.”

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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 Al-
Bukhary 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 At-
Tabakât 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 At-
Tirmidthy]

4
Commentary on hadith.
5
Asceticism.
6
Proofs of Prophethood.
7
i.e. the shortest expression carrying the widest meanings.

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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 Al-
Ameen [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.

8
Nation.
9
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).

11
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]

12
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»

12
Legal rulings.

13
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

14
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.

15
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.

16
 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).

17
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.

14
Leniency, softness, mildness, gentleness...

18
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]

19
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]

15
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.

16
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]

21
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

17
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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