I have tackled before the issue of Prophet Muhammad’s Real Appearance as described by his companions and those who lived with him. Now it’s time to give a full description of his manners and attitude by those who knew him the most. May a complete, true picture of the man be conveyed.

Lady ‘Āʾishah, described his conduct P.B.U.H. saying, “The prophet used to stand in prayers most of the night until his legs swell. I asked him once, ‘O Prophet, hasn’t Allah forgiven all of your sins?’ He answered, ‘O ‘Āʾishah, shouldn’t I be a grateful servant.’ ”

“He always joined in household work and would at times mend his clothes, repair his footwear, and sweep the floor. He would milk, tether and feed the animals, and do the household shopping.”

“Never had the prophet’s hands hit a servant, a woman, or anyone at all except at battle.”  [Recorded by Bukhari].

“The prophet P.B.U.H. used to sew his clothes, mend his footwear, and work like the rest of the men for his house.”

“The prophet P.B.U.H. used to say: ‘O Allah, please perfect my manners as you have perfected my creation.’ ” [Recorded by Ahmad].

Lady Safiyyah, the prophet’s wife, and a former Israelite Jewess from the offspring of Levi. She was the daughter of a famous rabbi in Madinah called Huyay Ibn Al-Akhtab who was a fierce enemy to the prophet P.B.U.H. She said, “I never saw anyone with better manners than the prophet P.B.U.H.” [Recorded by Tabarani]

Regarding his gentleness, she said, “The prophet took his wives to pilgrimage; during our journey, my camel kneeled down (i.e. out of sickness). I was the weakest among the prophet’s wives, I had a weak back. Unable to stand the pain, I started crying. When the Prophet was informed of that, he came to me and started wiping my tears with his hands and garment, but I only cried more. He kept on wiping my tears and calming me down. When I over cried, he reprehended me for over crying, and ordered the caravan to stop and prepare for staying the rest of the day at this place.” [Recorded by Ahmad].

Regarding this journey, Bukhari recorded that: “The prophet put down his knee for his wife lady Safiyyah to step on his leg and ride on her camel.”

Among what ‘Ali Ibn Abi-Tālib reported to his son describing the prophet’s manners and assembly: “The Prophet was always cheerful, easy-going, pleasant-tempered and lenient…His broad-mindedness and tolerance embraced all people and entitled him to be regarded as a father to them all…He was willingly and modestly obeyed by everyone…To him, all people were equal. No one was better than another except on the criterion of piety. A favoured one to him was the most Allah fearing…His assembly was a meeting of clemency, patience and honesty. Voices were never raised in rows or riots. They esteemed the old and reflected mercy on the young. They assisted the needy, and entertained their guests.” [Recorded by Tirmidhī]

Hind Ibn Abi-Hālah, the companion, and the prophet’s stepson from his first wife Lady Khadijah described the prophet P.B.U.H. saying: “He was in continuous hardships, and always thoughtful. He never rested but joined day with night [praying at night, teaching and working during the day]. He never spoke for no reason…He was never offensive, and he always glorified any favour no matter how small it was and never dispraised any part of it…Not one matter of this worldly life ever made him angry unless what’s right was violated, then he wouldn’t calm down until he corrects the situation, he never got angry for himself and he never avenged himself…Whenever feeling angry, he would look away, and whenever something pleased him, he lowered his looks. His laughter never surpassed smiling.” [Recorded by Tirmidhī and Tabarani].

Abu-Sa‘eed Al-Khudri, the companion, described the prophet’s politeness saying, “He was shier than a virgin in her boudoir.” [Recorded by Bukhari and Muslim].

Anas reported that: “The prophet always started anyone he met with peace greetings stretching his arm for a handshake with a smile on his face, and he was never the first one to withdraw his hand. He never turned his face away from his interlocutor first, and he was never seen stretching his legs in front of him while speaking to anyone.” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud and Tirmidhī].

From the descriptions given by the people of Madinah, many narrations stated that:
“He always walked in solemnity; he was always modest and most shy, and the first one to cast his eyes down. He never stared at anybody’s face. He always lowered his looks. He looked ground-wards more than he looked sky-wards. His utmost looks at people were glances.”

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Omar, the companion, said, “I never saw anyone more generous, more succour, more courageous, or more clean and handsome than the prophet.” [Recorded by Al-Darmy].

Jabir Ibn ‘Abdullah, the companion, said, “The prophet always spoke in a distinct, leisurely manner.” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud].

There are many instances that show his kindness and gentleness, especially to the weak and poor. He always made Anas his servant sit and eat with him from the same plate as reported by Anas himself. He used to visit the poorest of ailing persons and urged all Muslims to do likewise as recorded by Bukhari. Prophet Muhammad was most humble, he would sit with the simplest persons saying that piety and righteousness alone were the criteria of one’s superiority over another. He invariably invited people, be they slaves, servants, or the poorest believers to partake with him his scanty meals.

Anas said, “The Prophet would accept an invitation even if he was offered barley bread with some soup whose taste has changed.” [Recorded by Tirmidhī].

He also reported that the Prophet said, “I am Allah’s servant, I eat like a servant, and sit like a servant.” [Recorded by Abu-Yu’la].

‘Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ud, the companion, reported that: “A man came to the prophet to inquire about something; when he saw the prophet he quivered, so the prophet said, ‘Take it easy, I’m only the [orphan] son of a woman who used to eat jerked food in Makkah.’ ” [Recorded by Ibn Mājah].

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbās reported that: “The prophet used to sit on the floor, eat on the floor, tether his sheep and accept a slave’s invitation.”  [Recorded by Tabarani].

Regarding his ascetic life, ‘Abdullah said, “The prophet P.B.U.H. used to spend several nights fasting and his family starving for having no food. The majority of their bread was made from barley.” [Recorded by Tirmidhī and Ibn Mājah].

Anas also reported: “I once entered the prophet’s room while he was lying down on his bed covered with a very rough sheet, and under his head, there was a pillow stuffed with arum. Then came in some of his companions, among them was ‘Omar. When they came in, the prophet turned [to meet them]. ‘Omar saw that there was no soft cloth between the prophet’s body and the rough sheet which had left marks on his skin. On seeing that, ‘Omar’s tears fell silently out of pity, so the prophet asked him: ‘Why are you crying ‘Omar?’ ‘Omar said, ‘I couldn’t help it knowing how tyrants like Caesar and Chosroes live luxuriously and now seeing you live like this.’ So the prophet said, ‘Wouldn’t you be satisfied if they get the pleasures of this worldly life and we get those of the hereafter?’ ‘Omar said, ‘Yes I do.’ So the prophet said, ‘And so it shall be.’ ” [Recorded by Ahmad and Baihaqy].

In another occasion, ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ud reported: “The prophet P.B.U.H. was lying down on a rough straw mat which left marks on his skin, so I said ‘O Prophet if you permit us, we would spread something softer for you.’ The prophet P.B.U.H. said, ‘Where am I from this worldly life, the example of me and this worldly life is like that of a rider travelling on a hot summer day, he took shelter in the shadow of a tree for an hour, then left and went on his way.’ ” [Recorded by Tirmidhī].

He did not like people to get up for him and used to say: “He who likes people to stand up in his honour, is seeking a place in hell.” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud].

Abu-Umama, the companion, reported that: “One day the prophet came to us leaning on a stick. We all got up to receive him, so he said, ‘Don’t get up like the Persians do in glorification for one another.’ ” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud and Ibn Mājah].

Anas as well reported that: “The prophet was the most beloved person to us all, whenever we saw him approaching, we only wouldn’t get up to receive him for we knew how much he hated that.” [Recorded by Tirmidhī].

He would himself, however, stand up when any dignitary came to him. He stood up to receive the wet nurse who reared him in infancy, and in respect, he spread his own sheet for her. His foster brother was also given similar treatment.

Abu-Dhar, the companion, reported that: “The prophet avoided sitting at a prominent place in any gathering. People coming in had difficulty in spotting him, and had to ask which one was the Prophet.” [Recorded by An-Nasā’ī].

Quite frequently uncouth Bedouins accosted him in a curt ill-mannered style, but he never took offence. [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud].

Among his invocations P.B.U.H., Abu-Hurairah said, “The prophet always said, ‘O Allah, I seek Your protection against dissension, hypocrisy and bad manners.’ ” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud].

Whenever he visited a person he would first greet him and take his permission to enter the house. He advised the people to follow this etiquette and not to get annoyed if anyone refused to give permission, for it is quite likely that the person concerned was busy and did not mean any disrespect.

Regarding taking permissions to enter someone’s house, Abu-Musa Al-Ash’ari, the companion reported that the prophet said, “When any of you seeks permission (i.e. knocks on someone else’s door) three times and he does not receive any response, he should leave and come back later on.” [Recorded by Muslim].

Anas reported that the Prophet used to visit the sick, sit on the ground, attend funerals, ride donkeys, and accept a slave’s invitation for a meal.

Jabir Ibn ’Abdullah, the companion, reported that the Prophet used to slow down his pace for the sake of the weak ones, and he prayed for them to get well.

Lady ‘Āʾishah reported: “When any person amongst us fell ill, Allah’s Messenger P.B.U.H. used to rub him with his right hand and then say: ‘O Lord of the people, grant him health, heal him, you are a Greet Healer; there is no healer but you, with your healing Power one is healed and illness is removed.’ She further added: ‘When the Prophet fell ill, and his illness took a serious turn I took hold of his hand so that I should do with it like he did, to rub his body with his blessed hand. But he withdrew his hand from mine and said, ‘O Allah, pardon me and let me join thy companion.’ I kept on watching him till he passed away.” [Recorded by Muslim].

The prophet P.B.U.H. never disdained to do the menial work of others, particularly of orphans and widows as narrated by An-Nasā’ī & Ad-Dārmi. Once when there was no male member in the house of companion Khabbaab Ibn Al-Arat, they were all at the battlefield. The prophet passed by his house daily and milked his cattle for the inhabitants. Loving the poor and the needy, entertaining them, attending their funerals, and praying for them were things the Prophet always observed.

Abu-Hurairah reported that the prophet P.B.U.H. said, “The one who strives on taking care of widows and the needy is like him who is striving in the cause of Allah.” [Recorded by Bukhari and Muslim].

‘Abdullah Ibn Aby-Awfa, the companion reported that: “The prophet never disdained to walk along with widows, slaves, and the wretched until their needs were fulfilled.” [Recorded by An-Nasā’ī].

Lady ‘Āʾishah reported that the prophet taught her: “O ‘Āʾishah, always show gentleness, for if gentleness is found in any matter, it beautifies it, and if it is absent from any matter, it spoils it.” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud].

She also reported that he told her: “O ‘Āʾishah, never turn away any needy beggar from your door empty-handed, even if you had nothing but half a dried date. O ‘Āʾishah, love the poor, bring them near to you, and Allah shall bring you near to Him on the Day of Resurrection.” [Recorded by Albany in Al-Targhib wal-Tarhib].

He also went much further on to say at another occasion: “Seek me among your weak ones, verily you are given provisions because of your weak ones.” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud]

Tabarani recorded that: “The prophet was at the market when he saw a slave girl in the street crying, so he asked her: ‘Why are you crying?’ She said, ‘My folks gave me two dirhams to buy flour and I lost them on the way.’ The prophet calmed her down and gave her the two dirhams, then went on his way. On his way back, he saw her again, and she was still crying, so he walked over to her and asked her about the reason why she was still crying, she said, ‘I’m afraid that they may beat me for taking so long.’ So the prophet walked with her back to the house of her folks, knocked on the door once and said, ‘Peace be upon you people of the house,’ but he received no answer. He repeated what he said again and waited, then another third time and they replied, so he asked the respondent in a query: ‘Did you hear me the first time?’ The man said, ‘Yes we have O prophet, but recognizing that it was you, we loved to hear you invoke more peace for us. By my father and mother O prophet, if you demanded our presence, we would have come to you, what made you walk all the way to us yourself?’ The prophet told him about the slave girl and what has happened, so the man said, ‘She is free in return for Allah’s reward and for the sake of your walk with her to our house.’ ” And the slave girl was emancipated on spot.

The prophet P.B.U.H. was most generous, Jabir Ibn-’Abdullah reported, “Never was the Prophet asked for anything to be given and his answer was ‘No.’ ” [Recorded by Bukhari].

Bilal, the companion reported that the prophet said, “Spend (in charity) and don’t fear diminution from Him who is on his throne (i.e. Allah).” [Recorded by Abu-Yu’la]

Abu-Hurairah reported that the prophet said, “Every day two angels callout in the sky invoking Allah, one of them says: ‘O Allah, give recompense to him who spends in charity.’ And the other says: ‘O Allah, give decay (i.e. decrease in money) to him who is tightfisted.’ ” [Recorded by Bukhari].

And he also reported that the prophet said, “No wealth is ever decreased by alms, and Allah never enriches the one who forgives except with glory, and no one ever acts humbly except that Allah honours him.” [Recorded by Muslim].

At-Tirmidhī recorded that: “Once a man came asking the prophet for alms, the prophet answered: ‘I have nothing remaining, but go and buy whatever you need on my account, and when anything (money or something to trade with) comes to me, I shall pay for what you bought.’ On hearing this ‘Omar said to the prophet (out of pity): ‘But Allah didn’t overburden you with what you can’t bear O prophet.’ The prophet seemed to have hated what ‘Omar said, so a man from among the people of Madinah said, ‘O Prophet, spend (in charity) and don’t fear diminution from Him who is on His throne.’ The prophet smiled and glad tidings were seen on his face, and he said, ‘That is what I was ordered to do.’ ”

Sahl Ibn Sa‘d, the companion said, “A woman brought a garment to the Prophet, she said, ‘O prophet, I have brought you this garment as a gift to wear it.’ The Prophet was actually in need of a new garment, so he accepted the gift, and put it on immediately. A man among the attendants then said, ‘O Prophet, will you give it to me.’ The Prophet said, ‘Yes,’ he took it off, and gave it to him. Later on, after the prophet left, that man was blamed by the attending companions who said, ‘It wasn’t nice on your part to ask the Prophet for the garment when you saw that he needed it, and you knew that he never turns down anyone’s request.’ The man then said, ‘I just wanted to have its blessings after the Prophet had put it on; I hoped to be shrouded in it when I die.’ ” [Recorded by Bukhari].

Regarding the prophet’s leniency and patience, Anas said, “I served Allah’s Messenger for ten years and he never said to me: ‘Ugh’ or ‘Why did you do such a thing?’ or ‘Why didn’t you do such a thing?’ ” [Recorded by Bukhari].

Some of his teachings

It should be cleared out first that the prophet P.B.U.H. taught his companions through example, so whenever he ordered them to do something, he was the first one to abide by it as testified for by his coevals. I believe that the previous testimonies are quite enough to help the reader realize the fallacy of the accusation under discussion.

Among his ethical and moral teachings are the following: “Those who are merciful shall be treated mercifully by the All-merciful, so be merciful to those on earth, and you shall receive mercy by the One above the heavens.” [Recorded by Tirmidhī].

The mercy meant in the above narration, as deduced from the prophet’s attitude and explained by Muslim scholars, is not only for humans but for all living creatures.

He also said, “He who is not merciful to others, will not be treated mercifully (on the judgment day).” [Recorded by Bukhari].

“Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes known before Allah as a truthful person. Falsehood leads to Fujur (i.e. wickedness, evil-doing), and Fujur leads to the Hellfire. A man keeps on telling lies until he becomes known before Allah as a liar.” [Recorded by Bukhari].

“Fulfill your consignments to those who have entrusted you, and do not betray those who have betrayed you.” [Recorded by Tirmidhī].

“Righteousness is good manners, and sin is that which weaves inside your chest, and you hate its disclosure in front of others.” [Recorded by Muslim].

“He whose heart possesses one jot of arrogance shall not enter paradise.” [Recorded by Muslim].

“The best among you are those with best manners.” [Recorded by Bukhari].

“A man entered on the prophet while he was sitting in the mosque; the prophet moved aside giving him space to sit down. The man said, ‘O prophet there is plenty of space.’ The prophet responded: ‘It’s the right of a Muslim on his brother that if he sees him approaching his seat, he should make some space.’ ” [Reported in Mizan Al-Hekma].

Abu-Sa‘eed Al-Khudri reported: “The prophet said, ‘Beware! Avoid sitting in the streets.’ The people said, ‘How can we avoid so O prophet, these are our meeting places where we have our talks.’ The Prophet said, ‘If you must sit there, then observe the rights of the street.’ They asked, ‘What are the rights of the street?’ He said, ‘Casting down your eyes (i.e. refrain from looking at the passerby, people’s houses, or whatever is forbidden), refraining from harming people, responding to greetings, advocating good and forbidding evil.’ ” [Recorded by Bukhari].

Mu‘ādh Ibn Jabal reported that the prophet said, “Fear Allah where ever you may be, follow the bad deed with a good one to erase it, and deal with people in good manners.” [Recorded by Tirmidhī].

Abu-Hurairah reported that the prophet said, “The signs of a hypocrite are three: Whenever he speaks, he tells lies; whenever he promises, he breaks his promise; and whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.” [Recorded by Bukhari].

And he also reported that the prophet said, “A strong person is not the one who overcomes people by his physical strength, but he is the one who controls himself when in anger.” [Recorded by Bukhari].

Anas Ibn Mālek reported that the Prophet said, “Make things easier for people and do not complicate them. Calm them down with glad tidings and do not be repulsive.” [Recorded by Bukhari].

Abu-Shuraih Al-Ka‘bi, the companion, reported that the prophet said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the judgment Day, should serve his guest generously. To honour a guest is to provide him with a superior type of food for a night and a day, and a guest is to be entertained with food for three days. Whatever is offered beyond that is regarded as charity. It is unlawful for any guest to stay with his host for such a long period that may embarrass him, or put him in a critical position.” [Recorded by Bukhari].

Abu-Hurairah reported that the Prophet said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the judgment Day, should not hurt his neighbours. Whoever believes in Allah and the judgment Day, should serve his guest generously. Whoever believes in Allah and the judgment Day, should speak of what’s good or keep silent.” [Recorded by Bukhari].

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbās reported that the prophet P.B.U.H. taught them about Allah’s Mercy saying, “Allah records good deeds and misdeeds. If any of you intended to make a good deed, and actually does it, Allah records it as ten good deeds to seven hundred multiples and more (i.e. according to the deed’s degree of perfection). If you intended to make a misdeed, then refrained from doing it, it’s recorded as a good deed, but if you do it, it’s recorded as one misdeed only.” [Recorded by Bukhari and Muslim].

Sahl Ibn Sa‘d, the companion, reported that: “A man came to the prophet and said, ‘O Prophet, tell me of a deed that will make Allah and all people love me.’ So the prophet said, ‘Renounce seeking after worldly pleasures, Allah will love you, and don’t seek after the likes of what people have and they will love you.’” [Recorded by Ibn Mājah].

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Omar reported that: “A man came to the prophet and asked him: ‘How often should we forgive our servants?’ The prophet didn’t reply, so the man repeated his question, but again the prophet didn’t reply. Then the man repeated it for a third time, and the prophet said, ‘Forgive him seventy times [daily].’ ” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud].

His approach in building the Muslim nation

The prophet P.B.U.H. established brotherhood among all of his followers and Companions, he made them intimate and did not separate them or allow enmity to erupt between them. Among the prophet’s teachings as reported by Anas:

“The prophet said, ‘Be at the aid of your brother whether he is oppressive or he is oppressed.’ People asked: ‘O prophet! It is all right to be at his aid if he is oppressed, but how should we be at his aid if he is oppressive?’ The Prophet then said, ‘By preventing him from oppressing others.’ ” [Recorded by Bukhari].

The prophet P.B.U.H. said, “No one of you (completely) believes untill he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” [Recorded by Bukhari and Muslim].

‘Uqbah Ibn Nāfe’ reported that the prophet said, “Maintain relations with those who break off relations with you, feed those who deprived you, and pardon those who oppressed you.” [Recorded by Ahmad].

Abu-Hurairah reported that the Prophet said, “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of all false tales. Do not search for other people’s faults, do not spy, do not be jealous of one another, do not desert (i.e. break off relations with) one another, do not hate one another. O believers, be like brothers.” [Recorded by Bukhari].

And among his teachings, as reported by the companions, are the following:

“Allah is merciful to him who is magnanimous when he sells, buys or demands any of his rights.” [Recorded by Bukhari].

“He hasn’t believed in me him who sleeps at night with a full stomach knowing that his neighbour is hungry.” [Recorded by Tabarani].

“If you were three, then it is immoral for two to talk together in whispering aside the third, this hurts his feelings.” [Recorded by Muslim].

“Give the hired worker his wage before his sweat dries up.” [Recorded by Ibn Mājah].

“If any of you can lend a helping hand to his brother in any way, he should help him.” [Recorded by Muslim].

“The best believers, who have completely believed among you are those with best manners, and the kindest among you are those who are kind to their women.” [Recorded by Tirmidhī].

The prophet P.B.U.H. didn’t only teach the companions to be merciful towards each other, but he also taught them that all humans are equal, have one God, have one father, and live on one land. Among what he said in his farewell speech:

“O People, your God is one, your father is one. There is neither superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over an Arab, nor for a white man over a black man, or for a black man over a white man except on the criterion of piety.” [Recorded by Ahmad].

Abu-Hurairah reported that the Prophet said, “Love for all people what you love for yourself, and you shall be a Muslim.” [Recorded by Tirmidhī and Ibn Mājah].

Anas narrated that the prophet said, “No man realizes the truth about faith except when he loves for all people what he loves for himself from what’s good.” [Recorded by Ahmad].

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr reported that the prophet said, “Whoever loves to be moved far away from the hellfire and be admitted into paradise, let him die believing in Allah and the judgment day, and let him deliver to all people what he loves to receive himself.” [Recorded by Muslim].

Among his teachings as reported by several companions is the following:

“I swear by Allah, He, the Almighty, does not bestow His mercy except on a merciful one.” The companions said, “O prophet, we are all-merciful.” The prophet said, “I don’t mean the mercy you show towards one another, but towards all mankind.” [Recorded by Abu-Yu‘la and authenticated by Albany].

The prophet P.B.U.H. never used any harsh words, he never named a person whom he knew ill news about, but to admonish such person without hurting his feelings or degrading his status among his brethren, he would say: “Why do some people chose to do so and so…” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud].

He taught that: “It’s better for a judge to be mistaken in pardoning than in punishment.” [Recorded by Al-Hakem].

Allah Almighty is the Most Kind, the Prophet followed Allah’s example by showing kindness to all people without any regard to their beliefs, colour, or nationality. He always taught his followers through example. If he taught them anything, he would be the first one to abide by it. He was most modest, he never showed any superiority above others. Whoever served him was served by him.

On one of their journeys, the Prophet’s companions were preparing to roast a goat. One of them said that he would slaughter the animal, another said that he would skin it, while a third one said that he would roast it. The prophet then said that he would gather some wood, and light the fire. Their response was: “O prophet, we can do everything.” The prophet said, “I have no doubt that you can, but I do not like distinctions to be made, nor does Allah like any of His servants to exert any kind of superiority over his companions.” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud].

Regarding the elders, the Prophet taught:
“Allah is kind and likes kindness in all matters.” [Recorded by Bukhari].
“One of the finest acts of kindness is for a man to honour his father’s friends and treat them kindly after his father’s departure.” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud].
He always received people with courtesy and showed respect to their elders. He taught that: “Honoring an old man, is like glorifying Allah.” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud].
“He is not one of us who doesn’t respect our elders, show mercy to our children, enjoin what’s right and prevent what’s harmful.” [Recorded by Ahmad, Tirmidhī and Tabarani].
“No Muslim ever shows respect to the elders except that Allah will destine someone to honour him at his old age.” [Recorded by Tirmidhī].

His love for children

He was especially fond of children. He loved carrying his grandchildren and his companions’ children on his shoulders and playing with them. Many reports tell us that frequently he carried his grandchildren while praying and while giving sermons. He was reported to give them rides on his back frequently. Whenever he was approached by a child, he would carry and pamper him. Whenever he met a child in the street, he would greet him and shake his hand. He always patted children’s heads especially orphans; he would carry and hug them tightly, then invoke Allah to bless them.

Abu-Hurairah reported that: “People used to present the very first of their reaped fruits to the prophet (seeking his supplication). He would take it and say: ‘O Allah, bless our fruits, bless our city, and bless our weights and bushels.’ Then he would call the youngest child he sees passing by, and give it all to him.” [Recorded by Muslim].

Usamah Ibn Zayd, the companion and the son of Zayd Ibn Al-Hareth —the prophet’s adopted son— reported from the memories of his childhood: “The prophet used to put me on one of his thighs and put his grandson Al-Hassan Ibn ‘Ali on the other, then embrace us both and say, ‘O Allah, bestow your Mercy upon them.’ ” [Recorded by Bukhari].

A companion, recalling his childhood, said, “In my childhood, I used to fell dates by throwing stones at palm trees. Somebody took me complaining to the Prophet who advised me to pick up the dates lying on the ground but not to strike them with stones. He then patted my head and invoked Allah to bless me.” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud].

He would pick up infants in his arms, kiss them and play with them. Lady ‘Āʾishah reported that: “Newly born babies were always brought to the prophet to bless them. He would then carry the baby on his lap to honour his parents; sometimes babies peed on the prophet’s lap which embarrassed the child’s parents and made them hurry up in carrying him away, but the prophet would prevent them saying: ‘Don’t disturb him and let him finish.’ ” [Recorded by Muslim].

Um Al-Fadl, the fosterage mother of the prophet’s grandchildren reported that: “Once, the prophet carried Al-Hussein when he was still a baby. The boy started peeing on the prophet’s garment, so I pulled him from the prophet’s arms in a quick nervous manner that made the boy cry. The prophet said, ‘Take it easy Um Al-Fadl, this spilling could be cleaned by water, but what could wipe off this harsh shock from the baby’s heart?’ ”

His kindness towards animals

The Prophet did not only preach kindness towards people but towards all living souls. He forbade the practices of cutting tails and manes of horses, branding animals at any soft spot, keeping horses saddled unnecessarily, etc. [Recorded by Muslim].

If he saw any animal over-loaded or ill-fed, he would pull up the owner and say: “Fear Allah in your treatment to animals.” [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud].

In one of their travels, a companion brought him the young ones of a bird and said that the mother hovered over them all along. The Prophet commanded the man to put the bird’s offspring back in their nest. [Recorded by Abu-Dāwud].

It was also reported that on one of their journeys, somebody picked up some eggs from a nest. The mother-bird kept on hovering above the prophet and his companions squealing for its young ones. This attracted the Prophet’s attention, so he asked the man to return the eggs to their place safely. [Recorded by Bukhari].

As his army of ten thousand marched towards Makkah, they passed by a female dog with newly born puppies. The Prophet didn’t only give orders that they should not be disturbed, but he posted a man to make sure that this was properly done.

Abu-Hurairah reported that: “The prophet said, ‘Once a man was travelling on a barren road, he had finished what he had from water and felt extremely thirsty. He came across a well [beside which there was no tied up bucket to bring the water up], so he climbed down the well, drank his fill, and then climbed back up. Not long after he went on his way, he saw a dog panting and licking the sand out of excessive thirst. The man said to himself, ‘This dog is suffering like I suffered a while ago.’ So he returned and climbed down the well again, filled his footwear with water, held it between his teeth, climbed up the well, and watered the dog. Allah forgave all of that man’s sins and praised what he had done.’ The companions asked: ‘O Prophet, is there a reward for us when we show kindness to animals?’ He said, ‘(Yes), there is a reward for every act of kindness done to any living creature.’ ” [Recorded by Bukhari].

His incomparable heroism and chivalry

His courage, chivalry and succour were unmatchable. He encountered many dangerous and difficult situations, and he always remained steadfast. More than once, brave men fled away leaving him alone, yet he held his grounds with full composure facing danger without turning his back. Almost all the brave men of his time experienced fleeing or were driven off the battlefield even once in a lifetime, but not the prophet.

Al-Bara’ Ibn ‘Aazeb described the prophet’s courage during the battle of Hunain in which many Muslims fled except the prophet and a few of his companions who remained steadfast until they achieved victory saying: “Whenever the fight grew fiercer, we resorted to the Prophet for succour. The bravest man among us was the closest to where he stood.” [Recorded by Muslim].

‘Ali Ibn Abi-Taleb, who was among the bravest of the brave and a peerless cavalier, described the prophet’s outstanding courage in a similar manner saying: “Whenever the fight grew fiercer and the eyes of fighters reddened [in anger], we resorted to the prophet for succour. He was always the closest among us to the enemy lines.” [Recorded by Ahmad].

Yet, the prophet P.B.U.H. never wounded a man fatally throughout his life. His duels were only in self-defense and trying to disable the enemies from attacking Muslims, they were never for killing. The only person whom he killed was named Ubai Ibn Khalaf, and it was a prophecy which the prophet had given a few years before the incident occurred. What happened is that, before immigrating to Madinah, this polytheist stopped the prophet and said, “I will kill you one day for defaming our Gods Muhammad.” So the prophet P.B.U.H. replied, “By Allah’s will, it’s me who is going to kill you.” After a few years, during the battle of Uhud, this polytheist, riding on his horse, saw the prophet injured badly and trapped, so he rode towards him raising his spear and shouting “Let there be no rescue for me if I failed to kill you on this day Muhammad.” ‘Ali reported that: “The prophet was alerted, he grabbed my spear and lanced the polytheist with it killing him with one strike.” Some reports say that the man died on spot, while others say that he died days later by that wound.

Anas reported that: “One night the people of Madinah woke up alarmed on hearing a strange loud sound. People went out hurriedly towards the source of the sound only to be met by the Prophet who had already gone ahead of them, he said, “It took you so long.” He was riding the horse of Abu-Talhah (one of the companions) without a saddle over it, and his sword was hanging around his neck. He calmed the people down and told them that there was nothing to be afraid of, then he said, ‘Indeed this is one quick horse.’ ” [Recorded by Bukhari and Muslim].

The Prophet was just, decent, most truthful at speech, and the most honest among all people. Those who exchanged speech with him, even his enemies, acknowledge his noble qualities. Before prophethood, he was nicknamed “Al-Sadek, Al-Ameen” (i.e. the truthful, the faithful). All idolaters turned to him for judgment and consultation. Abu-Jahl, who was an idolater and one of the prophet’s most bitter enemies said to the prophet once: “We do not call you a liar, but we do not have faith in what you preach.”

Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H. started preaching Islam at the age of forty. Before this, he was a very wealthy merchant leading an easy calm life, and one of the most respected men among his tribe. He always helped the poor and the needy, and took care of widows and orphans. It is well known that the prophet’s preachments agitated the enmity, hatred and rage of his people. This resulted in a long arduous struggle that by all means of rationality, no person would dare wade into unless he was obliged to do so, and had no choice of his own. Any objective, reasonable person should ask himself, for what reason did Muhammad suffer all those hardships after being one of the wealthiest, most respected and consulted men among his people? They even offered to accept him as their King and lay all the riches of the land at his feet if only he would forsake what he preached and called for, but he never accepted any of their alluring offers, and he insisted on delivering his message in the face of persecution, insults, social boycott, poverty, hunger, brutal physical assaults, and being targeted to kill by his own tribe and kin. When he passed away, he was penniless. The last few dirhams he had inside his house, he ordered them to be distributed on the poor a few days before his death. He died mortgaging his shield to a Jewish merchant in Madinah in exchange for a couple of barley bushels which he needed to feed the members of his family. Would the aforementioned be the deeds, attitude, personality, or teachings of a liar and a pretender, or of a true prophet? I leave the answer to your conscience.

This was just a quick review for Prophet Muhammad’s personality and general teachings, the teachings that should contribute in forming the character of any sincere Muslim. In the Qur’an, Allah says, “Indeed there is a good example for you in the prophet for those who wish to meet with Allah on the judgment day and they remember Allah constantly.” [The Qur’an (33:21)].

Unfortunately, today, many Muslims neglect these teachings. They claim to love the prophet but they have forsaken his path and the teachings that still lie recorded in closed dusty books. Truthful were the prophet’s words when he said, “Allah does not erase knowledge from inside the hearts of scholars after He gives it to them, but the vanishing of knowledge shall reside in the death of scholars. When there shan’t be left any scholars, people will take as their admonishers ignorant leaders whom when asked, will answer without knowledge misleading themselves and others as well.” [Recorded by Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah and others].

As for those who hold on tight to Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, don’t grief for there is always a price which you must be willing to pay if your intention was to make victorious what’s right. The prophet P.B.U.H. said, “Islam started out as a stranger [to this world], and so it shall return to be a stranger, so blessed be the strangers.”

When he was asked in different occasions who were those strangers, he gave different responses with very close meanings like: “Those who shall continue trying to set things right when people are corrupt,” “Those who shall forsake their corrupt people,” “Honest persons amidst corrupt people, they shall be disobeyed by much more people than those who shall obey them,” “Those who shall try to revive my teachings and deliver them to all people.”

May Allah guide us to the path of all prophets and messengers. May Allah reward them with the best of awards for their strife in bringing us closer to Him, and for delivering His laws and spiritual purifying teachings to all people, Amen.

IMME, ISBN:9789779027395
Written By: Ehab Shawky

For a complete understanding, read my relevant posts:
Muhammad The Paragon, The Exceptional Human, Locating Paran,
Hidden signs, The Prophecy of Habakkuk,
The Man In the “Song of Songs” & The Final Testament.