I have recently been spending quite a bit of time reading up on the biography and personality of this one person. A very well known figure, many people know who he is but it seems that there are many aspects of his life which many people don't. It's unfortunate, because if we really study his character - there's a lot we can learn from this guy! See if you can figure out who he is:
He was the undisputed leader, the 'king' of his country during his time. He was also the commander of the nation’s armies. His courage, his succour and his might are distinguishable. He was the most courageous. He witnessed awkward and difficult times and stayed steadfast at enduring himself through them. More than once brave men and daring ones fled away leaving him alone, yet he stood with full composure facing the enemy without turning his back. One of the greatest warriors in his army used to testify that “whenever a fight grew fierce and the eyes of the fighters went red (in fear) as the two armies came face to face, we used to resort to him for help. And yet he was always the closest to the enemy line than all other warriors” (1)
One night the people of his city felt alarmed by some noise. Stricken by fear that they had been disturbed or attacked by some unknown forces, the people went out hurriedly out of their homes towards the source of this noise, but they found that this man, their leader, had already gone ahead of them. He was on his horse, with no saddle over it, and a sword slung around his neck, and bravely said to his people: “There is nothing to fear!” (2)
His stamina, endurance and forgiveness – out of a commanding position – his patience and standing what he detested – these were all talents, attributes and qualities gifted to him. Even wise men have their flaws, but this man, unlike everybody, the more he was hurt or injured, the more clement and patient he became. The more insolence an ignorant person exercised against him, the more enduring he became.
And yet, though he was the king of his nation, the undisputed leader of his lands, and having thousands of followers who would sacrifice their own lives for him, despite of all this – he never failed to uphold the highest of moral standards. By nature he was gentle and kind hearted, always inclined to be gracious and to overlook the faults of others. Politeness and courtesy, compassion and tenderness, simplicity and humility, sympathy and sincerity were some of the keynotes of his character. In the cause of right and justice he could be resolute and severe but more often than not, his severity was tempered with generosity. He had charming manners which won him the affection of his followers and secured their devotion.
He was the most modest and humble and always the first one to cast his eyes down. He forbade people to stand up at his presence as other people usually do for their kings. His companions testified – ‘he was shier than a virgin behind her veil. When he hates a thing, we could immediately tell it from the expressions of his face’ (4). When he got angry his face would go so red that you would think it were 'an infected red skin-spot with pomegranate grains on both cheeks' (5).
He used to visit the poorest of ailing persons and exhorted all his followers to do likewise (6) He would sit with the humblest of persons saying that every man is equal to each other (regardless of race and ancestry); righteousness alone was the criterion of one's superiority over another. He invariably invited people be they slaves, servants or the poorest believers, to partake with him of his scanty meals (7). Being their leader, he never felt inferior to be eating with the slaves and lower class. Loving the poor and the needy; entertaining them or participating in their funerals were things that he consistently observed.
Once he was travelling with his Companions and when it was time to have food prepared, he asked them to slaughter a she-sheep. A man said: I will slaughter it, another one said: I will skin it out. A third said: I will cook it. So he said: “I will collect wood for fire.” Out of respect for their leader, they said “No, we will suffice you that work.” He responded by saying “I know you can do it for me, but I hate to be privileged.” (8) so he went and collected fire-wood.
His cheerfulness was never withdrawn from anyone’s face; even at those whom he warned his people from or those whom he himself was on the alert of. He visited friends and inquired about people’s affairs. He confirmed what was right and criticized the awful and tried to undermine it. He was moderate in all affairs. He was equal to others and was not privileged. He would never act heedlessly, lest the others should get heedless. Each situation was dealt within its proper due.
His followers would examine each and every detail of his actions, and would attempt to imitate and follow them. Whenever he spoke, they all lowered their gaze immediately out of respect for him, and when he instructed or commanded something, his followers would race one another to do it. But whoever served him is served by him too. Utterances of complaints have never been said by him to his servants nor was his servant ever blamed for doing a thing or leaving it undone.
And to his family, he was was an inexhaustible stream of love, warmth, tenderness, sensitivity and emotions. He once told his followers that “the best of you is he whom is best towards his family. And I am the best of you” (9). He was the perfect lover to his family and wives; always playing and joking with them and winning their hearts. He used to express his love for his wife (10) by intending to drink from the same cup she drank from putting his lips on the place from which she drank sending a secret message warming up her heart and feelings.
In spite of his heavy burdens as being the leader of his people, the commander of the army and the moral and intellectual guidance to his followers, he did not forget his duties towards his family by helping them in the housework, valuing the work of his wives. There was no type of household work too low or too undignified for him. His wife testifies saying, "He always joined in household work and would at times mend his clothes, repair his shoes and sweep the floor. He would milk, tether, and feed his animals and do the household shopping." (11)
He would not hesitate to do the menial work of others, particularly of orphans and widows (12). Once when there was no male member in the house of the companion who had gone to the battlefield, he used to go to his house daily and milk his cattle for the inhabitants (13).
So, who is this man? Who is this man who, despite his extremely high position amongst his people – as their king, general, teacher and mentor – had an unparallelled level of humility, modesty, cheerfulness and was extremely kind and loving towards his companions and family?
Figured it out yet?
This man is no other than Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul Muttalib - the final Prophet and Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.
“And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a Mercy of all existence (Al’Alamin)” (Al-Anbiya’ 21:107)
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad s.a.w.) you have a good example to follow, for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much” (Al-Ahzab 31:21)
Allah describes The Prophet’s beautiful conduct as part of His Mery and gifts to mankind;
“And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them with gentleness. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so ignore their faults, and ask (Allah’s) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs..” (Al-‘Imran 3:159)
"Allah has sent me as an apostle so that I may demonstrate perfection of character, refinement of manners and loftiness of deportment." (Malik, Ahmad)
I won’t comment much further. Just look at the character of this man! SubhanAllah! Have love for this man! Make sure he has a place in your heart; follow his commandments and guidance, and we shall never go wrong!
“Say (O Muhammad, to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Al’Imran 3:31)
All sources quoted from Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar) – Biography of the Noble Prophet SAW (eng translation) published by Darussalam, and various online articles under “The Prophet’s Personality” at http://www.rasoulallah.net/
References (as quoted from sources)
- Ash-Shifa, 1/89; as described by Ali ibn Abi Talib
- Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, on the authority of Anas ibn Malik
- Known in Arabic as “As-Sidiq Al-Amin”
- Sahih Al-Bukhari, narrated from the statement of Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri
- Mishkat Al-Masabeeh, 1/22
- Sahih Al-Bukhari
- Sunan At-Tirmidzi
- Rasulullah further continues saying “Allah hates to see a slave of his priveleged to others”. Khulasa As-Siyar, p.22
- Ibn Majah, Tirmidzi and others
- This statement is referring to A’isyah binti Abi Bakr
- Sahih Bukhari, Narrated by A’isyah
- Hadith compiled by Nasa’I & Ad-Darimi
- Ibn Saad Vol. 6, p 213, referring to his companion Kabab Bin Arat
