The Manifestation of “Noble Character” (Part Three)
At Home and with Family
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was just like any other human being in his home. Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha Siddiqa (MABH) said: “He would clean his own clothes, milk the sheep, and do his own work.” She added: “He would patch his clothes and mend his shoes.”
Anas (MABH) remarked: “I have not seen anyone more kind to his family than the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).”
Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha (MABH) also said: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘The best of you is the one who is best to his family, and I am the best of you to my family.'”
Abu Hurairah (MABH) stated: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) never found fault with food; if he liked it, he would eat it, and if he did not like it, he would leave it.”
Prioritizing Relatives in Dangers and Losses, and Putting Them Behind in Comfort and Benefits
The consistent practice of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) with his household and close relatives was to prioritize them in times of danger and loss, while placing them behind in comfort and benefits. During the Battle of Badr, when ‘Utbah ibn Rabi’ah, Shaybah ibn Rabi’ah, and Walid ibn ‘Utbah—the renowned Arab heroes—challenged the Quraysh and Muslim immigrants to a duel, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was aware of their significance in battle. Though there were other heroes among the Sahaba who were ready to fight, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) only ordered his closest relatives to confront them, saying: “Stand up, O Hamza!”, “Rise, O Ali!”, “Get up, O Ubaydah!” All of these individuals were among the closest and most beloved people to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). Nevertheless, the Prophet did not prefer others over them for their safety.
When the Holy Prophet (PBUH) decided to prohibit usury and declare the blood feuds of the pre-Islamic era void, he began with the usury of Abbas and the blood of Rabi’ah ibn al-Harith ibn Abd al-Muttalib.
In the Farewell Pilgrimage sermon, he declared: “All usury of the pre-Islamic era is null and void. The first usury I declare void is our own usury, that is, the usury of Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib. All blood feuds of the pre-Islamic era are null and void. The first blood feud I declare null and void is the blood of Rabi’ah ibn al-Harith.”
However, in terms of comfort and privileges, he consistently kept his family members at a distance and subordinate, unlike kings and political leaders.
Ali ibn Abi Talib (MABH) narrates that Fatima (MABH), troubled by grinding flour with a hand mill, heard that some slaves had been brought to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and went to him to request a servant for household chores. However, she was too shy to speak. Eventually, she confided in Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha Siddiqa (MABH). When the Holy Prophet (PBUH) arrived, Aisha conveyed Fatima’s problem. Ali (MABH) recounts: “When the Prophet realized the situation, he came to us while we had spread out our bedding and were resting. Upon his arrival, we wanted to get up, but he said: ‘Stay where you are.’ I felt the coolness of his blessed feet on my chest.” The Holy Prophet (PBUH) then said: “Shall I not guide you to something better than what you asked for? When you go to bed, say ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is the Greatest) 34 times, ‘Alhamdulillah’ (Praise be to Allah) 33 times, and ‘Subhan Allah’ (Glory be to Allah) 33 times. This is much better for you than what you asked for (i.e., a servant).”
In another narration about the same story, it is mentioned that the Prophet said: “By Allah, how can I give to you while the people of Suffah are starving, and I have nothing to spend on them? I will sell these slaves and spend their money on the people of Suffah.”
Beautiful Emotions and Delicate Human Feelings
Despite the responsibilities of prophethood and the heavy burden of sorrow and concern for the salvation of humanity – a burden so heavy that even steadfast mountains would be unable to bear it
– the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) expressed beautiful emotions and delicate human feelings in their most exquisite form throughout his pure life.
Despite his decisiveness and strength of will, hallmark traits of the prophets, and despite valuing nothing above the cause of spreading Allah’s message, the Prophet (PBUH) never forgot his loyal Sahaba. Especially those who answered his call, sacrificed their lives for the path of Allah, and fell as martyrs from the Battle of Uhud until the last days of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).
He (PBUH) constantly remembered them, prayed for them, and visited them. This love extended profoundly to the battlefield, Mount Uhud, and the city of Medina itself.
Abu Humaid narrates: “We were returning from Tabuk with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). When we approached Medina, he said: ‘This is Taba [one of the names of Medina], and this is the mountain that loves us, and we love it.'”
Uqba narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) went out of Medina one day and offered the funeral prayer for the Sahaba of Uhud.
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