The Manifestation of “Noble Character” (Part Four)
The Magnanimity and Forbearance of the Prophet (PBUH)
The noble Messenger (PBUH) was the leader of humanity and its teacher in good character, generosity, and humility, as Allah Almighty says: «وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَى خُلُقٍ عَظِیم.» (“And indeed, you are of a great moral character.”)
Hazrat Jabir (MABH) narrates that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: «إن الله بعثني لتمام مكارم الأخلاق وكمال محاسن الأفعال.» (Translation: “Without a doubt, Allah Almighty has sent me to complete the goodness of morals and to perfect the beauty of actions.”)
When Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha Siddiqa (MABH) was asked about the character of the noble Messenger, she said: «كان خلقه القرآن» (Translation: “The character of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was entirely a reflection of the Qur’an.”)
His forgiveness, forbearance, broad-mindedness, and tolerance were such that the sharpest intellects of the wise and the imagination of poets could not fully grasp its extent.
We present below a few examples of this to our dear readers:
One of the important instances of the Prophet’s (PBUH) generosity and forgiveness is his pardon and kindness toward his most stubborn enemy, Abdullah ibn Ubayy. When Abdullah ibn Ubayy, who was the chief of the hypocrites, was placed in his grave, the Prophet (PBUH) ordered that he be taken out. Then, he placed him on his knees, spat his blessed saliva on him, and covered him with his own shirt.
Zaid ibn Sa’nah, before embracing Islam, came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and demanded repayment of a debt owed to him. He pulled the Messenger of Allah’s (PBUH) garment from his shoulder, held it tightly, and said harshly, “O descendants of Abdul-Muttalib, you are very slow in paying debts!” Umar (MABH) rebuked him and spoke to him sharply. However, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) smiled. Then, turning to Umar, he said, “O Umar, he and I needed something other than this behavior from you. You should have urged me to pay well and him to ask well.” Then he noted that only three days remained until the debt was due, and he ordered Umar to pay his debt and give him twenty Sa’ (a unit of measurement) extra because Umar had frightened him. This very incident caused Zaid ibn Sa’nah to embrace Islam.
Anas (MABH) says: Eighty armed men from the people of Mecca came down from the top of Mount al-Tan’im with the intention of deceiving and assassinating the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). The Prophet (PBUH) captured them all but spared their lives.
Jabir (MABH) says: We were with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) on the expedition of Najd. We camped in a valley full of trees. The Prophet (PBUH) went under a Samurah tree to rest and hung his sword on the tree, then began to rest. People dispersed among the trees for shade. During this time, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) suddenly called us, and when we came, we saw a Bedouin man sitting in front of him (PBUH).
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “I was sleeping when this man came and drew my sword from its sheath and raised it. I woke up to find him standing over my head with the sword drawn, saying: ‘Who will protect you from me?’ I said: ‘Allah!’ Then he put the sword back in its sheath and sat down, and now he is sitting.” Jabir says: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) did not punish the man. He was a kind teacher and a compassionate reformer in all circumstances.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (MABH) narrates that once an Arab Bedouin urinated in the mosque. People stood up to beat him, but the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Leave him and pour a bucket of water over his urine.” Then he said: “فإنما بعثتم میسرین، و لم تبعثوا معسرين” (Translation: “You have been sent to make things easy, not difficult.”)
Hazrat Anas (MABH) says: Once, the Takbir for prayer had been said when a Bedouin came to the Prophet and grabbed his garment, saying, “I have a small need; I fear I will forget it.” The Prophet got up with him until the man had finished, and then he began to pray.
His tolerance, open-mindedness, and patience were such that his servant, Anas bin Malik, says: «خَدَمْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلىاللهعلیهوسلم عَشْرَ سِنِينَ وَاللَّهِ مَا قَالَ لِي أُفًّا قَطُّ وَلاَ قَالَ لِي لِشَيْءٍ لِمَ فَعَلْتَ كَذَا وَهَلَا فَعَلْتَ كَذَا» (Translation: “I served the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) continuously for ten years, but during all this time, he never said ‘uff’ to me, nor did he ever say to me about anything, ‘Why did you do this?’ or ‘Why didn’t you do that?'”)
Saad bin Omar (MABH) says: I had the honor of being in the service of the Prophet (PBUH), while the effect of “wars” (a type of dye) was visible on my clothes. As soon as the Prophet saw me, he said: “Wars, Wars, throw it away, throw it away.” Then he struck my stomach with a stick, which made me uncomfortable. I said, “O Messenger of Allah, I want retribution.” The Prophet (PBUH) immediately removed his garment from his blessed abdomen and said, “Come and take retribution.”
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