Author: Shukran Ahmadi
The Manifestation of “Noble Character” (Part Five)
The Humility and Modesty of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)
The humility and modesty of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were at their peak. He (PBUH) did not approve of any preferential treatment for himself. He disliked anyone standing up for him or people going to extremes in his praise, elevating him above the status of servitude and Prophethood, as past nations had done with their prophets.
Anas (MABH) said: “No one was more beloved to us than the Messenger of Allah (PBUH); however, when we saw him, we would not stand up because we knew he disliked it.” [1]
It is narrated from Umar ibn al-Khattab (MABH) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising Jesus, the son of Mary; for I am but a servant, so say: ‘The servant of Allah and His Messenger.'” [2]
Abdullah bin Abi Awfa (MABH) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) did not consider it a flaw to walk with slaves and widows until he was free from their work. [3]
The humility of the Messenger of Allah was such that a maidservant from the maidservants of Medina would take the hand of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and take him wherever she wanted. [4]
When Adi bin Hatem Tai came to Medina, he invited the Prophet (PBUH) to his house. A maidservant brought a cushion for the Prophet to sit on, but he placed it between himself and Adi and sat on the ground instead. Adi said: “I realized that he was not a king” (but rather a true prophet). [5]
Anas (MABH) says: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would visit the sick, attend funeral prayers, ride a donkey, and accept the invitation of a slave or maidservant.” [6]
Anas (MABH) further stated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would be invited to bread made of barley and unappetizing stews, but he would accept the invitation. [7]
Amr ibn al-As (MABH) said: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) came to visit me. I offered him a pillow filled with palm fronds; however, he (PBUH) sat on the ground, with the pillow placed between us.” [8]
The Sahaba say that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would sweep the house, tie the camel, feed the animals, eat with the servant, knead the dough, and carry his belongings from the marketplace. [9]
The Modesty and Courage of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was the embodiment of both modesty and courage, although many believe these two traits contradict each other. Regarding his modesty, Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported, “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was more modest than an unmarried girl in seclusion. Whenever he disapproved of something, we could see signs of disapproval on his blessed face.” [10]
It was due to his modesty that he did not like to directly admonish anyone about their faults. Ummul-Mu’minin Aisha al-Siddiqah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “Whenever the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would become aware of someone’s fault or wrongdoing, he would not say, ‘What has happened to so-and-so?’ but would use the plural form and say, ‘What is the matter with those who do such or such?’ In this way, he prohibited wrongdoing without mentioning the individual by name.” [11]
As for the courage of that noble Prophet (PBUH), the testimony of the hero of heroes and the noble of the nobles, Ali ibn Abi Talib (MABH), is sufficient. He said: “When the battle would intensify and the flames of war would grow fierce, we would seek refuge with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and no one was closer to the enemy than he. I witnessed on the Day of Badr that we sought shelter with him, and he was nearer to the enemy than anyone else.” [12]
In the Battle of Uhud and on the Day of Hunayn, the bravery of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) became completely evident. When the brave men abandoned the battlefield, he (PBUH) stood firm on his mule, as if nothing had happened, while exclaiming, “I am the Prophet—there is no lie. I am the son of Abd al-Muttalib.”
Limitless and Extensive Compassion and Kindness
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was extraordinarily tender-hearted and compassionate despite his unparalleled bravery. His tears flowed quickly; he felt pity for the weak and showed mercy to animals and livestock, urging others to be kind to them as well. Shu’aib ibn Auws (MABH) reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Indeed, Allah has made kindness obligatory in every matter. So, whenever you kill someone [for punishment or retribution], do so in a good manner, and whenever you slaughter an animal, do so in a good manner. Sharpen your knife and ensure the animal is comfortable before slaughtering it.” [13]
Abdullah ibn Ja’far (may Allah be pleased with both of them) narrates that one day the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) entered the garden of an Ansari. There was a camel there, and when the camel saw the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), it groaned, and tears flowed from its eyes. The Messenger of Allah approached it, stroked its hump and head, and the camel calmed down. He then asked, “Who is the owner of this camel? Whose camel is this?” A young man from the Ansar came forward and said, “O Messenger of Allah, this camel is mine.” The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Do you not fear Allah regarding this animal that He has entrusted to your possession? This camel complains to me that you keep it hungry and always overwork it.” [14]
Ibn Mas’ud (MABH) reports that we were traveling with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). He went to relieve himself, and we saw a sparrow with two chicks. We took the chicks. The sparrow was flapping its wings on the ground until the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) arrived. He said, “Who has caused this bird to suffer by taking its chicks? Return the chicks to it at once.” In another instance, he saw a city of ants that we had burned and asked, “Who burned this?” We said, “We did this.” He said, “It is not appropriate for anyone other than Allah to punish a creation with fire.” [15]
Jabir ibn Abdullah (MABH) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to recommend kindness towards servants and maids, saying: “Feed them from what you eat, clothe them from what you wear, and do not torment the creation of Allah.” [16]
Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) reports that a man from the desert came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and asked, “يا رسول الله ! كم أعفو من الخادم كل يوم؟ قال: سبعين مرة”» “O Messenger of Allah! How many times should I pardon the servant each day?” He (PBUH) replied, “Seventy times.”
Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) states that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) instructed, “أعطوا الأجير أجره قبل أن يجف عرقه؛” Translation: “Give the worker their wages before their sweat dries.”
Continues…
[1]. Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, in the chapter of what has been reported about the dislike of a man standing for another man, and narrated by Ahmad in the Musnad, Volume 3, page 132.
[2]. Narrated by Al-Bukhari in the Book of Prophets: 324/4.
[3]. Narrated by Al-Bayhaqi in the chapter on the humility of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him: 36/4.
[4]. Narrated by Ahmad in the Musnad, Volume 3, pages 198-215, and by Al-Jami’ Al-Fawa’id, Volume 2, in the Book of Virtues, chapter on his attributes and morals.
[5]. Zad Al-Ma’ad, Volume 1, page 43.
[6]. Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi in Ash-Shama’il, chapter on the humility of the Prophet, peace be upon him: 265/2.
[7]. Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi in Ash-Shama’il in the chapter on the humility of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and narrated by Ahmad in the Musnad, Volume 3, page 211.
[8]. Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, page 172.
[9]. The Book of Shifa, page 101, narrated by Al-Bukhari.
[10]. Narrated by Al-Bukhari in the Book of Virtues, chapter on the attributes of the Prophet, peace be upon him: 1564/6.
[11]. The meaning of the hadith can be found in Sunan Abu Dawood, chapter “Good Treatment”: 321/5.
[12]. Al-Shifa, page 89.
[13]. Narrated by Muslim in the chapter on the command to perform slaughtering well, Book of Slaughtered Animals: 423/5.
[14]. Narrated by Abu Dawood in the chapter on what is commanded regarding standing on animals: 764/4.
[15]. Narrated by Abu Dawood in the Book of Jihad, chapter on the dislike of burning the enemy with fire: 653/6.
[16]. Narrated by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, page 30.
[17]. Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi: 437/6.
[18]. Narrated by Ibn Majah in the chapters on pledges (chapter on the wage of labor): 765/6.
