Chapter IV
MUHAMMAD’S PERSONALITY:
DIVINE REVELATIONS:
God repeatedly sent verses of the Holy Qurän, to elucidate the attributes of Muhammad. The Qurän says,
1. WE HAVE INDEED IN THE APOSTLE OF GOD A BEAUTIFUL PATTERN (OF CONDUCT) FOR ANY ONE WHOSE HOPE IS IN GOD AND THE FINAL DAY, AND WHO ENGAGES MUCH IN PRAISE OF GOD (AL-QURÄN - 33: 21).
2. AND THOU (STANDEST) ON AN EXALTED STANDARD OF CHARACTER (AL-QURÄN - 68: 4).
3. GOD HATH CHOSEN HIM ABOVE YOU, AND HATH GIFTED HIM ABUNDANTLY WITH KNOWLEDGE AND BODILY PROWESS: (AL-QURÄN - 2: 247).
4. WE SENT THEE NOT, BUT AS A MERCY FOR ALL CREATURES (AL-QURÄN - 21: 107).
5. VERILY THOU ART ONE OF THE APOSTLES (AL-QURÄN - 2: 252).
PHYSIQUE, DRESS, FOOD HABITS, PREFERENCES AND BEHAVIOUR:
Hazrat Ahmed Mujtaba Muhammad Mustafa (PBUH), the Prophet of the Worlds, is the Apostle of Serenity. He was the noblest of the noble creation of God, the light of the Worlds that illuminated the path to the Ultimate Truth. Muhammad was the perfect, the most handsome, the exalted in character and the ideal human being. Allah has declared him as Rahmatullil Al-Amin (Mercy of the Universe).
Every detail of his life, until today, is an example for the devout Muslim. In his childhood, he was the ideal child, and in his adulthood, he was so pure of heart, and so refined in behaviour that he was an example for others. Nobody was equal to Muhammad in Benevolence, Compassion, Purity of Behaviour, and Truthfulness. His countenance radiated with a serene glow, which was so soothing and beautiful that onlookers were instantly captivated by the charm. He had a very balanced physique; not very tall with well formed shoulders, wide breasts, long reach, sharp nose, deep black eyes emanating a divine brilliance, and charming eyebrows set below a broad forehead. There was none with such a handsome, well proportionate body, having such a noble and charming personality, as was Muhammad. Everything about him was perfect, so beautiful, so serene and charming that anybody meeting him instantly imbued with love and respect for him. His face always beaming with a disarming smile glowed divinely. Never he talked with anybody harshly, nor struck anybody in his whole life. Tender, benevolent and compassionate, Muhammad was endowed with a pure heart and an excellent sense of duty. He was tender and soft-hearted, but stern to the extent of severity to the defaulters. With strong, forceful and fiery disposition was combined his tenderness of heart.
Muhammad walked, slightly bent forward, as if climbing down a hill. Fragrance emanating from his body heralded his arrival and even his perspiration bore a sweet aroma. He is the most handsome, most courageous, most benevolent and compassionate human being. The Messenger of God talked with a clear voice and always addressed his audience with a captivating smile. Endowed with a gratifying conversational style, Muhammad addressed a gathering with a charmingly heavy tone.
The Prophet of the Worlds lived a very simple life. His dress, living quarters and food habits, everything, exuded simplicity. Ruling over a vast land, Muhammad, the King of the Worlds lived like a hermit. There was no manifestation of extravagant grandeur either in his public or private lives. Simplicity was his way and he enjoined others to do so. The Apostle wore ash or white clothes and disliked red. His headgear, the Turban was worn over a cap and he used shawls, blankets and ‘Abas’ (an Arab garment). Rings were the only ornaments, the Messenger of God used. Muhammad, during war adorned helmets and armour. He also used shoes with laces and stocking. Horse riding was his favourite but he rode on donkeys, mules and camels too; generally, camels were his main carriers. Averse to formalities, Muhammad with simple food habits would eat whatever was available. Unless the pieces of meat were large, Muhammad ate with his hands, otherwise, used a knife to cut them in smaller pieces. Vinegar, honey, confection, olive oil and gourd were his favourites. Muhammad liked lamb, chicken, birds, goat and camel’s meat and crushed dates and watermelons were his favourites too.
The Great Prophet loved perfumes and used perfumes free of alcohol (attar). He said, “Man will use perfumes, not colours, and women will ware colour not perfumes.” The Apostle (PBUH) was a person of very sophisticated taste and he hated uncleanness. The greatest of the great prophets, Muhammad disliked pomp and grandeur, and lavish compliments, even if they were true. He said, “Personal adulation induces pride and that is the undoing of a person.” Muhammad did not allow Celibacy for his Companions. He said, “Islam is not a religion of Asceticism; Islam does not allow Celibacy.” Therefore, the Apostle set examples by practicing all that is permissible in religion.
EXCHANGES OF GIFTS:
The Great Messenger of God would gladly receive gifts and distribute money in charity to the deserving poor. He said, “Exchange gifts among yourselves that deepens friendly bonds.” In return the Prophet sent gifts to all those that had sent gifts. He sent gifts to the Syrian Sovereign, the Egyptian King, the Roman Emperor, and the Ruler of Yemen, in return. Regularly he sent gifts for his Companions and neighbours. As he disliked being in debt to others, so, if anybody gifted a camel, he always would send a better camel in return.
ALMS:
Muhammad was very liberal in benefaction, but he despised begging. Said he, “It is better to gather wood and sell to earn a livelihood than to live on charity. If anybody prayed to God for deliverance, from a despised act like begging, God grants him, his wish. That who is self-sufficient and prays to God, He retains him so, and that who remains patient under duress, God endows him with forbearance.”
EXCHANGING GREETINGS:
On meeting any person, the Apostle (PBUH) would be the first to greet him with a smile, and shook hands. He never withdrew his hands first and never was the first to turn away. Children were gladdened to see him and he loved them very much. Muhammad was always the first to salute others, irrespective of their age and status. Without exchanging greetings (Salaam) and permission of the inmates, he would not enter a house.
The Prophet of God had never scolded those who served him even for long periods. Instead of them serving the Apostle (PBUH), the Harbinger of God had served them more, according to their testimony. Never was he displeased with them or even harsh to them. He chatted with them freely and kept them cheerful.
FELLOWSHIP WITH THE COMPANIONS
When he worked with his Companions, he worked as an ordinary labourer. During the construction of the Mosque in Medïna, he carried bricks and stones on his back. At times of war, he dug trenches along with others without any hesitation. During a journey, work was divided in the Companions for preparing and cooking food, Muhammad gathered wood from the jungle. Companions requested him not to do hard work saying, “We can do it for you.” The Harbinger of God, Muhammad answered, “I know you can. But, I do not want to make myself unique among you, for God does not like those who make them distinct from their fellow wayfarers.”
OBEDIENCE OF GOD:
Rasulullah (Messenger of God) meticulously followed the very first divine instruction, “Read! And gather knowledge.” Immediately after receiving Allah’s directions, Muhammad made education mandatory for all Muslims, males and females. He then establishing the first Madrasa (school) in one of his Companion’s abode and ordered all Muslims to study in the Madrasa. After the migration to Medïna, he opened a Madrasa with the Masjidun Nabubi. Rasulullah (PBUH) was the Head of both the institutions at Mecca and Medïna. With the establishment of a new commonwealth at Medïna, demands increased for educated executives and officers to run the various government departments. Taught and trained by the Prophet his Companions spread all over, in the villages and in the tribes; gradually under the guidance of the Prophet literacy rapidly increased among the Muslims. Because of the Apostle’s hard work at educating his followers, they later made their mark in different occupations. Their names are etched in golden letters in the annals of the world.
EQUALITY OF STATUS:
To the Messenger of God, everybody was equal, irrespective of caste, creed, age and gender. Rich and poor, Friend and foe, Muslims, non-Muslims, Relatives and strangers, all, all were equal to him. He treated everybody equally kindly, but his preferences tilted toward the poor. In congregations, the Prophet would always sit with the poor and the wretched. Even the poorest of the poor could approach him unhesitatingly. Apostle Muhammad would attend to them and solve their problems, and only then attend to other businesses. He disapproved of conspicuous demonstration of respects to him.
Allah in the Qurän said, “We sent thee not, but As a Mercy for all creatures” (Al-Qurän - 21:107). Very appropriately, so, Muhammad was indeed the all-embracing ‘Compassion’ for all the creation of God, incomprehensible to ordinary minds.
In spite of inhuman persecution by the enemies, he never cursed anybody; on the contrary, he prayed to God, to bless them with good sense, and to bring them to the Path of the Truth. He said, “I have been sent as a Mercy for all in the Worlds.” “Do not harbour hatred for each other or turn your face from each other: Be brothers to each other and choose that for others, which you would choose for yourself and you would become a complete Muslim:” said the Prophet. In charity, he was generous, and did not discriminate between Friend and foe, Muslims and non-Muslims. Always sensitive to the wellbeing of his neighbours, he visited the sick, comforted them and arranged for their treatments, irrespective of their caste and creed. Respectfully, he stood up whenever a funeral procession passed and joined the procession and advised his followers to do so. Enjoined upon them to follow, if not, at least, keep standing until the dead body was carried away.
HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT:
Muhammad liked to work with his right hand. While wearing shoes, stepping in the Mosque or distributing something, he began from the right. The Prophet did all the household chores, like, repairing, cleaning and maintaining the house, repairing and stitching cloths, milking and shopping, etc. Taking care of the domestic animals was also included in his daily chores.
In the Masjidun Nabubi, after Fazr prayers, he answered questions from the Companions. Then after the Cha’aste prayers, (an optional prayer after the sunrises) he went to his apartments. And after inquiring about the health and needs of his wives, he busied himself in the daily chores. After Asr prayers, he stayed with one of his wives, scheduled to stay with him that night. In this way, the Prophet displayed the exercise of equality, in conjugal life. After Isha prayers, he went to bed.
LIFESTYLE:
The Greatest of the great Prophet’s (PBUH) life, his actions and reactions has been recorded in details. Unlike the previous prophets, no aspect of his life is shrouded in mystery. His habits, Behaviour, physical qualities, stature, complexion, gait, liking and disliking, everything, have been recorded with minute details. Nothing has eluded the observation of his immediate Companions, actions, decisions, judgements, interactions, reactions, conversations and communications. Nothing is left untouched. Even the private life of the Prophet is recounted faithfully in detail. The Companions have transcribed actions and activities of the Prophet, from the most significant to the seemingly most insignificant, faithfully.
A great Warrior, Muhammad was a great General, as well. A Planner of the highest order, he was a great Statesman, Jurist, Lawgiver, Economist, Educator and Governor. The last Prophet excelled in every discipline of Government and Management. Greatest of the great Reformers, therefore, has been awarded with successes, unforeseen, as he established a prime commonwealth that outshone all others in a short time of ten years. He is the only reformer who saw his dream come true and his mission accomplished, in his lifetime.
His character was ideal in every respect and thus God said, “And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character.” Muhammad was a loving and caring husband and family man. For twenty-five years, he remained married with Khadija in a blissful, happy married life. In her lifetime, he did not take any other wives. Never in this long period of twenty-five years had he behaved harshly with Khadija. After her death, he was constrained by circumstances, to take other wives. To all his wives, he was equally loving and caring. All of them were given permission to describe, everything, which they observed about the Prophet in the secrecy of privacy. To record his actions, activities and sayings, his followers took great pains to follow him everywhere, and like the earnest researchers, kept a watch on him, always. Committed their findings to their hearts and transcribed those in innumerable books, available today all around the world.
RELATIVES’ PERCEPTION OF MUHAMMAD:
When Muhammad received divine revelations at the age of forty, he had already enjoyed a fifteen yearlong blissful married life with Khadija. Naturally, in such a long period, one gets a comprehensive insight into the partner’s character. Bibi Khadija was not an ordinary woman: she was educated, wise, intelligent and farsighted. Therefore, she very early realized that Muhammad was destined to be a great man. Realizing that Muhammad is God’s Messenger, she accepted his faith and constantly inspired and supported him in his mission. At the thought of the grand burden of prophet-hood, a perturbed Muhammad found courage in Khadija’s encouragement and patronage. She comforted him saying, “Do not worry, Allah shall not abandon you helpless, because you always give relatives their dues: relieve debtors by paying their debts, help the poor and needy, care for the guests: support the righteous and help those in peril (Al-Bukhari).” All these qualities were manifest in his nature, long before he was decreed a prophet.
Hazrat Ali, among his relatives, was a constant companion of the Prophet, from his childhood; naturally, none else knew more about the exalted character of the Apostle (PBUH). Ali said, “Muhammad, had a lively countenance, always brightened with a smile. Good natured, well behaved and kind, Muhammad (Peace on him) was of mild temperament. Never he used any profane language and was not bellicose to anybody. Finding faults with others was not in his nature. He would try his best to satisfy people’s importunate requests, but never did anything inappropriate. Remaining silent, he would avoid saying ‘No’ for he could not dishearten anybody. Never, he has indulged in unnecessary arguments or gibberish. He was averse to aimless persuasion, prying into private lives of others, and blaming others; and said only what is beneficial to the people: because, he did not like to hurt or dishearten any one. He would listen to a person until he finished and would not stop him in the middle.”
Muhammad was a genuine and sincere friend of the people; comforting distressed human soul was the purpose of his life. Hazrat Ali said, “He was very Righteous, Generous, Truthful and Tender Hearted. People’s hearts filled with joy in his presence. At first sight, people felt awed, but gradually the audience started basking in the glow of the sweetness of his manner, slowly their adulation turned into love and reverence. Never has he shown any contempt to his fellow man: and he would laugh with them and sympathize with their emotion. Silently suffered audacity but protested anything untrue. The Messenger of God cooperated in personal matters of anybody, irrespective of his nature and manners. Disliked personal adulation and he happily acknowledged thanks. Never abandoned any work in the middle, faithfully pursued the job undertaken until completion. He did not shame anybody, admonishing in the presence of others, but conveyed his disliking through others if occasion so warranted. The staunch enemy of Islam, the Jewish continually conspired against him, but the Prophet (Peace on him) always treated them nicely, in spite of all their heinous actions.”
Once, some Companions asked Ayesha about Muhammad’s (PBUH) character. She replied, “Qurän is the Character of Rasulullah (PBUH).”1 Truly, the Qurän literally abounds with the explanation of the Prophet’s (PBUH) holy character. He never scolded anybody or misbehaved with anybody, not even with the servants. Never he raised hands on anybody, nor even struck any animals. He fulfilled any logical and valid requests; he never disheartened anybody. By name, he never cursed any person and he never spoke in abusive language, always entered a home with a smile on his face, and never set among friends with legs extended in front. He talked softly and slowly.
The Prophet never tried to cover up any truth, any event or incidence in his life. Without any pretension, he expressed himself onto the people and let himself be known to them truthfully. Even today, he is known, as he was, in his time without any alterations. His beloved wife Bibi Ayesha, stayed with him for long nine years and she said of him: “If anybody says that Muhammad has suppressed any of Allah’s commandments, do not believe him, for God has Himself said,
6. O APOSTLE! PROCLAIM THE (MESSAGE) WHICH HATH BEEN SENT TO THEE FROM THY LORD. IF THOU DIDST NOT, THOU WOULDST NOT HAVE FULFILLED AND PROCLAIMED HIS MISSION (AL-QURÄN - 5: 70).
Regarding this verse Imam Bukhari has said, “Nobody in this world likes to let others know the smallest weakness of their own; this is more so when the concerned is a religious or political leader. Nevertheless, in the Qurän there are numerous verses where the Prophet has been admonished for his apparent lapses. The Prophet, nevertheless, did not suppress those from his people. Those verses have been repeatedly recited from the pulpit of Mosques around the world and numerous followers of the Apostle committed those to their memories. All these verses are recited in places wherever his followers are there. However, if the Qurän has not mentioned them these would have been forgotten long ago and nobody would have known them.
To the ignorant Arabs, the Prophet marrying his adopted son’s wife was an offensive act. In the Qurän, this incident is narrated in details. Hazrat Ayesha says, “If Rasulullah (PBUH) wanted to suppress any verse of the Qurän, he would have suppressed the verse narrating the incidence of this marriage.”2 Rasulullah could have suppressed this incidence of marriage and people would have no ground to object, but he chose otherwise. This proves that the Prophet did not want any aspect of his sacred life shrouded in secrecy, and kept hidden from his followers.
Like a foster child to the Prophet, Hazrat Hind a daughter of Bibi Khadija from her first husband says, “He was mild tempered and not irritable in nature. Never had he said anything that could hurt anybody’s feelings or could demean anybody. He thanked for the smallest cause and ate anything (halal) served before him without any comments. For personal matters, he did not lose temper and never took revenge; and disliked disheartening anybody. But he opposed anything untrue and strongly supported Righteousness and Truthfulness.”3
The Apostle of God always very reverently received his wet nurse Bibi Halima and her husband and children, whenever they came to meet him. Always with a smile, he would stand up to show them respect and would spread his cloak for them to sit on.
A kind-hearted father, the Prophet wept at the premature death of his infant son. As People expressed their surprise, the Prophet said, “I am a human being of flesh and blood, like you all.” Because of the same reason, he took medicine during his last illness.
WORSHIPPING(IBADAH):
The great Prophet enjoined his followers to pray five times a day, while, he prayed eight times. After the Fazr prayers, when the sun rises, the Apostle (PBUH) said Ishraq prayers: and then when the day advanced a bit more, he said the Cha’aste prayers, before the Zohr prayers. While, the Harbinger of God prayed no less than fifty or sixty Raka’ats a day, for the common citizenry only seventeen Raka’ats, were made compulsory4. After prayers, five-times a day, were introduced for the Muslims, Tahajjud5 became elective. Yet the Prophet continued the practice until his death. He would pray whole nights and at times, his legs swelled from standing on them for hours. Once Hazrat Ayesha asked, “Why do you toil so much on prayers, since God Has cleansed you of all sins? “ The Prophet replied, “Should not I be His grateful servant?” Apparently, he prayed not for the fear of God but for His love. At times, the Prophet stayed such a long time in the ‘Ruku’6 that it seemed as if he had forgotten to Prostrate (Sajdah): But he did not enforce this demanding rule upon his Companions.
A prominent Companion used to lead prayers at a Mosque: once a fellow complained to the Prophet that it was arduous to pray behind him, as he protracted the prayers. Such a complaint annoyed the Prophet, and in an irritated tone said he: “Some people annoys others by their deeds.” “Those among you that lead prayers make them brief; since, in the congregations are suckling mothers, old, weak and persons having other duties.”
Right from the beginning of his Ministry, the Prophet prayed regularly. In spite of threats from the heathens, he openly prayed at the Ka’aba. Several times the enemy attacked him during prayers but that did not sway him from his path. At battlefields during fierce fighting, the Prophet would prostrate himself in prayers. All his life he prayed very devotedly in time. Never even for two units (raka’ats), he had without a valid cause, defaulted.7 Once during the Battle of Khandaq, the pagans caused him to say his prayers beyond the prescribed time. Another time, while, returning from a battle, journeying the whole night, the convoy fell asleep, and missed the morning prayers. Later they said Kadha (praying later for a missed prayer). Even when his last illness weakened the Apostle (PBUH), he took part in the public prayers with the help of his companions. Only three days before his death, the Prophet tried to join the public prayers though his legs would not support him. Thus, he tried thrice and thrice he fell down unconscious, and could not take part in the prayers.
He gave directives for fasting to his followers. For the Muslims, normally, thirty days of fasting is mandatory. However, the Prophet did fast every week round the year. Hazrat Ayesha said, “When the Prophet began fasting, it seemed as if he would not stop fasting.” The Apostle advised his followers not to fast beyond the day light hours, he himself fasted two three days without eating anything. If the Companions tried to follow him in fasting, he would say, “My Lord feeds me. Who is there among you that can follow me in this matter?” In a year, in Shaban and in Ramadhan, the Messenger of God fasted, the whole periods. Almost all the moonlit nights and ten days in Muharram and six days in Shawwal, the Prophet fasted. Besides, he was in the habit of fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. This was how the Prophet taught man, the Love of God. Every moment of his life in every state of his existence, the Harbinger of God kept remembering his Creator.
PATIENCE AND TENACITY:
In the Qurän Allah said, “Hold your patience as the other prophets did.” Muhammad, the Prophet of God, in the face of strong resistance and persistent cruelty of the Quraish did not sway from preaching the Truth. In a nation blinded by ignorance and fiercely cruel by nature, he dauntlessly carried on his mission. He prayed in the Ka’aba in front of the leaders holding discussion there. Muhammad fearlessly, announced God’s Message from the top of mount Safa when directed by God.
When his lifelong patron, Uncle Abu Talib, fearing reprisal hinted at withdrawing his support, the Prophet’s (PBUH) inspired reply was “If even I am given the moon in one hand and the sun in the other I will not deviate from my duty.”
At the later stage of Meccan life, his entire tribe was forced into confinement in the Shiabay Valley for three years. All contact was cut off with the outside world. Children died of starvation, and mothers embraced death mourning for their children. The enemies planned, at last, to kill him yet, the Prophet remained steadfast in his mission.
To help others, he even borrowed. Always cheerful, the Prophet endured the harsh behaviour of creditors, but never retaliated. People that traded with him before his ministry praised his honesty in transaction. The Quraish became his enemy only because he propagated ‘Unity of Godhead’. Otherwise, they would trust him with their lives. These heathens bestowed him with the title of ‘As-Sadique’ and ‘Al-Amin’. In spite of their intense dislike of his mission, they would keep their money and valuables with Muhammad. While the Apostle (PBUH) left for Medïna, he left Ali behind to return those entrusted money and commodities to their owners.
The enemies tried in every possible method to assassinate the Apostle (PBUH). They cordoned his house and remained vigilant the whole night not to let him out unnoticed. Similarly, the Tayefians stoned him bloody, which he never could forget, but the Prophet of God shown mercy to all after they were vanquished. He did not take revenge on anybody and did not enslave anyone, as was the custom, those days. Even the killer of his beloved uncle, Hamza was forgiven. He only asked them not to appear before him frequently as that reminds him of uncle Hamza’s death and other such acts.
The Quraish enemies talked to him in uncouth language and tried to harass him, but he never took revenge on personal grounds. For long thirteen years, the pagan barbarians perpetuated unspeakable persecution of Muhammad and his followers. They kept them confined for three long years in the barren valley of Shiabay without allowing any supplies. When children died and mothers moaned in agony, the heathen delighted in their misery and laughed aloud. The night the Prophet migrated, they planned to kill him, and even then, he allowed them a general amnesty at the fall of Mecca.
To avoid his enemies during the migrating sojourn, the Prophet took refuge in a cave. Searching, the armed bloodthirsty Quraish came to the entrance of the cave within a few yards of unarmed Muhammad and his companion. Hazrat Abu Bakr, the lone company of the Prophet was terrified and said, “Oh Rasulullah! We are only two against the armed blood hounds.” Calmly from the other side came the reply: “Abu Bakr we are not two, do not be afraid, Allah is with us.”
When the leaders of the Quraish came to know that the Prophet had left Mecca, they promptly declared a reward of one hundred camels for anybody who could bring the head of Muhammad. For the reward Suraka ibn Jasm, arming himself mounted a swift-footed stallion and hastened after the Apostle (PBUH). He quickly gained on them. When he almost reached the Harbinger of God, Abu Bakr became worried, but the Prophet calmly prayed and miraculously Suraka could not advance any further. His carrier stuck its foot in the sand, Suraka tried to find out the result of his pursuit astrologically with his arrow, thrice, and thrice the result was negative. This was a warning for him to not to follow Muhammad. He realized that Muhammad truly was the Messenger of God and was weakened mentally. Suraka thus devastated, expressed himself to the Prophet and beseeched him for mercy. The Messenger of God not only pardoned Suraka but also gave him written assurance of protection for the future. When Mecca was conquered and Suraka was taken captive, Muhammad even did not ask him, “Suraka what should be your punishment?”
BENEVOLENCE:
Prophet Muhammad lived a very simple private and public life, and taught his followers to do so. When he sent any military expedition, he would advise his commanders to be kind to the soldiers, be pious and care about the people under their commands. He enjoined them to wage war only on those that defied the ‘Unity of God’ and threatened peace. Killing women and children were forbidden. Prohibited was also the destruction of trees, plants and standing crops. Strict order was given not to break any treaty. When the Prophet commanded his forces, he always maintained these basic humanitarian rules. After expressing his gratitude to God for His help, the Harbinger of God thanked Him and promptly enforced law and order in the vanquished land. He treated the defeated enemy with utmost kindness and compassion. For the sake of peace and tranquillity, he signed Peace pacts with them on gracious terms. All these magnanimous acts earned him many friends and many sworn adversaries of Islam were easily won over. Not only that many Muslim warriors influenced deeply by these acts of compassion but also did such magnanimous act that no other religion can boast of.
In 1191, Christian world declared war on the Muslims, which became known in history as the Crusades. Two chief protagonists of these series of wars were King Richard, the lion hearted of England and the French King Philip Augustus. Both of them fell seriously ill at the battlefield. Salahuddin, the Great, the Muslim Commander, instead of exploiting the situation to his benefit, took a totally uncharted course. He entered the enemy camps in disguise and treated his adversaries until they recovered. He even sent a swift-footed horse for Richard, the lion hearted, when he lost his mount. Later, in a face-to-face encounter, he defeated the Crusaders, comprehensively. The annals of the Muslims abound in such episodes.
EQUALITY:
Self-sacrifice was one of the most prominent qualities of Muhammad. He had profound love for all his children and in them Fatima the favourite. On seeing her, he would glow with happiness and invariably stood up to greet her. Moreover, always bestowed a kiss on the forehead and seated her beside him. However, this beloved daughter of the king of the kings lived a very simple life. She had no servants and helpers. She did all the household chores. Once Fatima expressed her desire for a servant, the Prophet declined saying how could he provide comfort to his daughter without ensuring the same for many others. Fatima never again raised the issue.
To Muhammad the rich and the poor, friend and foe, Muslims, non-Muslims, relatives and strangers, all, all were equal to him. He treated everybody equally kindly. He accorded importance based on good deeds done by a person. Similarly, punishments were awarded irrespective of standing and influence of a person in the society. Those Companions who were slaves earlier had the same standing before Muhammad and enjoined the same status as a Quraish Chieftain.
Even the most wretched and the poor would find Muhammad at their bedside in sickness comforting them. Nobody was neglected for his social status. Nursing the sick and burying the dead was declared a religious duty. He said to his Companions, “To help the sick and suffering is the duty of every Muslim.”
Adi the son of Hatem Tai, the chieftain of the Tai tribe was a Christian by faith. He came to the court of the Prophet and was baffled at the reverence shown to the Apostle (PBUH) and the simplicity. Adi was unable to decide if Muhammad was a prophet or an emperor. When he was in two minds, suddenly a slave girl appeared who requested the Prophet to accompany her. He did follow the slave-woman and came back to his court only after solving her problem. That left no doubt in Adi’s mind that Muhammad was surely a prophet. He embraced Islam, immediately.
Once, a Bedouin stopped the Prophet, holding his cloak from behind, while he was on his way to public prayers. Muhammad was mildly hurt. He demanded the reason for doing so from the Bedouin. The Bedouin requested him to solve his problem. The Prophet said his prayers only after meeting his demand. All these epitomize the greatness of Muhammad, and his passion for the welfare of humankind.
SPARTAN LIFE:
The Apostle’s (PBUH) pure disposition is the true reflection of the Holy Qurän. He meticulously obeyed edicts that descended upon him. Faith, Belief in one God, Prayer, Fasting, Poor Tax, Alms, Religious war, Renunciation, Sacrifice, Steadfastness, Perseverance, Gratefulness, Manners and other good qualities ordained by God, he was the first to comply with, before preaching them. His life was not only a reflection of the Qurän but it became alive through him. Peoples were urged to donate and give poor tax, and he was the first to exercise charity. Hazrat Khadija says, “To help the indebted, clear their loans and helping destitute has become a habit of the Prophet but he does not ask his followers to dole out everything and fall behind him. They are only asked to spend part of their wealth in benefaction.” “Wamimma Rajaknahum Iunfikun (From what Allah gave you donate a portion in the name of Allah)”, he reminded people of this injunction of Allah. In his own case, he donated everything that came his way. After the Battle of Khaibar, in the seventh Hegira, the system of dividing food grains for the whole year among the Ummul Muminins was introduced. Long before the year passed, the stock of grains was spent in aid.
Hazrat ibn Abbas says, “Rasulullah (PBUH) was the most charitable person and his charitable activities would increase during Ramadhan. He never refused anybody anything. Whatever he ate, he shared with all present, irrespective of the quantity. Muhammad said, ‘If anybody died indebted inform me, I will pay his loans; and if he had left any property, his inheritors will also inherit the debt’.”
Once a Bedouin came and told the Prophet: “These food grains do not belong to you or your father, showing the stacked up grains in front; load these on to my camel.” The Prophet, without any hesitation loaded the grains on the camel. He did not mind the Bedouin’s harsh remarks for he always said, “I am only the custodian and distributor, God is the Giver.”
Late in the night when all the worlds were immersed in silence Ayesha once saw the Prophet deeply engrossed in prayers. She heard him pray to God: “O God, keep me poor, and give me death in this condition and raise me with the poor on the day of Judgement.”
Prophet Muhammad told Ummul Muminin, Ayesha, “Never turn poor and wretched beggars away empty handed. Even if it is a piece of date, give him that. Be kind and affectionate to the poor and let them sit beside you.” For women silk and gold jewellery are permitted, yet, the Prophet asked his wives to avoid those since, they hint at pomp and grandeur. He did not like resplendence in his abode.
Hazrat Abujor Gifari said, “One night I was walking with the Prophet and he suddenly said, ‘Abujor if the Ohud hills turn into gold for me this night, I would not keep a bit of it. Before the night passes away, I would get rid of it, but yes, if I have to pay debt, I would keep some’.”
One day from Bahrain came camels laden with wealth; the Prophet ordered them to be unloaded on the terrace of the Mosque. Witnesses say that without paying any attention to the wealth, the Prophet went inside the Mosque to lead prayers. After saying prayers, he came and sat beside the huge wealth and began distribution. When he rose, there was nothing left but the dirt on his clothes to brush off. Once, four camels laden with food grains came from Fedak. Some of these grains were used to meet loan-payment and some were distributed among the people. Bellal on asked of the status of disbursement replied, “Still some grains are left, as there are none to take.” To that the Prophet said, “I cannot leave this place till this worldly wealth is with me.” In fact, he stayed back in the Mosque that night. In the morning, Hazrat Bellal gave him the good news: “O Prophet, God Has Relieved you of the responsibility, the leftover has been distributed.” Prophet Muhammad once after Asr (evening) prayers surprised his Companions by returning immediately, after entering his residential quarters. The Prophet explained: “I remembered while praying that I have a piece of gold at home and I was afraid that night might descend before I could get rid of it.”
Ummul Muminin Umme-Salma says, “Once the Prophet came home, depressed. I asked him the reason. He replied: ‘Umme-Salma, yesterday, the seven dinars that we received are still with us, I am worried as we could not distribute those before the darkness of the night’.” Prophet Muhammad would feel uncomfortable, until he could disburse things that came to his possession. Whatever he received as revenue, zakat (poor tax), zizia (tax on non-Muslims instead of zakat8), gifts or donations, he would distribute those immediately, irrespective of number or quantity, among the needy. At his deathbed, he was feeling restless. Then he, all of a sudden, remembered that some gold coins were there, still, in his possession. He immediately ordered to distribute them and said, “Would Muhammad meet his Creator in this state when still after his death there were gold coins in his home?” Though he was the temporal and spiritual leader of the Muslims, he led a simple pious life without any pomp or grandeur of a royalty. A man high above all kings and commanding a powerful nation that was on its wings, he led a life of a Dervish.
After the death Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Ayesha, while eating said, “Whenever I eat with satisfaction, I cannot hold my tears.” She replied on being asked the reason by a female student: “Because I remember the Prophet’s (PBUH) death: and that, by God, he never ate bread and meat twice a day.” He asked and taught people to live modestly and observe austerity. The Emperor of all Emperors, in spite of receiving and distributing huge amount of wealth dispatched from various districts of Arabia, as taxes and donations, lived a simple life. In the home of the King of Arabia, poverty reigned supreme. Fasting and misery was the norm. Ayesha said, “The day the Prophet died there was nothing but a bit of barley for the day: and his armour was mortgaged with a Jewish man for a few kilograms of barley.” The Prophet used to say, “Adam’s progeny do not have any right other than to own a hut to hide his head and a cloak to cover his body and a few loaves of bread to satisfy his hunger.” He did not only preach simple living but he set example by living as he advocated. Prophet Muhammad lived in a mud hut with roof covered with date-palm-leaves. Hazrat Ayesha said, “His apparel was never retained folded, meaning he had no extra garments to keep folded.”
Once, a beggar came for food, he asked his wives to give something to eat to the beggar. All of them replied that they had nothing but water at their disposal. Hazrat Abu Talha says, “Once, he saw the Prophet lying on the floor of the Mosque and rolling from side to side due to hunger. A Companion came and informed him about his fasting and showed him a boulder tied to his belly, at this the Prophet showed him two.” Prophet Muhammad was fasting for two days.
Often, the Apostle lost his voice due to starvation. Once, Muhammad fasting went to Ayub Ansari’s house. Ayub Ansari from his own share of Dates gave some to the Prophet. On being served with food, Muhammad put some meat on breads and sent them to Hazrat Fatima, saying that she was fasting for days. It is well known that the Prophet loved his daughter and her sons, Hassan and Hussein, very much. However, he never expressed his love for them by allotting them extra food or sending them valuable gifts.
Seeing a gold chain on Hazrat Fatima, which was given by Ali, the Apostle of God said, “Do you want the people to say that Muhammad’s daughter has put on a fire band around her neck?” Fatima immediately sold the chain and with the money bought freedom for a slave. Similarly, seeing Ayesha wearing gold bangles, he said, “These do not suit Muhammad’s wife.” He said, “A person in this world needs only that much as is needed for a sojourner.”
Once, seeing marks from the mat, he was laying on, on his person, some Companions expressed their desire to make mattresses for the Prophet. He declined by saying: “My association with this world is of a rider who rests a while under the shade of a tree and restarts on his journey.”
He never preached anything that he did not practice. The most revered, most loved and most powerful man on the earth, the King of Arabia lived a simple, pious and righteous life, without any hint of pomposity or grandeur. Without any attention to his own needs, he distributed all the huge wealth and riches that came to him as taxes, donations and war winnings, in the people and led a puritan life. A shanty house with a roof of date palm leaves and camel hairs and mud walls was his palace. Prophet Muhammad devoted all his energy in preaching Allah’s messages and enacting His wishes for the benefit of the humanity. He single-handed roused a people bereft of all morality and sunk deeply in sins, to become the most virtuous and prosperous nation in the world.
Once, a female Companion of Prophet gave him a woollen cloak, as he had none to cover himself. “O how beautiful!” Another companion praised the Prophet without any hesitation gave him the cloak. One of the Companions had nothing in his house to celebrate some event, Muhammad told him, “Go and bring the basket of wheat from Ayesha.” On that day, for the night, the basket of wheat was the only food in the Prophet’s (PBUH) house. On another occasion, he brought along a few poor Companions from Saffa to Ayesha’s room and asked for food. Bread prepared with the residue of pulses was brought. Since, the quantity was not sufficient, the Prophet requested for more, so came some confectionery made of dates and then a pan of milk. That was all, the Prophet, a mighty leader of the Arabs had for the guest. These are examples of his simple and austere lifestyle.
Hazrat Bellal was charged with looking after guests coming to meet the Prophet. None was returned without according due hospitality. At his deathbed, Prophet Muhammad advised, “Give visitors gifts, as I did.”
RELIANCE ON GOD:
Several times, in the face of great adversities with such intensity that even his Companions were baffled, the Prophet kept unwavering faith in God. During the battle of Ohud, most of the Muslim army had to retreat but Prophet Muhammad did not budge from his position. Aggressors’ weapons were raining on him, as a result, a few of his teeth were broken (martyred) and he was bleeding all over. He did not lose his heart and was firm in his belief that God will protect him. In the battle of Hunaian, Muslims withdrew, in the face of fierce attack by enemy archers. Arrows were flying all over and in the middle, the Prophet remained unshaken. From the front scores of unleashed arrows were zooming in and from this side the thundering cry, “I am the Prophet of God not a liar; I am a descendant of Muttalib.” Muhammad dismounted from his mount and said, “I am the Apostle of God and his servant,” and then he raised his hands in prayer. In the face of terrifying power of the enemy, overwhelmed numerically, he stood his ground unmoved absolutely relying on God. He did not even bother to unsheathe his sword, for he did not need any Defence as he totally surrendered to God, knowing He would protect him. Never before Muhammad had a General been seen relying on God absolutely completely and indisputably.
In Medïna, the Jewish and the Quraish continuously tried to harm him in any way they could. Therefore, to protect him, followers by rotation kept watch around his tent. Under these circumstances, came the divine message: “O Rasul, God will Protect you from any harm.” Immediately, the Prophet asked the people guarding him to withdraw and to go to sleep. He announced there is no need for any vigilance, for God Has Himself taken over the responsibility.
SELF-CONTROL: COMPASSION: MAGNANIMITY AND FORGIVENESS:
Abu Sufiyan, the protagonist of many wars including Badr, Ohud and Khandaq in which many Muslims lost their lives; often tried, and conspired to kill the Prophet. Hazrat Omar captured the foremost enemy of Islam, before the conquest of Mecca. Along with Hazrat Abbas, he was brought before the Prophet as a prisoner. Though almost all his monstrous crimes against Islam were punishable by death, the Prophet of Benevolence, Mercy and Compassion said to an apprehensive Abu Sufiyan, “You might have no fear, because, Muhammad is above all desire of Revenge.” Saying that, the Prophet not only had forgiven him his crimes but he also announced an amnesty for all those who would seek Sufiyan’s protection. Abu Sufiyan’s wife Hinda was a much worse and heinous enemy of Islam. She defiled the body of the beloved uncle of the Prophet, Hamza. After the conquest of Mecca, she came veiled before Muhammad, and her audacity continued. The Prophet paid no attention to her provocative antics. She was not asked about her brutal acts even for once. Impressed by this unprecedented display of forgiveness, she instinctively screamed, “Muhammad earlier your tent was the most detestable in my eyes; today there is nothing dearer to me.”
Wahsee, the killer of Hazrat Hamza was a slave of that ferocious Hinda, after the conquest of Tayef, fled to another place, which also fell to the Muslims. He was bewildered and deeply worried, for a safe refuse from the wrath of the Muslims. People told him, “You do not know Muhammad, go and take shelter under him. That is the safest place for you.” He did as was asked and appeared before the Prophet. Wahsee’s appearance brought back the sad memory of Hamza to Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) mind and his heart was saddened. Muhammad only lowered his eyes and asked Wahsee not to appear before him as that brings back the sad memory of Hamza’s death. That was all that Wahsee faced for his heinous act.
Ikrama son of Abu Jahl, a leading enemy of the Prophet who constantly schemed, conspired and carried out plans to kill, torture and harass Prophet Muhammad was also forgiven. Recalling, his own and his family’s abominable activities against the Prophet, Ikrama fled to Yemen after the fall of Mecca to the Muslims. Meanwhile, his wife embraced Islam, and got to know the Prophet. She went to Yemen, and convinced Ikrama of Muhammad’s (PBUH) Compassion. On his return, the Apostle of God personally, welcomed Ikrama. In the delightful excitement, he even forgot his Shirt (cloak). All was forgiven and forgotten in a moment, and Ikrama was warmly accepted.
After the battle of Badr, at the instigation of some Quraish Chieftain, Omayer ibnul Wahab entered Medïna with a poisoned sabre to assassinate the Prophet. While waiting for an opportune time, caught by chance, he was brought before the Prophet. Though proven guilty, the Prophet set him free without any condition.
Safwan ibn Ommeyya, who pledged to look after Omayer’s family and pay his debts, in case of his death, during execution of the mission, hired Omayer to assassinate the Prophet. After the fall of Mecca, Safwan fled to Jeddah, finally, to travel to Yemen by sea. Omayer came to Prophet Muhammad, and told him that Safwan was ready to jump into the sea to escape retribution. The Messenger of God told him to go and comfort Safwan as he was already forgiven. On Omayer’s request for some proof of his reprieve, the Prophet handed him, his Turban. Yet Safwan said, “I am afraid to go to Prophet Muhammad.” Astonishingly, the very Omayer who wanted to assassinate Muhammad vouched on his benevolence. Coming to the court of Muhammad, Safwan asked, “Is it true that you assured me safety?” The Prophet answered affirmatively. Safwan was given four months, though he prayed for two, for deciding about his conversion to Islam. Much before that, he had a change of heart, and he embraced Islam.
To show compassion to enemies, is very rare a quality in humankind. In Muhammad’s case, there are many examples of showing unconditional clemency to extremely malevolent enemies. This is unanimously established that Prophet Muhammad, never, in his life, had taken revenge for personal reasons. His love, compassion and benevolence had defeated the established and accepted practice of revenge. At the fall of Mecca, he had the best opportunity to retaliate, while his sworn enemies were running helter-skelter, for the fear of their life. Those who for long twenty years perpetrated inhuman mental and physical torture, inexpressible harassment, indescribable cruelty on him and his Companions were brought before the Apostle. They were trembling with fear. Great in kindness and magnanimity, the Messenger of God announced, “Go, you are free I have no complaints against you.”
Jewish peoples regularly broke their pledges, and were arrogantly boastful about their betrayal and deception. Muslim men and women caught alone were beaten, tortured, and even killed by them. Their failed attempts on Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) life continued, relentlessly. Yet, when defeated and brought before the Prophet as prisoners, they were forgiven when they begged for forgiveness. To live in peace and harmony with them, the Apostle (PBUH) repeatedly granted them clemency. He advanced as far as marrying among them, but they were incapable of goodness for their hearts were indelibly blackened by malevolence. At last, they regrouped in the supposedly inaccessible Khaibar Fort, and declared war against the Muslims. Defeated conclusively, they begged for amnesty. Prophet Muhammad not only pardoned them but also to improve relations accepted the invitation of a Jewish woman to eat at her place. Accordingly, the Prophet went to the woman’s house accompanied by his entourage and was served with food. Incapacitated by her natural propensity, the woman served poisoned food. Tasting the food, the Prophet realized that the food was contaminated but before he could warn, a Companion took the food and died. On her admission of fault, the Prophet forgave her. All the rest of his life, the Prophet suffered from the reaction of the poison.
While returning from the battle of Najd, on the way, somewhere under a tree, the Prophet was napping with his scimitar hanging from a branch. Other Companions were resting as well, scattered under trees. Meanwhile, a Bedouin who was waiting for an opportunity to assassinate advanced quickly and standing over Prophet Muhammad, unsheathed his sabre. Just then, the Apostle (PBUH) opened his eyes. Waving his sword, the Bedouin asked, “Muhammad, who will save you now?” “God,” swift the reply came in a serene voice. Because of the firm serenity of the voice, the Bedouin was frightened and placed his sabre in the scabbard. In the mean time, Companions arrived at the scene but Prophet Muhammad let the man go away, silently.
Once, a heathen prisoner was brought before the Apostle (PBUH), caught, waiting to assassinate him. The man was frightened to death. Apostle Muhammad let him go saying, “You could not kill me, if God did not want.” During the Mecca expedition, Muslims captured eighty soldiers who were waiting to kill Prophet Muhammad, attacking him suddenly from behind the hills. Informed about their ulterior motive, he ordered to set them free.
When Prophet Muhammad, took refuse at Tayef from the persecution of the Meccans. Tayefians did not hesitate to deride and torture him. Brute, inhuman Tayefians were not even prepared to listen to him. They proved even more cruel and harsher than the Meccans. Abd Al-Yalil tribesmen, severely ridiculed him, and encouraged hooligans to stone him. They pelted stones at Muhammad from both sides of the street that he walked. As a result, he used to get wounds all over his body and bleeding profusely, unable to walk, he would sit down. Heartless hoodlums at first would help him stand up and as he restarted again, they would again pelt him with stones. These heartless heathens perpetrated inhuman physical and mental torture on Prophet Muhammad. So much so, that even after nine years, when asked about the most dreadful days in his life by Ayesha, he instantly replied, “Tayef-days.” In the 8th Hegira, siege was laid on the city of Tayef. It was long and arduous, and the Tayefians did not show any sign of surrendering. During the siege, soldiers were regularly dying on both the sides, which greatly pained the Prophet. Irritated, the Companions requested him to curse the Tayefians. On the contrary, the Prophet of Mercy prayed to God: “O God, give them sense and shelter them beneath the soothing shade of Islam.” These same barbarous Tayefians were so cruel that they did not bother to injure the Prophet on the streets pelting stone at him! These people were not even prepared to listen to him! Yet the Prophet, prayed for their deliverance.
In the battle of Ohud, Muslims were forced to retreat. The enemy surrounded Rasulullah. From all sides, arrows and weapons were rained on him. He lost a few of his tooth. With the thud of a heavy weapon, the protective ring of his headgear pierced his head. Apostle Muhammad was drenched with blood, oozing out from his wounds all over. Even in that state Muhammad prayed, “O God, give sense to my people, they are ignorant. A nation that kills their Prophet, how would they be delivered from sins?”
When a delegation, of the same Abd Yalil tribe of Tayef, came to meet him, he warmly welcomed them. Arrangements were made to house them at the terrace of the Prophet’s Mosque. Every evening the Prophet would inquire about their well-being. Of all the people, he narrated to them, the brute inhuman Tayefians, the Meccan tragic life. Such was his simplicity!
Mecca is conquered. At the courtyard of the Ka’aba the vanquished Quraish chieftains are assembled, the same Ka’aba where the Prophet was harassed, ridiculed and abused. They are waiting their fate, heads lowered in distress. Behold, these people, they are the same lot that relentlessly persecuted Prophet Muhammad and his Companions. Ceaselessly, they conspired, planned and carried out missions to assassinate the Apostle of God. With or without reasons, they killed, beaten, harassed and tortured his relations. Many of his near and dear ones lost their lives at their hands. Poor Muslims were unnecessarily tormented. Laying them on the sand in intolerable desert heat, they put burning logs on them just for the fun of it. They tore their bodies with spears beyond recognition. Today, they are awaiting their punishment; behind them ten thousand Muslim soldiers with thirsty swords are waiting for orders. Sheathing with revenge, they would jump on them and tear them apart at a slightest hint from the Prophet. But the incarnation of Mercy, embodiment of Compassion, and symbol of Kindness, the Prophet appeared with a smiling face, and said, “Go anywhere, you want to go. I have no allegations against you. You are free.” That is how he proved right, his title of “Mercy of the Worlds (Rahmatullil Al-Amin).”
DEVOUT COMPANIONS:
The Most knowledgeable about him and the most intimate people avouched their faith in the Prophet, first. The more the familiarity with the Prophet, the earlier they took allegiance. This was in complete disagreement with earlier instances, where distant people took allegiance first and then the nearer ones. In case of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), nearer and dearer ones who knew him best, confessed their faith in him first, and then gradually the others did so. These people confessing suffered with him intolerable hardships. Tough tests of endurance, hardships, tolerance and perseverance, for their faith, were successfully negotiated by them. Hazrat Khadija stayed for three years interned without food and water in the valley of Shiabay. Surrounded by ferocious enemies, Hazrat Abu Bakr had to travel with Muhammad in the darkness of the night. Ali slept in the Prophet’s (PBUH) bed, risking his life to dodge the enemy. Zaid was the man who did not return to his father to stay with his spiritual father.
Muhammad’s (PBUH) profoundly charismatic divine messages, so intensely inspired his disciples that never before, any other early disciples of any other great men, experienced. When Jesus Christ was crucified, his followers unmindful of everything fled with their lives, leaving Christ alone. A disciple even surrendered Jesus to the enemy, to save himself. Contrary to that, the disciples of Muhammad sacrificed their lives often, to save him. They kept the Prophet surrounded to save him from enemy weapons. In the face of life threatening situations, they had never deserted their beloved leader, and that steadfastness brought laurels after laurels for the Prophet of Islam. His stepson Haris became the first martyr of Islam. The Meccan Quraish non-believers beaten and harassed Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Omar Faruque, while trying to save the Prophet from them. In the battlefield of Ohud, the enemy surrounded the Prophet. Seven Ansar Companions, at once, responded to his call: “Who is there to give life for me?” All of them attained martyrdom, saving their leader sacrificing their own lives. A female Companion lost her husband, brother and son in the battle, yet she was unruffled for the Prophet was alive and well. Approaching the field, she saw the Prophet and involuntarily said, “O Rasulullah you are alive, then nothing matters. We are all ready to die for you.”
Unending love, intense reverence and sacrificing zeal were the qualities of those disciples who knew him best. If Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) persona was not pure and complete, replete with God’s blessings than people would not feel bound to him, the way they did. To charismatic Muhammad they were highly deferential. The intimate the relation, the more people revered him. His divine qualities were so overwhelming that none hesitated to sacrifice life for him and his cause. People gave their life happily, distributed their wealth and property for God without even a second thought. In the battlefield, Companions fought courageously, enduring injury and torture, bravely embraced martyrdom. Nothing, the sharpness of the sword, the spear, the trident, could dampen their indomitable spirits. Not belittling their sacrifice, those who died were comparatively better off, for those who survived were relentlessly tortured and dragged on the desert by the rope tied around their neck, forced to lie on the red-hot desert sand, while burning logs were put on them; but they kept on chanting the Kalema9 (verse): “There is no god, but Allah.” Nothing could deter them from their faith as their attachment to Muhammad and Allah was very deep and strong.
Hazrat Khadija’s son from her first marriage Hari's body was sliced into pieces with a sword. Sumaiya, the mother of Hazrat Ammar lost her life to Abu Jahl’s spear. Under the impact of inhuman torture by the heathens, Hazrat Yasir embraced martyrdom. Hazrat Khubaib lost his life on a trident. Zaid sacrificed his head under a sword. Rawwal and Jafwan tribes mercilessly killed Haram bin Malhan at Beer-e-Mawuna along with sixty-nine comrades, was by. In the tragic episode of Rajee, Hazrat Wasim and his seven comrades were perforated with arrows rained on them by more than a hundred archers. They all laid their lives, unhesitatingly, but never compromised. In the seventh Hegira, Bani-Salem tribe martyred Hazrat ibn Aquil Asuza with forty-eight comrades. Hazrat Ka’ab bin Usar Gifari embraced martyrdom with his comrades at Ahlat.
For accepting Islam, Hazrat Khabbar was laid on burning coal and was kept thus until the fire died down. Hazrat Bellal was laid on hot desert sand with a heavy boulder on his chest. Between sessions, he was dragged on the street by a rope tied around his neck. Abu Fakih was dragged by the leg and was tortured with heavy boulders placed on his chest so that he could not breathe freely. Ammar was laid on the hot desert sand and beaten mercilessly. Zubair’s uncle laid him on a mat and forced fumes into his nostrils. Said ibn Zaid was beaten severely, hands tied behind. During their confinement in Shiabay valley, Muslims had to eat leaves of trees. Sa’ad bin Abi Wakkas narrates: “Once in the night there was nothing to eat. We saw a piece of leather, driven by intolerable hunger boiled and eaten that.” Hazrat Othba bin Gazwal says, “Eating unnatural food, we developed ulcer in the mouth.”
Despite all these, the impression created in the minds of the disciples during their tutelage at the Prophet’s Mosque, kept flourishing and crystallizing in their hearts, as time passed by. So great and deep was the influence of his ideals, that in spite of extreme hardships, they continued advancing them. That is how the Muslims could bring two thirds of the world under their reign. Because of their unwavering faith in God and His Messenger, they could conquer all hurdles and hardships to establish Islam, firmly on the earth.
MULTI FACETED PHILOSOPHY:
Every Muslim man and woman should emulate the life of the Prophet. There is no example, in history, of a man so endowed with such vast and multi faceted qualities. No great man has ever before come to this earth with so much talent. A man, who is virtually the Emperor of a vast prosperous Empire, lives like a poor man. His kitchen remains closed, while vast amount of wealth comes to him laden on camels. The General at whose bidding a small and ill-equipped army fought against a strong and well-armed enemy never shed any blood. An extremely brave general, who stood alone against formidable enemies, was so kind and compassionate that he signed no war pacts just to avoid further blood shedding. He signed, apparently favourable pact to the enemy, while in an advantageous position, commanding a large well-armed army. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) attachment with people and the land was so deep that he knew them thoroughly. He knew each and everybody, poor, destitute, rich, wealthy, male, female, small and big. For personal reasons, he never punished any one, not even very famously cruel enemies. He wished them well and prayed for them. Prophet Muhammad never showed any mercy to anybody disloyal to God. Always reminded them of God’s fury and Hell and scolded them to bring sense in them. When he was thought to be a brave warrior, he emerged as a pious worshiper of God, who prays all the night. As it was spread that he was an imperialist, hungry to expand his empire, he was found sleeping on rags with half of Arabia under his reign. Unlimited wealth was pouring in from all corners of Arabia. The immense supply was tacked up at the terrace of Masjidun Nabubi but fasting at Prophet’s home did not end. Prisoners of war are distributed in the Companions to work for them but his beloved daughter returns empty handed. Domestic works roughened her hands.
Islam instructed its followers to emulate the life of its Prophet and described it as the means to earn God’s love. “If you claim to love God, emulate me, only then God will Love you (Hadith).” Love of God in human is measured by the measure of following him (Al-Qurän). To sacrifice life swayed by deep religious fervour is easier, not belittling the sacrifice, than to undergo trials and tribulations of this life, without wavering a little. To keep faith, do everything as has been done by the Prophet without faltering a bit, is indeed a hard task. This is a tough test. Companions and their later generations, the Imams, the Walis (friend) of Allah, all studied the life of the Prophet, in details, and then tried to emulate him. They tried to hand the Traditions, unblemished, down to the next generations. It proves that the life of the Prophet, in the eyes of the primary votaries of Islam was impeccable. To them therefore, following him was the perfect method of attaining accomplishment in this life and for deliverance hereafter.
For guidance not for a section or segment but for all the people of the world, a great man who combines in him all the good qualities and deeds is needed. Ideas are crowned with perfection by deliberations and then only execution can attain excellence. Only the man, whose deliberations, actions, decisions, customs, faith, truthfulness, righteousness, love, affection, benevolence, chivalry, courage, bravery, sorrow, happiness, private and public lives, spiritualism, prayers, all temporal and spiritual activities are exemplary, can show the world the ‘Right Way’. With the temporal greatness and sovereignty, the great man who can assure the glory and supremacy in the hereafter, and demonstrates by example, the application of canons, of both the Worlds, in his own life, only can lead the universe to the right destination.
Ordinarily, people perceive forgiveness and devotion to duty as the best indications of perfection, in a human. Persons that are found with these qualities are the best teachers and the guides for the humanity. These qualities do not flourish very easily. If we closely scrutinize human nature, we will find that cruelty and compassion; love and anger, sympathy and apathy, satisfaction and desire live here in close proximity. Only, he is a complete human who conquers over all human wants and desires, and focuses that energy in the right direction. Only a human being, who could synchronize his natural propensity and was well-organized, restrained in thoughts and actions, might guide the people to the right path.
The unique quality of Muhammad was that All Meccans called him Al-Amin and As-Sadique. Valuables were kept in his custody without any hesitation. For his selfless service to the suffering masses, people from all occupations loved him. They loved and respected him very dearly. If he agreed to cancel his mission, he was offered the throne of Mecca, accompanied by beautiful consorts and immeasurable quantity of wealth. He instantly, declined and continued preaching the true religion, in name of one and the only God. Disregarding all allurements and temptations to worldly possessions and enjoyment, he claimed Prophet-hood. The same people who loved him so dearly, and much before any claim to divinity, trusted him with their lives, exploded with rage. They boycotted him, pelted him, abused him, and harassed him continuously. Constantly, they conspired to kill him. He was labelled insane, a poet, and a conjurer.
Meccans devised and used all weapons against him but left out the easiest course of defiling his personal character. An easy way to defame anybody was not used against Muhammad, as he was unblemished, even in the eyes of his enemy. Whereas, it was very easy to produce few false witnesses to blemish his character but even the worst of them did not attempt to do so, as they were firm in their belief about his innocence. All the attacks were directed to his claim of Divinity. Wealth, property, people and even children were sacrificed to discredit and defeat Muhammad, but not a finger was raised to his impeccable personal character. That testifies to his innocence even in private, beyond the eyes of the people.
A human society is composed of people engaged in various trades and professions. If all the people take up the same profession, then the society cannot run; the nation cannot be self-sufficient. If all the people in the world were saints and savants then the world would come to a standstill. Human race would stop growing, flourishing, and pulsating with life. Therefore, citizens should be given multidisciplinary training and education to flourish as a prosperous nation. There should be traders, businessperson, landowners, peasants, commoners, nobles, rulers and advisers, etc. The Prophet was a shepherd, a spiritual and temporal leader, an administrator, a general, a soldier, a labourer, a water-carrier, a husband, a father, a teacher, a justice, a jurist, a trader, etc. Prophet Muhammad repaired shoes, stitched cloths, did household chores, dug and built, fought and commanded in short, he left his indelible stamp on everything for the people from all occupations to follow. He established by personal example rules of conduct, in all spheres of life, for everybody, starting from shepherds to the head of the states, - parents, children, brothers-sisters, husbands-wives, boys-girls, adolescents-adults, owners-tenants, neighbours, friends-foes, rulers-ruled, citizens, workers, intellectuals, justices-complainants, owners-servants, orphans, buyers-sellers, donors-receivers, rich-poor and fakir-dervish. On one hand, we see him as a family man, living with wives and children among the people, on the other, he is in the cave, Hira, contemplating - a hermit. He migrated to circumvent persecutors, and fought many wars to punish tyrants. On one hand, he vanquishes his enemies as a powerful general, on the other, embraces enemies with affection. We see him taking gifts and then distributing them in the poor.
Complete history, of the lives and works of the prophets of all the major religions, except Islam, are nonexistent. In some cases, very sketchy accounts are available. None, but Muhammad saw the accomplishment of his mission, in his lifetime. Ideology and the philosophy of the other prophets remained unimplemented into practice, in their lifetimes.
It is an undeniable truth that all the prophets were men of very high moral characters. None of them did anything wrong, they did not kill, plunder, harm, hurt or accumulate wealth and build palaces. These lofty but passive qualities may also indicate powerlessness and loses importance, because, actions ensuing out of weakness and lack of authority, do not merit consideration, forgiveness or compassion. Magnanimity is showing mercy prevailing over the desire to take revenge, in spite of the power and strength. To show compassion and mercy to the vanquished is benevolence. Prophet Muhammad never hit, hurt or harmed anybody, but all his life devoted himself to uplifting the poor and downtrodden. He protected, saved, and took care of the people in distress. Oppressed and tyrannized found his protection. The Prophet provided security, shelter and provision to the needy. He did not harm, but benefited People. Relentlessly, he distributed wealth and property received by him, as the supreme leader, but never accumulated any for himself or his family. The King of all Kings, Emperor of Arabia on whose feet rolled immense wealth, lived in a hut, dressed very simply, passed days without food, and never accumulated any wealth. Neither, he let his family members, or even his beloved daughter Fatima, to benefit from his position. He was a simple, determined, firm, erudite, compassionate and charitable person; and never sought anything for personal gain. Simplicity exuded from all around him. Pomp and grandeur, pretension and pomposity were not in his nature. Simple and plain living was the way of Muhammad, the prophet of all prophets.
Prophet Muhammad announced loudly, “Lema Qulna Mala Tafalun (Do not say anything that you cannot practice yourself).” Whatever he said, he showed people by practicing that. In the Qurän God says, “For the Grace of God you are amiable to them, O Muhammad if you were harsh and cruel to them than those gathered around would circumvent you.” Again, in the Qurän God says, “Certainly, somebody came to you. Rasul (Messenger) is from among you; that which afflict you, torments him; he is very eager for your welfare, very kind to the Faithful.” These verses testify that Rasulullah (PBUH) was a well-wisher of all the people, irrespective of caste, creed and colour. He was the incarnation of magnanimity and was very merciful. Peoples need a universal Person who combines innumerable qualities in him to emulate. Prophet Muhammad was a person who was replete with qualities like a garden, decorated with numerous flowers of different colours and fragrance. All, irrespective of caste, creed and colour can emulate him.
Beside the vastness of classes, and groups in humankind, there are innumerable types of people, moments, and emotions in life. People do ablution, bathe, dress, move, sleep, cry and laugh, work, eat, defend themselves, worship and pray. Unlimited are the kinds of professions they adopt, like: agriculture, trade, commerce, teaching, fishing, etc. Sometimes, they are hosts, and sometimes guests. Prophet Muhammad left guidance with examples, for all these conceivable human activities.
Human beings are intelligent creatures; besides, working with physical ability and strength, they apply their mind to do many jobs that require mental prowess. They at different times, under different circumstances, pass through various emotions. With the surroundings, changes their mental status; interactions with people and environment also evoke these changes. Therefore, they go through innumerable mental variations, and influenced by different states of their mind, they act and react variously. Everything around them, influence their behaviours; and changes in their emotions are reflected in their behaviours. Sometimes, they are happy, sometimes sad, since in this life, they go through vicissitudes. Their personal relationships or group relationships also go through changes; sometimes good, and sometimes bad; accordingly, their behavioural patterns fluctuate. Success and failure both are parts of this temporal life; facing these with determination, firmness, faith and truthfulness, is the key to success. Perseverance, endurance, tolerance, conviction, most all dependence on God (Allah) and belief in destiny, is very important to go through the process of life. Keeping mental balance under the trials and tribulations of life gives strength to human character. Under these circumstances, for guidance to overcome hurdles, Muhammad’s (PBUH) persona is an icon of perfection, to emulate. It is not surprising that such a supreme combination of qualities in a person shall inspire anybody exposed to him. It rejuvenated, reinvigorated, replenished and refined the mind and body of the people. He easily inspired insatiable desire in the people around him, to earn God’s satisfaction, in every way they could. So inspired they were that their only goal was to ensure welfare of the humankind, in the name of One Supreme God. Irrespective of caste, colour and creed, everybody with Muhammad’s (PBUH) divine inspiration, began believing in one God, one Qurän, one Rasul, one religion and in one Ka’aba.
He is the only man in the annals of human history, who succeeded at both the religious and secular levels. No other great-man, on earth, can claim this honour. The world changed and changed forever, under the influence of Muhammad’s (PBUH) divine radical ideology.
END OF PART-I
1 Abu-Dawood
2 Hadith Masnad-e-Ibn Hanbal: Chapter iii, p. 230.
3 An open letter to the Pope: Shamael; Islamic Foundation Press, Baitul Mukarram, Dhaka.
4 Two-Raka'ats Fazr (Morning-prayers); four-Raka'ats Zohr (Midday-prayers); four-Raka'ats Asr (Afternoon-prayers); three-raka'ats Maghrib (Dusk-prayers) and four Raka'ats Isha (Early night-Prayers). One raka'at consists of bowing (ruku) once and prostrating, in close successions, twice before God, after reciting verses from the holy Qurän, in an erect position with the right hand over the left, placed below the chest.
5 Prayer after mid-night before Fazr
6 A part of Genuflection - leaning and touching the knees with the palms of hands
7 He said Kadha, i.e., saying prayers later if unable to pray at the prescribed time.
8 Zakat is only payable by the Muslims, non-Muslims are required to pay Zizia (capitulation tax) in lieu of military services.
9 Sentence: Speech: here it is referring to ‘There is no God, but Allah’.
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