The Noble Character of Muhammad(pbuh)

[SAFAH]

Bismillah

 

The Noble Character of Muhammad(pbuh)

 

Many biased historians and bigots in the media even today portray the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) as a bloodthirsty, ruthless person with a big harem. This could not be any farther away from the truth. The nobility of his character and the truthfulness of his mission is plain for all to see if one is prepared to face up to the facts with an open mind discarding all pre-concieved false ill notions.

 

 

 

 

Referring to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Allah(swt) says,

And you (stand) on an exalted standard of character. The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 68, Verse 4

 

Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah. The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 33: 21

 

Let us focus on some of the incidents which took place in his life and analyze his nature by his actions in different circumstances.

 

 

 

Once the Prophet was so badly stoned by his enemies that he was bleeding all over his body. This happened when he went to Taif, to call them to Islam. Instead of listening to his words of wisdom, they set the street urchins upon him, who kept chasing him till nightfall. Even at that point, when he was utterly exhausted and bleeding from head to foot, all he said was: O my Lord, guide my people along the true path, as they are ignorant of the truth.

 

Muhammad(pbuh)'s own example was testified to by Anas ibn Malik, who served Muhammad(pbuh) for ten years. He said that Muhammad never once rebuked him. "When I did something, he never questioned my manner of doing it; and when I did not do something, he never questioned my failure to do it. He was the most good-natured of all men."

 

While the Hudaybiyah treaty was being drafted with the Makkans, they engaged in a number of extremely provocative acts. For instance, the agreement mentioned Muhammad(pbuh)'s name as "Muhammad the Messenger of Allah." They insisted that the phrase "the Messenger of Allah" be taken out and replaced by "son of Abdullah." Muhammad accepted their unreasonable condition and deleted the appellation with his own hands. Similarly, they made the condition that if they could lay their hands on any Muslim, they would make him or her a hostage, but if the Muslims succeeded in detaining any non-Muslim, they would have to set him free. Muhammad even relented on this point.

 

A Hadith recorded by Bukhari: A funeral procession passed us and the Prophet stood up for it. We said, but Prophet of God, this is a funeral of a Jew. The Prophet responded, rise.

 

The time came when Muhammad and his Companions entered Makkah victorious and the Quraish surrendered to them. On that glorious day, Muhammad(pbuh), once again, had the opportunity to retaliate for the painful years of persecution and oppression in Makkah, but once more, he showed an outstanding ability to forgive and overlook. He simply pardoned them forgave their past misdeeds.Thus, Makkah was conquered without a single drop of blood being shed.

 

One day, Fatimah accompanied her father to the Masjid al-Haram. He stood in the place known as al-Hijr facing the Kabah and began to pray. Fatimah stood at his side. A group of Quraysh gathered about him. They included Abu Jahl ibn Hisham, the Prophet's uncle, Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, and Shaybah and Utbah, sons of Rabi'ah. Menacingly, the group went up to the Prophet and Abu Jahl, the ringleader, asked: "Which of you can bring the entrails of a slaughtered animal and throw it on Muhammad?" Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, volunteered and hurried off. He returned with the obnoxious filth and threw it on the shoulders of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, while he was still prostrating. The noble Prophet raised his head on completion of the prostration and went on to complete the Salat. He then said: "O Lord, may you punish the Quraysh!" and repeated this imprecation three times. Then he continued: "May You punish Utbah, Uqbah, Abu Jahl and Shaybah." (These whom he named were all killed many years later at the Battle of Badr)

 

The Prophet's uncle, known in the Qur’an as Abu Lahab, threw stones at him and forced his sons to divorce their wives who were two of Muhammad’s daughters. Abu Lahab’s wife, apart from shouting profanities at him, used to tie bundles of firewood and thorns and throw it in Muhammad’s path. Neighbors threw goat dung on his back while he prayed. In all cases Muhammad would never return abusive language, slander or ridicule any of them. He would invoke God for help and justice, and in many cases ask God to guide them to Islam.

 

Muhammad(pbuh) once said: A traveler who was thirsty saw a well on the way. He got inside the well and when he came out he saw a dog licking mud because of thirst. The man thought to himself that the dog should be as thirsty as he was and so he got into the well again, filled his leather sock with water and carried it out holding it with his teeth. And thus he quenched the dog's thirst. Allah was pleased with this act of kindness and pardoned his sins. The Companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah, is there recompense in the matter of beasts and wild animals also?" Muhammad replied: There is recompense in regard to every creature that has a living heart.

 

 

These are little glimpses from the life of Muhammad(pbuh) which show his truthfulness and compassion. Verily, those who portray him in bad light are only those who earn God's anger and those who have gone astray.