Character of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Source: Passages from “The Content of Character” collected by Shaykh Al-Amin Ali Mazrui, translation and introduction by Hamza Yusuf. According to Islam, submitting to the will of God is achieved through following the example of the prophets.   The Quran says, “You have in Abraham an excellent example.”  Each age had its prophet and its practice; for the Muslims, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the paragon for humanity’s last universal phase. Following the Prophet means following his kindness to animals, his gentleness with children, his concern for the weak and oppressed, his care of the orphan and the widow, and his deep practice of justice always tempered with mercy.  It means modeling oneself on his character. When he spoke, he was always brief and reflective.  He spoke when he saw benefit and spent long periods in silent contemplation.  His speech was comprehensive, being neither wordy nor laconic.  He had a mild temperament and was never harsh or cruel, coarse nor rude.  He expressed gratitude for everything given to him, no matter how insignificant.  When he spoke, his companions lowered their heads as if birds were perched upon them.  When he was silent, they felt free to speak.  He never criticized food nor praised it excessively.  He never uttered obscenities nor did he find fault in people.  He did not flatter people but praised them when appropriate. While the Prophet, peace be upon him, took matters most seriously and was a deeply contemplative man, he was also the most balanced person and was lighthearted and even humorous when appropriate.   In a world wherein religion is often dampened with dourness, it is refreshing that the Prophet was known for his wonderful sense of humor. The Prophet said, “I joke but always truthfully.” A man once requested from the Prophet the use of a camel. He replied, “I can loan you a camel’s foal.” “What use to me is a camel’s foal?” queried the man. Laughing the Prophet quipped, “isn’t every camel the foal of another?” The Prophet Muhammad is a man of many facts.  He was the founder of a religion that embraces a fifth of humanity.  He inspired a yet-to be-rivaled civilization with brilliant spirituality, tolerance, and longevity.  While he is worth knowing for all of these reasons, the real and most important reason is simply that he is a true and enlightened teacher who has much to teach us. This is what enlightened Victorian poet Edwin Arnold had to say about Prophet Muhammad: .. that marvelous and gifted Teacher created a vast empire of new belief and new civilization and prepared a sixth part of humanity for the developments and reconciliations which later times will bring.  For Islam must be conciliated; it cannot be thrust scornfully aside or rooted out.  It shares the task of the education of the world with its sister religions, and it will contribute its eventual portion to: “that far-off divine event, Towards which the whole creation moves.” Here are a few sayings that are meant as an introduction to the “marvelous and gifted Teacher” whom the Quran describes as “a mercy to all the worlds.” Inward Character: The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “I was only sent to complete the virtuous content of character” The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “Love for humanity what you love for yourself.” Al-Bukhari The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “What enabels people to enter Paradise more than anything is piety and good character.” At-Tirmidhi The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “Fulfillment is not plenty of goods; rather, it is self-fulfillment.” Al-Bukhari and Muslim Outward Character: The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “A kind word is a charity.” Al-Bukhari and Muslim The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “A believer is not one who eats his fill while his next door neighbor goes hungry.”Al-Bukhari The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  One aspect of manliness is for a fellow to listen attentively to his brother should he address him.” Al-Khatib The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “Speak the truth even though it may be bitter.” Ibn Habban The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “Do not belittle any act of kindness, even that of greeting your brother with a cheerful countenance.” At-Tirmidhi The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “Never argue with nor tease your brother, and never give your word to him and then break it.” At-Tirmidhi Family Life The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “ A parent can give a child no greater gift than beautiful manners.” Al-Hakim The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “Whoever pleases his parents has pleased God, and whoever angers them has angered God.” Ibn an-Najjar The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  The most complete in faith are those best in character and kindest to their families.” At-Tirmidhi Social Life The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “Beautiful Islam entails minding one’s own business.” The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “A person’s spiritual practice is only a good as that of his close friends; so consider well whom you befriend.” At-Tirmidhi The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “If one of you requests permission to enter a place and, after three requests, permission is yet not granted, he should leave.” Al-Bukhari and Muslim The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “Practice humility until no one oppresses or belittles another.” Muslim

The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “No one has eaten better food than the one who eats from the labor of his own hands.” Al-Bukhari The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) said:  “God loves to see his servant exhausted after an honest day’s work.” Ad-Daylami