HE PERSONALITY OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD PEACE BE UPON HIM

The Prophet was known for his good character throughout his life. He was known as: “The Honest” long before he received the message of Islam. He was handsome, of medium height, very active, walked rapidly which forced his companions to race to keep up with him. People reported seeing light around his body and in his face, which they compared to the sun or the full moon. His skin was white and turned rosy from exposure to the sun. People he touched reported feeling healed, safe and secure. He was humble and did not allow his companions to stand up when he met them or kiss his hand. He sat with his companions where he happened to be. A stranger walking into the room could not tell who the Prophet was by his position in the group. He joked with his companions, played with their kids and put them in his lap. He loved his grandchildren, played with them, and even carried them on his shoulder while conducting the ritual prayers. He smiled most of the time and disliked to say no. When asked a question he didn’t want to answer, he remained silent. When given a choice, he always chose the easiest option.

He emphasized that Islam is the Golden Mean and discouraged extremes of behavior. He accepted all invitations, all apologies, all presents. He returned favors with equal or higher value presents. He visited the sick, was the first to greet people he met, was the last to pull away when shaking hands with someone or embracing him. He always listened to others until they finished what they had to say.

At home, he cleaned and mended his clothing, repaired his shoes, milked his sheep and saddled his camel and horse. His servant reported that the Prophet never insulted, beat, frowned to, or reprimanded him even when he didn’t complete an assignment.
He was kind to animals and opened his door to a stray cat seeking shelter. One of his travelling companions once took 2 baby robins from a nest. When the Prophet saw the mother flapping her wings over the nest, he responded, “Who shocked this in her babies? Return her babies to her”. He ordered his followers not to use animals for target practice. He also ordered those who slaughtered animals for food to sharpen their blades and not to slaughter an animal in view of another animal. He lived a very simple life and donated anything he earned or received beyond his minimum requirements to the needy on a daily basis. He placed his faith in God to provide for his future needs. He prayed frequently which meant his body and clothing were always clean since Muslims must complete a cleansing ritual before praying. He ate only when hungry and never reached his fill. He brushed his teeth after every meal. He advised his companions to keep one third of their stomach for food, one third for beverages, and one third for themselves. The Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him once summarized his code to be: “mindfulness of God privately and publicly, fairness in anger or satisfaction, moderation in poverty or wealth, connecting with those who avoided him, giving to those who deprived him, forgiving those who wronged him, speaking out for what is good, and making his silence a meditation, his speech a recital of the name of God, and what he saw a lesson.”

This statement rhymes nicely in Arabic. The Prophet always guarded against becoming a divine intermediary or son of God like Jesus, Ezra, and the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt. He emphasized being the servant of God at all times. Because of his full spiritual enlightenment, which surpassed those achieved by any prophet from Noah to Jesus, (upon them be peace) Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was capable of performing miracles that defied the physical laws of the universe. He preferred to veil his miracles by preceding them with sincere prayers to God and following them by thanking and praising God. This attributed the miracle to God and left Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him as his humble servant.

SubhanAllah! Peace and blessings be upon him.