Beautiful Moral Qualities and Habits of Hazrat Muhammad s.a.w

Thousands of miracles of Hadrat Muhammad were seen; enemy or friend, everybody spoke about them. Of these miracles, the most valuable were his high manners and beautiful habits.

Allahu ta’âlâ, while pleasing the blessed heart of His beloved Prophet by enumerating a series of the virtues and blessings which He has given to him, also counted the beautiful morals which He bestowed upon him, “You have been created with a beautiful disposition.” Hadrat Akrama said that he had heard from Abdullah Ibni Abbâs that his “Khuluq-i ’azîm”, that is, beautiful ethics, are the beautiful moral qualities declared by the Qur’ân al-kerîm. It was declared in the ayât, “You are with khuluq-i-’azîm.” (Qalam Sûra: 4) ‘Khuluq-i ’azîm’ means ‘to have secrets with Allahu ta’âlâ and to be kindhearted towards people.’ The beautiful nature of Hadrat Muhammad ‘sall-Allâhu ’alaihi wa sallam’ was the reason for the conversion of many people to Islam . His words were so sweet that they pleased hearts and attracted souls. His intellect was so great that, though coming from among the very violent and obstinate people of the Arabic Peninsula, he handled them very well, endured their torments and thus brought them to tenderness and obedience. Many of them abandoned their religions and converted to Islam; for the cause of Islam, they even fought against their fathers and children. For his (the Prophet’s) sake, they sacrificed their possessions and homes and shed their own blood. As a matter of fact, they had not accustomed to such things. He was so good tempered, so tender, so forgiving, so patient, so kind and so benevolent that everybody admired him. Those who saw him and listened to him became Muslims willingly. No unseemliness or defect was ever noted in any of his actions, in any of his words. For his own sake, he never became offended with anybody, he was harsh and severe against those who spoke ill of or laid hands on the religion.

Thousands of miracles of Hadrat Muhammad were seen; enemy or friend, everybody spoke about them. Of these miracles, the most valuable were his high manners and beautiful habits. Hadrat Abû Sa’id-i Khudrî ‘radiy-Allâhu ta’âlâ anh’ said, “Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu ’alaihi wa sallam’ would give grass to an animal. He would fasten a camel. He would sweep his house. He would milk the sheep. He would repair his shoes. He would patch his under garments. He would eat with his servant. When his servant became tired of grinding with small millstones, he would help him.

He would go shopping and bring what he had bought in a sack to his home. When he met somebody, he would be the first to greet, whether they were poor or rich, young or old. He, first, would hold out his blessed hand when he wanted to make musâfaha (shake hands in a manner prescribed by Islam). He regarded the servant, the master, the black and the white as equal. He would go wherever he was invited, no matter who invited him. He would not despise what was put in front of him to eat, even if it were only a little. He would not reserve meals from evening to morning or from morning to evening. He was good-natured. He liked to do favors. He maintained good relations with everybody. He was affable and he spoke pleasantly. He would not laugh as he spoke. He would look sorrowful, but he would not frown. He was modest, but he was not low-natured. He was majestic; that is, he would inspire respect and awe. But he was not harsh. He was polite. He was generous, but he would not waste, nor would he give anything in vain. He would pity everybody. He always bent his blessed head forward. He would not expect anything from anybody. He who wants happiness and comfort should be like him.”

Anas bin Mâlik ‘radiy-Allâhu anh’ said, “I served Rasûlullah for ten years. He never uttered “Ugh!” towards me. He never asked me why I had done this or why I hadn’t done that.”

Abû Hurayra ‘radiy-Allâhu anh’ said, “During a holy war, we asked him to pray so that the disbelievers would be annihilated. He said, ‘I have not been not sent to curse people so that they will be tormented. I have been sent to do favors for everybody so that people will attain ease’.” Allahu ta’âlâ declares in the hundred and seventh âyat of the Sûrat-ul-Anbiyâ, “We sent you as a mercy, as a blessing for all creatures.”

Abû Saîd-i Khudrî ‘radiy-Allâhu anh’ said, “Rasûlullah ‘sall- Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ was more bashful than Muslim virgin girls.

Anas bin Mâlik said, “When Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ would make musâfaha (shake hands in a manner prescribed by Islam) with a person, he would not take his blessed hand away from that person’s hand before that person did so. He would not turn his blessed face away from that person before the latter turned his face.

As he sat near a person, he would sit on his two knees; to respect that person, he would not raise his blessed knee.” Jâbir bin Sumra says, “Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ used to rarely speak. He would talk when necessary or when he was asked a question.” It is understood that Muslims should not talk nonsense; instead they should keep silent. He would speak very clearly and methodically; his words would be understood easily.

Anas bin Mâlik said, “Rasûlullah would visit the sick, walk behind the dead as they were taken to the cemetery and accept invitations. He would ride a donkey, too. I saw him in the holy battle of Khaybar. He rode a donkey with a rope halter. When Rasûlullah went out after morning prayer, children and workers of Medina would bring containers full of water in front of him. They would beg him to dip his blessed finger into the water. Even if it was winter and the water was cold, he would put his blessed finger into all the containers one by one, thus pleasing them.”
Again, Anas bin Mâlik ‘radiy-Allâhu anh’ says, “If a little girl held Rasûlullah’s hand and wanted to take him somewhere for some matter, he would go with her and solve her problem.”

Hadrat Jâbir ‘radiy-Allâhu anh’, said, “Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ was never heard to say ‘no’ for anything asked from him. Hadrat Muhammad was superior to all creatures in respect of hayâ (bashfulness, modesty) as well. He would merely close his eyes, when confronted with something that was unseemly. He would never express displeasure to anyone that he would address.

Our Mother Hadrat Âisha reported, “Whenever our Hadrat Muhammad ‘alaihissalâm was informed that someone had done an unpleasant thing, he would say, -without mentioning the name of that person- “Why do they act so?” In this manner, without mentioning any name, he would prevent that person from doing or saying that inappropriate thing.

Anas bin Mâlik reported, “One day a man came to the presence of Hadrat Muhammad. Something yellow had smeared on that man’s face. He did not say anything which would make that person sorry. When the person went out, he said, “Had you mentioned that to him, he would have washed his face!”

Hazrat Muhammad would unite people. He would not make them hate each other. He would give presents to the head of each tribe and give them a place near himself.

He would not reject anyone who came to see him. He would inquire about the well being of his Companions, he would ask about those who were not present. He would advise those who sat with him.

By seeing his behavior, no one would think that he loved one person more than the other. He would tolerate those who came to complain. He would listen to them. Until those who had visited would leave, he would not leave them. He would show all his beautiful ethics and morals to all people in the best manner. Before him, everyone was equal in terms of rights and justice. No one had any special privilege.

Our Mother, Hazrat Âisha said, “I have never seen anyone have such beautiful ethics as Hadrat Muhammad Rasûlullah ’alaihis-salâm. Whenever one of his Companions or household members called him, he replied by saying “Yes”.

Hazrat Muhammad ’alaihis-salâm called his Companions with the most beautiful names. He would not interrupt anyone while they were speaking. Unless the person himself ceased to speak, or stood up to leave, he would not interrupt them. Regarding his compassion and mercy, Allahu ta’âlâ purports: “Your having difficulty hurts and saddens him. He is very devoted to you. He is very compassionate to the believers. He does wish goodness for them.”

Allahu ta’âlâ said in the 107th âyat-i karîma of the Anbiya sûra, purporting, “(O MyBeloved!) We have sent you as a mercy to the worlds (all classes of beings).” Hadrat Muhammad made many things easy, fearing that they would be difficult for his ummat (community). He said, “If it was not a cause for trouble for my community, I would command them to use miswak in every ritual ablution.”

Regarding keeping promises, no person superior to him has come to the world. Abdullah bin Abi’l-Hamsa reported, “I had a business deal with Hadrat Muhammad before his prophethood was communicated to him. He had some receivables from me. I promised to meet with him at a certain time and place, and then I forgot it.

Three days later, I remembered my promise and ran to that place. When I saw that he had been waiting there for three days, I was really stunned. He said to me, “O young man! You have made me tired! I have been waiting here for you three days.”

There has never been another person, not even another Prophet, that had such modesty as Hadrat Muhammad. It never came to him to be arrogant. When  Hadrat Muhammad was allowed the choice between being a Prophet with a throne and having great power and status, or being a Prophet who lived like a slave, he preferred to be as a slave. Upon this, Isrâfil ’alaihis-salâm (one of the four Archangels) told Hadrat Muhammad, “Verily, Allahu ta’âlâ has granted you the characteristic of modesty. For, you are the greatest of the sons of Adam (that is, mankind) on the Day of Rising. You are the first person who will rise from his grave. You are the first person who will make intercession. Hadrat Muhammad ’alaihis-salâm once told our Mother Hadrat Âisha, “I was offered that Mecca’s earth and stones be turned into gold. I said: O my Rabb! No. Let me be one day hungry one day satiated. On days I remain hungry, I will pray to You. On days I am satiated; I will thank and praise You.”

One day Jabrâil ’alaihis-salâm came to Hadrat Muhammad. He said, “Allahu ta’âlâ has sent His salâm (greetings) to you. He said: If he wishes, I shall turn those mountains into gold. Those mountains of gold will be with him, wherever he goes”.

Hazrat Muhammad replied, “O Jabrâil! The world is the home of those who have no home. And it is the property of those who have no property. These are hoarded by those who have no ‘aql (reason, mind).”

Upon this, Jabrâil ’alaihis-salâm said, “O Muhammad! Allahu ta’âlâ has made you steadfast” Our mother Hadrat Âisha said, “Sometimes, for a complete month, there would be no fire lit in our home (to cook a meal). There were only palm dates and water.” Ibn-i Abbas said, “Many nights, Hadrat Muhammad Rasûlullah and his household would go to sleep without having eaten dinner. They could not find anything to eat in the evening.”

Our Mother Hazrat Âisha said, “Our Master Rasûlullah never ate food as much as to fill him. He never complained about this matter to anyone. To him, poverty is better than being rich. Even if he felt pains of hunger all the night, that situation would not prevent him from fasting during the day.”

If he wished, he would ask for all the treasures, foods, comfortable life of the world from his Rabb. I swear that I would feel sad and weep whenever I saw this state of his. I would rub his blessed abdomen with my hand and say: “May my life be sacrificed for your sake! Is it not suitable if you have some benefits from this world that will strengthen you?”

He would reply, “O Âisha! What will I do with the world? My ‘Ulu’l azm Prophet Brothers [the most superior Prophets] tolerated more vehement difficulties.

However, they continued their lives in the same manner. They attained their Rabb. For this reason, their Rabb made their return to Him very beautiful, He increased their rewards. I will be ashamed of living in comfort. That kind of life would cause me to fall behind them. The most beautiful and lovely thing for me is to meet my brothers, my friends and to join them.” Our mother Hadrat Âisha said, “Rasûlullah ’alaihis-salâm passed away one month after these words of his.” Hadrat Muhammad’s generosity was very well known. No one could rival him in this beautiful moral quality either. Ibn-i Abbas once said, “Our Master Rasûlullah was the most generous of people in doing favors. In the month of Ramadan and when he met with Jabrâil ’alaihis-salâm (Archangel Gabriel), he would be more generous than the morning breeze.”

Anas bin Mâlik ‘radiy-Allâhu anh’ said, “I was walking with Rasûlullah ‘sallAllâhu alaihi wa sallam’. He had Burd-i Najrânî on. That is, he wore an overcoat made of Yemen cloth. A villager, who came from behind us, pulled his collar so harshly that the collar of the coat scratched his blessed neck and the scratch remained there. Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ turned round. Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ just chuckled at his manners. He commanded that something should be given to him.”

There was an old woman who was Rasûlullah’s ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ neighbor. She sent her daughter to Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ to beg of him, “I do not have a dress to cover myself when praying. Send me a dress to cover myself for namâz (ritual prayer).” Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ did not have any other clothes at that moment. He took the loose robe off his blessed body and sent it to the woman. When it was time for namâz, he couldn’t go to the mosque without a garment. The Ashâb-i kirâm ‘rahmatullâhi ta’âlâ alaihim ajma’în,’ hearing about this, said, “Hadrat Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ is so generous that he has no clothes left; therefore, he cannot come to the mosque for jamâ’at (that is performing the ritual prayer in congregation). Let us give all we have to the poor, too.” Consequently Allahu ta’âlâ sent the twenty-ninth âyat of Sûrat-ul-Isrâ. First, He commanded His beloved not to be stingy nor give nothing; then He commanded him not to give so much as to fall into straits, to miss the namâz, or to become worried! He ordered moderation in giving alms!

That day, after prayer, Hazrat Alî ‘kerrem-Allâhu wejheh’ came to Rasûlullah and said, “O Rasûlallah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’! Today I borrowed eight dirhams of silver to spend for the subsistence of my family. I’ll give you half of them. Buy a robe for yourself.” Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ bought a robe for two dirhams. While he was going to buy food with the remaining two dirhams, he saw a blind man, who sat down and kept saying, “Who will give me a shirt for Allah’s sake and in turn be blessed with the dresses of Paradise?” He gave the robe he had bought to the blind man. When the blind man took the robe, he smelled a fragrance like musk. He realized that it was from the blessed hand of Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam,’ because everything which Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ had worn once would smell like musk, even if it had been worn to pieces.

The blind man prayed, “O my Allah! Open my eyes for the sake of this shirt.” His two eyes opened at once. Then Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ left there. He bought a robe for one dirham. As he was going to buy food with the other dirham, he saw a maid weeping. He asked “Why are you crying, daughter?” She said, “I am a Jew’s maid. He gave me one dirham and told me to buy a bottle for half a dirham and olive oil with the remaining half, I bought them. But as I was going back, I dropped the bottle. Both the bottle and the oil are gone; I don’t know what to do now.” Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ gave his last dirham to the girl. He said, “Buy the bottle and the oil with this and take them home.” But the poor girl said, “I am afraid the Jew will beat me for being late.” Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ said, “Don’t be afraid! I will go with you and tell him not to beat you.” So they went to the Jew’s house and knocked at the door. The Jew opened the door and was bewildered to see Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ who then told him what had happened and interceded for the girl. The Jew sprang down to Rasûlullah’s ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ feet and supplicated “O the great Prophet ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam,’ who is loved and honored above all by thousands of people! Thousands  of lions are waiting to do your commands. And you honor the door of a wretched person like me for a maid’s sake. O Rasûlallah ‘sall- Allâhu alaihi wa sallam!’ I have emancipated this girl for your honor’s sake. Teach me îmân (faith) and Islam. Let me become a Muslim in your presence.” Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ taught him Islam. He was converted to Islam. He went back into his house and told his household what had happened. They all became Muslims, too. All these were the fruits of Rasûlullah’s ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ beautiful habits.

Rasûl ’alaihis-salâm had many beautiful morals. Each Muslim must learn and have  the same. Thus, avoiding catastrophes and difficulties in this and the next world and thus attaining intercession, by the master of both worlds, granted.