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The Deeds In the troubled world of those days, cultural and moral decline, together with polytheism and all their ramifications had submerged the whole globe. Even the revealed religions that had followers in different parts of the world had under gone radical change in the course of time, not only had they lost all vitality and ability to guide mankind, but their most creative elements had fallen prey to decline. There was no hope of infusing a new spirit of life in them, of making blood run once again through their hardened arteries. The people of the book were therefore waiting for some profound eruption and emergence of a new Heavenly personality who would bear on his capable shoulders the heavy burden of guiding mankind, leading them away from decaying systems of thought to a new and progressive teaching. Historians have clearly discerned in all dimensions of his personal great spiritual energy and power, together with all the other qualities that are fitting in a great leader sent by Heaven. No researcher or scholar can claim that the Prophet (peace be upon him), fell prey at any point in his life to moral or spiritual deviation or to nervous excitement. Although the characteristics of the Prophet of Islam are more clearly and fully known than those of other people who have left their mark on history, in the near or distant past. History cannot point to any slightest rebelliousness, ill temper or evil conduct on his part, nor even to a single error or sin. The remarkable life of the exalted Prophet of Islam is clearly and completely known in all its aspects, the period before his birth, his infancy, his youth, his moral characteristics, his travels, his marriages, his conduct in war and peace. Recorded history bears witness that the slightest trace of corrupt belief cannot be found to have clouded his brilliant visage. Although he had no access to any form of instruction, he had no connection with the age of ignorance surrounding him, and vice never took root in him. |
The Prophet of Islam is most renowned in the annals of history for the greatest revolution in religious thinking and practice, which he set in motion in the seventh century A D throughout a major part of the civilized world. But what is perhaps lost sight of is that it was not only the strength of his religious conviction, but also his great personal charisma, in a situation fraught with all kinds of adversity, which brought adherents to his side, first of all with painful slowness, then with a heartening acceleration of pace. The most tolerant of all men, he was very gracious, kind-hearted, and invariably polite and considerate of the well-being of others. He claimed no right to take precedence over his fellow men, walking behind his Companions generally with his eyes cast down, refusing to take a position of prominence at gatherings and always greeting others first. He treated everyone equally, making no distinction between rich and poor, would gladly accept the invitation of slaves and servants, and when mixing with them, would exhibit no pride whatsoever. He never affected the airs of a great man. He would put people from all walks of life at their ease, whether joining in their celebrations or caring for the sick and needy. No one was ever made by him to feel disheartened or despairing. Whenever anyone came to consult him about anything, he would give him a patient hearing and wait respectfully until he had had his say. In fact, he always used to behave so open-heartedly that each person he encountered left him feeling that he (the Prophet) loved him best of all. A person in need was always given something by him, and if he had nothing to give at that particular time, he would always promise to give something later. In fact, he was never known to have acted in a miserly way. In company, his manners were perfect, particularly in the way he sat and ate. He would never eat on a full stomach and avoided over-rich, spicy food. He would never complain that something tasted or smelt bad. He would simply not eat it and at the most would refrain from praising it. When it was his turn to play the host, he would entertain his guests to the best of his ability, speaking light-heartedly, and modestly, and occupying any place which he was given. He would smile but he would not laugh loudly. He always spoke softly, for he disliked any noise or fighting or disorder, and would even address his enemy gently. Always at pains to maintain harmony in all his relationships, he took good care never to malign anyone, even in the face of blatant misconduct. One thing he could never condone was cruelty and he kept his distance from those who were callous in their behaviour to others. He himself never mistreated anyone, never even slapped an erring slave or servant, and certainly never hit a woman. He could not bring himself even to beat an animal. He refrained from finding fault with things and people, showing forgiveness even to those who treated him badly -even if it meant suffering losses or damage to property. As Hazrat Anas explained, "I served the Prophet for ten years, but whatever I did during that long period, he never asked me why I had done this or why I had done that." There was not the least trace of vengefulness in his nature; he never used to lose his temper with people in personal and domestic matters, and never stooped to the use of coarse language. His treatment of relatives, friends and neighbours was exemplary. But nothing would contain his anger if he felt that disrespect was being shown to the Shariah. Then he would either point out to the detractors the error of their ways, or he would just depart. Often he would simply turn his face away, so as not to display his displeasure. Whatever he chose to do, it befitted the gravity of the situation. He himself went in fear of The Almighty Allaah, and treated every small boon as a great blessing from The Almighty Allaah. Never did he disparage any of Allaah's bounty to man. All of his life was spent ------ "whether sitting or standing " --- in remembrance of his Creator. He performed the Nafil prayer so sedulously that his feet would become swollen, and during the recitation of the Quran , he would weep out of love and fear of his Maker. His reverence for Allaah was such that he always spoke quietly and never in excess of what the situation warranted. He was outspoken in his abhorrence of falsehood, and not even a thoughtless word ever passed his own lips. Praise of himself was also something which he disapproved of and he did not even like the Companions praising each other. His conduct towards others was consistently humble and gentle. In particular, he never liked to create problems for his Companions, explaining everything to them slowly and clearly, so that they should never become confused as to the true meanings of the divine revelations, which formed the bedrock of his sacred prophetic mission. And if he avoided exaggeration, he also avoided excessive brevity. Even in everyday matters, he would take care not to disturb them in any way. For example, if he had to go outside late at night, he would be careful to make no noise putting on his shoes or in opening and closing doors, so that no one should lose their sleep. This absence of pride was also apparent in his home, where he did not shirk domestic chores, working methodically and doing everything with his own hands. Hazrat Asma’s (with whom Allaah is pleased) interview with the Prophet (Peace be upon him) regarding the reward for Women. Hazrat Asma Bint Yazid Ansari (with whom Allaah is pleased) came to Prophet (Peace be upon him) and said; “ O , Prophet of Allaah! You are dearer to me than my parents. My Muslim women have deputed me as their representative to talk to you on their behalf. Verily you are the Prophet of Allaah for both men and women. We stay for the most part of our time within the four walls of our houses. We remained pinned to our duties of fulfilling the sexual desires of men, bearing children for them and looking after their homes. Notwithstanding all these, men excel us in getting rewards for things which we are unable to do. They go and pray their daily Namaz (Salaat) and weekly Friday prayer in the mosque, visit the sick, attend the funerals, perform Hajj after Hajj and fight in the path of Allaah. When they go for Hajj or Dawah, we look after their property and bring up their children and weave cloth for them. Do we not share their rewards with them?” The Prophet (Peace be upon him) addressing the Companions sitting around him, said; “Did you ever hear a woman asking a better question?’’ Companions replied; “O, Prophet of Allaah! We never thought that a woman could put such a question.” The Prophet addressing Asma said; “Listen attentively, and then go and tell the ladies who have sent you that when a woman seeks the pleasure of her husband and carries out her domestic functions to his satisfaction, she gets the same reward as the men get for all their services to Allaah.” Hazrat Asma returned very happily after getting this reply to her question. Obedience and good behaviour towards the husband is a very great asset for the women , provided they know its value. The Companion once said to the Prophet (Peace be upon him), “In western countries people prostrate before their kings and chiefs, you deserve such reverence more.” The prophet replied, “No, if it were permissible to prostrate before anybody besides Allaah, I would have asked the women to prostrate before their husbands.” Then he added, “By him who has my life in His hand, a woman cannot do what she owes to Allaah until she has done what she owes to her husband.” It is reported in a Hadees that once a camel bowed in prostration before the Prophet (Peace be upon him). The Companion on seeing this, said: “When this animal prostrates before you, why should we not have this honour too?” He replied; “Never. If I could make somebody prostrate before anybody besides Allaah, it would be to ask the wives to prostrate before their husbands.”
The Holy Prophet was very kind to Children. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was very kind to children and loved them. He would stroke their heads out of love and would pray for their good in life. Whenever the children came near to him he would pick them up in his arms and fondle them with great love. Sometimes he would bring out his tongue before the child and the child would become cheerful and laugh. If he was lying down he would make a child sit on the soles of his feet or on his chest. If several children were there, he would make them fall in a row and would himself sit stretching out his arms and would say; ‘’ Run up to me, who touches me fast will get a prize.” The children would come running to him. Some would fall on his chest, some would fall on his belly. He would embrace them and kiss them. Whenever the Holy Prophet passed by children, he would salute them, put his hands on their heads and pick up the small ones in his arms. On seeing a mother loving her baby, he would be deeply affected. When discussing mother’s love he would say, “Whomsoever Allaah favours with children and his loves them as also fulfill his obligation towards them, then he would remain safe from the fire of Hell.” If while returning from a journey, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) met children on the way, he would pick them up affectionately and get them seated before or behind himself on his mount. Children also loved him much. No sooner then they saw him, they would run up to him. He would pick up each one of them, kiss him and give him something like dates or fresh fruits or some other nice thing to eat. If a woman saying prayer in his leadership with her baby started crying he would shorten the prayer in order to relieve the mother from her distraction. This has been related by Abdullah bin Abbas(with whom Allaah is pleased); In the times of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) a man had palm tree in the courtyard of his house. A branch of the tree was hanging above the house of one of his neighbours who was a poor man. When the rich man climbed the tree to pick fruit and shook its branches, some of the dates fell in to the poor man’s compound and his children picked them up. At this, the rich man climb down, went into the neighbour’s house and snatched the dates from the children. Then he saw a child chewing a date, so the man thrust his fingers in to the child’s mouth and took out the date. The poor man went to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and complained about his neighbour. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) heard his complaint and send him away. He then called the owner of the date-palm into his presence and said to him; “Will you give me the date-palm hanging above your neighbour’s house, in return for which I promise you a date-palm tree in Heaven?” The man replied, “O Prophet, many wanted to buy this tree and I also possess many other date-palms, but I like its fruits very much and therefore I have not sold it to anyone.” He thus excused himself from giving the tree away. Since he was the lawful owner, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) did not insist on buying the tree from him, against his will. When the man went away a Companion who had been listening to this conversation, came forward and said, “O Prophet of Allaah, would you also promise me a tree in Heaven, if I buy that date-palm from him and presented it to you?” The Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him), replied; “Certainly, I promise you the same.” At this, the Companion got up, went over to the owner of tree and said to him, “I also own a plantation of date-palms. Can you sell that tree of yours at any price?” The man replied, “The Prophet of Allaah promised me a tree a Heaven in return for this date-palm, but I declined the offer. The fact is that, I am very fond of this tree. I might sell it, but nobody would pay the price I demand for it.” The Companion said, “How much do you demand?” The man said, “I could give it in exchange for forty date-palms.” The Companion said; “This seems too much for a crooked tree, but are you sure that you would give this tree in exchange for forty date-palms?” The man said, “Certainly, and if you confirm the bargain, you should also adjure an oath.” The Companion swore that he was willing to buy that tree for forty date-palms. But at the last moment, the man backed out of the agreement and refused to sell the tree. The Companion said to him, “You cannot back out now, for I am on an oath to buy it.” The man then said, “All right, but all the forty trees should be growing in one and the same place.” The Companion thought for a while and said, “Yes, all the trees are growing in one and the same place.” When the bargain was finally settled, the Companion came to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and said, “I have brought the date-palm tree as a present for you”, Then the Prophet (Peace be upon him) went to the poor man’s house and bestowed the tree upon him as a gift. It was after this episode that the Surah Laila’ was revealed. The Prophet led a virtuous life and his whole life is a leading example for all the Muslims. The teaching of Islam is perfect, and covers all aspect of life, but the followers of the faith of often portray different picture. Why is this so? There are many reasons behind this. They love worldly materials and the momentary pleasures; it often deludes men into believing that these things in the world last forever. And they forget the Creator, running after the things He has created. One often thinks that success can be achieved by one’s own efforts, and in this pursuit for material objective one gets drawn in by the webs of greed, endless desire, and selfishness, which all takes us further away of The Almighty Allaah. The Prophet had said that we must not be hasty in the pursuit of these things. We must instead have faith in The Almighty Allaah and pray to him for guidance in every walks of life. Hazrat Abu Bakr (with whom The Almighty Allaah is pleased), a great colleague of the Prophet, said: "All the disbelievers will become believers in the hereafter, the fallen man will become a perfect man there, the liar will start speaking the truth. Try to keep your distance from human beings because of their high hopes and ambitions. Men will fear you as long as you fear The Almighty Allaah." Hazrat Umar (with whom The Almighty Allaah was pleased) said : "If you cast aside your loyalty to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), you will destroy all your good deeds, and become losers. Loyalty to The Almighty Allaah and keeping away from sins will develop fear of The Almighty Allaah. Don't think yourself more than what you are, and do not impose yourself as being important and great. Worldly gifts are more dangerous than sins---- because these things will take you towards sins and finally you will be lost in them and go to Hell. Try to maintain a distance from the seduction of the world and always try to earn the love of The Almighty Allaah. In the Iraq expedition, when Hazrat Saad (whom Allaah is pleased) about to leave Madinah Hazrat Umar (whom Allaah is pleased) gave him the following instructions: "O, Sa'd ! Let this fact not beguile you that you are one of the trusted Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and that people call you his uncle. Allaah does not repay evil with evil, but He repays evil with good. Allaah has no relation with His creation. All men, high and low, are equal before Him, for all are His creations and He is their sole Lord. One can win His favours only through devotion to His service. Remember that the foot step of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is the only correct way of doing things. You are going on a very heavy task. This you can discharge only by following the truth. Inculcate good habits in yourself and your Companions. Choose fear of Allaah as your chief asset, for this will lead you to His obedience to Allaah’s Command is the lot of those alone who hate this world and love the Hereafter." |
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