Summary of Some of His Noble
Characters
The Messenger of Allah B was the most benign, the bravest, the most just, the most
chaste, and he never touched the hand of a marriageable woman. He was the most
generous, he used to give whatever he had, he never withheld any money, he
never took what was granted to him by Allah Q except
what sufficed him of stable food like dates and barley for one year, then, he
used to allocate the rest for Allah's sake. He used to prefer others to himself
in a way that the stored food for the year would be given for Allah's sake and
he would remain without food till Allah Q gave him
more. He used to mend his footwear and his clothes. He used to help his wives
in the routine work such as cutting meat with them. He was the shyest of
people. He did not use to gaze at anyone's face. He used to respond to the
invitation of the free man and the slave. He would accept a present even if it
was a sip of milk or a rabbit's leg. He used to compensate for it, but he never
ate from charity. He used to respond to the slave-girl's request and the weak
person. He used to get angry whenever Allah's prohibitions were violated; but
never for himself. He used to act according to the truth even if it caused him
harm. Some disbelievers offered to support him against other disbelievers but
he refused saying: "I do not seek the help of disbelievers" despite
his dire need at that time. When one of his best companions was killed in an
area under the control of the Jews, he did not oppress them. He gave one hundred
she-camels as blood-money while his companions were in dire need of a
she-camel.
He would tie a stone on his belly out of
hunger. He used to eat from any lawful food served to him. He never rejected
any type of food. If he found some wheat or barley bread, he used to eat from
it. If he found honey or milk without bread he would eat or drink from them. He
did not use to eat on a table or while reclining. He did not eat wheat bread
for three successive days out of preferring others to himself, not out of
stinginess or poverty, till he breathed his last. He used to respond to an
invitation, visit sick people, and escort a funeral. He used to walk among his
enemies without guards.
He used to wear coarse clothes and any
available type thereof as long as they were lawful. He was the most modest, the
most eloquent, and the most handsome among people. His ring was made of silver.
He used to wear it on his left or right little finger. His slave would ride
behind him on his mount. He used to mount any available riding animal i.e. a
horse, a mule, or a donkey; and walk while wearing plain clothes. He used to
visit the sick people at the farthest end of Al-Madinah. He liked perfume and
disliked any unpleasant smell. He used to sit with the poor and eat with the
needy. He used to honor the virtuous people and do good to the dignitaries. He
used to treat his relatives kindly and he never treated anyone harshly. He used
to accept the excuse of the one who made it. He would jest but he never uttered
naught but the truth. He would smile but he did not guffaw. He would watch lawful
sport but he would not rebuke for its sake. He would compete with his wives and
one might raise his voice in his presence but he did not dislike it. He and his
family used to eat the meat of sheep. He had male and female slaves but he
never preferred himself to them in food or clothing.
He never passed time except for Allah's
satisfaction. He would visit his companions in their gardens. He never
disdained a poor man for his poverty. He never feared a king for his authority.
He used to invite all to the way of Allah Q fairly.
Allah Q endowed him with perfect behavior and wise policy. He was
illiterate; he could not read or write. He was born in an era of utter
ignorance. He was a shepherd while he was an orphan i.e. a fatherless and a
motherless boy, but Allah Q educated
him with the best manners and the history of the first and the last. He also
taught him all that guarantees salvation and prosperity in the Hereafter and
happiness in this life. May Allah Q guide us
to obey him in what he has commanded and to emulate him in what he has done.
Reference:
Selected
Writings on Purifying the Soul, by Sa'eed Hawwa, page 528-530. (a non Ibadhi
Book)
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