In the Footsteps of Muhammad (PBUH) - (3)

A Further Summary of Some of His Noble Morals

     The Messenger of Allah B never abused a believer except that it had been made an atonement and mercy. He never defamed a woman nor a servant. It was said to him during a battle; 'Would that you abuse them Messenger of Allah! He said, "I was sent as a mercy. I have never been one who abuses.' Whenever he was asked to invoke Allah's curse against some people no matter whether they were Muslims or non-Muslims, he refused. Rather, he would invoke Allah Q on their behalf. He never hit a man with his hand He only hit for Allah's sake. He never took revenge for himself except if Allah's laws were violated. He was never given the choice between two alternatives except that he chose the easiest of them long as it did not comprise of a sin or severing a blood relation. No male or female slave came to him for any request except that he rose up and interceded for him.

     Anas said, 'By Him Who sent him with the truth, he never said to me: "Why did you do such and such when I did anything he disliked. His wives never blamed me for anything except that he said to them: "Leave him. It is preordained by Allah."

     It was one of his characteristics to initiate greeting among people. If anyone withheld a request, he never left him till that one was the first to leave. Whenever he met any of his companions, be would start shaking hands with him pressing lightly on his palm. He never sat or stood except he remembered Allah Q. He used to sit raising his legs holding them with his palms. He never had a specific place to sit; He used to sit wherever room was available. He never stretched out his legs except if there was enough room. He used to sit facing Al-Qiblah.

     He used to honor his guest by spreading his mat and pillow for him. If the guest refused, he used to persist till he accepted. He used to listen with attention to whoever talked to him. In this way each one used to think that he was the dearest to him. He used to face all in an equal manner. His manner of sitting was that of shyness, modesty, and honesty. Allah Q says,

(فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظّاً غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لاَنفَضُّواْ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ)

"And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken way from about you..." [Al 'Imran 3: 159]

     He used to call his companions by their nicknames honoring them therewith. He used to give them nicknames that pleased them and the people used to call them by that name. He used to give nicknames to the women who had children and those who had no children. He also used to give nicknames to the young people to create love in their hearts.

     He was the last one to get angry and the most swift to be satisfied. He was the kindest, the best, and the most beneficial to people. Voices were not raised in his presence. Whenever he stood up, he used to say, "Glory and praise be to Allah. I bear witness that there is no [true] god except You. I seek your forgiveness and return in repentance to You." Having prayed this, the Messenger of Allah B used to say, "Gabriel taught them to me."

Reference:

Selected Writings on Purifying the Soul, by Sa'eed Hawwa, page 530-531. (a non Ibadhi Book)