IT should be noted that our love for our Prophet (peace be upon him) is really great. This love places many obligations and duties on our shoulders. Among these duties is to show respect to him, study his biography and follow in his footsteps, defend him against any misconception and to try to spread the truth about his morals, manners and Sunnah. Referring to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) Allah, Most High, says: “And verily, you (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) are on an exalted (standard of) character.” (Qur'an, 68:4) “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad, peace be upon him) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.” (Qur'an, 33:21) Prophet Muhammad: A unique character The uniqueness of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is that he was not only a great person in his own time, nut he is great for all times, for all people of any race, color, nationality or geographical location. His example was good for the 7th century Arabs and it is good also for the humanity living now at the beginning of this 21st century. He is an excellent example for the rich and poor, for young and old, for rulers and ruled, for the most intelligent as well as the most common people. Allah sent him as His Prophet for all humanity. Allah says in the Qur'an “Say (O Muhammad, peace be upon him): O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all, as the Messenger of Allah – to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. Lailaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). It is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad, peace be upon him), the Prophet, who can neither read nor write… and follow him so that you may be guided.” (Qur'an, 7:158) Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) practiced what he preached. He very carefully and meticulously followed the Qur'an, Allah's Word that was revealed to him. He followed and lived the Qur'an at every moment in every detail of his life. His life was the reflection of Allah's Words. He became the Qur'an in person, the embodiment of the Qur'an, or one may even say in a metaphorical sense the Word in flesh. It is reported in a Hadith: Sa'd Ibn Hisham said that he asked Ayesha, Prophet's wife (may Allah be pleased with her): “Tell me about the character of the Prophet (peace be upon him).” She said, “His character was the Qur'an.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 24139) Some of his attributes The morality of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was not restricted to just a few moral attributes, but included diverse traits and aspects of life. He was kind, compassionate, caring, generous and humble, but he was also strong, brave, eloquent, wise and insightful. He was a great planner, organizer and thinker, yet he was also a man of faith, trust and devotion to Allah. Muhammad (peace be upon him) was involved and active with his family and community but he did not neglect his prayers, fasting and devotion to Allah. Actually, he prayed so much that no one prayed like him. He was exemplary as a teacher, preacher, Imam, leader, statesman, judge, commander of the armies as well as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a businessman, a neighbor and a friend. Before he received the honour of nubuwwah (Prophethood), he was known among the people of Makkah as As-Sadiq Al-Amin, the most honest and trustworthy person. He kept this character throughout his life. He never broke a pledge or promise. Even his enemies could not accuse him of being dishonest. He was a most humble person. He used to mingle with the poor and sit with them. He stopped people standing up for him. He used to sit wherever there was a place available in an assembly and never sought a prominent or elevated place. The newcomers sometimes would not know who the Prophet was among the people. When he entered the city of Makkah as a conqueror leading a big army, he entered in a most humble manner. In a unique demonstration of humility his forehead was touching the saddle of his camel! Muhammad: A mercy to mankind He was the most merciful person. Allah called him: “…a mercy for the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists),” in Surah Al-Anbiya' verse 107. He was merciful to his family, followers, friends, even enemies. He was merciful to young and old, to humans and to animals. Those who persecuted him in Makkah and killed his relatives and his followers, when they were defeated in the battles and brought as captives, were forgiven by him. He did not ever take revenge or retaliated. He was the most forgiving person. Constancy was a very important aspect of his moral behavior. Once he established some good way or practice he used to follow it and adhere to it always. He used to say: “The dearest deed to Allah is the one that is performed regularly, even if it was a little.” (Al-Bukhari, No.5983) His Names The Prophet (peace be upon him) has many names reflecting his attributes and qualities. Some of the most beautiful names of the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned in both the Qur'an and Hadith are the following: Muhammad (the praised one), Ahmad (most praiseworthy), Hamid (the giver of praise and thanks), Ar-Rasul (the Messenger), An-Nabi (the Prophet), Shahid (the witness), Rashid (the righteous), Bashir (the giver of good news), Nadhir (the warner), Da'I (the caller to Allah), Hadi (the guide), Mahi (the remover of evil), Fatih (the conqueror), Rauf (the compassionate), Rahim (the merciful), Mujtaba (the chosen one), Mustafa (the selected one), Murtada (the well-pleasing in the sight of Allah), As-Sadiq (the truthful), Al-Amin (the trustworthy), Musaddiq (the confirmer of truth), Habibullah (Allah's beloved one), Safiullah (the one selected by Allah), Najiullah (the one protected by Allah), Shakur (the most grateful one), Karim (the noble one), Hakim (the wise one), Sayyid (the leader), Siraj Munir (the shining lamp), Jawwad (the generous one), Adil (the just), and Khatam Ar-Rusul (the final Messenger). May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him! – Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi is president of the Fiqh Council of North America __
