The Exemplary Character of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The exemplary character of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

By Shaykh al-Tariqah, Amir Ahl al-Sunnah, ‘Allamah, Mawlana, Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri Ridawi دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ

When the mother of the believers Sayyidah A’ishah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا was asked about the character of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , she replied, “The character of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was the Quran.”^[1]

Note the following points regarding the fine character of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم: 

*   The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would shun argumentation, arrogance and frivolous speech.

*   He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would warmly welcome those who came to him. He would not say or do anything that would cause repulsion; rather he was gentle, compassionate and kind.

*   When he would go somewhere, he would sit down wherever space was available.

*   Whenever the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would shake hands, he would not be the first to withdraw them.

*   He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would never respond to evil with evil, instead he would pardon people. In fact, in the 23 years of propagating Islam, the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم faced many difficulties and troubles, but he always pardoned those who wronged him; he never sought revenge for himself.

*   The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would show affection towards children and be very merciful to them.

*   He never scolded nor embarrassed any child.

*   The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم never turned away anyone who came with a request.

*   The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would seek to lighten people’s burdens, resolve their problems and provide them ease and comfort.

*   The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would take care of widows and orphans and enquire about the ill.

*   He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would show respect to the poor and love them.

*   The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would treat neighbours well.

*   He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would encourage people upon their good deeds.

*   The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would strive to maintain harmony and cordial relationships in society. He would endeavour to keep the Muslims united and eliminate hatred between them.

*   The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would not give anyone preferential treatment based on lineage, tribe or colour; rather he said, “O people! Your Lord is one, and your father is one (Sayyiduna Adam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام ). Listen! No Arab has superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab, nor a white person over a black person, and nor a black person over a white person. However, those who are pious are better than others. Indeed the most noble of you in the court of Allah Almighty is the most pious of you.”^[2]

*   The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would encourage people to provide their animals with food and water on time and would warn people against harming and mistreating them.

*   In an era of ignorance when women folk were not granted any status or importance and daughters were considered a form of disgrace, the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم protected the rights of women and made their standing and importance clear through his lofty conduct and pure teachings.

May Allah Almighty grant us success in adopting the pure character and virtuous traits of the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم .

اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّیْن صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم

(Note: This article was prepared based on the content of the Madani Muzhakarah (episode 2,079) which took place after ‘Isha Salah on 15^th August 2022 along with some additional material. It is presented after final touches from Amir Ahl al-Sunnah دَامَتْ بَرَکاتُہُمُ الْعَالِیَہ.)