Explore the Noble Manners of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The Revered and Blessed Manners of My Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

Mawlana Nasir Jamal Attari Madani

The Blessed Manners of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم with those Afflicted by Distress

Just as happiness and ease do not last forever, likewise sorrow and trial are not incessant. Whether a person is in ease or difficulties, the most important matter is the manner in which this time is passed. It is the grace of Allah Almighty upon us that He has bestowed us with the blessings of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم to show us how to live properly in times of happiness, sorrow and every other state.

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم faced numerous kinds of difficulties. How did he pass that time? You have read about that in previous issues. However, herein, you will see glimpses of how sympathetic, empathic, and consolatory the approach of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was with others when they faced problems and anxieties.

His approach with orphans, widows and the poor

The indigent, orphans, and widows, etc., fall within the weak strata of society. This section of society is even more deserving of our good conduct. Describing the beloved Prophet’s approach to this segment of society, Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh b. Abī Awfā رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ stated:

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would remember Allah Almighty abundantly, refrain from idle speech, lengthen the prayer and shorten the sermon. He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would not feel any shame in walking with orphans and widows, to the extent that he صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would fulfil their needs.^[1]

On one occasion, the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم explained the reward of the person who sponsors an orphan, saying:

اَنَا وَكَافِلُ الْيَتِيمِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ هٰكَذَا

“I and the one who supports an orphan will be in Paradise like this.” Having said this, he صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم joined his index and middle fingers together.^[2]

The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم mentioned the reward of the one who endeavours for the orphan and widow:

السَّاعِي عَلَى الْاَرْمَلَةِ وَالْمِسْكِينِ كَالْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ اَوِ الْقَائِمِ اللَّيْلَ الصَّائِمِ النَّهَارَ

“The one who strives for the widow and the orphan is like the mujāhid in the way of Allah or the one who stands at night in prayer and fasts during the day.”^[3]

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم also stated:

اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّي اُحَرّ ِجُ حَقَّ الضَّعِيفَيْنِ الْيَتِيمِ وَالْمَرْاَةِ

“O Allah, indeed, I am prohibiting the infringement of the right of the two weak ones: the orphan and the woman.”^[4]

The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم clarified the importance of serving the weak, stating:

اَبْغُونِي الضُّعَفَاءَ فَاِنَّمَا تُرْزَقُونَ وَتُنْصَرُونَ بِضُعَفَائِكُمْ

“Search out the weak for me, for indeed, you are only granted provision and victory due to your weak.”^[5]

Glad tidings of reward for patience

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم visited Sayyidunā Zayd b. Arqam رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ during his illness and said, “Your illness is not dangerous. However, what will your state be when, after me, your life becomes long and you become blind?”

He replied, “At that time, I will seek reward and be patient.”

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم responded, “Then you will enter Paradise without account.”

After the passing of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, he lost his sight. Thereafter, Allah Almighty blessed him with sight, and then he رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ passed away.^[6]

Conduct with the weak

On the occasion of the Conquest of Makkah, Sayyidunā Abū Bakr رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ brought his father to profess Islam. Upon seeing him, the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم remarked:

هَلَا تَرَكْتَ الشَّيْخَ فِي بَيْتِهٖ حَتَّى اَكُونَ اَنَا آتِيهِ فِيهِ

“Why did you not leave this shaykh in his home so that I could come to him!”

Sayyidunā Abū Bakr رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ replied, “O Messenger of Allah (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم), he had a greater right on him that he walk to you, not that you come to him.” Thereafter, he رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ seated his father before the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم who passed his blessed hand over his chest.”^[7]

An old man came to meet the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. People delayed in granting him space, so the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “He is not from us who does not have mercy on our young and does not honour our elderly.” ^[8]

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was particularly benevolent towards the calamity-stricken. Such people would receive support and comfort from the blessed tongue of Prophethood. Let us consider some glimpses from the conduct of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم:

1) The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم visited an ailing person and said to him, “Be happy! Allah Almighty says, ‘This (fever) is my fire, which I inflict upon my servant in this world so that his portion of the Fire in the Hereafter is given to him in this world.’”^[9]

2) Sayyidah Umm ꜤAlāˈ رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا fell ill. The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم went to her and said, “O Umm ꜤAlāˈ! Be happy because Allah Almighty pardons the sins of a believer through illness, the way in which fire removes impurities from gold and silver.^[10]

Giving glad tidings to the ailing, the final Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم mentioned, “Whenever a person falls ill or travels, those actions are recorded for him which he would perform in residence and good health.” ^[11]

Conduct with a troubled camel

Once, the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم passed by a camel. When it saw the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, it began to whimper and lowered its head before the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم stood next to it and said, “Where is the owner of this camel?”

When the owner came, the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asked him, “Will you sell this camel?”

He replied, “No, rather it is a gift to you.” He further mentioned that it belonged to a household that possessed nothing else.

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “This camel has complained that you overburden it and under feed it. Treat it well.”^[12]

Treatment of a bird

Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh b. MasꜤūd رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ narrates:

We were on a journey with the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم went to relieve himself, and we saw a bird with two chicks. We took hold of the chicks, whereupon the bird came and began to flutter. The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم came and inquired, “Who has caused it harm with regard to its children? Return its offspring to it.”^[13]

Conduct with a grief-stricken deer

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم passed the tent of a village dweller, and a deer was tied up there.

When it saw the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, it said, “O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, the bedouin residing in this tent has captured me from the jungle and brought me here, whereas my two children remain in the jungle. The milk in my udders has begun to thicken. He neither slaughters me so that I am relieved from this pain nor does he release me so that I can suckle my children with milk.”

Hearing the plea of the deer, the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “If I release you, will you return after suckling your children?”

It answered, “Yes, I will certainly return. If I do not show up, may Allah Almighty punish me with punishment like that given to the one who extorts impermissible taxes.”

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم released it, and in a state of restlessness, it swiftly sprang off towards the jungle. After a short while, it returned, and the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم retied it to the tent. Meanwhile, the bedouin arrived before the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, carrying a waterskin.

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “Sell this deer to us.”

He replied, “O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, it is a gift to you.”

Thereafter, the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم set it free. Reciting لَا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللَّهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللَّهِ it went off towards the jungle.^[14]

Glad tidings for the person afflicted by calamity

1) Being deprived of one’s eyesight is a great trial. The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم mentioned the following statement of Allah Almighty concerning this: “When I trial a person concerning two beloved things (i.e., the eyes), and he is patient, I grant him Paradise in return.”^[15]

2) When a person’s son dies, Allah Almighty asks the angels, “Did you take the soul of my servant’s son?”

They reply, “Yes.”

Then He says, “You broke off the fruit of his heart?”

They answer, “Yes.”

Thereafter, He says, “What did my servant say?”

They respond, “He praised you and recited اِنَّا لِلہِ وَاِنَّآ اِلَیۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡن.”

So, Allah Almighty states, “Build a home for this servant of mine in Paradise and name it بَیْتُ الْحَمْد.”^[16]

This questioning and answering relates to those angels that present the soul of the deceased in the court of Allah Almighty. The aim of this is to make them witnesses, otherwise Allah Almighty is علیم و خبیر. It should be remembered that some palaces in Paradise have already been created by Allah Almighty and others are built in response to the actions of people. Here, the second type of palace is mentioned. In the way that buildings are named after activities in this world, likewise in Paradise, buildings are named after actions.^[17]

3) If a believer is pricked by a thorn or afflicted by an even more minor pain, Allah Almighty shakes off his sins, the way leaves are shed off a tree.^[18]

اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه This conduct of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم eliminates despair, failure and hopelessness and instils passion for hope, high morale, patience and steadfastness.

Come, let us also adopt this approach so that our conduct is a treatment for the ailing, a means of salvation for the distressed and tranquillity and stability for the anxious.