THE EXCELLENCE OF PROPHET MUHAMMADS CHARACTER, PHYSIQUE AND BLESSINGS

Part 3
Extracted from

The Cure
SAHIH SHEFA
by Su!re"e #u$t%&e A'u()a*( E+a*,
*%e* ,--.3CE I$(a"%& Year /00H1

Re!2rte* '+ Gra3* Muha**%th Ha'%' Ha)%4 A'*u((ah Be3 Sa*e5 Re6%$e* '+ Muha**%th A'*u((ah Ta(%*% A3 a*a!tat%23 '+ Ser6a3t 2) Ha*%th, Sha+5h Ah"a* Dar7%$h ,Ara'%&1 8ha*e%9ah A: Ste!he3$ ,E3;(%$h1 A+e$ha Na*r%+a ,I3*23e$%a31
Copyright 1984-2011 Allah.com Muhammad.com. All rights reserved. erms o! "ervice Copyright#$% %olicy & 'uideli(es

The Prophet's Mercy and Compassion

Allah says, "Indeed, there has come to you a Messenger from your own, he grieves for your suffering, and is anxious about you, and is gentle, merciful to the believers" (9:128) and speaks of Prophet Muhammad saying, "We have not sent you except as a mercy to all the worlds" (21:10 )! (Shaykh arwish added! "llah made #is $rophet%s gentle disposition, concern and mercy encompass every sector of #is creation& $art of the $rophet%s excellence is that "llah adorned him with two of #is 'ames when #e said, "and is gentle, merciful" ((!)*+,,& "af#an said, $%y Allah, he (the Prophet ) ga&e me #hat he ga&e me! 'o me he (the Prophet ) #as the most hated of people yet he (ontinued to gi&e me until he )e(ame the most )elo&ed of all people to me!$ *pon refle(tion one sees that amongst his mer(iful #ay of dealing #ith his nation #as that he made things easy for them! 'here #ere things he restrained himself from doing as he feared they might )e(ome o)ligatory for them! +or e,ample, he said, $-f - had not )een mer(iful to my nation, #ould ha&e ordered them to use a use a si#ak (also (alled mis#aak or se#ak #hi(h is a hygieni(al tooth (leaning t#ig from the Arak, Peelu or "al&adora Persi(a trees! -ts paste has no# )een added to "ignal.s range of tooth paste )ut they omitted to gi&e the Prophet Muhammad the (redit) ea(h time they made a)lution!$ /hat is meant )y .my nation. refers to e&eryone during the time of the Prophet and those #ho #ould (ome after, up until the 0ast 1ay! 'he Prophet2s mer(y and (on(ern for his nation is further demonstrated in the amount of time to )e spent during the night in prayer and the for)idding of (ontinuous fasting! 'he reason he disliked entering inside the room #ithin the 3a2)ah #as the fear that it might )e(ome o)ligatory upon his nation! -f the Prophet heard a (hild (ry during the prayer, his tender lo&ing (are #as e&ident! 4e #ould shorten his re(itation and redu(e the prayer essentials to the minimum!
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'he Prophet2s tender mer(y is seen #hen he suppli(ated to Allah saying, $"hould - e&er (urse a man, or suppli(ate against him, let it )e for him (harity, mer(y, suppli(ation, purifi(ation, and a (oming (loser )y #hi(h he #ill (ome (loser to 5ou on the 1ay of 6esurre(tion!$ 7&en #hen the Prophet2s people re8e(ted him, his mer(y pre&ailed! /e re(all the time #hen the Ar(hangel 9a)riel, pea(e )e upon him, (ame to him saying, $Allah has heard #hat your nation say and their re8e(tion of you! 4e has ordered the Angel of the Mountains to o)ey #hate&er you tell him to do!$ 'hereafter, the Angel of the Mountains (alled him and greeted him saying, $"end me to do #hatsoe&er you #ish! -f you #ish - #ill (rush them )et#een the t#o mountains of Me((a!$ -n his tender, (aring mer(y, the Prophet replied, $:o, rather it is my hope that Allah #ill )ring forth from their loins those #ho #ill #orship Allah alone and not asso(iate anything #ith 4im!$ 0ady Ayesha, Mother of %elie&ers, may Allah )e pleased #ith her, (onfirmed that #hene&er the Prophet #as gi&en the (hoi(e )et#een t#o matters he al#ays (hose the easier of the t#o! Masood.s son (ommented, $'he Messenger of Allah #arned us )e(ause he feared it might tire us!$ #as (areful #hen he

'here #as an o((asion #hen 0ady Ayesha, pea(e )e upon her, rode an o)stinate (amel, #hereupon the Prophet spoke gently to her saying, $5ou should )e mer(iful$ (so that others may follo# her e,ample)!

The Integrity of the Prophet

in Promises and Family Ties

Anas tells us a gift #as gi&en to the Prophet and he said, $'ake it to su(h; and;su(h a lady.s house, she #as a friend of 3hadi8ah and lo&ed her!$ 0ady Ayesha, may Allah )e pleased #ith her, said, $/hen the Prophet mentioned 3hadi8ah, - felt no #oman had a greater ad&antage than her! /hen he sa(rifi(ed a sheep he #ould send some to her friends and #hen her sister asked permission to enter he #as happy to see her!$ 0ady Ayesha also said, $A lady (ame to him and he #el(omed her #ith kindness and in<uired a)out her at length! /hen she left the Prophet said,
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."he used to (ome to us #hen 3hadi8ah #as #ith us! Maintaining promises is part of )elief!$ 'he Prophet said, $'he tri)esmen of the (hildren of so;and;so are not my friends, )ut there are kindred ties )et#een us, so #e #ill treat them #ith kindness on a((ount of their kinship!$ 'he Prophet2s daughter, 0ady =ayna), may Allah )e pleased #ith her, had a daughter named *mamah #hom the Prophet used to (arry on his shoulders! /hen he prostrated he #ould put her do#n, and #hen he stood up he #ould pi(k *mamah up! .Amr, As;"a.i)s son said, $>ne day as the Messenger of Allah #as sitting his foster father )y su(kling (ame to him! 'he Prophet spread out part of his garment for him and the man sat do#n! 'hereafter, his su(kling mother (ame and he put the other half of his garment on the opposite side so that she too might sit on it! 'hen, his su(kling )rother (ame and the Prophet got up for him and let his )rother sit do#n in front of him!$ After the Ar(hangel 9a)riel )rought Prophet Muhammad the first 6e&elation, he #as shaken and returned to his #ife 0ady 3hadi8ah, may Allah )e pleased #ith her! "he immediately (omforted him and attested to the uprightness of his (hara(ter saying, $%y Allah, )e happy! Allah #ill ne&er (ause you to grie&e! 5ou preser&e the ties of kinship, you help those in need, you are hospita)le to guests, and assist people to re(ei&e #hat is due to them$ (As reported in Muslim)!

The Humility of the Prophet

Although Allah raised the Prophet to the highest rank and position he remained e,tremely hum)le? no tra(e of pride #as e&er o)ser&ed in him! 'he proof of this is #hen he #as offered a (hoi(e )et#een )eing a king;prophet or a #orshipper;prophet and he (hose the latter! 4is humility is further demonstrated as the father of *mamah tells us, $'he Messenger of Allah (ame out to us leaning on his #alking sti(k, and #e got up for him )ut he, in all humility, said, .1o not get up as it is the #ay the Persians to sho# their respe(t for one another!$ >f himself, the Prophet said, $- am a ser&ant! - eat as a ser&ant eats and 4

sit as a ser&ant sits!$ 'he Prophet #as ne&er too proud to &isit and sit #ith the poorest of people and ne&er de(lined an in&itation of a ser&ant! 4e #ould sit #ith his @ompanions and mingle #ith them and #as not (hoosey #here he sat! As for riding, he #ould ride a donkey and share the ride #ith another #ho #ould mount )ehind him! 'he Prophet disliked e,(essi&e praise for himself and >mar tells us that the Prophet said, $1o not la&ish praise on me as the @hristians do on the son of Mary ()y asso(iating me in a trinity)! - am a #orshiper, so say .the #orshiper of Allah and 4is Messenger.!$ 'he Prophet ne&er shunned people and Anas relates the story of a #oman, #hose mental (apa(ity #as )elo# normal #ho met the Prophet and said, $- need something from you!$ 6ather than turning her a#ay he told her $@ome, sit do#n, mother of so;and;so, - #ill sit #ith you in any of the roads in Medina until you get #hat you need!$ Anas #ent on to say that it #as only after the #oman sat do#n that the Prophet sat and he stayed #ith her until her need #as met! Anas further sheds light on the humility of the Prophet and re(orded that during the (onfli(t #ith the tri)e of 3orithah he rode a donkey #ith a )ridle made from palm;fi)er! 7&en #hen the Prophet #as in&ited to eat )read made from (oarse )arley and ran(id )utter he ne&er de(lined the in&itation! 4e further tells us that after the >pening of Me((a, the Prophet #ent on pilgrimage riding a mount #ith a #ell #orn saddle o&er #hi(h #as pla(ed a #orn (loth that (ould only ha&e )een #orth four dirhams! And he suppli(ated saying, $> Allah, make it an a((epted pilgrimage #ithout ostentation or desire of earning a reputation!$ 1uring this pilgrimage he sa(rifi(ed one hundred (amels and fed e&eryone in the @ity! 'he Prophet2s humility is highlighted again upon the >pening of Me((a #hen he entered the @ity #ith his )and of follo#ers! 6ather than making a triumphant entry he rode hum)led to Allah, )o#ing his head so lo# that it &ery nearly tou(hed the saddle of his ride! Among the many signs of his humility is that the Prophet said, $1o not prefer me o&er Prophet Aonah, Matta.s son, neither generate ri&alry )et#een the prophets, nor prefer me o&er MosesB! 4ad - remained in prison like
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Aoseph, - #ould ha&e ans#ered the summons!$ "omeone on(e said to the Prophet $> )est of (reationC$ 4e replied, $'hat #as A)raham$! 0ady Ayesha said that the Prophet #ould do house#ork like the other mem)ers of his family, rid his (lothes from )ar)s, milk his sheep and pat(h his garment, and repair his sandals! Anas tells us that any female #ho ser&ed in the household of the Prophet (ould take hold of his hand and take him #here&er she #ished to go until he satisfied her need! A man (ame to the Prophet and #hen he sa# him )egan to trem)le on a((ount of timidity, )ut the Prophet put him at ease straight a#ay saying, $%e (alm, - am not a king, - am the son of a #oman from the 3oraysh #ho eats dried meat!$ >n another o((asion, the Prophet and A)u 4urayrah #ent to the market #here the Prophet pur(hased a loin (loth! 4e told the mer(hant, $/eigh and then add some more!$ 'he man 8umped up to kiss the hand of the Prophet )ut he immediately #ithdre# his hand saying, $'his is #hat the Persians do #ith their kings! - am not a king, - am one of your men!$ 'hen he took his loin (loth and (arried it saying, $'he o#ner is more entitled to (arry his property!$

The Justice of the Prophet

>f all people, the Prophet #as )y far the most trust#orthy, 8ust, #ell; mannered and truthful! 7&en his opponents and enemies ne&er denied these <ualities! %efore he #as (alled to the prophethood he #as (alled )y all $the trust#orthy$! -saa(.s son said e,plained, $4e #as (alled, .the trust#orthy. on a((ount of the fa&or of Allah to him that granted him a (on(entration of all the indisputa)le <ualities of goodness!$ /hen it (ame to pla(ing the %la(k "tone during the re)uilding of 3a.)ah ea(h of the (hieftains of the 3oraysh sought the honor of )eing the one to pla(e the "tone and a heated argument #hi(h #as to (ontinue for se&eral days erupted! 'o resol&e the dispute they all agreed that the first man to enter the pre(in(ts of 3a.)ah #ould )e the ad8udi(ator! 'he Prophet #as the first to enter and they said, $'his is Muhammad, the trust#orthy! /e are satisfied #ith him$, and the dispute #as settled ami(a)ly!
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Ar 6a)i, 3huthaym.s son informs us that #hen there #as a dispute )et#een t#o parties in the $'ime of -gnoran(e$ (pre;-slami( days) and the Messenger of Allah #as (alled upon to ga&e a 8udgment and that none disputed his 8udgment! 'he Prophet informs us, $%y Allah, - am the one #ho is trust#orthy in the hea&ens and the one #ho is trust#orthy in the earth!$ 7&en A)u Aahl, #hose hatred of the Prophet is #ell do(umented said to him, $/e do not (all you a liar, rather, #e say #hat you ha&e )rought is a lie!$ 'hereafter Allah sent do#n the &erse, "We know what they say saddens you& It is not you that they belie- but the harm.doers deny the verses or "llah" (D:EE)! /hen 4era(lius, the 7mperor of 6ome e,amined A)u "ufyan a)out the &era(ity of the Prophet he asked, $1id you e&er suspe(t him of )eing a liar )efore he said #hat he saysF$ A)u "ufyan replied, $:o!$ /hen it (ame to #omen, it is reported in the hadith that the Prophet ne&er tou(hed a #oman o&er #hom he did not ha&e rights! Ali des(ri)ed the Prophet saying, $4e #as the most truthful of people!$

Prophet Muhammad told the people, $May Allah ha&e mer(y on you, #ho #ill )e 8ust if - am not 8ustF -f - am not 8ust - #ill fail and lose!$ 0ady Ayesha, Mother of %elie&ers, may Allah )e pleased #ith her, (onfirms #hene&er the Prophet #as gi&en the (hoi(e )et#een t#o matters he al#ays (hose the easier of the t#o as long as it #as not sinful! -f it #as sinful then he #as the furthest of people from it!$ -mam Ali, may Allah )e pleased #ith him, said he heard the Prophet say, $'here #ere only t#o o((asions #hen - #as (lose to the improper pra(ti(es pra(ti(ed )y the people during the .'ime of -gnoran(e. and on )oth o((asions Allah pre&ented me! - ha&e ne&er (onsidered doing anything like them e&er sin(e Allah honored me #ith 4is Message! >ne of the t#o o((asions o((urred one night #hen - asked a )oy #ho #as my fello# herdsman, to #at(h the sheep for me #hile - #ent to Me((a to spend the night! As approa(hed, - heard the playing of flutes and drums (oming from one of the
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houses in Me((a as they (ele)rated someone2s marriage! - had 8ust sat to #at(h #hen suddenly, my sense of hearing (eased and - #as o&er(ome )y sleep, and nothing )ut the #armth of the sun #oke me and - returned #ithout ha&ing parti(ipated! 'he same thing happened another time, and sin(e then ha&e ne&er (onsidered doing anything improper!$

The Dignified Refinement and Disposition of the Prophet

'he @ompanion A)u "ayeid Al 3hudri o)ser&ed the posture of the Prophet during meetings! 4e tells us that on most o((asions he #ould sit #ith his hands (lasped around his legs #hi(h he had pulled up to his stoma(h! Aa)ir, "amura.s son said that the Prophet sat (ross;legged! As for the #ay in #hi(h the Prophet #alked, he in(lined for#ard, similar to the #ay in #hi(h one #alks #hen is going do#n a slope! -t has also )een reported that as he #alked he (on(entrated, his pa(e #as moderate and he neither #alked hastily nor did he tarry! A)dullah, Masood.s son said, $'he )est guidan(e is that of Muhammad Aa)ir, A)dullah.s son informs that, $'he #ords of the Messenger of Allah elegant in their phrasing and flo#ed easily!$ 0ady Ayesha, may Allah )e pleased #ith her, tells us that #hen he spoke the Prophet #ould say it in su(h a #ay that a person (ould (ount his #ords, if he #ished to do so! 'he Prophet #ould perfume himself and #as kno#n to lo&e fragrant aromas and perfume! 4e used them often and en(ouraged their use saying, $ha&e )een made to lo&e three things in this #orld of yours G #omen, perfume, )ut the (oolness of my eye is in the prayer!$ 'he Prophet for)ade people to )lo# o&er food and drink, and ordered them to eat #hat #as near to them! 4e (ommended the use of a tooth;sti(k, (leaning )et#een the fingers and toes, and (leansing the )ody in(luding the remo&al of pu)i( hair! !$

The A stinence of the Prophet

/e ha&e already mentioned many traditions depi(ting the Prophet.s simplified life style in pre&ious se(tions and it suffi(es to say that he #as (ontent #ith little, and turned a#ay from #orldly attra(tions! >n many o((asions the Prophet #as gi&en the ri(hes of the #orld, yet he did not keep them, rather, he immediately ga&e them a#ay, and #hen he died he o#ned nothing e,(ept his armor #hi(h he had pa#ned to a Ae# so that he might feed his family! 4is suppli(ation for his family #as, $> Allah, make the pro&ision of the family of Muhammad nourishment #ith no e,(ess!$ 0ady Ayesha, may Allah )e pleased #ith her, said, $'he Messenger of Allah ne&er had his fill of )read for three (onse(uti&e days up to the day he passed a#ay!$ 0ady Ayesha, may Allah )e pleased #ith her, (onfirmed, $'he Messenger of Allah left neither a single dirham nor dinar, nor a sheep, nor a (amel!$ Al 4arith.s son, Amr said, $'he Messenger of Allah left only his armor, his mule and some land #hi(h he had gifted as (harity!$ 0ady Ayesha, may Allah )e pleased #ith her, said, $/hen he passed a#ay, there #as nothing in his house that a (reature (ould eat e,(ept some )arley on one of my shel&es!$ 0ady Ayesha, may Allah )e pleased #ith her, said, $/e, the family of Muhammad #ould sometimes go for a month #ithout lighting a fire? there #as nothing e,(ept dates and #ater!$ And A)dur 6ahman, .A#fs son tells us that at the time of the death of the Messenger of Allah he and his household did not ha&e e&en as mu(h their fill of )arley )read!$ Ayesha, A)u *mmamah Al;Ansari and A))as. son said like#ise! A))as. son, tells us that the Messenger of Allah and his family, #ould not find anything for their e&ening meal on many (onse(uti&e nights! +rom Anas #e learn of eating ha)its of the Messenger of Allah said, $4e did not eat off a ta)le or from a plate! +ine )read #as not made for him neither a )oiled sheep!$ As for the )ed of the Prophet it #as a skin stuffed #ith palm fi)er! -t is
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also reported that sometimes he slept on a )ed made from palm;rope #hi(h left imprints on his side!

The Prophet's Fear of Allah! and Intensity of his "orship

'he Prophet.s fear of Allah, his o)edien(e to 4im, and the intensity of his #orshipping Allah #ere rooted in his kno#ledge of his 0ord! A)u 4urayrah tells us that the Messenger of Allah #ould say, $-f you kne# #hat - kno#, you #ould laugh )ut a little and #eep a lot!$ A)u 1harr added further information telling us that he said, $- see #hat you do not see, and hear #hat you do not! 'he hea&en (ries out, and it (ries out rightfully! 'here is not a single pla(e in it, the #idth of four fingers that, does not (ontain an angel #hose forehead is prostrating to Allah! %y Allah, if you kno# #hat - kno#, you #ould laugh )ut a little and #eep a lot, and you #ould not ha&e en8oyed #omen in your )eds, rather you #ould ha&e gone out to the high pla(es s(reaming to AllahB! $A)u 1harr (ommented, $/ould that - #ere a fallen treeC$ 0ady Ayesha, #ife of the Prophet, Mother of %elie&ers and se&eral of the @ompanions in(luding A)u 4urayrah tell us that the Prophet #ould stand in prayer so mu(h that his feet )e(ame s#ollen! /hen he #as asked #hy he )urdened himself in su(h a #ay #hen Allah had already gi&en him the status (o&erage of forgi&eness for past and future sins ()y prote(tion from sinning) he replied, $"houldn.t - )e a grateful #orshiperF$ 0ady Ayesha, may Allah )e pleased #ith her, des(ri)ed the Prophet as bei(g steadfast in e&ery thing he did and she asked his @ompanions, $/ho amongst you (an do #hat he (ould doF$ 'he Prophet #ould fast a lot and 0ady Ayesha, pea(e )e upon her, tells us, $4e #ould fast until #e said, .he #ill not stop fastingC. 4e #ould also a)stain from fasting until #e #ould think, .4e #ill not fast!.$ A))as. son and *mm "alama said like#ise! Anas said, $-f you did not e,pe(t to see him praying at night you #ould find him praying, and if you did not e,pe(t he #as sleeping you #ould find him sleeping!$ >ne night Malik.s son, A#f #as present #hen the Prophet prepared
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himself to pray and o)ser&ed that )efore the Prophet made his a)lution he used a tooth sti(k (si#ak) and thereafter stood in prayer and he prayed alongside the Prophet 1uring his re(itation of the (hapter $'he @o#$ he #ould stop and suppli(ate to Allah after he had re(ited a &erse pertaining to mer(y and after he re(ited a &erse pertaining to punishment he #ould stop and seek refuge #ith Allah! 4is )o#ing #as the length of his standing and he #ould say, $7,altations )e to the >#ner of the #orldly earth and the entire uni&erse #ith its angels, of 9reatness and Might!$ 'hereafter he prostrated and said something similar! 'hen he re(ited the @hapter $'he 4ouse of -mran$ and so on, (hapter )y (hapter! 4udhayfa said like#ise adding that the Prophet #ould prostrate for the same length of time as his standing, and he #ould sit for a similar length of time )et#een the t#o prostrations! 4e #ould stand and re(ite the @o# @hapter, 'he 4ouse of -mran and 'he 'a)le (hapters! 0ady Ayesha tells us that the Messenger of Allah #ould stand throughout the entire night re(iting a single &erse of the 3oran! Ash "hankhir.s son, A)dullah tells us that he #ent to see the Messenger of Allah and found him praying! As he prayed he heard so))ing (oming from his (hest and its sound #as similar to the )oiling of a large pot! 'he Prophet told his @ompanions that he asked Allah to forgi&e him one hundred times a day! -n another narration it is reported se&enty times a day!

The #ualities of the $o le Prophets of Allah

7a(h and e&ery no)le prophet and messenger of Allah #as )lessed #ith a perfe(t disposition, pea(e )e upon all of them! 'hey #ere handsome and their lineage no)le! 'heir (hara(ter #as good as #as their )eha&ior! 'his is )e(ause they all possessed the attri)utes of perfe(tion! 'hey guided to#ards the (omplete (ode of human spiritual )eha&ior #hi(h #as to )e (ompleted )y Prophet Muhammad and pra(ti(ed &irtuous deeds on a((ount of their rank )eing of the most no)le and their degree )eing of the highest! Allah tells us that 4e preferred some of the prophets and messengers o&er others #ith 4is #ords, "/f these Messengers, We have preferred some above others& 0o some "llah spoke- and some #e raised in rank& We gave 1esus, the son of Mary, clear signs and strengthened him with the Spirit of $urity (2abriel," (2:2HE)! 4e also tells us, "and We chose them, out of a
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knowledge above the nations (of their time," (II:E2)! Prophet Muhammad said, $'he first group to enter the Paradise #ill )e like the full moonBB e&ery man #ill )e in the height of their father Adam #ho #as si,ty (u)its tall!$ 'he des(ription of se&eral of the prophets has )een made kno#n to us )y Prophet Muhammad #ho tells us, $- sa# Moses, he #as slender #ith #a&y hair and his nose #as long #ith a slight raise in the middle ! 4e resem)led the men of "hanu.a! - sa# Aesus, he #as of medium height #ith a reddish fa(e, 8ust as if he had (ome out after ha&ing taken a hot )ath!$ >f himself the Prophet said, $Among the des(endants of A)raham, - am the one #ho most resem)les him!$ 'he Prophet ga&e additional information a)out Moses saying, $4e is like the )est men you ha&e e&er seen #ith a dark (omple,ion!$ A)u 4urayrah tells us, $After Prophet 0ot, Allah did not send a prophet e,(ept that he #as from the most elite mem)ers of his nation! /hen 4era(lius (7mperor of 6ome), asked a)out the Prophet he said, $<uestioned you a)out his lineage and you told me that he #as of no)le lineage! 'hat is the (hara(teristi( of all the Messengers that #ere sent, all #ere from a no)le lineage!$ 'here are many referen(es to the prophets and messengers #ho #ere preferred )y Allah in the 4oly 3oran, some of #hi(h are mentioned )elo#: >f Prophet Ao), Allah says, "We found him to be patient, a good worshiper and he was penitent" (E8:II)! >f Prophet Aohn, Allah says, "%/ 1ohn, hold fast to the 3ook% and We bestowed upon him 4udgment while yet a child, and tenderness from 5s and purity, and he was cautious- honoring his parents, being neither arrogant nor rebellious& $eace be upon him on the day he was born and the day he dies, and on the day when he is raised up alive" (19:12;1H)! 4e also tells us of the time Prophet =a(hariah, pea(e )e upon him, #as gi&en the good ne#s of a son, ""llah gives you glad tidings of 1ohn, who shall
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confirm a Word from "llah& #e shall be a master and chaste, a $rophet and from the righteous" (E:E9) Allah tells us, ""llah chose "dam and 'oah, the #ouse of "braham and the #ouse of Imran above all worlds$ (E:EE;EI)! >f Prophet :oah 4e says, "#e was a truly thankful worshiper" (1 :E)! >f Prophet Aesus 4e says, $When the angels said, %/ Mary, "llah gives you glad tidings of a Word (3e, from #im, whose name is Messiah, 1esus, the son of Mary& #e shall be honored in this world and in the 6verlasting 7ife 8 and he shall be among those who are close" (E:IH) Allah <uotes Prophet Aesus #ho said, "I am the worshiper of "llah& "llah has given me the 3ook and made me a $rophet& (#e has made me, kind to my mother- #e has not made me arrogant, unprosperous& #e made me to be blessed wherever I am, and #e has charged me with prayer and charity for as long as I shall live" (19:29;E1)! 6egarding Moses Allah said, "3elievers, do not be like those who hurt Moses" (EE:D9)! Prophet Muhammad , tells us that Prophet Moses, pea(e )e upon him, #as a shy man #ho (o&ered himself! :o part of his )ody #as seen on a((ount of his shyness! Allah <uotes Moses as saying, "3ut my 7ord has given me 4udgment and made me one of the Messengers" (2D:21) "e&eral of the prophets are mentioned )y Allah in the 3oran as saying to their people, "I am for you an honest Messenger" (2D:10 )! 6eferring to Moses, Allah says, $/ne of the two women said, %9ather, hire him& 0he best who you can hire, is the strong, the honest!$ (28:2D)! And for their "eal, Allah said, "3e patient, as the Messengers of might were patient, and do not hasten it for them& /n the ay when they see what they have been promised, it will be as if they did not stay except an hour of a day& (0his :oran is, a ;onveyance< Shall any be destroyed except the nation of evildoers (ID:EH)! -n referen(e to A)raham, Allah says, "We gave him Isaac and 1acob and guided both, and We guided 'oah before them, among his descendants were
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avid and Solomon, 1ob, 1oseph, Moses and "aron 8 as such, We recompense the good.doers, and =achariah, 1ohn, 1esus and 6lias, each was of the righteous, and Ishmael, 6lisha, 1onah and 7ot& 6ach We preferred above the worlds as We did their fathers, their descendants, and their brothers& We chose them and guided them to a Straight $ath& Such is the guidance of "llah by it #e guides whom #e will of #is worshipers& #ad they associated (others with #im,, their labors would have indeed been annulled& 0hose, We have given them the 3ook, 4udgment, and $rophethood& If these disbelieve it, We have entrusted it to others who do not disbelieve in it& 0hose were whom "llah guided& 9ollow then their guidance and say, %I do not ask you a wage for it& Surely, it is a reminder to the worlds&%" (D:8I;90)! Allah des(ri)es the prophets and messengers as possessors of many fine <ualities? right a(tion, (hosen, 8udgment and prophe(y, pea(e )e upon all of them! @on(erning -saa(, Allah tells us that the angels said to A)raham, "%#ave no fear%, and gave him the glad tidings that he was to have a knowledgeable son" (H1:28)! @on(erning -shmael, the first son )orn to A)raham, Allah says, ""nd We gave him the glad tidings of a very gentle son" (E :101)! Allah says, "We tried $haraoh%s nation before them& " noble Messenger came to them (saying,, %3e obedient to me / worshipers of "llah, I am your honest Messenger" (II:1 ;18)! At the time #hen A)raham #as a)out to fulfill his sa(rifi(ial &ision of his son, -shmael told him, "9ather, do as you are ordered (by "llah,& "llah willing, you shall find me one of those who are steadfast" (E :102)! >f -shmael, Allah says, ""nd mention in the 3ook, Ishmael- he too was true to his promise, a Messenger and a $rophet! "nd he ordered his people to pray and to give charity and his 7ord was pleased with him&" (19:HI;HH) Allah tells us that "olomon #as, "an excellent worshiper, he was penitent" (E8:E0)! Allah (alls upon us to remem)er, >"lso, remember /ur worshipers "braham, Isaac, and 1acob, those of might and vision& Indeed, We purified them with a most pure ?uality, the remembrance of the 6verlasting 7ife& Indeed with 5s they are among the chosen- the excellent" (E8:IH;I )!
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>f 1a&id, 4e says, $/ur worshiper avid, a man of might& #e was ever turning in repentance" (E8:1 ), and, $We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech" (E8:20)! >f Aoseph, Allah says, "#e (1oseph, said! %2ive me charge of the storehouses of the land, I am a knowledgeable guardian" (12:HH)! >f Moses, Allah says, "#e (Moses, said, %If "llah wills, you shall find me patient&%" (18:D9)! Allah mentions the saying of "hu.ai), "Surely, you will find me, if "llah wills, among the good" (28:2 )! And, "I do not desire to go behind you, taking for myself that which I forbid you& I seek but to reform as much as I can" (11:88)! >f 0ot, Allah tells us, "0o 7ot, We gave 4udgment and knowledge" (21: I)! Allah tells us, "0hey raced with each other in good works and called on 5s out of yearning and awe, and they were humble to 5s" (21:90)! 'here are many hadiths #hi(h detail the fine <ualities and (hara(teristi(s of the prophets! Prophet Muhammad , des(ri)ed the no)le lineage of Prophet Aoseph, saying, $'he no)le son of a no)le son, of a no)le son of a no)le man, Aoseph, son of Aa(o), son of -saa(, son of A)raham the prophet!, son of a prophet, son of a prophet, son of a prophet!$ 4e also said, $'he eyes of the prophets slept, )ut their hearts did not sleep!$ A)u 4urayrah heard the Prophet say, $6e(itation #as made easy for him! 4e #ould order his mount and turn it loose, and #ould finish his re(itation )efore his mount #andered off!$ 1a&id ate only from the la)or of his o#n hands and #ould ask Allah to pro&ide for him from the #ork of his o#n la)or so that he #ould not need to take anything from the treasury! Allah tells us, $"nd We softened iron for him, (saying, %Make large coats of mail and measure their links well&%" (EI:10;11)!
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Prophet Muhammad told his @ompanions, "'he prayer Allah lo&es most is that of 1a&id, and the fast Allah lo&es most is that of 1a&id! 4e #ould sleep for half of the night, stand up for a third and sleep again for a si,th! 4e #ould fast alternate days! 4e #ore #ool and slept on hair! 4e ate )arley )read mi,ed #ith salt and ashes! Prophet Muhammad spoke of the trials of pre&ious prophets saying, $"ome of the prophets )efore me #ere tested #ith po&erty B! 'hey preferred trials as you prefer gifts!$ 'hese reports ha&e all )een re(orded and the perfe(t attri)utes of the prophets and messengers together #ith their good (hara(ter, handsome features and <ualities are #ell kno#n! "hould you read (ontrary to these reports in other )ooks, kno# that the historian or (ommentator is among the ill;informed! /e ha&e already spoken a)out se&eral of the Prophet.s praise#orthy <ualities, his e,(ellent &irtues and perfe(t attri)utes, and )rought you ample proof through relia)le reports that all these <ualities are truthful! 4o#e&er, one must )e a#are that these reports are )ut a sample and that there are so many more to learn, (olle(t and study!

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