The Character of the Prophet (SAW)

The Prophet (SAW) had ideal manners. Once Aisha was asked about the habits of the Prophet (SAW),
she replied, “His habits were in accordance with the teachings of the Quran.” (Sahih Muslim).

The Prophet (SAW) is a source of guidance for all human beings in their personal and public life. He was
a great leader; a supreme chief etc., in his private life he was a loving husband and father.

The Quran has the commands and teachings of Allah, and the Prophet’s (SAW) life is a fulfilment of
those commands.

He was also a kind man, a man narrated to him a story of him burying his daughter based on pre-Islamic
customs and the child continued crying but he did not stop. The Prophet (SAW) became so moved that
his tears made his beard wet.

He was also kind to animals. Once he saw a camel, exhausted of hunger, and said, “Fear Allah! With
regard to the animals. Ride them in health and leave them in health.”

The Prophet (SAW) was also a very merciful man. He also told others to do the same as he did, Abdullah
bin Aas reported the Prophet (SAW) said, “The compassionate one has mercy on those who are merciful.
If you show mercy to those who are on earth, He Who is in the heavens will show mercy to you.” (Abu
Dawood)

One example of his mercy can be given in the Conquest of Makkah in 630 AD when the Prophet (SAW)
showed mercy even to the bitterest enemy, the Quraysh. Before entering Makkah, he said whoever
stayed in their own house, in the Ka’ba, in Abu Sufyan’s house would be safe, thus he gave the enemy
safety.

In addition to mercy, he was also very forgiving. As in the battle of Uhad, Wahashi killed Hamzah, the
Prophet’s (SAW) uncle; he later accepted Islam and the Prophet (SAW) forgave him, but he told him to
hide his face as it reminded him of Hamzah.

The Prophet (SAW) was a simple man, he ate what was there and did not have anything too fancy in his
home; his bed had a blanket and a pillow of date fibre covered with skin, and he sat on the ground bare
ground or mat.

The Prophet (SAW) was a poor orphan. He used to trade with his uncle, and he was later well-known
and well-respected. He earned the titles, Al-Sadiq (the truthful) and Al-Amin (the trustworthy). An
example of his trustworthiness could be that people used to keep their belongings with him for
safekeeping, as they trusted the Prophet (SAW); and the Quraysh called him all sorts of names like
cursed and be-witched etc., but never called him a liar. Abu Jahl often said, “Muhammad, I do not say
that you are a liar, but what you say I do not think is right.” (Ibn Ishaque).

Once during the time of fixing the Black Stone, many Makkan tribes wanted the honour to do it, they
produced a decision that the first one to arrive in the Kaaba the next morning will decide who will place
the stone. The Prophet (SAW) entered the Kaaba first, and the people were happy to see him there as
they trusted him for his honesty. He produced a fair decision that stated that the chiefs of every tribe
would come to place the stone. Hazrat Khadija was a wealthy widow who traded with other countries
with the help of people she hired. When she heard about the Prophet’s (SAW) honesty and high morals,
she asked him to trade for. He came back with double the profit she would normally get. She was so
impressed by him that she proposed marriage to him.

The Prophet (SAW) had faced many difficulties in his lifetime, but he stayed firm and steadfast, where
others would flee. He was a brave and courageous man who stayed near the enemy line when the
battles raged. During the battles of Uhad and Hunain many of his companions fled, but he stayed, and
called them back to fight. Once a rumour spread that Makkah was under attack, the Prophet (SAW)
went to the place hurriedly without a saddle on the horse, ahead of everyone else, who was still getting
ready. He came back telling them that there was no attack and that they were safe.

The Prophet (SAW) had to go through all kinds of hardships, but he bore them with patience and did not
complain. He treated his bitterest enemies kindly and never cursed them. He and his followers fought
many battles with the Quraysh, but he controlled his aggression with patience and lead the Muslims to
their victory. Once he went to Taif to spread the word of Islam, but Banu Thuqaif threw stones at him,
and he took shelter outside Taif.

The Prophet (SAW) always considered him to be the same as other people around him, and never above
anyone. He worked like an ordinary man and helped his companions with the construction of the
Mosque of Madina. During the battle of Badr, when Aas and Abbas were taken as prisoners, he treated
them the same way he treated the other prisoners.

The Prophet (SAW) was a very hospitable man, he took care of and entertained his guests the best he
could. He said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his guest generously.”

Once a Beduin came as a guest to the Prophet (SAW). He gave him goat’s milk, but the guest wanted
more. He gave him the milk of seven goats till the guest was satisfied.