An Excellent Example Of A Noble And Righteous Character
Yahya Abdul Rahman - Jan 24, 2005
Truly in Allah's messenger (PBUH) we have an excellent example of a noble and righteous character. He is indeed our ultimate example of kindness, forbearance and tolerance towards others. Numerous stories from the life of the Prophet (PBUH) demonstrate this.
“Referring to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Allah says in the Holy Quran: “And you (stand) on an exalted standard of character.” (68: 4) and “Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah.” (33: 21) Allah also says of the Prophet's character: "It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee: so pass over (Their faults), and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then, when thou hast Taken a decision put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)." (3:159)
In fact Allah instructed the Prophet to behave in this fashion. Allah said to the Prophet (PBUH) in the Holy Quran:
"Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e., don't punish them).'' (7:199)
and
"So overlook (O Muhammad (PBUH)), their faults with gracious forgiveness.'' (15:85)
Although we all far short of the high standard which the Prophet has left for us, yet every sincere Muslim tries their best to emulate him in his conduct with the hope of pleasing Allah.
There are many stories of the patience, tolerance and forbearance of the Prophet (PBUH) towards those who treated him in an ignorant or rude fashion. Let me give you just three here from the ahadeeth:
"Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was walking with Messenger of Allah (PBUH) who was wearing a Najrani cloak with a very thick border when a Bedouin happened to meet him. He took hold of the side of his cloak and drew it violently. I noticed that the violence of jerk had bruised the neck of Messenger of Allah (PBUH). The Bedouin said: "O Muhammad! Give me out of Allah's wealth that you possess.'' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) turned to him and smiled and directed that he should be given something." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
and this famous incident:
"Abū Qatādah relates that a desert dweller arrived and urinated in one corner of the mosque. People wanted to forcibly stop him but the Prophet (peace be upon) bade them hold back. When the desert dweller had finished, the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered that a pitcher of water be brought and poured over the area." (Bukhari and Muslim)and finally:
"Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked the Prophet (PBUH) "Have you ever experienced a day harder than the day of the battle of Uhud?'' He replied, "Indeed, I experienced them (dangers) at the hands of your people (i.e., the disbeliveers from amongst the Quraish tribe). The hardest treatment I met from them was on the Day of `Aqabah when I went to Ibn `Abd Yalil bin `Abd Kulal (who was one of the chiefs of Ta'if) with the purpose of inviting him to Islam, but he made no response (to my call). So I departed with deep distress. I did not recover until I arrived at Qarn ath-Tha`alib. There, I raised my head and saw a cloud which had cast its shadow on me. I saw in it Jibril (Gabriel) (PBUH) who called me and said: `Indeed, Allah, the Exalted, heard what your people said to you and the response they made to you. And He has sent you the angel in charge of the mountains to order him to do to them what you wish.' Then the angel of the mountains called me, greeted me and said: `O Muhammad, Allah listened to what your people had said to you. I am the angel of the mountains, and my Rubb has sent me to you so that you may give me your orders. (I will carry out your orders). If you wish I will bring together the two mountains that stand opposite to each other at the extremities of Makkah to crush them in between.''' But Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "I rather hope that Allah will raise from among their descendants people as will worship Allah the One, and will not ascribe partners to Him (in worship).'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
No wonder the more we learn about the Prophet, his noble character and his tolerance and compassion towards others do we find ourselves loving him more and longing to be more like him. Yet sadly, we fall short and become aggravated easily when people treat us in a much less harsher or rude manner than he was treated. May Allah forgive us and help us to pattern our lives after the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Many people will enter our lives and have various levels of understanding and personalities which may rub us the wrong way. It is important - and I remind myself first and foremost- that we remain patient and be as kind and compassionate as we can to those with whom we come in contact with and always remember that our utlimate example is the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The more we attempt to emulate the example of the Prophet (PBUH), the more Allah will be pleased with us and increase our understanding of the true meaning of Islam. Surely this is a lofty goal to have in our lives.
"Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Allah is Forbearer and He loves forbearance, and rewards for forbearance while He does not reward severity, and does not give for any thing besides it (forbearance).'' [Muslim]
And Allah says in His holy book:
"And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.'' (42:43)