Natural Disposition

Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu was one of those who were nearest to the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. As a member of his family he had the opportunity of knowing all about him. He was also a keen observer of the manner and morals of men. In addition, Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu had the gift of describing a thing or character in its vividness and intensity. He says about the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam :

"He was predisposed to refrain from unseemly language, curses, spitefulness and shameful deeds. He never said or did anything improper. He never raised his voice in the market place, nor returned evil for evil. Rather, he would forgive and forget. Never in his life did he lay his hands on anyone except in war for the sake of Allah nor did he ever strike a servant or a woman with his hand. I never saw him taking retribution for any offence or excess except when the honour of Allah was concerned or the limit set by Him was transgressed, in which case the Prophet of Allah would be more enraged than anybody else. If he had the choice between two paths, he would choose the easier one. When he came to his house, he behaved like a common person, cleaned his garments, milked the sheep and performed household chores.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was not inclined to idle talk. He spoke only when he was concerned and comforted the people instead of scaring them by his words. If a man of rank or nobility called upon him from another tribe, he showed him due honour and appointed him to some respectable post. He was always as cautious in his dealings with the people as he was careful in forming an estimate about them, although he never denied anyone his courtesy and kindness. He kept his Sahabah always posted with the events and happenings and used to ask them about their affairs.

He commended what was good and condemned what was bad or evil, strengthening the one and weakening the other. He was always moderate and steadfast without going back and forth. He never allowed anything to escape his attention allowing others to become negligent or get distracted. He took care to possess the means for meeting every circumstance. He was never found wanting in doing what was right and proper but he never exceeded the limits. Those who kept his company were all virtuous. He was the best in his estimation who was the most gracious and courteous to all. He was the most esteemed in his eyes who excelled others in benevolence and kindness to others. The Prophet of Allah would stand up with the name of Allah on his lips and he sat down in a similar way. Wherever he went he sat down in the rear and instructed others to do the same. He paid such attention to everyone attending his meetings that everybody thought that none attracted his notice like himself. If anybody asked him to sit down or a person spoke to him, the Prophet of Allah listened to him patiently until he had finished his talk and departed. If anybody asked for something or wanted his help, he never allowed him to leave without disposing of his business or at least comforted him with kind words. Such was his grace and kindness to one and all that everybody took him as his father. In regard to what was right and proper he regarded all on the same plane. His were the gatherings of knowledge, enlightenment, modesty, earnestness and integrity. Nobody spoke in a loud voice, censured others, cast a reflection on anybody or found fault with others. All were equal and only those who were more pious and Allah-fearing were privileged. In his meetings, the elders were held in reverence, the youngsters were treated kindly, those in need were given preference by all and the wayfarers and strangers were afforded protection.

Of cheerful disposition, the Prophet of Allah was always bright and radiant. He was tender-hearted and sweet tempered - not stern by nature. He never spoke harshly. He was not in the habit of speaking loudly and saying anything undesirable. He did not find fault with others. He was not stingy or miserly. If he disliked the request made to him, he simply ignored it : instead of refusing it outright he gave no reply. From three things he always kept aloof. One was argumentation, the other, arrogance, and the third, involvement in futile things. The three things he spared others from were that he never spoke ill of anyone, he was not malicious to anybody and he never went into people's mistakes. He spoke only of things that were decent. When he spoke all those present listened to him attentively lowering their heads as if birds were sitting on their heads. Others spoke only when the Prophet of Allah had finished his talk. Nobody discussed with others in his presence and when anybody said something others kept quiet until he had finished speaking. The Prophet of Allah used to smile on the remarks that made others laugh and expressed surprise over things that astonished others. He always gave importance to the travellers and used to put up patiently with the rudeness of strangers until his Sahabah diverted the attention of such persons. He used to say: "Help those who you find in need." He listened only to such tributes that were modestly worded and never interrupted or cut in when others spoke. If anybody exceeded the limits, he either forbade him or got up to cut short such talk.

He was the most generous, charitable, truthful, compassionate, lenient and gentle. One who saw him for the first time was overawed, but when one kept his company and came to know him intimately, one became attached to him like an inseparable companion. Those who had seen him say that they never saw a man like him either before or after him. May Allah send peace and blessings on His Prophet." (1)

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam had an excessive zeal to worship Allah. His uninterrupted communion with Allah took the shape of extensive supplications and prayers. His indifference to the world surpassed the abstinence of hermits and ascetics. Despite these qualities he was never wanting in sympathy, compassion, courtesy or justice. These were perhaps the strongest opposite traits blended together in the character of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam came of the noblest stock, yet he was very modest and simple. He never kept aloof from his Sahabah. He accepted the invitation to take meals with slaves, the poor and weak. He visited the sick and showed extreme tolerance and forgiveness to people.

Abdullah Ibn al-Harith Radhi Allahu Anhu reports that he had not seen anyone smiling so often and with a more cheerful disposition than the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Jabir Ibn Samurah Radhi Allahu Anhu says that he had joined the gatherings of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and his Sahabah more than a hundred times. He saw the Sahabah listening and reciting poems and describing incidents of the pagan past while the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam either sat silently or smiled with them at some amusing remark.

He cherished a kind and tender disposition towards children and often took them in his lap.
Anas Ibn Malik Radhi Allahu Anhu heard the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam saying to
Fatima : "Bring my two sons." When they came running he kissed and embraced them. (2)

A Bedouin came to the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and said, "You kiss your children but we do not." The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied : "What can I do if Allah has removed compassion from your hearts." (3)

Although prayer was most pleasing to him, he always used to cut it short if the cry of any child reached his ears. He once said : "When I stand up for prayers I intend lengthening it, but when I hear any child crying I shorten it for fear that its mother might be distressed." (4)

Abu Mas'ud Radhi Allahu Anhu narrates that someone said : "0 Messenger of Allah, I swear by Allah that I keep away from the morning prayer on account of so and so person who makes it too long." The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam became angry and addressed the people : "There are some among you who scare the people away. Whoever of you leads a prayer should be brief, for there are weak people, old people and those who have business to attend to." (5)

Anjasha was a singer of camel-songs. He had a beautiful voice and used to lead the camels of women. Anjasha's melodious singing made the camels go quickly and this disturbed the women. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said to him : "Gently, Anjasha, do not break the glass vessels." (6)

Allah had made the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam's heart as clear as a crystal, bearing no ill feelings against anybody. Once he said to his Sahabah : "None of you should denounce another before me as I like to come out to you without any ill-feelings."

Moderation

His character was blessed with innate moderation, refined taste, restraint and simplicity, which always kept him on the middle path. Aisha Radhi Allahu Anha relates that Allah's messenger was never given a choice between two things without taking the easier course provided it involved no sin. If it involved sin no one kept further away from it than he.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam advised: "Exert only as much as you have strength because, by Allah, Allah would never get tired but you would grow weary."

He commanded the Sahabah who were sent by him to educate a tribe: "Make it easy, not difficult. Gladden the hearts, don't scare them away."

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in His Home

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam occupied himself at home like a common man. Aisha Radhi Allahu Anha explains that he used to clean and mend his clothes, milk the sheep, and repair his shoes. When she was asked how he occupied himself at home she replied: "He used to keep himself busy in household chores and went out when the time for prayer came." (7)

She also narrates : "Allah's Messenger was very soft-hearted and most kind. He laughed often and smiled much."

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said : "The best of you is one who is best to his wife and children and I am the best among you."

Abu Huraira Radhi Allahu Anhu said that the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam never expressed disapproval of any food. If he desired it he ate it and if he disliked it he left it alone." (8)