Part 6

Servant of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, placed the weak and needy servant in his proper position, based on his religiosity and piety, not according to his work and weakness. Talking about servants and hired help, the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: "They are your brothers. Allaah has

English.islamweb.net/emainpage Page 40 you eat, and dress them with whatever you wear, and do not assign to them burdensome tasks (that exceed their capacity); and if you do then help them.'' [Muslim] Now listen to how a servant talks about his master in an amazing way, giving an outstanding testimony for him and praising him highly. No servant praised his master like the servant of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam did. Anas ibn Maalik, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, "I served the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, for ten years, and he never said Uff (a minor harsh word denoting impatience) to me. He never said `Why did you do that?' concerning something I had done. Nor did he ever say `Why did you not do such and such' concerning something I had not done." [Muslim] It was ten years, not just days or months, through which they experienced happiness, grief, sadness, anger, changes, troubles, poverty and richness. Nevertheless, the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, never scolded or ordered him; on the contrary, he rewarded and comforted him, and fulfilled his needs and the needs of his family and supplicated for him. It was narrated on the authority of Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, that his mother, may Allaah be pleased with her, said, "O Messenger of Allaah! Supplicate Allaah for your servant." He said: "O Allaah! Increase his wealth and children and bless what You grant him!" [Al-Bukhaari]

Despite his bravery, the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, never reproached or hit any person except for a righteous cause, nor did he treat harshly those who are weak and under his authority, like his wives and servants. 'Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, said, "The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, never hit anyone with his hands except when he fought in the cause of Allaah. He never hit a servant or a woman." [Muslim] 'Aa'ishah, the Mother of the Believers, may Allaah be pleased with her, again testifies to the best of people. So did all people who talked about his good conduct and noble companionship to the extent that the disbelievers of the

English.islamweb.net/emainpage Page 41 "I never saw the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, taking revenge [upon anybody] from anyone who wronged him except when the sacred ordinances of Allaah The Exalted were violated, in which case he would be extremely angry. Whenever the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was given a choice between two matters, he would choose the easier as long as it did not include any sin." [Its origin is narrated by Muslim] The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, called for adopting gentleness and patience. He said: "Allaah is Gentle and loves gentleness in all matters." [AlBukhaari and Muslim]

The Gift and the Guest Throughout life, man experiences emotional needs and psychological states that human beings always need to realize within their society, family and home. Among the means that bring hearts together and remove ill feelings is exchanging gifts. 'Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, said, "The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, accepted gifts and would give a reward in return." [Al-Bukhaari] Exchanging gifts and thanking people for it reflect generosity and purity of the hearts. Generosity is one of the qualities of the Prophets and Messengers, may Allaah exalt their mention, and our Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, attained the greatest share in this regard. He said: "Whoever believes in Allaah and in the Last Day should serve his guest generously and provide him with a superior type of food for a night and a day. Hosting a guest is to be for three days and whatever is offered beyond that is (regarded as something given in) charity. It is not lawful for a guest to stay with his host for such a long period that will put him (the host) in an awkward situation." [Al-Bukhaari] By Allaah, the whole world has not witnessed a person of more noble morals or more honorable traits than the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Respected reader, ready your eyes to see one of the greatest incidents in the

It was narrated on the authority of Sahl ibn Sa'd, may Allaah be pleased with him, A woman brought a sheet of cloth for the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and said, "I have woven it with my own hands for you to wear." The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, accepted it, and at that time he was in need of it. So he came out wearing it as his lower garment. A man praised it and said, "Will you give it to me? How nice it is!" The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, replied in the affirmative, and he remained for a period of time, then, he returned, folded it and sent it to the man. The people reproached the man, saying, "You have not done the right thing as the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, wore it because he was in need of it and you have asked for it when you know that he never turns down any body's request." The man replied, "By Allaah, I have not asked for it to wear, but I asked for it to make it my shroud." Later, it was his shroud. [Al-Bukhaari] Do not wonder at the manners of the man whom Allaah The Almighty chose, looked after and made him a role model. The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, sets forth a shining example in benevolence and generosity. Hakeem ibn Hizaam, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, "I asked Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, (to give me something) and he gave me; I asked him again (to give me something) and he gave me; and I asked him a third time (to give me something) and he gave me. Then, he said: "O Hakeem, wealth is (like) green and sweet (fruit). Whoever takes it without greed, it will be blessed for him; but it is not blessed for he who takes it with greed and he becomes like a person who eats but his hunger is not satisfied. The upper [giving] hand is better than the lower [receiving] one.'' [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Jaabir, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, "The Prophet, sallallaahu

English.islamweb.net/emainpage Page 43 Nevertheless, the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was inimitable in his giving, generosity, self-contentment, good companionship and sincere love. He used to smile at everyone who was sitting with him until that person thought that he was the dearest of his Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them.

Jareer ibn 'Abdullaah, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, "The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, never prevented me from entering (his house), nor did he see me since I entered Islam but he would smile at me." [AlBukhaari] Another man testified to that, giving us a sufficient lesson. 'Abdullaah ibn AlHaarith, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, "I have not seen anybody more smiling than the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam." [AtTirmithi] No wonder! It is the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, who said: "Smiling at the face of your brother is charity." [At-Tirmithi]

Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, who was the servant of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, described the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, with great qualities that are rarely possessed by a man or a group of people. He said that the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was the kindest man. If anybody asked the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, he would attentively listen to him and would not leave until the questioner had left first. No man shook hands with the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, but he would do the same and would not withdraw his hand until the man had withdrawn his hand first. [Abu Nu'aym]

The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, generously and kindly served his guests, and he was merciful with his Ummah. Thus, he forbade evil and did not tolerate it. It was narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, saw a man

English.islamweb.net/emainpage Page 44 removed it and threw it away, saying: "Why does one of you take a live coal to put it in his hand?" [Muslim]

Mercy with Children Hard-hearted people do not show mercy to others or have a place for love in their hearts. They are like hard stones, harsh in giving and receiving, dealing with people harshly and displaying no tender humane feelings or emotions. On the contrary, the person whom Allaah The Almighty granted a tender heart and flowing affection is the one who has the ideal loving heart that is engulfed in mercy and driven by emotions. Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, "The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, held his son 'Ibraaheem, kissed and smelled him." [Al-Bukhaari]

This mercy was not exclusive to his relatives only, but it was shown to all the children of the Muslims in general. Ja'far's wife Asmaa' bint Umays, may Allaah be pleased with her, said, "The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, came to us and called for the children of Ja'far, smelled them and shed tears. I asked, 'O Messenger of Allaah! Have you received any news about Ja'far?' He replied: "Yes, Ja'far was killed today." We started weeping and he went away. He ordered: "Prepare food for the family of Ja'far; they are busy (with their affliction)." [Ibn Sa'd, At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah]

Seeing the eyes of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, full of tears, Sa'd ibn Ubaadah, may Allaah be pleased with him, asked him about that, he said: "This is mercy that Allaah placed in the hearts of His slaves. Surely, Allaah shows mercy to those of His slaves who are merciful." [Al-Bukhaari]

When the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, shed tears for the death of his son 'Ibraaheem, may Allaah be pleased with him, Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Awf, may Allaah be pleased with him, wondered, "You also weep, O

English.islamweb.net/emainpage Page 45 Ibn Awf, it is mercy." He wept again and added: "Indeed, the eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, and we will not say except what pleases our Lord. O 'Ibraaheem! Indeed, we are grieved by your departure.'' [Al-Bukhaari]

The morals of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, are worthy of being adopted and followed, particularly at a time when Muslims lack the sense of loving young children and giving them proper consideration, for children are the future parents, the guards of the Ummah and its awaited catalysts. How ignorant, arrogant, unwise and un-insightful Muslims are when they lock and close their hearts with children and youth! However, the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, kept the key of his heart available through his words and actions. He gained the love and appreciation of children, and placed them in a high position. Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, used to greet the boys when he passed by them, explaining, "The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, used to do so." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Children are sometimes bothersome, as they are always restless ; yet, the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, neither became angry, nor scolded a child nor reproached him. He adopted gentleness, controlled himself and kept calm. 'Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, said, "People used to bring their babies to the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, to supplicate for them. One day, a baby urinated on his clothes, and he asked for some water that he splashed over the place of the urine and did not wash his clothes completely." [Al-Bukhaari]