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The
Ideal Muslim Character
Imaan Shivani Joshi
The Prophet's[saw]
Moral Teachings. The position of morality is not like that of the means of pleasure
and luxuries, from which one may remain indifferent. Morality is the name of
the principles of life which religion must adopt and must care for the respect
of its standard bearers.
The Prophet's[saw] Excellent Example.
Mere teachings
and commands of Do's and Don'ts do not form the foundation of good moral character
in a soceity because only this is not sufficient for developing these good qualities
in the human nature; a teacher may merely order something done, or
left alone, and the society becomes moralist. The teachings of good conduct
which is fruitful requires long training and constant watchfulness.
The training cannot be on the right lines if the example before the society is not such and commands not full confidence, because a person having a bad moral character cannot leave a good impression on his surroundings.
The best training can be expected only from such whose personality by force of its morality would create a sense of admiration in the beholder, and feel the urge to follow in his footsteps.
The holy
prophet[saw] himself was the best example of a good moral character, to emulate
which he was giving a call to his followers. Before advising them to adopt a
moral life by giving sermons, and counsels, he would be sowing the seeds of
morality among his followers by actually living that sort of life.
Abdullah
ibn Amar says:" Rasulullah[saw] was neither ill mannered or rude. He used
to say that the better person among you are those who are best in their moral
character.[Bukhari] Anas says:" I served Rasulullah[saw] for 10 years.
He never
said "Uf"[ a sign of displeasure] nor did he ever say " why did
you do this, " Or " why did you not do that."[Muslim]
It is also
reported by him: " My mother used to take the prophet's hand and used to
take him where ever she wanted. If any person came before him, and shake his
hand, the prophet[saw] never used to draw his hand away till the other person
did so
firts, and he never used to turn his face away from that person till the latter
himself turned away.
And in
meetings he was never seen squatting in such a way that his knees were protruding
further than fellow squatters.[Tirmizi] Aisha[ra] says: "If there were
2 alternatives, Rasulullah[saw] would adopt the easier one, provided there was
no sin in
it. If that work was sinful, he used to run away the farthest from it. The prophet[saw]
did not take any personal revenge from any body. Yes, if Allah's[swt] command
were to be disobeyed, then his wrath was to be stirred. Rasulullah[saw] did
not beat
anybody with his own hands, neither his wife, nor servant. He used to fight
in the wars in the cause of Allah[swt]. [Muslim]
Anas has
narrated that : "I was walking with the prophet[saw] . He had wrapped around
his body a thick chadar. An arab pulled the chadar so forcefully a part of his
shoulder could be seen by me, and I was perturbed by the force exerted. The
arab
then said" O Muhammed[saw]! Give me some of my share from the property
which Allah[swt] has given you. Rasulullah[saw] turned towards and laughed,
and gave orders for a donation to be given to him. [Bukhari]
Aisha[ra]
says rasulullah[saw] said: Allah[swt] is soft hearted and likes softheartedness.
And the reward which he gives for soft heartedness, nay such a reward He does
not give for any thing.[ Muslim] In another tradition it is stated :
Softness in whichever thing it may be will make it beautiful. And from whichever
thing it is taken out will become ugly."
Jair narrates that rasulullah[saw] has said: The reward which He gives for softeheartedness He does not give for folly; and when Allah[swt] makes any slave His favorite, He gives him softness. Those families devoid of softness become deprived of every virtue.[Tibrani] Abdullah bin Harith has reported that he did not see anyone smiling more than rasulullah[saw][ Tirmizi]
Aisha[ra] was aksed what the prophet[saw] did at home, she replied:" He used to be in the service of his home people and when it was time to pray, he used to perform ablutions and set for prayer."[Muslim]
Of all the traits of the prophet[saw] one trait he was very well known for was philantrophism. He was never miserly in anything. He was very brave and courageous. He never turned away from truth. He was justice loving. In his own decision he never commited any excess or injustice. In his whole life he was truthful and an honest trustee.
Allah[swt] has commanded all muslims to follow the excellent habits and best traits of rasulullah[saw] and to take guidance from his life. "Surely there is in the person of Allah's Messenger[saw] an excellent example for you- for every person who has hope in Allah[swt] and the hereafter and remembers Allah[swt], reciting His name many times. [Ahzab:21]
Qazi Ayaz
says that rasulullah[saw] was the most excellent mannered and bravest of all.
One night the people of Medina were terribly frightened by a sound; some proceeded
towards the possible source, and saw the prophet[saw] approaching from
it. He had rushed before all others to find the cause.
Ali says in battles when fighting started we used to worry much about the prophet [saw] because no one was nearer to the enemy than him.
Jabar bin Abdullah says that whenever anything was asked of the prophet[saw], he never said no.
Once he received 70000 dirhams; they were placed before him on a mat. He distributed them standing, and did not refuse a single beggar till all the money was spent.
A man approached him and asked for something. He replied he was unable to give the latter anything at present, but asked him to buy something in his name, to be reimbursed when money was available. Umar stated:" Allah[swt] has not made it compulsory for you to do a thing like that over which you have no power or control." This saddened rasulullah[saw]; one ansari said:"O rasulullah[saw]! spend and do not be afraid of straitened circumstances imposed by Allah[swt]" At this, he smiled and his face shone as he said"I have been commanded to do this only."
[adapted from "Muslim's Character" by Al Ghazali]