The Prophet of Islam, Hadhrat Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) is the last Prophet and Messenger of Almighty Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa), who was born in 570 A.D in the city of Makkah al Mukarramah. The Noble Quraan was also revealed on Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam). He received a revelation from Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) when the angel named Jibrael was sent down by Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) to disclose the very first five Aayaat (Verses) from Soorah (Chapter) Al-Alaq (The Clot) upon Him which is translated as:
اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ(1) خَلَقَ الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ(2) اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ(3) الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ(4) عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ(5) [العلق: 1-5]
“Read with the name of your Lord who created (everything), He created man from a clot of blood. Read, and your Lord is the most gracious, who imparted knowledge by means of the pen. He taught man what he did not know.” (Al-‘Alaq 96:1-5)
Muslims are advised to follow the Sunnah of Holy Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) in all aspects of life. In order to follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam), we need to know his personality characteristics. The Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) taught to love, kindness and compassion to his people and was seen to be the most loving, kind, and compassionate of all of them. The Holy Quraan mentions his kind and gentle behavior in these words:
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ [آل عمران: 159]
“So, (O Prophet!) it is through mercy from Allah that you are gentle to them. Had you been rough and hard-hearted, they would have dispersed from around you.” (Aale ‘Imraan 3:159)
Holy Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) is regarded as the noblest Prophet of all due to His great character. There never was anyone like Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) whose life has been recorded in such accurate detail, and also there never was anyone in history like the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) whose exemplary deeds are so closely followed in their daily lives by so many people from different countries and regions of this world, to present day.
Almighty Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) gives value to man and his life in the Holy Quraan in these words: “Killing one man unjustly is like killing all of mankind; giving life to one person is like giving life to all people.”
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said and practically proved to the people that not only living people, but a dead person as well needs to be shown respect even if he is a member of another religion.
The kindness and good manners of the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) are well known as he was not the only kind-hearted to other fellow human beings particularly to the children but also to the animals. It was the time when the Arabs used to feel shame in being loving and affectionate to their kids. There is a Hadeeth related to the kindness and love of Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) towards kids: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) performed Salaah (Prayer) while he was carrying an infant girl named Umaamah, daughter of Abul ‘Aas. When he bowed, he put her on the ground, and when he stood up, he would carry her again.” (Bukhari)
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) did not even want his intense enemies who made his life miserable and insulted him in every way to abandon this world without faith. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) did not want anyone who came to this world, regardless of who he was, to die as an idolater.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) was the first who taught people to give up alcohol, drugs and all kinds of unclean foods. It was none other than Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) who for the first time in history established women’s rights by allowing them to own property, inherit, question authorities, reject arranged marriages, and seek a divorce when they had reasons for doing so.
Holy Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) was always sincere in his relationships and always abstained from useless quarrels. It is stated in the Holy Quraan, the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) always treated people well; he used kind words and avoided rude and aggressive behavior towards all people no matter to what religion they belong to. The Holy Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) condemned racism and nationalism, established laws to protect animals, trees, and the environment; he established workers’ rights and banned interest.
When our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) spoke, he spoke to the purpose or else he kept quiet. Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) was always the first to greet a person, and he was not the first to withdraw his hand from a handshake. In the bottom line, Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) was a kind-hearted, honest, and respected person, equally showing his followers that he too feels pain for humans as well for animals.
Holy Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) was well known for His humbleness as he never said “no” to anybody seeking his help. His openness and candidness played a vital role in spreading Islam as Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) treated everyone alike regardless of their statuses.
“A woman from the people of Madinah al Munawwarah who was partially insane said to the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam): ‘I have to ask you (your help) about something.’
He helped her and took care of her needs.” (Bukhari)
The personality or character of Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) is not only a huge source of inspiration for the Muslims but for all human beings. All the societal issues and evils could be eliminated if we all follow his teachings and act like him. May Almighty Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) give us all strength to follow the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam). Aameen!