Exhaulted
Characters
By Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanwi
It is essential to inculcate
in one the reverence and respect for the exalted character and
habits of Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam. It is
necessary that the morals of Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi
wasallam become established in ones heart so that the love for
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam becomes dominant and
eagerness to follow the holy character of Nabi-e-Kareem
sallallahu alayhi wasallam is induced in the believer. Some
aayaat and ahaadeeth will be mentioned in this regard:
1. Allah Ta'aala says:
"Verily, you (Muhammad) are on an exalted character."
Surah Noon
2. Allah Ta'aala says:
"Such (behaviour) annoys the Nabi (but he does not make this
known); he is shy (to dismiss you), but Allah is not shy (to
speak) the truth."
Surah Ahzaab
This is a reference to a particular incident. Some Companions
stayed longer than what was proper on this occasion at the home
of Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam who was anxious to
retire for the night. They continued in conversation. Although
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam was inconvenienced by
their late stay, he nevertheless, refrained from asking them to
leave, not wishing to hurt their feelings. This reticence of
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam was in regard to his
personal matters and not to such affairs which came within the
purview of Tableegh.
3. Hadhrat Anas radhiyallahu anhu narrates:
"I served Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam for ten
years, but never did he speak a word of rebuke to me; he never
said to me: 'Why did you do this and why did you not do that?'
(Bukhaari, Muslim)
4. "Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam was the kindest
in disposition. Once Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam
asked me to do something, but I refused while in my heart I
intended to go where ordered. I went on the errand. I passed
some children playing in the market place and I joined them.
Suddenly Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam arrived there
and laughing, he took hold of my neck and said, 'Are you
going?' I said, 'Yes, I am going now.'"
(Muslim)
5. "I was walking with
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam. He had on him a heavy
shawl made in Najraan. Along the way a bedouin came. The
bedouin grabbed hold of the shawl and pulled it with such force
that Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam was pulled forward
close to the breast of the bedouin who said:
'O Muhammad! Order that I too be given from that wealth of
Allah, which is with you.'
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam smiled and ordered that
he be granted a gift."
(Bukhaari, Muslim)
6. Hadhrat Jaabir radhiyallahu anhu said that Rasoolullah
sallallahu alayhi wasallam never refused to give anything which
he was asked. If he had it, he would give it. If he did not
have it, he would present an apology and make a promise to give
it at another time.
(Bukhaari, Muslim)
7. Hadhrat Anas
radhiyallahu anhu narrates that once a man asked Rasoolullah
sallallahu alayhi wasallam for some goats which belonged to him
(Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam). The goats were
grazing in a valley. Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam
presented all the goats to the person who had asked for them.
This man when he returned to his people, said:
"O my people! Become Muslims. By Allah! Muhammad gives much."
(Muslim)
8. Jubayir Ibne Mut'im
radhiyallahu anhu said that once he was walking with
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam on the occasion of his
return from Hunayn. A group of beduoins surrounded Rasoolullah
salallahu alayhi wasallam and asked for gifts. They grabbed
from Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam everything which he
had until finally they snatched even the shawl from his body.
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said:
"At least return my shawl. If I had camels as numerous as the
trees, I would have distributed them among you; you would not
have found me to be miserly and small of heart."
(Bukhaari)
9. Hadhrat Anas radhiyallahu anhu narrates that after
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam would complete Fajr
Salaat, the servants of the people of Madeenah would bring
containers of water. Whoever presented a container, Rasoolullah
sallallahu alayhi wasallam would emerse his holy hand in the
water. This was done for the sake of barakah (blessings).
Sometimes the mornings were extremely cold, nevertheless he
immersed his hand in the water.0
(Muslim)
10. Hadhrat Anas radhiyallahu anhu narrates that Rasoolullah
sallallahu alayhi wasallam was not harsh in disposition nor was
he one who cursed. If someone had to be reprimanded he would
(at most) exclaim: 'What is the matter with him? May dust
settle on his forehead.'
(Bukhaari).
Note: This statement, viz., "May dust settle on his
forehead" is not a curse. Even during Salaat, dust settles on
the forehead when in sajdah by the head touching the earth. In
a way this was a du'aa for the betterment of the person. It
implied that the errant attain rectitude by performance of
Salaat, for Salaat prevents from evil and shameless deeds. This
is one of the peculiarities of Salaat.
11. Hadhrat Abu Sa'eed
Khudri radhiyallahu anhu narrates that Rasoolullah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam was more modest than a young girl who remains
in seclusion. Hadhrat Abu Sa'eed Khudri radhiyallahu anhu says:
"When he saw something detestable, we would realize it from the
effect on his auspicious face."
(Bukhaari, Muslim)
Note: He would not generally mention it due to excessive
modesty.
12. Hadhrat Aswad
radhiyallahu anhu narrates that he asked Hadhrat Aa'ishah
radhiyallahu anha:
"What did Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam do at home?"
She replied: "He would assist his wives in their housework."
(Bukhaari)
13. Hadhrat Aa'ishah radhiyallahu anha narrates:
"Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam would mend his
shoes, sew his clothing, and do the work of the house as
ordinary people among you do."
She also narrates that Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi
wasallam did not act like a master at home. He would milk the
goats himself.
(Tirmizi)
14. Hadhrat Aa'ishah radhiyallahu anha narrates that
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam never killed anything
with his own hands nor did he beat any servant. Yes, jihaad in
the path of Allah, was an exception. He never hit anyone in
anger nor inconvenienced anyone unnecessarily or in revenge.
However, when the prohibitions of Allah were violated,
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam took appropriate action
for the sake of Allah Ta'aala.
(Muslim)
15. Hadhrat Anas radhiyallahu anhu narrates:
"I was eight years old when I joined the service of
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam. I remained in his
service for ten years. Whenever I damaged anything with my
hands, Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam did not scold me.
Even if someone from the family of Rasoolullah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam scolded me, he would prevent them, and say: If
anything else was decreed, it would have happenned."
(Bayhaqi)