ICSFP
The model of character and behavior for all Muslims is of course the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) about whom Allah Most High stated: Verily, we have made you of tremendous character.
[Al-Qur'aan 68:4]
He was even characterized by his enemies as Al-Ameen (The Trustworthy). The topic of the Prophet's character is a very long one that requires much comment to be given full justice. We however, took a few of the most authentic hadeeth contained within the book Mukhtasir Ash-Shamaa'il Al-Muhammadiyyah (A Condensed Version of The Characteristics of Muhammad) of Imaam Abu 'Eesaa Muhammad Ibn Saurah At-Tirmidhi, the writer of As-Sunan who was born in 209 A.H and died in 279 A.H.. Commentary is intentionally sparse and we refer you to Al-Haramain's Prophet Muhammad Page on the World Wide Web for more details on the biography of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) which is under development.
'Amr Ib Al-'Aas (radiallahu 'anhu) said:
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would meet the worst of people and face them while speaking to them and thus bring about their affection. He would face and speak to me until I thought I was from the best of people, so I asked him: Oh Messenger of Allah. Am I better or Abu Bakr? He said: Abu Bakr. So I said: Oh Messenger of Allah am I better or 'Umar. He replied: 'Umar. So I said: Oh Messenger of Allah am I better or 'Uthmaan? He said: 'Uthmaan. When I asked the Messenger of Allah and he told me I wished that I had never asked him.
[At-Tirmidhi and Muslim - hasan. Al-Bukhaari has a similar narration]
Anas Ibn Malik, radiallahu 'anhu said: I served the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam for ten years and he never even said 'Uff!" to me. Nor did he say of anything I did: 'Why did you do that? Nor did he say of anything I left: Why did you leave it? The Messenger of Allah was the most handsome of people and I never touched cloth made of wool and silk (khaz) nor pure silk nor anything else softer than the palm of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam. Nor have I smelled and musk or perfume sweeter than the sweat of the Prophet, sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam.
[At-Tirmidhi, Al-Bukhaari, Muslim, Abu Dawud - saheeh]
It is narrated from 'Aaishah (radiallahu 'anhaa) that she said: The Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam was neither faahish (foul or obscene in speech or character) nor mutafahish (one who commits acts of obscenity or indecency), nor was he loud in the markets, nor retaliate with a bad deed but he rather overlooked faults and forgiving. [ At-Tirmidhi - saheeh] Also from her, radiallahu anhaa, is her statement: The Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam never struck anything with his hand except when fighting in the way of Allah nor did he strike a servant or a woman.
[Ibn Maajah -saheeh]
She (radiallahu 'anhaa) also said: I never saw the Messenger of Allah assisting any wrongdoing that violated what Allah made haraam (inviolable). If any of the mahaarim of Allah were violated he would be the angriest at that. Nor did he choose between two matters except it was the easier of the two as long as it was not sinful.
[Al-Bukhaari, Muslim, Abu Dawud - saheeh)
She (radiallahu 'anhaa) also said: A man sought permission to enter upon the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam while I was with him and he said: Wretched is the son of Al-'Asheerah (or) the brother of Al-'Asheerah (This was a name by which the Arabs used to describe a person of bad character, especially one who uses obscene speech). He then gave the man permission and when he entered he spoke with him. When he left I said: Oh Messenger of Allah! You said the things you did then you were so easy in speech with him. He replied: Oh 'Aaishah the worst of people is one whom the people leave or to whom the people avoid wary of his obscenity.
[At-Tirmidhi, Al-Bukhaari - saheeh]
Jaabir Ibn Abdullah (radiallahu 'anhu) said: Never was the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam, asked something to which he said no. (That is never was he asked of any good thing where he then said 'I will not give it to you' rejecting the person. Rather, he would give it if it was easy to do so or he would use easy words to consider or supplicate for the person)
[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim - saheeh]
Ibn Abbaas, radiallahu 'anhumaa, said: The Messenger of Allah was the most generous of all the people and he was the most generous in Ramadhaan until it passed. Jibreel would come to him and teach him the Qur'aan and when Allah's Messenger sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam would meet Jibreel he was more generous than the fair winds.
[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim - saheeh]
Anas Ibn Malik, radiallahu 'anhu, said: The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam, did not keep anything for the next day. (This was due to his total dependence upon Allah. He would however, keep enough for his family due to their relative weakness in dependence compared to himself and to show the way to those with families among his followers.)
[At-Tirmidhi - saheeh]
'Aaishah, radiallahu 'anhaa, narrated: The Prophet, sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam, would accept gifts and give something in return.
[At-Tirmidhi, Ahmed, Al-Bukhaari, Abu Dawood - saheeh]
Never was there a person of such perfect and well-rounded character. He (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) was the ideal leader, friend, husband and father. His wisdom is unparalleled in the annals of history and to this day millions derive benefit from his words and make new discoveries that positively affect their lives. It is only those who are blinded by prejudice and kufr who cannot, or refuse to, recognize his greatness. We should always strive to imitated him in every aspect of our lives. This was one the most important functions of Prophethood, being an example for the believers. We should learn as much as possible about Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) first to emulate him and when we implement his example in a practical way we will see wonderful results. We must also educate ourselves so we will be prepared to answer the false and vicious attacks against the Prophet's character that are leveled by the ignorant, the enemies of Allah and the hypocrites.
