Chapter 9: The manners and morals of Muhammad

“We sent you not (OMuhammad), but as a Mercy for all creatures.”

The noble Qur’an, Al-Anbiya(21):107

In order to understand the message of Islam, it isfirst necessary to acquaint ourselves with the prophet of Islam.You cannot, as the popular saying goes, separate the message fromthe messenger. It is therefore only natural to wish to study thelife of Muhammad (pbuh), his manners and his morals, and to seehow Islam manifested itself in his person as a living examplefor all Muslims till the end of time.

Abu Hurairah described him as follows:

“He was of medium build, closer to beingtall. His skin was extremely white, his beard was black, his mouthwas pleasant, his eyebrows were long, and his shoulders were wide”

Anas ibn Malik said:

“I never touched silk or any soft fabricequal to the softness of his palm, and I never smelled a scentmore pleasing than his.”

Hind ibn Abi Hala (the son of Muhammad’s wife Kadijah)described Muhammad (pbuh) as follows:

“The Messenger of Allah was of consecutivesorrows, continuous thought, never finding rest, long in silence.He did not speak without cause. He spoke with his full mouth (wasnot arrogant), and spoke concisely. His speech was just, withneither excess nor deficiency. He was not pompous, nor denigrating.He exalted all blessings no matter how small and never belittleda single one. He would never praise his food nor criticize it.He was never angered by matters of this life nor that which wasassociated with it. However, if justice was transgressed nothingcould stand up to his anger until justice was established. Henever became angry for his own self nor sought retribution forhimself. If he gestured, he did so with his whole palm. If hewas amazed, he overturned it. If he spoke, he struck with hisright palm the inside of his left thumb. If he became angry heturned away, and when he was happy he lowered his gaze. The majorityof his laughter was [restricted to] smiling.”

Ali ibn abi Talib described Muhammad (pbuh) as follows:

“He was not vulgar nor did he condone vulgarity,and he was not one to shout in the market place. He did not rewardevil with evil, rather, he would forgive and overlook. He neverin his life struck anything with his hand except when he was fightingin the name of Allah. He never struck a servant nor a woman, andI never saw him taking revenge for an injustice dealt him, exceptif the prohibitions of Allah were transgressed. For if the prohibitionsof Allah were transgressed he was among the strongest of themin anger. He was never given a choice between two matters buthe chose the simplest of the two. If he entered into his homehe was a man like any other; cleaning his own garment, milkinghis own goat, and serving himself.

He would guard his tongue from that which didnot concern him. He would attract them (the people) and not repelthem. He would ennoble the noble of the people and charge themwith their affairs. He was wary of the people and guarded himselfagainst them but without depriving them a warm smile or fittingconduct. He would inquire after his companions and would ask thepeople about their affairs. He would encourage that which wasgood and strengthen it, and he would discourage that which wasevil and undermine it. He was balanced and consistent. He wouldnever be neglectful that they would not learn neglect and growindifferent. He had a provision for every occasion and he neverfell short of justice nor exceeded it. The closest people to himwere the best among them, and the best among them in his eyeswere the most comprehensive in advice. The highest of them instature with him was the best among them in looking after thepeople and assisting them. He would not rise nor sit down withoutpraise [to God]. If he visited a gathering he would sit whereverthe group ended (and not at their head) and he encouraged thesame. He would give all those sitting with him their just due[to the extent that] they would each feel that none was more importantto him than them. If someone were to sit with him or come in searchof a favor he would be patient with them until they (the guest)would be the one to leave. Whoever came to him with a requestwas never turned away except with that which they had asked foror with a kind word. His cheerfulness and good manners encompassedthem all such that he became a father to them and they all becameequal in rights. His gatherings were those of knowledge, humbleness,patience, and integrity. In them there would be no raising ofvoices nor transgressions of prohibitions. They would not exposeone-another’s errors, but would be equal, encouraging each-otherin the fear of God. In them, they would respect their elders,be merciful to their children, give preference to those in need,and protect the stranger.”

He continues: “He was continually smiling,gentle in manners, soft in nature. He was not severe, harsh-hearted,loud, abusive, or miserly. He would disregard that which he disliked,and no one ever despaired of him. He never responded to disparagementor evil words. He forbade upon himself three things: Argument,arrogance, and that which did not concern him. And he relievedthe people of three: He would not degrade any among them or abusethem, he would not search after their honor or private matters,and he would not speak except in matters which he hoped to berewarded for. When he spoke his attendees would lower their headsas if birds had alighted upon them. Once he finished they wouldspeak. They would not vie with one-another in his presence tospeak, but when one would talk in his presence the rest wouldlisten until he finished. Speech in his presence was that of thefirst among them. He would laugh with them, and wonder with them.He had patience with the strangers when they were gruff in speechand requests, to a degree that his companions would fetch themto him. He would say: ‘If you see someone in need, fetch him tome.’ He would not accept praise except from those who were balancedand not excessive. He would not interject into someone’s speechunless they transgressed, in which case he would either rebukethem or else leave.

He was the most generous of heart, truthful oftongue, softest in disposition, and noble in relationship. Hewho first set eyes upon him feared him, but he who associatedwith him loved him. Those who described himwould say: ‘I have never seen before of after him anyone similarto him, peace be upon him’ ”

With God:

Whenever Muhammad (pbuh) commanded his followersto observe a command or prohibition of God he was always foundto be the most observant of this command or prohibition. He wasthe most devout in worship to God among them, and no one couldequal him in worship, and in patience in the worship of God.

Al-Mugeerah ibn Shooba narrated:

“The Prophet, peace be upon him, used tostand in prayer until his feet became swollenand cracked. He was then asked: ‘Hasn’t God forgiven you thatwhich is before you and that which is behind you?’ He (Muhammad,pbuh) replied: ‘Should I not be a thankful servant?’ ” (Narratedby Al-Bukhari)

Aisha (pbuh) narrated:

“Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) used to fast tillone would say: he never stops fasting, and he would abstain fromfasting till one would say:t he never fast.”(Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

Anas said:

“You would never like to see him standingin the middle of the night in prayer but you would, and neverwould you like to see him sleeping but you would”(Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

The companions narrated that when a hardship or trialbefell him he would pray. He would say

“My comfort has been placed in prayer”(Narrated by Al-Nissai)

With Life:

Muhammad (pbuh) was the most far removed among hispeople from the love of money or wealth. He encouraged his followersto be industrious, make an honest living and discouraged themfrom seeking charity. He did not condemn wealth and the wealthy,however, he feared for his followers and encouraged them to notallow it to corrupt them or obsess them.

Muhammad (pbuh) himself could have been the mostwealthy man in the history of Arabia, however, he preferred tolive simply and use his wealth in that which pleased God. As theleader of the Islamic nation, he received great wealth, however,he hated for this wealth to remain in his home for more than aday without having distributed it in charity. At times he woulddistribute tens or hundreds of thousands of “dinars”at a time as soon as he received them. He lived according to hissayings:

“O my Lord, indeed, true life is only theafterlife” and “What have I to do with this life? Thesimilitude of me and this life is as a traveler who stopped totake shelter in the shade of a tree and then arose and left it”

Urwah narrated that Aisha (the wife of Muhammad,pbuh) said to me,

“O my nephew! We used to see the crescent,and then the crescent, and then the crescent, in this way we sawthree crescents in two months and no fire (for cooking) used tobe lit in the houses of Allah’s Messenger (pbuh). I said, “Omy aunt! Then what use to sustain you?” Aisha said, “[Thesetwo]: dates and water.” (Narratedby Al-Bukhari)

Abu Tharr narrated that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh)said,

“If I had gold equal to the mountain of Uhud,it would not please me that any of it should remain with me afterthree nights (i.e. I would spend all of it in Allah’s cause) exceptwhat I would keep for repaying debts.” (Narratedby Al-Bukhari)

Jabir ibn Abdullah narrated:

“The messenger of Allah was never asked forsomething and then he said ‘no’ (he never refused a request)”(Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

With People:

“By the grace of Allah, you are gentle towardsthe people; if you had been stern and harsh-hearted, they wouldhave dispersed from round about you”

The noble Qur’an, A’al-Umran(3):159

Even with all of his concerns and obligations, Muhammad(pbuh) never became unmindful of his people. He had a specialplace in his heart for each one of them and he was known amongthem for his soft-spokenness, his generosity, his tolerance, andhis friendliness.

He would joke with his companions, sit and talk withthem, play with their children and sit them on his knee. He wouldrespond to the call of the free man or the slave, or the younggirl or the poor. He would visit the sick on the opposite endof the city and he would attend their funerals. He would acceptthe people’s apologies and their excuses, and he was the mosthumble among them.

Abdullah ibn Al-Haritha narrated:

“I have never seen anyone who smiled morecontinuously than the Messenger of Allah (pbuh)”(Narrated by Al-Tirmathi)

Usamah ibn Zayd narrated:

“The daughter of the Prophet (pbuh) sent(a messenger) to the Prophet (pbuh) requesting him to come asher child was dying. However, the Prophet (pbuh) returned themessenger and told him to convey his greeting to her and say:”Whatever Allah takes is for Him and whatever He gives isfor Him. Everything with Him has a limited fixed term (in thisworld) and so she should be patient and hope for Allah’s reward.”She again sent for him, swearing that he should come. The Prophet(pbuh) stood up, and so did Sa’id ibn Ubadah, Mu’ath ibn Jabal,Ubay ibn Ka’ab , Zayd ibn Thabit and some other men. [When hearrived,] the child was brought to Allah’s Apostle (pbuh), hischest heaving. On that the eyes of the Prophet (pbuh) began sheddingtears. Sa’d said, “O Allah’s Apostle! What is this?”He replied, “It is mercy which Allah has lodged in the heartsof His slaves, and Allah is merciful only to those of His slaveswho are merciful (to others).” (Narratedby Al-Bukhari)

Anas ibn Malik narrated that

“the Prophet (pbuh) used to mix with us (thechildren) to the extent that he would say to a younger brotherof mine, ‘O abu-Umayr! What did the Nughayr (a kind of bird) do?'” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

Abu Dawood narrated that the Messenger of Allah wouldsay:

“Let none of you transmit to me [evil news]about my companions, for I like to meet with you with a pure heart”

Ibn Masood narrated that Muhammad (pbuh) said toa group he sent to teach and advise:

“Be lenient and do not make [this religion]difficult. Bring glad tidings and do not repel”

AbuMalik al-Ash’ari said:

“The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: ‘Cleanlinessis half of faith, and [saying] ‘Praise be to God’ fills the scale,and [saying] ‘Glory be to God’ and ‘Praise be to God’ fill upwhat is between the heavens and the earth, and prayer is a light,and charity is proof [of one’s faith], and patience is a brightness,and the Qur’an is a proof for or against you. All men go out earlyin the morning and sell themselves, some setting themselves freeand others destroying themselves.’ “(Narrated by Muslim)

With His Family and Children:

Aisha, the wife of Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) used to patch hissandals, sew his garment and conduct himself at home as anyoneof you does in his house. He was a human being, searching hisgarment for lice, milking his sheep, and doing his own chores.”(Narrated by al-Tirmathi).

She also said:

“He would patch his garments and sole hissandals” She was once asked: “Howwas he with his family?”, she responded: “Hewas in the service of his family until it was time for prayer,at which time he would go and pray”

Anas narrated:

“I never saw anyone more merciful with childrenthan the Messenger of Allah (pbuh)”(Narrated by Muslim)

Abu Hurairah narrated that:

“The Messenger of Allah never denigratedany type of food; if he liked it he ate it, and if he dislikedit he left it alone” (Narrated byBukhari and Muslim)

Generosity, Clemency and Conduct:

Abdullah ibn Amr narrated:

“Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) neither spoke inan insulting manner nor did he ever speak evil intentionally.He used to say, ‘The most beloved to me among you is the one whohas the best character and manners.'”(Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

AbuHurayrah narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

“The most Perfect believer in respect offaith is he who is best of them in manners.”(Narrated by Abu-Dawood)

Qatadah ibn Malik narrated that Zayd ibn Ilaqah relatedon the authority of his uncle, Qatadah ibn Malik, that the Prophet(pbuh) would supplicate:

“O Allah, I seek Your protection againstundesirable manners, acts, and desires.”(Transmitted by Al-Tirmithi.)

Anas ibn Malik narrated:

“I was walking with the messenger of Allah(pbuh) and he was wearing a mantle of Najran with a thick border.A Bedouin met him and pulled the mantle so violently that I sawthis violent pulling had left marks from it’s border on the skinof the neck of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). And he (the Bedouin)said: Muhammad!, command that I should be given out of the wealthof Allah which is at your disposal. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh)turned to him and smiled, and then he ordered for him a provision.”

Anas narrated:

“Eighty men from the men of Makkah descendedupon the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) from the mountain of Al-Taneem,in [full] armor, with the intent of doing battle with him. He(Muhammad, pbuh) captured them peaceably and then did not killthem” (Narrated by Muslim)

A pagan by the name of Zaid ibn Sa’ana came to theMessenger of Allah (pbuh) in order to collect a debt. When hedrew near Muhammad (pbuh) he wrenched him by his clothes violently,exposing his shoulder, and spoke rudely at him. Finally, he said:”You sons of AbdulMuttalib are all a procrastinating lot.”Immediately, Umar ibn Al-Khattab leapt at him chastising and rebukinghim harshly, all the while the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) lookedon smiling. Then the Prophet (pbuh) said to Umar: “Heand I were in need of other than this O Umar; You should havecommanded me to excel in my repayment, and have commanded himto excel in his request for repayment.” He (Muhammad, pbuh)said: “There [still] remains in his term three [days]”He (Muhammad, pbuh) then commanded Umar to see to his recompensationand to increase him twenty ‘saa’ (weights) as compensation forthe terrorization he had endured (from Umar). This man later becamea Muslim” (Narrated by Al-Bayhaqi, ibn Habban, and Al-Tabarani)

Anas ibn Malik said:

“Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) had the best dispositionamongst people. He sent me (when I was a child) on an errand oneday, and I said: By Allah, I would not go. I had, however, thisidea in my mind that I would do as Allah’s Apostle (pbuh) hadcommanded me to do. I went out until I happened to come acrosschildren who had been playing in the street. In the meanwhile,Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) came there and he caught me by the backof my neck from behind me. As I looked towards him I found himsmiling and he said: Unays, did you go where I told you to go?I said: Allah’s Messenger, yes, I am going. Anas further said:I served him for nine years but I know not that he ever chastisedme about a thing which I had done why I did that, or about a thingI had left as to why I had not done that.”(Narrated by Muslim)

In another narration, he said:

“I served the Prophet (pbuh) at Madinah forten years. I was a boy. Every work that I did was not accordingto the desire of my master, but he never said to me: Fie!, nordid he say to me: Why did you do this? or Why did you not do this?”(Narrated by Abu-Dawood)

Anas also said:

“No one was more beloved to us than the Messengerof Allah (pbuh), [however], if we saw him we would not stand upfor him for we knew how much he disliked [for us to do so]. Andon one occasion someone called to him saying: ‘O best of mankind…’ He replied: ‘That is Abraham, peace be upon him’ “(Narrated by Muslim)

Adi ibn Hatim al-Ta’ee came to the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) to ask about Islam, so Muhammad (pbuh) invited him to hishome. When they sat down, a small girl brought a pillow to theMessenger of Allah (pbuh), however, he placed it between him andAdi and sat on the ground. Adi later said: “[When I sawthat] I knew that he was not a king”

It was also narrated that Muhammad (pbuh) once said:

“I am but a servant, I eat as the servanteats, and I sit as the servant sits”

Muhammad (pbuh) would tie his own camel, feed hisown animal, eat with the servants, knead dough with them, andcarry his own groceries from the market.

With Parents

AbuHurayrah narrated that a man came to Allah’s Messenger(pbuh) and said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Who is the most deservingperson of my good companionship?” The Prophet (pbuh) said,”Your mother.” The man said, “Who is next?”The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Your mother.” The man said,”Who is next?” The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Your mother.”The man asked for the fourth time, “Who is next?” TheProphet (pbuh) said, “Your father.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

A man came to AbudDarda and said, “I have awife whom my mother commands me to divorce,” he replied tohim that he had heard Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) say, “A parentis the best of the gates of Paradise; so if you wish, keep tothe gate, or lose it.” (Narrated in Mishkat Al-Masabih, Tirmidhiand Ibn Majah transmitted it.)

AbuBakrah said: The Prophet (pbuh) said thrice, “ShouldI inform you about the greatest of the great sins?” Theysaid, `Yes, O Allah’s Messenger!” He said, “To joinothers in worship with Allah and to be undutiful to one’s parents.”The Prophet (pbuh) then sat up after he had been reclining (ona pillow) and said, “And I warn you against giving a falsewitness,” and he kept on repeating that warning till we thoughthe would not stop.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

Anas ibn Malik narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said,”The worst of Kaba’ir (the greatest sins) are: to join othersas partners in worship with Allah, to murder a human being, tobe undutiful to one’s parents and to make a false statement,”or said, “to bear false witness.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

Defense of the Boundaries of the Religion:

The day Ibraheem (the son of Muhammad, pbuh) died,there was an eclipse of the sun. The people beganto say: “The sun has eclipsed for the death of Ibraheem”,whereupon the messenger of Allah (pbuh) became angry and chastisedthem saying:

“Verily, the sun and the moon are two signsof the signs of Allah, they do not eclipse for the death of anyonenor for his birth, so if you see that (an eclipse) then supplicateto God, reverence His name, pray and give charity”(Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

On another occasion, a man said: “God andYou (O Muhammad) have willed this” regarding a certainmatter. The Messenger of Allah then rebuked him saying:

“Have you made me equal to God?”(Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

For the same reason, another time, a man was deliveringa speech and said: “He who obeys God and His messengeris indeed wise, and he who disobeys Allah and his messenger haslost.” Upon hearing this, the Messenger of Allah said:

“You are the most evil of speakers”(Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Note: Muhammad (pbuh) did not want those listeningto the speech to think that God and His messengers are in anyway equal.

Muhammad (pbuh) also used to say:

“Do not over-praise me as the Christiansover-praised [Jesus] the son of Mary. For I am only His servant,so say: ‘Allah’s servant and messenger’ “(Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

His Bravery and Bashfulness:

Many people believe bravery and bashfulness to beself-contradictory opposites of one-another, however, in Muhammad(pbuh) we were given the example of a true balance between thesetwo attributes. It was narrated that Muhammad (pbuh) was the mostbashful of all mankind, and if he disliked a matter we (the companions)would know that from his face (his expression). Aisha (pbuh) narratedthat whenever he was informed of an error committed by someonehe would never say: “Why did ‘such’ the son of ‘such’do such-and-such”, rather, he would say:

“Why do some people do (or say) such-and-such?”

In this manner he would caution them, but he wouldnot mention the man by name. (Narrated by Abu-Dawood)

Regarding his bravery Ali ibn Abi-Talib, one of thebravest young men in the Islamic nation said:

“In the heat of battle, [when the passionsburned strongest,] we would seek shelter behind the Messengerof Allah (pbuh), for there was none closer to the enemy than him,and you had seen me on the day of Badr,battle of we were taking shelter behind the Prophet of Allah(pbuh) and he was the closest among us to the enemy”(Narrated by Abu-Dawood)

Al-Bukhari narrated upon the authority of Anas:

“The Messenger of Allah was the best of mankind,and the most generous among mankind, and the bravest among mankind.The citizens of Al-Madinah awoke in a panic one night [to a sound],so they rode out towards the sound. On their way they met theMessenger of Allah (pbuh) returning, having beat them to the sound,saying: ‘Do not worry, do not worry’ and he was riding a horseof Abi-Talha with no saddle (in his hurry to reach that sound),around his neck hung his sword.”

During the first hours of the battle of Hunain, whenmany of the Muslims forsook Muhammad (pbuh) and fled the battlefield, Muhammad (pbuh) stood firm in the field of battle as ifnothing had happened saying:

“I am the Messenger, I lie not!. I am theson of Abdul-Muttalib.”

General Mercy

Ibn Abbas narrated:

“A man had laid down his sheep (in preparationto slaughter it) and then he went about sharpening his knife.Upon seeing this, the Messenger of Allah rebuked him saying: ‘Doyou want to kill it twice? Wouldn’t it have been better for youto sharpen your knife before laying it down (so as not to terrorizeit)?’ ” (Narrated by Al-Tabaraniand Al-Hakim)

Shaddad ibn Aws said:

“Two are the things which I remember Allah’sMessenger (pbuh) having said: ‘Verily Allah has enjoined goodnessto everything; so when you kill, kill in a good way and when youslaughter, slaughter in a good way. Every one of you should sharpenhis knife, and let the slaughtered animal die comfortably.’ “(Narrated by Muslim)

Muhammad (pbuh) also used to command mercy for allanimals such that they are fed well, watered well, not forcedto carry too heavy a burden, and not tortured or maimed for one’senjoyment.

AbuHurayrah said:

“The Messenger of Allah, may Allah blesshim and grant him peace, said, ‘While a man was walking on a roadhe became very thirsty. He found a well, went into it, drank,and came out. [Upon exiting he met] a dog panting and eating thedirt out of thirst. The man said: ‘This dog has become strickenwith the same degree of thirst which had stricken me.’ He wentdown into the well and filled his shoe and then held it in hismouth until he climbed out and gave the dog water to drink. Allahthanked him (for his good deed) and forgave him.’ They said, ‘OMessenger of Allah, are we rewarded for taking care of beasts?’He said, ‘There is a reward [for you] in every creature with amoist liver.'”(Narrated by Al-Bukhari,Muslim, and Malik)

AbuHurayrah said:

“Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: ‘A womanwas punished because of a cat. She neither provided it with foodnor drink, nor set it free so that it might eat the insects ofthe earth.’ ” (Narrated by Muslimand Al-Bukhari).

Sahl ibn Amr said:

“The Messenger of Allah passed by a camelwho’s stomach quite touched it’s back (from lack of food). Uponseeing this he said: ‘Fear God in these unspeaking animals! Ridethem [while they are] in good health, and eat them [while theyare] in good health’ ” (Narratedby Abu-Dawood)

Regarding slaves, when Muhammad (pbuh) became themessenger of Allah the people of his land had become accustomedto having countless slaves and usually treated them quite harshly.During the period of his prophethood he worked diligently to dowhat he could to cut down on their numbers. Islam closed mostof the doors leading to slavery and encourages the freeing ofslaves in many ways. For those people who continued to possesslaves they were encouraged to treat them fairly and with mercy.

AbuDharr said:

“The Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Feed those ofyour slaves who please you from what you yourselves eat and clothethem with what you clothe yourselves, but sell those who do notplease you and do not punish Allah’s creatures.’ “(Narrated by Abu-Dawood)

Ma’rur narrated that:

“I saw AbuDharr wearing a Burd (garment)and his slave too was wearing a Burd, so I said (to AbuDharr),’If you take this (Burd of your slave) and wear it (along withyours), you will have a nice suit and you may give him anothergarment.’ AbuDharr said, “There [once] was a quarrel betweenme and another man whose mother was a non-Arab and I called herbad names. The man complained about me to the Prophet (pbuh).The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘Did you abuse so-and-so?’ I said, ‘Yes.’He said, ‘Did you call his mother bad names?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ Hesaid, ‘You still have the traits of (the pre-Islamic period of)ignorance.’ I said, ‘(Do I still have ignorance) even now in myold age?’ He said, ‘Yes, they (slaves or servants) are your brothersand Allah has put them under your command. So the one under whosehand Allah has put his brother, should feed him from what he eats,and clothe him in what he wears, and should not ask him to doanything beyond his capacity. And if ever he asks him to do ahard task, he should help him with it.'”(Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

Abdullah ibn Umar said:

“An A’arabi (desert Arab) came to the Prophetof Allah (pbuh) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, how many timesshould I forgive my slave every day?’ The Prophet (pbuh) replied:’Seventy times.’ ” (Narrated by Al-Tirmathiand Abu-Dawood)

Abdullah ibn Umar also narrated:

“The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: ‘Paythe worker his [due] wages before his sweat dries’ “(Narrated by ibn Majah)

Some Quotes:

The Encyclopedia Britannica states:

“….a mass of detail in the early sourcesshow that [Muhammad] was an honest and upright man who had gainedthe respect and loyalty of others who were like-wise honest andupright men.” (Vol. 12)

George Bernard Shaw said about him:

“He must be called the Savior of Humanity.I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorshipof the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problemsin a way that would bring it much needed peace and happiness.”(The Genuine Islam, Singapore, Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936)

Gandhi says in Young India:

“I wanted to know the best of one who holdstoday’s undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind….Ibecame more than convinced that it was not the sword that wona place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It wasthe rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet,the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion tothis friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness,his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and notthe sword carried everything before them and surmounted everyobstacle. When I closed the 2nd volume (of the Prophet’s biography),I was sorry there was not more for me to read of the great life.”

Edward Gibbon and Simon Ockleyspeaking on the declaration of Islam write:

“I BELIEVE IN ONE GOD, AND MAHOMET*, AN APOSTLE OF GOD’ is the simple and invariable profession ofIslam. The intellectual image of the Deity has never been degradedby any visible idol; the honor of the Prophet has never transgressedthe measure of human virtues; and his living precepts have restrainedthe gratitude of his disciples within the bounds of reason andreligion.”

History Of The Saracen Empires, London, 1870, p.54

Michael H. Hart in his recently published book onthe ranking of the 100 most influential men in history writes:

“My choice of Muhammad to lead the list ofthe world’s most influential persons may surprise some readersand may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in historywho was supremely successful on both the religious and secularlevels.”

The 100: A Ranking Of The Most Influential PersonsIn History, M.H. Hart, New York, 1978, p. 33

Jules Masserman, an American psychoanalyst, says:

“Leaders must fulfill three functions: 1)Provide for the well being of the led, 2) Provide a social organizationin which people feel relatively secure, and 3) Provide them witha set of beliefs … People like Pasteur and Salk are leadersin the first sense. People like Gandhi and Confucius, on one hand,and Alexander and Caesar on the other, are leaders in the secondand perhaps the third sense. Jesus and Buddhabelong in the third category alone. Perhaps the greatest leaderof all time was Muhammad, who combined all three functions. Toa lesser degree, Moses did the same.”

Time magazine, July 15, 1974, article titled “Whowere history’s greatest leaders?,” this quote by Jules Masserman.

“Head of the State as well as the Church,he was Caesar and Pope in one; but, he was Pope without the Pope’spretensions, and Caesar without the legions of Caesar, withouta standing army, without a bodyguard, without a police force,without a fixed revenue. If ever a man ruled by a right divine,it was Muhammad, for he had all the powers without their supports.He cared not for the dressings of power. The simplicity of hisprivate life was in keeping with his public life.”

Reverend Bosworth Smith, Muhammad and Muhammadanism,p. 242

“Serious or trivial, his daily behavior hasinstituted a canon which millions observe this day with consciousmemory. No one regarded by any section of the human race as PerfectMan has ever been imitated so minutely. The conduct of the founderof Christianity has not governed the ordinary life of his followers.Moreover, no founder of a religion has left on so solitary aneminence as the Muslim apostle”

Arabia, D. G. Hogarth, p. 52

“He was sober and abstemious in his diet,and a rigorous observer of fasts. He indulged in no magnificenceof apparel, the ostentation of a petty mind; neither was his simplicityin dress affected but a result of real disregard for distinctionfrom so trivial a source … In his private dealings he was just.He treated friends and strangers, the rich and poor, the powerfuland weak, with equality, and was beloved by the common peoplefor the affability with which he received them, and listened totheir complaints … His military triumphs awakened no pride norvain glory, as they would have done had they been effected forselfish purposes. In the time of his greatest power he maintainedthe same simplicity of manners and appearance as in the days ofhis adversity. So far from affecting a regal state, he was displeasedif, on entering a room, any unusual testimonials of respect wereshown to him. If he aimed at universal dominion, it was the dominionof faith; as to the temporal rule which grew up in his hands,as he used it without ostentation, so he took no step to perpetuateit in his family.”

Mahomet and his successors, Washington Irving, pp.332-334, 343

“His readiness to undergo persecution forhis beliefs, the high moral character of the men who believedin him and looked up to him as a leader, and the greatness ofhis ultimate achievement – all argue his fundamental integrity.To suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems than it solves.Moreover, none of the great figures of history is so poorly appreciatedin the West as Muhammad … Thus, not merely must we creditMuhammad with essential honesty and integrity of purpose, if weare to understand him at all; if we are to correct the errorswe have inherited from the past, we must not forget that conclusiveproof is a much stricter requirement than a show of plausibility,and in a matter such as this only to be attained with difficulty.”

Muhammad at Macca, W. Montgomery Watt, Oxford press,p. 53

“It is impossible for anyone who studiesthe life and character of the great prophet of Arabia, who knewhow he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but the reverencefor that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme.And although in what I put to you I shall say many things whichmay be familiar to many, yet I myself feel, whenever I rereadthem, a new way of admiration, a new sense of reverence for thatmighty Arabian teacher.”

The Life and Teachings of Muhammad, Annie Besant,p. 4

“Four years after the death of Justinian,C.E. 569, was born in Mecca, in Arabia, the man who, of all men,has exercised the greatest influence upon the human race …To be the religious head of many empires, to guide the daily lifeof one third of the human race, may perhaps justify the titleof a Messenger of God.”

History of Intellectual Development of Europe, WilliamDraper, MD., LL.D., Vol. I, p. 329-330

For more on this topic please read the book “ProphetMuhammad and His Western Critics,” by Zafar Ali Qureshi,Idara Ma’arif Islami, Mansoora, Lahore, Pakistan.

Muslim-SA@acsu.buffalo.eduLast modified: Mon Nov 18 14:08:07 EST 1996What Did Jesus Really Say ? – The life of Muhammad