Muhammad ﷺ The Messenger of Allah
It all began in the year 610 C.E., with a few brave individuals differing in tribe, status and gender, secretly winding through the alleys of Makkah to meet the man known as ‘Al-Ameen’ (i.e. the trustworthy). One by one they went, stealthily in the moonlight, hoping not to be noticed or reported to powerful city leaders. They were prepared to sacrifice it all — their cultures, families, even their own lives — for the sake of worshipping the One True God (Allah عزوجل). These fortunate individuals are known as the Sahaabah (Companions of the Beloved Rasool صلی الله علیہ وسلم ).
Al-Ameen had called them to cast aside the pagan religion of their forefathers, and to embrace pure monotheism (Towheed). The 40-year-old dignified man, whose name was Muhammad (صلی الله علیہ وسلم ), claimed that Almighty Allah عزوجل regards all people, men and women, free and enslaved, as equal: A message which would, in two short decades, bring peace to the war-torn Arabian Peninsula and beyond; a message forbidding tribal feudalism and corruption by any leader; a message that came to be known as ‘Islam’, calling for devotion and submission to Allah Almighty (GOD) alone.
Who is Muhammad صلی الله علیہ وسلم ?
Prophet Muhammad صلی الله علیہ وسلم was a man of noble descent. He was a model of excellent manners. Allah عزوجل, the Most Exalted, praised him by saying:
And indeed you possess an exemplary character. [Qalam 68:4]
Even his enemies attested to his excellent manners. Abu Jahl, who was one of the harshest enemies of Islam, said: “O Muhammad! I do not say that you are a liar! I only deny what you brought and what you call people towards.”
Some of his Companions described his manners, saying:
- “Muhammad (صلی الله علیہ وسلم) was never rough. He never raised his voice in public or used foul language. He did not repay evil with evil; rather, he forgave and pardoned. He did not raise his hand to hit a servant or woman. He would not become angry if he was offended, nor would he take revenge. He only became angry when people transgressed the limits and boundaries of Allah عزوجل, in that case he reacted. Prophet Muhammad صلی الله علیہ وسلم was not given a choice between two matters, except that he chose the easier of the two, as long as it was not a sinful act. If that act was a sinful act, he would be the furthest from it. When he entered his home he was as normal individual, he would clean his clothes, milk his goats, and serve himself.”
From an early age, he had been observed as a thoughtful man. The people of Arabia gave him the title of ‘Al-Ameen,’ The Faithful/The Trustworthy. A man of truth and fidelity; true in what he did, in what he spoke and thought. They noted that he always meant something. A man who would remain silent when there was nothing to be said; but pertinent, wise, sincere, when he did speak; always throwing light on a matter. This is the only sort of speech worth speaking! Through life we find him to have been regarded as an altogether solid, brotherly, genuine man. A serious, sincere character yet friendly, pleasant, comfortable, always with a radiant smile on his glowing face:
The Beloved Prophet Muhammad صلی الله علیہ وسلم was the most beautiful of people, as his blessed Companions رضی الله عنھم, who saw him, informed us. The Beloved and Blessed Prophet Muhammad صلی الله علیہ وسلم , was of a slightly above-average height. Amazingly, in gatherings, he would appear taller than those actually taller than him – until the people dispersed. In completion, Muhammad صلی الله علیہ وسلم was while with a rosy touch; whitish, but not excessively so. His hair was jet black and wavy, but stopped short of curling, and was kept between his earlobes and shoulders. Sometimes Muhammad صلی الله علیہ وسلم would part his hair at the middle. The Beloved Prophet Muhammad صلی الله علیہ وسلم had the physique of a powerful man. Muhammad صلی الله علیہ وسلم had a broad upper-back and shoulders, between which was the Seal of Prophethood. Muhammad صلی الله علیہ وسلم had long muscular limbs, large joints and a wide girth. His lean stomach never protruded past the profile of his chest. His face was glowing. “As if the sun was following its course across and shining from his face.” His shoulders were broad; Muhammad صلی الله علیہ وسلم was of medium height, neither too tall nor short. Muhammad صلی الله علیہ وسلم was pleasant looking and magnificent; people were full of awe when they saw him for the first time, and knew that his face was not one of a liar.