Kindness Personified

[Abdul-Raouf]

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) - Kindness personified

Prophet Muhammad's nobility of character was of an immeasurably
higher level. It was part of his nature, issuing forth instinctively.

One of the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Khubayb ibn Adiyy,
fell a prisoner in the hands of some unbelievers as a result of a wicked
trick. They took him to Makkah where they sold him to some of its chiefs who
were still nursing their grief after having suffered a heavy defeat in the
Battle of Badr, the first major military encounter between them and the
Muslims. They wanted to kill Khubayb in revenge of the killing of some of
their elders in that battle. When Khubayb was brought forward to be killed,
Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Quraysh, asked him: "Do you wish that Muhammad
were here in your place and we would kill him while you were safe among your
people?" Khubayb answered: "I would not wish to be safe among my people and
Muhammad (peace be upon him) having a thorn in his side." Abu Sufyan
remarked: "I have never seen anything like the love Muhammad's companions
feel for him."

Abu Sufyan was absolutely right: That love was unparalleled, unknown in
human history. Moreover, millions and millions of people across the 14
centuries of the history of Islam have felt that Prophet Muhammad was always
dearer to them than their own parents and children. They even loved him more
than they loved themselves. This is the mark of true faith. There is,
however, a great difference between love that is generated by faith and
strengthened by a study of the character of God's messenger, and love born
by personal experience of his character, and living through the great events
that marked the history of the early years of Islam and witnessing the
Prophet's reactions to these events.

Hadith : Prophet (pbuh) said "None of you becomes a believer until I am dearer to him than his children, his parents and all mankind." (as reported by Bukhari and Muslim) Some versions add: "his life, his wealth and his family"

When we study what the Prophet's companions experienced of his character we
realize that they saw a unique sort of nobility of character. Some people
may be noble, and they treat others with kindness and compassion. Still,
they will have their own turf, which they would not allow others to
encroach. Moreover, they will have their own circle of relatives and friends
whom they treat differently from other people.

Prophet Muhammad's nobility of character was of an immeasurably higher
level. It was part of his nature, issuing forth instinctively. When faced
with a situation, he did not reflect on what would be the kinder, nobler or
more compassionate behavior; it came to him naturally. In all his relations
with people, particularly the weaker and more vulnerable elements in
society, he was the epitome of kindness. He keenly felt for them, tried to
console them when they encountered an adversity, and did his best to comfort
them. He never intentionally hurt anyone. He inquired after all his
companions, young and old. When he talked to anyone, regardless of that
person's position in society, his interlocutor felt a warm relation with the
Prophet. When the Prophet's companions talked to him, even the most humble
of them used to feel that the Prophet placed him above all others. He let
everyone talk to him as they wished, never interrupting them even if they
took a long time.

When he learned that a companion of his was ill, the Prophet went to visit
him at home and prayed for his recovery. He might pay social visits to his
companions. He would join them, sitting in the last vacant place. If anyone
came to see him at home or in the mosque, he would sit with his visitor
until he left, never giving a sign or an expression of his being busy or
having some important business. When anyone shook hands with him or held his
hand, he would not let go until that person did so. In fact, it is reported
that any maid could come to him and take him by the hand. He would go with
her anywhere in the market place until he had done for her whatever she
wanted. He would let her hold his hand until she was the one to let go.

He would answer an invitation, even by the poorest of his companions.
Whatever food was served, even the most modest, he would eat and express
thanks to God and to his host. Thus, no one felt distant from him at any
time. He was the epitome of warm friendship with all his companions.

- by Adil Salahi
(Adil Salahi is the author of Muhammad: Man and Prophet and one of the Editor of ArabNews)

[Abdul-Raouf]

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