His life is a complete guidance to mankind: neither of notes in his privacy was left without an explanation. None in his public life escaped the imitation of his devoted companions. At one point, he was a father and a family man, gentle and caring towards his family. You would almost think that was all about him until you saw him on the battlefield defending the faith with which he was sent. At some other point, he was a teacher, a devoted slave of his lord in the wee hours. He was a statesman, a leader, the ally of the poor and downtrodden and above all, the last Messenger (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) of Ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful Lord) to all mankind and jinns.
The life of Prophet Muhammad (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) presents to the believers a comprehensive and complete way of life. His character represents human standard of goodness in all endeavours and human aspirations. Allaah says:
“indeed in the Messenger of Allaah (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the meeting with) Allaah and the last Day and remembers Allaah much.”(Q33 [Ahzab] : 21).
The following are the prophet’s model of life and living for the emulation of the believers:
Muhammad and his Lord
The heart of the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam)was alive to his status vis-a-vis his Lord. He is the leader of the mankind as he said:
"I will be the leader of descendants of Adam on the Day of Resurrection, and this is no boast." (Bukhari)
Still, he was first and foremost, astave of Allaah. He said:
"Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in their praise of the son of Maryam. For indeed I am a slave, so say, 'The slave of Allaah and His Messenger.” (Bukhari)
He was obedient to Allaah: In spite of his status, the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) knew how helpless and needy he was of his Lord. He was obedient in all matters even when they appear to contradict his wishes. His mother died while she was an unbeliever and it was the Prophet's wish to seek Allaah's forgiveness for her so that she might be saved from Allaah's punishment. When Allaah prohibited him from that, the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) submitted to the command of his Lord. Abu Hurairah (RA) reported:
"The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) visited his mother's grave and cried, and everyone there cried with him. Then the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
'I sought my Lord's permission to seek forgiveness for her, but He did not permit me. I then sought permission to visit her grave and He permitted me to do this” (Muslim)
He never transgressed the limits set by Allaah: Rather, he would instead turn to his Lord penitent every day of His life. He said:
"By Allaah! I ask for forgiveness from Allaah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day." (Bukhari)
The main concern of the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was the pleasure of his Lord. He would say:
"Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allaah at the risk of displeasing his people, Allaah will take care of him and protect him from them." (Tirmidhi)
After Eeman, the next most important good deed Salaat. It is the direct link between the servant and his Lord. It is a break from the daily concerns for a focus on Allaah. Not only was Muhammad (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) dutiful in observing Salaat, it was the mainstay of his happiness. He said:
"the satisfaction from my eye (or heart) has been made in salaat.” (Ahmad).
Aside from the five obligatory Salawaat, the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to stay up at night for prayer, standing until his feet were swollen. Aisha (RA) asked him,
"Why are you doing this, O Messenger (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) of Allaah, when Allaah has forgiven all your sins, past and future?" He replied:
"Should I not be a grateful slave?"(Bukhari)
The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and Himself
In our time unkempt and careless appearance as well as scruffy clothes and furnishings have come to be associated with piety and devotion. That is unfortunate, because the prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was most concerned about his looks. He had distinguished and comely appearance yet he attained the pinnacle of devotion. That’s unfortunate, because the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was most concerned about his looks. He has a distinguished and comely appearance yet he attained the pinnacle of devotion.
The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) establishedthe Sunnah for the Muslims to be balanced in betweenthe needs of his body, mind and soul, giving attention to each. When Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (RA) tended towards exaggeration in his worship, the Prophet
(sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) told him: "Have I not heard that you fast all day and stay up all night in prayer?" He said, "That is true, O Messenger (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) of Allaah." The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) told him:
"Do not do that, fast and break your fast, sleep and get up. For your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you, your wife has a right over you, and your visitors have a right over." (Bukhari)
His Body
The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) took care of his body through moderation in food and drink. This is in obedience to the command of Allaah:
"fat and drink: but waste not by excess, for Allaah loves not the wasters."(Q7 [A'raf]:31)
In fact, the entire family of Muhammad never ate their fill for three successive days till he died. (Bukhari) and he used to say:
"There is no worse vessel for the son of Adam to fill than his own stomach, but if he must fill it, then let him allow one third for food, one third for drink, and one third for air." (Ahmad)
He had the highest standard for personal hygiene. Aisha (RA) narrated that he "never woke from sleeping at any time of a day or night without clean) his teeth with a Siwak before performing Wudu.” (Ahmad)
His Appearance
He made cleanliness a religious obligation when he said:
“it is the duty of every Muslim to take a bath (at least) once every seven days, and to wash his head and body.” (Bukhari)
He was particular about avoiding offensive odour emanating from his body and set the example for his Ummah in this, Aisha (RA) narrated:
“a group of the Companions was waiting at the door for him, so he prepared to go out to meet them. There was a vessel of water in the house, and he peered into it, smoothing his beard and his hair. (Aisha said) I asked him, ‘o Messenger of Allaah, even you do this?’ he said: ‘yes, when a man goes out to meet his brothers, let him prepare himself properly, for Allaah is beautiful and loves beauty.” (Tafsir Qurtubi)
The prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his wives
Marriage, when it is contracted for the pleasure of Allaah, offers tranquillity to the soul and peace to the mind so that man and woman may live together in an atmosphere of love and, mercy, harmony,cooperation, mutual advice and tolerance. It lays the foundation for raising a Muslim family in a nurturing environment.
The Prophet's relationship with his wives was characterized by compassion and kindness. He would say:
"Treat women kindly, for woman was created from a rib. The part of it that is most crooked is the top. If you try to straighten it you will break it, and if you leave it alone it will remain crooked. So treat women kindly." (Bukhari)
When a husband truly follows the guidance of the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam), he would have a deep understanding of the psychology of women, he will tolerate his wife's mistakes and turn a blind eye to her faults.
Although the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was constantly busy with the overwhelming task of laying the foundations of lslaarn, building the Muslim Ummah, directing the, army in Jihad, and numerous other concerns, he did not let that keep him from being a good husband to his wives, treating them in the best possible way, with a smiling face and a touch of gentle humour. Aisha (RA) narrated:
"I came to the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) with some Harirah (a dishmade with flour and milk) that I had cooked for him, and told Saudah as the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was sitting between me and her - 'eat.' She refused, so ISaid, 'Either you eat, or I will fill your face she still refused, so I put my hand in the Harirah and daubed her face with it. The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) laughed, put some Harirah in her hand and told her: 'Do the same to her!''' (Al-Haythami)
The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was keen to make his wives happy that he would call them to enjoy some innocent kinds of entertainment. Aisha (RA) narrated: The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) was sitting, and he heard some noise from people and children outside. There was a group of people gathered around some Abyssinians who were dancing. He said, 'o Aishah, come and see!' I put my cheek on his shoulder and looked through the gap. Then he said. 'o Aishah, have you had enough, have you had enough?' I said, 'No,' just to see how much I meant to him, and I saw him shifting his weight from one foot to the other." (i.e. he was tired, but he was willing to stay as long as she wanted to watch the spectacle). (Nasaee)
All the wives of the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) meant so much to him and he neither shun or show disrespect to their opinions and constructive advice. When the peace treaty at Hudaybiyah was concluded (the content of which the Muslims were unhappy about), Allaah's Messenger (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to his companions, "Get up and slaughter your sacrifices and get your head shaved." By Allaah none of them got
Umm Salama said "o the Prophet of Allup, and the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) repeated his order thrice. When none of them got up, he left them and went to Umm Salama (his wife) and told her of the people's attitudes towards him.
aah! Do you want your order to be carried out? Go out and don'tsay a word to anybody till you have slaughtered your sacrifice and call your barber to shave your head." So, the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) went out and did not talk to anyone of them till he did that. Seeing that, the companions of the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) got up, slaughtered their sacrifices, and started shaving the heads of one another, and there was so much rush that there was a danger of killing each other." (Bukhari)
The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was well aware of his responsibility to his wives regarding their Deen. He would not get angry over matters such as poor, cooking and salty food rather, he would only be angered when something of the Deen is contravened. Allaah has forbidden pictures of animate objects in our homes. Aisha (RA) reported:"The Prophet entered upon me while there was a curtain having pictures (of animals) in the house. His face got red with anger, and then he got hold of the curtain and tore it into pieces. The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
'Such people as paint these pictures will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection." (Bukhari)
The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his Children
Allaah refers to children thus:
"Wealth and sons are allurements [joys] of the life of this world." (Q18[Kahf]:46)
The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) brought them up in the best and most conducive manner. In spite of his busy schedule, he would have time to play with them. He used to line up Abdullah, 'Ubaydullah and Kuthayyir, the sons of al-Abbas (RA) arid say:
"Whoever reaches me first. I will give him such-and-such." So they would race towards him and jump on his back and chest, kissing him." (Ahmad)
Also he demonstrated his love, mercy and affection towards the children so that they grew up confident, positive and with high levels of self-esteem. The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) would walk long distance with the singular purpose of kissing his children. Anas (RA) narrated:
"I never saw anyone more compassionate towards children than the Messenger of Allaah (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam). His son Ibrahim was in the care of a wet nurse in the hills around Madinah. He would go there, and we would go with him, and he would enter the house, pick up his son and kiss him, then come back." (Muslim)
In spite of his overwhelming love for his children and grand children, the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) understood his responsibility of guiding them to Islaam. It was to him Allaah revealed:
"O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones,"(Q66 [Tahrim]:6),
He made this matter clear to his children that they do not enjoy any special privilege.
" for being children of a prophet if they themselves did not believe and do righteous deeds. He said to Fatimah his daughter: "O Fatima bint Muhammad! Ask me anything from my wealth, but I cannot save you from Allaah's punishment." (Bukhari)
He also used to instruct his followers:
"Instruct your children to pray when they ate seven years of age, and hit them if they do not pray when they are ten." (Ahmad)
The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his servants
The relationship the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) had with his servants was characterised by compassion and mercy. He would say:
"Whoever does not show compassion to people, Allaah will not have mercy on him." (Tabarani)
Anas ibn Malik (RA) said:
"I served the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) fourteen years, and he never said to me, "Uf” (a minor harsh word denoting impatience) and never blamed me by saying."Why did you do so or why didn't you do so?" (Bukhari)
Narrated by Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari:
"I was beating my slave with a whip when I heard a voice behind me: “Understand, Abu Mas'ud'; but I did not recognise the voice due to intense anger. He (Abu Mas'ud) reported: As he came near me (I found) that he was the Messenger of Allaah (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and he was saying: 'Bear in mind, AbuMas'ud, bear in mind, Abu Mas'ud'. He said: I threw the whip from my hand. Thereupon he (the Prophet) said: 'Bear in mind, Abu Mas'ud; verily Allaah has more dominance upon you than you have upon your slave.' I (then) said: I would never beat my servant in future. (Muslim)
The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and His Ummah
He had a great concern for his Ummah. Once, he recited:
"My Lord! Lo! They have led many of mankind astray: "But whoso follows me, he verily is of me."(Q14 [lbrahim]:35)
and he recited:
"If you punish them, lo! they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them verily You are the Mighty, the Wise."(Q5[Maidah]: 117)
Then the Rasul (sallaallaahu alayhiwa sallam) raised his hands and said: "O Lord, my Ummah, my Ummah." And wept. So Allaah said: "O Jibril, go to Muhammad (though your Lord knows it full well) and ask him: 'What makes you weep?' So Jibril came to him and asked him, and the Messenger of Allaah (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) informed him of what he had said (though Allaah knew it full well).Upon this Allaah said: "O Jibril, go to Muhammad and say: 'Verily We shall please you with regard to your Ummah and shall not displease you." (Muslim)
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) as a Leader
Allaah granted the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) a vast authority. Without the guidance of Allaah, an average human would most likely take advantage of his power to further his own interests. He was guided, so he cared more for his people's comfort and prefers them over himself in material provision. Anas (RA) narrated: "While I was going along with Allaah's Messenger who was wearing a Najrani Burd (sheet) with a thick border, a Bedouin overtook him and pulled his Rida' (sheet) forcibly. I looked at the side of the shoulder of the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and noticed that the edge of the Rida' had left a mark on it because of the violence of his pull. The Bedouin said, "o Muhammad! Order for me some of Allah's property which you have." The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) turned towards him (smiled) and ordered that he be given something." (Bukhari)
He was not a despot who would order his subjects about while he reclines on his throne. He carried earth with his people and does menial jobs with them. AI-Bara ibn Azib (RA) said:
"The Prophet was carrying earth with us on the day of the battle of Al-Ahzab (confederates) and I saw that the dust was covering the whiteness of his abdomen." (Bukhari)
He was Patient in Defeat, Magnanimous and Humble in Victory
Life comes with two tastes - the bitterness of defeat and the sweetness of victory. When one is defeated by an enemy, the aftermath humiliation and trauma is perhaps more painful than the war itself. The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) set an example of patience in defeat during the battle of Uhud which the Muslim lost to the Kufaar of Makkah.
The Quraish of Makkah had tortured him and his companions and eventually turned them out of their homeland. Allaah finally granted the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) victory and he entered Makkah triumphant. Going by current standard, a victorious invading army would humiliate the noble while carting home as much wealth as can be foundto pay for the war bill and make some more profit. The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) set a different standard - for the believers and those who still retain some of their humanity.
When he entered Makkah, the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) lowered his head in humility and gratitude to Allaah. He addressed his erstwhile oppressors thus: "O Quraish, what do you think I am about to do to you?" "We hope for the best." They replied, "you are a noble brother, son of a noble brother." The Prophet of Allaah (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) said to them: "Have no fear this day, go your way for you are all free." (Islamic History by AkbarShah Najeebadi)
And so shall it be till the end of time: anyone who follows him shall have no fear and has become free in this world and free of Hell fire in the Hereafter.