1. PROPHET MOHAMMAD PERSONALITY Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) was born in Makkah in the year 570, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe. Since his father died before his birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so that he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him as calm and meditative. Muhammad was of a deeply religious nature, and it became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the 'Mountain of Light' near Makkah. At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Quran. The Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the one who will attain Al-Maqam Al-Mahmud (the Praised Position in the Hereafter) in Paradise, which will be given to one person only, and that person will be our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He was not only prophet of God, but aside from that, he was one of the best leader in the “Top in List of 100 Most Noble and influential and successful person of history”. In recent times, a book has been published in America titled "The 100," or the Top One hundred, or the Greatest Hundred in History. A certain Michael H. Hart, described as a historian, mathematician and astronomer has written this novel book. He has searched history, seeking for men who had the greatest influence on mankind. In this book he gives us The hundred most influential men, including Ashoka, Aristotle, Buddha, Confucius, Hitler, Plato, and Zoroaster. He does not give us a mere chart of the topmost "One Hundred" from the point of view of their influence on people, but he evaluates the degree of their influence and rates them in order of their excellence from No. 1, through to No. 100. He gives us his reasons for the placing of his candidates. We are not asked to agree with him, but we cannot help admire the man's research and honesty. The most amazing thing about his selection is that he has put our Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as No. 1, the first of his "100!" Thus confirming, unknowingly, God's Own testimony in His Final Revelation to the World: Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) has been favoured by God to all mankind as a blessing from Him. “Indeed, Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves” (Aale ‘Imraan 3:164) “That we have sent not thee (O Muhammad) but as a mercy to the whole of humankind, as a mercy to all the world” (Al-Ambiya 21:107) “Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful” (Aale ‘Imraan 3:31) “Say, "O mankind, I am the Messenger of God to you all .…" (Al-Araf 7:158) Now it is binding on all humans to accept him as God’s messenger and obey him, as that will lead humans to HEAVEN. “He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad), obeys Allah: But if any turn away, We have not sent thee to watch over their (evil deeds)” (An-Nisa 4:80) “And We have not sent you (O Muhammad SAW) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not” (Saba 34:28) The status of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is so unique in prophets that Allah Himself says about him as follows. “Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet (Muhammad) O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect” (Al-Ahzab 33:56) “Those who annoy Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) Allah has cursed them in this World and in the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating Punishment” (Al-Ahzab 33:57) However Christians and Jews at the time of his presence in this world did not accept him, instead they treat him as liar, and that is true even today, for them Allah says: “A party of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) wish to lead you (O Muhammad) astray. But they shall not lead astray anyone except themselves, and they perceive not.“ (Aale ‘Imraan 3:69) Before prophethood at the age of 40, he was the most noble character and trustworthy citizen of Makkah. Let us put some lights on Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) character before and after prophethood. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) Character and Life The Prophet (pbuh) used to say that he was sent as a Prophet to the world to present an ideal of good deeds and lofty character. Someone asked Aishah (his beloved wife, may Allah be pleased with her) about the Prophet's manners. She said that his manners were the manners prescribed by the Quran. She later clarified that a tree is recognized by the taste of its fruits. Similarly a man is known by his manners and knowledge. From the Qur'an you can know about the nature and manners of the Prophet (pbuh). He is gentle in manners and talks. His voice is never shrill. Evils done to him are not retaliated. He is busy in modifying and elevating the lives of the people and leveling the path of religion. He has a task to preach and establish the Oneness of Allah. His teachings impart insight and develop understanding, and the ignorant is made aware of the realities of life and the world. He is adorned with all the qualities and good manners. He is a man of good deeds and virtues. His conscience is pure and clean and symbolic of piety. His words are replete with wisdom. Truthfulness and friendliness are his nature. He is forgiving and obliging. Justice is his hallmark. Truthfulness is his religion and guidance is his leader. Now let us analyze some of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) attributes towards society. Respect and Courtesy 1. He never stretched his legs while sitting among people. 2. He did not allow people to stand paying respects. 3. Whenever a person held his hands, he never tried to remove them. 4. He never interrupted anybody during talks. 5. While riding, he did not allow anyone to follow him on foot. He either gave him a lift or asked him to return. Generosity and Munificence He never turned anyone away empty-handed from his house and always gave preference to the needy over his own needs. He was so merciful that not only people living under and around him call him as most humble and merciful, but Allah also certified it in Quran: “That we have sent not thee (O Muhammad) but as a mercy to the whole of humankind, as a mercy to all the world” (Al-Ambiya 21:107) If he had nothing to give, he apologized the needy persons. Social Care & Justice 1) Before prophethood, in rebuilding the Sacred House of the Ka'ba in A.D. 605, the question arose as to who should have the honor of raising the black stone, the most holy relic of that House, into its proper place. Each tribe claimed that honor. The senior citizen advised the disputants to accept for their arbitrator the first man to enter from a certain gate. The proposal was agreed upon, and the first man who entered the gate was Muhammad "Al-Ameen." His advice satisfied all the contending parties. He ordered the stone to be placed on a piece of cloth and each tribe to share the honor of lifting it up by taking hold of a part of the cloth. The stone was thus deposited in its place, and the rebuilding of the House was completed without further interruption. 2) A Makkan woman named Fatimah committed a theft. When people brought the recommendation of Usamah bin Zaid who was dear to the Prophet (pbuh). He told them that no recommendation was valid for Divine punishments. He further said that his daughter Fatimah would have the same punishment if she had committed this guilt. Truthfulness and Trust He was so much trustworthy and honest that people used to keep with him their security, belongings and assets. He remained with them until the age of 40, when he got the prophethood. During all this time, history does not give any evidence of being violent or quarreling. His moral character is described as: Historical records show that Mohammad has been admitted by friend and foe as Al Amin, or the faithful, acknowledged the sterling qualities, the spotless honesty, the noble virtues, the absolute sincerity and every trustworthiness of the apostle of Islam in all walks of life and in every sphere of human activity. Even the Jews and those who did not believe in his message, adopted him as the arbiter in their personal disputes by virtue of his perfect impartiality. Even those who did not believe in his message were forced to say "O Mohammad, we do not call you a liar, but we deny him who has given you a book and inspired you with a message." One day Abu Jahl (staunch enemy of Islam) said to the Prophet (pbuh): "I don't think that you are a liar but I do not get interested in your religion." The night the Prophet (pbuh) left his house for Al-Madinah, the enemies had made all arrangements for his assassination. But he allowed his dear cousin 'Ali to stay that night and come after paying off all the deposits kept with him as a trustee. Prohibiting Killing without justification Prophet never killed by himself or ordered to kill for himself. He only ordered such killing or fighting when somebody was going against the commands of God. He was instructed in Quran : “…. and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand” (Al-Annam 6:151) “Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god, nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred except for just cause, …. (Al-Furqan 25:68) “And do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause…. ” (Al-Isra’ 17:33) Prophet himself telling that, one of major sins is killing innocent peoples. Hadith says: "Avoid the seven noxious things: associating anything with Allah, magic, killing one whom Allah has declared inviolate without a just cause, consuming the property of an orphan, devouring riba (interest), turning back when the army advances, and slandering chaste women who are believers but indiscreet" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) Devotion 1. The Prophet (pbuh) prayed that he should remain hungry one day and fed the other day so that he could pray with all his might in the state of hunger and express his thanks to Allah when satisfied. 2. Aishah says that the members of the Prophet's family lived on dates and water for a month or two and the hearth remained cold during the period. 3. Aishah says that the bed of the Prophet (pbuh) at her house was filled with leafy stalks of palms. 4. Hafsah says that in her house the Prophet's bed was made of sack cloth. It was folded twice and spread out. Once it was made fourfold. Upon this the Prophet (pbuh) forbade her to do so as it became soft. 5. Ibn 'Auf says that during his life the Prophet (pbuh) did not eat to his satisfaction even loaves of bread made of barley flour. 6. In the last night the Prophet (pbuh) passed in this world, oil was procured on credit from a neighbor for the lamp. Worries about people not accepting Islam He was too much worried that when truth has come to people then why people are not coming to Islam. He was so much about this that Allah has to console him about this. “It may be that you (O Muhammad SAW) are going to kill yourself with grief, that they do not become believers (3) If We will, We could send down to them from the heaven a sign, to which they would bend their necks in humility” (Ash-Shura 26:3-4) Prayers 1. He stood in voluntary prayers so long that his legs swelled. His Companions wondered why the Prophet (pbuh) should suffer such troubles as he was innocent and pure. Upon this he said that why he should not offer his thanks to Allah for His mercy and kindness. 2. He would lay in prostration for such a long time that he was taken to be dead by the people close to him. 3. During supplications his chest surged and swirled like a cauldron. 4. Having read the verses of blessings he sought benediction, and after reading the verses of affliction he trembled. 5. He fasted regularly for several days but forbade others to observe those fasts. Compassion and Forgiving By the time he was twenty-five, Muhammad had become well known in the city for the integrity of his disposition and the honesty of his character. By the age of 40, Prophet Muhammad had a perfectly balanced personality. He was patient, truthful, and magnanimous. He presented the highest example of human nobility. He disciplined himself by staying aloof from quarrels and quibbles. He never engaged in foul utterances or abuse. Even before prophethood, he was called as-sadiq al-amin (the truthful and trustworthy). His status of nobility qualifies him following mediation. 1. Hamzah bin 'Abdul-Muttalib (, the dear uncle of the Prophet (pbuh), was treacherously slain by Wahshi, a slave of Abu Sufyan's wife, Hindah. He mutilated his nose and ears. The liver of the martyred Hamzah was carved out and chewed on the battlefield. Despite this Prophet (pbuh) forgave him when he asked for it. 2. Habbar struck Zainab, the eldest daughter of the Prophet (pbuh), with a spear and she fell from the camel-litter and aborted and she died from it. The Prophet pardoned him when he asked for it. 3. Once the Prophet (pbuh) was sleeping under a tree and his sword was hanging on the branch of a tree. His enemy came and took the sword and impertinently awakened the Prophet (pbuh) and asked him who would save him. The Prophet (pbuh) instantly replied that Allah would take care of him. He became unconscious and fell down and his sword dropped from his hand. The Prophet (pbuh) picked up the sword and asked him who could save him. Then he was astounded. He then asked the man to go as revenge he never cherished. General Behavior At the age of 40, he became prophet, not by himself but chosen by Allah. After nomination as Allah’s prophet, he became more polite, merciful and God fearing. Allah says about him clearly: “O Prophet (Muhammad SAW)! Verily, We have sent you as witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner” (Al-Ahzab 33:45) He was not only himself at the highest of moral character but advocates for that. See what he says about the importance of moral character. “The most perfect believer in faith is the one who is best in moral character. The best of you are those who are the best to their spouses in manners.” (Al-Tirmidhi 1082) Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) although a prophet lived among others as an equal. No bitter criticism or provocation would make him lose his composure, and no praise could make him vain. He lived in such taqwa (piety and fear of Allah) that he was always an example of modesty and leniency. “And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character” (Al-Qalm 68: 4) He used to spoke little, but all purposeful. “Your companion (Muhammad) is not astray, nor perverted. (2) Nor does he (Mohammad) speak of (his own) desire. (3) It is only an Inspiration that is inspired” (An-Najm 53:2 - 4) Some of his other qualities were as follows. 1. The Prophet (pbuh) used to meet all cheerfully. 2. He brought up orphans and helped widows. 3. He loved the poor and deserving persons and used to sit with them. 4. He could sit on the bare ground without making any distinction for his self. 5. He used to care for the slaves and attendants in their ailments. 6. If a Muslim died in debt, his loan was paid from the treasury and then he was buried 7. If a sincere person breathed his last, he participated in the funeral rites. "The Prophet was not one who would abuse (others) or say obscene words, or curse (others)..." (Bukhari) He walked in a way that suggested his reverence of and humbleness before Almighty Allah. Criticism never angered him. He never revenged for himself. He would assert that he is Allah's servant and would act as befits a servant of Allah. A desert Arab came and began to pass water in the mosque. The companions of Allah's Messenger said, "Stop! Stop!" but Allah's Messenger (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) said, "Don't interrupt him; leave him alone." They left him alone, and when he had finished, Allah's Messenger (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) called him and said to him, "These mosques are not suitable places for urine and filth, but are only for remembrance of Allah, prayer and recitation of the Qur'an," Following hadith gives his character of forgiving, which can never be seen with anyone