gentleness...

continued
The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised her: “Be gentle and
the ideal
example Prophet
Muhammad
calm, O ‘Aisha, as Allah likes gentleness in all affairs.” “Indeed you
What has preceded is only a glimpse
(O Muhammad) are
He also said: “Show gentleness! For if gentleness is found in of how Muhammad (peace be upon
something, it beautifies it, and when it is taken out from anything, it on an exalted standard him) lived his life. The examples of
makes it deficient.” of character.” kindness and mercy mentioned may (peace be upon him)
Qur’an 68:4 come as a surprise to some people
given the portrayal of Islam in the media

humbleness
“And the
and its constant misrepresentation.
servants of The Most
Gracious (God) are those who It is important when trying to understand Islam that one goes
The Prophet (peace be upon

You should
directly to its sources: The Qur’an, and the sayings and actions of
him) used to prevent people from walk on the earth in humbleness,
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and that anyone does
standing up for him out of respect. and when the ignorant address
not judge Islam based on the errant actions of a few Muslims.
He used to sit wherever there was them, they say: ‘Peace.’ ”
a place available in an assembly and
never sought a prominent or elevated
place. He never wore anything to distinguish
Qur’an 25:63
comments from
know this man!
himself from his companions or appear in higher rank than them.
He used to mix with the poor and the needy; he used to sit with
non-muslims
Mahatma K Gandhi, a major political and spiritual leader of the
the elderly and support the widows. People who did not know
Indian independence movement, remarked: “It was the rigid
him could not tell him apart from the rest of the crowd.
simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous
Addressing his companions, he said: “Allah has revealed to me, regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and
that you must be humble. No one should boast over one another, followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God
and no one should oppress another.” and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything
before them and surmounted every obstacle.”
Such was his humbleness that he was fearful of being
worshipped, a privilege only befitting God: George Bernard Shaw, the British playwright, declared: “The
world is in dire need of a man with the mind of Muhammad;
“Do not exceed bounds in praising me as the Christians do in
religious people in the Middle Ages, due to their ignorance and
praising Jesus, Son of Mary. I am only the Lord’s servant; then call
prejudice, had pictured him in a very dark way as they used to
me the Servant of Allah and His Messenger.”
consider him the enemy of Christianity. But after looking into the
story of this man I found it to be an amazing and a miraculous
the ideal one, and I came to the conclusion that he was never an enemy of
husband “And live
with them (your
Christianity, and must be called instead the saviour of humanity.
In my opinion, if he was to be given control over the world today,
The Prophet’s beloved wife, Aa’isha, said spouses) in kindness.” he would solve our problems and secure the peace and happiness
of her noble husband: “He always helped Qur’an 4:19 which the world is longing for.”
with the housework and would at times mend
his clothes, repair his shoes and sweep the floor.
He would milk, protect and feed his animals and do household
chores.”
Not only was he a devoted husband, he also encouraged his
companions to follow his example: “The most perfect of the
“Allah has promised those who believe and do good deeds that
for them there is forgiveness and a mighty reward.” Qur’an 5:9 learn
the
believers in faith are the best of them in morals. And the best
among them are those who are best to their wives.”
For further information please visit:
www.iisna.com/pamphlets or (+961) 3 9354-7500 basics www.iisna.com/pamphlets
 Who is (peace be upon him)
The final Messenger (Peace be upon him) taught humans to show angry and replied, “Do you condemn him because of the blackness

Muhammad?
mercy and to respect each other: “He who does not show mercy of his mother? You still have within you traces of ignorance from the
to others, will not be shown mercy.” pre-Islamic period.”
In another narration, some people requested the Prophet (peace

“Indeed in the
Muslims believe that
Muhammad (peace be upon him) is
be upon him) to invoke God to punish the disbelievers but he
replied: “I have not been sent as one to curse but as a mercy.”
“Good deeds
tolerance
the final Prophet in a long chain of “You should not do evil to those
Messenger of Allah you and evil deeds are not
Prophets sent to call the people who do evil to you, but you
have an excellent example
to follow for whoever hopes in
Allah and the Last Day and
to the obedience and worship
of God alone (‘Allah’ in Arabic). forgiveness equal. Repel evil with what should deal with them with
is best, then he with whom you forgiveness and kindness.” This
Some of these Prophets include had enmity shall become is how the final Messenger
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was “Let them
remembers Allah much.” Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, of God (peace be upon him)
the most forgiving of all people and as a loyal friend.”
Qur’an 33:21 Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, forgive and overlook: reacted to personal attacks and
the kindest. If someone abused Qur’an 41:34
David, Solomon and Jesus (peace do you not wish that Allah abuse.
him, he would forgive him, and the
be upon them all). harsher a person was, the more should forgive you? For Islamic sources include a number
Just as Moses (peace be upon him) was sent with patient he would become. He Allah is Oft-Forgiving, of instances where the Prophet (peace be upon him) had the
the Torah (the original uncorrupted revelation sent to Moses) was extremely lenient and forgiving, Most Merciful.” opportunity to take revenge upon those who wronged him, but
and Jesus (peace be upon him) with the Gospel (the original, especially when he had the upper Qur’an 24:22 refrained from doing so.
uncorrupted revelation - not the present-day versions), Muslims hand and the power to retaliate.
He taught man to exercise patience in the face of adversity: “The
believe that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent with the Muhammad (peace be upon him) was all for strong is not the one who overcomes people by his strength, but
Qur’an to demonstrate how its teachings should be applied. forgiveness and no amount of crime or aggression against him the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.”
The Prophet’s (peace be upon him) wife, ‘A’isha, was once asked was too great to be forgiven by him. He was the best example
Practising patience and tolerance does not mean that a Muslim
to describe the Prophet (peace be upon him), and she replied of forgiveness and kindness, as mentioned in the following verse
should be a passivist and not defend himself in case of attack.
that he was ‘the Qur’an walking’, meaning he meticulously of the Qur’an: “Keep to forgiveness (O Muhammad), and enjoin
Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) stated that, “Do not
implemented the noble teachings of the Qur’an into his daily life. kindness, and turn away from the ignorant.” - Al-Qur’an 7:199
wish to meet the enemy, but when you meet (face) the enemy, be
We will demonstrate how he translated these noble teachings patient (i.e. stand firm when facing the enemy).”
into noble actions.
equality
Mission of “Indeed the In the following sayings of the Prophet gentleness
Mercy
(peace be upon him), he taught that all
most honoured of you A companion who served
“By the grace
humans are equal in the sight of God:
in the sight of Allah is the Muhammad (peace be upon
“And We of Allah, you are gentle
As well as calling people to pray, fast most righteous of you.” “All humanity is from Adam and Adam him) for ten years said that
(God) have not sent is from clay. There is no superiority for Muhammad (peace be upon towards the people; if you had
and give charity, the Prophet (peace Qur’an 49:13
you (Muhammad) except an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a black him) was always gentle in his been harsh and hard-hearted,
be upon him) taught that one’s faith in
God should also affect one’s treatment as a mercy for mankind.” over a white; except through piety.” dealings with him. “When I did they would have dispersed
of others. He said: “The best of you are Qur’an 21:107 something, he never questioned from around you.”
“God does not judge you according to your
they who have the best character.” my manner of doing it; and when
appearance and your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and looks Qur’an 3:159
I did not do something, he never
Many sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon into your deeds.”
questioned my failure to do it. He was the
him) emphasise the relationship between belief and action, for It is related that once a companion of the Prophet (peace be friendliest of all men.”
example: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should not upon him) called another companion in an offensive way, “Son of
hurt his neighbour, and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, On one occasion, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him)
a black woman!” The Prophet (peace be upon him), became
should serve his guest generously, and whoever believes in Allah reacted angrily after being insulted by a person.
and the Last Day, should speak what is good or keep quiet.”