48. Noble Character And Habits Of Sayyidina Rasoolullah

Khaarijah bin Zayd bin Thaabit Radiyallahu 'Anhu says that a group came to Zayd bin Thaabit (his father) and requested him to describe to them some facts about Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. He replied. "What can I describe to you of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi 'Wasallam. (It is beyond my means to describe them). I was the neighbour of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. (Therefore he was mostly present and knew many facts. He was also a writer of the wahi-revelation). When wahi was revealed to Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam, he sent for me, I came and wrote it. (Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam always showed kindness, and made us feel at ease). Whatever we discussed, he discussed the same. If we discussed some worldly affairs, he also spoke of it. (It was not that he only spoke about the hereafter to us, and despised the talking of worldly affairs). When we spoke of the hereafter, he too spoke of the hereafter. When we began speaking of the hereafter, he described its events etc in detail). 'When we spoke of food, Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam also spoke of it. (Its etiquette, benefits, tasty foods, foods that are harmful, etc. In the previous chapters many such commands of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam are mentioned. i.e. 'What a wonderful curry vinegar is'. 'Use olive oil, it is from a mubaarak tree'. etc.). All this I am saying are facts on Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam'". 'Amr ibnul 'Aas Radiyallahu 'Anhu reports: "(Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam gave attention, spoke and showed love to the worst person of a nation. So that, the person may feel he is being given special attention). He used to give attention, and spoke to me also in a manner, that I began to feel that I was the best among the community. (Therefore one day) I asked: 'O Messenger of Allah, am I better or is Abubakr better?' He replied: 'Abubakr'. I then asked: 'Am I better, or 'Umar?' He replied. "Umar'. I asked: 'Am I better or 'Uthmaan?' He replied: 'Uthmaan'. When I asked him these questions, Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam told me the truth. (He did not tell me I was better to keep me happy. Afterwards I felt ashamed of myself on this deed). I felt I should not have asked such a question". Anas bin Maalik Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: "I remained in the service (of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam for ten years. He never once told me 'Oof'. When I did something, he never asked me, why did you do so? When I did not do a certain task, he never asked me why I did not do it. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam had the best character among all people. (and also possessed the most excellent features, so much so,) that I never felt a silk cloth, nor pure silk, nor any other thing softer than the palm of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. Nor did I smell any musk or any other fragrance, more sweet smelling than the sweat of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam". Anas Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: "A person who was wearing yellow coloured clothing was sitting by Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. It was the habit of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam not to bluntly express things he did not approve of. (Therefore he kept silent). When that person left, Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said to those present 'It would have been better if you had told him not to wear yellow clothing'". 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha reports, that: "It was not the nature of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam to talk indecently, nor did he engage himself in the use of obscene language. Nor did he shout and talk in the bazaars (which is against dignity). He did not avenge a bad deed with a bad one, but forgave it, and thereafter did not even mention it". 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha reports: "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam did not hit anything with his mubaarak hands, besides the time when he made jihaad in the Path of Allah. He did not hit a servant nor a women (wife, slave girl etc.)". 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha says: "I have never seen Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam avenge himself for a personal affliction, but if one transgressed a prohibited thing from those prohibited by Allah, (To commit a haraam act. The commentators on hadith say the rights of man are also included) then there was no one more angry than Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. Whenever Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was given a choice between two things, he always chose the one that was simple, if it did not lead to any type of sin". 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha reports. "A person asked permission to present himself before Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam while I was with him. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said: 'What a bad person is he among his community'. After saying this, he gave him permission to enter. After the person entered, he spoke very softly to him. When the person left I said: 'O Rasulullah, you said what you said before he entered, then you spoke so softly to him,. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said: 'O 'Aayeshah, the worst person is that who stops speaking to one because of his indecency'". Imaam Hasan Radiyallahu 'Anhu says, (my younger brother) Husayn said: "I asked my father (Sayyidina 'Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu) about the conduct of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam in his assemblies' He replied.. 'Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was always happy and easy mannered. There was always a smile and a sign of happiness on his blessed face. He was soft-natured and when the people needed his approval, he easily gave consent. He did not speak in a harsh tone nor was he stone-hearted. He did not scream while speaking, nor was he rude or spoke indecently. He did not seek other's faults. He never over-praised anything nor exceeded in joking, nor was he a miser. He kept away from undesirable language and did not make as if he did not hear anything. If he did not agree with the next person's wish he did not make that person feel disheartened, nor did he promise anything to that person. He completely kept himself away from three things: from arguments, pride and senseless utterances. He prohibited people from three things. He did not disgrace or insult anyone, nor look for the faults of others, he only spoke that from which thawaab and reward was attained. When he spoke, those present bowed their heads in such a manner, as if birds were sitting on their heads. (They did not shift about, as birds will fly away on the slightest move). When he completed his talks, the others would begin speaking. (No one would speak while Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam spoke. Whatever one wanted to say, it would be said after he had completed speaking). They did not argue before him regarding anything. Whenever one spoke to him the other would keep quiet and listen till he would finish. The speech of every person was as if the first person was speaking. (They gave attention to what every person said. It was not as is generally found that in the beginning people pay full attention, and if the talk is lengthened they became bored, and begin to pay less attention). When all laughed for something, he would laugh too. The things that surprised the people, he would also show his surprise regarding that. (He would not sit quietly and keep himself aloof from everyone, but made himself part of the gathering). He exercised patience at the harshness and indecent questions of a traveller. (Villagers usually ask irrelevant questions. They do not show courtesy and ask all types of questions. Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam did not reprimand them but exercised patience). The Sahaabah would bring travellers to his assemblies (so that they themselves could benefit from the various types of questions asked by these people, and also hear some questions regarding which they themselves, due to etiquette, would not ask). Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam' would say: 'When you see a person in need, then always 'help that person'. (If someone praised him, he would detest it). If someone, by way of thanks praised him, he would remain silent, (because it is necessary that one 'thank a person for a good favour or good deed. It is like one fulfilling one's duty. Some of the 'ulama have translated this as: 'If one did not exceed in praising him, he would keep silent'. That means if he exceeded he would prohibit him). He did not interrupt someone talking and did not begin speaking when someone else was busy speaking. If one exceeded the limits he would stop him or would get up and leave (so that that person would stop)" Jaabir Radiyallahu 'Anhu says. "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam never said 'No' to a request of a person". Ibn 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was the most generous among people in performing good deeds (No one could compare with him in generosity. He himself led a simple life, but in giving he would put a king to shame. At a time of great need a woman presented him a sheet, and he wore it as he was in need of it. A person came to him, and asked him for it, he presented the sheet to that person. Taking of loans and fulfilling the needs of others, when the creditors came, and if something had come from somewhere, he would pay the debts, and did not go home till everything was given to the needy. There exists many incidents of this nature, so much so that it is not possible to enumerate them). Particularly in the month of Ramadaan, he would be more generous till the month ended. (His generosity in this month exceeded all the other months). In this month when Jibra-eel 'Alayhis Salaam came and recited the Qur-aan to Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam, at that time his generosity exceeded the wind that brings forth heavy rains". Anas Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: "Rasulullah. Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam did not store anything for the next day". 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu reports that once a needy person came to ask Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam for his need. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam replied: "I do not have anything at present. Go and purchase something on my behalf. When something arrives I will pay for it". 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu said: "O Messenger of Allah, whatever you possessed you have already given away. Allah Ta'aala did not make you responsible for that which is not in your means". Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam felt annoyed at this saying of 'Umar Radiyallahu'Anhu. Thereupon a person from among, the Ansaar said: "O Rasul, of Allah, spend whatever you wish, and do not fear any lessening from the Lord of the 'Arsh (Throne)". (That Great Deity that is the Lord of the 'Arsh, nothing will decrease in His Bounties by giving you). Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam smiled and the happiness could be seen on his mubaarak face due to the saying of the Ansaari. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam than said: "Allah Ta'aala has commanded me to do this". Rubayyi' bint Mu'awwidh bin 'Af-raa Radiyallahu 'Anha says: "I brought to Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam a tray full of dates, and some small cucumbers. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam gave me a handful of jewellery". 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam accepted gifts, and also gave presents in return.