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Morals of the Messenger of God, Muhammad ﷺ

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🌙 Morals of the Messenger of God, Muhammad ﷺ

“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of God an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in God and the Last Day and who remembers God often.” — Surah Al-Ahzab 21

📋 Contents

Companions’ Descriptions of the Prophet ﷺ

Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه “The Prophet ﷺ was the best of people in character.” — Agreed Upon (Bukhari & Muslim)
Safiyyah bint Huyayy رضي الله عنها “I have never seen anyone with better character than the Messenger of God ﷺ.” — Al-Tabarani in Al-Awsat (good chain)
Aisha رضي الله عنها — when asked about his character “His character was the Qur’an.” — Sahih Muslim
Abdullah ibn Amr رضي الله عنه — on the Prophet’s description in the Torah “O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner and a protection for the unlettered… neither rude nor harsh nor loud in the markets, nor does he repel evil with evil, but he pardons and forgives.” — Narrated by Al-Bukhari

Physical Description of the Prophet ﷺ

Appearance
  • Neither too tall nor too short — well-proportioned
  • White complexion with a handsome, radiant face
  • Square-built, broad between the shoulders, with a thick beard
  • Large head, hands, and feet
  • When happy, his face would light up like a piece of the moon
  • His laughter was only a smile — his uvula was never seen
  • His eyes appeared to have kohl, yet he wore none
Jabir ibn Samara رضي الله عنه “I saw the Messenger of God ﷺ on a bright moonlit night. I kept looking between him and the moon — he was more beautiful than the moon to me.”

Before Prophethood — Al-Amin

The Black Stone — A Proof of His Wisdom When the Quraysh disputed over who would place the Black Stone back in the Ka’bah, war nearly broke out. An elder suggested: “Let the first man to enter this mosque judge between you.”

The first to enter was Muhammad ﷺ.

“This is Muhammad the Trustworthy — we are satisfied!” they said.

He ﷺ placed the stone in his cloak, asked each tribe to hold a corner, and lifted it together — then placed it with his own hand. ✦ A solution of wisdom, justice, and unity.

Known Before Prophethood The Prophet ﷺ was known as Al-Amin (The Trustworthy) and Al-Sadiq (The Truthful) long before revelation. Even his enemy Abu Sufyan, while still a disbeliever, confirmed: “No — he does not betray.”

His Worship of Allah

On His Prayer The Prophet ﷺ would pray until his feet cracked and swelled. When asked:

“Do you do this when God has already forgiven your past and future sins?”

He ﷺ replied: “Should I not be a grateful servant?” — Al-Bukhari 1130, Muslim 2819

His Voluntary Worship
  • Prayed 11–13 rak’ahs at night
  • Prayed 12 voluntary rak’ahs daily (Muslim 728)
  • Fasted 3 days every month, plus Ramadan (Muslim 1160)
  • Would fast Mondays and Thursdays (Al-Tirmidhi 745)
  • Would fast Sha’ban extensively (Bukhari 1969–1970)
  • Encouraged fasting six days of Shawwal (Muslim 1164)
On His Generosity in Charity “He was more generous with good than the blowing wind when Gabriel would meet him.” — Al-Bukhari No. 6

He gave a man sheep between two mountains. The man returned to his people and said: “O my people — embrace Islam, for Muhammad gives as one who does not fear poverty.” — Muslim 4/1806

His Character with His Family

Summary of His Home Life He was tender, gentle, playful, and affectionate with his wives. He softened Aisha’s name, calling her “O Aisha” and “O Humaira.” He would mend his own clothes, sew his shoes, and serve his family — before going out to pray.
Aisha رضي الله عنها “He used to sew his clothes, mend his shoes, and do what men do in their homes.” — Narrated by Ahmad
The Prophet ﷺ “The best of you is the best to his family — and I am the best of you to my family.” — Sunan Al-Tirmidhi
The Racing Story “He said to me: ‘Come, let me race you.’ And I beat him. Later when I had grown, he raced me again and beat me, then laughed saying: ‘This for that!’” — Abu Dawud, authenticated by Al-Albani (No. 2878)
Beautiful Details of Shared Life
  • He would put his mouth where Aisha had placed hers on a drinking vessel
  • He would lean his head on her lap and recite Qur’an
  • He placed his knee for his wife Safiyyah to use as a step onto her camel
  • After Khadijah’s death, he would slaughter sheep and gift them to her friends

His Character with Children

Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would pass by children and greet them.” — Bukhari & Muslim
During the Sermon Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn walked in stumbling while he ﷺ was delivering a sermon. He descended from the pulpit, carried them, placed them before him, and said:

“Allah spoke the truth: ‘Your wealth and your children are but a trial…’ I could not be patient until I stopped my speech and picked them up.”

More with Children
  • He would hasten his prayer upon hearing a child crying, fearing distress to the mother
  • He would carry his granddaughter during prayer — setting her down when prostrating, lifting her when standing
  • He greeted children warmly even as they were young

His Character with Servants

Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه — served the Prophet ﷺ for 10 years “By Allah, he never once said ‘Ugh’ to me, nor did he say about anything: ‘Why did you do this? Why didn’t you do that?’” — Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhi
Aisha رضي الله عنها “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never struck a servant or a woman, nor did he strike anything with his hand — except when fighting in the cause of Allah.” — Malik, Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud

His Mercy

A Mercy to All the Worlds Allah says: “And We have not sent you, O Muhammad, except as a mercy to the worlds.” (Al-Anbiya: 107)
When Asked to Curse the Polytheists “I was not sent to curse — but rather I was sent as a mercy.” — Muslim
His Supplication for His Nation “O Allah, whoever is in charge of my nation’s affairs and is harsh with them — be harsh with him. Whoever is kind to them — be kind to him.”
On Mercy “The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth, and the One in the heavens will have mercy upon you.” — Al-Tirmidhi, authenticated by Al-Albani

His Forgiveness & Patience

The Bedouin Who Urinated in the Mosque When companions rushed to stop a Bedouin urinating in the mosque, the Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not disturb him — leave him.” After the man finished, he calmly called him over, taught him gently, and had water poured over the area. — Muslim
The Day of Uhud His front tooth was broken. His head was wounded. Yet he ﷺ said only:

“O God, guide my people — for they do not know.”

Ghawrath ibn Al-Harith — The Sword A polytheist drew a sword over the sleeping Prophet ﷺ and said: “Who can protect you from me?”

The Prophet ﷺ replied calmly: “God.”

The sword fell from the man’s hand. The Prophet ﷺ picked it up and asked: “Now — who can protect you from me?”

“Be the best taker,” the man said. And the Prophet ﷺ let him go.

The man returned to his people saying: “I have come from the best of people.”

Aisha رضي الله عنها “The Messenger of God ﷺ never took revenge for himself — except when the sanctity of Allah was violated, in which case he would take revenge for God’s sake.” — Bukhari

His Courage & Bravery

Ibn Umar رضي الله عنه “I have never seen anyone braver, more courageous, more generous, or more content than the Messenger of God ﷺ.” — Al-Bayhaqi
Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه — on the Battle of Badr “When the battle became intense and eyes turned red, we sought protection behind the Messenger of God ﷺ — and he was the closest of us to the enemy.” — Al-Bayhaqi
The Day of Hunayn When some Muslims fled, the Prophet ﷺ did not retreat. He spurred his mule toward the enemy, while Abu Sufyan held its reins. He called out:

“I am the Prophet — I do not lie. I am the son of Abdul Muttalib.” — Bukhari

His Asceticism (Zuhd)

He Chose the Hereafter When Allah gave him the choice between kingship on earth or a life of humble servitude — he chose the servitude.
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه “The family of Muhammad ﷺ did not eat their fill for three consecutive days until he died.” — Al-Bukhari
Ibn Mas’ud رضي الله عنه The Prophet ﷺ slept on a mat that left marks on his side. When companions offered him a mattress, he said:

“What do I have to do with the wealth of this world? I am in this world only like a rider who rests under a tree — then leaves.”

Umar ibn Al-Khattab رضي الله عنه — upon entering his room “O Prophet of God, why should I not weep while this mat has left marks on your side? There is Caesar and Khosrau in their rivers and fruits — and you are the Messenger of God, and this is your closet.”

The Prophet ﷺ replied: “O son of Al-Khattab — are you not satisfied that the Hereafter is for you, and they have only this world?”

His Final Moments On his deathbed he asked Aisha: “Is there money in the house?”

She said: “Yes — seven dinars.”

He wept and said: “How can Muhammad meet his Lord when there are seven dinars in his house?”

His Humility

Hallmarks of His Humility
  • He never withdrew his hand first in a handshake
  • He never turned his face away before the other person did
  • He never put his foot forward before a companion
  • He dug trenches alongside his companions, belly covered in dirt
  • He took turns riding a camel at Badr, refusing to be treated differently
Imam Ali رضي الله عنه “The Messenger of God ﷺ was the most faithful of people to his covenant.”
The Stranger in the Mosque A man entered while the Prophet ﷺ was giving a sermon and said he was a stranger seeking to learn. The Prophet ﷺ stopped the sermon, had a chair brought, sat with the man to teach him — then returned and finished the sermon. — Muslim
To a Man Who Trembled Before Him “Take it easy — I am not a king. I am only the son of a woman who used to eat dried meat.” — Ibn Majah
On Not Being Exaggerated “Do not regard me as the Christians regarded the son of Mary. I am only God’s servant — so say: the servant of God and His Messenger.” — Bukhari

His Loyalty & Justice

On Justice — Even Against Family “By God — if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, stole, I would cut off her hand.”
Umm Salamah’s Broken Plate When Aisha broke Umm Salamah’s plate out of jealousy, the Prophet ﷺ calmly replaced Aisha’s plate with Umm Salamah’s — and gave Aisha’s plate to Umm Salamah as compensation. — Al-Nasa’i, authenticated by Al-Albani

His Character with His Companions

Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه “Whenever the Messenger of God ﷺ missed one of his brothers for three days — he would ask about him. If he was absent, he would pray for him. If present, he would visit him. If sick, he would go to him.”
How He Walked with Companions When walking, he would let companions walk ahead of him, saying: “Leave my back to the angels.”

He would never:

  • Withdraw his hand first from a handshake
  • Turn his face away before the other person
  • Put his knee forward before his companion

His Character with His Enemies

The Angel of the Mountains — Taif After being rejected and wounded at Taif, the Angel of the Mountains came and offered to crush the people between two mountains.

The Prophet ﷺ replied:

“Rather, I hope that God will bring forth from their loins those who will worship God alone, not associating anything with Him.” — Bukhari & Muslim

His Method with Opponents “Repel evil with what is best — then he between whom and you there was enmity will become as though he was a devoted friend.” — Surah Fussilat: 34–35
The Young Man Who Asked to Commit Adultery Rather than rebuking him harshly, the Prophet ﷺ asked him quietly:

“Would you like it for your mother?” — “No.” “Would you like it for your daughter?” — “No.” “Your sister?” — “No.” “Your aunt?” — “No.”

Then he ﷺ placed his hand on the young man and prayed: “O Allah, forgive his sin, purify his heart, and guard his chastity.”

After that, the young man never looked at such things again. — Ahmad

Hadiths on Good Character

Selected Hadiths
  1. “The best of you are those with the best character.”
  2. “The most beloved of you to me is the one with the best morals.”
  3. “Nothing is heavier on the scale of the believer on the Day of Resurrection than good character.”
  4. “Every religion has a moral character — and the moral character of Islam is modesty.”
  5. “Righteousness is good manners.”
  6. “Fear God wherever you are. Follow up a bad deed with a good one to erase it. And treat people with good manners.”
  7. “I was only sent to perfect good morals.”
  8. “The most beloved of God’s servants to God are those with the best character.”
  9. “I guarantee a house in the highest part of Paradise for the one who has good character.”
  10. “What most brings people into Paradise? Fear of God and good character.”
  11. “The believer who mixes with people and is patient with their harm is better than the one who does not.”
  12. “God did not send me to be harsh — but to teach and make things easy.”

Prophetic Supplications on Morals

Du’a — Ask as He Asked

1. “O Allah, guide me to the best deeds and the best morals — for none guides to the best but You.”

2. “O God, I seek refuge in You from reprehensible morals, deeds, desires, and diseases.”

3. “O Allah, as You have made my creation beautiful — make my character beautiful.”

4. “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that is of no benefit.”

5. “O Allah, unite our hearts and reconcile our differences.”

Summary — Who Was Muhammad ﷺ? He was the most generous of people, the bravest, the most merciful, the most humble, the most just, the most patient. He never criticized food, never refused one who asked, never struck a servant or a woman, and never took revenge for himself.

His character was the Qur’an.

“I was only sent to perfect good morals.” — Al-Bukhari (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)