Mohammad: A True Portrait
Mohammad: A True Portrait
1. His Purpose
God describes Muhammad in The Holy Qur’an as the Seal of His Prophets and as the recipient of His Final Revelation, saying:
“This is a Scripture which We have revealed to you that you may bring forth men, by their Lord's permission from utter darkness into light-- to the way of Him, the Exalted in Power, the Owner of Praise” [Qur'an 14:1]
"O Mankind! Muhammad has no sons among men, and indeed, he is the Messenger of God, the last in the line of Prophets. And God is Aware of everything." [Qur'an 33:40]
Muhammad himself, God’s peace be upon him, related: "The tribe of Israel was guided by prophets. When a prophet passed away, another prophet succeeded him. But no prophet will come after me; only rulers will succeed me."
He also affirmed: "My position in relation to the prophets who came before me can be explained by the following example: A man erected a building and adorned its structure with great beauty, but he left an empty niche in the corner where just one brick was missing. People looked around the building and marveled at its beauty, but wondered why a brick was missing from that niche? I am alike unto that one missing brick and I am The Last in the line of the Prophets."
2. His Appearance
Who is Muhammad?
Muhammad, God’s peace be upon him, was of a height a little above the average. He was of sturdy build with long muscular limbs and tapering fingers. The hair of his head was long and thick with some waves in them. His forehead was large and prominent, his eyelashes were long and thick, his nose was sloping, his mouth was somewhat large and his teeth were well set. His cheeks were spare and he had a pleasant smile. His eyes were large and black with a touch of brown. His beard was thick and at the time of his death, he had seventeen gray hairs in it. He had a thin line of fine hair over his neck and chest. He was fair of complexion and altogether was so handsome that his closest companion, Abu Bakr, composed this verse on him: "As there is no darkness in the moonlit night… so is The Chosen One, the well-wisher, the bright."
His stride was firm and he walked so fast that others found it difficult to keep pace with him. His face was gracious, but at times when he was deep in thought, there were long periods of silence, yet he always kept himself busy with something. He did not speak unnecessarily and what he said was always to the point and without any exaggeration. At times he would make his meaning clear by slowly repeating what he had said. His laugh was mostly a smile. He kept his feelings under firm control - when annoyed, he would turn aside or keep silent, when pleased he would lower his eyes…
3. His Way of Living
His house was a mere shelter with walls of unbaked clay and a thatched roof of palm leaves covered by camel skin. He had separate designated apartments for his wives, each consisting of a small room made of similar materials. His own room contained a rope cot, a pillow stuffed with leaves of a date palm, an animal skin spread on the floor, a water bag of leather and some weapons. These were all of his earthly possessions, except for a camel, horse, a mule, and some land which he had acquired in the later part of his life.
Once a few of his disciples, noticing the date palm leaf imprint of the thin mattress on his body, wished to give him a softer bed but he politely declined the offer saying: "What have I to do with worldly things…My connection with the world is like that of a traveler resting for a while underneath the shade of a tree and then moving on."
4. His Manners and Disposition
God describes Muhammad’s characteristics in the Holy Qur’an: "By the grace of God, you are gentle towards the people; if you had been stern and ill-tempered, they would have dispersed from round about you" [Qur'an 3:159]
About himself, the Holy Prophet said; "God has sent me as an apostle so that I may demonstrate ideal character, refinement of manners and superior conduct."
By nature he was gentle and kind hearted, always inclined to be gracious and to overlook the faults of others. Politeness and courtesy, compassion and tenderness, simplicity and humility, sympathy and sincerity were some of the keynotes of his character. In the cause of right and justice he could be resolute and severe but more often than not, his severity was tempered with generosity. He had charming manners which won him the affection of his followers and secured their devotion. Though virtually the ruler of all of Arabia and an apostle of God, he never assumed an air of superiority.
He used to say, "Yes, I am the Prophet of God but I do not know what will be my end."
He used to pray, "O God! I am but a man. If I hurt any one in any manner, then forgive me and do not punish me."
5. His Love for the Poor
The Holy Prophet, God’s peace be upon him, enjoined upon all Muslims to treat the poor kindly and to assist them with charity. He said: "He is not a perfect Muslim who eats his fill and lets his neighbor go hungry." He once asked his companions: "Do you love your Creator? Then love your fellow beings first." He also advised them regarding wealth: "It is difficult for a man laden with riches to climb the steep path that leads to bliss." He did not prohibit or discourage the acquisition of wealth but insisted that it be lawfully acquired by honest means and that a portion of it be given to the poor.
He counseled his followers to; "Give the laborer his wages before his perspiration is dried up." He also discouraged begging stating, "God is gracious to him who earns his living by his own labor, and that if a man begs to increase his property, God will diminish it and whoever has food for the day, it is prohibited for him to beg."
To his wife Aisha, he said, "O Aisha, love the poor and let them come to you…God will draw you near to Himself."
