Muhammad the loving Prophet. Peace be upon him.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW interacted with people to teach them and win them over to Islam. What was the most important factor to his successful mission.
With the name of Allah, most Beneficial, most Merciful
Islam did not spread because of a sword or because it has excellent teachings, but it spread mostly because of the ability of the Prophet ﷺ to capture the hearts of the people, by treating them well with love.
When the Prophet ﷺ was instructed by Allah to invite people towards Islam, he could not have used the Qur’aan because the Qur’aan and the teachings of Islam were only revealed to him gradually over the next 23 years of his life.
He could not have used an army either, because he initially had no followers. He started off his mission alone. When he emerged from the “Cave of Hira” as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he spread the teachings of Islam by winning the people over with love and affection.
The behavior of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ (May Allah’s blessings be upon them) towards him showed that he had won their hearts. They were totally in love with him, and they were prepared to sacrifice anything and everything for him. including their own lives. They adored him so much so, that they remembered every little detail about him.
To get complete strangers to love you is most difficult. Take a moment to reflect– Is there anyone in your life (except your immediate family) who loves you enough to sacrifice his/her life for you?
Not only did the Prophet ﷺ have the devout love of most of his extended family and community members, he also had people of other nationalities throughout the world willing to sacrifice everything for him.
So how did the Prophet ﷺ get so many people to love him?
Firstly, the Prophet ﷺ won people over by loving them. When the people realized this, then they in turn loved him.
The proof that someone loves you is that they will care for your well-being and make sacrifices for you even if it is at the expense of themselves. The Prophet ﷺ made great sacrifices and went through untold hardships for the benefit of his people.
The following Qur’aanic verse bears testimony to the Prophet ﷺ’s love and caring for humanity.
“Now has come to you a Messenger from amongst yourselves, it grieves him that you should suffer, he is ardently anxious over you: To the believers he is most kind and merciful.”9:128
This love that Prophet ﷺ had for humanity was genuine because he expected nothing in return except the love of his followers.
“Say: “No reward do I ask of you for this (bringing guidance) except the love of those near of kin.” 42:23
It is reported in Sahih Muslim in the book of Imaan that the
Prophet ﷺ wept so much for his followers that Allah has promised that He would make the Prophet ﷺ happy in this regard.
Hadith books are full of other narrations as well, which show that he made great sacrifices for the people around him even if they did not accept him. Here are two of many such examples:
In the early stages of Islam a funeral of a Companion was brought in front of the Prophet ﷺ So that he may lead the funeral prayer. The Prophet ﷺ made enquiries and learnt that the person had a debt. He refused to perform the funeral prayer until someone paid off the debt. He did this because he did not want his deceased companion to be punished for an unpaid debt.
In the latter stages of Islam, when the Prophet ﷺ used to get income from properties in Fadeck he made the following announcement: “I am nearer to every believer than he himself, so if anyone (dies) leaves a debt, I shall be responsible for paying it, and if anyone leaves property, it goes to his heirs. (Abu Dawud Hadis 3337)
Once, while on his way to the Khaa’ba, he met an old woman who trudged, weeping silently. The Prophet ﷺ asked the cause of her grief. “I grind for a Jew,” she replied, “and as I had fever last night I am late today. I am afraid of him, for he will beat me.” The Prophet ﷺ, who is “Rahmatul Alameen” (Mercy of Allah unto the universe) then took the load from her and said: “Don’t youweep, for I shall speak to the Jew.” He went to the Jew along with her and said to him: “This woman is sick and aged, do not be harsh to her. Punish me instead if you must.”
Because the Prophet ﷺ loved humanity, he went out of his way to help and serve them. This love brought people close to him and thus close to Allah.
What the Prophet ﷺ has done, is doing and will do for humanity, no other human-being can do.
Not only did he love people but he also taught people to love as well. In all his sermons and talks he always stressed loving and caring for one another. He stressed this even before the Great Kalima of Tahuid.
Sometimes the Prophet ﷺ would worry so much about the people that Allah himself had to pacify him.
“You would only worry yourself to death, following after them in grief, if they did not believe in this message.” 18:6
The Second reason why people loved the Prophet ﷺ was that he had good manners, character and conduct which attracted people towards him. Allah in describing the character of the Prophet ﷺ says:
“And surely you (O Muhammad) have sublime morels.”68:4
Lets look through the Hadith Books to get a glimpse of the beautiful character of the Prophet ﷺ.
The following description of the Prophet’s ﷺ personality was developed using “Shamaa-il Tirmidhi” and the actual hadith numbers are in brackets.
The soft heartedness and gentleness of the Prophet ﷺ is mentioned in the Quraan:
“It is part of the Mercy of Allah that you do deal gently with them. If you were severe or harsh hearted, they would have broken away from thee..”3:159
He disliked disputes and never argued. He was simple and hospitable, which made him approachable to everyone. He did not hold anything against anyone but forgave even his bitterest enemies. He displayed love to everyone, including the children. He greeted the children, rubbed his hand over them, put them on his camel when he returned from battle, and played with them. He always had time for them.
●The Prophet ﷺ had a pleasant disposition. He was always happy, smiling and easy going. [334)
When he talked he did not use foul, obscene language and he did not shout and scream. (330)
He had a very gentle, loving nature even with the slaves and the servants. He never reprimanded them or spoke harshly even if they did something wrong. (328)
He treated everyone so well that they each thought that they were the Prophet’s ﷺ best companion.(327)
In a gathering, he did not take command of the conversation but allowed it to flow naturally. Whatever the conversation was about he allowed it to continue and he also made contributions to it. (326)
He did not chip in but allowed the person to complete what he was saying. Although he did not joke excessively (334) he would laugh when everyone laughed.
Although the Prophet ﷺ was a Nabi and the leader of the people he was extremely humble and modest. Even when slaves invited him to a meal, he would accept and he would share their humble meals which were sometimes stale. (315)
He disliked being praised excessively (334) and he would insist that his companions not get up when he entered.(318)
He even did manual chores such as digging, fetching wood, mending his shoes etc. He was so modest that he did not fix his eyes onto anyone nor look them in the eyes.(341)
The Prophet ﷺ was never vengeful but instead forgave and forgot. (330)
When people treated him harshly or spoke roughly or asked him indecent questions, he exercised patience and did not retaliate. (334)
His companions (May Allah’s Blessings be upon them) say that he was the most generous person and some say that he was even more magnanimous than the winds that bring rain. (336)
Even when he did not have anything, he still gave by borrowing. The Ashabe Suffa, who numbered about 70, were like the permanent guests of the Prophet ﷺ for they depended on him for their meals. He loved having guests so much so that it is reported that this was the only time that he ate reasonably well (350)
He ate well so as not to make the guests feel uncomfortable. Whenever people gave him gifts, he would be sure to give them gifts in return. The gifts he gave were of similar value or much higher. (339)
The Prophet ﷺ was renowned to be truthful, trustworthy, fair and just.
As Muslims we must follow the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ. We therefore must strive to love the people around us, especially those that are related to us. This is the first step in “Dawah”.
By analysing the behavior of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, we conclude yet again that loving the Prophet ﷺ is a fundamental aspect of Islam. We must love him more than our parents, children and our wealth:
“Say: If it be your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates. or you kindred or the wealth that you have accumulated or the commerce in which you fear a decline or the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause then wait until Allah bring about His decision: And Allah loves not the rebellious 9:24
It is reported in Ihya that the Prophet ﷺ has said:
“Love Allah for the provisions He has given you—love me also as Allah loves me.”
Published by Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi.
Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi was founded by Dr/Hakim Hazrath Khwaja Sayed Shareef Ahmed Ali Shah RA, (lovingly known as Hazrath Poona Wale Shah Saib RA).
Author: Mohammed Hassan Gaffoor. You can contact him on WhatsApp; +27849101486
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