spoke loudly or in an unseemly manner.In the market, he always passed
by the people quietly with a smile. Whenever he heard anything
undesirable in an assembly, he did not say anythingout of respect for
the people, butthe color of his face showed his feelings and the
Companions became cautious. `Aa'ishahsaid that she never saw Allaah's
Messengerlaughing so that she could see his molar teeth, forhe only
used to smile.
`Abdullaah Ibn Maslamahreported Allaah's Messengeras saying:"Modesty
is a part of the teachings of the previous prophets and anyone who
lacks itis most likely to do whatever he likes."Zaydreported Allaah's
Messengeras saying:"Every religion has a character and the character
of Islam is modesty."
The Messenger of Allaahlived a simple and modest life, both in Makkah
as a trader before his prophethood, and in Al-Madeenah as the head of
the State after being appointed Allaah's Messenger. The change inhis
social status from that of a trader in Makkah to the head of the State
in Al-Madeenah did not bring any change in his modest living.
`Umarreported the Prophetas saying:"Do not exalt me as the Christians
have exalted Jesus, son of Mary. I am just His servant, so call me
Allaah's Servant and Messenger."
The Prophetdid not behave towards others as if he was better than they
were, nor did hespurn manual work. `Abdullaah bin Abi `Awfareported
that the Prophet of Allaahnever disdained to go with a slave or a
widow to accomplish his or her tasks. Others reported that the
Prophetused to tidy up his house, tie the camels, feed the animals,
take food with his servants, and help them in kneading dough and
bringing provisions from the market. Anasreported that the Prophet of
Allaahused to visit the sick, attend funerals, ride on a donkey and
accept a slave's invitation for a meal. Jaabirstated that
theProphetused to slow down his pace for the sake of the weak and also
prayed for them.
When `Adiyy bin Haatimcameto see the Prophethe called him inside his
house. A maidservant brought a cushion to rest on, but the
Prophetplaced it between him and `Adiyyand sat down on the floor.
`Adiyy later said that he had then immediately realized that the
Prophetwas not a king. A similar incident was reported by `Abdullaah
bin `Amr bin Al-`Aaswho said: "Once when the Messenger of Allaahcame
to my house, I gave him a cushion filled with bark, but he sat down on
the floor placing the cushion between me and him."
Prophet Muhammadwas humble in all things. Anassaid that the
Prophetwould accept an invitation even if he was presented barley
bread and soup whose taste had changed. He also reported the Prophetas
saying:"I am Allaah's servant, Ieat like a servant and sit like a
servant.''
On one of his journeys, the Prophet,asked his companions to roast a
goat. One said that he would slaughter the animal; another said that
he would skin it, while a third said that he would cook it. The
Prophetthen said that he would collect wood for fuel. Theirresponse
was: "O Messenger of Allaah! We will do everything." The Prophetthen
said:"I haveno doubt that you will. But I do not like distinctions to
be made, nor does Allaah like any one of His servants to assert his
superiority over his companions."
His self-deprecation was such that heonce said: "By Allaah, I do not
know, even although I am Allaah's messenger, what my fate in the next
world will be, nordo I know what yours will be."
Abu Tharr Al-Ghifaarinarratesthat one day he was sitting with another
companion of black complexion whom he addressed as: "O black man."
When the Prophetheard of this, he was greatly displeased and cautioned
Abu Tharr never to make scornfulremarks to anyone, whoever he might
be, and to accord equal treatment to all, adding: "No white man has
any superiority over a black man."
The Prophetonce saw a wealthy Muslim gathering up his loose garments
so that a certain distance would be kept between himself and a poor
Muslim sittingclose by. Heremarked:"Do you fear that his poverty will
cling to you?"
The Prophetlived like any ordinary person, and did not assume any
superior rights. He once had to borrow some moneyfrom a Jew called
Zayd bin Sana'a.The Jew came to demand the immediate return of the
loan a few days before the expiry of the stipulated period. Tugging at
the mantle around the Prophet's shoulders, he jibed that the progeny
of 'Abd Al-Muttalib were always defaulters.
`Umarnot being able to tolerate this misbehavior on the part of the
Jew, started berating him, and was on the point of beating him when
the Prophetsaid to the Jew, smiling:"There are still three days to go
before the promise has to be fulfilled."To 'Umarhesaid:"We might have
had better treatment from you. You could have advised me to be more
careful about the return of loans and you could have advised the Jew
to be more courteous in demanding repayment."Hethen requested 'Umarto
get some dates so that the loan could be repaid, and to give the Jew
an extra forty kilograms for the rebuke he had been given.
We can say that humbleness is seen in every sphere of the Prophet's
life. His way of talking, walking, sitting, eating and every aspect of
his life reflected humbleness.
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