Virtues of Prophet Muhammad
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Highlighting the Virtues of the Noble Prophet
Many scholars and jurists have authored books discussing the virtues and characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - due to the abundant excellence and generosity in his biography. Among these virtues are:
God's Favor upon the Prophet
Below is an explanation of God's favor upon the Prophet (peace be upon him):
- Obedience to the Prophet is Obedience to God: God Almighty made obedience to the Prophet (peace be upon him) a part of obedience to Him, which is a great honor. He made the Prophet's obedience a criterion for His love, as stated in the Qur'an: "Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you'" (Qur'an 3:31).
- The Prophet as a Mercy to Mankind: God sent the Prophet as a mercy to all people, as mentioned in the Qur'an: "And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds" (Qur'an 21:107). This mercy encompasses both humans and jinn, believers who are guided, hypocrites who are protected from being killed in this world, and disbelievers whose punishment is deferred until the Day of Judgment.
- The Prophet Described as Light: God described Muhammad (peace be upon him) as light in several places in the Qur'an, such as: "There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book" (Qur'an 5:15). He is described this way because he guided people and brought them out of darkness into light.
- Purification of the Prophet's Heart: God purified the Prophet's heart from disbelief and impurities, filled it with the light of Islam, and forgave his past and future sins. He made him a prophet, a light, a guide, and endowed him with wisdom and the Book. God also elevated his mention among people.
- The Prophet as a Witness: In numerous Qur'anic verses, God described the Prophet as a witness, meaning he will testify over people on the Day of Judgment. This title elevates his status and honors him. It also honors his ummah (community), who are made witnesses over people. As stated in the Qur'an: "Indeed, We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner" (Qur'an 33:45).
- God's Gentle Address to the Prophet: In the Qur'an, God addresses the Prophet with tenderness and compassion, using phrases like "O Prophet" or "O Messenger" instead of his name directly, as He did with other prophets.
- God's Oath by the Prophet's Life: God swore by the life of the Prophet, an honor not given to any other human, as in the verse: "By your life, [O Muhammad], indeed they were, in their intoxication, wandering blindly" (Qur'an 15:72).
- The Blessed City: God blessed the city where the Prophet lived, as stated: "I swear by this city (Makkah), and you are free of restriction in this city" (Qur'an 90:1-2). This oath signifies the Prophet’s great status and promises him satisfaction: "And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied" (Qur'an 93:5).
- Protection from Harm: God promised to protect the Prophet from harm and to deal with those who caused him distress, as in the verse cursing Abu Lahab: "May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined, and ruined is he" (Qur'an 111:1).
- The Prophet's Covenant with Other Prophets: God distinguished the Prophet Muhammad by taking a covenant from all other prophets to believe in and support him, as mentioned: "And [recall, O People of the Scripture], when Allah took the covenant of the prophets, [saying], 'Whatever I give you of the Scripture and wisdom and then there comes to you a messenger confirming what is with you, you [must] believe in him and support him'" (Qur'an 3:81). Additionally, God withheld punishment from disbelievers while the Prophet was among them: "But Allah would not punish them while you are among them" (Qur'an 8:33).
- The Prophet as God’s Beloved: The Prophet Muhammad is known as God's beloved. He stated, "Beware! I have no intimate friend (from mankind); if I were to take an intimate friend, I would have taken Abu Bakr, but your companion is the intimate friend of Allah" (Sahih Muslim). This special relationship is shared only with the Prophet Ibrahim.
These points highlight the unique status and virtues bestowed upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by God Almighty.
Virtues of the Prophet in the Hereafter
Below are the virtues of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the Hereafter:
- First to Rise from the Grave and Awaken from the Trumpet Blast: The Prophet will be the first person for whom the earth will split open and who will awaken from the trumpet blast. He said: "Do not prefer me over Moses, for people will faint on the Day of Resurrection and I will be the first to regain consciousness" (Sahih al-Bukhari 4623).
- Honored with the Call and Cloak: The Prophet will be called by his name and clothed in a cloak, one of the finest garments of Paradise.
- Holder of the Praised Station (Maqam Mahmood): The Prophet will be granted the Praised Station on the Day of Judgment, as mentioned: "It is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station" (Qur'an 17:79). He will hold the banner of praise, and all creation from Adam onward will gather under it. He will lead and address the prophets and be their leader on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet said: "I am the leader of the children of Adam on the Day of Judgment, and I am not boasting. I will hold the banner of praise, and I am not boasting" (Sahih Muslim 2278a).
- First to be Granted Permission to Prostrate: The Prophet will be the first to be allowed to prostrate before God on the Day of Judgment. He said: "I am the first for whom the earth will be split open on the Day of Resurrection, and I am not boasting" (Sahih Muslim 2278a).
- First to Intercede and Have Intercession Accepted: The Prophet will be the first to intercede for humanity and have his intercession accepted. He stated: "I am the leader of the children of Adam on the Day of Judgment, and I am not boasting. I will be the first for whom the earth will be split open, and I am not boasting. I will be the first to intercede and the first whose intercession will be accepted" (Sahih Muslim 2278a). His intercession includes various types, such as starting the reckoning, easing the situation for groups of people, and facilitating the entry of certain individuals into Paradise without being held accountable. He will also intercede for people to be taken out of Hell and for others to be elevated in rank in Paradise.
- First to Walk Across the Bridge (As-Sirat): The Prophet will be the first to walk across the bridge over Hell (As-Sirat), and he will hold a light on the Day of Judgment. He will be the first to knock on the gate of Paradise, and it will be opened for him, and he will be the first to enter it, followed by his followers.
- River in Paradise (Al-Kawthar): The Prophet has a river in Paradise called Al-Kawthar, from which people will drink. This is mentioned in the Qur'an: "Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], Al-Kawthar" (Qur'an 108:1). His followers will have distinguishing features among other nations, being called the People of the Qibla and being a balanced nation as mentioned: "And thus We have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you" (Qur'an 2:143). They are known for praising God in all circumstances, glorifying and magnifying Him. Their testimony is accepted over other nations, unlike the opposite, and among his followers is one whose death caused the Throne of the Most Merciful to shake.
- Highest Rank in Paradise (Al-Wasilah): The Prophet will have the highest rank in Paradise, known as Al-Wasilah. He encouraged his followers to ask God for this rank for him: "Ask Allah to grant me Al-Wasilah, for it is a rank in Paradise that only one servant of Allah will be granted, and I hope that I will be that one" (Sahih Muslim 384). The area between his house and his pulpit is considered a garden from the gardens of Paradise: "The area between my house and my pulpit is one of the gardens of Paradise" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1196). His lineage will be the only one that remains connected on the Day of Judgment, as he said: "Every lineage and relationship will be cut off on the Day of Judgment except my lineage and my relationships" (Musnad Ahmad 11165).
These points highlight the exceptional virtues and honors bestowed upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the Hereafter.
Additional Virtues of the Prophet
- Sent Among the Arabs: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent among the Arabs, with familial connections to every tribe. He belonged to the noblest lineage and held the highest status among the Arabs.
- Closer to Believers than Themselves: The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves. This means that his commands and requests precede personal desires and inclinations. God says: "The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves" (Qur'an 33:6). Therefore, his obedience is prioritized over personal preferences.
- Respectful Address: God commanded the Muslims not to address the Prophet by his name directly, unlike how they would address each other. Instead, they should address him with titles of prophethood or messengerhood. This is mentioned in the verse: "Do not make your calling of the Messenger among yourselves as the call of one of you to another" (Qur'an 24:63). While previous prophets had to defend themselves against their people's accusations, God Himself defended the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), keeping him free from whims, evil, and mistakes.
- Association of the Prophet’s Name with God’s: God has associated the Prophet's name with His own as an honor in many legal and other matters. For example: "And they resented them only because Allah and His Messenger had enriched them of His bounty" (Qur'an 9:74). God chose the Prophet from the Quraysh tribe, who were themselves chosen from the Arabs, descending from the lineage of Ibrahim (Abraham). This honor includes the Prophet's many names mentioned in the hadith: "I have several names: I am Muhammad, I am Ahmad, I am Al-Mahi through whom Allah will eliminate disbelief, I am Al-Hashir who will be the first to be resurrected, and I am also Al-Aqib (i.e., the final prophet)" (Sahih Muslim 2354a) .
These virtues highlight the exceptional status and honor God Almighty bestowed upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Character of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reached the pinnacle of moral excellence. God Himself nurtured and perfected his character, making his morals the noblest and most exemplary. Even before prophethood, he was known as "the truthful and trustworthy," embodying noble and excellent character traits. In Islam, he displayed the finest innate qualities and the best of character. Here are some characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad:
- Brave, Generous, and Diligent in Worship: The Prophet was courageous, generous, and dedicated to worship.
- Just, Compassionate, and Humble Before God: He was just and compassionate, always reverent and submissive to God's commands.
- Angry for God's Sake, Not for Himself: He would become angry for the sake of God but never for personal reasons.
- Serving His Household: He would help his family with household chores, milk his own sheep, and mend his own sandals.
- Humble with Everyone: He was humble towards all people, accepting invitations from both the wealthy and the poor. He would attend to the needs of women and children, participate in funeral processions, show kindness to children, accept gifts, and ride animals like donkeys, mules, and horses. He would eat whatever was available to others.
Specific Traits of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
- Generosity and Charity: His generosity was unparalleled. He gave with the heart of one who fears no poverty, showed kindness to the poor, and won people's hearts over to Islam through his generosity.
- Humility: He was approachable, listened to people, responded to their invitations, visited the sick, greeted children and women, and chose servitude over kingship.
- Mercy: His mercy was evident in his gentleness, compassion, and empathy. He was lenient and considerate, reducing burdens for his community, as illustrated by his saying: "If it were not for fear of imposing hardship on my community, I would have commanded them to use the miswak at every prayer" (Sahih Muslim 252).
- Forgiveness: The Prophet was forgiving and forbearing, rarely resorting to punishment. He controlled his anger and restrained himself from retaliating.
- Counsel and Advice: He frequently advised and counseled people, inviting them to Islam despite facing great hardship and adversity, particularly in Mecca and Taif.
- Strength and Courage: The Prophet was strong, brave, and a skilled warrior. His strength was evident in various forms: faith, resilience, and physical prowess. He would lead his troops in battle, even enduring injuries like the breaking of his molar in one such encounter.
These qualities showcase the profound and multifaceted character of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), setting a timeless example for humanity.
