Al Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I asked my father how the Prophet (peace be upon him) behaved in his sittings, and he said, ‘the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) never got up or sat down without mentioning the name of Allah. He forbade designating a certain spot to a person so that he would consider it as his own.
He sat wherever he found a spot. He also ordered others to do the same, when they entered a sitting. He divided his time equally and justly among his companions who sat with him. The one who sat with the Prophet (peace be upon him) would think that he was the most important and beloved individual to him. If a person came asking him for a certain need, he would not rush him, rather he would allow the person to complete his request and leave at his own accord. The Prophet (peace be upon him) would not return one who asked for empty-handed; he would even say nice words to him if he was not able to fulfill his request. He had an open heart and an open mind. He was considered like a kind and caring father to everyone; all people were to him equal. His sittings were sittings of knowledge, perseverance, patience, modesty, and trust. No one would raise his voice in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). No one talked evil about another in his presence either. Those in the sitting treated each other in a humble manner, and they respected the elderly and were merciful to the young and they respected the stranger.”
He said: “I asked my father how the Prophet (peace be upon him) spent his time in his house, and how he divided his time.” His father replied: “He divided his time in to three portions: One for the sake of Allah, the other for his family, and the third he divided between himself and the people. He did not conceal any advice or guidance from any of them. He would spend the portion he allotted for his Ummah by attending to the needs of the people according to their religious status and needs. He would busy these people by teaching them that which would benefit them and their Ummah, and by informing them of what they needed. He would say to them: ‘Let those who are present convey (what they have learned) to those who are absent, and inform me of the needs of those who cannot attend our sitting.Abu Qatadah said, The Messenger of Allah performed salah (prayer) while he was carrying a young girl named Umaamah, daughter of Abul-Aas. When he bowed, he put her on the ground, and when he stood up, he would carry her again. (Bukhari)
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), said: “The trait and characteristic which the Prophet (peace be upon him) hated most was lying. A man would tell a lie in the presence of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and he would hold it against him, until he knew that he repented.” (Tirmidhi)
Even his enemies attested to his truthfulness. Abu Jahl, who was of the harshest enemies, said: “O Muhammad! I do not say that you are a liar! I only deny what you brought and what you call people to.” Allah, the Exalted, says: “We know indeed that what they say certainly, grieves you, but surely they do not call you a liar; but the unjust deny the verses of Allah.” (6:33)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was well known for his honesty. The pagans of Makkah, who were openly hostile toward him, would leave their valuables with him. His honesty and loyalty were tested when the pagans of Makkah abused him and tortured his Companions and drove them out of their homes. He ordered his cousin, Ali bin Abi Talib, (may Allah be pleased with him), to postpone his migration for three days to return to the people their valuables. [Ibn Hisham’s Biography, Vol. 1, p.493 Arabic Edition).
Another example of his honesty and loyalty is demonstrated in the Truce of Hudaybiyah, wherein he agreed to the article in the treaty which stated that any man who left the Prophet (peace be upon him) would not be returned to him, and any man who left Makkah would be returned to them. Before the treaty was concluded a man, Abu Jandal bin Amr had managed to escape from the pagans of Makkah and rushed to join Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The pagans asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) to honor his pledge and return the escapee. The messenger of Allah said: “O Abu Jandal! Be patient and ask Allah to grant you patience. Allah will surely help you and those who are persecuted and make it easy for you. We have signed an agreement with them, and we certainly do not betray or act treacherously.’ (Baihaqi)
The Messenger of Allah was merciful, compassionate, bashful, modest, and humble. He was so humble that if a stranger were to enter the masjid and approach the Prophet’s sitting place and he was sitting with his companions one would not be able to distinguish him from his companions.The Messenger of Allah hoped for goodness even for his enemies. Aisha, the mother of the believers (may Allah be pleased with her), said: “I asked the Messenger of Allah, ‘Did you face a day harder and more intense than the Battle of Uhud?’ He replied: I suffered a lot from your people! The worst I suffered was on the Day of Al-Aqabah when I spoke to Ali bin Abd Yaleel bin Abd Kiaal (in order to support me) but he disappointed me and left me. I left the area while I was quite worried, and walked. When I reached an area called Qarn-ath-Tha’alib, I raised my head to the sky and noticed a cloud that shaded me.
Angel Jibril (may Allah be pleased with him) called me and said: ‘O Muhammad! Allah, the Exalted has heard what your people have said to you, and has sent the Angel in charge of the mountains, so you can command him to do what you please.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘The Angel in command of the mountains called me saying: May Allah exalt your mention and render you safe from every derogatory thing! O Muhammad, I will do whatever you command me to do. If you like I can bring the Akshabain mountains together and crush them all.’ The Messenger of Allah said: ‘It may be that Allah raises from among them a progeny who worship Allah alone and associates no partners with Him’.” (Bukhari)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) would always undertake deeds through which he would seek the pleasure of Allah. He was harmed and abused when he invited and called people to Islam. He was patient and he endured all of this, and hoped for the reward of Allah, the Exalted. Abdullah bin Masood, (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “It is as though I am looking at the Prophet (peace be upon him) talking about a Prophet who was hurt by his people. He wiped the blood from his face and said: ‘O Allah! Forgive my people, for they know not’!” (Bukhari)
