This day I have perfected your religion for you,completed My Favor upon you and have

chosen for you Deen Islam.Qur'an 5: 3.

If one was to believe in the above Revealed Verse (5: 3) with FULL FAITH then for him/her the Path is Clear and Straight Forward. Reject anything that CONFLICTS with or CONTRADICTS the Qur'an.

Prophet Muhammad (S) was the last messenger of Allah. History shows that he was known to be

truthful and trustworthy even before he received the divine inspiration and became the Messenger of

Allah. His actions, decisions, relaying the Divine Revelation, method of inviting people to the straight

path and implementing injunctions received from Allah, the Most Wise, are evidence of his absolute

honesty, piety and spirituality.

As Muslims, our belief in Islam is not complete until we obey Allah and His Prophet (s). Allah

commands us to do so in the same verse in the Quran:

“And obey Allah and the messenger (Muhammad (S))… (Quran, Surah Al-Maeda:92)

Allah also told us about the excellence of the prophet’s (s) character in the following verse:

“And Verily. for you (Muhammad (S)) are on an exalted (standard of) character” (Quran,

Surah Al-Qalam:4).

However, we are also not to elevate the prophet (s) to a level beyond the standard that Allah set for

him and we are not to overstep the mark with regard to what the Quran states about the message

and humanity of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). For example, it is not

permissible to describe the prophet (s) (as many mistakenly do) as being noor (light) or as casting

no shadow, or to say that he was created from light. Rather this is a kind of exaggeration which the

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade when he said:

“Do not exaggerate about me as was exaggerated about ‘Eesa ibn Maryam. Say: the slave of

Allah and His Messenger.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6830.)

The following paragraphs highlight some of the Quranic verses where Allah clarifies the role of the

prophet (s).

The Prophet was sent as a mercy to all mankind

We have only sent you as a mercy to the worlds (Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 107)

The Prophet was sent as a messenger and a warner

 

“O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger

(Muhammad SAW) making (things) clear unto you, after a break in (the series of) Messengers,

lest you say: “There came unto us no bringer of glad tidings and no warner.” But now has

come unto you a bringer of glad tidings and a warner. And Allah is Able to do all things.

(Quran, Surah Al-Maida:19)”

Only Allah knows the unseen and decides how much to reveal to His messengers

“(He Alone) the All-Knower of the Ghaib (unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghaib

(unseen).”   

Except to a Messenger (from mankind) whom He has chosen (He informs him of unseen

as much as He likes), and then He makes a band of watching guards (angels) to march

before him and behind him. Quran (Surah Al-Jinn:27)”

The Prophet (s) did not have the power to guide anyone – He was only a messenger

Allah says in the Quran:

“Indeed, (O Muhammad), you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills.

(Quran, Surah Qasas, Verse 56)”

The prophet’s words were a reminder for all mankind

And verily, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes through

hatred when they hear the Reminder (the Quran), and they say: “Verily, he (Muhammad

SAW) is a madman!”

But it is nothing else than a Reminder to all the Alameen (mankind, jinns and all that

exists). (Quran, Surah Al-Qalam:51-52)”

The Prophet (s) never forged any of Allah’s message

And if he (Muhammad SAW) had forged a false saying concerning Us (Allah),   

We surely should have seized him by his right hand (or with power and might),   

And then certainly should have cut off his life artery (Aorta),   

And none of you could withhold Us from (punishing) him. (Quran, Surah Al-Haqqah:44-

47)

Allah also states that it is not up to the Prophet (s) to change Allah’s words in this verse.

“And when Our Clear Verses are recited unto them, those who hope not for their meeting with

Us, say: Bring us a Quran other than this, or change it.”Say (O Muhammad SAW): “It is not

for me to change it on my own accord; I only follow that which is revealed unto me. Verily, I

fear if I were to disobey my Lord, the torment of the Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).

(Quran, Surah Yunus:15).

The Prophet (s) did not claim to know anything more than what Allah had taught him

This is made clear when Allah says in the Quran,

“Say (O Muhammad SAW): “I don’t tell you that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor (that) I

know the unseen; nor I tell you that I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me by

inspiration. Say: Are the blind and the one who sees equal? Will you not then take

thought? (Quran, Surah Al An’aam, 50)”

The Prophet (s) had no power to pardon anyone

“Not for you (O Muhammad (S), but for Allah) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy to

(pardons) them or punishes them…” (Quran, Surah Aal-e-Imran:128).

Allah’s direct command to the prophet (s) about conveying Allah’s message

In fact, we see the Quran’s (Allah’s) stern message when reminding the prophet (s) of his

responsibilities. Allah says in the Quran:

“O Messenger (Muhammad SAW)! Proclaim (the Message) which has been sent down to you

from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not conveyed His Message. Allah will

protect you from mankind. Verily, Allah guides not the people who disbelieve” (Quran, Surah

Al-Maeda:67).

Abdullah Ibn Amar says: “The Messenger of Allah (p. b. u. h.) was neither ill-mannered nor rude. He used to say that the better people among you are those who are best in their moral character.” (Bukhari)

Anas says: “I served the holy Prophet for ten years. He never said ‘Uf (expressing dissatisfaction), nor did he ever ask me why I did this or did not do that(Muslim)

It is also reported by him: “My mother used to hold the Prophet’s hand and used to take him wherever she wanted. If any person used to come before him and shake his hand, the Prophet never used to draw away his hand from the other person’s hands till the latter drew away his hands, and he never used to turn away his face from that person till the latter himself turned away his face. And in the meetings he was never seen squatting in such a way that his knees were protruding further than his fellow-squatters.” (Tirmizi)Hazrat Ayesha says: ” If there were two alternatives, the holy Prophet used to adopt the easiest alternative, provided there was no sin in it. If that work were sinful, then he used to run away farthest from it. The prophet did not take any personal revenge from any body. Yes, if Allah’s command were to be disobeyed, then his wrath was to be stirred. Allah’s Messenger did not beat anybody with his own hands, neither his wife nor a servant. Yes, he used to fight in the wars in the cause of Allah.” (Muslim)

Hazrat Ayesha has reported that Allah’s Messenger has said: “Allah is soft-hearted. He likes soft heartedness. And the reward which He gives for soft-heartedness does not give for hardness, nay, such a reward He does not give for any thing.” (Muslim)

In another tradition it is stated: “Softness in whichever thing it may be, will make that thing beautiful. And from whichever thing softness is taken out, it will become ugly.” Jarir narrates that the Prophet has said: “The reward which Allah gives for soft-heartedness He does not give it for folly; and when Allah makes any slave His

favourite, He gives him softness. Those families that are devoid of softness become deprived of every virtue.” (Tibrani)

Abdullah bin Harith has reported that he did not see anybody smiling more than the Messenger of Allah. (Tirmizi)

Hazrat Ayesha was asked what did Prophet do at home? She replied:” He used to be in the service of his home people; and when the time of prayer came he used to perform ablutions and go out for prayer.” (Muslim)

In the Qur’an, the Prophet is addressed directly, “Truly, you are of tremendous character.” [Qur’an,

68.4] This Qur’anic verse intrigued Muslim scholars, early and late, especially the Qur’anic exegetes and

the masters of the spiritual path, especially as the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him

peace) himself emphasized that, “I was only sent to perfect noble character,”[Ahmad] and said, “The

believers most perfect in faith are those best in character.” [Tirmidhi]

What is good character?

Good character, Ghazali explains in his Ihya’, is an inward disposition that causes one to incline towards

praiseworthy inward traits and praiseworthy outward actions.

How is good character manifest?

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali and others relate that the sum of Prophetic teachings is that good character is

manifest in five matters:

(1) Fulfilling the rights of others

(2) Avoiding hurting or harming others

(3) Being cheerful and positive in one’s dealing with others

(4) Recognizing the good of others and reciprocating

(5) Responding to the wrong of others with nothing but the good.

These five manifestations of good character don’t only summarize the Prophetic teachings on good

character, but they also summarize the Prophet Muhammad’s own character and conduct.

First. As for fulfilling the rights of others, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)

emphasized that, “Give everyone who has a right their due right,” [Bukhari] and he warned against non-

fulfillment of others’ rights, “Injustice shall become manifold darkness on the Day of Judgment.” [Bukhari]

Second. Avoiding hurting or harming others is a corollary of fulfilling the rights of others. However,

sometimes one can fulfill others’ rights in ways that hurt them; or we follow the follow the fulfillment of

rights with hurtful reminders; or strive to fulfill rights, without considering how others feel or may consider

our efforts. 

Anas has narrated: “I was walking with the Prophet. He had wrapped a thick chadar round his body. One Arab pulled the chadar so forcefully that a part of his shoulder could be seen by me, and I was perturbed by this forceful pulling of the chadar. The Arab then said: ‘0 Muhammed! Give me some of my share from the property which Allah has given you.’ The Prophet turned towards him and laughed, and gave orders for a donation being given to him.” (Bukhari)

Third. Being cheerful and positive in one’s dealings with others. The Prophet is described as always

having been full of concern, yet he was always cheerful.

Fourth. Recognizing the good of others entails not only thanking and reciprocating those who do

obvious acts of good to one, but to reflect, consider, and appreciate the less-obvious (but significant)

good that countless people to for one–both directly and indirectly. We owe our very lives to our parents.

When did we last thank them? Our teachers, whether at school or university, have taught us so much.

When did we last thank them? The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) cautioned that,

“Whoever is not thankful to people is not thankful to God.” [Ahmad, Tirmidhi, and Abu Dawud]

Fifth. The greatest test of character is responding to the wrong of others with nothing but the good.

This tests one’s character because one’s personal urge would customarily be to reciprocate; and one’s

negative urge would be to affirm oneself. However, the way of Prophets is to respond with nothing but the

good.

Upon Entering Mecca, Victorious 

When the Prophet Muhamamad (peace and blessings be upon him) entered Mecca as a victor, people

expected that he would seek revenge two decades of opposition, wrong, and injustice from his people.

The Meccans were fearful, and some hastened to declare that, “Today is a day of slaughter.” The Prophet

responded that, instead, “Today is a day of righteousness and loyalty,” and he forgave them in public

address, saying, “I say to you today as Joseph said to his brothers,’There is no blame on you today. May

God forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of the merciful.’ [Qur’an, 12.92] Go! For you are free.”

[Salihi, Subul al-Huda wa’l Rashad]

A bedouin once came to the Prophet, seeking some money. Without introduction or greetings, he said,

“Muhammad! Give me, for you’re not giving me from your money or your father’s money.”

Despite the man’s rudeness, the Prophet gave him, and asked, “Have I pleased you?” The bedouin

replied, “No, and you haven’t done me good.”

The Muslims who were standing around them were angered and surrounded the bedouin. The Prophet

signaled for them to restrain, and he entered his house.

He asked for the bedouin to be invited in. When he entered, the Prophet gave him some money, and

asked, “Are you pleased?” He replied, “No.” The Prophet gave him more, and asked, “Are you pleased?”

The bedouin responded, “Yes, we are pleased.”

The Prophet told him, “You came to us and asked us. We gave you, and then you said what you said. As

a result, there is something in the hearts of the Muslims regarding that. If you were to say in front of them

what you said to me, that might remove those feelings from their hearts.” The man agreed, and

mentioned the Prophet with praise and thanked him in front of the Prophet’s Companions. [Salihi, Subul

al-Huda wa’l Rashad]

The Prophet was unaffected by the man’s words. His concern was for the good of the man himself and

the feelings of his Companions. Why? This returns to the understanding why the Prophet character was

described as being “tremendous” in the Qur’an.

Imam Junayd al-Baghdadi, one of the foremost authorities of Islamic spirituality (tasawwuf) and others

have explained that, “The Prophet’s character was termed tremendous because his concern was for God

alone.” [Qurtubi, Jami Ahkam al-Qur’an] What moved the Prophet was the pursuit of His Lord’s pleasure,

both in acting and in responding.

This was manifest in small matters, too. Once a woman brought a baby for the Prophet to bless him. The

Prophet placed him on his chest, and the child urinated. The mother reached out for the child, anxious.

The Prophet signalled to let the child finish first. After that, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon

him) calmly rinsed the area lightly. He didn’t want to alarm the child, nor make the mother feel bad.

It is also related that though he was the busiest of people, young girls in Medina would take the Prophet’s

hand and would take him wherever they went–and he wouldn’t let go of their hand until they let go of his.

[Bukhari, Sahih]

Lessons in Mercy

We see from this that the Prophetic example is nothing but a manifestation of mercy. And any

understanding of religion lacking in mercy is lacking in true understanding. After all, the Prophet

Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) having been, “sent only as a mercy to all creation.”

[Qur’an, 21.107] The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself emphasized that, “I was only

sent as a gift of Mercy.” [Bazzar and Tabarani]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) explained, too, that, “The merciful are shown mercy by

the All-Merciful. Be merciful to those on earth and the Lord of the Heavens will be merciful to you.”

[Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud, from Abd Allah ibn Amr; rigorously authentic] It is a sign of the way of

traditional Islamic scholarship that this is the first Hadith (Prophetic teaching) traditionally conveyed by a

scholar to their students.

This mercy, manifest in good character in one’s dealings with people, is the test and barometer of faith.

After all, “The believers most perfect in faith are those best in character,” as the Prophet affirmed.

[Tirmidhi]

It once happened that some non-Muslims greeted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with an

insult. His wife, A’isha, insulted them back. But the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not.

Rather, he simply replied, “And upon you,” which is the standard reply to the greeting of, “Peace be upon

you.” Then, he said to his dear wife, “A’isha! Allah is gentle and loves gentleness in all matters.” [Bukhari,

from Ai’sha] And he also taught that, “Gentleness is not found in anything except that it makes it beautiful;

and gentleness is not taken out of anything except that is makes it ugly.” [Muslim and others, also from

A’isha]

The Key to All Relations 

The Prophet made clear that the key to all relationships is upholding good character and maintaining it,

even when tested. He said, “Deal with people on the basis of good character,” [Tirmidhi] and affirmed

that, “Forbearance is the very best of character.”

Forbearance is for one not to be moved by anger or negative emotion–but to make one’s response based

on reason and (for a believer) Revelation. Forbearance is, ultimately, intelligence, as it is the capacity to

respond in the best of ways to each situation.

This restraint and concern for excellence and the greater good that underly excellence of character–and

that made the Prophet Muhammad’s character “tremendous”–are virtues each of us would do well to

strive for in our own lives and relationships, both as individuals and communities.

—

http://seekershub.org/blog/2010/07/why-is-the-prophet%E2%80%99s-character-described-as-being-tremendous-faraz-rabbani/