Tuesday, February 28, 2006

A Glimpse at Prophet Muhammsd's Life (Part 2)

Some of The Prophet's teachings are as follows :

1- When he and his fellow Muslims were tortured by the non-believers in Mecca, people asked him to curse non-believers and to ask God to punish them back, but he said: "I was not sent to curse people, but I was sent as a mercy".

2- He wants people to use their heads and take responsibility of their own choices and actions, so when asked about specific private matters he replied:"You people are more knowledgeable in matters of your own lives and business than myself. But when I speak about religion, take my words".

3- In his repeated encouragement of seeking knowledge, he said: "Get knowledge, for it is your way to get closer to God. Teaching the ignorant has the award of charity. Knowledge puts its owner in the high place of honor, and it is a great complement for its holder". He also said: "Seeking knowledge is an obligation on each Muslim". He also said: "Teachers and students are partners in reward". He also said: "The knowledgeable is better than the worshiper, as much as the space is between 70 steps, each two steps are as far as the sky and earth apart." He also said: "On the day of judgment, the ink of the educated will be balanced with the blood of martyrs. The ink will weigh more".

4- During battle, he was the closest to the enemy, and his fellow Muslims said that in times of fierce war, we would find ourselves sometimes taking shelter in the Prophet, for he was always the first on the front line. We would consider ourselves brave if we stayed in line with him during battle confrontation.

5- Whenever he was given two things to choose between, he would choose the easiest, unless it was wrong, for he was the farthest from choosing evil.

6- He always kept his promises and always paid back his debts, and gave a bit more.

7- Anas, the Prophet's servant said: The Prophet was the kindest among men, the most generous, and the most courageous.

8- Anas said: I waited on the prophet for 10 years, and he never ever snapped at me or blamed me for doing or not doing something.

9- Anas said: Once a man came to the Prophet and asked him for many sheep that the Prophet had just gained, and he gave it him immediately. The man went back to his people saying: Oh people, come to Islam, for by God, Muhammad gives like he has no fear of ever being poor.

10- When it came to children, he was the most gentle and funny. They used to ride on his back as he bowed in prayer, and he waited for them to come down before moving.

11- When it came to women, he was nice and respectful. He said: "From all what is in this life, women and perfume have been brought to me as the most respectfully lovable, and prayer is the apple of my eye". He also said: "Women are siblings to men". He also said: "Treat women good, for they are your supporters". Before deciding to spend the night in prayer, he would ask for his wife's permission. He used to amuse his wives, For example, he carried his wife Aisha to enable her get a good view of some Sudanese Acrobat players. He used to race with her, joke with her, and he gave her a nick name. She used to ask him about his love for her, and he would say: "It's as firm as a knot." Then, she would occasionally ask him: "How is the knot doing?", and he would reply: "As firm as could be".

12- He used to stay up all night in prayer, till his feet get all swollen. Others would ask him to go easy on himself, for God must have forgiven him, but he would say: "Shouldn't I, then, be a grateful slave of Him?"

13- He spoke of God with great love. He would always mention Him and pray for Him. When it rained, he would be out walking happily under the rain saying that: "It has just been with God!"

14- If he had not seen someone for three days, he would ask about him. If he found him traveling he would pray for him to get back safe. If he found him in town and available he would go to him. If he found him sick, he would pay him a short visit.

15- He had very little money, and when he gained something he used to immediately give it away to those in need. This is why when he died he left no money and no will. He experienced many days of hunger. During the days when the non-believers starved him and his family, in an unsuccessful trial to make him abandon Islam, he said: "For about 30 days and nights, Bilal and I had nothing to eat except for what Bilal was able to hide under his armpit".

16- Aisha, his wife, was asked about what he did when he would be at home, and she said: "He would be helping us in the household work, till it is time for prayer, then he would go to pray".

17- When asked to do something, he would either say:"Yes", or he would just be silent. For he never said No.

18- He hated gossip, rumors, and nonsense talk, so he said: "No one speaks bad about anyone else to me".

19- He said: "He who wants God and His Prophet to love him should he say the truth, return things after safekeeping, and never to harm his neighbor".

20- He said : "The best among my people, as God has told me, are those who laugh in public in optimism of Gods mercy, and cry in secret remorse in fear of God's punishment (if they had bad deeds), those who mention God day and night in good houses (mosques), who call upon Him in desire and awe, who always raise and lower their hands asking Him for their needs, who face Him with their hearts time after time, for people care less of them and they care much for their destiny, those who walk barefoot on earth, as ants, without over-merriness or over-luxury, who walk in peace and try to be closer to God, who read the Quran, who present gifts to the poor, and wear their clothes humbly. They have guarding angles sent from God to look after them, they look at people with intelligent all-seeing eyes and they meditate on creation. Their souls are on earth but their hearts are in the afterlife. They have no concern but in what they will meet today. They have equipped themselves for what would be of actual help for them after death. They are prepared to pass and to be judged by God". Then the Prophet recited from the Quran: "For this is for those who fear Me and beware of My Promise".

21- He said : "Seven people shall be shadowed by God on the day of judgment, when there will be no shadow but His, a just leader, a young man (or woman) who grew up in obedience to God's teachings, a man (or woman) with great love of mosques so he never leaves but to be back later, two people in the love of God (who gathered in His love and departed in His love), a man (or woman) mentioned God in secret and his eyes were filled with tears of love and awe of Him, a man seduced by a women with beauty and power and he refused for the sake of God, and a man who gives secretly to the poor, so that his left hand would not know what his right hand has given away".

22- He was so humble to agree to ride a donkey, even when he went to answer the invitation of kings. He asked his followers not to stand up for him when he came in, and he sat wherever available.

23- His facial expressions: His face was always lit up with a peaceful smile, but with little laughter. He walked quickly, as if coming down hill, and always smelled of good musk. He had big black eyes, with thick eyelashes, light complexion with a bit of red cheeks, and thick black hair. He had big hands and strong muscular arms. He was moderate in height, closer to thin with wide shoulders.

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