Aspects from Muhammed's (PBUH) life
The prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the pacemaker of all Muslims worldwide. In consequence, believer Muslims do their best to follow his steps, obey his instructions, and conform to his manners. So, shedding a light on some of prophet (PBUH) outstanding attitudes and views would also reflect some of the traits his followers (Muslims) aiming to have.
So before you continue reading this article, please put aside all the prejudice thoughts and the stereotypes that you have heard or read about the prophet of Islam and get these brief facts -that all Muslims believe in- as a neutral person.
This article shows only a few of the prophet’s attitudes toward women and children, non-Muslims, animals and his manners in war time.
The article content.
1. The prophet’s attitudes toward women and children
Woman is the most virtuous thing in the world
The prophet (PBUH) said, "The world and all things in the world are precious but the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman”. In this Hadith the prophet bestows women the prestige to be the most precious thing in the world.
Muslims are entrusted to be kind and respectful to women
Here is another wonderful hadith of the prophet (PBUH) that you will never read or hear in the main stream mass media. The prophet (PBUH) once said:
"Fear Allah regarding women. Verily you have married them with the trust of Allah and made their bodies lawful with the word of Allah. You have got (rights) over them, and they have got (rights) over you in respect of their food and clothing according to your means."
In this hadith, the prophet not only equals men and women in terms of rights and enjoined Muslim men to fear God regarding their treatment to their wives but he also makes it clear that assuring the welfare and well-being of women is among men’s duties.
The prophet’s attitude toward children
Mohammed (PBUH) gave great importance to the children from the beginning of their lives. He said “Honour your children and give them good names.”
He also encouraged parents to cherish their children and be lenient with them. He was quoted saying: "He who does not show mercy (towards his children)، no mercy would be shown to him (in the day of judgement).”
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) emphasis on treating children equally
It was narrated from Al-Nu'man (a prophet’s companion) that his father once brought him to the Prophet to bear witness to a present that he gave to him. The prophet asked his father: "Have you given all your children a present like that which you have given to him?" His father said: "No." Then the prophet said: "I will not bear witness to anything. Will it not please you if they were all to treat you with equal respect?" He said: "Of course." The prophet (PBUH) said: "Then no (I will not do it)."
2. The prophet’s manners in war time.
Before citing some of the prophet’s hadiths that show his wisdom and mercy in war times, let us take a look at these marvellous verses from the Quran:
Allah almighty says in the Quran:
“And fight in the way of God those that fight you, but do not transgress,
for indeed God does not like the transgressors”. ( 2: 190)“God does not prohibit you from showing kindness and being just with those who do not fight you nor have driven you out of your homes. Indeed, God loves those who are just”. (60: 8)
In his hadiths related to wars, the prophet (PBUH) always warns against killing the innocent, non-combatant, or old people; and against unnecessary killing of animals or harming the environment.
The Prophet (PBUH) once said to an outgoing army, “Leave in the name of God, and upon the way of his messenger. Do not kill any old person”. [Al-Bayhaqi: 16689]
He (PBUH) also said in another hadith, “Do not ever kill the people living in towers (i.e. monks). [Nayl al-Awtar: 3324]
Rabah ibn Rabee’ (a prophet companion) said that he once left in an expedition with the prophet (PBUH), who went up to Khalid ibn Walid [his general] and said “Do not kill the workers / wage earners [i.e. those workers not fighting you]”. [Ahmad: 15562]
1. 3. The prophet’s attitude toward the non-Muslims.
Being kind to non-Muslim relatives
Asma the daughter of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with her) said:
“My mother came to me while she was still a polytheist, so I asked the Messenger of Allah, ‘My mother, has come to visit me and she is hoping for (my favour). Shall I maintain good relations with her?’ He (PBUH) replied, ‘Yes, maintain good relations with your mother’”. (Al- Bukhari and Muslim)
Protecting non-Muslims’ rights
With strong words the prophet (PBUH) warned Muslims against violating the rights of non-Muslims living among Muslims.
He (PBUH) said: “Beware, if anyone wrongs a mu`ahid [i.e., a non-Muslim enjoying the protection of Muslims], or diminishes his right, or forces him to work beyond his capacity, or takes from him anything without his consent, I shall be his adversary on the Day of Judgment”. (Abu Dawud)
In another hadith, he (PBUH) warns Muslims of facing severe consequences if they kill a non-Muslim citizen. He said: “Whoever killed a mu`ahid shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of forty years (of travelling).” (Al-Bukhari)
4. The prophet’s kindness towards animals
The prophet (PBUH) discourages his companions of unnecessary animals killings. He (PBUH) was quoted saying “If someone kills a sparrow for sport, the sparrow will cry out on the Day of Judgment, “O Lord! That person killed me in vain! He did not kill me for any useful purpose.”(Sunnan Al Nasai)
His mercy on domestic animals:
If the Prophet (PBUH) saw, any animal over-burdened or ill fed he would speak mildly to the owner and say, “Fear God in your treatment of animals.”(Abu Dawood)
Caring about animals’ emotions:
The prophet (PBUH) paid attention even to animal’s emotional distress. One of his companions narrates, “We were on a journey and during the Prophet’s absence, we saw a bird with its two chicks; we took them. The mother bird was circling above us in the air, beating its wings in grief. When Prophet (PBUH) returned he said, “Who has hurt the feelings of this bird by taking its chicks? Return them to her.”(Saheeh Muslim)
Conclusion
These are just brief and a few aspects of the prophet’s(PBUH) outstanding attitudes regarding his mercy and kindness towards humankind and all creatures. Allah Almighty says in the Quran describing the prophet:
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” (21: 207)