In the month of Rabi’ Al-Awwal the Messenger of Allah, the Prophet of Guidance and Mercy (PBUH), was born. In Muslims’ creed, Prophets and Prophethood have a story, as Allah has created man in the best stature, and honored him greatly. He has charged him with the trust of religious Obligations, and has given him the elements necessary for carrying out these obligations: a universe which indicates Allah’s existence, His Oneness, His Perfection, and His Bounty; a mind, whose principles are in accordance with norms of the universe,  and which is the medium of knowledge, and the basis of responsibility; a sound nature which uncovers for man his fault; a desire which motivates man’s work;  freedom of choice which is rectified and evaluated; a power that enables man to perform things and uncovers his inner self; and an elaborated system that preserves from errors and guarantees guidance and rectitude.

Nonetheless, man may forget his mission and duty, his desire may overcome him, his caprices may overwhelm him, and he may go towards self-destruction, while he thinks that he does good deeds. But because Allah, Who has created man, has more mercy upon him than himself, He has created him for Paradise, whose width is like that of the heavens and the earth, wherein there are things that no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard of, no mind has ever imagined. Therefore, He addresses mankind, from time to time, reminding them of their mission, demonstrating their system, and warning them of the evil consequences of their carelessness and heedlessness. Since it is impossible that Allah addresses all mankind – because only a few of the elite prominent people deserve, and are able to, receive Divine Revelation directly from Allah and undertake His Address. To this effect, Allah says, “Allah did choose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of ‘Imran above all people.” [III ; 33]

For this reason, Allah All Mighty sent His Prophets and Messengers, Imams and preachers.

A Prophet cannot achieve his mission unless he is from mankind in order to communicate to them Allah’s Religion by their language “We sent not a Messenger except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to make things clear to them.”   [XIV ; 4] A Prophet cannot achieve his mission unless he enjoys all human qualities in order that his victory over his own human weakness be a good example and a pattern for all people. Through his being of a human nature, a Prophet achieves his mission of being a perfect model as well as a communicator of Divine Revelation. Hence, the Prophet’s sayings, deeds, and attributes constitute his Sunna and Tradition. Allah, Glory be to Him, addresses His Messenger (PBUH), “And you (stand) on an exalted standard of character.” [CXVIII ; 4]  He All High also says: “Were you severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you.” [III ; 159]

When the Prophet (PBUH) comes up with a creed and a system whereby he depreciates people’s aberrations and deviations, he is opposed and belied by evil people whose interests, deviations and tyranny fall in contradiction with Allah’s System. To this effect, the Koranic Verse goes, “The Unbelievers say: ‘You are not sent (by Allah).” [XCI ; 53]

Therefore, it becomes necessary that Allah testifies to all people that His Prophet or Messenger, whom He singled out for communicating His Message to mankind, is really His Messenger, and that he is truthful in what he says. Allah’s testimony to people is effected through supporting His Prophet by a miracle, or miracles, that all people are incapable of doing the like of it. Moreover, the subject of such a miracle must be related to that with which those people are distinguished, in order that a challenge comes into effect, and a proof appears.

Before the advent of Muhammad (PBUH), all miracles of Prophets were sensory and limited to certain places and times. They radiated for one time, like a matchstick, then they became mere news believed by some and disbelieved by others. While the Miracle of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the last of all  Prophets and Messengers, is permanent  and ever-lasting, because it is available at all ages and places until the Day of Resurrection. It is a rhetorical and intellectual miracle. It is the Holy Quran. The miraculous aspects of the Holy Quran are not only rhetoric and scientific but also legislative and informational.

The more science advances, the more it shows up new aspects of the miraculous nature of the Quran. Allah says: “Soon will We show them our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest for them that this is the Truth.” [XCI ; 53]

By mind, man reaches the fact that this universe inevitably has a Creator, a Sustainer, and a Wise Controller; Unique in His Essence, in His Names, in His Attributes, and in His Deeds. Through the miraculous nature of the Holy Quran man discerns by his mind that it is truly Allah’s Words. Also by mind, man discerns that the one who conveyed the miraculous Quran is Allah’s Messenger.

The Quran tells man what he cannot discern by his mind. It makes clear such important issues as the story of creating the heavens and the earth, the reality of the present world and the Hereafter, and the creation of man, where he was,  where he is going, what the purpose of his existence on earth is, what the mission which he was charged with is, and what system he should follow in order to identify himself, and to attain happiness in the present world and in the Hereafter…!

In fact, Religion consists of a mind and conveyance of Divine Revelation: a mind for knowing Allah, and for making sure of the authenticity of conveyance of Divine Revelation and understanding it; and a conveyance that manifests for the mind what it can not comprehend, and what guarantees its soundness and happiness.

The above-mentioned is a brief summary of the story of Prophets and Prophecy. But concerning the story of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it is manifested clearly by his merits, virtues, and great morals.

Ø    One of the examples of his concern with his companions, and of his modesty, is what Al-Hakem narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) entered his home, then his companions followed him until the place became full of people. So when Jarir Al-Bajli came, he did not find a place, so he sat near the door, but the Prophet (PBUH) took off his garment and gave it to him to sit on. Jarir took the garment and put it on his face, kissing it and crying; then he returned it to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: “O Messenger of Allah! I would never sit on your garment; may Allah honor you as you have honored me.” Then the Prophet (PBUH) looked right and left and said: “If a noble man came to you, then honor him.”

Also, it was narrated that ’Udai Ibn Hatem said: “I came to the Prophet (PBUH); so he gave me a pillow made of leather and filled with fibers to sit on. Then he said: “Sit on it”. I said: “You do”. He said: “Nay, you do”. So I sat on it, while the Prophet (PBUH) sat on the ground. Then I said: “I testify that you seek no haughtiness nor mischief on earth.” Then ’Udai embraced Islam.

Also Al-Baihaqi narrated in Ad-Dala`el that the delegation of An-Najashi came to the Prophet (PBUH); so he himself served them. His companions said: “O Messenger of Allah! We shall undertake the duty of serving and honoring them.” The Prophet (PBUH) said: “They honored our companions, so I would like to recompense them by myself.”

Ø    One of the aspects of  his  mercy towards creatures is what Imam Ahmad narrated that Abdullah Ibn Ja’far (may Allah be pleased with them) said: “one day the Prophet (PBUH) let me accompany him; then he entered a grove that belonged to one of Al-Ansar (the Helpers) where there was a camel. When the camel saw the Prophet (PBUH), its eyes shed tears sadly. The Prophet (PBUH) came towards it and wiped its eyes, and the camel calmed down. Then the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Who is the owner of this camel?” A young man from the Helpers came. The Prophet (PBUH) said to him: “Don’t you fear Allah with this animal which He has given you. It complained to me that you cause it to starve and tire it out.”

Ø    One of the aspects of his justice (PBUH) is what Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated that at the time of the Prophet (PBUH) a woman stole something. So her people came to Usamah Ibn Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him), who was  much beloved by the Prophet (PBUH), asking him to intercede for her. So when Usamah talked to him, the Prophet’s face was changed, and he said to Usamah: “Do you intercede for a penalty enjoined by Allah?!” Then Usamah said: “O Messenger of Allah! Ask Allah to forgive me.” In the evening, the Messenger of Allah made a speech in which he praised Allah by what He is worthy of; then he said: “What destroyed people who were before you was that when a noble one stole, they released him; but when a weak one stole, they punished him…By Him, in Whose hands is my soul! If Fatimah Bint Muhammad stole, I would cut her hand!”

Ø    One of the examples of his patience (PBUH) is what Imam Ahmad and At-Termithi narrated that Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “I was frightened for the sake of Allah, while no one feared (a thing). And I was hurt while no one was hurt. I spent thirty days and nights, while neither I nor Bilal had anything to eat except something which Bilal’s armpit could hide.”

Ø    One of the examples of his fear from Allah is that one day, he got angry with a boy, and he was holding a Siwak (a tooth-cleaning stick), so he said: “I swear by Allah that were it not for fear from retribution, I would hurt you by this Siwak!”

Ø    One of the aspects of his prestige (PBUH) is that he was possessed of great gravity and dignity. His face was as bright as a full moon. At first sight he was greatly venerated, but when accompanied  he was greatly admired and loved. One day, a man came to the Messenger of Allah; but when he saw him, the man started trembling due to the Prophet’s gravity. Upon noticing that, the Prophet (PBUH) addressed the man, “Take it easy; I am no king nor a tyrant. I am just a son of a woman from Quraish, who ate Qadid (dried meat) in Mecca.”

Ø    One of the aspects of his shyness is that he was the shyest one of people because he was the greatest one in belief. He (PBUH) said: “Shyness is of belief” he was more shy than a virgin woman in her boudoir. His shyness reached the extent that he did not face anyone with what he hated.

Ø    One of the examples of his forgiveness is forgiving Safana Bint Hatem Tai. After a battle, captives were brought before the Prophet (PBUH). A captive woman stood and said: “O Messenger of Allah! The father has died, and the helper is absent. So favor me; may Allah favor you. And release me, and do not let Arabs rejoice at my misfortune, for my father was the master of his people, he released captives, forgave offenders, protected neighbors and relatives, relieved the grieved, gave food, strived for peace, helped the tired and distressed; and no one ever came asking him anything and he turned him away…I am the daughter of Hatem Tai…” The Prophet (PBUH) said: “O young woman! These are truly the attributes of true believers.” Then he (PBUH) said: “Let her go, for her father loved high moral standards.” Then he (PBUH) said: “Have mercy on a noble man if he gets humiliated,  a rich man if he becomes poor, and a scholar if he gets lost among the ignorant.” Then she asked for his permission to supplicate: “May Allah make your good work achieve its purposes; may He not make you in need of an ignoble wicked person, and may He not deprive an honored man of a grace unless he makes you a reason for restoring it back to him”. Then she returned to her people and said to her brother ‘Udai: “Go to that man, for I found in him guidance, good qualities and rectitude. He overcomes those who overcome. Also, I saw in him qualities that delighted me. I saw him love the poor, release the captive, have mercy upon children, honor noble men; and I have not seen anyone more generous than he is. So if he is a Prophet, then the good and righteous shall have his favor; and if he is king, then one shall be in honor of his dominion.” It was said that she converted to Islam; and her brother responded to her and went to Medina thinking that he was going to meet a king. He said: “I came to Muhammad while he was in the mosque and  saluted him. He asked: “Who is the man?” I said: “’Udai Ibn Hatem”. So he invited me to his home. While we were on our way to his house, he (PBUH) was stopped by a weak old woman who stood so long telling him about something she needed. I thought to myself: “By Allah! This man is no king!” Then we went on until we entered his house. He took a pillow which was made of leather and filled with fiber and gave it to me saying: “Sit on this” I said: “No, you sit on it”. He said: “Nay, you do”. So I sat on it while he sat on the earth. Then he said to me: “O ’Udai! Maybe it is what you see of the poverty Muslims are in that prevents you from accepting this religion…I swear by Allah that wealth is about to overflow among them until there is no one to take it! And maybe it is what you see of their large number and their little equipment that prevents you from accepting this religion. I swear by Allah! You are about to hear that a woman goes out of Al-Qadisiia on her camel, and visits this House, without fear! And maybe it is because you see dominion and authority are with others that makes you refrain from accepting this religion. I swear by Allah that you are about to hear that white palaces of Babel are conquered by them, and that the treasures of Khosrau becomes theirs.” Then ’Udai converted to Islam. He lived until he saw how all the Prophet’s omens became real.[1]

May Allah be mercy with him who said in extolling praise of the Prophet (PBUH):

O you whose morals are those which sublimity adore, and to which the noble are attracted.

When you give generously, you reach the utmost by your generosity, and you do what storms cannot do.

When you forgive, you do that while you are able and powerful. Even the ignorant do not underrate your forgiveness.

When you have mercy upon someone, you are a mother and a father, such are the merciful in the present world.

When you get angry, it is an anger of right, not of rancor nor of hatred.

When you deliver a speech, pulpits shake hearts and cause men to cry.

O you who are illiterate! It is sufficient for your degree of knowledge that all scholars are indebted to you.[2]