Prophetic characteristics

Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) recalls that he visited the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) while he was in pain from acute sickness. He stretched out his hand and said: "O Messenger of Allah, you are severely sick." The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed him that his sickness is as severe as the sickness of two men among them so that he would achieve the highest degree of patience.

بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، تأليف سليم الهلالي، دار ابن الجوزي. تطريز رياض الصالحين، تأليف فيصل آل مبارك، تحقيق د. عبدالعزيز آل حمد، دار العاصمة، الرياض، الطبعة الأولى، 1423هـ. رياض الصالحين من كلام سيد المرسلين، للإمام أبي زكريا النووي، تحقيق د. ماهر الفحل، دار ابن كثير، دمشق، الطبعة الأولى، 1428هـ. شرح رياض الصالحين، للشيخ محمد بن صالح العثيمين، مدار الوطن - الرياض، 1426هـ. صحيح البخاري، للإمام أبي عبدالله محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري، عناية محمد زهير الناصر، دار طوق النجاة، الطبعة الأولى، 1422هـ. صحيح مسلم، للإمام مسلم بن الحجاج، حققه ورقمه محمد فؤاد عبدالباقي، دار عالم الكتب - الرياض، الطبعة الأولى، 1417هـ. كنوز رياض الصالحين، فريق علمي برئاسة أ.د. حمد العمار، دار كنوز إشبيليا -الرياض، الطبعة الأولى، 1430هـ. نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، تأليف د. مصطفى الخِن وغيره، مؤسسة الرسالة - بيروت، الطبعة الرابعة عشر، 1407هـ.

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) was with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in one of his battles. He was riding a camel that became too fatigued to keep up with the rest of the army. Jābir decided to release it and let it run away, given its lack of usefulness. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) out of his mercy towards his Companions and followers, used to walk at the rear of the army, so as to care for those who are weak, helpless, or stranded. So, he reached Jābir while he was still on his exhausted camel. He supplicated for him and tapped his camel. Thereupon, his mild and merciful strike turned into power and support for the weak animal, and it started to walk faster and more vigorously than ever before. Then, seeking to make Jābir pleased and content and to engage him in a talk that would make the journey easier for him, the kind and gentle Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: “Sell it to me for an ounce.” Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) desired more of the bounty of Allah, knowing that he would not be sinful if he refused to sell the camel to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) as this does not fall under the obligatory obedience to him. Nonetheless, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) repeated his request, and so Jābir sold it to him for an ounce on condition that he should ride it back to Madīnah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) accepted his condition. When they arrived, Jābir took the camel to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and gave it to him for the price they had agreed upon. When Jābir went away, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent someone to call him back. He returned to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) who said: “Do you think I bargained with you to take your camel? Take your camel and your dirhams; these are yours", meaning: both are for you. This act should not be regarded as strange, as it came from the generous, well-mannered, and gentle Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).

- صحيح البخاري –الجامع الصحيح-؛ للإمام أبي عبد الله محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري، عناية محمد زهير الناصر، دار طوق النجاة، الطبعة الأولى، 1422هـ. - صحيح مسلم؛ للإمام مسلم بن الحجاج، حققه ورقمه محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار عالم الكتب-الرياض، الطبعة الأولى، 1417هـ. - الإلمام بشرح عمدة الأحكام للشيخ إسماعيل الأنصاري-مطبعة السعادة-الطبعة الثانية 1392ه. - تيسير العلام شرح عمدة الأحكام-عبد الله البسام-تحقيق محمد صبحي حسن حلاق- مكتبة الصحابة- الشارقة- الطبعة العاشرة- 1426ه.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that his soul is restored to him to return the greeting of whoever greets him, whether he is near or far. Life in the Barzakh (the period between death and resurrection) and the grave is a matter of the unseen, and no one knows its reality except Allah, Who is Competent over all things.

1. Encouraging the act of frequently invoking Allah's blessings upon the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
2. The Prophet's life in his grave is the most perfect life a man can have in his Barzakh and no one knows its reality but Allah Almighty.
3. This Hadīth is not proof that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has a life like the one we have, so the people of Shirk would not take this as a pretext for seeking relief from him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Rather, it is a Barzakh life.

سنن أبي داود (3/ 384) (2041). مسند أحمد (16/ 477) (10815). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (2/ 486). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (5/ 477). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (2/ 964).

This Hadīth means that one day the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was famished, and Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) realized that from the weakness of his voice. So he told his wife, Umm Sulaym (may Allah be pleased with her) about it and asked if she had some food. She said that they had enough to feed the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). She took out some barley loaves and then took one of her head coverings, wrapped the bread up with it and placed it under Anas's cloak and covered him with the other end of the head covering. When Anas approached the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) he found him sitting among his Companions, so he went over to him and stood there. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked: "Did Abu Talhah send you?" Anas said: 'Yes.' He was unable to give the food to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) because there were many Companions around him. He also knew that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was not used to eating food alone apart from his Companions. By his answer, Anas meant to invite the Prophet to come alone to the house of Abu Talhah, so he could eat as the family had wished. However, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told his Companions to come with him. They all set off and Anas said: "I set off ahead of them," and in another narration: "I was sad because many came along with him." He added: "I came to Abu Talhah and informed him. Abu Talhah said: "O Umm Sulaym, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has arrived with some people, and we do not have enough to feed them." She said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." Umm Sulaym (may Allah be pleased with her) entrusted the matter to Allah and His Messenger, as if she recognized that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had done that intentionally, so that the honor of multiplying the food could be demonstrated by him. Her response indicates her superior understanding. Abu Talhah went to meet the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and he proceeded with him until they both entered the house. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said (to Umm Sulaym): "Bring what you have." In another narration: "Abu Talhah received him and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, We have nothing but a loaf of bread that Umm Sulaym made.'" And in another narration, Abu Talhah said: "It is only a loaf of bread," whereupon the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah will bless it." And in another narration, Abu Talhah said: "O Messenger of Allah, I sent Anas just to invite you; we do not have enough to feed all those I see," whereupon the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Go in, for indeed Allah will bless whatever you have." When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered the home of Abu Talhah, he said: "Bring what you have, Umm Sulaym.'' So she brought the loaf of bread, which the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked to be broken into small pieces. Umm Sulaym squeezed some fat out of a leather container onto the food to dress it and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) make a supplication over the food. In another narration: "I brought it and he untied it and said: 'In the Name of Allah. O Allah, make it blessed in abundance.'" Then he said: "Allow ten to enter." He gave them permission, and they ate until they were satiated and then went out. He again said: "Allow ten more," and he gave them permission and they ate until all the people were satiated, and they were seventy or eighty men. [Al-Bukhāri and Muslim] In another narration: "They continued to enter and exit, ten at a time, until no one remained who had not entered and eaten his fill. He then collected the leftovers and it was the same quantity as before they started eating." In another narration: "They ate ten at a time, until eighty people had eaten. Then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the hosts ate and they left a surplus." In another narration: "There was enough leftover to feed their neighbors."

بهجة الناظرين، تأليف: سليم بن عيد الهلالي، الناشر: دار ابن الجوزي، سنة النشر: 1418 هـ- 1997م. كنوز رياض الصالحين، تأليف: حمد بن ناصر بن العمار، الناشر: دار كنوز أشبيليا، الطبعة الأولى: 1430 هـ. نزهة المتقين، تأليف: جمعٌ من المشايخ، الناشر: مؤسسة الرسالة، الطبعة الأولى: 1397 هـ الطبعة الرابعة عشر 1407 هـ. صحيح البخاري، تأليف: محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري، تحقيق: محمد زهير الناصر، الناشر: دار طوق النجاة الطبعة: الأولى، 1422ه.ـ صحيح مسلم، تأليف: مسلم بن الحجاج النيسابوري، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي الناشر: دار إحياء التراث العربي – بيروت. رياض الصالحين، تأليف: محيي الدين يحيى بن شرف النووي، تحقيق: د. ماهر بن ياسين الفحل، الطبعة: الأولى، 1428 هـ. دليل الفالحين، تأليف: محمد بن علان، الناشر: دار الكتاب العربي، نسخة الكترونية، لا يوجد بها بيانات نشر.

During the time of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), the moon split into two separate pieces each piece in a place. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, bear witness to this!" i.e. O Allah, bear witness to the fact that I showed them a sign and a miracle that proves my prophet-hood.

صحيح البخاري، نشر: دار طوق النجاة (مصورة عن السلطانية بإضافة ترقيم محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي)، الطبعة: الأولى، 1422ه. صحيح مسلم، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، نشر: دار إحياء التراث العربي – بيروت. كشف المشكل من حديث الصحيحين، لجمال الدين أبي الفرج عبد الرحمن بن علي بن محمد الجوزي، المحقق: علي حسين البواب، الناشر: دار الوطن – الرياض. مرقاة المفاتيح شرح مشكاة المصابيح، لعلي بن سلطان الملا الهروي القاري، الناشر: دار الفكر، بيروت – لبنان، الطبعة: الأولى، 1422هـ - 2002م.

Zayd ibn Hārithah (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) complaining about his wife Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her) and consulting him about divorcing her. Allah, the Almighty, had revealed to His Messenger that he would eventually marry Zaynab. This was revealed to him before Zayd divorced her. When Zayd came complaining about her to the Prophet and consulting him about divorcing her, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "Fear Allah, O Zayd, and keep your wife." Allah, the Almighty, reproached him for that in the Qur'anic verse: {And remember (O Muhammad) when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allah," while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort concerning the wives of their adopted sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command of Allah accomplished.} [Sūrat al-Ahzāb: 37] What the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) concealed within himself was dislike to marry her in fear of the people's expected disapproval of him marrying the ex-wife of his adopted son (adoption was legitimate among the Arabs before the advent of Islam). The statement of Anas: "If the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) were to conceal anything (of the Qur'an), he would have concealed this (verse)”, means that were he enabled to conceal anything from the revelation that he receives - which was definitely impermissible for him to do - then he would have concealed this verse; however, it was impossible for him to do so. This verse is among the greatest proofs of the truthfulness of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) as Allah, the Almighty, informed us about what the Prophet felt of fearing the people's reaction. The Prophet conveyed this verse just as Allah, the Almighty, revealed it, even though it included Allah's reproach to him. This is contrary to what a liar would do; he would avoid everything that might blemish his character. The same can be said of the verse: {He frowned and turned away. Because the blind man came unto him.} [Sūrat ‘Abasa: 1-2], and similar verses in the Qur'an. The statement of Anas: "Zaynab used to boast before the wives of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)" means that she used to say that her marriage to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was ordained by Allah, and that this is a great virtue in which none of the Prophet’s wives is equal to her. She used to say to them: "Your families have given you in marriage, while I was given in marriage by Allah, the Almighty, from above seven heavens." This part of the Hadīth establishes Allah’s presence above the heavens and how it is acknowledged by the believers. It is axiomatic to all Muslims. Rather, it is axiomatic to all the creation except the ones whose natural disposition has been altered. It is one of the attributes of Allah that is known through texts, intellect, and natural disposition of everyone whose natural disposition has not deviated from its original sound state. The meaning of "I was given in marriage by Allah" is that Allah ordered His Messenger to marry her in the verse: {So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you.} It is as if Allah, the Almighty, was her guardian who concluded her marriage contract to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).

صحيح البخاري، نشر: دار طوق النجاة (مصورة عن السلطانية بإضافة ترقيم محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي)، الطبعة: الأولى، 1422ه. شرح كتاب التوحيد من صحيح البخاري، لعبد الله بن محمد الغنيمان، الناشر: مكتبة الدار، المدينة المنورة، الطبعة: الأولى، 1405 هـ.

This Hadīth contains a few rulings and miracles that appeared to the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). They were on a journey and overslept until the time of dawn prayer (Fajr) was over. So the Prophet showed them what they had to do in such a situation, which was to make up the prayer. Another issue was at hand that one of the Companions had a ritual impurity, but there was no water. So the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered him to make a dry ablution, which would serve in the absence of water with which one would bathe. The third thing was a miracle of the Prophet, that is when the people complained of thirst and lack of water. So he sent two Companions to go and find water. They did not find any water, but they came across a woman who had water is two containers. They took her to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). So he took some water from her bags and supplicated Allah until water was abundant. The Companions drank and watered their animals. Even the one who was ritually impure took some water and bathed. Then the woman took her containers back and said: “It is as if they are fuller than before.” To reward her, the Prophet ordered that some food be collected for her. This situation and treatment made her and her tribe later embrace Islam.

صحيح البخاري، أبو عبد الله محمد بن إسماعيل بن إبراهيم الجعفي البخاري, تحقيق محمد زهير بن ناصر الناصر - الناشر: دار طوق النجاة - الطبعة: الأولى 1422هـ. توضيح الأحكام من بلوغ المرام، عبدالله بن عبد الرحمن البسام، مكتبة الأسدي، مكة، ط الخامسة، 1423هـ. منحة العلام في شرح بلوغ المرام، تأليف : عبد الله بن صالح الفوزان، ط 1، 1427هـ، دار ابن الجوزي. صحيح مسلم؛ للإمام مسلم بن الحجاج، حققه ورقمه محمد فؤاد عبدالباقي، دار عالم الكتب-الرياض، الطبعة الأولى، 1417هـ. عمدة القاري شرح صحيح البخاري؛ تأليف بدر الدين العيني الحنفي، طبعة إحياء التراث العربي، بيروت، بدون تاريخ.

One day, Abu Jahl asked his companions whether Muhammad prayed and prostrated on dust while they saw him. They said: 'Yes.' So he swore by the two idols of Al-Lāt and Al-‘Uzza that if he saw Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prostrate, he would trample on his neck or throw dust on his face. Abu Jahl saw the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prostrate, so he came over to step on his neck. Suddenly, however, the people saw Abu Jahl retreat in terror, extending his hand as if he was pushing something away. His companions asked why he was doing so. He told them that when he tried to step on the Prophet's neck, he saw a ditch of fire, wings, and horrible things in between the both of them. The scene terrified him so much that he withdrew. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) remarked that had Abu Jahl drawn closer to him, the angels would have torn him apart. Hence, Allah revealed these verses: {No! [But] indeed, man transgresses, because he sees himself self-sufficient. Indeed, to your Lord is the return. Have you seen the one who forbids a servant when he prays? Have you seen if he is upon guidance or enjoins righteousness? Have you seen if he (Abu Jahl) denies and turns away? Does he not know that Allah sees? No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock - a lying, sinful forelock. Then let him call his associates; We will summon the guards of Hell. No! Do not obey him} [Sūrat al-‘Alaq: 6-19]. In these verses, ''man'' refers to Abu Jahl, who indulged himself in disbelief, sins, and injustice, for he considered himself rich enough. This disbeliever will return to your Lord, O Muhammad, so that Allah lets him taste a painful punishment. Abu Jahl indeed tried to prevent the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) from praying at the Ka‘bah, puffed with arrogance and unbelief. That is quite amazing. The verses go on to draw this comparison between the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and Abu Jahl. The former was on the right way, commanding piety. The latter, however, was belying the truth with which Muhammad was sent. So he did not believe in him. Yet, Abu Jahl should have learnt that Allah sees him and will punish him on the Day of Resurrection. He is even warned that if he does not stop offending the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) Allah will take him by the forehead, the forehead of a monstrous liar. Again, let Abu Jahl seek the support of his companions. If he does, then strong harsh angels will be summoned against them. Finally, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is commanded not to listen to Abu Jahl and just continue his prayers to get closer to Allah through worship.

- صحيح مسلم، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، نشر: دار إحياء التراث العربي – بيروت. - المنهاج شرح صحيح مسلم بن الحجاج، للنووي، نشر: دار إحياء التراث العربي – بيروت، الطبعة: الثانية، 1392ه. - النهاية في غريب الحديث والأثر، لابن الأثير، نشر: المكتبة العلمية - بيروت، 1399هـ - 1979م، تحقيق: طاهر أحمد الزاوى - محمود محمد الطناحي. - مرقاة المفاتيح شرح مشكاة المصابيح، لعلي بن سلطان الملا الهروي القاري، الناشر: دار الفكر، بيروت – لبنان، الطبعة: الأولى، 1422هـ - 2002م. - الإفصاح عن معاني الصحاح، ليحيى بن هبيرة بن محمد بن هبيرة الذهلي الشيباني، المحقق: فؤاد عبد المنعم أحمد، الناشر: دار الوطن، سنة النشر: 1417هـ. - كشف المشكل من حديث الصحيحين، لجمال الدين أبي الفرج عبد الرحمن بن علي بن محمد الجوزي، المحقق: علي حسين البواب، الناشر: دار الوطن – الرياض. - تاج العروس من جواهر القاموس، للزبيدي، نشر: دار الهداية. - تفسير الطبري = جامع البيان عن تأويل آي القرآن, محمد بن جرير بن يزيد بن كثير بن غالب الآملي، أبو جعفر الطبري, تحقيق: الدكتور عبد الله بن عبد المحسن التركي, دار هجر, الطبعة: الأولى، 1422 هـ - 2001 م. - إكمال المعلم بفوائد مسلم لعياض بن موسى بن عياض بن عمرون اليحصبي السبتي، المحقق: الدكتور يحيى إسماعيل، الناشر: دار الوفاء للطباعة والنشر والتوزيع، مصر، الطبعة: الأولى، 1419 هـ - 1998 م.