Source: Brightness of Delight in the Manners of the Honorable Messenger (Encyclopedia)
Introduction:
All praise is for Allah. He is the Lord, the Merciful and the Judge. He is Gracious and Kind to His slaves. I testify that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah Alone, having no partners. I testify that Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) is His slave and Messenger. Allah, the All-Mighty says:
“Indeed Allah conferred a great favor on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)) from among themselves, reciting unto them His verses (the Qur’an), and instructing them (in) the Book (the Qur’an) and Al-Hikmah (the wisdom and the Sunnah of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) i.e., his legal ways, statements and acts of worship), while before that they had been in manifest error.” [Surat Aal-Imran 3: 164]
Prior to the message of Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam), when there was no Messenger receiving revelation from Allah, the All-Mighty, people lived a life of darkness; darkness of ignorance. Stemming from that ignorance they followed terrible traditions e.g., they buried many of their daughters alive, ate the flesh of dead animals, and they worshipped idols. Allah, the Most Merciful sent to the people His Messenger Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam), a Messenger of peace, the best of men among all people. This Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) used every effort to bring guidance to his people and to save them from going astray. He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) led them with knowledge from darkness to light and he exhorted them to uphold virtuous morals so as to live a noble and worthwhile life.
Thus, it is his (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) right upon us to love him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam), to learn about his sublime qualities, great deeds and actions, and to obey his teachings and follow his commandments.
Features and Rulings specific for the Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)
In honor of the Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam), there are many ordinances / rulings in Islam that apply only to him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam), some shared with some or all of the other Prophets (Alaihum us Salam), some that do not apply to his Ummah, and features and virtues that are specific to him alone.
The scholars have organized them into four types:
- Ordinances and Rulings prohibited only on the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)
- Ordinances and Rulings allowed only for the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)
- Ordinances and Rulings obligatory on the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) alone
- Virtues specific to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)
Ordinances and Rulings Prohibited only on the Prophet(Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)
1- Accepting Charity:
The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) was prohibited from taking charity. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Verily these Sadaqat are the impurities of people and they are not permissible for Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) or for the family of Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam).” [Sahih Muslim Chapter CD 1, 11/2348, pg. 519]
Also, Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported,
“Whenever the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) was presented with food, he asked about it. If he was told that it was a gift, he ate from it, and if he was told that it was Sadaqah he did not eat from it.” [Sahih Muslim Chapter CD 1, 11/2357, pg.521]
There is no difference between the obligatory and voluntary charity; both are prohibited to him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam).
The wisdom behind this prohibition on him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) is to protect his honorable status from the impurities of the people’s money (meaning that this money is the impurities of people’s money because when they give it out as Sadaqah they are purifying their souls and money). Allah, the All-Mighty says:
“Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it.” [Surat at-Tawbah 9: 103]
2- Remaining married to a wife that hates marrying him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam):
From the features specific to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) is that it is prohibited for him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) to remain married to a woman who has chosen to leave him(Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam). This is contrary to the rest of the Ummah where if the wife was given the choice and she decided to leave the marriage, the husband would not be obliged to accommodate her.
The evidence to this feature is that when the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) entered upon the daughter of Al-Jaun and he (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) came near to her she said: “I seek refuge in Allah from you.”
He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “You have sought refuge with the Most Great, return to your family.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 7/5254, pg. 118]
3- Removing the breastplate once he (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) has put it on to go to war
A feature specific to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) (also common to the other Prophets) was that if he (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) wore the breastplate with the intention to go to war for the Sake of Allah, it was prohibited for him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) to remove it until he (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) met the enemy and fought them.
The evidence to this is that was narrated by Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). On the day of the battle of Uhud, when the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) received the news about the Makkan army, he held a military consultation (assembly) to exchange views about the situation.
He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) told them (his Companions) about a dream he had. He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “By Allah, I have dreamt of – I implore Allah to be a dream of bounty – cows slaughtered, and there was a groove at the pointed top of my sword, and I had inserted my hand into an immune armor.”
The interpretation of the cows was that some of his men were killed, and ‘the groove at the pointed top of his sword’ was that a member of his house would be hurt. As for ‘the armor’- it was Madinah. Then he offered a suggestion that his Companions should not go out of Madinah. [The Sealed Nectar p.247]
But the Companions insisted on going out of Madinah to fight the enemy. Upon their insistence, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) wore the breastplate for war. A short while later several of the Companions felt sorry for imposing their view on the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) and were waiting for him outside his house. They said: “O Messenger of Allah! We should not have disagreed with you. So, you are free to do what you desire. If you prefer to stay inside Madinah we will stay with you.” Upon this Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) remarked:
“It does not suit a Prophet that once he has put on armor he should take it off, until Allah has decided between him and the enemy.” [Reported by Ahmad 3/35, quoted by Ahmad, Nasa’i, Hakim and Ibn Ishaq in Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum p.249]
4- The Betrayal of the Eyes:
Betrayal of the eyes means a gesture by the eyes to initiate permissible killing or hitting, contrary to what his appearance indicates and is felt from him. And this is not forbidden to other than the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) except in something prohibited.
Al-Khattabi explained the meaning of the betrayal of the eyes as what is kept hidden in the heart and not uttered by the tongue, but it is indicated (betrayed) with his eyes.
The Prophet’s (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) eyes did not betray what his words indicated.
The evidence for this feature is in relation to the story of ‘Abdullah ibn Sa’d ibn Abi Sarh, for the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) had declared killing ‘Abdullah ibn Sa’d lawful on the day of conquering Makkah. ‘Abdullah hid at ‘Uthman ibn Affan’s (his foster brother) home, because he felt safe there. When the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) called the people to give the pledge, ‘Uthman brought ‘Abdullah and stood him in front of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) and said:
“O Messenger of Allah! Give the pledge to a slave of Allah.”
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) lifted his head and looked at him. This happened three times and then the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) gave him the pledge after the third time. Then the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) approached the Companions and asked them: “Was there not a wise man amongst you whom rose to kill him when he saw me withhold my hand from giving him the pledge?”
The Companions (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhum said: “We don’t know what is in your inner-self O Messenger of Allah! Wouldn’t you make a sign with your eyes for us?”
He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “It does not suit a Prophet to have a fraud of the eyes.” [Abu Dawoud and al-Albani verified it as Sahih in Sahih Abu Dawoud no. 2683]
Ordinances and Rulings allowed only for the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)
1- Continuous fasting:
Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Do not practice Al-Wisal (fasting continuously without breaking one’s Saum (fast) in the evening or without eating before the following dawn).”
The people said to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam): “But you practice Al-Wisal.”
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: “I am not like any of you, for I am given food and drink (by Allah) during the night.” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of as-Saum 3/1961, pg 114]
Also ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated: Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) forbade Al-Wisal as a mercy to them. They said to him: “But you practice Al-Wisal.” He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “I am not similar to you, for my Lord gives me food and drink.” ‘Abdullah said that ‘Uthman did not mention: “Mercy to them (towards the Companions).” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of as-Saum 3/1964, pg 115]
Ibn al-Hajar (Rahimahullaah) commented that these collective Ahadith are used as evidence that continuous fasting is an ordinance specific to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) and prohibited to others except what was specifically allowed – i.e. till Sahar time (the hours before dawn).
2- Marriage without witness or guardian:
Islam has given great care to the importance of family as it is the core of the Islamic society. Islam encourages marriage and has honored this relationship by legalizing ordinances related to it. For example: the necessity of having the presence of two witnesses for the marriage and the consent of her (the woman’s) guardian. As the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“A marriage of a woman is not valid except through the Wali (guardian i.e., her father, her brother, her uncles. If there is a dispute, or one has no guardian, then the ruler is the guardian of the one who has no guardian) and two just witnesses.” [Ahmad]
These ordinances were legislated to protect women from any harm. However, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) is distinguished from his Ummah in these two ordinances as an honor for him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)
and because there is no harm from the Prophet(Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam).
The evidence of this ordinance is what was narrated in the Hadith about Zainab bint Jahsh (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) that is, she used to boast before the wives of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) and say:
“You were given in marriage by your families, while I was married (to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)) by Allah from over seven heavens.” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of Tawheed 9/7420, pg 311]
3- Marriage with more than four women at the same time:
It is legitimate in Islam for a man to marry up to four women at the same time, and it is forbidden to be married to more than four at the same time. Allah the All-Mighty says:
“And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan-girls then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (the slaves) that which your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice.” [Surat an-Nisa 4: 3]
Ibn Abbas (Rahimahullaah) and a group of scholars stated that if it was legitimate for a Muslim to marry more than four it would have been stated in the Qur’an.
Ghailan ibn Salamah was married to ten women. When he converted to Islam, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) told him to choose four (from the ten) to remain married to.
The Scholars agree on the fact that when the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) died he was married to nine women: Sawdah bint Zam‘ah, ‘Aishah bint Abu Bakr, Umm Salamah (Hind) bint Abu Umayyah, Hafsah bint ‘Umar, Zainab bint Jahsh, Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith, Umm Habiba (Ramlah) bint Abu Sufyan, Safiyyah bint Huyay, and Maimoonah bint Al-Harith.
4- Initiation of war in the Holy Land of Makkah
Makkah is the Holy Land, the land of safety. War is forbidden in this land. However, on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) was permitted for an hour on that day to enter it (without Ihram) and kill around twenty of its people. This is evident in the Sahih Ahadith such as the one narrated in al-Bukhari, that on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Allah, not the people, made Makkah a sanctuary, so anybody who has belief in Allah and the Last Day should neither shed blood in it, nor should he cut down its trees. If anybody tells (argues) that fighting in it is permissible on the basis that Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) did fight in Makkah, say to him: ‘Allah allowed His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) and did not allow you.’” The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) added: “Allah allowed me only for a few hours on that day (of the conquest) and today its sanctity is valid as before. So, those who are present should inform those who are not present (concerning this fact).” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of Plenty for Hunting 3/1832, pg.52]
Allah’s Messenger(Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam), on conquering Makkah, forgave all the people of Makkah except some certain individuals (such as Ibn Khatal) who had committed great crimes against Islam and the Muslims. [Bukhari]
Ordinances obligatory on the Prophet(Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) alone
The wisdom behind these obligatory ordinances is to raise the status of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam). Examples of such ordinances are: Duha and Tahajjud prayer, using Siwak, and the necessity of consulting his Companions.
Virtues Specific to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)
1- Infallibility (the quality of never making an error) in his sayings and actions
Allah the All-Mighty says:
“By the star when it goes down (or vanishes). Your companion (Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)) has neither gone astray nor has he erred. Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only a revelation revealed.” [Surat an-Najm 53: 1-4]
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) was infallible in his sayings and actions that were related to the Message and those that were later corrected by the revelations. This is a common virtue amongst all the Prophets. However, the rest of his Ummah is not infallible unless they all unite on one saying as the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Verily! My Ummah does not agree upon a misguidance.” [Ibn Majah]
Meaning, that Allah has protected the Prophet’s (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) Ummah from uniting upon a misguidance.
2- Cursing him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) or mocking him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) is considered Kufr / infidelity / disbelief
Allah, the All-Mighty says:
“Verily, those who annoy (harm) Allah and His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam), Allah has cursed them in this world and in the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating torment.” [Surat al-Ahzab 33: 57]
And
“But those who hurt Allah’s Messenger (Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)) will have a painful torment.” [Surat at-Tawbah 9:61]
All those who curse him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) or mock him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) are considered Kafir (disbelievers) and must be killed.
Ibn Abbas (Rahimahullaah) said: “A blind man had a slave-mother who used to abuse and disparage the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam). He (the blind man) forbade her but she did not stop. He rebuked her but she did not give up her habit. One night she began to slander and abuse the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam), so the blind man took a dagger, placed it on her belly, pressed it, and killed her. A child who came between her legs was smeared with the blood that was there. When the morning came, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) was informed about it. He assembled the people and said: ‘I adjure (order) by Allah the man who has done this action and I adjure him by my right to him that he should get up.’ Jumping over the necks of people, the man stood up trembling. He sat before the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) and said: ‘Apostle of Allah! I am her master; she used to abuse you and disparage you. I forbade her, but she did not stop, and I rebuked her, but she did not leave the habit. I have two sons like pearls from her, and she was my companion. Last night she began to abuse and disparage you so I took a dagger, put it on her belly and pressed it till I killed her.’ Thereupon the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘Oh (people), be witness, no retaliation is payable for her blood’.” [Sunan Abi Dawoud: Punishment of a man who abuses the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) 3/4348 pg. 1214]
3- Lying to him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) is not like lying to others
Lying is a sin /depravity (moral perversion /impairment of virtue and moral principle).
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“…. Falsehood leads to Al-Fujur (i.e., wickedness, evil-doing, etc.) and Al-Fujur leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man keeps on telling lies until he is written as a liar before Allah.” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of al-Adab 8/6094]
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Whoever has the following four characteristics will be a pure hypocrite, and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up:
1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays (proves dishonest).
2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.
3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.
4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insultingmanner.” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of Belief 1/34, pg. 72]
Theworst kind of lying is that against Allah, the All-Mighty or against the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam), thus the scholars consider this type of lying from the major sins (Kaba’ir) and deserving of death.
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Ascribing false things to me is not like ascribing false things to anyone else. Whosoever tells a lie against me (intentionally) then let him occupy his seat in Hell-fire.” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of Funerals 2/1291 pg.221
Ways of telling lies against Allah, the All-Mighty or the Prophet(Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam):
- Innovating in the Religion
- Misinterpreting the Qur’an
- Ascribing a son to Allah the Exalted
An example of such a lie is the innovation of celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam). This is a prohibited and rejected innovation in our religion, for it is not from the Sunnah of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) nor did the Caliphs celebrate this day after his death, and if not so, then it is a prohibited Bid’ah. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Verily, the Truthful Speech is the Book of Allah, and whosoever innovates in our religion anything that is not from it, will have it rejected.” [Agreed upon]
4- The ability to see things that others cannot
‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated: “Once Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said (to me): ‘O ‘Aisha This is Jibril (Gabriel) greeting you.’ I said: ‘Wa alaihis-Salam and the mercy and blessings be on him; you see what I do not see’.” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of Virtues of the Companions of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) 5/3768, pg.74]
Abu Dharr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “I see that which you do not see and hear that which you do not hear. The heaven has squeaked (cried)* and it has a right to do so (it is justified in doing so). There is not a space of four fingers in which there is not an angel who is prostrating his forehead before Allah, the Exalted. By Allah, if you could know what I know, you would laugh little and weep much; you would not enjoy your wives in bed and you would go out to the streets beseeching Allah (in search of Allah’s refuge).” [At-Tirmidhi] (* on account of the heavy load of the angels prostrating.)
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “You see me facing the Qiblah, but by Allah, nothing is hidden from me regarding your bowings and submissiveness; and I see you from behind my back.” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of Adhan 1/741, pg 417]
5- The reward of his (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) supererogatory prayer while sitting is equal to his prayer while standing
The supererogatory prayer was legislated to increase in good deeds and heighten ranks. This prayer has some rulings related to it such as the permission of sitting with the ability of standing (unlike the obligatory prayer). Those doing such would get half the reward of praying while standing. As the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“The prayer of one who is sitting is (worth) half of the prayer of one who is standing.” [Ahmad and Ibn Majah with a Sahih Isnad]
‘Abdullah ibn Buraidah said that Imran ibn Hussain asked the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) about the prayer a man offers in a sitting position, and he (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) replied:
“His prayer in a standing position is better than his prayer in a sitting position, and his prayer in a sitting position is half the prayer he offers in a standing position. And his prayer in a lying position is half the prayer he offers in a sitting position.” [Sunan Abu Dawoud: Chapter 330, 1/951, pg.243]
This ruling is a general rule for all Muslims except the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam). His reward for the supererogatory prayer, while sitting, is the same as while standing (as an honor for him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)).
It is reported by Muslim that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) said: “I was told that Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“The prayer of a man, while sitting, is considered half a prayer (Salat) [i.e., in reward].” He (‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) said: “I came to him (the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)) and found him praying while sitting. I put my hand on his head. He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘What’s wrong with you, O ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr?’ I said: ‘I was told that you have said that the prayer of a man while sitting is considered half Salat and you are praying while sitting.’ He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘Yes, but I am not like any one of you.’” [Muslim]
6- He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) is not inherited
The inheritance of the Prophets is knowledge, as the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Verily! The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets. The Prophets did not leave a Dinar or Dirham as inheritance but rather they left knowledge as inheritance. Whoever has taken it, then he has taken an abundant good.” [Abu Dawoud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
From the virtues specific to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) (as all the other Prophets) is that he is not inherited, and what he (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) leaves behind is considered charity. Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Whatever we have left as inheritance is considered Sadaqah (charity).” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of al-Fara’id 8/6726]
“Not even a single Dinar of my property should be distributed (after my death) to my inheritors, but whatever I leave, excluding the provision for my wives and my servants, is Sadaqah (to be spent in charity).” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of al-Fara’id 8/6729]
7- His (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) wives are the mothers of all the Mu’mineen (believers)
Allah the All-Mighty says:
“The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves, and his wives are their (believers’) mothers.” [Surat al-Ahzab 33:6]
The meaning of this motherhood is due to respect for them and as an honor for them, yet it is still forbidden to be alone with them. Also, it is forbidden to marry them; however, this is not carried on to their daughters and sisters. Allah, the Exalted says:
“And it is not (right) for you that you should annoy (harm) Allah’s Messenger, nor that you should ever marry his wives after him (his death). Verily, with Allah that shall be an enormity.” [Surat al-Ahzab 33:53]
According to this, the scholars are in consensus that all the Prophet’s (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) wives were forbidden to remarry when he (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) died because they were his wives in this life and in the Hereafter, and they are considered as the mothers of the Muslims.
8- Seeing the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) in our dreams is true
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) affirmed that whoever sees him in his dream has seen him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) in truth. This is because the devil is prevented from taking the Prophet’s form, as an honor for the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam).
Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever has seen me in a dream, then no doubt, he has seen me, for Shaytan (Satan) cannot impersonate (imitate) my shape.” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of the Interpretation of Dreams 9/6994, pg.93]
The scholars stated that his (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) appearance in the dream must match his true description as described in the authentic Ahadith (narrations).
9- Some of his (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) sayings appear harsh while in fact they are merciful
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) had high morals and ethics, and he showed great care and mercy for his Ummah. Usually he would pray positively for others as in the situation when Tufail ibn ‘Amr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) came to him (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) and asked him to pray against his tribe because they did not follow the Message; however, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“O Allah! Give guidance to the Daws (tribe) and bring them (into the fold of Islam).” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of Maghazi 5/4392, pg. 412]
And there are many such instances.
There are, however, rare instances when the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said something that appeared harsh. The reason being is that it was a common phrase that the Arabs used to say (without evil intention) such as:
‘May your age not become more, and/or, May Allah not satiate your hunger.’
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“O Allah! If I should ever abuse a believer, please let that be a means of bringing him near to You on the Day of Resurrection.” [Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of Invocations 8/6361, pg 205]
The Prophet’s (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) rights upon us are to love him, obey him, follow him, honor and respect him with neither exaggeration nor under-estimation. We should know him and learn his Seerah (biography) and Sunnah.
Always feel free to share the khair!
