Not in his character

The two primary sources from which Muslims derive guidance for the practice of orthodox Islam are the holy Qur’an and Sunnah (traditions of the Prophet, Salla-llahu Alayhi Wa-Salam; SAW).

The entirety of the Prophet’s life is an interpretation of the Qur’an as well as an exemplary model for Muslims to emulate in all matters and circumstances. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala; SWT) reminds us in Qur’an 33:21 saying “We have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah” The Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) is therefore the foremost reference point as we strive to know about those things which the Final Prophet of Islam disliked.

With a purified heart, the Prophet (SAW) differed from every other human being in his reactions to situations or issues that were against the teachings of Islam. He reacted in the most modest manner to whatever he did not like. He had his unique ways of expressing dissatisfaction whenever he noticed anything that went against the message of Islam and his model principles. Our discourse this week intends to bring to the knowledge of readers things the Prophet (SAW) detested and how he managed their attendant effects.

It was not in the character of the Prophet (SAW) to maltreat women for whatever reason. Aisha (RA), wife of the Prophet (SAW), relates that she never saw her husband even for once beat any of his maids or wives. Neither did she see him beating anybody or anything except it were in the cause and for the sake of Allah (SWT), jihad. According to her, the Prophet (SAW) did not take vengeance over anybody except for the sake of executing Allah’s law and commandment. At any time the Prophet (SAW) was faced with two critical alternatives, he always chose the option that was lesser or lighter in effect. The Prophet (SAW) did not like those who would always prefer the most difficult option where simple alternatives exist in the observance of religious obligations. This tendency could be noticed in those who, while on journey, still prefer to offer their prayers in full instead of the shortened form allowed by Shari’ah.

It was not in the Prophet’s character to stop anyone documenting what he said or did. Abdullahi bn ’Amri said he used to write everything that the Prophet (SAW) uttered. However, a group of some Quraysh men once cautioned him against writing everything that the Prophet (SAW) said because he, as a human being, might sometimes get angry and say something (odd). So, Abdullahi Bn ’Amri stopped writing until he came to the Prophet (SAW) and told him about what the group of Quraysh men observed. The Prophet (SAW) pointed to his mouth and said, “Write everything; nothing comes out of it (the mouth) except the truth”. Abu Daud relates this hadith.

One of the things that the Prophet (SAW) disliked was for anyone to be at the extreme end of religious duties. He (SAW) hated extremist tendencies in worship (ibadah) as opposed to the prophetic teaching that encourages Muslims to engage only in sustainable acts of worship without necessarily inconveniencing themselves and others. This reminds us of those who recite very long chapters of the Qur’an while they lead others in congregational prayers. The Prophet (SAW) never liked those who by their extremist actions alienate others from attending congregational prayers, without due consideration of the fact that among the congregation of worshipers are the sickness and the old age. Illness and old age are genuine excuses that could hinder a worshipper’s ability to withstand prolonged recitations.

A man once told the Prophet (SAW) that he would go late for morning prayers because of a particular Imam (prayer-leader) who always prolonged prayers. This man mentioned that he had never seen the Prophet (SAW) as angry as he found him that day reacting to what he told him. This made the Prophet (SAW) to say, “Whoever leads others in congregational prayers should be moderate (in recitations) because among them (followers) are the weak, the aged and those with (genuine) problems to attend to”.

The Prophet (SAW) also disliked too many questions being asked especially if they are unnecessary. It is related on the authority of Abu Musa who said the Prophet (SAW) was once asked so many questions, which he wished were never asked. When the questions became many, he was irritated and thus said people could go ahead to ask as many questions as they wished. A man then stood up and asked the Prophet (SAW) to tell him who his father was. The Prophet (SAW) answered, “Your father is Khuzafah”. Another man also got up and asked, “Who is my father, O Prophet?” Yet, he replied, “Your father is Saalim”. With such pointless interrogations, Umar (RA) noticed some discomforts in the face of the Prophet (SAW) and said, “O Prophet! We hereby repent (from our sins) to Allah (SWT), the Most High”.

It is related by Annas (RA) in another tradition reported by Imam Bukhari that people continued to ask the Prophet (SAW) very unnecessary questions until he felt provoked. This prompted him (SAW) to climb the pulpit (mimbar) and announced, “There is nothing about which you will ask me today that I will not give you an answer”. Scholars are of the view that this particular statement of the Prophet (SAW) was an inspiration from Allah (SWT) because it is ordinarily not possible for any human being to know everything.

The Prophet (SAW) never liked situations where parents (as fathers or mothers) give preference to some of their children over others. He also disliked to hear that divorce had occurred between a couple. He also (SAW) used to get annoyed with Muslims who absconded from congregational prayers as well as those who delayed doing good works. Some of today’s well-to-do prefer to delay the fulfilment of their pledges made especially towards the cause of Islam until such actions become stale. This was not in the Prophet’s character. The Prophet (SAW) also hated seeing a man in a dress that is traditionally or customarily wore by women.

The Prophet (SAW) held himself against reacting to reprehensible situations with anger. Whenever our anger is triggered by the action or reaction of others or by offensive speeches or events, the Prophet (SAW) advises us to seek Allah’s protection against the devil by uttering the phrase “A-uudhu Bi-llahi Mina-sh-Shaytanir Rajim”. In the attempt to also pacify bad moods, the Prophet (SAW) mentions in a hadith related by Abu Daud on the authority of Abi Dharr that, “Whenever any one of you is angry, let him sit if he were standing. If the anger fails to disappear, let him lie down”. May Allah (SWT) guide us to shun everything that wasn’t in the character of the Prophet (SAW) and emulate everything that he (SAW) epitomized, amin.