Section 17 The humility of the Prophet

Section 17 The humility of the Prophet

Although Allah raised the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, to the highest rank and position he remained extremely humble; no trace of pride was ever observed in him.

We recall the event when he was offered a choice between being a king- prophet or a worshipper-prophet and he chose the latter. Having made his choice the Angel Israfil told him, “Allah has been generous to you on account of your humility toward Him. On the Day of Resurrection you will be the master of the children of Adam, and the first for whom the earth will open and the first to intercede.”

His humility is further demonstrated as the father of Umamah tells us, “The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, came out to us leaning on his walking stick, and we got up for him but he in all humility said, ‘Do not get up as it is the way of the Persians to show their regard for one another.”

Of himself, he said, “I am a servant. I eat as a servant eats and I sit as a servant sits.’

He was never too proud to visit and sit with the poorest of people and never declined an invitation of a servant. He would sit with his Companions and mingle with them and was not choosey where he sat. As for riding, he would ride a donkey and share the ride with another who would mount behind him.

He disliked excessive praise for himself and Omar tells us that the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, said, “Do not lavish praise on me (by associating me in a trinity) as the Christians do on the son of Mary. I am a worshiper, so say the worshiper of Allah and His Messenger.”

He never shunned people and Anas relates the story of a woman, whose mental capacity was below normal, met him and said, “I need something from you.” Rather than turning her away he told her “Come, sit down, mother of so- and-so, I will sit with you in any of the roads in Medina until you get what you need.” Anas went on to say that it was only after the woman sat down that the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, sat and he stayed with her until her need was met.

Anas further sheds light on the humility of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, and recorded that during the conflict with the children of Koraysh he rode a donkey with a saddle-cloth tied with a rope made from palm-fiber. Even when the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, was invited to eat bread

made from coarse barley and rancid butter he never declined the invitation. He further tells us that after the Opening of Mecca, the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, went on pilgrimage riding a mount with a well worn saddle over which was placed a worn cloth that could only have been worth four dirhams. And he supplicated saying, “O Allah, make it an accepted pilgrimage without ostentation or desire of earning a reputation.” During this pilgrimage he sacrificed one hundred camels to feed everyone in the City.

His humility is highlighted again upon the opening of Mecca when he entered the City with his band of followers. Rather than making a triumphant entry he rode humbled to Allah, bowing his head so low that it very nearly touched the saddle.

Among the many signs of his humility is that he said, “Do not prefer me over Prophet Jonah, Matta’s son, neither generate rivalry between the prophets, nor prefer me over Moses…. Had I remained in prison like Joseph, I would have answered the summons.” Someone once said to him, “O best of creation!” in humility he replied (as Allah raised Prophet Muhammad in rank above all the prophets) “That was Abraham”. The greatness of his rank will become evident to the masses and their prophets on the Day of Resurrection when there is a dire need for the unparalleled intercession granted alone to Prophet Muhammad, praise and peace be upon him, by Allah.

The Prophet’s granddaughter, Lady Ayesha who was the daughter of Al Hasan, Imam Ali’s son as well as others said that he would do the housework like the other members of his family, rid his clothes from barbs, repair his sandals, serve himself, sweep the floors and hobble a camel. They also said that he would take his camels out to graze and eat with those in servitude and kneed bread with them. When he went to the market he would carry his own goods.

Anas tells us that a female who served in his household could take hold of his hand and take him wherever she wished to go until she achieved her need.

A man came to the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, and when he saw him began to tremble on account of timidity, but the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, put him at ease straight away saying, “Be calm, I am not a king, I am the son of a woman from the Koraysh who eats dried meat.”

On another occasion, the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, and Abu Hurayrah went to the market where he purchased a loin cloth. He told the merchant, “Weigh and then add some more.” The man jumped up to kiss the hand of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, but he immediately pulled his hand back saying, “This is what the Persians do with their kings. I am not a king, I am one of your men.” Then he took his loin cloth and carried it saying, “The owner is more entitled to carry his property.