Section 17 – The justice of the Prophet, his trustworthiness, decency and truthfulness

Section 17 – The justice of the Prophet, his trustworthiness, decency and truthfulness

Of all people, the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, was by far the most trustworthy, just, well-mannered and truthful. Even his opponents and enemies never denied these qualities. Before he was called to the Prophethood he was called by all “The trustworthy”. Isaac’s son said explained, “He was called, ‘the trustworthy’ on account of the favor of Allah to him that granted him a concentration of all the indisputable qualities of goodness.”

The consensus of the majority of Islamic scholars is that the verse “Obeyed and honest” 81:21 refers to Prophet Muhammad, praise and peace be upon him.

When it came to placing the Black Stone during the rebuilding of Ka’ba each of the chieftains of the Koraysh wanted the honor of being the one to place the Stone and a heated argument which was to continue for several days erupted. To resolve the dispute they all agreed that the first man to enter the precincts of Ka’ba would be the adjudicator. The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, was the first to enter and they said, “This is Muhammad, the trustworthy. We are satisfied with him”, and the dispute was amicably settled.

Ar Rabi, Khuthaym’s son informs us that when there was a dispute between two parties in the “Time of Ignorance” (pre-Islamic days) and the Messenger of Allah was called upon to gave a judgment, none debated the judgment.

The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, informs us, “By Allah, I am the one who is trustworthy in the heavens and the one who is trustworthy in the earth.”

Even Abu Jahl, whose hatred of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, is well documented said to him “We do not call you a liar, rather, we say what you have brought is a lie.” Thereafter Allah sent down the verse, “We know what they say saddens you. It is not you that they belie; but the harm-doers deny the verses or Allah.” 6:33. It is also reported that Abu Jahl said, “We do not call you a liar and you are not a person among us who is termed a liar.”

At the Battle of Badr Al Akhnas, Surayk’s son met Abul Hakkam, (better known as Abu Jahl), and asked him “Abul Hakkam, there is no one here to overhear us, tell me about Muhammad. Is he truthful, or is he a liar?” Abu Jahl replied, “By Allah, Muhammad is a truthful person, and never lies.”

When Heraclius, the Emperor of Rome examined Abu Sufyan, who had yet to embrace Islam, about the veracity of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, he asked, “Did you ever suspect him of being a liar before he said what he says?” Abu Sufyan replied, “No.”
One day An Nadr, son of Al Harith said to the Korayshi tribesmen, “When Muhammad was young amongst you he was the most pleasing, truthful and trustworthy of you all, now he has white hairs around his temples and has brought you what he has brought, you say, ‘A magician’. No, By Allah, he is not a magician!”

When it came to women, Lady Ayesha, may Allah be pleased with her, tells us that he never touched a woman over whom he did not have rights.

Prophet Muhammad, praise and peace be upon him, told his Companions, “Woe to you, who will be just if I am not just? If I am not just I will lose and be disappointed.”

The exemplary manner in which one should divide one’s day is found in the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him. He divided it into three parts; a third for Allah, a third for his family, and a third for himself. With regard to the third for himself he would split it between his followers and himself. Those who were closer to him were asked to help those who were not so close, and he asked them to convey the needs of persons incapable of conveying their need and told them, “If someone conveys the need of someone who is unable to do so, Allah will give him security on the Day of the Greatest Terror.”

Imam Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said that he heard the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, say, “There were only two occasions when I was close to anything that was done by the people during the ‘Time of Ignorance’ and on both occasions Allah prevented me. I have never considered doing anything evil ever since Allah honored me with His Message. One night I asked a serving boy who was my fellow herdsman, to watch the sheep for me while I went to Mecca to spend a night. When I came to the first house in Mecca, I heard the playing of flutes and drums in celebration of someone’s marriage and sat down to watch. Suddenly, I was overcome by sleep and only woke up after the sun had risen and returned without having participated. The same thing happened another time, and since then I have never considered any evil.”