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Allah Is Most Kind To His Slaves

A high-ranking member of the Riyadh community informed me that in 1376 Hijri, a group of fishermen from the town of Jubayl set out to sea, and after spending three days and three nights fishing, they were unable to catch even a single fish. Meanwhile, a group of nearby fishermen caught a large number of fish. They were surprised, not merely from the disparity between their failure and the other group’s success, but because they were performing the five daily prayers and failed while the other group was not praying and succeeded. One of them said, “How perfect is Allah! We prayed to Allah every single prayer, and we didn’t get anything; the other group did not prostrate to Allah even once over the last few days, and look at all they managed to get!” In this way, the Shaytaan (Devil) whispered evil suggestions to them and advised them to abandon the prayer. The next morning, they did not wake up for Fajr (the morning prayer). They also neglected to perform the Dhuhr (noon) and Asr (afternoon) prayers. Before nightfall, they set out for the ocean; they caught a fish, and upon slitting it open, they found a pearl in its stomach — a costly pearl. One of them took the pearl in his hand, stared at it, and said, after reflecting, “How perfect is Allah! When we obeyed Him, we got nothing, and when we disobeyed Him, this is what we got! Indeed, this sustenance before us is of a doubtful nature.” Then he took hold of the pearl and hurled it into the ocean, saying immediately afterward, “Allah will recompense us with better than this. By Allah, I will not take it, for we acquired it after abandoning the prayer. Come with me, and let us leave this place wherein we disobeyed Allah.” They traveled three miles before camping for the night. Shortly afterward, they went fishing again, and they caught a fair-sized fish. When they slit it open, they found the same valuable pearl inside its stomach. They said, “All praise is due to Allah, who has provided us with good sustenance.” They caught the fish after praying, remembering Allah, and asking for His forgiveness, so this time they kept it.

Gift-Giving Is One Of The Good Manners

Gift-giving is one of the good manners that maintains and strengthens relations between the giver and the recipient. It is one of the acts that Prophet Muhammad recommended us -Muslims- to do. Al-Bukhaari narrated that ‘Aa’ishah said: “The Messenger of Allah used to accept gifts and reward people for giving them.”

The phrase: “Reward people for giving them,” means giving the giver (at a later time) something of equal value at least in return. This Hadeeth (narration) indicates that accepting gifts and giving something of equal value (or more) to the giver is the way of the Prophet.

The Prophet enjoined responding in kind to favours, as he said in an authentic narration: “Whoever do you a favour, respond in kind, and if you cannot find the means of doing so, then keep praying for him until you think that you have responded in kind.” [Abu Daawood]

“Whoever does you a favour,” means, whoever treats you kindly in word or deed or by gifting you.
“Respond in kind,” means to treat him kindly just as he has treated you kindly.
“If you cannot find the means of doing so” means if you do not have the money.
“Until you think that you have responded in kind” means, repeatedly supplicating for him until you think that you have rewarded him his due.

One of the Du’aa’ forms that one can say is ‘Jazaaka Allaahu khayran’ (may Allaah reward you with good). At-Tirmithi narrated that Usaamah Ibn Zayd said: The Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever has a favour done for him and says ‘Jazaak Allaahu khayran’ has done his utmost to thank him.” [At-Tirmithi]

“Done his utmost to thank him,” means that he has done his utmost to express his gratitude because he has acknowledged his shortcomings and that he is unable to reward and thank him enough, so he refers the matter to Allah, to reward him in the best manner. It is said that: “If you are unable to give him back in kind, then speak at length thanking him and supplicating for him.” [Tuhfat Al-Ahwathi]

Also, The Prophet peace and blessings be upon him said: “Exchange gifts, as that will lead to increasing your love for one another.” [Al-Bukhaari]

An Exalted Example Of Character

The uniqueness of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is that he was not only a great person in his own time, but he is great for all times, for all people of any race, color, nationality or geographical location. His example was good for the 7th century Arabs and it is good also for the humanity living now at the beginning of this 21st century. He is an excellent example for the rich and poor, for young and old, for rulers and ruled, for the most intelligent as well as the most common people. Allah sent him as His Prophet for all humanity.

Allah says in the Quran: Say (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah – to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshiped but He). It is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad, peace be upon him), the Prophet who can neither read nor write ( i.e. Muhammad, peace be upon him) who believes in Allah and His Words[(this Quran), the Taurat (Torah) and the Injil (Gospel) and also Allah’s Word: Be! and he was, i.e. Isa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary), peace be upon him], and follow him so that you may be guided. (Al-A raf 7: 158)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) practiced what he preached. He very carefully and meticulously followed the Quran, Allah s Word that was revealed to him. He followed and lived the Quran at every moment in every detail of his life. His life was the reflection of Allah s Words. He became the Quran in person, the embodiment of the Quran, or one may even say in a metaphorical sense the Word in flesh. It is reported in a Hadith: Sad ibn Hisham said that he askedAishah, Prophet’s wife (Allah be pleased with her) Tell me about the character of the Prophet (peace be upon him). She said, His character was the Quran. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 24139)

Some of His attributes
The morality of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was not restricted to just a few moral attributes but included diverse traits and aspects of life. He was kind, compassionate, caring, generous, and humble, but he was also strong, brave, eloquent, wise and insightful. He was a great planner, organizer, and thinker, yet he was also a man of faith, trust and devotion to Allah. He was involved and active with his family and community but he did not neglect his prayers, fasting and devotion to Allah. Actually, he prayed so much that no one prayed like him. He was exemplary as a teacher, preacher, Imam, leader, statesman, judge, and commander of the armies as well as a husband, father, grandfather, businessman, neighbor, and friend.

Before he received the honor of nubuwwah (Prophethood), he was known among the people of Makkah as As-Sadiq Al-Amin, the most honest and trustworthy person. He kept this character throughout his life. He never broke a pledge or promise. Even his enemies could not accuse him of being dishonest.

He was a most humble person. He used to mingle with the poor and sit with them. He stopped people from standing up for him. He used to sit wherever there was a place available in an assembly and never sought a prominent or elevated place. The newcomers sometimes would not know who was the Prophet among the people. When he entered the city of Makkah as a conqueror leading a big army, he entered in a most humble manner. In a unique demonstration of humility, his forehead was touching the saddle of his camel!

A mercy to mankind
He was the most merciful person. Allah called him (a mercy to the Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists ) – Al-Anbiya 21: 107. He was merciful to his family, followers, friends, and even enemies. He was merciful to young and old, to humans and to animals. Those who persecuted him in Makkah and killed his relatives and his followers, when they were defeated in the battles and brought as captives, were forgiven by him. He did not ever take revenge or retaliated. He was the most forgiving person.

Constancy was a very important aspect of his moral behavior. Once he established some good way or practice he used to follow it and adhere to it always. He used to say: The dearest deed to Allah is the one that is performed regularly, even if it was a little. (Al-Bukhari, No. 5983)

His names:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) has many names reflecting his attributes and qualities. Some of the most beautiful names of the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned in both the Quran and Hadith are the following:

Muhammad (the praised one), Ahmad (most praiseworthy), Hamid (the giver of praise and thanks), Ar-Rasul (the Messenger), An-Nabi (the Prophet), Shahid (the witness), Rashid (the righteous), Bashir (the giver of good news), Nadhir (the warner), Da’i (the caller to Allah), Hadi (the guide), Mahi (the remover of evil), Fatih (the conqueror), Ra’uf (the compassionate), Rahim (the merciful), Mujtaba (the chosen one), Mustafa (the selected one), Murtada (the well-pleasing in the sight of Allah), As-Sadiq (the truthful), Al-Amin (the trustworthy), Musaddiq (the confirmer of truth), Habibullah (Allah s beloved one), Safiullah (the one selected by Allah), Najiullah (the one protected by Allah), Shakur (the most grateful one), Karim (the noble one), Hakim (the wise one), Sayyid (the leader), Siraj Munir (the shining lamp), Jawwad (the generous one), `Adil (the Just), and Khatam Ar-Rusul (the final Messenger). May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!

Being Kind To Old Parents

The young man in his thirties takes a deep breath. He is standing in the hallway of a bustling hospital, waiting for the elevator, where he has brought his mother for a doctor’s appointment. She is walking slowly with her limp, blocking the way of several young people who are hurrying to get into the waiting lines. Whenever his mother’s slow movement blocks passersby, their faces barely hide their impatience. Embarrassed, the young man looks down and avoids their eyes, while patiently bearing with his elderly mother.

Allah says: “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And spread over them humbly the wings of tenderness, and say: ‘O my Sustainer! Bestow Your grace upon them, just as they cherished and reared me when I was a child.” (Qur’an, 17:23-24)

Sometimes, people compare weak old age to human infancy. They make comparisons about how, when a person grows very old, they need to be helped to sit up, fed mashed, bland food, and cooed and cajoled to eat like babies. Some may need to wear adult diapers at night if their incontinence reaches an advanced stage.

However, the comparison may not be correct. No matter how hard it is for a new mother to take care of her baby round the clock, with nights providing little sleep and being on-call to change diapers or breastfeed at inopportune times, she has hope that this difficult phase will pass soon and that one day she will see her baby all grown up. She looks forward to the time when her baby will start to walk, talk and play. She knows that her tough initial motherhood duties will eventually lighten up with her baby’s growth and independence.

Kind Treatment of Wives

ALLAH instructs men to be nice to their wives and to treat them well to the best of their ability: “And live with them in honorably.” (4:19)

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “The most perfect of believers in belief is the best of them in character. The best of you are those who are the best to their women.” (Al-Tirmidhi).

The Prophet of Mercy (PBUH) tells us that a husband’s treatment of his wife reflects a Muslim’s good character, which in turn is a reflection of the man’s faith. How can a Muslim husband be good to his wife? He should smile, not hurt her emotionally, remove anything that will harm her, treat her gently, and be patient with her.

Being nice includes good communication. A husband should be willing to open up and be willing to listen to his wife. Many times a husband wants to air his frustrations (like work). He should not forget to ask her about what annoys her (like when children would not do their homework). A husband should not talk about important things with her when he or his wife is angry, tired, or hungry. Communication, compromise, and consideration are the cornerstone of marriage.

Being nice includes encouraging one’s wife. The most meaningful admiration comes from a sincere heart that notices what really matters — what the wife really values. So a husband should ask himself what she feels most insecure about and discover what she values. That is the wife’s sweet spot of praise. The more the husband compliments it, the more the wife will admire it, and the more on-target this healthy habit will be. Kind words are like, “I like the way you think,” “You look beautiful in those clothes,” and “I love hearing your voice on the phone.”

Human beings are imperfect. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said , “A believing man should not hate a believing woman. If he dislikes something in her character, he should be pleased with some other trait of hers.” (Sahih Muslim)