Prophet of Islam - Hazrat Mohammad (S)

Our honourable Prophet (s.a.w.) was born at sunrise on Friday 17 Rabi-ul-Awwal 571 A.D. the year of the elephant. His grandson Imam Jaffar Ibn Mohammad as-Sadiq (a.s.), the sixth Imam of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), was also born on the same day in the year 83 after Hijra.

Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.) was an orphan who was brought up by his grandfather Abdul Muttalib and then by his uncle Abu Talib the father of Imam Ali (a.s.). Abu Talib was a dignified man who was much respected and revered by the people of Mecca. He loved and cared for the Prophet a great deal, supporting him after the commencement of his Prophethood and defending him against the evil of Quraish.

The Prophet (s.a.w.) was of “sublime morality” as Allah (s.w.t.) described him in the holy Qur’an: “ And most surely you conform [yourself] to sublime morality” (Surah 68: Verse 4). Although he was a Prophet, he used to visit the sick, participate in funeral ceremonies and assist whoever asked him for assistance even if he was a slave. He (s.a.w.) also used to eat and sit on the floor and greet the young and the women with Salams when passing by. He (s.a.w.) used to sit among his followers such that if a stranger walked in he would not be able to differentiate him from the others until he asked and was told who the Prophet was. He attended to his own affairs and whenever anyone asked him for anything he always used to give it to them. He was the most generous and well mannered person and people used to enjoy his company more than anyone else. He was most daring, most truthful person who kept his word and much revered by those who met him and much loved by everyone who knew him. He was also very brave. Imam Ali (a.s.) has said in his regard:

“We were protected by the Prophet (s.a.w.) on the day of the battle of Badr when he was the closest among us to the enemy. On that day he was the strongest and bravest of all”. The Commander of the Faithful has also said in his regard: “ When the battle reached its peak and armed to arm combat was well under way, we were shielded by the Prophet (s.a.w.) for there were none nearer to the enemy than he was(s.a.w.).

He (s.a.w.) yearned to see his brothers in faith. If he didn’t see any of them for three days he used to ask about that person. If that person was absent he used to make dua’s for him and if he was present he visited him and if he was sick the Prophet (s.a.w.) attended his bedside. He smiled when speaking and pleased the listener with his words. When he (s.a.w.) entered a gathering he used to sit right at the end of the Majlis.

One day some of his followers called on him and he was sitting on a straw mat with straw markings clearly visible on his sides, so they said to him: “O Messenger of Allah, why don’t you take a cushioned mat to sit on?” He (s.a.w.) replied: “What do I care for this world, I’m like a traveler (in this world) travelling during a hot summer season and sitting in the shadow of a tree for an hour and then leaving it behind.”

His food (s.a.w.) was most simple. Ibn Abbas has said: “The Messenger of Allah died and his shield was pawned to a Jewish man for an amount of barley which he (s.a.w.) had taken for his family.” He (s.a.w.) strove to keep word. On one occasion he said to a man that he will meet him at a particular rock, saying to him: “I’ll be here till you come.” The heat of the sun had intensified and his followers said to him: “O Messenger of Allah why not move to the shade?” He (s.a.w.) replied: “I promised him I will be here.”

People were able to distinguish the Prophet (s.a.w.) in the darkness of the night because of his exquisite fragrance, saying: “ There goes the Prophet (s.a.w.).” If anyone passed through the same place as the Prophet (s.a.w.) they always knew that he was there before them because of his lingering fragrance.

Such was the behavior of the Prophet (s.a.w.). His grandson Imam Jaffar as-Sadiq (a.s.) who portrayed his behavior and characteristics was remarkable in propagating his thoughts and protecting his standards of conduct. What can be more magnificent than for us to conform to their ways as The Almighty (s.w.t.) has ordered us in His Glorious Qur’an:

“ Certainly you have in the Apostle of Allah an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah and the latter day and remembers Allah much.”

(Surah 33: Verse 21)

Rasool ul Allah (S) said: 

"Even if the entire duration of the world's existence has already been
     exhausted and only one day is left before Doomsday (Day of judgment),
     Allah will expand that day to such a length of time, as to accommodate
     the kingdom of a person out of my Ahlul-Bayt who will be called by my
     name. He will then fill out the earth with peace and justice as it
     will have been full of injustice and tyranny before then."

     "There will be twelve Guides (Imams) after me, the first of whom is
     you, O' Ali, and the last one will be the 'Support' (al-Qa'im), who
     with the grace of Allah, will gain victory over the whole east and
     west of the world."