1.He was very human

He felt scared at night and snored when he slept “One night the Prophet was unable to sleep and said, “Would that a righteous man from my companions guarded me tonight.” Suddenly we heard the clatter of arms, whereupon the Prophet said, “Who is it?” It was said, “I am Sa’d, O Allah’s Apostle! I have come to guard you.” The Prophet then slept so soundly that we heard him snoring. (alBukhari 9:337; 1:117; 665, 666).

“I saw Allah’s Apostle lying flat (on his back) in the mosque with one leg on the other.” (alBukhari 1:464)

He fainted when working too hard

“While Allah’s Apostle was carrying stones (along) with the people of Mecca for (the building of) the Ka’ba wearing an Izar (waist-sheet cover), his uncle Al-’Abbas said to him, “O my nephew! (It would be better) if you take off your Izar and put it over your shoulders underneath the stones.” So he took off his Izar and put it over his shoulders, but he fell unconscious and since then he had never been seen naked.” (alBukhari 1:360 also 5:170).

Allah’s Apostle was praying and he was carrying Umama the daughters of Zainab, the daughter of Allah’s Apostle … When he prostrated, he put her down and when he stood, he carried her (on his neck). (alBukhari 1:495)

Muhammad prayed while riding his camel

“Allah’s Apostle used to pray (optional, non-obligatory prayer) while riding on his mount (Rahila) wherever it turned, and whenever he wanted to pray the compulsory prayer he dismounted and prayed facing the Qibla.” (alBukhari 1:393; 2:114, 202, 203).

He organized a horse race

Allah’s Apostle ordered for a horse race; the trained horses were to run from a place called Al-Hafya’ to Thaniyat Al-Wada’ and the horses which were not trained were to run from Al-Thaniya to the Masjid (mosque of)

Bani Zuraiq. (alBukhari 1:412; 4:120-122; 9:436)

He invited others to his wedding banquet

The Prophet came to Khaibar and when Allah made him victorious and he conquered the town by breaking the enemy’s defense, the beauty of Safiya bint Huyai bin Akhtab was mentioned to him and her husband had been killed while she was a bride. Allah’s Apostle selected her for himself and he set out in her company till he reached Sadd-ar-Rawha’ where her menses were over and he married her. Then Hais (a kind of meal) was prepared and served on a small leather sheet (used for serving meals). Allah’s Apostle then said to me, “Inform those who are around you (about the wedding banquet).” So that was the marriage banquet given by Allah’s Apostle for (his marriage with) Safiya. (alBukhari 3:437)

He listened to music and watched a spear-throwing display Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) came to my house while two girls were singing beside me the songs of Buath (a story about the war between the two tribes of the Ansar, the Khazraj and the Aus, before Islam). The Prophet (peace be upon him) lay down and turned his face to the other side. Then Abu Bakr came and spoke to me harshly saying, “Musical instruments of Satan near the Prophet (peace be upon him) ?” Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) turned his face towards him and said, “Leave them.” When Abu Bakr became inattentive, I signaled to those girls to go out and they left. It was the day of ‘Id, and the Black people were playing with shields and spears; so either I requested the Prophet (peace be upon him) or he asked me whether I would like to see the display. I replied in the affirmative. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) made me stand behind him and my cheek was touching his cheek and he was saying, “Carry on! O Bani Arfida,” till I got tired. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked me, “Are you satisfied (Is that sufficient for you)?” I replied in the affirmative and he told me to leave. (alBukhari 2:70, 72; 4:155; 5:336; :445; 4:155; 7:118).

He liked sweet foods

“Allah’s Apostle was fond of honey and sweet edible things” (alBukhari 7:193, 342, 504, 514, 586).

2. He was open with his emotions

His wife reported: “I never saw Allah’s Apostle laughing loudly enough to enable me to see his uvula, but he used to smile only. And whenever he saw clouds or winds, signs of deep concern would appear on his face.[Clouds were seen as signs of judgement]” (alBukhari 6:353)

“If he (i.e. the Prophet) disliked something, the sign of aversion would appear on his face.” (alBukhari 4:763)

“Whenever Allah’s Apostle ordered the Muslims to do something, he used to order them deeds which were easy for them to do, (according to their strength endurance). They said, “O Allah’s Apostle! We are not like you. Allah has forgiven your past and future sins.” So Allah’s Apostle became angry and it was apparent on his face. He said, “I am the most Allah fearing, and know Allah better than all of you do.” (alBukhari 1:19)

“The wife of the Prophet said: “I bought a cushion having pictures on it. When Allah’s Apostle saw it, he stopped at the gate and did not enter. I noticed the signs of hatred (for that) on his face! (alBukhari 7:844)

Description of Muhammad The hair of the Prophet used to reach his shoulders. (alBukhari 7:790.1, 790.2, 788)

3. Some of his good qualities

Piety

He is called ‘pious Prophet and a pious brother” (alBukhari 1:345; 4:429; 5:227).

Bravery

At the battle of Hunain, ‘ On that day nobody was seen braver than the Prophet.’ ” (alBukhari 4:279)

Scrupulous in carrying out the law

“A woman from the tribe of Makhzum committed theft. She was brought to [Muhammad] and she sought refuge (intercession) from Umm Salamah, the wife of [the Prophet]. Thereupon Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him)

said: ‘By Allah, even if she were Fatimah [his daughter], I would have her hand cut off.’ And thus her hand was cut off.” (alBukhari 5:597; 4:681; 5:79; 8:778, 779)

Trustworthiness

Muhammad’s enemy Abu Sufyan was questioned about Muhammad’s truthfulness by the Roman Emperor. “Heraclius said, ‘Does he break his promises?’ I replied, ‘No.” (alBukhari 1:6)

Generosity

Muhammad was “the most generous of all people”(alBukhari 1:5)

“He owed me some money and he repaid it to me and gave more than what was due to me.” (alBukhari 1:434)

“He never turns down anybody’s request.” (alBukhari 2:367)

He encouraged others to be generous. “He said, “O Ka’b! Reduce your debt to one half,” gesturing with his hand. I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! I have done so.” Then Allah’s Apostle said (to Ibn Abi Hadrad), “Get up and pay the debt to him.” (alBukhari 1:447, 460)

Humility

He said: “None of you should say that I am better than Yunus (i.e. Jonah),” he told his followers (alBukhari 4:624, 608, 625, 627; 6:127, 128). When a Muslim and a Jew argued over which prophet was greater, Moses or Muhammad, the latter stated: “Don’t give me superiority over the other prophets, for when the trumpet will be blown, everyone on the earth and in the heavens will become unconscious except those whom Allah will exempt.” Muhammad would be the first to recover, but would find Moses standing before him (alBukhari 6:162; 8:524; 4:626, 610, 620; 3:594; 9:52, 564). When some small girls sang: “Among us is a Prophet who knows what will happen tomorrow,” he told them to leave this saying (alBukhari 7:77).

He refused to try to impress others

Umar bin Al-Khattab saw a silken cloak (being sold) at the gate of the Mosque and said to Allah’s Apostle, “I wish you would buy this to wear on Fridays and also on occasions of the arrivals of the delegations.” Allah’s Apostle replied, “This will be worn by a person who will have no share (reward) in the Hereafter.” (alBukhari 2:11, 69; 4:289)

He removed a silken shirt after wearing it once, saying: “It is not the dress of Allah-fearing pious people.” (alBukhari 1:372).

Anything that distracted him from prayer was discarded

(i) “The Prophet prayed in a Khamisa (a square garment) having marks [decoration]. During the prayer, he looked at its marks. So when he finished the prayer he said, “Take this Khamisa of mine … as it has diverted my attention from the prayer.” (alBukhari 1:369, 370, 719). (ii) “’Aisha had a Qiram (a thin marked woolen curtain) with which he had screened one side of her home. The Prophet said, “Take away this Qiram of yours, as its pictures are still displayed in front of me during my prayer (i.e. they divert my attention from the prayer).” (alBukhari 1:371)

(iii) He said: “I remembered a piece of gold lying in my house and I did not like it to divert my attention from Allah’s worship, so I have ordered it to be distributed (in charity).” (alBukhari 1:810; 2:511).

He lived simply and died with few possessions

(i) “The Prophet had mortgaged his armor to a Jew in Medina and took from him some barley for his family. Anas heard him saying, “The household of Muhammad did not possess even a single Sa of wheat or food grains for the evening meal, although he has nine wives to look after.” (alBukhari 3:283, 685)

(ii) “The Prophet did not leave anything behind him after his death except a white mule, his arms and a piece of land which he left to be given in charity.” (alBukhari 4:2, 125, 160, 330; 5:738)

He was sensitive to others

Sensitive to others about time

“The Prophet used to take care of us in preaching by selecting a suitable time, so that we might not get bored. (He abstained from pestering us with sermons and knowledge all the time).” (alBukhari 1:68, 70; 8:420)

“The Prophet said, ‘When I stand for prayer, I intend to prolong it but on hearing the cries of a child, I cut it short, as I dislike to trouble the child’s mother.’ “(alBukhari 1:675-678,827)

Mu’adh “led the ‘Isha’ [evening] prayer and recited Surat ‘Al-Baqra.’ [This is the longest chapter of the Qur’an, and would have taken a long time to recite]. Somebody left the prayer and Mu’adh criticized him. The news reached the Prophet and he said to Mu’adh, ‘You are putting the people to trial,’ and repeated it thrice (or said something similar) and ordered him to recite two medium Suras..” (alBukhari 1:669)

He had the number of daily prayers reduced from fifty to five

Then the prayers were enjoined on me: They were fifty prayers a day. When I returned, I passed by Moses who asked (me), ‘What have you been ordered to do?’ I replied, ‘I have been ordered to offer fifty prayers a day.’ Moses said, ‘Your followers cannot bear fifty prayers a day, and by Allah, I have tested people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel (in vain). Go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your followers’ burden.’ So I went back, and Allah reduced ten prayers for me. Then again I came to Moses, but he repeated the same as he had said before. Then again I went back to Allah and He reduced ten more prayers. When I came back to Moses he said the same, I went back to Allah and He ordered me to observe ten prayers a day. When I came back to Moses, he repeated the same advice, so I went back to Allah and was ordered to observe five prayers a day. When I came back to Moses, he said, ‘What have you been ordered?’ I replied, ‘I have been ordered to observe five prayers a day.’ He said, ‘Your followers cannot bear five prayers a day, and no doubt, I have got an experience of the people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel, so go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your follower’s burden.’ I said, ‘I have requested so much of my Lord that I feel ashamed, but I am satisfied now and surrender to Allah’s Order.’ When I left, I heard a voice saying, ‘I have passed My Order and have lessened the burden of My Worshipers.” (alBukhari 5:227; 1:345; 4:429; 9:608)

He stopped extra prayers lest they be considered compulsory

“Allah’s Apostle used to pray in his room at night. As the wall of the room was low, the people saw him and some of them stood up to follow him in the prayer. In the morning they spread the news. The following night the Prophet stood for the prayer and the people followed him. This went on for two or three nights. Thereupon Allah’s Apostle did not stand for the prayer the following night, and did not come out. In the morning, the people asked him about it. He replied, that he was afraid that the night prayer might become compulsory.” (alBukhari 1:696–698; 2:46; 9:393)

The Prayers of Muhammad

a) As the Muslims built the ditch around Medina in the face of the advancing Meccans, Muhammad called upon his God, reciting poetic verses composed by Ibn Rawaha (alBukhari 5:432): “O Allah. Were it not for You, we would not have been guided, nor would we have given in charity, nor prayed. So, bestow on us calmness, and when we meet the enemy, then make our feet firm, for indeed, yet if they want to put us in affliction, (i.e. want to fight against us) we would not (flee but withstand them).” (alBukhari 4:272 also 4:89,90)

The Old Testament contains similar expressions of dependence on God for His guidance (Ps.73:24), for generous giving by His people (1.Chr.29:17, 18), for encouraging prayer (2.Chr.7:14), and for the ability to withstand enemies (Ps.18:29).

b) While on a military expedition, the Prophet prayed for victory: “O Allah, the Revealer of the Holy Book, and the Mover of the clouds and the Defeater of the clans, defeat them, and grant us victory over them.” (alBukhari 4:266.1)

Likewise Yahweh is presented as the One who reveals his commands in a book (Dt.30:10), moves the clouds (Job.37:12), defeats Israel’s opponents (Jud.20:35), and gives His people victory (Jud.12:3). c) Muhammad prayed for forgiveness: “O Allah! Wash away my sins with the water of snow and hail, and cleanse my heart from all the sins as a white garment is cleansed from the filth, and let there be a long distance between me and my sins, as You made East and West far from each other.” (alBukhari 8:379 also 8:386, 388).

David begged God for a similar cleansing (Ps.51:1-10). The removal of sins in the Bible is declared as an accomplished action (“as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” Ps.103:12), rather than as a hope or aspiration.

d) A prayer for divine direction, called istikhara¸ is outlined, to be used when about to embark on a new venture. “O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, and Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter–(or said: If it is better for my present and later needs)–then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, and then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is harmful to me in my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter–(or said: If it is worse for my present and later needs)–then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, and make me satisfied with it). “(AlBukhari 2:263; 9:487).

Identical themes are found in the Bible: the request for guidance from God (Ps.143:10; Eph.5:17); a recognition of God’s knowledge (Job 37:16; Rom.11:3), power (Ex.9:16; Rom.1:20) and might (2.Chr.20:6; ph.1:19); a desire for his blessings (Ps.119:41; 1.Cor.9:23); human inability in the face of God’s capability (1.Kg.8:27; Lk.18:27); God’s knowledge of the invisible (Dt.29:29; Mt.6:6), and of what is best for his people (Prov.30:8; Mt.7:11); and satisfaction with what God has provided (Prov.19:23; Phil.4:12).

Response of worship and submission

The proper response to God’s mighty acts of mercy and deliverance is a life of praise and obedience. The Hadith record several prayers by Muhammad, such as: “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone, Who has no partner. All the Kingdom belongs to Him and all the praises are for Him and He is Omnipotent. We are returning with repentance, worshipping, prostrating ourselves and praising our Lord. Allah fulfilled His Promise, granted victory to His slave and He Alone defeated all the clans.” (alBukhari 4:238). Similar expressions of praise are found throughout the Hadith (e.g. alBukhari 1:805; 2:253; 3:23; 4:514; 5:442).

These accord with themes found in the Jewish and Christian scriptures. The incomparable God (Ex.8:10; Rev.19:16) is the only One worthy of worship (Dt.6:13) and has no partners or equals (Isa.46:5). He is the great King (Ps.93:5; 1.Tim.1:17), receiving praises (Ps.18:49; 1.Pet.2:9). He is omnipotent (Isa.40:26; Eph.1:19). His people respond with repentance (2.Chr.32.26; Mt.2:3), worship (Gen.24:26; Acts.13:2)

and prostration (Dt.9:18; Rom.14:11). God fulfils His promises (Gen.28:15; Rom.15:8), gives victory to those who serve Him (Dt.20:4; 1.Cor.15:57), and defeats those who oppose His people (Dt.4:46; Lk.1:74).

Similar prayers, with minor omissions, could easily be found in Jewish or Christian worship. An example is a tahajjud (optional evening prayer)

prayed by Muhammad: “O Allah! All the praises are for you. You are the Holder of the Heavens and the Earth, and whatever is in them. All the praises are for You. You have the possession of the Heavens and the Earth and whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth and all the praises are for You. You are the King of the Heavens and the Earth and all the praises are for You. You are the Truth and Your Promise is the truth, and to meet You is true. Your Word is the truth and Paradise is true and Hell is true and all the Prophets (Peace be upon them) are true and Muhammad is true and the Day of Resurrection is true. O Allah ! I surrender (my will) to You; I believe in You and depend on You and repent to You. With Your help I argue (with my opponents, the non-believers) and I take You as a judge (to judge between us). Please forgive me my previous and future sins and whatever I concealed or revealed. You are the One who makes (some people) forward and (some) backward. There is none to be worshipped but you.” (alBukhari 2:221)

Bernie Power, reproduced here with permission

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