Prophet Muhammad (SAW) : A Humble servant of Allah

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) : A Humble servant of Allah

The prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was also a very humble person. He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) lived humbly all his life and never boasted of his social or political position either before or after his successes in Madinah. Once, on a journey, a few of the companions decided to slaughter a goat for a meal. They divided the work among themselves; one was to slaughter it, another to remove its skin, yet another to do the cooking. Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said that he would collect the wood for cooking. His companions said that they would do his work as well. He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) replied, “I know that you will do it quite willingly but I do not like to have an eminent position in the assembly and Allah also does not like it.”‘

Umar(RA) reported Allah’s Messenger as saying, “Don’t exaggerate in praising me as the Christians did in praising Jesus who was raised to the status of God’s son. I am a servant of God; therefore call me a servant and messenger of God.”

Anas(RA) said that Allah’s Messenger used to visit the sick, accompany funerals, ride donkeys and accept the invitations of slaves. In the battle of Banu Quraiza, he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was riding a donkey whose bridle and saddle were made of palm leaves. He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) also reported that Allah’s Messenger accepted without hesitation invitations to dinners consisting of mere barley and stale bread.

Anas (RA) said that the companions of Allah’s Messenger loved him more than anything in the world, but still they did not stand up when he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) came in for he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) disliked it. Again this shows his extreme humility in that he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) did not like people standing up as they stood up for kings and rulers.

Umar (RA) said that some one asked A’isha (RA) about Allah’s Messenger’s activities at home. She replied that he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) did most of the household work like ordinary people. He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) sewed his clothes, mended his shoes and shirt, milked his goat and swept the house. He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) shared his food with the poor and slaves. He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) visited the sick, even the poorest, in their homes. He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) sat with the destitute and the needy in such a way that no one could recognise him. When he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) went to any assembly, he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) sat wherever he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) found a place.’

He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was so humble that he did not like to be hailed by even ordinary reverential titles. Once a man addressed him in these words: “O my Lord! My Lord’s son! The best among us and the son of the best among us!” He said, “O people, adopt piety so that Satan may not lead you astray. I am Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), son of Abdullah, servant of Allah and His Messenger. I do not like you to exalt me from the status Allah has given me.”

When he was entering Makkah as a conquerer, he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was not proud or boastful like a worldly conqueror. An expression of humility and gentleness was on his face and he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) lowered his head in humility so that it touched the saddle of the pack camel.

When his son Ibrahim died, by coincidence there was a solar eclipse on that day. People thought that the heavenly bodies were also sharing in the grief of the Messenger of Allah. He at once gathered all the companions in the mosque and addressed them saying, “O people! Know this, that the solar eclipse is one of the signs of Allah. It does not occur because of the birth or death of anyone.”

Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) always lived in a humble way and taught his followers to do the same. Many incidents can be quoted to show how humble he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was in his ordinary daily life. He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) lived the life of an ordinary human being and showed by his example how to live humbly even in greatness.

Jazak Allah Khair for reading.