Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, described the nature of Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless and grant him peace, as most cheerful, generous and truthful and sympathetic towards his companions. Another companion Qays, son of Saad, may Allah be pleased with both of them, reported that once the Prophet visited their house. At the time of his departure, his father Saad provided the Prophet a donkey with a saddle cloth for his return journey and asked Qays to accompany him. The Prophet invited Qays to ride along with him on the donkey. It is reported that the Prophet wanted him to ride in front of him saying that it is the right of the owner to sit there. Qays was hesitant to sit in front of the Prophet. The Prophet said to him to either ride or leave. Qays preferred to let the Prophet go alone.
The Prophet was very cheerful towards people and gave full attention to anyone coming closer to him. He always gave them due respect in accordance with their respective ranks and positions, being careful not to antagonise anybody. Everyone felt that he was closest to the Prophet. No one felt any discrimination in getting honour in his company. If anybody asked for anything, he would either provide or at least speak good words to him.
Allah recognised in the Qur’an this good behaviour of the Prophet towards his companions and persons visiting him. “So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh [in heart], they would have scattered from about you.” (The Qur’an 3:159)
Allah also said, “Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon, the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devout friend.” (The Qur’an 41:34)
He always replied to invitations and accepted gifts even that be a small thing and reciprocated better.
Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who lived with and served the Prophet for ten years said that he never expressed any frustration by even saying ‘uff.’ He reported that the Prophet never reprimanded him for anything done or not done by him.
Another companion of the Prophet Jabir, son of Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with both of them, reported similar companionship and closeness. He said that from the day he became Muslim the Prophet did not keep him away and always smiled on seeing him. This feeling of closeness to and affection flowing from the Prophet was a common experience of all companions. He mixed freely and also joked with them and played with their children. The children would sit on his lap. He was available to everyone including free men and slave girls who would invite him to resolve their problems. He replied positively to all such calls. He visited sick patients travelling to farther corners of the city. He readily accepted excuses made by other persons.
Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, noted a particular habit of the Prophet. If any person whispered in his ears, the Prophet would not move his ears until that person did that. Similarly, whenever any person shook his hands, the Prophet would not remove his hands until the person did so. He was not seen to keep his knees in front of any other person sitting beside him.
He was first in saying words of the greetings while meeting any person and initiated in shaking hands. He never stretched out his feet towards his companions to avoid belittling any person. One habit of honouring new comers was to extend his garments to bring that person closer and that of offering his cushion for their seating. He called his companions by good names and surnames as a mark of love and affection. He was so much conscious about the importance of other persons that he often shortened his prayers to welcome any person coming at that time. He would hear what that person had to say, bid him farewell and then resume his prayers.
Abdullah, son of Harith, may Allah be pleased with him, said that he had not seen any person smiling more than the Prophet. However, there are exceptions to this cheerful attitude including the time of the revelation of the Qur’an, reprimanding someone or giving any speech.
One of the forms of blessings sought by the servants of Madinah was to bring water in vessels in the morning for the Prophet to dip his hands. The Prophet always obliged them, even in very cold winter days.