The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) had become an orphan before he was born, and he began his life in hardship and difficulties. But when he departed from the world, he had the whole Arabia under his authority. But his simplicity, purity and uprightness served as a guiding light for everyone.
Aayisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) never preferred to anyone on worldly affairs. He would do all the chores by himself. He would milk the goat himself and repair the torn shoes. When the Prophet’s mosque was being built, he was one of the workers and he was carrying bricks and other things. During the battle of confederates, he was digging trenches along with other companions.
His diet was barley and bread of un-sieved flour. Sometimes no fire was alighted in his house.
He never openly disliked nor criticised any food. He would eat whatever was served to him, and held back if he wasn’t hungry or the food was disagreeable to him.
CHEERFUL AND PERFECT MANNERS
Abdullah bin Harith says he had never seen a person more cheerful than Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him).
Anas says he (the Prophet) was the bravest of all. Once the people of Medinah found themselves faced with an unknown terror; the people followed the commotion. But the panic-stricken people found the Prophet returning from the centre of the place and reporting that there was no cause for panic.
Once Zaid bin Sanah, then a Jew, came to the Prophet and demanded him to pay back the loan he had taken. He said, “You son of Abdul Muttallib is late.” Although the Prophet kept smiling, Umar who was present there rebuked him. The Prophet said to Umar that he (Zaid) deserved better treatment and instead Umar should have asked the Prophet to pay it promptly and he demanded it politely. At the same time he asked Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) to pay the loan and 20 kilograms extra so to compensate him for his behaviour. The gracious behaviour of the Prophet caused Zaid to embrace Islam then and there.
INFORMALITY
Once the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: keep from praising me beyond a limit as the Christians who crossed all limits in adoring Isa bin Maryam; I am one of the slaves of Allah so call me Abdullah (the slave of Allah).
Once on the way to Badr from Makkah, Akhnas bin Shuraiq said to Abu Jahl: “O Abu Jahl! I ask one thing and none is here except we two. Tell me truthfully whether Muhammad is truthful or a liar.” Abu Jahl replied: “By God, Muhammad always speaks the truth and he never utters anything untrue.”
Once, some of the people asked the Prophet to curse the polytheists. He replied that he had not been sent to curse but rather been sent by Allah as a mercy to mankind.
MODERATION
Aayisha (may Allah be pleased with her) related that when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said anything negative about anyone, he never mentioned the person by name. He would rather say what type of person are those who do such things. Most of the time, he kept silent and never talked unnecessarily. His speech was always clear neither so long as to contain unnecessary details nor so short as to exclude some essential points. His walking was moderate neither so slow as to become cumbersome to others in his company nor so fast to cause exhaustion. In short, he practised moderation in every aspect of life.
When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) was in the company of his companions, he was so close to them that a newcomer wouldn’t recognise him distinctly and would ask for the Prophet to be pointed out to him. He did not like to eat anything that might cause a smell to emit from his mouth.
He applied all sources and resources in accomplishing any task, but left the outcome to Allah the Almighty. And he was least afraid of the result going against his hope. He showed humility but not meanness. He was not rude and rash; he practised generosity but not extravagance. Whoever came to him all of a sudden felt awe-stricken but when seated beside him began to love him.
Whenever he had two ways to do a thing, he followed the easier one. He took part in manly sports and exercises like archery, shooting and horse-racing with his companions.
Allah says in the Qur’ān in Surah Saba verse number 28:
“We have not sent thee but as a (messenger) to all mankind, giving them glad tidings and warning them but most men know not.”