Ethics and The Life of Prophet Mohammad ﷺ

Masjid e Nabvi Prophet Mohammad ﷺ

Before starting my report, let me put something as a provision- I have flaws as I am human. I am reminding this concept to myself the same as I am reminding all of you. The best way of learning is to teach and discuss. To teach this concept, it requires me to write, compile, and reorganize. Forgive me if I make any mistake.

Ethics and The Life of Prophet Mohammad ﷺ, a topic very important in explaining the ethics and its importance in everyday life. Prophet Mohammad’s ﷺ life revolves around the ethical practices in every field of life. You’ll find all types of ethics which are being practiced in today’s modern world in the life of Prophet Mohammad ﷺ. In fact, Prophet Mohammad ﷺ introduced those ethics and proved their effectiveness. Even the worst enemies of Prophet ﷺ were a believer of the fact that he never lies and he has great integrity, honesty, and dignity.

The character he ﷺ has was the best of all examples for the entire world not just for Muslims. Prophet ﷺ has spread Islam in this world with the help of his character. He had the power of character and great ethics which neither a single person ever matched nor till the end of this universe. He had the power of Ethics. Prophet ﷺ was a man of honor. A person who tries to follow his way of life is known as ‘Momin’ in Islam, a person who is best amongst the Muslims. A number of people in this world accepted Islam because of the teachings of Mohammad ﷺ and himself following those teachings of high moral grounds.

Verily, I was sent for no other reason, except to perfect the noble traits of character.(Muwatta Imam Malik)

Early Life of Prophet Mohammad ﷺ

Mohammad ﷺ has born in 570 A.D in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Father of Mohammad ﷺ has died before he ﷺ was born. And his ﷺ mother also died when he was only 6 years old in 577 A.D. He was first raised by his Grandfather and then by his uncle Abu Talib Ibn-e- Abu Mutalib. His ﷺ family was poor but respectable in Arab, called Quraysh Tribe. They were active in politics and trade in Mecca. Trading was the major source of earning for the tribes living in Mecca. Muhammad ﷺ started going to trade with his uncle Abu Talib at the age of 9.

Ethics in The Life of Mohammad

Mohammad ﷺ, in his whole life, lived with high moral ethics and character. He ﷺ taught his followers to live life with high moral values. He believed that the best to spread Islam in the hearts in people is to practice it. Your behaviour must indicate your ethics and your values. Islam teaches high morality which everyone should be able to practice in his whole life. Majority of Islamic teachings are based on ethics and morality. Muslims all around the world look up to Mohammad ﷺ as their role model. He ﷺ has sent to this world to teach people the way of life and the teachings of Allah Almighty.

The most perfect believer in terms of belief is the one who has the highest ethics and who treats his family in the nicest way.(Abu Dawood, Sunnah, 14)

Islam really takes the issue of ethics seriously. A person can never be a good Muslim until or unless he is not ethical. The goal of Prophet ﷺ was also to improve the behaviors and manners of the people. The religion of God is 100% complete and was brought to us by the best of mankind, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). He appeared in the heart of a desert which was almost the most uncivilized part of the then inhabited world and where people were immersed in the worst kinds of immorality.

Some of the moral values and teachings of Prophet are as follows,

Truthfulness

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), said:

I order you to be truthful, A true action leads to the path of virtue and good deeds, and virtue paves the way of a person to Paradise, and the said person continues to speak the truth till in the sight of God he is named Siddiq (Truthful). Lying leads to vice, and vice leads to indecent acts and a person goes on lying till in the sight of God he is named a liar.(Bukhari and Muslim)

The person who speaks truth is regarded as respectful in the eyes of people and the also receives the blessings of Allah SWT. Ali ibn Abi Talib mentioned the positive reciprocal effect of behaving truthfully with people in this worldly life:

Whoever does three things with regards to people, they will necessitate three things from him: whenever he speaks to them he is truthful; whenever they entrust him with something he does not betray them; and whenever he promises them something he fulfils it.  If he does this, their hearts will love him; their tongues will praise him; and they will come to his aid(Ibn Muflih, Adaab ash-Shari’a).

Allah says in Qur’an:

And whosoever obeys God and His Messenger, such will be in the company of those whom God has blessed: the Prophets, the truthful ones, the martyrs, and the righteous.  And how excellent a company are such people! (Quran 4:69)

Trustworthiness

The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) was the embodiment of trustworthiness. The Makkans called him ‘the Trustworthy One.’ Even after the declaration of his Prophethood, they continued to entrust their precious goods to him although they regarded him as an enemy.

Read more: 7 deeds you must do in the last Ashra of Ramadan

The Prophet Mohammad ﷺ was the most trustworthy person in Makkah. People called him ‘the Trustworthy One.’ Even the people who opposed Islam and regarded him as an enemy, still entrusted their precious goods to Prophet ﷺ.

He warned people against breaking one’s trust, lying and breach of trust.

Like breaching a trust and breaking one’s word, lying was also, in his words, ‘a sign of hypocrisy.(Abu Dawud, Adab, 80; I. Hanbal, 3.447)

He was not only against deceiving humans but even warned people against deceiving animals.

Prophet ﷺ also warned people of deceiving animals, not just humans. Once, annoyed at seeing one of his companions call his horse using deception, he said:

You should give up deceiving animals. You should be trustworthy even in your treatment of them.(Bukhari, Iman, 24; Muslim, Iman, 107)

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked by one of his companions:

…Are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?

Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him) replied,

There is a reward for kindness to every living being. (Sahih al – Bukhari)

Communication Manners of Prophet Mohammad ﷺ

Today, the world is so modernized that many new ways of communication have evolved, like phones, messenger, chats, WhatsApp, Twitter, etc. Communication manners should be thought of well by the Muslims, we are accounted for every word, so we should be very careful in our everyday communications whether it’s through social media or not. We can be sinned or rewarded because of what we speak or type.

Also Read about Shab e Barat and Its importance in Islam

But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.[Quran, 29:3]

Forbidding Suspicion and Backbiting

The Qur’an declares:

O you who believe! Avoid much of suspicion for suspicion in some cases is a grave sin. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would surely hate it. And fear God, verily God is the Acceptor of repentance, the Most Merciful. (al-Hujurat, 49.12)

Backbiting, slanders and gossiping cause harm to other people so, they are serious issues. They may lead to dispute and hatred. Muslims should be very careful in this matter.

Now there is a question, Does having Fun or teasing friends by joking (which include a lie) is misbehaving..?

Prophet ﷺ did make jokes but those were based on the truth. One can make joke for laughter, but those must be based on truth, and should not harm or hurt anyone’s feelings. It should be some funny incident or happening, not the appearance or looks of someone.

O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to beused of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are(indeed) doing wrong.– Al Quran, 49: 11

Suspicion, backbiting and spying are connected. By avoiding the first one, will make you able to stay away from the other two sins. But those who always suspect others, they spy n them and find bad things which lead to backbiting. These are some ethical rights Muslims have on each other.

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The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear God, that ye may receive Mercy.– Al Quran, 49: 10

Beware of suspicion, for it is the most deceitful of thought.(Sahih Al Bukhari and Muslim)

The patience of Prophet Mohammad ﷺ

God surely loves those who are the Sabireen (patient).(3:146)

Whatever the situation Muslims face, either good or bad, they must be patient. Everything comes by the will of Allah.

God says in the Quran:

Nay, seek (God’s) help with patient perseverance and prayer: It is indeed hard, except to those who bring a lowly spirit, Who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that they are to return to Him.(Quran 2:45-46)

The Virtues of Patience

The story takes place in the city not far away from Mecca, known as Ta’if. The Prophet went there to preach Islam to the locals. The Prophet Mohammad ﷺ approached the leaders of Ta’if and called them towards Islam. Not only did the leaders reject the call to Islam but they reacted in such a way that they set young children upon the Prophet Mohammad ﷺ to taunt him, stone him, and chase him out of Ta’if. The Holy Prophet Mohammad ﷺ bled till his footwear was drenched in blood. The Angel Jibra’eel came to the Prophet and said, “If you wish, then I will give the order for two angels to crush the residents of Ta’if between the two mountains in which it lies.” The Prophet replied in the negative and said, “I am hopeful that their descendants will accept Islam.” This was the patience of the Prophet.

 Indeed God is with those who are patient.

Equality

O you mankind! We have created you from a male and a female; and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know each other [more easily]. Indeed, the noblest among you in view of Allāh is the most pious of you. Al Quran 49:13

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white except by piety and good action.(Sahi Al Bukhari)

None of you will have faith until he wishes for his brother what he likes for himself. (Sahih Muslim)

Everyone is equal in Islam, irrespective of their color, caste, religion, wealth, and a powerful position, Islam gives equal rights to minorities.

Rights for all Members

Islam gives the rights to all family members, rights of parents, children, siblings.

 And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor. – Al Quran, 17:23

A kind word is charity.(Sahih al Bukhari and Muslim)

He ordered the care of orphans and feeding of the poor as the means to enter Paradise and if anyone held back the rights of those who were destitute, they could forget about ever seeing Paradise.

Each one of you should save himself from the fire by giving even half of a date (in charity). And if you do not find a half date, then (by saying) a pleasant word (to your brethren). (Sahih Al Bukhari)

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may God be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of God (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: God (Mighty and Sublime be He) will say on the Day of Resurrection: ((O son of Adam, I fell ill and you visited Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so had fallen ill and you visited him not? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I feed You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so asked you for food and you fed him not? Did you not know that had you fed him you would surely have found that (the reward for doing so) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked you to give Me to drink and you gave Me not to drink. He will say: O Lord, how should I give You to drink whin You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: My servant So-and-so asked you to give him to drink and you gave him not to drink. Had you given him to drink you would have surely found that with Me.)) (Hadith Qudsi 18, it was related by Muslim)

Females are an equal part of the family. Burying the young female, as pagan Arabs used to do, is a sin that will be questioned on the day of resurrection. The Quran says:

And when the female (infant) buried alive (as the pagan Arabs used to do) is going to be asked; about what sin could she (as an infant) have possibly committed. – Al Quran, 81:8

Message of Peace

The Prophet Mohammad ﷺ advised his followers to live in peace with their fellow men, saying, “A true believer is one with whom others feel secure,” one who returns love for hatred.

Despite his position as leader, Prophet Mohammad ﷺ never believed himself to be greater or better than other people. He never made others feel small, unwanted, or embarrassed. He urged his followers to behave kindly and humbly, releasing slaves whenever possible, and giving in charity – especially to very poor people, orphans, and prisoners – without any thought of reward.

Despite the position of Prophet Mohammad ﷺ, he never lets people feel that he is greater or better than them. He lived a humble life. He urged his followers to behave in a humble and kindful way. Release slaves, giving charity to the poor people, prisoners, and orphans (without any thinking of reward).

…it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. God knows (what is best for you) and you do not. – Al Quran, 2: 216

Gambling and Intoxicating Drinks

Prophet Mohammad ﷺ, forbade usury and interest on money lending. Usury eats away wealth and destroys the economic systems throughout history.

You who believe! Be afraid of God and give up what remains (due to you) from usury, if you are believers. And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from God and His Messenger but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly.– Al Quran, 2: 275-279

Prophet Mohammad ﷺ, did not allow gambling and intoxicating drinks (alcohol).

People ask you (Muhammad) about alcohol and gambling. Say, ‘There is great sin in both of them and (some benefit) for humans, but the sin is greater than any benefit from them.’ And they ask you what they should spend (for charity, etc.). Say, ‘Whatever is above your basic needs.’ So, God makes it clear to you His Laws in order for you to give thought.–  Al Quran 2:219

O you believers! Intoxicating drinks, gambling, fortune telling, etc. is the work of the devil. So stay away from all of that horrible stuff, that you will be successful.” “The devil only wants to create hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks, etc.) and gambling and to keep you from the remembrance of God and from your proper worship (prayers). So, why won’t you away from them?– Al Quran 5:90-91

Acts of Forgiveness and Humbleness

Prophet ﷺ was so merciful in his whole life. Even after he conquered Makkah without any bloodshed, he forgave everyone. And these are those people who made him suffer a lot. They even tried to assassinate him. The most notable incident was the night when Hazrat Ali (AS) slept at the place of Prophet Mohammad ﷺ, at the time of migration to Madina.

God does not regard your externals or your riches but rather your hearts and your deeds.(Sahih Muslim)

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