Characteristics of Prophet Muhammad

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Islamic_Wallpaper_Muhammad_015-1366x768There are a number of ways to understand the best qualities of human beings in Islam. One way is to study how God has described the Prophets in the Qur’an, since they are the people who are chosen by God as His messengers and are the best ones to be chosen by human beings as their guide and role models.

  1. Submissive to God

So if they argue with you, say, ‘I have submitted my will to God, and [so has] he who follow me.’ And say to those who were given the Book and the uninstructed ones, ‘Do you submit?’ If they submit, they will certainly be guided, but if they turn away, then your duty is only to communicate; and God sees best the servants. (3:20)

He has no partner, and this [creed] I have been commanded [to follow],and I am the first of those who submit [to God].’ (6:163)

  1. Gentle to the people

It is by God’s mercy that you are gentle to them; and had you been harsh and hardhearted, surely they would have scattered from around you. So excuse them, and plead for forgiveness for them, and consult them in the affairs, and once you are resolved, put your trust in God. Indeed God loves those who trust in Him. (3:159)

  1. Deep concern for the people

There has certainly come to you an apostle from among yourselves. Grievous to him is your distress; he has deep concern for you, and is most kind and merciful to the faithful. (9:128)

  1. Most kind and merciful to the faithful

There has certainly come to you an apostle from among yourselves. Grievous to him is your distress; he has deep concern for you, and is most kind and merciful to the faithful. (9:128)

  1. Who has faith in God and His words

Say, ‘O mankind! I am the Apostle of God to you all, [of Him] to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. There is no god except Him. He gives life and brings death.’ So have faith in God and His Apostle, the uninstructed prophet who has faith in God and His words, and follow him so that you may be guided. (7:158)

See also 10:104 and 39:14.

  1. God-fearing

When Our manifest signs are recited to them, those who do not expect to encounter Us say, ‘Bring a Qur’an other than this, or alter it.’ Say, ‘I may not alter it of my own accord. I follow only what is revealed to me. Indeed should I disobey my Lord, I fear the punishment of a tremendous day. (10:15)

Say, ‘Indeed, should I disobey my Lord, I fear the punishment of a tremendous day.’ (39:13)

  1. Pure in his worship

Say, ‘O people! if you are in doubt about my religion, then [know that] I do not worship those whom you worship besides God. Rather I worship only God, who causes you to die, and I have been commanded to be among the faithful, (10:104)

Say, ‘[Only] God do I worship, putting my exclusive faith in Him. (39:14)

  1. His heart is strengthened by God

Whatever We relate to you of the accounts of the apostles are those by which We strengthen your heart, and there has come to you in this [surah] the truth and an advice and admonition for the faithful. (11:120)

The faithless say, ‘Why has not the Qur’an been sent down to him all at once?’ So it is, that We may strengthen your heart with it, and We have recited it [to you] in a measured tone. (25:32)

  1. He puts his trust in God

Thus have We sent you to a nation before which many nations have passed away, that you may recite to them what We have revealed to you. Yet they defy the All-beneficent. Say, ‘He is my Lord; there is no god except Him; in Him I have put my trust, and to Him will be my return.’ (13:30)

Whatever thing you may differ about, its judgment is with God. That is God, my Lord. In Him I have put my trust, and to Him I turn penitently. (42:10)

  1. Mercy to all the inhabitants of the world

We did not send you but as a mercy to all the nations. (21:107)

  1. Trustworthy

[saying,] ‘Give over the servants of God to me; indeed I am a trusted apostle [sent] to you. (44:18)

  1. Hard against the faithless

Muhammad, the Apostle of God, and those who are with him are hard against the faithless and merciful amongst themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in worship], seeking God’s grace and [His] pleasure. Their mark is [visible] on their faces, from the effect of prostration. Such is their description in the Torah and their description in the Evangel. Like a tillage that sends out its shoots and builds them up, and they grow stout and settle on their stalks, impressing the sowers, so that He may enrage the faithless by them. God has promised those of them who have faith and do righteous deeds forgiveness and a great reward. (48:29)

  1. Devotion to God

Muhammad, the Apostle of God, and those who are with him are hard against the faithless and merciful amongst themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in worship], seeking God’s grace and [His] pleasure. Their mark is [visible] on their faces, from the effect of prostration.(48:29)

Indeed your Lord knows that you stand vigil nearly two thirds of the night -or [at times] a half or a third of it- along with a group of those who are with you. (73:20)

  1. Great character

Nun. By the Pen and what they write: you are not, by your Lord’s blessing, crazy, and yours indeed will be an everlasting reward, and indeed you possess a great character. You will see and they will see, which one of you is crazy. Indeed your Lord knows best those who stray from His way, and He knows best those who are guided. (68:1-4)

  1. Good example

In the Apostle of God there is certainly for you a good exemplar, for those who look forward to God and the Last Day, and remember God greatly. (33:21)

Source: Moral Characteristics of the Prophets: A Qur’anic Perspective written by Mahnaz Heydarpoor & Mohammad Ali Shomali