47.

The Humbleness of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ

٤٧-

باب ماجاء في تواضع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم

Imaam Hasan bin Ali (رضي الله تعالى عنه) reports that I asked my (mate al) uncle Hind bin Abi Haalab, who usually described particulars and conditions of Rasulullah ﷺ. I was longing to hear something about it. On my asking, he described the mubaarak features of Rasulullah ﷺ. He said: Rasulullah ﷺ had great qualities and attributes in him, others also held him in high esteem. His face glittered like the full moon. He then described the complete features of Rasulullah ﷺ (as has been mentioned in the first chapter under hadith number seven). Imaam Hasan (رضي الله تعالى عنه) says. I did not mention this hadith (due to some reason) to Husayn ((رضي الله تعالى عنه)) for some time. Then I once narrated it to him whereupon I found that he had heard it before me. He had asked him (our uncle) already what I had asked. I also found that he had asked our father (Ali (رضي الله تعالى عنه)) about Rasulullah ﷺ entering and coming out of the house. He did not leave out anything about the ways and manners of Rasulullah ﷺ. Imaam Husayn (رضي الله تعالى عنه) said: I asked my father regarding the manner in which Rasulullah ﷺ entered the house? He replied: When Rasulullah ﷺ entered the house he distributed his time into three portions; He spent a portion for Allah. (In devotion, performing salaah etc.); A portion towards his family (fulfilling their duties. i.e. laughing, speaking, enquiring about their welfare etc.); and a portion for himself (resting etc.). He distributed his personal portion in two, one for himself and one for the people, in such a manner that the near ones among the Sahaabah (رضي الله تعالى عنه)m came to visit him. Through these Sahaabah (رضي الله تعالى عنه)m he conveyed messages to the people. He did not conceal anything from them. From the portion of the unimah he adopted this method, that he gave preference to the AhlulFadl (i.e. people of ilm and amal). He distributed this time according to their religious fadl. From among those who came, some had one requirement, some had two requirements, and some had many requirements. Rasulullah ﷺ fulfilled all their requirements. He busied them in things that benefited them and the entire ummah. When they questioned Rasulullah ﷺ on religious matters, he replied to them in a manner that benefited them. He used to say: Those that are present, should inform those that are not present regarding these beneficial and necessary matters. He also used to say: Those people who for some reason (purdah, distance, shyness or awe) cannot put forward their requirements, you should inform me about their requirements, because, that person who informs a king of the need of another, who is unable to put forward that need, Allah Taaala will keep that person stead fast on the day of qiyaamah. Only important and beneficial matters were discussed in his gathering. He happily listened to these matters from the Sahaabah (رضي الله تعالى عنه)m. Besides this there was no wasteful or nonbeneficial talks in his assemblies. The Sahaabah (رضي الله تعالى عنه)m came to the assemblies of Rasulullah ﷺ for their religious needs, they did not depart before tasting something (by tasting, may be meant the acquiring of religious knowledge. It could mean Hissi tasting too. Whatever Sayyidina Rasulullah ﷺ possessed, he offered it in humbleness. Whenever close friends gather, whatever is available is presented to them). The Sahaabah (رضي الله تعالى عنه)m retu ed from his assemblies as torch bearers of hidayah and goodness. (They spread. these teachings amongst others). Imaam Husayn (رضي الله تعالى عنه) says: I asked (my father) regarding the coming out of Rasulullah ﷺ from the house. He replied: Rasulullah ﷺ controlled his tongue and only spoke that which was necessary. He did not waste his time in useless conversations. He made those who came to visit him feel at home he did not make them feel scared or ill at ease. (i.e. When advising them, he did not scold them in a manner that they become scared, or tell them such things that would keep them away from the deen). He respected and honoured the respected ones of every nation. He also chose a leader for them. He wa ed the people of Allahs punish ent (or he emphasised that the people be cautious*). He also protected himself from troubling or harming people. Besides being cautious and commanding others to be cautious, he never lacked in courtesy towards others. He was conce ed for the affairs of his friends, made himself aware about the relationships between them and rectified their faults. He praised good deeds and encouraged them. He explained the harmful effects of bad things and removed and stopped these. He followed the middle path in all matters. (He did not at times say this and at other times that). He did not neglect the guiding of people, it is possible that they became unmindful of their religious duties, or exceeded in a matter resulting in them becoming disheartened. For everything there was a special arrangement .He did not fall back in the truth, nor did he exceed the limits in this. Those who attended his gatherings were the best of people. The best person in the eyes of Sayyidina Rasulullah ﷺ was the one who wished everybody well. The one with the highest status in the eyes of Sayyidina Rasulullah ﷺ was that person who considered, comforted and helped the creation the most. Sayyidina Imaam Husayn (رضي الله تعالى عنه) says: I then enquired from him regarding the assemblies of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu Wasallam. He replied: He began and ended all his sitting with the dhikr of Allah. When he went to a place, he sat where he found a place, and also instructed the people to do so. They should not leap over peoples heads and go ahead. It is a different matter, that where Sayyidina Rasulullah ﷺ sat, that place became the focal point of the gathering. Sayyidina Rasulullah ﷺ fulfilled the rights of every person present. That means, whatever right was due in talking and showing happiness, was fulfilled by him, so much so, that every person present would think that Sayyidina Rasulullah ﷺ is honouring me the most. The person that came to sit by Sayyidina Rasulullah ﷺ or came to him for some purpose, Sayyidina Rasulullah ﷺ would remain seated till that person began to stand up. Whenever one asked him for something, he kindly fulfilled that request, and did not refuse it, (if he did not possess the thing) he would give a soft and humble answer. His cheerfulness and pleasant manner were for everybody. He was like a father to them. The whole creation was equal before him as far as rights were conce ed. His gatherings were the gatherings of knowledge, modesty, patience and honesty. (i.e. These four things were attained there or are a description of his gatherings). Voices were not raised therein, nor was anyone degraded or disgraced. If anyone committed a fault, it was not made known publicly. All were regarded as equals amongst themselves. (A person was not regarded according to his lineage or genealogy). The virtues of one over the other was according to the taqwa (piety) possessed. The small ones were loved. The needy were given preference. Strangers and travellers were cared for.