The Prophet as a Spiritual Guide of Magnificent Character

1. Our spiritual guide, Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him), had a perfect and exemplary character.

“Nun. By the pen and what (those who wield the pen) write, you are not mad—thanks to your Lord’s blessing.  

There is surely an unending reward for you.

Truly, you are of a very great (exalted) character.” (Kalem 68/1-4)

2. The messenger Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him), the finest spiritual guide, is the believers’ guardian and ally. That is, he loves them, is close to them, wishes them well, and helps them by conveying and practising Islam.

“Your guardians and allies are only Allah, His Messenger, and the believers who perform prayer and give zakat in submission to Allah’s commands.

Whoever takes Allah, His Messenger and the believers as guardians and allies (should know that) those who will prevail are surely the party of Allah (those who stand with Allah).” (Mâide 5/ 55-56)

3. He did not say, “You must do what I say.” He had no disciples or followers around him urging others, “You must surrender to him like a corpse before the person who washes the dead.” Nor did he himself have any such expectation or duty.

His words were neither obscure nor mysterious. They were clear and understandable to everyone.

“If you are telling the truth, when will this threat come to pass?” they say.

Say: “That knowledge rests only with Allah. I am merely a plain warner.” (Mülk 67/25-26)

4. He welcomed his companions into his home and offered them refreshments. He was too gentle to reprimand companions who lingered longer than necessary, deep in conversation afterwards, even though this caused him discomfort.

Nor did he have attendants to show his guests the door, saying, “His reverence will now retire to rest; this way, please.”

So we learn of such conduct on his part not from disciples recounting, “Such-and-such things happened in the blessed one’s house that evening,” but from Allah.

“O you who believe! Do not enter the Prophet’s homes (at all hours) without being invited for a meal, or arrive to wait for it to be cooked. Enter when you are invited. Once you have eaten, disperse immediately. Do not linger for conversation.

For this behaviour of yours causes the Prophet discomfort, but he is too shy to tell you. Allah, however, does not hold back from speaking the truth.

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You must never cause discomfort to Allah’s Messenger, nor ever marry his wives after him. For that is a grave sin in Allah’s sight.” (Ahzab 33/53)

5. He possessed no array of extraordinary abilities, no superhuman nature, no divine power.  

“They said: ‘Why have miracles not been sent down to him from his Lord?’ Say: ‘Miracles rest only with Allah, and I am merely a plain warner (one who warns).’” (Ankebût 29/50)

But he has a book—more precisely, a book sent down to him—that made him a mercy to all worlds.

“(O Muhammed!) We sent you only as a mercy to all worlds.” (Enbiyâ 21/107)

6. Allah (glorified and exalted be He) presented him to us as the most perfect example (an excellent model).

“Indeed, in Allah’s Messenger there is a fine example for you—for those who hope to meet Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah often…” (Ahzâb 33/21)

7. He was a noble messenger, honourable and endowed with outstanding qualities. He received revelation through a noble messenger (an angel).   

“It (the Qur’an) is surely the word brought by a noble, powerful messenger (Cebrail), held in esteem by the Lord of the Throne, obeyed there (by the angels), and trustworthy.” (Tekvir 81/19)

“I swear by what you can see and what you cannot see that the Qur’an is the word brought by an honourable messenger.” (Hâkka  69/38-41)

He is the Most Noble Messenger: the most esteemed, the most honourable, a messenger commissioned to perfect the noble qualities (the beauty) of moral character. (See: Muvatta, Husnü’l-Halk/8. Ahmed b. Hanbel, 2/381)

8. Like the other prophets, he too was chosen (one of the elect).

“Say: ‘Praise be to Allah, and peace upon His servants whom He has chosen (selected). Is Allah better, or the partners they associate with Him?’” (Neml 27/59)

9. Like the other prophets, he too possessed the quality of ‘protection from sin’; that is, he refrained from committing major sins. (The 5 qualities shared by all prophets: 1. Truthfulness: being faithful in belief and honest/truthful in word and deed. 2. Trustworthiness: being trustworthy/dependable in every respect. 3. Intelligence: being wise and intelligent. 4. Protection from sin: refraining from sin, apart from minor errors and lapses. 5. Conveying the message: delivering and communicating the revelation and messages from Allah to their intended recipients exactly as received. (Nesefî, Ömer. İslâm İnancının Temelleri-Akâid. p: 119. Uludağ, S. İslâm’da İnanç Konuları, p: 188))

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Such is our spiritual guide: a human messenger with these qualities. Yet he is a messenger who offers all humanity the finest example of loving and revering Allah, believing in Him, having good character, serving Him (worshipping), preparing for the hereafter, benefiting others, and struggling against evil and oppressors.

Hüseyin K. Ece

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