This day I have perfected your religion for you,

completed My Favor upon you and have

chosen for you Deen Islam.
Qur'an 5: 3.
If one was to believe in the above Revealed Verse (5: 3) with FULL FAITH then
for him/her the Path is Clear and Straight Forward. Reject anything that
CONFLICTS with or CONTRADICTS the Qur'an.

Prophet Muhammad (S) was the last messenger of Allah. History shows that he was known to be
truthful and trustworthy even before he received the divine inspiration and became the Messenger of
Allah. His actions, decisions, relaying the Divine Revelation, method of inviting people to the straight
path and implementing injunctions received from Allah, the Most Wise, are evidence of his absolute
honesty, piety and spirituality.
As Muslims, our belief in Islam is not complete until we obey Allah and His Prophet (s). Allah
commands us to do so in the same verse in the Quran:
And obey Allah and the messenger (Muhammad (S)) (Quran, Surah Al-Maeda:92)
Allah also told us about the excellence of the prophets (s) character in the following verse:

And Verily. for you (Muhammad (S)) are on an exalted (standard of) character (Quran,
Surah Al-Qalam:4).
However, we are also not to elevate the prophet (s) to a level beyond the standard that Allah set for
him and we are not to overstep the mark with regard to what the Quran states about the message
and humanity of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). For example, it is not
permissible to describe the prophet (s) (as many mistakenly do) as being noor (light) or as casting
no shadow, or to say that he was created from light. Rather this is a kind of exaggeration which the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade when he said:
Do not exaggerate about me as was exaggerated about Eesa ibn Maryam. Say: the slave of
Allah and His Messenger. (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6830.)
The following paragraphs highlight some of the Quranic verses where Allah clarifies the role of the
prophet (s).

The Prophet was sent as a mercy to all mankind

We have only sent you as a mercy to the worlds (Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 107)

The Prophet was sent as a messenger and a warner

O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger
(Muhammad SAW) making (things) clear unto you, after a break in (the series of) Messengers,
lest you say: There came unto us no bringer of glad tidings and no warner. But now has
come unto you a bringer of glad tidings and a warner. And Allah is Able to do all things.
(Quran, Surah Al-Maida:19)

Only Allah knows the unseen and decides how

much to reveal to His messengers

(He Alone) the All-Knower of the Ghaib (unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghaib
(unseen).
Except to a Messenger (from mankind) whom He has chosen (He informs him of
unseen as much as He likes), and then He makes a band of watching guards (angels) to
march before him and behind him. Quran (Surah Al-Jinn:27)

The Prophet (s) did not have the power to guide

anyone He was only a messenger
Allah says in the Quran:

Indeed, (O Muhammad), you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills.
(Quran, Surah Qasas, Verse 56)

The prophets words were a reminder for all

mankind

And verily, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes through
hatred when they hear the Reminder (the Quran), and they say: Verily, he (Muhammad
SAW) is a madman!

But it is nothing else than a Reminder to all the Alameen (mankind, jinns and all that
exists). (Quran, Surah Al-Qalam:51-52)

The Prophet (s) never forged any of Allahs message

And if he (Muhammad SAW) had forged a false saying concerning Us (Allah),

We surely should have seized him by his right hand (or with power and might),

And then certainly should have cut off his life artery (Aorta),

And none of you could withhold Us from (punishing) him. (Quran, Surah AlHaqqah:44-47)

Allah also states that it is not up to the Prophet (s) to change Allahs words in this verse.
And when Our Clear Verses are recited unto them, those who hope not for their meeting
with Us, say: Bring us a Quran other than this, or change it.Say (O Muhammad SAW): It is
not for me to change it on my own accord; I only follow that which is revealed unto
me. Verily, I fear if I were to disobey my Lord, the torment of the Great Day (i.e. the Day of
Resurrection). (Quran, Surah Yunus:15).

The Prophet (s) did not claim to know anything more

than what Allah had taught him
This is made clear when Allah says in the Quran,

Say (O Muhammad SAW): I dont tell you that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor (that) I
know the unseen; nor I tell you that I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me by
inspiration. Say: Are the blind and the one who sees equal? Will you not then take
thought? (Quran, Surah Al Anaam, 50)

The Prophet (s) had no power to pardon anyone

Not for you (O Muhammad (S), but for Allah) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy to
(pardons) them or punishes them (Quran, Surah Aal-e-Imran:128).

Allahs direct command to the prophet (s) about

conveying Allahs message
In fact, we see the Qurans (Allahs) stern message when reminding the prophet (s) of his
responsibilities. Allah says in the Quran:

O Messenger (Muhammad SAW)! Proclaim (the Message) which has been sent down to you
from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not conveyed His Message. Allah will
protect you from mankind. Verily, Allah guides not the people who disbelieve (Quran, Surah
Al-Maeda:67).

Abdullah Ibn Amar says: The Messenger of Allah (p. b. u. h.) was
neither ill-mannered nor rude. He used to say that the better people
among you are those who are best in their moral character.
(Bukhari)
Anas says: I served the holy Prophet for ten years. He never said
Uf (expressing dissatisfaction), nor did he ever ask me why I did
this or did not do that(Muslim)
It is also reported by him: My mother used to hold the Prophets
hand and used to take him wherever she wanted. If any person
used to come before him and shake his hand, the Prophet never
used to draw away his hand from the other persons hands till the
latter drew away his hands, and he never used to turn away his face
from that person till the latter himself turned away his face. And in
the meetings he was never seen squatting in such a way that his
knees were protruding further than his fellow-squatters. (Tirmizi)
Hazrat Ayesha says: If there were two alternatives, the holy
Prophet used to adopt the easiest alternative, provided there was no
sin in it. If that work were sinful, then he used to run away farthest
from it. The prophet did not take any personal revenge from any
body. Yes, if Allahs command were to be disobeyed, then his wrath
was to be stirred. Allahs Messenger did not beat anybody with his
own hands, neither his wife nor a servant. Yes, he used to fight in
the wars in the cause of Allah. (Muslim)

Hazrat Ayesha has reported that Allahs Messenger has said: Allah
is soft-hearted. He likes soft heartedness. And the reward which He
gives for soft-heartedness does not give for hardness, nay, such a
reward He does not give for any thing. (Muslim)
In another tradition it is stated: Softness in whichever thing it may
be, will make that thing beautiful. And from whichever thing
softness is taken out, it will become ugly. Jarir narrates that the
Prophet has said: The reward which Allah gives for softheartedness He does not give it for folly; and when Allah makes any
slave His favourite, He gives him softness. Those families that are
devoid of softness become deprived of every virtue. (Tibrani)
Abdullah bin Harith has reported that he did not see anybody
smiling more than the Messenger of Allah. (Tirmizi)
Hazrat Ayesha was asked what did Prophet do at home? She
replied: He used to be in the service of his home people; and when
the time of prayer came he used to perform ablutions and go out for
prayer. (Muslim)
In the Quran, the Prophet is addressed directly, Truly, you are of tremendous character. [Quran,
68.4] This Quranic verse intrigued Muslim scholars, early and late, especially the Quranic exegetes and
the masters of the spiritual path, especially as the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him
peace) himself emphasized that, I was only sent to perfect noble character,[Ahmad] and said, The
believers most perfect in faith are those best in character. [Tirmidhi]
What is good character?
Good character, Ghazali explains in his Ihya, is an inward disposition that causes one to incline towards
praiseworthy inward traits and praiseworthy outward actions.
How is good character manifest?
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali and others relate that the sum of Prophetic teachings is that good character is
manifest in five matters:
(1) Fulfilling the rights of others
(2) Avoiding hurting or harming others
(3) Being cheerful and positive in ones dealing with others

(4) Recognizing the good of others and reciprocating

(5) Responding to the wrong of others with nothing but the good.
These five manifestations of good character dont only summarize the Prophetic teachings on good
character, but they also summarize the Prophet Muhammads own character and conduct.
First. As for fulfilling the rights of others, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)
emphasized that, Give everyone who has a right their due right, [Bukhari] and he warned against nonfulfillment of others rights, Injustice shall become manifold darkness on the Day of Judgment. [Bukhari]
Second. Avoiding hurting or harming others is a corollary of fulfilling the rights of others. However,
sometimes one can fulfill others rights in ways that hurt them; or we follow the follow the fulfillment of
rights with hurtful reminders; or strive to fulfill rights, without considering how others feel or may consider
our efforts.

Anas has narrated: I was walking with the Prophet. He had

wrapped a thick chadar round his body. One Arab pulled the chadar
so forcefully that a part of his shoulder could be seen by me, and I
was perturbed by this forceful pulling of the chadar. The Arab then
said: 0 Muhammed! Give me some of my share from the property
which Allah has given you. The Prophet turned towards him and
laughed, and gave orders for a donation being given to him.
(Bukhari)

Third. Being cheerful and positive in ones dealings with others. The Prophet is described as always
having been full of concern, yet he was always cheerful.

Fourth. Recognizing the good of others entails not only thanking and reciprocating those who do
obvious acts of good to one, but to reflect, consider, and appreciate the less-obvious (but significant) good
that countless people to for oneboth directly and indirectly. We owe our very lives to our parents. When
did we last thank them? Our teachers, whether at school or university, have taught us so much. When did
we last thank them? The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) cautioned that, Whoever is not
thankful to people is not thankful to God. [Ahmad, Tirmidhi, and Abu Dawud]
Fifth. The greatest test of character is responding to the wrong of others with nothing but the good.
This tests ones character because ones personal urge would customarily be to reciprocate; and ones
negative urge would be to affirm oneself. However, the way of Prophets is to respond with nothing but the
good.
Upon Entering Mecca, Victorious
When the Prophet Muhamamad (peace and blessings be upon him) entered Mecca as a victor, people
expected that he would seek revenge two decades of opposition, wrong, and injustice from his people.
The Meccans were fearful, and some hastened to declare that, Today is a day of slaughter. The Prophet
responded that, instead, Today is a day of righteousness and loyalty, and he forgave them in public
address, saying, I say to you today as Joseph said to his brothers,There is no blame on you today. May
God forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of the merciful. [Quran, 12.92] Go! For you are free.
[Salihi, Subul al-Huda wal Rashad]
A bedouin once came to the Prophet, seeking some money. Without introduction or greetings, he said,
Muhammad! Give me, for youre not giving me from your money or your fathers money.
Despite the mans rudeness, the Prophet gave him, and asked, Have I pleased you? The bedouin
replied, No, and you havent done me good.
The Muslims who were standing around them were angered and surrounded the bedouin. The Prophet
signaled for them to restrain, and he entered his house.
He asked for the bedouin to be invited in. When he entered, the Prophet gave him some money, and
asked, Are you pleased? He replied, No. The Prophet gave him more, and asked, Are you pleased?
The bedouin responded, Yes, we are pleased.
The Prophet told him, You came to us and asked us. We gave you, and then you said what you said. As
a result, there is something in the hearts of the Muslims regarding that. If you were to say in front of them
what you said to me, that might remove those feelings from their hearts. The man agreed, and
mentioned the Prophet with praise and thanked him in front of the Prophets Companions. [Salihi, Subul
al-Huda wal Rashad]

The Prophet was unaffected by the mans words. His concern was for the good of the man himself and
the feelings of his Companions. Why? This returns to the understanding why the Prophet character was
described as being tremendous in the Quran.
Imam Junayd al-Baghdadi, one of the foremost authorities of Islamic spirituality (tasawwuf) and others
have explained that, The Prophets character was termed tremendous because his concern was for God
alone. [Qurtubi, Jami Ahkam al-Quran] What moved the Prophet was the pursuit of His Lords pleasure,
both in acting and in responding.
This was manifest in small matters, too. Once a woman brought a baby for the Prophet to bless him. The
Prophet placed him on his chest, and the child urinated. The mother reached out for the child, anxious.
The Prophet signalled to let the child finish first. After that, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
calmly rinsed the area lightly. He didnt want to alarm the child, nor make the mother feel bad.
It is also related that though he was the busiest of people, young girls in Medina would take the Prophets
hand and would take him wherever they wentand he wouldnt let go of their hand until they let go of his.
[Bukhari, Sahih]
Lessons in Mercy
We see from this that the Prophetic example is nothing but a manifestation of mercy. And any
understanding of religion lacking in mercy is lacking in true understanding. After all, the Prophet
Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) having been, sent only as a mercy to all creation.
[Quran, 21.107] The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself emphasized that, I was only
sent as a gift of Mercy. [Bazzar and Tabarani]
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) explained, too, that, The merciful are shown mercy by
the All-Merciful. Be merciful to those on earth and the Lord of the Heavens will be merciful to you.
[Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud, from Abd Allah ibn Amr; rigorously authentic] It is a sign of the way of traditional
Islamic scholarship that this is the first Hadith (Prophetic teaching) traditionally conveyed by a scholar to
their students.
This mercy, manifest in good character in ones dealings with people, is the test and barometer of faith.
After all, The believers most perfect in faith are those best in character, as the Prophet affirmed.
[Tirmidhi]
It once happened that some non-Muslims greeted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with an
insult. His wife, Aisha, insulted them back. But the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not.
Rather, he simply replied, And upon you, which is the standard reply to the greeting of, Peace be upon
you. Then, he said to his dear wife, Aisha! Allah is gentle and loves gentleness in all matters. [Bukhari,

from Aisha] And he also taught that, Gentleness is not found in anything except that it makes it beautiful;
and gentleness is not taken out of anything except that is makes it ugly. [Muslim and others, also from
Aisha]
The Key to All Relations
The Prophet made clear that the key to all relationships is upholding good character and maintaining it,
even when tested. He said, Deal with people on the basis of good character, [Tirmidhi] and affirmed that,
Forbearance is the very best of character.
Forbearance is for one not to be moved by anger or negative emotionbut to make ones response based
on reason and (for a believer) Revelation. Forbearance is, ultimately, intelligence, as it is the capacity to
respond in the best of ways to each situation.
This restraint and concern for excellence and the greater good that underly excellence of characterand
that made the Prophet Muhammads character tremendousare virtues each of us would do well to
strive for in our own lives and relationships, both as individuals and communities.

http://seekershub.org/blog/2010/07/why-is-the-prophet%E2%80%99s-characterdescribed-as-being-tremendous-faraz-rabbani/