Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
3. Exemplary Conduct
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Three sons were born to the Prophet, all of whom
died in infancy. His four daughters, all by his first
wife, Khadijah, grew to adulthood. Fatimah was the
Prophet’s youngest daughter, and he was extremely
attached to her. When he returned from any journey
the first thing he would do, after praying two
rak’at
8
in the mosque, was to visit Fatimah and kiss her
hand and forehead. Jumai’ ibn ‘Umayr once asked
‘A’ishah whom the Prophet loved most. “Fatimah,”
she replied.
But the Prophet’s whole life was moulded by
thoughts of the hereafter. He loved his children, but
not in any worldly way. ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib,
Fatimah’s husband, once told Ibn ‘Abdul Wahid a
story about the Prophet’s most beloved daughter.
Fatimah’s hands, he said, were blistered from
constant grinding; her neck had become sore from
carrying water; her clothes would become dirty
from sweeping the floor. When the Prophet had
received an influx of servants from some place, ‘Ali
suggested to his wife that she approach her father
and ask for a servant. She went, but could not speak
to the Prophet because of the crowd. Next day, he
came to their house, and asked Fatimah what she
