Muhammad: The Ideal Character
MUHAMMAD The Ideal Character
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On one of his journeys, the Prophet asked his
followers to roast a goat. One said that he would
slaughter the animal, another said that he would
skin it, while a third said that he would cook it. The
Prophet then said that he would collect wood for
fuel. Their response was, “Oh, Messenger of God!
We will do everything.” The Prophet then said, “I
have no doubt that you will. But I do not like
distinctions to be made, nor does God like any one
of His servants to assert his superiority over his
companions.’’
His self-deprecation was such that he once said, “By
God, I do not know, even although I am God’s
messenger, what my fate in the next world will be,
nor do I know what yours will be.”
Abu Dharr Ghifari narrates that one day he was
sitting with another companion of black complexion
whom he addressed as, “O black man.” When the
Prophet heard of this, he was greatly displeased
and cautioned Abu Dharr never to make
disparaging remarks to anyone, whoever he might
be, and to mete out equal treatment to all, adding,
