The Prophet Muhammad A simple Guide to his Life
The Personality of the Prophet of Islam
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prophethood did not in any sense exempt him from
accountability in the life Hereafter. (That is, he did
not feel that he was above accountability.)
RESPECT FOR HUMAN BEINGS
In ancient Madinah some Jewish tribes were settled
alongside the Muslims. One day the Prophet of
Islam was visiting a part of Madinah, where there
was a funeral procession passing by. The Prophet
was seated at that time, but on seeing the funeral
procession, he stood up in deference to the
deceased. Some companions who were with the
Prophet at the time, said: “O Prophet, it was the
funeral of a Jew.” On hearing this, the Prophet
replied: “Was he not a human being?”
(Sahih
Al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Janaiz)
We may judge from the Prophet’s behaviour on this
occasion what kind of feelings he had in his heart
for other human beings. He considered everyone as
a human being. Everyone appeared to him worthy
of respect, to whatever nation or community he
might belong. Everyone was equally a creature of
God. Everyone served to remind him of God as a
perfect Creator. That is why his heart was filled
