BEŞİNCİ BAB · BİRİNCİ FASIL · Birinci Madde
The First Article
Summarily recounts the superior morality of the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), the virtuous qualities of his companions, the followers, and Islamic scholars.
O esteemed one! Know that our venerable elders have said: Allah, the Exalted, possessing the attributes of the All-Compassionate, the Most Merciful, the Forgiving, the Pardoning, the Concealer, the Forbearing, the Affectionate, and the Generous, in His Eternal Word states: “Indeed, you are upon a great moral character” (The Pen, 68/4), concerning the Companion, the Trustworthy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who is established at this station. He is the Helper of the needy, the Most Noble Beloved, and the Chosen Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) followed in his dealings with creation, and his ease of approachability and friendliness in all relationships, his trustworthiness, the beautiful treatment he observed in his conversations with his companions, his gracious interaction and sweet speech with his esteemed wives and children, following him and adhering to his path, and those virtuous companions, saints, great Islamic scholars, and pious predecessors who constantly made it a habit to embody behaviors and customs, manners and dispositions, that were pleasing to all people through the virtues of good character and sweet speech.
It was dealing with everyone with leniency and blending in with people harmoniously, participating in society. It was conversing with appropriate language devoid of offense and exclusion. It was advising gently and with affection. It was forming friendships with humility, compassion, and a smiling face. It was serving generously and bestowing beneficence nobly. It was establishing friendship through generosity, possessing modesty and integrity. It was befriending with a smile, being neighborly with tolerance, showing forgiveness and intercession, and acting liberally in every respect (generosity and charity). It was speaking with love, demonstrating kindness and grace. It was behaving with dignity and composure, showing understanding to one who requests something. It was protecting and safeguarding with truthfulness, extending a helping hand [368/a] to everyone. It was making good supplications for everyone and having a favorable opinion of everyone. It was seeing the beauty in every person and praising them. It was humbling oneself and exalting friends by praising them. It was concealing faults and removing distress from people. It was verbalizing the good deeds and favors others performed, and quickly concealing one’s own. It was showing mercy to those younger and respect to those older, and such like beautiful qualities.
Therefore, what is most important and necessary for us is to follow the Most Noble Beloved (peace and blessings be upon him) and adhere to his path. To adopt the customs and manners of him and his companions, and to become refined by their character. It is to seek and find Allah’s favor in hearts by turning and directing them. For that reason, it is to treat all people with utmost gentleness and compassion.
*Rhyme*
1-He was a mine of grace, the Prophet did not exceed bounds.
His being was filled completely with beautiful character.
2-He would show humility to the people, whether noble or common.
His soul was humble like earth, his heart clear like water.
3-Whether he loved or hated, he acted for Allah’s sake alone.
He never harbored enmity for himself, ever.
4-He never laughed with loud laughter, nor cursed anything.
His face was a smiling moon, full of grace and kindness.
5-He was renowned for respect, generosity, modesty, and forbearance.
He did not refuse anyone who came to him pleading.
6-He would tend the needs of his own household himself.
He constantly sat with the poor, that noble one.
7-He would patch up holes in his garments, wearing them thus.
He would walk to visit the sick and offer condolences, O cousin!
8-Sometimes he would ride a camel, sometimes a horse or donkey, sometimes a carriage.
He would take people along behind him, if it was possible to carry them.
9-Sometimes he would sit cross-legged, sometimes lean on one knee.
He was the repository of all manners; his hidden face was moist with tears.
10-If they invited him to barley bread or lentil soup,
He would go, not seeking colors or delicacies.
11-He would eat with three fingers, licking them clean.
He would drink water in three breaths, pausing for refreshment.
12-If anyone sought excuse from him, he would accept it.
In his eyes, nothing was more beloved than generosity and grace.
13-Whether standing or sitting, he remembered Allah.
He did not give away his soul or heart except to Him alone.