Manliness of the Prophet (peace be upon him)

We mean by manliness is the elements of a perfect human being such as courage, magnanimity, providing help, dignity, wisdom, compassion, patience, and persistence in severity and adversity. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) combined all these traits. Through his words and actions, he taught people lessons in manliness and gave the highest example. He shall remain the master of the world and the leader of men in the situations of heroism and honor. He faced adversity, harm, persecution, and maliciousness with high determination, patience, and firmness, so he did not give up and did not take the side of anyone against the truth.

Quraysh besieged him along with his people in the valley of Banu Hashim, boycotted them, and prevented them from having anything until they ate the leaves of trees, but that did not affect his will and did not frighten him.

They offered him to be their king for giving up his call, but he refused and said: "By Allah, if they had put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left to leave this matter, I would have not left it until it becomes superior or I perish."

He was the bravest of all people in peace and war. Once, the people of Medina heard a noise, so he rode his horse barebacked and ran to the noise alone. On his way back home, people met him in a state of fear while going to shelters, and he said to them: "Do not be afraid." They were astonished at his bravery.

Ali said: When the war got intensified, we used to take shelter behind the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him).

His situation during the battle of Hunayn is unforgettable when Thaqif and Hawazin came with their soldiers and horses and Muslims ran away, he got off his white mule and faced them alone saying: Indeed, I am the Prophet with no doubt, I am the son of `Abdul-Muttalib.

His manliness increased his glory and greatness in people's eyes and their hearts became in chaos, therefore they could not dare to face him.

Where are the leaders of wars today who stay in back lines where they can find security and protection?!

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was a real man in prosperity and adversity, and his manliness did not contain excesses or recklessness. He used to forgive and pardon people if the insult directed to his personality.

A bedouin came and grabbed him from his collar until it left a trace on his neck and said in harshness: Provide a mount for me to take me to war, for it is not your money or the money of your father. Then he pardoned and forgave then increased the money given to that man until he became satisfied.

However, if the insult was directed to the religion of Allah or to the limits of Allah, his anger increased and filled his honorable heart for the sake of Islam then he would execute its rulings and the prescribed punishments. He was not tempted by glory and victory and victory did not push him to aggression or revenge but he used to stop where there was no need then he pardoned and forgave.

Look at what he did with the captives of Badr when he chose ransom and did not kill them despite their torture to Muslims.

Look at what he did with the people of Makkah when he defeated Quraysh and owned their necks when he said: "Go away, for you are free people. There is no harm against you today, may Allah forgive you, for He is the Most-Merciful." He was keen to preserve the truth, so when the Companions were amazed at the jealousy of Sa`d ibn `Ubadah for the limits of Allah, he said: Are you amazed to the jealousy of Sa`d? I am more jealous than Sa`d and Allah is more jealous than me.

When the enemy delayed him from offering Salah in its due time during the battle of the Trench, he got angry and invoked Allah against them by saying: O Allah, fill their houses with fire.

He was so loyal and always kept his promise to the enemy before friends. It was reported that the Messenger of Allah was distributing some spoils of war after the battle of Khaybar. A man said to him: O Messenger of Allah, be just. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied: Woe to you, who will be just if I am not. `Umar said: Let me strike the neck of that traitor. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: God-forbid that people would speak about me that I kill my friends.

These were some qualities of glory, greatness, and true manliness which no body before him could gain part of them and were not assembled in a person but the Prophet (peace be upon him). "And Verily, you (O Muhammad peace be upon him) are on an exalted (standard of) character." [Surat Al Qalam: 4].

That manliness and greatness had a great effect on the rearing of his Companions who were truthful in their promises to Allah. Those manliness and greatness made them real men, heroes, and great leaders to lead the nation after him in all aspects of life: Judgment, administration, and how to rule. That was clear when Abu Bakr As-Siddiq rose to power, his greatness became clear in fighting apostates until he could protect the religion and put off seditions with a strong determination, certainty, and firmness.

Of those real men was `Umar ibn Al Khattab who laid the bases for strong personality saying: I like the man who when is oppressed, he would say "No" with all his power. He also laid down the constitution for just rulers when he said: "Make people equal in truth: Relatives are equal to non-relatives, and beware of bribery and judging according to one's whims."

People need these example today and need a model example like Muhammad and his Companions to fight this moral deterioration which leaked into souls; and that failure, hesitation, and corruption which emerged in our society.