Prophet's Manners
He was the most generous, the most valorous, the gentlest. He cast his
eyes down more often than up, and appeared shyer than a well-sheltered young
girl. When someone came to him with a happy face, he would take his hand.
When gifts were brought to him, he would ask if they were alms or gifts. He
would accept the gifts and decline the alms. Yet the gifts did not stay in his
hand or his house for very long. He would give them away.
He used to take off his shoes when he sat down, and bend and gather the skirt
of his robe. He would always sit on the floor with his knees pulled up to his
chest.
He would stay silent for long periods and laugh little, yet he had a sense of
humor and liked to see others smile. When he met with his people he would first
give them the greeting of peace and blessings and them embrace them. Caressing
them, he would pray for them. When he was with other people he would not leave
their company until they left, and when he took someone's hand, he wouldn't
withdraw his hand until the other person released it. When someone whispered
into his ear something that he did not want others to hear, he would not pull
his face away until the other did.
He was very compassionate and loving, especially to women and children. When
he promised something to someone, he would fulfill his promise without fail at
the first opportunity.
When he sat with his people, they sat around him in a circle, and in love and
fascination they would be so quiet and still that if a bird had sat on they
heads, it would not have flown away.
As he spoke, he often lifted his eyes to the heavens. When something that
greatly pleased him was announced to him, he would immediately prostrate as a
gesture of thankfulness to Allah, and his face would shine like the full moon.
When he began speaking he would always smile.
In all his relationships he never caused two people to be angry at each other
or to have to defend themselves. Whenever he was asked for something, he would
give it if he had it. If he did not have it, he would not refuse, but would not
respond. He never said no. When he was asked to do something, if it was
possible he would say yes. If it was not possible, he would keep silent. He did
not approach nor listen to people from whom he expected to hear bad talk, and
he did not accept people's talking against each other.
He spoke very clearly, separating each word, so that one could easily count
each word if one cared to. When he spoke publicly he would repeat each sentence
three times to make sure that it was well understood, but he would not repeat
it again.
He did not like people who were loud and rude. He preferred people who spoke
softly. He also did not like people who asked too many questions.
He smelled beautiful. From his perfume, which would precede him, people knew
that he was coming. Since his perfume lingered, people would know when he had
been in a place.
- Shaykh Tosun Bayrak, On the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Appendix from Ibn 'Arabi
The Tree of Being)
saiyed shahbazi
www.shahbazcenter.org
