In his private dealings he was just.

He treated friends and strangers, the rich and poor, the powerful and weak, with equity, and was beloved by the common people for the affability with which he received them, and listened to their complaints

Washington Irving (American author, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century.)

His readiness to undergo persecution for his beliefs, the high moral character of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as a leader, and the greatness of his ultimate achievement - all argue his fundamental integrity

W. Montgomery Watt (a Scottish historian, one of the foremost non-Muslim interpreters of Islam in the West,)

George Bernard Shaw (an Irish playwright and a co-founder of the London School of Economics)

He must be called the Saviour of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much needed peace and happiness He was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the secular and religious level. It is this unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhammad to be considered the most influential single figure in human history
Michael Hart (The 100, A Ranking of the Most

Mercy upon mankind

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is introduced in the Quran in these words:

[And We have not sent you forth but as a mercy to mankind. ]

(Al-Anbiyaa: 21:107)

(Al-Ahzab: 33:40)

Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets; and Allah is ever Aware of all things.

But those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and believe in that which is sent down to Muhammad (SAW) for it is the truth from their Lord, He will expiate from them their sins, and will make good their state.

(Surah Muhammad 47:2)

Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad SAW) from amongst yourselves (i.e. whom you know well). It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad SAW) is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allh, and beg Him to pardon and forgive your sins, in order that you may enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Hell-fire), for the believers (he SAW is) full of pity, kind, and merciful.

(Surah Al-Tawba 9:128)

Ibrahim & Hajra (AS)

Ismael (AS) & 2nd wife (Jurhumite)
*belonged to Quraish-another arab tribe from Ismael *Jurhumites buried ZamZam *Several generations later *Several generations later

Adnan
*Khuzaaites (arab descendants from Ismael brought idol Hubal to Mecca

Qusayy & d/o Hulayl Khuzaah

Abdu Munaf

*named Shaybah, found ZamZam again in dream

Hashim & Salma

Abd AlMuttalib & Fatima

*Khazraj tribe from Madina

AbdAllah & Amina Muhammad (SAW)

*Gr. Grandd/o Zuhra-Qusayys brother

Love of the Sahaba for Muhammad (SAW)

Their love for the Prophet meant that even after he died, they sought guidance in his Sunnah. Most did not remain in Madina but spread out to the far corners of the earth to spread the message of the Prophet . Till their departure from this world, they served the cause of Islam in whatever capacity they could, as generals or ordinary soldiers, as caliphs or advisors, as scribes preserving and compiling the Quran and hadith, as students and teachers of knowledge, as victors and martyrs. They could not tolerate even the slightest deviation or opposition to the Sunnah of the Messenger [pbuh].

Urwa bin Zubair [ra] transmits that Abu Bakr [ra] stated,"I cannot leave a thing which was acted upon by the Messenger of Allah because I fear that if I leave anything from the deeds and the sayings of the Messenger of Allah, I will go astray."
[Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Bakr [RA]'s Love: The Quraish of Makkah made a plot to murder the Holy Prophet(SAW). Allah had given the order for migration to Medina. At night, in the cover of darkness, the Holy Prophet(SAW)and Abu Bakr[RA] left Makkah and arrived at a cave called Thaur where they decided to take refuge. Abu Bakr [RA], first entered to explore the cave and be sure that it was safe, closed all holes with pieces torn off from his clothes, cleaned it and then asked the Prophet(SAW) to step in. The Prophet (SAW) went in and immediately laid his head in Abu Bakr [RA]s lap and fell asleep. Suddenly Abu Bakr [RA]s foot was stung by a poisonous insect, but he did not stir or move despite the pain, fearing Muhammad might wake up. (The Sealed Nectar/Raheeq Al Makhtum)

After the martyrdom of the 7th Ansari in Uhud, two Quraishis were left guarding the Prophet (pbuh): Talha bin Ubaidullah and Sad bin Abi Waqas. These two Sahabas bravely fought the Quraish and used their own bodies as shields to protect Allahs Messenger (pbuh). Such was their love for him. Narrated Qais: I saw Talha's paralyzed hand with which he had protected the Prophet on the day of Uhud. [Bukhari 59:392] The Prophet [pbuh] was left with Talha bin Ubaidullah and Sad bin Abi Waqas for only a few seconds before other Sahabas arrived to shield him. Abu Dujanah [ra+ made himself a shield for Allahs Messenger [pbuh]. Arrows kept on striking his back yet he continued to bend over Allahs Messenger *saw+ *to protect him+ and in the end many arrows pierced his back. [Seerat ibn Hisham]

When Allahs Messenger *pbuh] announced the preparation for the Battle of Tabuk and called for charities and donations, the Muslims raced to spend for the sake of Allah. Uthman, for instance, who had prepared two hundred saddled camels to travel to Ash-Sham, presented them all with two hundred ounces (of gold) as charity. He also fetched a thousand dinars and cast them all into the lap of the Messenger of Allah, who turned them over and said: "From this day on nothing will harm Uthman regardless of what he does." [Jami' At-Tirmidhi 2/211] Again and again Uthman gave till his charity reached nine hundred camels and a hundred horses, besides the money he paid. [The Sealed Nectar]

The following Ayah from Al-Taubah (9:100) highlights the importance of Sahaba (companions) (And the foremost to embrace Islam of the Muhajirin and the Ansar and also those who followed them exactly (in faith). Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success.)

Al-Taubah

The blessed Sahabah - companions of Rasulallah (saw) were chosen by Allah, to be our role models, especially in matters of following our Deen. They are the first and most blessed generation of Islam. The beloved Prophet (saw) needed to be accompanied by a Jamaat Congregation who would have certain qualities and abilities.

Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind."
[Bukhari :: Book 1 :: Volume 2 :: Hadith 14

There were certain expressions of love that the Prophet explicitly disapproved of:
He did not like that people should rise for him when he arrived. Narrated Abu Umamah: The prophet[SAW] came out to us leaning on a stick. We stood up to show respect to him. He said: Do not stand up as foreigners do, for showing respect to one another. [Dawud :: Book 41 : Hadith 5211] Similarly he discouraged poetry that bordered on Shirk. Narrated Ar-Rabi': (d/o Muawwidh bin Afra) After the consummation of my marriage, the Prophet came and sat on my bed as far from me as you are sitting now, and our little girls started beating the tambourines and reciting elegiac verses mourning my father who had been killed in the battle of Badr. One of them said, "Among us is a Prophet who knows what will happen tomorrow." On that the Prophet said, "Leave this [saying] and keep on saying the verses which you had been saying before." [Bukhari ] He disliked excessive and exaggerated praise. Narrated 'Umar: I heard the Prophet saying, "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a slave. So, call me the slave of Allah and His Apostle." [Bukhari] He strongly condemned making his grave a place of worship or other deviant practices. 'A'isha and Abdullah reported: As the prophet (SAW) was about to breathe his last, he drew his sheet upon his face and when he felt uneasy, he uncovered his face and said in that very state: Let there be curse upon the Jews and the Christians that they have taken the graves of their apostles as places of worship. He in fact warned (his men) against what they (the Jews and the Christians) did. [Muslim]

It is related from Jaabir (RA) that he said: " I once saw Rasulullah (SAW) on the night of a full moon. On that night he wore redclothing. At times I looked at the full moon and at times at Rasulullah (SAW) Ultimately I came to the conclusion that Rasulullah (SAW) was more handsome, beautiful and more radiant than the full moon.

Tirmidhi

"Those who follow the apostle, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures),- in the law and the Gospel;for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will prosper." [Surah Al-Araf 7:157]

Say (O Prophet): If you really love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins...

(Al-E-Imran 3:31)

Verily, those who give Bai'h (pledge) to you (O Muhammad SAW) they are giving Bai'h (pledge) to Allh. The Hand of Allh is over their hands. Then whosoever breaks his pledge, breaks it only to his own harm, and whosoever fulfils what he has covenanted with Allh, He will bestow on him a great reward.

)
(Surah Al-Fath 48:10)

The 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal : To Celebrate or not to Celebrate...

What do we know about celebrating Eid Milad un Nabi? 1. Quran: Nothing 2. Sunnah: Nothing 3. Sahabah: Nothing 4. Four Imams: Nothing

The Prophet (SAW) said: The best of mankind are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them. (Bukhari, Muslim and al-Tirmidhi).
The best of speech is the Book of Allah, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation (bid'ah) is a going astray. (Muslim and al-Nisaai).
The celebration of the Prophets birthday appeared many centuries later. Think about it! Can it be possible that the Sahaabah, the Imaams and the people of the best three centuries were unaware of the importance of celebrating the birthday of the Prophet or that they were lacking in their love for him? And it was only those who came later who were aware of it or loved him more?!!! How can that be?!!

HADITH:
Whosoever does an action which is not based upon our teachings is rejected (will not be accepted by Allah). (Riyaad us-Saaliheen, Book 297, hadith #1647) & (Muslim)

Stay away from matters that are made up because every made up matter (in ibaadah) is bidah, and every bidah is misguidance. (Tirmidzi)

The best way to express love for the Prophet(SAW) is to follow his Sunnah and send peace and blessings upon him. Regarding this, Allah says in the Holy Quran: Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels *ask Him to do so+. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him+ peace. (Al-Ahzab, 33:56)

'Abdurrahman bin 'Auf relates that the prophet(SAW) went out once and he followed him until he entered a grove of palm trees and prostrated. His prostration was so long that 'Abdurrahman feared that Allah had taken his soul. 'Abdurrahman came to look at him and he raised his head and said: "What is wrong, Abdurrahman?" Abdurrahman mentioned what had happened, and the Prophet (SAW) said: "Gabriel came to me and said: 'Shall I not give you glad tidings? Allah says to you, Whoever sends blessings upon you, I confer blessings upon him. Whoever sends salutations to you, I send peace on him. Therefore, I prostrated to Allah in thanks. (Musnad Ahmed and Al-Hakim)

 It was narrated by Abdullah bin Masud that the Messenger of Allah (SAW)) said: Some angels appointed by Allah go around on earth, and convey to me the salutations (salam) sent by my ummah. (Sunan Nasai) Narrated Abu Huraira, The Prophet (SAW) said: If any one of you greets me, Allah returns my soul to me and I respond to the greeting (Sunan Abu Dawud)


O Allah! Send Your mercy on Muhammad (s.a.w) and on the family of Muhammad (s.a.w), as You sent Your mercy on Abraham and on the family of Abraham, for You are the Most Praise-worthy, the Most Glorious. O Allah! Send Your blessings on Muhammad (s.a.w) and the family of Muhammad (s.a.w), as You sent your blessings on Abraham and on the family of Abraham, for You are the Most Praise-worthy, the Most Glorious.
(Sahih Bukhari)

Allah knows best