The characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that are mentioned in Nahj al-Balagha by Imam Ali (AS) serve as guidance for seekers of truth and those who walk the path of servitude to God.
Because the Prophet (PBUH) is a perfect role model and exemplar in all aspects of life, his characteristics can be a reliable point of reference for those who pursue the path of truth and human perfection. In this article, we will examine the characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that Amir al-Muminin Ali (PBUH) has pointed out in Nahj al-Balagha.
The Necessity of Knowing the Noble Prophet (PBUH)
Amir al-Muminin Ali (AS), speaking about the necessity of recognizing the characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), says: “It is sufficient for you to follow the way of life of the Messenger of Islam (PBUH), so that it may serve as a good guide for you in recognizing the evils, defects, disgraces, and ugliness of this world. Indeed, the world was withheld from him on all sides and spread out for others; he did not drink from the world’s breast, nor did he draw near to its adornments”.[1]
According to these words, the characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are sufficient for human beings to take him as a model. He abandoned the world and its gold and adornments and had no attachment to them.
Thus, he truly understood the nature of the world and was able to distinguish the transient world from the eternal one, and to guide us along this path as well. Knowing such a guide and understanding such guidance is necessary and essential for anyone who wishes to walk the path of truth.
The Noble Prophet (PBUH) said to Amir al-Muminin Ali (AS): “O Ali! None but you and I have truly known God; none but God and you have truly known me; and none but God and I have truly known you”.[2]
Although we cannot attain an understanding of the Prophet (PBUH) similar to that of Imam Ali (AS), it must be remembered that: “If one cannot drink all the water of the sea, one should at least taste it according to one’s thirst”.
Another reason for turning to the words of Amir al-Muminin Ali (AS) in order to understand the characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is his own statement in the Sermon of al-Qasiah in Nahj al-Balagha, where he says: “You know my close relationship with the Messenger of God (PBUH), my near kinship to him and my special position. When I was a child, he would place me in his lap, embrace me to his chest, put me in his own bed, let his body touch mine, and let me smell his pleasant fragrance. At times he would take a morsel of food, chew it, and place it in my mouth”.[3]
The Sacred Characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad in Nahj al-Balagha
The sacred characteristics of this divine Prophet, as expressed by Amir al-Muminin Ali (as) in the noble book Nahj al-Balagha, are as follows:
1. A Steadfast Light and a Shining Lamp
The Noble Prophet (PBUH) is a steadfast light and a shining lamp, able to remove the doubts and uncertainties of God’s servants through his light.
“And I bear witness that Muhammad (PBUH) is the servant of God and His Messenger. God sent him with a manifest religion, an enduring sign, a written and firm Quran, a radiant light, a shining lamp, and a clarifying command, in order to destroy doubts and uncertainties, to argue with clear proofs, to warn people through divine signs, and to frighten them with God’s punishments”.[4]
2. The Illuminator of Truth and Reality
One of the characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is that he illuminated the path of truth and reality for all people, so that they could find the way of guidance in every situation. The characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mentioned in this sermon clearly demonstrate the greatness of his personality:
“O God! O Spreader of all that is spread, O Holder of the heavens, O Creator of hearts upon their natural dispositions, hearts that are blessed and hearts that are wretched, bestow Your noblest blessings and Your most abundant benedictions upon Muhammad (PBUH), Your servant and Messenger, the seal of the former prophets, the opener of closed doors, and the revealer of truth with proof.
He repelled the armies of falsehood and shattered the might of the misguided. He bore the heavy burden of the message upon his shoulders, rose in obedience to Your command, and hastened toward Your pleasure. He never took a step backward, nor did his resolve weaken. He was strong in receiving and preserving revelation, a guardian and keeper of Your covenant and pledge.
He strove to carry out Your command until he made the light of truth manifest and illuminated the path for the ignorant, so that hearts immersed in turmoil and sin were guided. He raised the banners of truth and established luminous laws. Thus, he is the trustworthy Prophet, the reliable one, the treasurer of Your hidden knowledge, the witness on the Day of Resurrection, the one You sent to proclaim the truths, and Your Messenger to the people”.[5]
3. The Purest Essence
The description of the characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his Ahl al-Bayt (AS) in Sermon 94 of Nahj al-Balagha, spoken by Amir al-Muminin Ali (AS), is truly remarkable. In this sermon, Imam Ali (AS) expresses, in the most eloquent words, the purity of the essence, the noble nature, and the exalted origin of the Noble Prophet (PBUH), saying:
“God extracted the core of his being from the finest mines, and planted and nurtured the sapling of his existence in the most noble and honored lands. He brought him forth from the same tree from which He brought forth the other prophets and messengers. His progeny is the best of progenies, his family the best of families, and the tree of his existence is among the finest of trees.
He grew up in God’s secure sanctuary and was raised in the lap of a noble family. Its lofty branches rose high, beyond the reach of anyone’s hand. Thus, the Prophet (PBUH) is the leader of the God-fearing and the means of insight for seekers of guidance. He is a lamp with a brilliant light, a radiant star, and a flame with dazzling and shining flashes.
His way is moderate, his conduct upright and firm, his words distinguish truth from falsehood, and his judgment is just. God sent him at a time when a long interval had passed since the former prophets, when people had turned away from virtue, and when nations had fallen into ignorance and unawareness”.[6]
4. The Extinguisher of Hatreds
In another sermon of Nahj al-Balagha, Imam Ali (AS) highlights affection and compassion as among the characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and speaks about them as follows:
“The dwelling place of the Prophet (PBUH) was the best of dwellings, and his place of upbringing and family were the noblest of foundations. He grew up in the mine of generosity and the cradle of well-being. The hearts of the righteous were drawn to him, and the eyes turned toward him. Through him, God buried rancor and extinguished the flames of enmity.
Through him, He brought harmony and affection among hearts, and separated those who were closely related. The humiliated, downtrodden, and deprived attained honor through him, while the arrogant and self-important were humbled. His speech clarified realities, and his silence itself was an eloquent form of speech”.[7]
5. The Criterion and Measure of Truth
Amir al-Muminin Ali (AS) points to another characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), stating that he was the criterion of truth, the divine measure, and the proper model for humanity. As Imam Ali (AS) explains, whoever goes ahead of this standard departs from religion, and whoever lags behind it is doomed:
“And we bear witness that there is no god but Him, and we bear witness that Muhammad (PBUH) is His servant and Messenger. He sent him to proclaim His command and to raise the name of God. Thus, he fulfilled his mission faithfully and walked his path with truthfulness and integrity.
He left among us the banner of truth. Whoever goes ahead of it departs from religion, whoever falls behind it is destroyed, and whoever remains with it is saved. The bearer of this banner spoke with deliberation and calmness, rose slowly and thoughtfully, and when he rose, he advanced firmly and swiftly. Therefore, when you entered into his obedience and honored him, his death arrived and God took him from among you.
After him, you will live as long as God wills, until God raises a person who will unite you and restore your dispersion. O people! Do not attach your hearts to what has not yet come, and do not despair over what has passed, for that which has turned away, if one of its feet slips while the other remains firm, may yet have both feet return to their place and stand steady once more”.[8]
6. The Traveling Physician
In Sermon 108 of Nahj al-Balagha, the characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are described by Imam Ali (AS) as follows:
“God chose the Prophet (PBUH) from the towering tree of the prophets, from the source of the light of guidance, from a lofty and unparalleled station, from the land of Batha, from lamps lit in the midst of darkness, and from the springs of wisdom. The Prophet (PBUH) is a physician who goes about treating the sick.
His healing ointments are prepared, and his instruments for cauterizing wounds are heated. He is ready to heal blind hearts, deaf ears, and mute tongues, and he seeks out those neglected and wandering patients to treat them with his remedies”.[9]
7. An Ascetic and God-Fearing Servant
In another part of his eloquent words in Nahj al-Balagha, Amir al-Muminin Ali (AS) refers to the asceticism of the Noble Prophet (PBUH) as one of his defining characteristics:
“The Prophet (PBUH) regarded the world as insignificant and made it appear trivial in the eyes of others. He considered it worthless and presented it to others as low and of little value. He knew that God had kept the world away from him to honor his worth, and had granted it to others because of its insignificance.
The Prophet (PBUH) turned away from the world with his whole heart and erased its memory from his soul. He wished that the adornments of the world be kept out of his sight, so that he would not fashion a fine garment from it or long to reside in it.
He strove to convey commands that leave no excuse, advised the Islamic community with necessary warnings, called people toward Paradise through glad tidings, and warned them against the Fire of Hell”.[10]
8. A Witness and Testifier over the Deeds of Creation
Regarding this characteristic, Imam Ali (AS) refers to the manner in which the Greatest Prophet (PBUH) fulfilled his mission, reflecting his complete servitude to God:
“God sent the Prophet as a caller to the truth and a witness over the deeds of creation. The Prophet (PBUH) conveyed the message of his Lord without weakness or neglect, and he fought his enemies in the way of God without making excuses. The Prophet (PBUH) is the leader of the God-fearing and the light that illuminates the eyes of the guided”.[11]
9. The One Who United Divisions
In another sermon of Nahj al-Balagha, one can clearly perceive the blessings brought about through the presence of the Noble Prophet (PBUH):
“The Prophet made manifest what he was commanded to make manifest and conveyed the messages of his Lord. Through him, God joined the rifts of discord, removed distances, and established harmony among relatives, after the burning fire of enmities had accumulated in hearts and the flames of hatred had risen from within souls”.[12]
Conclusion
In Nahj al-Balagha, Amir al-Muminin Ali (AS) has referred to some of the characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). His pure essence and nature, his kindness and compassion, his renunciation of the world, and his role as the criterion of the path of truth are among the most important characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad that have been highlighted in Nahj al-Balagha.
Notes
[1] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 160.
[2] . Hilli, Mukhtasar al-Basair, vol.1, p.336.
[3] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 192.
[4] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 2.
[5] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 72.
[6] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 94.
[7] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 96.
[8] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 100.
[9] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 108.
[10] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 109.
[11] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 116.
[12] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 231.
References
- Hilli, Hasan ibn Sulayman, Mukhtasar al-Basair, Qom, Jamaat al-Mudarrisin fi al-Hawzah al-Ilmiyyah bi-Qum, Muassasat al-Nashr al-Islami, 1421 AH.
- Sharif al-Radi. Nahj al-Balagha. Arranged by Subhi al-Salih. Qom: Dar al-Hijra, 1414 AH.
Source of the article | Adapted from:
Tajeryan, Alireza, Manifestations of the Essential Reality of the Noble Prophet (PBUH) in the Quran and Nahj al-Balagha.
