The Manners of the Prophet
All praise is due to Allah who sent the messengers and revealed the Divine Laws that contain people’s interests during their lives and after their death. And in it, He taught them the best etiquette and the most beautiful manners. Allah Almighty revealed the Quran to the Prophet ﷺ who acted in accordance with it. For his ﷺ character was the Quran. For his Lord cultivated him ﷺ and perfected his manners. So love the Prophet ﷺ and follow him.
For there is no salvation or success expect through loving the Prophet ﷺ and following him. Good manners are an attribute of perfection. And that is why Allah – the Most High – perfected His prophet with it
He was the best mannered person as Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) related.
And he spent ten years in his ﷺ service, and he is the most knowledgeable of people about him ﷺ. And from the pleasant companionship and good character is etiquette with the people. If dutifulness is given to parents, and the kinship is joined, and pleasant companionship is given to the spouse and children.
For the people value good behavior towards them in speech and deed. And those who are polite in their speech and actions are loved, revered and respected by the people. Because people respect those who respect them. And they disdain those who disdain them. And the prophet was the best example of good manners and respecting people. And his ﷺ ummah (nation) must learn manners from him. Because his manners are from Allah Almighty. And learning manners from him is following him and implementing his sunnah.
إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ ,نَحْمَدُهُ ,وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ , وَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا ,مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ , وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ , وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Verily, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, we seek His assistance and we ask for His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Him from the evils of our selves. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide. Whoever He misguides, none can guide. And I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.
يَا أَيُّهَا الّذِينَ آَمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ – آل عمران:102
Al Imran 102 : O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.
Oh people:
All praise is due to Allah who sent the messengers and revealed the Divine Laws that contain people’s interests during their lives and after their death. And in it, He taught them the best etiquette and the most beautiful manners.
صِبْغَةَ اللَّهِ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّهِ صَبْغَةً وَنَحْنُ لَهُ عَابِدُونَ
Al Baqarah (2) 138: [This is] the religion of Allah. And who is better than Allah in [ordaining] religion? And we are worshippers of Him.”
Allah Almighty revealed the Quran to the Prophet ﷺ who acted in accordance with it. For his ﷺ character was the Quran. For his Lord cultivated him ﷺ and perfected his manners. So love the Prophet ﷺ and follow him. For there is no salvation or success expect through loving the Prophet ﷺ and following him.
قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
Al Imran (3) 31: Say, “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
And the Prophet ﷺ said:
لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى أَكُونَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ وَلَدِهِ وَوَالِدِهِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ
None of you has believed until I am dearer to him than his son, his father and all the people. [alBukhari 15, Muslim 44]
Good manners are an attribute of perfection. And that is why Allah – the Most High – perfected His Prophet ﷺ with it. He was the best mannered person as Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) related. And he spent ten years in his ﷺ service, and he is the most knowledgeable of people about him ﷺ.
And from the pleasant companionship and good character is etiquette with the people. If dutifulness is given to parents, and the kinship is joined, and pleasant companionship is given to the spouse and children. For the people value good behavior towards them in speech and deed. And those who are polite in their speech and actions are loved, revered and respected by the people. Because people respect those who respect them. And they disdain those who disdain them. And the prophet was the best example of good manners and respecting people. And his ﷺ ummah (nation) must learn manners from him. Because his manners are from Allah Almighty. And learning manners from him is following him and implementing his sunnah.
And the prophet’ﷺ etiquette with the people is very abundant. And his sunnah recorded his etiquette with men, women and children. And in different areas and many occasions.
And the from the Prophet’s ﷺ etiquette in seeking permission is what was related by Abdallah bin Busr (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ- إِذَا أَتَى بَابَ قَوْمٍ لَمْ يَسْتَقْبِلِ الْبَابَ مِنْ تِلْقَاءِ وَجْهِهِ, وَلَكِنْ مِنْ رُكْنِهِ الْأَيْمَنِ أَوِ الْأَيْسَرِ, وَيَقُولُ: السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ, السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to some people’s door, he did not face it squarely, but faced the right or left corner, and said: Peace be upon you! peace be upon you!
[Sahih Abu Dawood 5186]
And in another narration:
فَإِنْ أُذِنَ لَهُ وَإِلَّا انْصَرَفَ
If he was given permission, he went in. Otherwise he went away.
And from the Prophet’s etiquette in handshaking is what was narrated by Abdallah bin Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
كانَ رسولُ اللَّهِ صلَّى اللَّه عليه وسلم إذا ودَّعَ رجلاً أخذَ بيدِهِ فلاَ يدعُها حتَّى يَكونَ الرَّجلُ هوَ يدعُ يدَ النَّبيِّ صلَّى اللَّه عليه وسلم ويقولُ أستودِعُ اللَّهَ دينَكَ وأمانتَكَ وآخرَ عملِكَ
When the Prophet ﷺ would bid farewell to a man, he would take his hand, and not let it go until the man let go of the hand, of the Prophet, and he would say: ‘I entrust to Allah your religion, your trusts, and the last of your deeds [Tirmithi 3442]
And from his ﷺ etiquette in sitting with the people is that he treated each person according to his condition. So he was easy going with whoever was easy going with him. And he was modest with whoever was modest towards him. As was related in the Hadith of Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her):
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ- مُضْطَجِعًا فِي بَيْتِي كَاشِفًا عَنْ فَخِذَيْهِ أَوْ سَاقَيْهِ فَاسْتَأْذَنَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَأَذِنَ لَهُ وَهُوَ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ فَتَحَدَّثَ ثُمَّ اسْتَأْذَنَ عُمَرُ فَأَذِنَ لَهُ وَهُوَ كَذَلِكَ فَتَحَدَّثَ ثُمَّ اسْتَأْذَنَ عُثْمَانُ فَجَلَسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ- وَسَوَّى ثِيَابَهُ فَدَخَلَ فَتَحَدَّثَ فَلَمَّا خَرَجَ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ: دَخَلَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَلَمْ تَهْتَشَّ لَهُ وَلَمْ تُبَالِهِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ عُمَرُ فَلَمْ تَهْتَشَّ لَهُ وَلَمْ تُبَالِهِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ عُثْمَانُ فَجَلَسْتَ وَسَوَّيْتَ ثِيَابَكَ فَقَالَ: أَلَا أَسْتَحِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ تَسْتَحِي مِنْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ”.
The Prophet was lying down in my room with his thigh uncovered when Abu Bakr asked for permission to enter. He gave him permission to enter, remaining as he was. Then ‘Umar asked for permission to come in and he gave him permission, remaining as he was. Then ‘Uthman asked for permission to enter and the Prophet ﷺ sat up and adjusted his garment, and then he came in and spoke. When he left, I said, ‘Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr came in and you did not exert yourself nor concern yourself with him. Then ‘Umar came in and you did not exert yourself nor concern yourself with him. Then ‘Uthman came in and you sat up and adjusted your garment.’ He said, ‘Should I not be modest in front of a man before whom the angels are bashful?’” [Muslim 2401]
And from his ﷺ etiquette with the one offering food is that if he did not like it, he did not criticize as was related in the Hadith of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
مَا عَابَ النَّبِيُّ -صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ- طَعَامًا قَطُّ, إِنِ اشْتَهَاهُ أَكَلَهُ وَإِلَّا تَرَكَهُ
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never criticized any food. if he liked it, he would eat it, and if not, he would leave it.” [alBukhari 3563, Muslim 2064]
And from his ﷺ etiquette with children is that that he would not forsake their rights in the presence of adults as narrated in the Hadith of Sahl bin Saad (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
A drink was brought to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and he drank some of it. On his right was a boy and on his left were elderly people. He said to the boy, “Would you permit me to give the drink to these on my left?” The boy said, “No, by Allah, O Messenger of Allah, I would not give preference to anyone in regards to my share from you” He said, “So the Messenger of Allah ﷺ placed it in his hand.” [alBukhari 2064, Muslim 2030]
And from his ﷺ etiquette in returning the gift is that he would explain the reason for returning it so that the person who gave it would not have any ill feelings. As was related in the Hadith of AsSa3b bin Jathaamah ( الصَّعْبِ بْنِ جَثَّامَةَ ) (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that:
أَنَّهُ أَهْدَى لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ -صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ- حِمَارًا وَحْشِيًّا, وَهُوَ بِالْأَبْوَاءِ أَوْ بِوَدَّانَ, فَرَدَّهُ عَلَيْهِ, فَلَمَّا رَأَى مَا فِي وَجْهِهِ قَالَ: إِنَّا لَمْ نَرُدَّهُ عَلَيْكَ إِلَّا أَنَّا حُرُمٌ
He gave the Messenger of Allah an onager when he was in Al-Abwa or in Waddan, but the Messenger of Allah gave it back to him. “And when the Messenger of Allah saw the expression on his face he said: “We only gave it back to you because we are in Ihram.’” [alBukhari1825, Muslim 1193]
And from his ﷺ etiquette in correcting mistakes is that he would not unnecessarily confront the person making the mistake knowing that it was hated. As was related by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him):
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ -صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ- رَأَى عَلَى رَجُلٍ صُفْرَةً فَكَرِهَهَا قَالَ: لَوْ أَمَرْتُمْ هَذَا أَنْ يَغْسِلَ هَذِهِ الصُّفْرَةَ. قَالَ: وَكَانَ لَا يَكَادُ يُوَاجِهُ أَحَدًا فِي وَجْهِهِ بِشَيْءٍ يَكْرَهُهُ”
The Prophet ﷺ saw yellow on a man and hated it. He said: If you had commanded this man to wash off this yellow. He said: And he would hardly ever confront anyone with something he disliked. [Ahmad 12367]
That is why he often said:
مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ يَفْعَلُونَ كَذَا
What is the matter with people who do such and such? [Sahih Abu Dawood 4788]
These were situations from the Prophet’s ﷺ manners with the people. And they are situations that prove his ﷺ etiquette with everyone. And he is a role model for us. So let us follow his example in dealing with people. And implement his etiquette. And adhere to his guidance. For in that is goodness in this world and goodness in the hereafter.
لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا
Al Ahzab (33) 21: There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.
أَقُولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
I say what you have heard and I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and you from every sin. So seek forgives from Him, Verily He is Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
Second Khutbah
الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ, وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ , وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَاْ إِلَهَ إِلَّاْ اَللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَاْشَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَاً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ
All praise is to Allah, and peace and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, and I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.
Oh Muslims:
Committing to the prophetic traits and adhering to these highest manners has great reward. In addition, they are well received by hearts and endear people. So they love such a person, enjoy their company and sitting with them. And are honored by their companionship. For what they see of their good manners and great etiquette.
And people accept from someone with good manners, lovely language and a smiling face what they do not accept from someone with bad manners, foul language and a frowning and grimacing face.
And the example of the Prophet ﷺ is to be followed in regards to manners and etiquette as it is to be followed in regards to worship – equally so. And following the example of the Prophet ﷺ is proof of loving him, adhering to his shariah and believing in what he informed. The steadfast who do not change until they meet the Prophet ﷺ at the hawd (basin) will take a drink from it and never ever be thirsty again.
We ask Allah Almighty to make us among those who follow the way and guidance of His beloved Prophet ﷺ and adorn us with the best etiquette and lofty manners. Indeed He is All Hearing, Answering.
هَذَا وَصَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى نَبِيِّكُم كَمَا أَمَرَكُمْ بِذلِكَ رَبُّكُمْ , فَقَالَ
I conclude with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon your Prophet as your Lord commanded:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
Al Ahzaab (33) 56: 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.
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنا فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنا فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنا فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لنا فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنا شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا عَاذَ بِهِ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ كُلَّ قَضَاءٍ قَضَيْتَهُ لَنا خَيْرًا
O Allah, We ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good
عِبَادَ اللّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
Servants of Allah. Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.
