How high is the power of his religion that even 1400 years after his death, some people try to tarnish his personality? The religion of Islam brought and spread by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) is gaining more and more followers and lovers. This vast amount of conversion to Islam has negative consequences for the materialist and capitalist rulers in the world. By following Islam, people learn to stand for their rights and oppose the tyranny of oppressors. The rules of Islam question the rules made by the oppressor rulers in different societies. 

Therefore, the increase in the number of people who embrace Islam and the Islamic lifestyle frightens those tyrant rulers, and they make plans to decay the status of Islam in different ways. One of the plans that they have been applying throughout the past decades was to introduce a violent personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). In this text, we will study the conduct of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and the representation of his manners and behaviors in the Quran to review his kind and merciful character better. 

Characteristics of a Preacher as Described by Allah Almighty

Sending messengers by Allah Almighty to people implies His deep care for them and His will to guide them toward prosperity. But His messengers were supposed to follow specific rulings in their invitation of people toward Him. Being kind and merciful to people is one of the characteristics that Allah Almighty ordered His messengers to observe. 

When Allah was sending Prophet Moses and Aaron (PBUT) to Pharaoh, who claimed to be Allah, He told them that if they want their words to be heard, they should speak to him in a lenient manner: “Both of you go to Pharaoh, for he has indeed rebelled. Speak to him in a soft manner; maybe he will take admonition or fear.’” (20: 43-44)

Prophets were commanded to be patient with their people and never become angry at them. The only prophet mentioned in the Quran who became disappointed of his people and left them was Prophet Yunus (AS), who was punished by Allah for his impatience and disappointment: “And [remember] the Man of the Fish, when he left in a rage, thinking that We would not put him to hardship. Then he cried out in the darkness, ‘There is no god except You! You are immaculate! I have indeed been among the wrongdoers!’” (21: 87)

Therefore, when Allah Almighty’s criterion in choosing His messengers is mercifulness and kindness, how can He keep a violent prophet among His servants?

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) as Described in the Quran

Like any other prophets, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) had the characteristics of a chosen prophet. He was kind and merciful by the Mercy of his Lord as mentioned in the Quran: “It is by Allah’s mercy that you are gentle to them; had you been harsh and hardhearted, they would have surely scattered from around you...” (3: 159)

But the kindness and mercy of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) throughout his call toward Allah (SWT) come to a point where Allah Almighty tells him to be easier oh himself: “You are liable to imperil your life [out of distress] that they will not have faith.” (26: 3)

When Allah Almighty sees the unfriendly behavior of people toward Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), He starts to point out and count Prophet’s kindly manners to people: “There has certainly come to you an apostle from among yourselves. Grievous to him is your distress; he has a deep concern for you and is most kind and merciful to the faithful.” (9:128)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was not only merciful to the people in Arabia, but he was sent to be a caring for all human beings in all times: “We did not send you but as a mercy to all the nations.” (21: 107)

All presentations of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) in the Quran are about his great kindness and his caring personality. Allah describes his manner and behavior as being the perfect example for humankind: “and indeed, you possess a great character.” (68: 4)

Was Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) Kind to His Enemies? 

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was so kind to people that even if they harmed him, he did not reply to them violently. It is narrated from Ibn Mas’oud, who said: I saw people hit the prophet and made his face full of blood, but while he was rubbing the blood off his face, he prayed, “O Lord! Please forgive my people as they are ignorant.” [1] In the early years of his prophethood, people kept harming the Prophet (PBUH&HP), but instead of cursing them, the Prophet (PBUH&HP) kept praying for their guidance.

The Prophet (PBUH&HP) never violated the heads of Quraish for their aggravation and torture and kept asking Allah Almighty to forgive them, until Allah Almighty by His knowledge of their persistence in remaining infidels sent him the following verse: “It is the same for them whether you plead for forgiveness for them, or do not plead for forgiveness for them: Allah will never forgive them. Indeed Allah does not guide the transgressing lot.” (63: 6)

 Allah Almighty then described the characteristics of Muslims in a way that at the same time that they should not oppress anyone, they shouldn’t undergo any oppression, and defined the real Muslim society with the following manners: 
“Muhammad, the Apostle of Allah, and those who are with him are hard against the faithless and merciful amongst themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in worship], seeking Allah’s grace, and [His] pleasure...” (48: 20) 

Like any other human being, despite his great and kind personality, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) had to react in different manners with different people. Therefore, if he had any serious encounter with people, it was not because of his violent attitude, but because of the correct reaction that any sane and smart man should have in facing different people. 

References:

1. Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 9, P. 20.
    

The Cambridge dictionary defines wisdom as using knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments. (1) The most similar equivalent for this word in Arabic is the word  “حکمة” (“Hikmah”) which denotes justice, knowledge and tolerance. (2) 

This word has been used so many times in the holy Quran and has a special meaning in  Islamic literature. The holy Quran says:
Allah grants wisdom to whomever He wishes, and he, who is given wisdom, is certainly given an abundant good, and none takes admonition except those who possess intellect. (2:269) 
About this verse of the Quran, Imam Sadiq (AS) says:
(In this verse) Allah The Almighty has portrayed the intellectuals in the best way. (3)

Hikmah is the message of the Prophets

Allah The Almighty has rapidly pointed out this fact that He has sent the prophets with “Hikmah” and they should teach people how to be wise. The holy Quran says:

Allah certainly favored the faithful when He raised up among them an apostle from among themselves to recite to them His signs (the verses of Quran) and to purify them and teach them the Book and wisdom, and earlier they had indeed been in manifest error. (3:164)
And:
There have already come to them, reports (via the Prophets) containing admonishment, [and representing] far-reaching wisdom; but warnings are of no avail! (4:54)
Also: 
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good advice and dispute with them in a manner which is the best manner.. (16:125)
And: 
When Jesus brought those manifest proofs, he said, ‘I have certainly brought you wisdom, and [I have come] to make clear to you some of the things that you differ about, so be wary of Allah and obey me. (43:63)

Allah almighty even says that the holy Quran is a book full of wisdom:
These are among [precepts] that your Lord has revealed to you of wisdom. (17:39)
These are the signs of the wise Book (31:2)

What is wisdom in the eyes of Allah?

The original meaning of the word “Hikmah” is wisdom, knowledge and tolerance and the ability to use your knowledge in the best way; but Allah The Almighty prefers some special kinds of wisdom. The verses of the Quran and the hadiths, try to clarify the true meaning of wisdom from Islamic sight.

Obedience towards Allah 

•    Abu-Basir, one of the brilliant pupils of Imam Sadiq (AS) once asked him about the verse; “He grants wisdom to whomever He wishes (2:269)”. Imam Sadiq (AS) replied, “That (Wisdom) is obeying Allah and knowledge about Islam” (4)
•    Imam Baqir (AS) also says that “Hikmah” means: “not to commit the sins that Allah has ordained for it the Hell as a punishment” (5)
•    Once Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP) asked a group of people who they are.
They said that they are some faithful people.
The Prophet (PBUH & HP) asked: “What are the signs of your faith?”
They said: “We are content about what Allah has planned for us and we are submissive to the order of our God and we trust in him for everything.”
The Prophet said: “You are so knowledgeable and wise the way that your wisdom can almost make you like prophets.” (6)

Knowing our Imams

Imam Sadiq (AS) about the verse “…and he, who is given wisdom, is certainly given an abundant good (2:269)” said ,“The abundant good is knowing Imam Ali (AS) and the other Imams (AS)” (7) 
He also said: “(The “Hikmah” mentioned in the verse is) obeying Allah and knowing the Imam (of your time)”
In Arabic, the word “جهل” (Jahl) means “Ignorance”, which can be considered the opposite of “Hikmah”. So anyone who is not “Hakim” (wise) is “Ignorant” in Islamic culture. There is a hadith narrated from the Prophet (PBUH & HP) in which he said:

Anyone who dies while they don’t have an Imam will have died like a person in the ages of ignorance (8)

This hadith has been narrated by all Muslims’ Sunnis and Shiites and the authenticity of this record is undeniable. 
About knowing the Imam, Imam Sadiq (AS) also said:
Anyone from among the followers of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP) who understands the status and the rights of their Imam, will find how delightful  having faith is.(9)

Understanding Religion

The last meaning of “Hikmah” mentioned in the Hadiths is “Fiqh” (jurisprudence) which means “Understanding”. In Islamic culture, this word is  employed  to define a deep understanding of religion and profound knowledge about  it . (10)
Imam Sadiq (AS) said: 

“Hikmah is the knowledge about religion and understanding it (Fiqh). Therefore, anyone who understands the teachings of the religion is a “Hakim” (a wise person). Indeed above all, Satan wishes the ones who deeply understand religion, to be dead.” (11)
The Holy Prophet (PBUH & HP) said: 
Allah has given me the Quran and he also gave me Hikmah just like the Quran and every house which therein is no Hikmah is nothing but a ruined place. So learn Fiqh and get to know the religion so that you don’t die like ignorant people. (12)

To wrap up, in the Islamic view, “wisdom” means knowing how to live as a good servant of Allah and living the same way. As you see, all the meanings mentioned in the Quran and the Hadiths are about knowledge of religion and living the way religion indicates. Knowing your Imam (who is the leader Allah has chosen for you) is the best way to understand what you should do and how you should obey the orders of Allah.  It is then obvious that all these different meanings and teachings employ a common concept which is obeying the order of Allah after having enough knowledge about it.  
It is then obvious that all these different meanings and teachings employ a common concept; obeying the orders of Allah after gaining and enjoying competent knowledge about them.

Resources

1.  https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/wisdom 
2. Al-Ain, Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi, vol.3, pg.66
3. Al-Kafi, Sheikh Koleini, vol.1, pg.13
4. Tafsir noor ath-Thiqhlain, al-Huvaizi, vol.1, pg.287
5. Tafsir, Al-Ayyashi, vol.1, pg.151
6. At-Tohid, Sheikh Saduq, pg.371
7. Tafsir noor ath-Thiqhlain, al-Huvaizi, vol.1, pg.287
8.  Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, vol.28, pg.88
9.  Basa’ir ad-Darajat, Muhammad ibn Hassan as-Saffar, pg.412
10.  Sihah, al-Johari, vol.6, pg.2243
11.  Tafsir, al-Ayyashi, vol.1, pg.151
12.  Majma al-Bayan, Sheikh at-Tabarsi, vol.2, pg.194