10 Great Manners of Prophet Muhammad That We Need to Adopt

9- Speak Good or Remain Silent

Speech is considered an art that not everybody can master. One should know, certain words can stir a debate or hurt the feelings of our brothers. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH has taught us this art of speech.

We should always weigh our words before uttering them in front of everyone. Our tongues should not become the source of causing harm to others. We should be speaking good words and have kind speech. A comment about anyone’s looks, dress, car or the way he speaks, in a condescending manner, will only show our true upbringing.

Speaking ill of anyone, criticizing them, passing a mocking remark will only give a boost to our egos but it will wound the sentiments of a community or an individual and can also become a cause of displeasure to Allah SWT.

Therefore, if we think there is nothing good or kind that can be spoken, we should remain silent. As in certain situations, silence is far better than words.

8- Show Mercy towards Everyone

Often we ask ourselves that how can we forgive someone who has mutilated the hearts that carry love for others? The one who has insulted us in the worst manner do not deserve our forgiveness and respect. The answer lies in the life of Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad was disrespected and humiliated by the disbelievers a hundred times. His message of peace and love was considered a lie and was injured by the Kuffars in the worst manner but he never prayed against them. He would only ask for their Hidayah from Allah SWT and forgave them. He has asked Ummah to show mercy towards all mankind and forgive others with a clear heart. Then only we could reach the highest levels of spirituality. Wouldn’t we want Allah SWT to pardon us when we sin?

Similarly, we should forgive and be kind to others, following the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad PBUH. No matter how much our heart bleeds, we should be able to move forward and forgive.

Jarir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Allah does not show mercy to those who do not show mercy to people.” 

(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

7- Be Kind to the Neighbours

Neighbors are the people living next to our houses or on the same street. But nowadays, We have built our walls high enough to stay apart and distant from our neighbors that we hardly know their names. We scowl at them if their children play on the street, or when they park their cars in our boundaries. All of this is not the image of a true Muslim.

We as Muslims should fulfill the rights of our neighbors that Islam has given to us and be friendly with them.

Neighbour’s Rights.

• We should take care and help them whenever they need our help.
• It is advisable to meet your neighbours and not just stay confined to our house
• The walls of our houses should not be high enough to block the air for our neighbours, without their permission.
• We should not let them starve while we eat lavishly.
• If they need financial aid, we should be ready to help them.

Prophet Muhammad PBUH taught us to be gentle and kind with our neighbors like he was to his’. He took care of his neighbors even if they were non-Muslims. He said if we bring fruits to our house, we should send them to our neighbors or else, do not throw the peelings outside the house.

Here is our detailed article on Haqooq ul Ibad & Its Significance.

6- Have Respect and Love for the Elder/Young

Islam gives utmost respect to everyone who enters its circle. We should have regard for the people who are older than us. There are times when elder people are at fault, it is advised to correct them gently and politely and talk where they are wrong. Giving your seat to the elderly, helping them cross the road, being with them when they need you, all of it are the teachings of Prophet Muhammad PBUH and loved by Allah.

It is understandable to give respect to our elders but our Prophet Muhammad PBUH has also taught us to shower affection to the younger ones. He would never scold or act in a condescending way to the younger ones.

Anas ibn Malik related: ‘I served the Prophet of Allah for ten years. During that time, he never once said to me as much as ‘Oof’ if I did something wrong. He never asked me, if I had failed to do something, ‘Why did you not do it?’ and he never said to me, if I had done something wrong, ‘Why did you do it?’” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim

We often mistreat the ones who are younger than us because we consider ourselves more knowledgeable and experienced as we are older. But it is suggested in Islam to treat them with love and kindness and help them become a better person and Muslims. Just like our Prophet who had treated the children and the young with the utmost kindness.

5- Keep Good Relations with the Relatives

We often hear that a family’s members have been separated from each other and do not see each other’s faces due to some reasons. But it should be kept in mind, it could invite the wrath of Allah SWT as Qatah Rehmi (boycotting people) is a heinous sin in Islam.

Our religion gives great value to kinship. It means, we need to be respectful and loving towards our kin members. They are the ones who have right over us and we should not violate them or walk on the path of Qata Rehm and gain the displeasure of Allah SWT.

Being good and respectful towards the kin is called Sila Rahm in Arabic. The word Rahm means ‘womb’ and is derived from Raheem which means to have mercy on.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The word ‘Ar-Rahm (womb) derives its name from Ar-Rahman (i.e., one of the names of Allah) and Allah said: ‘I will keep good relation with the one who will keep good relation with you, (womb i.e. Kith and Kin) and sever the relation with him who will sever the relation with you, (womb, i.e. Kith and Kin).

Sahih Bukhari

Allah Himself in the Quran has mentioned several times that we should be polite to our family members and care for them in any matter and help them financially, emotionally and physically.

And give to the kindred his due.” (17: 26)

4- Conceal the Faults of Others

Today, people sit together in the name of tea parties and mostly talk about others and gossip. Their conversations revolve around the faults and sins of the people. But little do they know, Allah does not like such gatherings.

No human is free of faults and follies as it is only Allah SWT who is Perfect, Al-Malik. We should ignore the sins and mistakes of our fellow Muslim brothers that appear in front of us. It is prohibited in Islam to disclose those faults to other people and defame them in the name of honesty and truthfulness. It will be counted as backbiting/gheebah.

Islam is the religion that gives respect to everyone. It teaches us to cover up the faults of others like we would want Allah to conceal our sins. We do not show our mistakes or wrongdoings in front of our peers. Similarly, We should maintain a Pardah of our brother and sister’s faults and do not think about ways to defame them.

Do not spend your time finding fault with one another.” (Al-Bukhari)

3- Stay Away from Backbiting

When you’re sitting with a friend, having a peaceful lunch and talking about the girl that comes in your Tafsir class and how her dressing sense doesn’t match your standards and how you don’t like the way she acts. Or the girl living next to your house had encountered a bad person thus leaving marks on her present and past. All the salah that you had prayed, all the prayers that you had made, will have no effect due to this act of yours.

Now, you would think it was just a small chit-chat. But talking about the faults of others, discussing the details at length is Gheebah and backbiting.

On the authority of Abu Huraira that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH said: “Do you know what backbiting? They said: God and His Messenger know best. He said: Mentioning your brother of what he hates. It was also said: If there is what you say, then you have backbit him, and if it is not in it, then it has lost its fading.)

People enjoy talking about others’ shortcomings but in reality, they are only transferring the bad deeds of the person being backbitten, to their scale of deeds. It is worse than fornication as Allah will forgive on the repentance of an adulterer. He won’t forgive the person who has backbitten his fellow brother until he asks for forgiveness from the person whose gheebah had been done.

For more on this topic, do go through these Islamic Quotes On Gossiping & Backbiting.

2- Restraining Anger

Anger is the psychological emotion that arises due to agitation or frustration as a result of certain situations. Our employee did not live up to our expectations, the wife did not cook well today, the kid did not do what we asked them to do, all such circumstances may trigger our anger and make us act accordingly. But when the storm passes, we realize the damage that had been made.

Therefore, Islam teaches us to restrain our anger and remain silent. Because when we say things or act angrily, we do not realize the grave nature of the matter. Our Prophet Muhammad PBUH always taught his companions to control anger because it won’t bring any good to us. It will only result in humiliation and guilt as it destroys relationships and peace.

If you struggle with anger management then here are some Powerful Duas to Control Anger & Other Negative Emotions.

1- Be Kind to the Parents

The relationship between a child and his parents is based on unconditional love. Parents take care of their children tirelessly and love them with all their hearts. But they often do not get the respect that they deserve. Teenagers treat their parents carelessly and raise their voices in front of them. They leave their old parents at home alone and rather spend time with their friends. The number of old houses and parents living in them, despite having children, has been increasing day by day.

In Islam, the status of parents has been given utmost respect. We do not have the right to say ‘Uff’ to our parents. Allah in the Quran has mentioned several times to be kind to them with our words and actions. The Prophet Muhammad PBUH has taught us to be gentle to our parents especially when they’re old to get our tickets to the most beautiful place, Jannah.