Prophet's loyalty to Khadijah

One of the great traits of Islamic character that Islam teaches, which, like others, Prophet personified in full measure, is loyalty. Therefore, he cherished the fond memory of his first wife Khadijah, even years after her death. He would also go out of his way to meet, greet, and entertain her relatives and friends with great zeal. Aishah recalls: “Prophet never stopped from praising Khadijah and praying for her. Once, on hearing his words of praise for her, I angrily retorted: “But God has replaced the old woman for you with someone better!” My remarks made him so angry that his face became red…then I said, “O Allah, if only You were to allow his anger to cool down, I would never again say anything bad about her!” When his anger cooled down, he turned towards me, and said, “What did you say? By Allah, Khadijah believed me when people disbelieved; she sheltered me when others abandoned; and it was from her that Allah gifted me with children….” He continued to repeat these words to me for a month!

'I have an offer that none of you can beat'

Uthman b. Affan, the third Caliph (d.656), one of the pioneer Muslims, is one of the greatest philanthropists in the history of Islam. He never missed any opportunity to be charitable, during Prophet's time or after. He was chiefly responsible for financing the Prophet's campaign to Tabook. In the reign of Abu Bakr, a similar opportunity knocked: Madinah was experiencing one of the worst economic conditions, when a trading caravan of Uthman arrived with a hundred camels' load of goods. No sooner the news reached the merchants, eager to make rich profits, they rushed to his house offering to buy the goods to sell them at higher prices to consumers. They continued to outbid one another until Uthman told them, “I have an offer that none of you can beat!” Surprised, they asked, “We want to know the identity of the bidder!” He replied, “Allah promised me to multiply dividends ten times or more. Can you offer a better deal?” He continued, “Allah is my witness! I offer the entire merchandise in charity to the poor people of Madinah”.

Umar on the pursuit of knowledge

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Often a person ventures out to attend a knowledge session, while carrying a heavy load of sins on his shoulders. A piece of wisdom he hears pierces his heart; his heart melts, he repents and makes amends for his sins: He returns home without sins. Therefore, one must never shy way from knowledge-sessions.

Seek knowledge before aspiring for leadership. Once you become a leader you may be too proud to learn, and thus end-up being ignorant. If the knowledge does not benefit you, it won't hurt. So be a diligent seeker of knowledge and pick up serenity --the fruit of knowledge.

Ali, the fourth caliph (d.661), on striving for the hereafter

This world is leaving us by, and the next world is fast approaching. The race is now, and the price will be given tomorrow. We are in the days of striving, and the end is near. Whosoever is slack in efforts now will miss the chance to win. O servants of Allah, strive harder in times of hope even as you strive hard in times of fear. I haven't seen anything like paradise: Those who yearn for it are tardy. I haven’t seen anything like hell: Those who are eager to flee from it are fast asleep. One who does not benefit from the truth will surely be hurt by falsehood; one who does not remain steadfast on truth is bound to slip into deviation.

'A person rejoins his beloved in paradise'

Anas b. Malik, who accompanied the Prophet, peace be on him, for over ten years, had deepest emotional attachment with the Prophet even as everyone of his companions who associated with him. His face would brighten up if he ever mentioned Prophet's arrival in Madinah. He would sob while mentioning his death. He said, “When the Prophet arrived in Madinah, he brightened up the entire city. When he died, however, it is as if dark clouds moved over Madinah, and everyone became sullen.” Anas yearned for the day when he would rejoin his beloved. For like other Companions, he never rejoiced more than when the Prophet said, “After death, a person rejoins those he loves”. Anas added, “Since, undoubtedly, I love Abu Bakr, Umar, and the Messenger of Allah, I expect to join them in paradise”.

The Prophet's assembly

Suyfan b. Waki, a scholar of the pious generations, described the Prophet's assembly thus:

Prophet was smiling, kind, affable, and gentle with his companions; he didn't act rude, harsh, clamorous, or (fault) finding.

In regard to his own self, he ever stayed free of three (negative) habits: Show, wastefulness and frivolity. As for others, he spared them of three (negative) actions: He condemned no one, nor insulted them. If he spoke, his companions remained silent, paying rapt attention to his words as if birds were perching on their heads. When he remained silent, they spoke; they were never noisy in his presence. When anyone of them spoke, others remained quiet, and paid attention to him until he had finished. Prophet was tolerant of strangers and their crude expressions; and he always reminded his companions,' When someone approaches you with a need, help them' …. He never expected praise from anyone… nor did he interrupt anyone who spoke. '

Prophet’s Feast on the Day of His Victory (that is Fall of Makkah)

On the authority of Ibn Abbas: During the fall of Makkah, Prophet stayed as a guest of Umm Hani bint Abi Talib. In the morning, he asked her, “Do you have any food?” She said, “Nothing but a dry piece of bread, which I am too shy to offer to you!” He said, “Bring it.” So, when she offered it to him, he broke it into in to small bits with water, and then asked her, “Any condiment to go with it?” She said, “I have only some vinegar”; he said, “Let me have some”. He then ate the bread with salt and vinegar; and on finishing his meal, he thanked Allah, and said, “How excellent is vinegar as a condiment!” He turned to Umm Hani and said, “A house with vinegar can never be poor!” When some visitors, who had come to see him, addressed him, saying, “You are our Master”, he said, “Allah alone is our Master; say whatever you wish to say, but don’t let Devil lead you astray.”