Trustworthiness and Honesty are Proof of His Prophecy and Mission

Prophet Muhammad (sws) was the trustworthy and honest man who did not speak of his own accord. We will now comment briefly on these two characteristics of the Prophet (sws).

These noble prophetic hadiths are clear evidence of the truth of the Prophet (sws) and his honesty in declaring the message.

He gave these warnings this five days before he died, at the climax of his illness and the crescendo of his pain. Then, he entered the mosque, with his head bandaged, and said these things to the crowd that gathered around him. 

Despite his illness and pain, he insisted on fulfilling his duty as advisor, instructor and guide to his companions and all Muslims to come. He ordered them not to take his grave as an idol to be worshipped as the Jews and the Christians had done before. He did not leave them to exaggerate his importance as the Christians had done with Jesus, son of Mary, which led them to worship him. He was careful to safeguard his call and his nation, not only in life, but also in death. Neither suffering nor illness could prevent him from conveying the message in the best way or fulfilling the commands of his Lord, inviting people to testify that there is no god but Allah.

If you follow the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (sws), you will find that he was the best instructor to his companions and his nation, even after death. You will notice that in all his gestures, deeds, sayings, battles and invasions, he was the best caller to Allah Almighty and the best guide to truth and goodness.

These noble hadiths bear true witnesses to his trustworthiness and honesty, even in illness and suffering. Even in the final moments of his life, he gathered his wives to preach to them and advise them. His pain continued to intensify and increased, so he gathered the people to advise them about the prayer and their treatment of captives and slaves, saying,

As death was approaching, he had beside him a small copper pot full of water. He took to dipping his hand in the water and wiping it on his face, speaking softly,

These words, which he had so frequently advised people throughout his life and his mission, were the best reminder.

The last words he ever said—after using his toothstick (for he is the one who taught us that the miswak is cleansing for the mouth and pleasing to the Lord), lifting his hand (or finger), raising his gaze towards the ceiling and moving his lips—were:

He repeated the last part three times, rested his hands beside him, and joined the highest ompanion. Verily, we are from Allah, and to Him do we return.

These are evidence and proof of the Prophet's (sws) sincerity and his honesty in conveying the message until the last moment of his life.

He asked Allah to forgive him, have mercy upon him and raise him to be with the highest
companion.

There was a solar eclipse during the life of Prophet Muhammad (sws) which happened upon the death of Ibrahim, his son, who was just a toddler.

The Prophet (sws) was grieved at this loss, as were his companions, so the people thought that the solar eclipse occurred because of the death of Ibrahim, whom the Prophet (sws) had loved so much. After performing an occasional prayer upon the event of the eclipse, the Prophet (sws) gathered the people together, praised Allah and gave them a sermon about cause and effect. He explained that the sun and moon are two signs of the ability of Allah; they do not disappear, either totally or partially, due to the death or birth of anyone. He then advised them to perform that prayer whenever they see an eclipse.

This hadith is a clear proof of the trustworthiness of the Prophet (sws) and his honesty. Despite his great sadness upon the loss of his only son, he took steps to clear the matter and gain his God's favor. He denied the people's assumption when they said that the solar eclipse was due to the death of his son. This trustworthiness raised him in their eyes.

Neither his sadness nor his anguish prevented him from clarifying the matter and performing the duties of his mission. There can be no doubt that the Prophet (sws) loved his son greatly; however, he remained patient when he died. The Prophet (sws) did not startle, show discontent or forgot the tasks Allah asked of him. He performed the eclipse prayer and fulfilled his duty as a  guide and caller in the perfect way. He is indeed a good example to follow:

• He showed extreme satisfaction with what Allah had decreed.

   • He maintained the highest degree of patience, for the best patience is to thank and praise Allah, even in difficult and trying times.

   • Even at a time of sadness and anguish, he showed absolute subservience to Allah by performing his duties as caller and messenger.

       The life of the Prophet (sws) was full of proof and evidence that displayed his trustworthiness, honesty, patience and refined manners. The trustworthiness and honesty of the Prophet (sws), both before and after the message, were evidence of the trustworthiness of his call.

                                                         He (sws) truly is the Messenger of Allah.