The Descendants of the Prophet and His Exemplary Character

 

1.13 The Descendants of the Prophet, Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him

The Prophet’s offspring, encompassing both sons and daughters, were predominantly from Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, with the exception of Ibrahim, who was born to Mariya the Copt, a gift from Al-Muqawqis. The Prophet fathered no children from any other woman besides these two.

 

1.13.1 Male Offspring:

1.   Al-Qasim: Known by his honorific title, "Abu Al-Qasim," the Prophet was so named in reference to his eldest son, Al-Qasim, who was born before the advent of his prophethood and survived only briefly.

2.   The Prophet had two additional sons, though there exists scholarly debate over the name of one, with narrations variably referring to him as Abdullah, Al-Tahir, or Al-Tayyib.

3.  A report from Hisham ibn Urwah posits that the Prophet had a son named Abd al-Uzza prior to receiving prophethood; however, this account remains uncorroborated and lacks authoritative validation.

4.  Ibrahim: Born in Medina, Ibrahim lived for two years less two months, and passed away three months before the Prophet’s own departure from this world, an event that coincided with a solar eclipse.

 

1.13.2 Female Offspring:

1.   Zainab: The Prophet’s eldest daughter, Zainab, was wed to Abu Al-As ibn Al-Rabi’, who was her only husband. Zainab passed away in the eighth year after the Hijra, with her husband following during Umar’s caliphate. She bore two children, Ali—who passed in early youth—and Umamah, who later married Ali ibn Abi Talib after Fatimah’s death. While Umamah bore him no offspring, she eventually married Al-Mughira ibn Nawfal ibn Al-Harith ibn Abd al-Muttalib, yet again producing no children.

2.   Ruqayyah: Married to Uthman ibn Affan as her sole husband, Ruqayyah bore him a son, Abdullah, who died at the age of four. Ruqayyah herself passed away three days after the Battle of Badr.

3.   Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her): Joined in marriage to Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Commander of the Faithful, Fatimah bore Al-Hasan, Al-Husayn, Zainab, Umm Kulthum, and Muhsin, who passed away in infancy. Zainab, daughter of Ali, married Abdullah ibn Ja’far ibn Abi Talib and bore a son named Ali, who left descendants.

4.   Umm Kulthum: Married to Umar ibn Al-Khattab, who fathered her son Zayd; however, neither Zayd nor Umm Kulthum left surviving progeny. Fatimah passed six months after the Prophet, with Ali as her sole husband.

5.    Umm Kulthum, the youngest daughter, was initially betrothed to Utbah ibn Abi Lahab, though the marriage was dissolved before consummation. She subsequently married Uthman ibn Affan and passed in his care during the Prophet’s lifetime, in the ninth year of Hijra, without bearing children.

 

1.14 The Exemplary Character of the Prophet, Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was endowed with the most exalted character, as attested by his Lord, the Exalted and Glorified. He embodied the utmost patience, courage, justice, and purity among humankind. Never did he touch a woman unlawfully; only those to whom he was bound by matrimony, lawful possession, or close familial ties knew his touch.

Such was his generosity that he was the most open-handed of people, never retaining a single dinar or dirham overnight. If any wealth remained in his possession as night fell and he could not find a deserving person to give it to, he would not return home until it was dispersed to those in need. From Allah’s provision, he kept only a year’s sustenance in its simplest form — barley and dates — dedicating all else to the cause of Allah. He sought nothing from his Lord without being granted it, and even then, he would often distribute his entire provision to others, sometimes needing assistance himself before the year’s end.

In humility, he would mend his own sandals, patch his garments, assist in household duties, and join his family in preparing food. He was unmatched in modesty, averting his gaze rather than fixing it upon anyone. He accepted the invitations of both the slave and the free, treating all with equality.

A paragon of graciousness, he received gifts, even if as humble as a sip of milk or a rabbit's leg, and he would reciprocate these gestures, yet he neither accepted nor consumed charity. He responded to the calls of servants and the needy alike, accompanying them wherever they summoned him.

His anger was never for himself but always for the sake of his Lord, and he upheld justice even if it meant personal detriment to himself or his companions. Though few in number and in need, he declined assistance from polytheists, stating, "We do not seek support from polytheists."

Once, when the body of one of his most esteemed Companions was discovered among the Jewish people, he did not retaliate against the entire community. Instead, he compensated the loss with one hundred camels from the charity of the Muslims, despite his followers’ own great need of just a single camel to sustain them.

He even compensated the Banu Judhaymah, whose faith was doubtful, as commanded by Allah. In times of hunger, he tied stones to his stomach, yet he ate whatever he found, accepting with gratitude whatever sustenance was present and never desiring what was not. Whether dates, roasted meat, wheat bread, sweets, honey, or a simple cup of milk, he accepted it with equanimity.

He did not partake of food in a reclining posture, nor did he dine at a raised table, preferring instead to spread his cloth upon the ground before him. For three consecutive days, he never ate his fill of wheat bread, not from scarcity or frugality, but from a deep, abiding selflessness, until he returned to Allah.

He attended gatherings and feasts, visited those who were unwell, and joined funeral processions. Among adversaries, he walked unaccompanied, unguarded, with unwavering composure. In society, he was unmatched in humility, quiet without pride, eloquent without prolixity, and the most cheerful in bearing.

No material possession or worldly concern unsettled him. His attire was simple, whatever he found available—be it a modest cloak, a finely woven Yemeni mantle, or a woolen garment. A silver ring, self-set, adorned his right pinky finger, occasionally his left. He graciously allowed both servants and companions to ride behind him on his mount. His steed was what came to hand: a horse, camel, mule, donkey, or his own two feet when he walked, often barefoot, unembellished by cloak, turban, or cap.

He traversed even the farthest reaches of the city to visit the sick. He loved pleasant fragrances and abhorred foul odours. Sitting in the company of the poor, he shared his meals with the impoverished, adopting simplicity in his conduct. With those of higher standing, he displayed courtesy without yielding to favouritism, nor did he slight those of lower status. He held no harshness toward anyone, and never refused the apology of one who sought his forgiveness.

His humour was gentle, never marred by untruth, and he laughed with restraint. He neither censured innocent play nor forbade his household from moments of joy, sometimes even racing them on foot. He bore all outbursts with patience, never diminishing his composure. His camels and sheep provided sustenance for him and his family, yet he granted himself no excess in food or attire above his male and female servants.

Every moment was spent in dedication to Allah, or in efforts for his own well-being. He strolled among the gardens of his Companions, gratefully accepted modest gifts, partook of sweetened drinks, and held no disdain for the destitute or infirm. Nor did he feel awe toward any king for his might, calling both the affluent and the impoverished alike to Allah.

Though he was once poisoned and bewitched, he did not retaliate against those who sought to harm him, for he saw no moral imperative to punish them. Had their actions merited retribution, he would not have spared them.

Allah blessed him with a perfect character and exemplary conduct. Illiterate by choice of destiny, neither reading nor writing, he rose amidst the desolate deserts, amongst shepherds and in a land of hardship. Yet Allah nurtured him with grace and watchfulness, an orphan bereft of father and mother, teaching him all praiseworthy virtues and noble qualities. Allah, Exalted and Mighty, revealed to him the knowledge of past and future, guiding him in all that leads to eternal salvation and success in the Hereafter, and fulfilment in this life. He understood the necessity of duty and the virtue of leaving aside all excess.

May Allah grant us the strength to emulate his ways and the wisdom to obey his commands, except in those things unique to him.