Performing Personal Chores

Even though he possessed lofty spiritual stations, had found a special place in the hearts of the Muslim faithful and was granted a particular form of respect from members of his family, the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) never liked for others to perform his personal chores. Rather, he sought to be completely independent in taking care of his personal affairs. By so doing, he succeeded in showing respect towards others and not thinking of himself as better than others as well as teaching others to be self-reliant.

Daylamī, in his book entitled Irshād al-Qulūb, narrated the following: "The Prophet would patch his clothes, mend his shoes, milk his sheep, eat with slaves, sit on the floor and was not too shy to procure whatever he needed from the market and take it to his family."[1]

Similarly, it has been narrated that: During a particular journey, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) was with a group and they had traveled for hours. Both the riders and the animals they were riding were showing signs of weariness. The caravan stopped at a place with a well full of water. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) made his camel lie down and got off. Certain individuals were determined to get to the water as soon as possible and prepare themselves for prayer.

The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) proceeded towards the well as soon as he got off his camel but shortly after, he returned without saying anything. His companions and friends were astonished and said to themselves, "What, is this not an acceptable place to stop? Is he going to tell us to start moving again?" They looked and listened carefully, waiting to hear his command. Their astonishment became even greater as he (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), immediately upon arriving at his camel's side, took knee braces and placed them on his camel's knees and then once again, headed towards the well.

The companions, perplexed, asked, "O Messenger of God, why did you not ask us to do it for you instead of burdening yourself by returning to your camel? It would have been our honor to perform this service."

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) replied, "Never seek the help of others in performing personal chores and do not rely on others even if it be for a piece of wood with which to brush your teeth."[2]

Outward Appearance

Paying special attention to outward appearance was one of the perpetual rituals of the Noble Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). He saw no conflict in paying attention to the inner-self while enhancing one's outward appearance. His attention towards disciplining the soul and serving God did not prevent him from maintaining an attractive physical appearance. For example, he would use pleasant fragrances and comb his hair. His clothes were always clean and attractive. When he wanted to leave home, he would look in the mirror. And whenever he made the ritual ablution (wuḍū’) he would brush his teeth. His clothes and shoes would always match. The turban he wore would elegantly compliment his stature and would increase his attractive and imposing presence. He (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) himself has said, "Verily, God is beautiful and He loves beauty."[3]

Numerous examples of the importance the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) placed on beauty have been mentioned in books narrating his traditions. Here are a few of them:

1. Ṭabarsī has said, "The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would look in the mirror, straighten and comb his hair. Sometimes he would look (at his reflection) in water to straighten his hair. He would beautify himself for his companions as well as for his family and he would say, 'Verily, God loves for his servant to prepare himself and beautify himself when he sets out (to meet) his brothers (in faith).'"[4]

2. Amongst the things that enhances a pleasant appearance is applying perfume, something the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) liked very much: "The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would spend more on perfume than he would on food."[5]

3. A disheveled man with long hair and a long beard that were both uncombed, came to the Most Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). He (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) asked, "Could this man not find oil with which to straighten his hair? Some of you come to me with the appearance of Satan."[6]

4. Imām al-Bāqir (peace be upon him) has said, "Anytime the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) passed somewhere, two or three days afterwards, people would understand that he had passed by due to his fragrant smell. He would put on any sort of perfume that was brought to him and he would say, 'The smell of perfume is nice and pleasing and carrying it is not difficult'."[7]

Respect towards Women

Before the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) was appointed as a prophet, Arab society generally considered women to be worthless and did not hold them in any great esteem. In addition, Arab society was negligent in relation to fulfilling women's personal and societal rights. However, from its very onset, Islam gave importance to all of mankind and considered the lives of both men and women to be precious. The Noble Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) commanded others to fulfill women's rights and to honor their individuality and he showed a particular form of respect towards women himself while implementing these principles. The entirety of his life is a display of this truth.

Imām aṣ Ṣādiq (peace be upon him) has said, "The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would say “Salāmun 'alaykum” to women and they would reply to his salutation. The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) would also greet women but he disliked greeting young women for he would say, 'I fear that her voice will be pleasing to me and more than I desired in reward (by giving salutation) will be given to me (in terms of harm, for hearing her pleasing voice)'."[8]

This action of greeting women by the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) conveys a reality; by doing this, he wanted to convey to his followers the value of women and their due respect.

Another example of his respect towards women is his being helpful to his wives. "The Most Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would sew his own clothes, open the door and milk sheep and camels himself. Whenever his servant would grow weary, he would mill wheat or barley himself. Before going to bed, he would prepare water for his ritual ablution (wuḍū’) himself. He would cut up meat himself and when his family members were burdened with many things to do, he would provide them with help."[9]

With regards to showing respect towards women the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) has said, "Beware, the best of you is he who is the best towards his women, and I am the best among all of you toward my women."[10]