3.4.2 His Lineage and Character

Noble Lineage of the Final Messenger

Allah chose Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from the best and purest of lineages. His ancestry goes back to Prophet Ibrāhīm عليه السلام through his son Ismāʿīl عليه السلام. This honored family line is part of Allah’s wisdom in selecting messengers from the most respected people of their communities.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Indeed, Allah chose Kinānah from the children of Ismāʿīl, and He chose Quraysh from Kinānah, and He chose Banū Hāshim from Quraysh, and He chose me from Banū Hāshim.”
(Sahih Muslim)

His immediate lineage is: Muḥammad son of ʿAbdullāh son of ʿAbdul Muṭṭalib son of Hāshim. The clan of Banū Hāshim belonged to the tribe of Quraysh, the leading tribe of Mecca who were guardians of the Kaʿbah. Because of this, the Prophet ﷺ grew up among people who had a strong sense of honor, generosity, hospitality, and protection of the Sacred House.

The Qur’an reminds us that the messenger was not a stranger to his people but someone they knew well.

“There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves; grievous to him is what you suffer, he is concerned over you, and to the believers is kind and merciful.”
(Qur’an 9:128)

“From among yourselves” includes that he was known to them by tribe, family, and character. This removed any excuse for rejecting him based on unfamiliarity or suspicion about his background.

The Prophet ﷺ did not boast about his lineage in a proud, arrogant way. Instead, he used it to explain Allah’s choice and to teach that, although he came from a noble family, true honor is through piety, not ancestry. He said:

“Whoever is slowed by his deeds will not be hastened by his lineage.”
(Sahih Muslim)

In Islam, having a noble family does not guarantee success with Allah. The special benefit of his lineage is that Allah combined for him both pure ancestry and the highest level of faith and character, so that his people had every reason to trust and follow him.

A Human Messenger from a Known Family

The people of Mecca knew his parents and grandparents and had seen his entire life. This was important because no one could claim that he was an outsider trying to gain worldly power. When revelation began, the Quraysh had to confront the reality that the man they had always called truthful and trustworthy was now calling them to worship Allah alone.

Allah mentions that He always chose messengers from within their own people.

“And We did not send before you any messengers but that they ate food and walked in the markets.”
(Qur’an 25:20)

“And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid the false gods.’”
(Qur’an 16:36)

So Muhammad ﷺ was not an angel or a mysterious stranger. He was a human being from a respected family, showing that his greatness comes from revelation and obedience to Allah, not from supernatural birth or divine nature.

His Character Before Prophethood

Before revelation, the Prophet ﷺ lived forty years among his people. During this time, he did not worship idols, drink alcohol, attend indecent gatherings, or speak lies. Although full Sharīʿah had not yet come, Allah protected him from the worst practices of ignorance.

The people of Mecca called him “al-Amīn,” which means “the Trustworthy.” Even those who later opposed his message trusted him with their wealth and secrets. This is why, when he finally called them to Islam, he began by reminding them of his known character.

When he gathered Quraysh on the mountain of Ṣafā, he asked:

“If I were to tell you that there is an army in the valley that is ready to attack you, would you believe me?”
They replied, “We have never experienced you telling a lie.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

This shows that his honesty was universally recognized even by disbelievers.

Allah confirms his pure character in the Qur’an:

“And indeed, you are of a tremendous character.”
(Qur’an 68:4)

This verse was revealed after he became a prophet, but it covers both his life before and after prophethood. His character did not suddenly appear. It was consistent throughout his life. Revelation then perfected and guided it completely for the sake of Allah.

Truthfulness and Trustworthiness

Truthfulness was one of the clearest features of the Prophet’s character. He never lied in speech, promise, or testimony. Because of this, it was very hard for his people to accuse him of falsehood when he began to recite the Qur’an.

Allah tells him to say:

“I have already spent a lifetime among you before it. Do you not then reason?”
(Qur’an 10:16)

The meaning is that they had already seen his whole life and knew he was not the type to lie about Allah. His trustworthiness was also tested in the most sensitive matters. Before hijrah, many Quraysh used to store their valuables with him for safekeeping. When he left Mecca secretly to migrate to Madinah, he instructed ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه to return all the trusts to their owners. Even while they were trying to kill him, he still protected their property. This is the highest level of honesty.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“There is no faith for the one who is not trustworthy, and there is no religion for the one who does not keep his promises.”
(Musnad Aḥmad)

His own life was the first and best example of this teaching.

Modesty and Purity

From his youth, the Prophet ﷺ was known for modesty and dignity. He avoided indecent behavior and kept away from corrupt gatherings. Although the society around him was filled with idol worship, drinking, and immoral practices, Allah safeguarded his nature.

He said:

“I have been sent to perfect righteous character.”
(al-Muwatta’ of Mālik)

This statement shows that good manners already existed in some form, but his mission was to complete and raise them to their highest level. His personal modesty included humility in dress and speech, gentle behavior with others, and shyness from displeasing Allah.

He taught:

“Every religion has a distinct characteristic, and the distinct characteristic of Islam is modesty.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah)

He himself was the living image of this modesty. He did not stare at people, did not expose others’ faults, and did not speak in a harsh or shameless way.

His Character as a Prophet of Mercy

When Allah chose him as a messenger, his noble qualities became more complete and visible. The Qur’an describes him in very beautiful terms.

Allah says:

“And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.”
(Qur’an 21:107)

Mercy includes softness of heart, patience, forgiveness, and love for guidance. These qualities appeared in his treatment of friends, enemies, family, and even animals.

Allah also says:

“So by mercy from Allah, you were gentle with them. If you had been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have dispersed from around you.”
(Qur’an 3:159)

The companions loved him deeply because of this gentleness. He listened to people, answered their questions, and forgave their mistakes. Even when people were rude to him, he replied with wisdom and kindness.

Mercy to the Weak and Vulnerable

The Prophet ﷺ was especially merciful to the poor, the orphans, women, children, and servants. He encouraged Muslims to help those in need and to treat everyone with dignity.

He said:

“The merciful are shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth, and the One above the heavens will be merciful to you.”
(Sunan at-Tirmidhī)

He would shorten prayers if he heard a child crying, out of concern for the mother’s distress. He would stand up when his daughter Fāṭimah رضي الله عنها entered and seat her in his own place. He told people clearly:

“The best of you is the best to his family, and I am the best of you to my family.”
(Sunan at-Tirmidhī)

This made it clear that true piety must begin at home and that good character is most important with those closest to us.

Patience and Forgiveness

The Prophet ﷺ experienced insults, physical harm, exile, and war. Yet he never responded with cruelty. His patience was rooted in his trust in Allah and his hope that people would eventually be guided.

Allah instructed him:

“So be patient, as were those of determination among the messengers, and do not be impatient for them.”
(Qur’an 46:35)

He forgave those who hurt him personally. When he became victorious over Mecca, he did not seek revenge against the people who had persecuted him for years. Instead, he said:

“Go, for you are free.”
(Sīrah reports)

This act of forgiveness led many hearts to Islam and showed the depth of his mercy.

He also said:

“The strong man is not the one who overcomes people by his strength, but the strong one is the one who controls himself when angry.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

His own control in the face of severe tests is the clearest example of this hadith.

His Humility with Allah and with People

Although he was the final and greatest prophet, Muhammad ﷺ lived with deep humility. He did not seek titles or worldly luxury. He ate simple food, sat on the ground, and did many tasks in his home himself.

He said:

“Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Mary. I am only a servant, so say: the servant of Allah and His Messenger.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

This showed that he rejected any hint of being treated as divine. His greatness is in being the most obedient servant of Allah, not in sharing in Allah’s divinity.

Allah instructed him to declare his human nature clearly:

“Say, ‘I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God.’”
(Qur’an 18:110)

With people, his humility was seen when he sat among his companions. A stranger entering the gathering could not easily tell which person was the Prophet, because he did not sit on a throne or separate himself. He would mix with the poor, accept invitations even from slaves, and respond to everyone who called him.

He said:

“Allah has revealed to me that you must be humble, so that no person boasts over another and no person oppresses another.”
(Sahih Muslim)

His own conduct fulfilled this teaching in the most perfect way.

Simplicity in Lifestyle

Despite being the leader of a growing state, the Prophet ﷺ chose a life of great simplicity. Sometimes months passed with no cooked food in his house, and they would live on dates and water. He slept on a simple mat that left marks on his side. When some companions wanted more worldly comfort for him, he reminded them of the reality of this life.

He said:

“What have I to do with this world? I am like a rider who stops under the shade of a tree, then departs and leaves it behind.”
(Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhī)

This shows that his heart was attached to the hereafter, not to wealth or status.

He also said:

“Richness is not having many possessions, but richness is richness of the soul.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)

His contentment and lack of attachment to material things were a practical lesson to the Ummah.

His Justice and Fairness

The Prophet ﷺ was perfectly just. He did not favor relatives or the powerful when it came to rights and laws. Allah commanded him:

“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.”
(Qur’an 4:135)

He applied this rule in real situations. When a noble woman from a respected tribe stole, some people wanted to protect her from the legal punishment. They asked a beloved companion, Usāmah ibn Zayd رضي الله عنه, to intercede. The Prophet ﷺ became visibly upset and said:

“Do you intercede concerning one of the punishments prescribed by Allah? By Allah, if Fāṭimah the daughter of Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

This statement did not express cruelty, rather it showed absolute fairness and refusal to have double standards. No one, even his own daughter, was above the law.

His justice also appeared in the way he settled disputes, gave each person their due, and listened to both sides before judging. He warned:

“You bring your disputes to me. Perhaps some of you are more eloquent than others, and I may judge according to what I hear from him. So if I rule in favor of someone, giving him a right that belongs to his brother, then it is only a piece of fire that I am giving him.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)

This reminded people that justice before Allah matters more than winning an argument.

His Compassionate Leadership

As a leader, the Prophet ﷺ combined firmness in truth with deep compassion. He cared about the guidance of every person. The Qur’an describes how heavily he felt the rejection of his people.

Allah says:

“Then perhaps you would kill yourself with grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, out of sorrow.”
(Qur’an 18:6)

This verse shows that his main concern as a leader was not power or victory, but the salvation of people from disbelief. He did not give up on them quickly but continued calling with patience and prayer.

He also shared in the hardships of his followers. In battles, he stood with them in the front lines. In hunger, he tied stones to his stomach just as they did. When they suffered, he made duʿāʾ for them and encouraged them.

He said:

“The example of me and my Ummah is like a man who lit a fire, and moths and insects began to fall into it, and I am holding onto your belts, pulling you away from the Fire, but you are slipping from my hands.”
(Sahih Muslim)

This hadith shows the intensity of his concern and how his leadership was full of warning and mercy, not selfishness.

Balance in Character

The character of the Prophet ﷺ was balanced and complete. He was brave, yet gentle. Humble, yet dignified. Serious in worship, yet smiling and kind in social life. This balance is one of the signs of his prophethood, because no aspect of his character was extreme or deficient.

He said:

“The most beloved of religion to Allah is that which is easy and tolerant.”
(Musnad Aḥmad)

His character reflected this ease. He did not burden people beyond their ability. When choosing between two lawful options, he chose the easier one, as long as it did not involve sin.

ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها, his wife, gave a brief but powerful description:

“His character was the Qur’an.”
(Musnad Aḥmad)

This means his life was a living explanation of Allah’s words. When the Qur’an commanded mercy, justice, patience, and gratitude, he was the first to practice them. When it warned against arrogance, lying, and oppression, he was the farthest from them.

The Best Example for All Times

Allah presents him as a model for anyone who seeks Allah and the Last Day.

“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.”
(Qur’an 33:21)

This verse shows that his character is not only to be admired, but to be followed. Every Muslim is asked to imitate him in truthfulness, trustworthiness, mercy, patience, humility, and justice. His lineage honored him among people, but his character made him the best example for all humanity.

By understanding his lineage and character, a beginner can see that Islam’s final messenger was neither a myth nor a distant figure. He was a real human being from a known family, whose life of remarkable honesty and compassion confirms that he truly carried the final revelation from Allah.