The Most Beautiful Stories of the Prophet with His Companions

Settle Down, O Suwad

This incident refers to the companion Suwad ibn Ghaziya al-Ansari during the Battle of Badr. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was inspecting the fighters and aligning the ranks, Suwad was found to be a step ahead of the rest, creating an uneven formation. The Prophet gently adjusted him back using a blunt arrow he held to straighten the lines. Suwad then expressed his discomfort and requested the Prophet to exact justice upon him.

This complaint did not anger the Prophet; rather, he accepted the request for retribution, exposed his abdomen, and encouraged Suwad to strike him as he had done before. However, to the Prophet’s surprise, Suwad approached him and kissed his honorable belly! When the Prophet inquired about his actions, Suwad explained that since a time of battle had come, he wished for his last moment in this world to be touching the Prophet’s skin. The Prophet then prayed for his well-being.

This event is well-documented in the Sunnah with a reliable chain of narration, confirming that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) aligned his companions’ ranks during Badr and dealt with Suwad using a cup he held to ensure they were straight. When Suwad complained, the Prophet offered retribution. Suwad, upon realizing it was the Prophet, embraced him and kissed his belly, stating he wanted to touch the Prophet’s skin before going into battle. The Prophet then prayed for him, telling him to settle down.

The lesson learned from this story highlights the importance of the bond and humility between a leader and his soldiers, as demonstrated by the Prophet with Suwad ibn Ghaziya, as well as the essential qualities a leader should embody, such as fairness, good morals, patience, and self-control towards others.

But You Are Precious to Allah

The companion Zahir al-Aslami was a Bedouin who consistently brought gifts to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) whenever he visited Medina. The Prophet, in return, would also bestow gifts upon Zahir, referring to him as: “Zahir is our Bedouin, and we are his urban dwellers.” One day, while Zahir was in the market, the Prophet spotted him and approached quietly from behind, playfully hugging him and asking, “Who will buy this slave?” Surprised upon recognizing the Prophet, Zahir pressed his back against him and inquired, “Do you find me worthless, O Messenger of Allah?”

The Prophet reassured him that he was indeed precious in the eyes of Allah, stating, as narrated by Anas ibn Malik, “The Prophet peace and blessings be upon him, hugged Zahir and teased him.” Zahir, feeling reassured, asked the Prophet if he thought little of him due to his simple appearance, to which the Prophet affirmed that his worthiness was recognized by Allah.

The Messenger of Allah was known for his light-hearted interactions with his companions, often bringing smiles to their faces. He was described as always cheerful and kind. Imam Al-Tirmidhi narrated from Abdullah ibn Al-Harith that he had never seen anyone smile more than the Prophet. Despite his playful nature, he always spoke the truth; his jest of “Who will buy this slave?” carried a profound reality: all are servants of Allah.

This is Your Sweat; We Will Use It in Our Perfume

One afternoon, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) visited the house of Anas ibn Malik, who found him perspiring during a midday nap. Anas’ mother, Umm Sulaim, took a container to collect the sweat from the Prophet’s brow. Upon awakening, the Prophet questioned her actions, and she explained that they intended to mix this sweat into their finest perfume, believing it to be the most cherished scent.

Imam Muslim reported this incident in his Sahih from Anas ibn Malik, detailing that when the Prophet entered their home and began to sweat, Umm Sulaim collected it, prompting the Prophet to ask what she was doing. She explained her intentions. This sweat was not like that of ordinary people; it had a fragrant aroma akin to musk.

What Do You Think of Two with Allah as Their Third?

The Prophet migrated alongside his companion Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) when Allah permitted them to leave. Upon the news of their migration reaching the Quraish, they began chasing after them. The two found refuge in a cave, where Allah had provided protection to prevent the polytheists from finding them. However, Abu Bakr’s fear arose as he noted that they could be seen if anyone looked down into the cave.

To reassure him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, “What do you think of two, Allah being their third?” This statement comforted Abu Bakr, allowing them to remain in the cave for three days before continuing their journey to Medina. Abu Bakr later recounted, “I was with the Prophet in the cave, and I saw traces of the idolaters; I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if one of them were to look down, he would see us.’ He said, ‘What do you think of two, with Allah as their third?’”

Ways to Cultivate Love for the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)

There are several pathways to foster love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as outlined below:

Prioritize following the directives of the Prophet and refrain from forbidden acts; obedience to the Prophet is integral to obeying Allah, as emphasized in the Quran: “Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah; but whoever turns away, We have not sent you over them as a guardian.”
Increase salutations upon the Prophet as commanded by Allah: “Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace.”
Develop a deep affection for the Prophet, love for those who love him, and aversion to what he opposes, nurturing a desire for reunion with him in the Hereafter, aspiring to attain proximity to him in Paradise.
Show respect towards the Prophet even after his passing, which can be manifested through speaking softly at his grave and honoring his memory when recounting his life.
Honor the family of the Prophet and ensure they are respected when their names are mentioned, exemplified by the Prophet’s statement regarding Hasan, son of Fatimah: “O Allah, I love him, so love him, and love those who love him.”
Exalt the symbols of Allah and consistently engage in acts of worship out of love for Allah, seeking His pleasure and Paradise.
Reflect on the biography of the Prophet in all aspects of our lives and impart these teachings to children, instilling them from a young age.
Emulate the Prophet by practicing and adhering to his Sunnah through words and actions, embodying his traits and virtues, as mentioned in the Quran: “Indeed, you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for whoever hopes in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often.” Additionally, defend him and his Sunnah.
Prioritize the words of the Prophet above all else, adhering to his teachings and guidance in every aspect, as highlighted by Allah: “Say, If you should love Allah, then follow me, so Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
Regularly invoke blessings for the Prophet, as was customary among his companions, who consistently engaged in prayers for him. Ubayy ibn Ka’b expressed, “O Messenger of Allah, I often pray for you; how much of my prayers should I dedicate to you?” The Prophet replied, “As much as you wish.” Thereafter, Ubayy asked if he could dedicate a quarter of his prayers to the Prophet, and the Prophet encouraged him to do so, suggesting that increasing it was even better.
Place love for the Prophet above all creations, ensuring that the bond with him surpasses that with one’s parents, spouse, children, and even oneself. Allah stated: “The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves, and his wives are their mothers.”