“And indeed, you are of a great moral character.” (Qur’an 68:4)
This is the statement of Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He.
“Every pen falls short, and every imagination is incapable of describing the value of this tremendous statement from the Lord of all existence. It is a testimony from Allah, according to Allah’s measure, concerning the servant of Allah. In it, He says to him:
‘And indeed, you are of a great moral character.’
The reality of this ‘great moral character’ is known to Allah alone. No one among creation can fully comprehend its extent.”
The indication of this magnificent statement regarding the greatness of Muhammad ﷺ appears from several perspectives.
It is evident in the fact that it is a statement from Allah, the Most Great, the Most High, recorded within the conscience of the universe, established within its very being, and echoed among the heavenly assembly for as long as Allah wills.
It is also evident from another angle: the capacity of Muhammad ﷺ to receive such praise while fully knowing Who his Lord is, the One making this statement. He knew His greatness, the significance of His words, their reach and their impact. He knew, more than anyone else among creation, something of that absolute greatness.
The very fact that Muhammad ﷺ could receive this statement from such a source while remaining firm, without being crushed beneath its immense weight, even though it was praise, and without his personality wavering or becoming unsettled under its effect, is itself evidence of his greatness. He received it with tranquillity, composure, balance, and steadfastness.
Many reports have been narrated concerning the excellence of his character throughout the Seerah and by the testimony of his Companions. Yet the reality of his life stands as a greater testimony than anything that has been narrated about him. Nevertheless, this divine statement carries a significance greater than all other testimonies.
It is greater because it comes from the Most High, the Most Great.
It is greater because Muhammad ﷺ received it while fully knowing Who the Most High, the Most Great is, yet remained firm, grounded, and serene thereafter. He did not become arrogant toward people, nor swollen with pride, nor self-important, despite having heard what he heard from the Lord of Majesty.
The Prophet ﷺ, though a human being, would praise one of his Companions, and that Companion, along with those around him, would be deeply affected by such praise. This was despite knowing that he was a human being, albeit a Prophet within the known bounds of humanity.
As for Muhammad ﷺ, he received this statement directly from Allah, while knowing Who Allah is. He knew of Allah what no one else knew. Yet he remained patient, composed, receptive, and continued upon his path. This is something beyond imagination and beyond estimation.
This is part of what Sayyid Qutb رحمه الله wrote while reflecting upon this noble verse. His words deserve contemplation and careful consideration for anyone wishing to understand some of what this blessed verse conveys.
The Context of the Verse
This noble verse was revealed as part of Allah’s response to the polytheists who accused the Prophet ﷺ of madness after he openly proclaimed the call to Allah in Makkah.
Allah Most High says:
“Nun. By the Pen and what they inscribe. By the favour of your Lord, you are not mad. And indeed, for you is a reward uninterrupted. And indeed, you are of a great moral character.” (Qur’an 68:1-4)
These verses categorically reject the accusation of madness against the Prophet ﷺ, affirming that this was among the favours Allah bestowed upon him. They also establish his true status: that he possessed magnificent character.
This testimony comes from Allah, Who knows what is spoken openly and what is concealed. It is a testimony to the perfection of the Prophet’s intellect and understanding. Allah knows best where to place His Message.
“I Was Sent Only to Perfect Noble Character”
The two Shaykhs (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) narrated from Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“My example and the example of the Prophets before me is like that of a man who built a house and perfected and beautified it, except for the place of one brick in a corner. People would walk around it, admiring it and saying: ‘Why has this brick not been placed?’ I am that brick, and I am the Seal of the Prophets.”
The Prophet ﷺ is the Messenger through whom Prophethood was concluded and completed. Therefore, it is no surprise that the perfection of noble character was realised through him. Indeed, this is among the necessary implications of the finality of Prophethood.
His conduct, character, and behaviour ﷺ therefore constitute the standard by which actions and conduct are judged.
Likewise, his character ﷺ is the criterion by which all character is measured. This is essential because values may become distorted as times change and generations pass, until what is recognised as good becomes viewed as evil, and what is evil becomes regarded as good.
The Danger of Excessive Strictness
There is another deviation that can arise: the tendency toward excessive strictness and choosing the most difficult path in every matter. Though it may outwardly appear to be an abundance of goodness, it is, according to the scale of Islam, a deviation nonetheless.
This occurred during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, and he openly disapproved of it.
‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did something for which he permitted a concession. News of this reached some of his Companions, and it seemed as though they disliked it and refrained from it. When this reached him, he stood and addressed the people, saying:
“What is the matter with certain people who hear that I have permitted something and then dislike it and refrain from it? By Allah, I am the most knowledgeable of them concerning Allah and the most fearful of Him.”
In another narration:
“The Prophet ﷺ became angry until anger became visible upon his face.”
Thus, the Prophet ﷺ became angry regarding something that those engaging in it may have regarded as piety and scrupulousness. Yet, as he clarified, it represented a departure from the balanced path.
For this reason, we are always in need of a criterion to which we return.
That criterion is the conduct of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Among his missions was the perfection of noble character, placing it in its correct form and purifying it from every distortion and impurity.
Thus, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ left it for us pure, clear, and untainted.
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