The Prophet of Morality

The almighty God in the Quran has praised Prophet Muhammad because of his great morality. [1] Moreover, God considers the Prophet's leniency and tolerance as the main factor of his fascination among the people. [2] There are many stories about the Prophet's morality in Islamic heritage. The following are some examples of these motivational stories.

1. One day when the Prophet and his companions were crossing a desert, they decided to stop for the meal. Anyone of the companions tried to participate in cooking. The Prophet said, "Gathering firewood on me!" His companions replied, "O Messenger! Be relaxed. We are proud to do it ourselves." The Prophet said, “But God does not like to see that his servant creates a distinct position for himself!” Then he began to collect brushwood immediately. [3]

2. Prophet Muhammad was returning from a war. Meanwhile a man came to meet him. When they shake hands, The Prophet felt coarseness in his hand. He asked him, "What harms you?” The man said "O Messenger! To secure a livelihood for myself and my family, I work by a rope and a shovel." Prophet kissed his hand and said, "This is the hand which the hell would not touch it!" [4]

3. An old man came to the Prophet Muhammad. Those who were seated there did not pay respect to the old man negligently. Prophet became sad because of this rude behavior and said to them,

"Someone who is not kind to children, and also is not reverent to old people, he or she is not one of us!” [5]

One day when the Prophet and his companions were crossing a desert, they decided to stop for the meal. Anyone of the companions tried to participate in cooking. The Prophet said, "Gathering firewood on me!" His companions replied, "O Messenger! Be relaxed. We are proud to do it ourselves." The Prophet said, “But God does not like to see that his servant creates a distinct position for himself!” Then he began to collect brushwood immediately

4. The Prophet was praying and Muslims, men and women, were following behind him. In the middle of the prayer, suddenly the speed of his prayer increased and it finished sooner. After the prayer some companions of the Prophet asked him, “Why you finished it faster?” He said, “Didn't you hear the baby crying?” [6]

[1]. [68:4]: وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
And indeed, you are of a great moral character.
[2]. [3:159]: فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّـهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ
So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you...
[3]. Sheikh Abbas Qummi, Kuhl al-basar, p 12.
[4]. Ibn Athir, Asad al-Ghaba, vol. 2, p 259.
[5]. Ibn Tawoos, Al-Warram, vol. 1, p 34.
[6]. Sheikh al-Hur al-Aamili, Wasa'il al-Shiʿa, vol. 5, p 369.