The Beloved Prophet's Intellect and the Perfection of Speech

[chisti-raza]

The Beloved Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam was gifted by Allah with the most excellent intellect. He was astute and his senses were acute, as for his speech he was by far the most eloquent. There is no doubt that these qualities were unsurpassable.

The superiority of his intellect and depth of understanding become evident when one reflects upon the way in which he administered not only the internal affairs of his nation but also external affairs – no matter whether they were the affairs of just ordinary people or those of the chieftains of society. His ability was truly amazing, and his life exemplary coupled with profound knowledge that simply flowed from him and the way in which, without previous instruction, experience, or reading directed him to carry out and fulfill the Laws of Allah.

Wahb Munabbih's son, who was well educated said, "From my readings it has been has become evident that if all the intelligence of humanity, from the first to the last, were to be gathered as one, it would be in comparison to the intelligence of the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam as a single grain of sand."

Allah says, "And when you turn among those who prostrate themselves" [26:219]

The Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam told his Companions, "I see the one behind my neck just as I see the one before me." [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 2, Page 350 - Sahih Muslim, Vol 1, Page 320 - Dalail an-Nabuwwah lil Bayhaqi, Vol 6, Page 74]

Mujahid explained when the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam arose from prayer he could see everyone behind him, just as if they were in front of him.

Regarding the eyesight of the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam, Baki (Mukhallad's Son) informs us, "The Prophet, could see just as well in the dark as he could see in the light." [Dalail an-Nabuwwah lil Bayhaqi, Vol 6, Page 75 - Al-Kamil li Ibn Adi, Vol 4, Page 1534]

In the references of authentic prophetic sayings that tell of the ability of his sight one finds many reports of his seeing angels and devils. When the Negus (Nijashi) of Abyssinia passed away he was able to see him whereupon he prayed the absent funeral prayer upon him and before seeing him the Angel Gabriel came to inform him of his passing. Although the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam was far from Jerusalem, he saw the city and described it to the Quraysh. And as he was building the Mosque in Medina the Ka'ba was visible to him. [Musnad Abi Ya'la, Vol 7, Page 285 - Bukhari Sharif, Vol 2, Page 261 - Sahih Muslim, Vol 1, Page 157 - Dalail an-Nabuwwah lil Bayhaqi, Vol 5, Page 256 - Manabil As-Safa lil Suyooti, Page 46]

His clear-sightedness permitted him to see the eleven stars in the Pleaides. This phenomenon was also amongst the special blessings gifted by Allah to the other prophets.

Abu Hurayrah heard the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam say, "When Allah, directed glory near Prophet Moses, Moses was able to see an ant on a stone a distance of thirty miles away." [Tibrani Mau'jam Sagheer, Page 62]

No one can refute the fact that this attribute was not factual after the Prophet's SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam Night Ascent when he received the special favor of seeing one of the greatest signs of his Lord.

Abu Rukana, known for his incredible strength wrestled with the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam three times and each time Abu Rukana Was defeated, after which the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam invited him to Islam. [Sunan Abi Dawood, Vol 4, Page 361 - Sunan Tirmidhi Vol 3, Page 157/158]

As for his gait, Abu Hurayrah said, "I never saw anyone walk more swiftly than the Messenger of Allah. It was as if the earth rolled up for him, we would be exhausted but there were no signs of weariness upon him at all. It is also reported that when he walked, it was as if he were coming down a slope. And His laugh was that of a broad smile. When he turned to face someone, he would look at them directly." [Shamail Tirmidhi, Page 110 - Dalail an-Nabuwwah lil Bayhaqi, Vol 1, Page 209]

..:: The Perfection of the Beloved Prophet's Speech ::..

There are many reports of the Prophet's mastery of the Arabic tongue together with his eloquence and fluency of speech. When he spoke he was very concise and expressed things clearly. His speech was well structured, free from all affectation and he used sound meanings.

He was adept in all the different dialects of Arabia and able to converse with each community using their own colloquial expressions. When they debated or argued with him he replied using their regular phrasing, and there were several occasions when his Companions were unable to understand what he said and requested him to explain.

The way in which he spoke to the Quraysh of Mecca and the Ansar of Medina Munawwarah, or the people of the Hijaz or Najd was different from the way in which he spoke to Dhul Mishar Al Hamdhani, Tihfa Al Handi, Katan, Haritha Al Ulaymi's son, Al Ashath, Kay's son, Wail, Hujr Al Kindi's son and other chieftains of the Hadramat and the kings of Yemen. [Tabqat Ibn Sa'ad, Vol 1, Page 335]

As for his everyday speech, famous speeches, statements and sayings, volumes have been written about them together with references containing their words and an explanation of their meanings.

His eloquence is unequal and demonstrated in the following sampling:

• People are like the teeth of comb. [Manabil as-Safa lil Suyooti, Page 49]
• A man is with the one he loves. [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 8, Page 33]
• There is no good in company that does not show you what you show them. [Al-Kamil li Ibn Adi, Vol 3, Page 1097]
• People are like mines of gold and silver. [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 4, Page 142]
• The best of you in the 'Time of Ignorance' is the best of you in Islam, if they understand. [Sahih Muslim, Vol 3, Page 1396]
• A man who knows his own worth is not destroyed. [Manabil as-Safa lil Suyooti, Page 49]
• Allah shows mercy to His worshiper who speaks well and gains, or who remains silent and safe. [Sunan Abi Dawood, Vol 2, Page 333]
• Become a Muslim and you will be safe, become a Muslim and Allah will give you your wage twice over. [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 4, Page 30]
• Those among you I love most and those who will sit close to me on the Day of Resurrection are the best of you in character, who give shelter, and protect and Reconcile. [Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol 3, Page 349]
• No matter where you are, fear Allah. Follow a bad action with one that is good because it erases (the bad). He created people with a good character. [Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol 3, Page 239]
• The best affairs is the median way [Adab al Mufrad, Page 434]
• Gossiping is forbidden, as is excessive questioning, squandering property, forbidding gifts, disobedience to mothers and burying girls alive. [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 8, Page 84]
• Answer the one you love with gentleness, lest one day he becomes the one who hates you. [Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol 2, Page 243]
• On the Day of Resurrection, injustice will appear as darkness. [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 3, Page 113]

There are a multitude of examples, these are but a few and one cannot fail to marvel and reflect upon the wisdom found within them.

The Companions said to him, "We are unable to find anyone more eloquent than you". To this he replied, "How could it be otherwise, the Quran was revealed on my tongue, a clear Arabic tongue." [Manabil as-Safa lil Suyooti, Page 56]

It is reported that on another occasion, the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam told his Companions, "I am the most eloquent of Arabs since I am from the Quraysh and was raised among the children of Saad." [Al-Nihaya, Vol 1, Page 171]

The tribe of Saad was famous for their strength and purity of the Arabic language and this was coupled to the eloquence spoken in Mecca. All these elements were combined with Divine support that accompanies the Revelation and which no mortal can imitate.

Umm Mabab said of him that His speech was sweet and distinct without using too few words or an excess. It was as if his speech consisted of threaded pearls. His very melodic voice penetrated.

regards
sag-e-Taajush Shari'ah
Irfan Qadiri [Madina Munawwara]

[SA01]

Allah Allah....Subhanallah!