MUHAMMAD THE IDEAL CHARACTER

~ 17 ~ On one of his journeys, the Prophet asked his followers to roast a goat. One said that he would slaughter the animal, another said that he would skin it, while a third said that he would cook it. The Prophet then said that he would collect wood for fuel. Their response was, “Oh, Messenger of God! We will do everything.” The Prophet then said, “I have no doubt that you will. But I do not like distinctions to be made, nor does God like any one of His servants to assert his superiority over his companions.’’ His self-deprecation was such that he once said, “By God, I do not know, even although I am God’s messenger, what my fate in the next world will be, nor do I know what yours will be.” Abu Dharr Ghifari narrates that one day he was sitting with another companion of black complexion whom he addressed as, “O black man.” When the Prophet heard of this, he was greatly displeased and cautioned Abu Dharr never to make disparaging remarks to anyone, whoever he might be, and to mete out equal treatment to all, adding,