Exemplary Conduct

EXEMPLARY CONDUCT world. Whether it be an occasion of happiness or sorrow, success or failure, domination or depression, praise or condemnation, love or anger—in every state, they are guided by thoughts of the hereafter until finally, these thoughts become a part of their unconscious minds. They do not cease to be mortal, but their minds come to function only on matters related to the world of immortality, making them almost forget their interest in worldly affairs. Humility and Forbearance The Prophet was a man like other men. Joyous things would please him, while sad things would sadden him. Realization of the fact that he was first and foremost God’s servant, however, prevented him from placing more importance on his feelings than upon the will of God. Towards the end of the Prophet’s life, Mariah Qibtiyah bore him a beautiful and vivacious son. The Prophet named him Ibrahim, after his most illustrious ancestor. It was Abu Rafi’ who broke the good news to the Prophet. He was so overjoyed that he presented Abu Rafi’ with a servant. He used to take the child in his lap and play with him fondly. According to Arab custom, Ibrahim was given to a wet nurse, Umm Burdah bint al-Mundhir ibn Zayd Ansari, to be breast-fed. She was a blacksmith’s wife, and her small house was usually full of smoke. Still, the Prophet used to go to the blacksmith’s house to visit his son, putting up despite his delicate disposition—with the smoke that used to fill his eyes and nostrils. Ibrahim was just one and a