We often speak of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as God’s Messenger, entrusted with the delivery of His final message to mankind, which He has guaranteed to preserve intact for the rest of human life. This is certainly Prophet Muhammad’s essential role. However, like the rest of mankind, he was simply one of God’s servants. Indeed, to be God’s servant is a position of honor. Unless we submit ourselves to God, then we are in a position where we do not recognize His power and authority over us and over everything in our lives. As such, we maneuver ourselves into a position of rebellion against God. All prophets recognized this fact, and every one of them declared himself God’s servant. When Mary carried her baby son, Jesus, and went to her people, they were shocked, thinking that it was illegitimate. However, she pointed to him and he declared that he was God’s servant, to whom God’s message would in time be entrusted. Prophet Muhammad, the last of God’s messengers, always emphasized the honor of being God’s obedient servant. We are also given a constant reminder of the fact when we often refer to him as “God’s servant and messenger.” In our regular prayer, both obligatory and voluntary, we quote the full declaration of faith, stating: “I bear witness that there is no deity other than God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”
In the way he conducted his life, Prophet Muhammad stressed this aspect preferring a simple life that was far removed from luxury and ostentation. This was his deliberate choice, as it is reflected in the following report by his wife, Aishah, quoting him as saying to her: “Aishah! Had I wished I would have been given mountains of gold. Once came to me an angel whose waist line is as big as the Kaabah and said: ‘Your Lord sends youu His greetings and says that you can choose either to be a Prophet and a servant of God, or a Prophet and a king.’ I looked at Gabriel, who was also present, and he indicated to me that I better maintain my humility. I said: ‘I choose to be a Prophet and a servant of God.’ Ever since that moment, the Prophet never ate his food in a reclining position. He used to say: ‘I eat like a servant and sit like a servant.’” (Related by Ibn Hibban, Al-Baghawi, Ibn Saad and Al-Haythami.)
Aishah also reports that she said to him: “Messenger of God! You may wish to take a reclining position when you eat, for it would be more comfortable for you.” He lowered his head in a gesture of humility until his head nearly touched the floor and answered: “No. I would rather eat like a servant eats and sit like a servant.” (Related by Ibn Hibban.)
Another Hadith that stresses the same point is narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr who says: “God’s Messenger was never seen eating in a reclining position, nor did he ever walk with two men behind him.” (Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawood and Ibn Majah.)
All three Hadiths speak about the Prophet’s position when he ate. He would never eat while reclining. This was common among kings, rulers and people of affluence and in high positions. They would have magnificent tables laid before them, and they would recline on couches in the most comfortable positions. The very situation suggests much more than affluence: It suggests indulgence that cares nothing for those who are in a lower social position. The Prophet would never give such an impression. He felt that whatever food one eats has been provided by God, and as His servants we must always express our gratitude for His favors by acknowledging our servitude to Him. Hence, the Prophet’s emphasis that He is only a servant of God. The last of the quoted Hadiths mentions the Prophet’s habit when walking with his companions. He would not walk ahead of them. Rather, he would be in the rear, with no more than one person behind him. This habit confirmed his keenness to be seen as one of his companions, walking in their midst and close even to the one at the tail end.
There are several other Hadiths stressing that this was his usual practice. Ibn Abbas reports: “God’s Messenger used to sit on the floor and eat while seated on the floor.” (Related by Ibn Hibban and Al-Tabarani.) The latter adds the following: “He also used to tie his sheep and accept invitation even from a slave who can afford to give him no more than barley bread.” Jabir quotes the Prophet as saying: “I am no more than a servant of God: I eat like a servant and sit like one.”
While humility was evident in the way he walked, sat or ate, it was even clearer in his worship. Abu Saeed Al-Khudri reports: “I have seen God’s Messenger prostrating himself, putting his forehead in water and mud. I indeed saw traces of mud on his forehead.” (Related by Al-Bukhari, Muslim and Ahmad.)
In all these Hadiths, the stress is on the fact that the Prophet was God’s servant and Messenger. The two qualities are complementary. God chooses His messengers and assigns tasks to them. They carry out these tasks to the best of their abilities. They, thus, enhance their position, but remain God’s servants. Hence, when the Prophet sought Gabriel’s advice on the choice God had given him to be a king or a common person in God’s service, Gabriel unhesitatingly counseled him to maintain humility. Nevertheless, Prophet Muhammad has been given high and wide renown. Even his enemies recognized his fine character and noble qualities. Muslims frequently mention him in the highest human position. Moreover, it is enough that anyone who wishes to be a Muslim must recognize him as God’s Messenger. This is mentioned in the declaration by which a person becomes a Muslim, which states: “I bear witness that there is no deity other than God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is God’s Messenger.”
The Prophet was always keen that he should be seen demonstrating this fact. Hence, he would never behave in a way that suggested a position superior to that of his companions. He would sit, walk, talk and worship with them in the way they were used to do. Yet all luxuries were available to him, had he chosen to avail himself of God’s repeated offers. He would indeed go further than what is ordinary in stressing this fact, as is clearly apparent in his willingness to prostrate himself before God even in a dirty place which causes mud to stick to his forehead. Blessed indeed is God’s Messenger who always strove to be a model servant of God.
