THE MODESTY OF SAYYIDUNA RASOOLULLAH صلى الله عليه وسلم

Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه has narrated in a Hadith that when any man shook hands with Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم on meeting him, he did not withdraw his hands until the other person withdrew his hands. It was also the noble habit of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم that he would not turn his face until the person (whom he was in conversation with) turned his face. When Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم was sitting in a gathering, he did not sit in a distinctive style. It occurs that initially Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to sit alongside his companions with absolute simplicity but in this way, the newcomers could not distinguish Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم from the others. When the gathering was large, it became difficult for the people at the back to see the countenance of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم; the Sahāba رضوان الله عليهم أجمعين suggested that he sit on an elevated place to enable the audience to see and hear him without any difficulty. Our Noble Master صلى الله عليه وسلم accepted the advice of the Sahāba رضوان الله عليهم أجمعين and a wooden bench was provided for him to sit on and communicate with the people.

Furthermore, the style of walking of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم was not distinctive but rather he walked with humility. He was never seen eating whilst supporting himself against a cushion and he did not walk followed by a group of men. Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has advised that it is undesirable that a teacher or spiritual guide walks in a manner where the students or disciples walk behind him at his heels. On such occasions, the Nafs of man and Shaitān deceive him into believing that a large crowd is following him because of his superiority and attraction. The blessed example of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم is that man should walk alone or alongside the people but not as a leader walking in front of them.

Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has stated that it was written in a notebook of Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله that an announcement was made that nobody should follow him from behind nor walk side by side with him. If he was walking alone, he should be left alone. Hazrat Thaanwi رحمه الله has said that he did not like to walk as a leader (with men on either side) but that he walk as an ordinary man. Once he announced that if he had anything in his hand, nobody should try to take it from his hand but that he be left alone; this was done to avoid creating any distinction for himself.

SOURCE: DISCOURSES ON AN ISLAMIC WAY OF LIFE
(TOPIC: MODESTY)
(Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله)