Monday, February 22, 2010

Sejarah pensyariatan azan

           
            Azan disyariatkan pada tahun pertama daripada hijrah Rasulullah s.a.w ke madinah Al-Munawarah. Ada juga pendapat yang mengatakan pada tahun ke-2 hijrah. Pensyariatan azan adalah suatu perkara yang maklum dengan Darurah dalam Islam, karana itu sesiapa yang mengingkari pensyariatan azan menjadi kafir( والعياذ بالله ) .

Firman Allah Taala dalam surah Maidah ayat 58

Ertinya :” Dan apabila kamu menyeru (mereka) untuk (mengerjakan) sembahyang, mereka menjadikannya buah ejekan dan permainan. yang demikian itu adalah Karena mereka benar-benar kaum yang tidak mau mempergunakan akal”.

( Mereka tidak memikirkan ganjaran pahala yang bakal mereka terima jika mereka menyahut seruan azan itu dengan beriman kepada Allah Taala dan RasulNya serta menunaikan solat, mereka juga tidak memikirkan ganjaran dan balasan buruk yang bakal mereka terima dengan ejekan dan mempermain-mainkan seruan azan,sebaiknya jika mereka berfikir mereka tidak akan mempersendakan seruan azan itu ).

            Ayat itu menunjukkan bahawa bermulanya pensyariatan azan di Madinah Al-Munawwarah dan telah menyebut sesetengah ulama` tafsir bahawa sesungguhnya orang-orang yahudi tahkala mendengar seruan azan, mereka berkata :”sesungguhnya kamu wahai Muhammad telah mencipta suatu perkara yang belum pernah ada sebelum ini “, maka turunlah ayat ini. Iman Qurtubi tlah meriwayatkan dalam kitab tafsirnya, bahawa seorang Nasrani di Madinah, apabila dia mendengar muazin melafazkan
 ( أشهد أن لا اله إلا الله )  dia menjawab : ( حرق الكاذب )  : ertinya :” moga-moga terbakar orang-orang yang dusta, maka pada suatu malam, khadamnya telah masuk kerumahnya dengan membawa api, nasrani dan keluarganya itu sedang tidur tiba-tiba bunga api itu terjatuh, maka hanguslah rumah dan terbakarlah nasrani dan kerluarganya itu. Itu adalah balasan di dunia sebelum balasan di hari pembalasan yang Allah tenpatkan untuk mereka yang mendustakan dan membohongi seruan yang benar ( azan ).( والعياذ بالله من ذلك ).

Firma Allah Taala dalam surah Jumaat ayat 9 :
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Ertinya :”Hai orang-orang beriman, apabila diseru untuk menunaikan shalat Jum'at, Maka bersegeralah kamu kepada mengingat Allah dan tinggalkanlah jual beli. yang demikian itu lebih baik bagimu jika kamu Mengetahui”.

Ayat itu juga menunjukkan tentang permulaan azan di Madinah kerana di fardhukan solat jumaat di Madinah Al-Munawwarah pada tahun pertama daripada hijrah mengikut pendapat yang rajah ( terkuat ) dan ada pendapat yang mengatakan pada tahun ke-2 hijrah dan di riwayatkan daripada Ibnu Abbas r.a bahawa pensyariatan azan turun bersama ayat ini.

            Berkata Syeikh Jazari dalam kitab feqahnya ( الفقة على المذاهب الأربعة ) : di syariatkan azan pada tahun pertama hijrah Rasulullah s.a.w ke Madinah Al-Munawwarah. Ia adalah perkara agama yang telah diketahui dengan darurahnya ( mudah ) dan sesiapa yang mengingkarinya menjadi kafir. Adapun sebab pensyariatan azan adalah kerana Rasulullah s.a.w ketika sampai ke Madinah Al-Munawwarah, adalah sukar bagi orang Islam untuk mengetahui waktu solat Rasulullah s.a.w. maka mereka telah mengadakan mesyuarat untuk mengadakan satu tanda untuk mengetahui waktu solat baginda. Ini adalah kerana mereka tidak mahu terlepas daripada berjamaah bersama-sama baginda. Maka ada dikalangan mereka mencadangkan untuk menggunakan NAQUS ( kayu yang dipukul dengan kayu yang lebih kecil untuk mengeluarkan bunyi adalah sebahagian daripada syariat orang Nasrani – Fathul Bari j 2 m/s 280 ) dan Rasulullah s.a.w menjawab bahawa NAQUS itu untuk orang nasrani, ada juga yang mencadangkan mengunakan BUK ( Buk ialah terompek atau alat yang di tiup untuk mengeluarkan bunyi ), maka baginda mengatakan BUK adalah untuk orang Yahudi, ada juga dikalangan mereka mencadangkan untuk mengunakan DAF ( adalah gendang atau alat yang di pukul untuk mengeluarkan bunyi ), maka baginda menjawab bahawa Daf untuk orang Rom. Mereka juga mencadangkan supaya di nyalakan api, jawab baginda api untuk orang-orang Majusi dan ada juga yang mencadangkan supaya di naikkan bendera, maka apabila dilihat bendera itu hendaklah saling memberitahu ( tenteng masuk waktu solat antara satu sama lain ).

            Rasulullah s.a.w tidak tertari dengan pandangan-pandangan itu, dan baginda ditak pula menyetujui satu pun   daripada cadangan-cadangan tersebut. Sehingga pada satu malam, ketika seorang sahabat iaitu Abdullah bin Zaid sedang tidur ( beliau memang mengambil berat perkara itu ) beliau bermimpi bahawa seorang malaikat mengajarnya azan dan iqamah, maka beliau pun memberitahu nabi s.a.w tentang mimpi tersebut, maka telah muafakat ( sebulat suara ) mimpi itu dengan wahyu. Maka Rasulullah s.a.w menyuruh azan dengannya untuk menberitahu masuk waktu solat.

            Dan katanya lagi : inilah makna hadis yang diriwayatkan oleh Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawwud, Ibnu Majah, dan telah dikeluarkan sebahagiannya oleh Imam Tarmizi, dan Tazmizi berkata hadis hassan soheh.

            Kesemua kitab-kitab hadis ( yang saya rujuk ) ada mencatatkan tentang kisah permulaan azan di Madinah Al-Munawwarah, disini aka disebuk sebahagiannya :
1-  antaranya ialah apa yang diriwayatkan oleh Iman Bukhari dan Muslim melalui hadis Ibnu Umar r.a :
كان المسلمون حين قدموا المدينة يجتمعون فيتحينون الصلاة. ليس ينادي لها. فتكلموا يوما قرن اليهود, فقال عمر رضى الله عنه : أولا تبعثون رجلا ينادي بالصلاة ؟ فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : يا بلال قم فناد بالصلاة.

Ertinya :” Abdullah bin Umar berkata : adalah orang-orang Islam ketika mereka sampai di Madinah ( daripada Mekah ) mereka berhimpun untuk menentukan masa untuk datang solat. ( Pada masa itu ) belum pun ada seruan azan untuk solat. Maka pada suatu hari mereka bermesyuarat memperkatakan perkara tersebut, maka berkata sebahagian daripada mereka : ambillah NAQUS seperti NAQUS orang nasrani, dan ada yang berkata : bahkan ambillah QARAN seperti QARAN Yahudi. Maka berkata Umar r.a : mengapakah tidak di suruh seorang leleki supaya berseruan untuk sembahyan, maka Rasulullah s.a.w bersabda : wahai Bilal! Bangun dan serulah kepada sembahyan
( Riwayat Bukhari dan Muslim ).

2- Dari Anas bin Malik berkata :
أن يعلموا وقت الصلاة بشئ يعرفونه فذكروا أن ينوروا نارا أو يضربوا ناقوسا فأمر بلاب أن يشفع الأذان ويوتر الإقامة.
Ertinya : orang Islam menyebut tentang suatu alamat yang boleh mereka kenal dengan waktu sembahyan. Ada dikalangan mereka yang mencadangkan supaya dinyalakan api atau dipukul NAQUS, maka disuruh Bilal menyebut kalimah-kalimah azan dua-dua kali dan kalimah Iqamah satu-satu kali. ( Riwayat muslim)

3- Berkata Abdullah bin Zaid
لما أصحبنا أتينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فأخبرته بالرؤيا, فقال : إن هذه لرؤيا حق, فقم مع بلال, فإنه أندى وأمد صوتا منك, فألق عليه ما قيل لك وليناد بذلك, قال فلما سمع عمر ابن الخطاب نداء بلال بالصلاة خرج إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو يجر إزاره, وهو يقول : يا رسول الله, والذى بعثك بالحق, لقد رأيت مثل الذى قال, قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : فلله الحمد, فذلك أثبت.
Ertinya :” daripada Abdullah bin Zaid r.a katanya : tahkala pagi, kami pun pergi menemui Rasulullah s.a.w, maka kami ceritakan kepada baginda mengenai mimpi ( tentang azan itu ) maka sabdanya :itu adalah mimpi yang benar, maka pergilah kamu kepada bilal r.a. kerana seruannya lebih merdu dan lebih panjang daripada mu, maka ajarkanlah apa yang diajarkan kepada mu ( dalam mimpi itu ) dengan yang demikian itu. Apabila di dengar oleh saidina Umar bin Al-Khatab r.a  seruan ( azan ) Bilal r.a itu, ( untuk memanggil kepada sembahyan ) keluarlah beliau pergi kepada Rasulullah s.a.w dalam keadaan beliau menarik selindangnya ( menunjukkan beliau bersegera ) kepada Rasulullah s.a.w dan katanya : wahai Rasulullah s.a.w, demi ( Allah ) yang membangkitkan engkau dengan membawa kebenaran, sesungguhnya aku telah bermimpi sama sepertiazan Bilal r.a itu, maka sabda Rasulullah s.a.w : bagi Allah Taala sahaja segala kepujian. Maka yang demikian itu adalah lebih tetap.

4-
فانصرف عبد الله بن عبد ربه وهو مهتم لهم رسول الله  صلى الله عليه وسلم, فأرى الأذان فى نومه فغدا على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فأخبره, فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم, إنى لبين نائم يقظان إذ اتاني آت فأرانى الأذان وكان عمر ابن الخطاب قد رآه قيل ذلك فكتمه عشرين يوما ثم أخبر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال له : ما منعك أن تخبرنى ( تخبرنا ) ؟ فقال  : سبقن عبد الله بن زيد فاستحييت, فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : يا بلال قم فنظر ما يأمرك به عبد الله بن زيد فافعله فأذان بلال : ( قال أبو بشر : فأخبرني أبو عمير أن الأنصار تزعم أن عبد الله بن زيد لولا أنه كان يومئذ مريضا لجعله رسول الله مؤذنا )
Ertinya :” Abdullah bin Abdul Rabah memang mengambil berkata dengan keinginan Rasullah s.a.w ( dalam hal menentukan cara menyeru kepada sembahyan ), maka diperlihatkan didalam tidurnya kalimah-kalimah azan, maka beliau memberitahu Rasulullah s.a.w  dengan mimpi itu, katanya : wahai Rasulullah s.a.w ketika mana aku dalam keadaan separuh tidur dan separuh jaga tiba-tiba datang kepadaku seorang dan dia mengajarkan kepadaku azan. Dan saidina Umar telah bermimpi sebelum itu ( tetapi ) beliau menyembunyikannya selama 20 hari kemudian beliau memberitahu Rasulullah s.a.w, maka Rasulullah mengatakan kepadanya : apakah yang menegah kepada mu daripada memberitahuku? Saidina Umar menjawab : Abdullah bin Zaid telah mendahuluiku, maka aku malu intuk memberitahunya. Kemudian Rasulullah menyuruh Bilal azan sebagaimana yang dilihat Abdullah bin Zaid didalam mipinya, maka Bilal pun azan. ( orang-orang Ansor pula menyangka bahawa keluarlah Abdullah bin Zaid tidak tahu dimana pada hari itu nescaya beliau akan dijadikan muazin oleh Rasulullah s.a.w.

Khilaf Pada Kalimah Azan

PENDAPAT YANG PERTAMA
            Jumlah lafaz-lafaz azan kesemuanya ada senbanyak 19 kalimah, perdapat ini adalah pendapat iman Syafie dan amalan penduduk Mekah. Pendapat ini berpandukan kepada hadis Abi Mahzurah r.a.
1- daripada Abi Mahzurah r.a :
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم علمه الأذان تسع عشرة كلمة
Ertinya :” bahawa Rasulullah s.a.w mengajarkannya azan 19 kalimah (riwayat berlima dan kata At-tizmizi hadis hasan sahih).
Kaifiat pula seperti yang terdapat dalm hadis riwayat Abu Daud, iaitu :
2- Daripada Abi Mahzurah r.a berkata :
قلت : يا رسول الله علمنى سنة الأذان, قال : فمسح مقدم رأسه, قال : تقول : الله أكبر الله أكبر ترفع بها صوتك ثم تقول : أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله, أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله تخفض بها صوتك ثم ترفع صوتك بالشهادة أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله أشد أن لا إله إلا الله أن محمدا رسول الله أن محمدا رسول الله حى على الصلاة حى على الصلاة حى على الفلاح حى على الفلاح فإن كان صلاة الصبح قلت : الصلاة خير من النوم الله أكبر الله أكبر لا إله إلا الله.
Ertinya :”Aku berkata : wahai Rasulullah s.a.w : ajarkan aku sunnah azan, maka Rasulullah s.a.w menyapu kepalanya dibahagian hadapan dan baginda bersabda : ( cara azan adalah ) engkau katakana :الله أكبر الله أكبر  dengan nyaring, kemudian engkau katakana : أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله  dengan perlahan kemudian engkau angkatkan suaramu mengatakan syahadah ( kalimah syahadah ) dan حى على الصلاة حى على الصلاة حى على الفلاح حى على الفلاح  jika solat subuh engkau sebutkan الصلاة خير من النوم الصلاة خير من النوم الله أكبر لا إله إلا الله .

PENDAPAT YANG KEDUA
            Jumlah keseluruhan lafaz azan ialah 17 sahaja iaitu sama seperti pendapat yang pertama tadi dengan azan tarji`, tetapi takbir yang pertama Cuma dua kali takbir dan bukannya empat kali takbir. Pendapat ini ialah pendapat Iman Malik dan amalan penduduk Madinah Al-Munawwarah. Pendapat ini berpandukan kepada hadis Abi Mahzurah r.a yang diriwayatka oleh iman Muslim :
عن أبي محذورة أن رسول الله علمه هذا الأذان الله أكبر الله أكبر أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله ثم يعود أ فيقول أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله  مرتين أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله مرتين حى على الصلاة مرتين حى على الفلاح مرتين الله أكبر لا إله إلا الله.
PENDAPAT YANG KETIGA
            Jumlah keseluruhan lafaz-lafaz azan hanyalah 15 sahaja iaitu sama dengan pendapat yang pertama tadi, dengan 4 takbir  tetapi dengan menyebut tarji`. Pendapat ini adalan pendapat iman Abu Hanifah dan iman Ahmad dan amalan penduduk Khufah.
            Pendapat ini berdalilkan azan saidina Bilal r.a sebagaimana pada hadis daripada Abdullah bin Zaid yang melihat azan dalam mimpinya.
PERHATIAN
1-      Azan yag dilakukan oleh umat Islam sekarang adalah sama seperti pendapat Iman Syafie kerana ia adalah pendapat yang paling rajih. Wallahu `alam
2-      Jumhur ulama` termasuk iman Syafie, hanafi dan Ahamad mengatakan dengan 4 takbir pada permulaan azan. Dan ini adalah amalan penduduk Mekah dan Mekah merupakan tempat berhimpunya semua orang Islam pada setiap tahun dan tidak ada pun dikalangan sahabat-sahabat lain yang ingkar akan 4 takbir itu dan iman Malik telah khilaf dengan pendapat itu dengan mengatakan dua takbir sahaja kerana ia adalah amalan penduduk Madinah dan penduduk Madinah adalah orang yang paling arif dengan sunnah kerana mereka hidup bersama Rasulullah s.a.w.
3-      Jumhur ulama` termasuk iman Malik dan iman Syafie menyatakan tarji` pada azan dan khilaf iman Hanafi padanya. Manakala jumhur ulama` menyatakan 4 takbir pada azan dan khilaf iman Malik padanya. Kesimpulannya iman Hanafi sama dengan Iman Syafie pada 4 takbir dan tidak sama pada menyatakan tarji`, manakala iman Malik sama dengan Iman Syafie pada mensabitkan tarji` dan tidan sama pada bilangan takbir pertama. Wallahu `alam.
TARJI`
            Taarif tarji` ialah :
الترجيع هو إعادة الشهادتين بصوت عال بعد ذكرهما بخفض الصوت
Tarji` ialah mengulangi dua ucapan dua kalimah syahadah dengan nyaring selepas menyebut dengan perlahan.
            Jumhur ulama` termasuk iman Malik, iman Syafie, penduduk Mekah, penduduk Madinah dan penduduk Mesir mengatakan bahawa tarji` adalah amalan yang disyariatkan yang sabit ( tetap ) dengan nas hadis. Iman Hanafi dan penduduk Kufah pula menyatakan tidak disyariatkan terji` kerana mengikut hadis Abdullah bin Zaid.
            Hujah jumhur dalam mensabitkan tarji` adalah berpandukan hadis yang diriwayatkan oleh iman Muslim, Nasae, Abu Daun, Ibnu Majah dan dua riyawat daripada iman Tirmizi. Berkata Iman Nawawi dalam kitab syarah hadis Muslim ketika mensyarahkan hadis daripada Abi Mahzurah r.a :” pada hadis tersebut menjadi hujah yang nyata dan dalil yang terang bagi mazhab Maliki, Syafie, dan jumhur ulama` bahawa tarji` pada azan adalah sabit dan disyariatkan “. Tambahan lagi hadis Abi Mahzurah r.a adalah tahun kelapan hijrah sedangkan hadis Abdullah bin Zaid yang menjadi dalil iman Hanafi adalah tahun pertama hijrah.
            Iman Al-hafiz Mubarakfiri dalam kitab Tuhfatul Ahwazi syarah Jame` Tirmizi memanjangkan perbincangan ini tentang sabit tarji` sehingga 6 muka surat dan beliau menjawab kesemua dalil yang tidak mensabitka tarji` dan diakhir perbahasan beliau menyatakan :
فحاصل الكلام أنه ليس لإنكار سنة الترجيع فى الأذان وجه إلا التقليد وقلة الطلاع
 Ertinya :” kesimpulannya sesungguhnya tidak ada wajah ( dalil ) bagi orang yang ingkar sabit sunnah tarji` pada azan melainkan taklid ( ikut semata-mata tanpa dalil ) dan kurang pemerhatian  ( terhadap hadis-hadis Rasulullah s.a.w ). Penulis sengaja tidak ingin memanjangkan perbahasan tentang tarji` memandangkan dikawasan kita yang bermazhab Syafie sudah pun mengamalkan sunnah tarji` ini.

TASHWIB
            Tashwib pada bahasa bererti "رجوع" atau dalam bahasa melayunya adalah kembali dan pada istilah pula ialah mengucapkan " الصلاة خير من النوم " pada azan bagi solat subuh. Antara dalil yang menunjukan sabit Tashwib pada azan subuh ialah hadis Abi Mahzurah r.a yang di riwayatkan oleh Abu Daud ( sebagaimana dalam bab yang telah lepas ) yang juga diriwayatkan oleh Ibnu Hibban dalam sahihnya.
Juga hadis daripada Anas r.a katanya :
  من السنة إذا قال المؤذن فى الأذان الفجر حي على الصلاة حي على الفلاح قال : الصلاة خير من النوم
Ertinya :” sebahagian daripada sunnah Rasulullah s.a.w  apabila mengucapkan حي على الصلاة حي على الفلاح ialah mengucapkan الصلاة خير من النوم ( di riwayatkan oleh Ibnu Khuzaimah dalam sahihnya dan Darqutni kemuadian Baihaqi dalam sunan mereka ).
Adapun hadis daripada saidina Bilal r.a katanya : bersabda kepadaku Rasulullah s.a.w :
لا تثوبن فى شئ من الصلوات إلا فى صلاة الفجر
Ertinya :”  janganlah kamu bertashawib pada sesuatu azan pun daripada azan-azan solat melainkan azan bagi solat subuh ( adalah hadis Dhaif ).
            Adapun hadis yang diriwayatkan oleh Abu Daud yang menyatakan bahawa Ibnu Umar r.a ketika beliau masuk kedalam masjid  dan mendengar muazin bertashwib dan beliau berkata : فإن هذه بدعة  ertinya :” sesungguhnya perkara ini adalah bid`ah “ dan beliautidak bersolat didalam masjid tersebut adalah kerana muazin tersebut bertashwib pada azan solat zuhur atau asar dan bukannya pada azan solat subuh. Dan Ibnu Umar pada masa itu sudah pun buta.( fathul Bari dan subulul muhtadin jilid 1 m/s 170).
( masalah 1 ) disunatkan ketika bersangatan ribut atau hujan sekira-kira tidak dapat datang para jamaah mengucapkan ألا صلوا فى الرحال  selepas dua حي على الصلاة .     

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) : The Ideal Husband, Father & Grandfather

Muslim Intellectual - Turkey

Prophet Muhammad personifies the roles of perfect father and husband. He was so kind and tolerant with his wives that they could not envisage their lives without him, nor did they want to live away from him. He married Sawdah, his second wife, while in Makkah. After a while, he wanted to divorce her for certain reasons. She was extremely upset at this news and implored him, "O Messenger of Allah, I wish no worldly thing of you. I will sacrifice the time allocated to me if you don't want to visit me. But please don't deprive me of being your wife. I want to go to the hereafter as your wife. I care for nothing else" (Muslim).
The Messenger did not divorce her, nor did he stop visiting her.
Once he noticed that Hafsah was uncomfortable over their financial situation. "If she wishes, I may set her free," he said, or something to that effect. This suggestion so alarmed her that she requested mediators to persuade him not to do so. He kept his faithful friend's daughter as his trusted wife.

Separation Calamity
All of his wives viewed separation from the Messenger of Allah as a calamity, so firmly had he established himself in their hearts. They were completely at one with him. They shared in his blessed, mild, and natural life. If he had left them, they would have died of despair. If he had divorced one of them, she would have waited at his doorstep until the Last Day.
After his death, there was much yearning and a great deal of grief. Abu Bakr and `Umar found the Messenger's wives weeping whenever they visited them. Their weeping seemed to continue for the rest of their lives. Muhammad left an everlasting impression on everyone. At one point, he had nine wives and dealt equally with all of them and without any serious problems. He was a kind and gentle husband, and never behaved harshly or rudely. In short, he was the perfect husband.

Each of his wives thought that she was his most beloved.
A few days before his death, he said, "A servant has been allowed to choose this world or his Lord. He chose his Lord" (Al-Bukhari). Abu Bakr, intelligent and smart, began to cry, understanding that the Prophet was talking about himself. His illness got worse daily, and his severe headache caused him to writhe in pain. But even during this difficult period, he continued to treat his wives with kindness and gentleness. He asked for permission to stay in one room, as he had no strength to visit them one by one. His wives agreed, and the Messenger spent his last days in `A'ishah's room.
Most Beloved
Each wife, because of his generosity and kindness, thought she was his most beloved. The idea that any man could show complete equality and fairness in his relationships with nine women seems impossible. For this reason, the Messenger of Allah asked God's pardon for any unintentional leanings. He would pray, "I may have unintentionally shown more love to one of them than the others, and this would be injustice. So, O Lord, I take refuge in Your grace for those things beyond my power." (At-Tirmidhi).
What gentleness and sensitivity! I wonder if anyone else could show such kindness to his children or spouses. When people manage to cover up their lower inborn tendencies, it is as if they have done something very clever and shown tremendous willpower. But they sometimes expose these very defects unconsciously while bragging of their cleverness. The Messenger, despite showing no fault, sought only God's forgiveness.
His gentleness penetrated his wives' souls so deeply that his departure led to what they must have felt to be an unbridgeable separation. They did not commit suicide, as Islam forbids it, but their lives now became full of endless sorrow and ceaseless tears.
The Messenger was kind and gentle to all women, and advised all other men to follow him in this regard. Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas described his kindness as follows:
`Umar said: One day I went to the Prophet and saw him smiling. "May God make you smile forever, O Messenger of God," I said, and asked why he was smiling. "I smile at those women. They were chatting in front of me before you came. When they heard your voice, they all vanished," he answered still smiling. On hearing this answer, I raised my voice and told them, "O enemies of your own selves, you are scared of me, but you are not scared of the Messenger of God, and you don't show respect to him." "You are hard-hearted and strict," they replied. (Al-Bukhari )
The Messenger discussed matters with his wives as friends.
`Umar also was gentle to women. However, the most handsome man looks ugly when compared to Joseph's beauty. Likewise, `Umar's gentleness and sensitivity seem like violence and severity when compared to those of the Prophet. The women had seen the Messenger's gentleness, sensitivity, and kindness, and so regarded `Umar as strict and severe. Yet `Umar shouldered the caliphate perfectly and became one of the greatest examples after the Prophet. He was a just ruler and strove to distinguish right from wrong. His qualities enabled him to be caliph. Some of his qualities might seem rather severe; however, those very qualities enabled him to shoulder very demanding responsibilities.
Consultation      
The Prophet did consult with his wives. The Messenger discussed matters with his wives as friends. Certainly he did not need their advice, since he was directed by revelation. However, he wanted to teach his nation that Muslim men were to give women every consideration. This was quite a radical idea in his time, as it is today in many parts of the world. He began teaching his people through his own relationship with his wives.
For example, the conditions laid down in the Treaty of Hudaybiyah disappointed and enraged many Muslims, for one condition stipulated that they could not make the pilgrimage that year. They wanted to reject the treaty, continue on to Makkah, and face the possible consequences. But the Messenger ordered them to slaughter their sacrificial animals and take off their pilgrim attire. Some Companions hesitated, hoping that he would change his mind. He repeated his order, but they continued to hesitate. They did not oppose him; rather, they still hoped he might change his mind, for they had set out with the intention of pilgrimage and did not want to stop half way.
Noticing this reluctance, the Prophet returned to his tent and asked Umm Salamah, his wife accompanying him at that time, what she thought of the situation. So she told him, fully aware that he did not need her advice. In doing this, he taught Muslim men an important social lesson: There is nothing wrong with exchanging ideas with women on important matters, or on any matters at all.
She said, "O Messenger of God, don't repeat your order. They may resist and thereby perish. Slaughter your sacrificial animal and change out of your pilgrim attire. They will obey you, willingly or not, when they see that your order is final" (Al-Bukhari).
He immediately took a knife in his hand, went outside, and began to slaughter his sheep. The Companions began to do the same, for now it was clear that his order would not be changed.
The Messenger encouraged us through his enlightening example to behave kindly with women.
Counsel and consultation, like every good deed, were practiced by God's Messenger first within his own family and then in the wider community. Even today, we understand so little about his relationships with his wives that it is as if we are wandering aimlessly around a plot of land, unaware of the vast treasure buried below our feet.
Two Halves
Women are secondary beings in the minds of many, including those self-appointed defenders of women's rights as well as many self-proclaimed Muslim men. In Islam, a woman is part of a whole, a part that renders the other half useful. We believe that when the two halves come together, the true unity of a human being appears. When this unity does not exist, humanity does not exist - nor can prophethood, sainthood, or even Islam.
Our Prophet encouraged us through his enlightening words to behave kindly to women. He declared, "The most perfect believers are the best in character, and the best of you are the kindest to their families" (Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi). It is clear that women have received the true honor and respect they deserve, not just in theory but in actual practice, only once in history - during the period of Prophet Muhammad.
This World or the Next
The wives of the Messenger were given the choice of remaining with him or leaving:
[O Prophet, say to your wives: "If you desire the life of this world and its glitter, then come! I will provide for your enjoyment and set you free in a handsome manner. But if you seek God, His Messenger, and the Home of the Hereafter, verily God has prepared for you, the well-doers among you, a great reward."] (Al-Ahzab 33:29)
A few of his wives who wanted a more prosperous life asked, "Couldn't we live a little more luxuriously, like other Muslims do? Couldn't we have at least a bowl of soup every day, or some prettier garments?" At first sight, such wishes might be considered fair and just. However, they were members of the family that was to be an example for all Muslim families until the Last Day.
The Messenger reacted by going into retreat. The news spread, and everyone rushed to the mosque and began to cry. The smallest grief felt by their beloved Messenger was enough to bring them all to tears, and even the smallest incident in his life would disturb them. Abu Bakr and `Umar, seeing the event in a different light as their daughters were directly involved, rushed to the mosque. They wanted to see him, but he would not leave his retreat. Eventually, on their third attempt, they gained entry and began to rebuke their daughters. The Messenger saw what was happening, but only said, "I cannot afford what they want" (Muslim).
The Qur'an declared [O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women] (Al-Ahzab 33:32).
Others might save themselves by simply fulfilling their obligations, but those who were at the very center of Islam had to devote themselves fully so that no weakness would appear at the center. There were advantages in being the Prophet's wives, but these advantages brought responsibilities and potential risks. The Messenger was preparing them as exemplars for all present and future Muslim women. He was especially worried that they might enjoy the reward for their good deeds in this world and thereby be included in [You have exhausted your share of the good things in your life of the world and sought comfort in them](Al-Ahqaf 46:20).
Life in the Prophet's house was uncomfortable. For this reason, either explicitly or implicitly, his wives made some modest demands. As their status was unique, they were not expected to enjoy themselves in a worldly sense. Some godly people laugh only a few times during their lives; others never fill their stomachs. For example, Fudayl ibn `Iyad never laughed. He smiled only once, and those who saw him do so asked him why he smiled, for they were greatly surprised. He told them, "Today I learned that my son `Ali died. I was happy to hear that God had loved him, and so I smiled" (Abu Nu`aym, Hilyat al-Awliya'). If there were such people outside of the Prophet's household, his wives, who were even more pious and respectful of God and regarded as Mothers of the Believers, would certainly be of a higher degree.
It is not easy to merit being together with the Messenger in this world and the hereafter. Thus, these special women were put to a great test. The Messenger allowed them to choose his poor home or the world's luxury. If they chose the world, he would give them whatever they wanted and then dissolve his marriage with them. If they chose God and His Messenger, they had to be content with their lives. This was a peculiarity of his family. Since this family was unique, its members had to be unique. The head of the family was chosen, as were the wives and children.
The Messenger first called `A'ishah and said, "I want to discuss something with you. You'd better talk with your parents before making a decision." Then he recited the verses mentioned above. Her decision was exactly as expected from a truthful daughter of a truthful father: "O Messenger of Allah, do I need to talk with my parents? By Allah, I choose Allah and His Messenger" (Muslim).
`A'ishah herself tells us what happened next: "The Messenger received the same answer from all his wives. No one expressed a different opinion. They all said what I had said." They did so because they were all at one with the Messenger. They could not differ. If the Messenger had told them to fast for a lifetime without break, they would have done so and endured it with pleasure. However, they endured hardship until their deaths.
Some of his wives had enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle before their marriage to him. One of these was Safiyyah, who had lost her father and husband and had been taken prisoner during the Battle of Khaybar. She must have been very angry with the Messenger, but when she saw him, her feelings changed completely. She endured the same destiny as the other wives. They endured it because love of the Messenger had penetrated their hearts.
Mothers of the Believers
The Messenger was the perfect head of a family.
Safiyyah was a Jew. Once, she was dismayed when this fact was mentioned to her sarcastically. She informed the Messenger, expressing her sadness. He comforted her saying,"If they repeat it, tell them, 'My father is Prophet Aaron, my uncle is Prophet Moses, and my husband is, as you see, Prophet Muhammad, the Chosen One. What do you have more than me to be proud of?'"
The Qur'an declares that his wives are the Mothers of the Believers (Al-Ahzab 33:6). Although 14 centuries have passed, we still feel delight in saying "my mother" when referring to Khadijah, `A'ishah, Umm Salamah, Hafsah, and his other wives. We feel this because of him. Some feel more love for these women than they do for their real mothers. Certainly, this feeling must have been deeper, warmer, and stronger in the Prophet's own time.
The Messenger was the perfect head of a family. Managing many women with ease, being a lover of their hearts, an instructor of their minds, an educator of their souls, he never neglected the affairs of the nation or compromised his duties.

The Messenger excelled in every area of life. People should not compare him to themselves or to the so-called great personalities of their age. Researchers should look at him, the one to whom angels are grateful, always remembering that he excelled in every way. If they want to look for Muhammad they must search for him in his own dimensions. Our imaginations cannot reach him, for we do not even know how to imagine properly. God bestowed upon him, as His special favor, superiority in every field.
Ideal Father & Grandfather
Prophet Muhammad was an extraordinary husband, a perfect father, and a unique grandfather. He was unique in every way. He treated his children and grandchildren with great compassion, and never neglected to direct them to the straight path and to good deeds. He loved them and treated them tenderly, but did not allow them to neglect matters related to the afterlife. He showed them how to lead a humane life, and never allowed them to neglect their religious duties or to become spoiled. His ultimate goal was to prepare them for the hereafter. His perfect balance in such matters is another dimension of his divinely inspired intellect.
Anas ibn Malik, the Messenger's servant for 10 continuous years, says, "I have never seen a man who was more compassionate to his family members than Muhammad." (Muslim) If this admission were made just by us, it could be dismissed as unimportant. However, millions of people, so benign and compassionate that they would not even offend an ant, declare that he embraced everything with compassion. He was a human like us, but God inspired in him such an intimate affection for every living thing that he could establish a connection with all of them. As a result, he was full of extraordinary affection toward his family members and others.
All of the Prophet's sons died. Ibrahim, his last son, died in infancy. The Prophet often visited his son before the latter's death, although the  Prophet was very busy. Ibrahim was looked after by a nurse. The Prophet would kiss and play with him before returning home. (Muslim) When Ibrahim took his last breaths, the eyes of the Prophet started shedding tears. `Abdur-Rahman ibn `Awf said, "O Allah's Messenger, even you (weep)!" The Prophet said, "O Ibn `Auf, this is mercy." Then he wept more and said, "The eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, and we will not say except what pleases our Lord, O Ibrahim ! Indeed we are grieved by your separation." (Al-Bukhari)
The Messenger was completely balanced in the way he brought up his children. He loved his children and grandchildren very much, and instilled love in them. However, he never let his love for them be abused. None of them deliberately dared to do anything wrong. If they made an unintentional mistake, the Messenger's protection prevented them from going even slightly astray. He did this by wrapping them in love and an aura of dignity. For example, once Hasan or Husain wanted to eat a date that had been given to be distributed among the poor as alms. The Messenger immediately took it from his hand, and said, "Anything given as alms is forbidden to us." (Ibn Hanbal, Muslim) In teaching them while they were young to be sensitive to forbidden acts, he established an important principle of education.
Whenever he returned to Madinah, he would carry children on his mount. On such occasions, the Messenger embraced not only his grandchildren but also those in his house and those nearby. He conquered their hearts through his compassion. He loved all children.
He loved his granddaughter Umamah. He often went out with her on his shoulders, and even placed her on his shoulders while praying. When he prostrated, he put her down; when he had finished praying, he placed her on his back again. (Muslim) He showed this degree of love to Umamah to teach his male followers how to treat girls. This was a vital necessity; only a decade earlier, it had been the social norm to bury infant or young girls alive. Such public paternal affection for a granddaughter had never been seen before in Arabia. 
The Messenger proclaimed that Islam allows no discrimination between son and daughter. How could there be? One is Muhammad, the other is Khadijah; one is Adam, the other is Eve; one is 'Ali, the other is Fatima. For every great man there is a great woman.
As soon as Fatimah, the daughter of the Messenger, entered the room where the Messenger was, he would stand, take her hands, and make her sit where he was sitting. He would ask about her health and family, show his paternal love for her, and compliment her.
Fatimah, knowing how fond he was of her, loved him more than her own self. Her great mission was to be the seed for godly people. She always watched her father and how he called people to Islam. She wept and groaned when the Messenger told her that he would die soon, and rejoiced when he told her that she would be the first family member to follow him. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) Her father loved her, and she loved her father.