A Bedouin man walked into the Prophet’s (ﷺ) mosque in Madinah, looked around, and suddenly felt the urge to urinate. Without understanding mosque etiquette, he simply started relieving himself right there on the mosque floor.
The Companions (RA) were horrified. They jumped up, shouting at him to stop. Some moved to physically stop him. But Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) raised his hand and said something shocking: “Leave him alone. Do not interrupt him.”
The Companions (RA) were stunned. How could the Prophet (ﷺ) allow someone to desecrate the mosque like this?
But the Prophet (ﷺ) waited patiently until the man finished. Then—instead of yelling, shaming, or punishing him—he calmly asked for a bucket of water to clean the area. He turned to the Bedouin with gentleness and said: “These mosques are not suitable places for urine and filth, but are only for the remembrance of Allah.” (Sahih Muslim, Book 2, Hadith 285)
That’s it. No anger. No humiliation. Just patient education delivered with dignity.
Maybe you’ve been in situations where someone did something “wrong” and your first instinct was frustration or anger. Or maybe you’ve been treated harshly when you made an honest mistake. We live in a world where people snap at cashiers, yell in traffic, and leave brutal comments online over minor disagreements.
Islamic manners—what we call adab (أدب)—offer something radically different. And nobody embodied perfect adab like Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). His character was so extraordinary that even his enemies acknowledged it.
This article explores what adab really means, authentic examples of how the Prophet (ﷺ) treated everyone around him, and how you can implement these timeless manners in modern life.
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What You’ll Learn:
- What Islamic manners (adab) mean beyond basic politeness
- Authentic examples of Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) character with different people
- How he treated those who wronged, insulted, or hurt him
- The Quranic basis for excellent character
- Practical ways to embody Prophetic manners today
Sources Referenced:
- Quran 68:4, 33:21 on the Prophet’s (ﷺ) character
- Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim hadiths on manners
- Examples from the Prophet’s (ﷺ) life (Seerah)
Read Time: 9 minutes
What Adab Really Means
Look, when most people hear “Islamic manners,” they think about saying “please” and “thank you.” But adab is way deeper than that.
Adab encompasses your character, behavior, speech, and interactions—basically, how you carry yourself in every situation. It’s the sum total of your moral excellence.
Allah (SWT) Himself praised the Prophet’s (ﷺ) character in the Quran:
“And indeed, you are of a great moral character.” (Quran 68:4)
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِیمࣲ
And indeed, you are of a great moral character.
[68:4]
Think about that. The Creator of the universe publicly praises one human’s character. That’s how exceptional the Prophet’s (ﷺ) manners were.
When Aisha (RA) was asked to describe the Prophet’s (ﷺ) character, she said: “His character was the Quran.” (Sahih Muslim, Book 4, Hadith 1623)
He didn’t just teach Islamic values—he embodied them completely. Every interaction, every word, every gesture reflected Quranic principles brought to life.
And the beautiful part? Allah (SWT) made him your example:
“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day.” (Quran 33:21)
لَّقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِی رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةࣱ لِّمَن كَانَ یَرۡجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلۡیَوۡمَ ٱلۡـَٔاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِیرࣰا
There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.
[33:21]
So when you’re wondering how to handle a difficult coworker, a rude stranger, or family conflict—look at how the Prophet (ﷺ) handled similar situations. His life is your roadmap.
How He Treated Those Who Made Mistakes
The Bedouin urinating in the mosque wasn’t an isolated incident. The Prophet’s (ﷺ) patience with people’s mistakes was legendary.
Another time, a young man came to him and said something shocking: “O Messenger of Allah, give me permission to commit fornication (zina).”
The Companions (RA) were outraged. They started shouting at him. But the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Come closer.” He invited the young man to sit near him.
Then, instead of condemning him, the Prophet (ﷺ) asked gently: “Would you like it for your mother?” The man said no. “Would you like it for your daughter?” No. “Your sister?” No. “Your aunt?” No.
Each time, the Prophet (ﷺ) explained: “And people do not like it for their mothers, daughters, sisters, or aunts either.”
By the end of the conversation, the young man said: “O Messenger of Allah, pray for me.” The Prophet (ﷺ) placed his hand on the young man’s chest and prayed: “O Allah, forgive his sin, purify his heart, and guard his chastity.”
And that young man never struggled with that temptation again. (Musnad Ahmad, authenticated as sahih)
Notice the approach? No yelling. No shaming. No “How dare you ask that!” Just patient, wise guidance that addressed the root of the issue.
That’s Prophetic adab.
How He Treated Those Who Insulted Him
Get this—a Jewish man once came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and instead of saying “Assalamu alaikum” (peace be upon you), he twisted the greeting to say “As-samu alaikum” (death be upon you).
Aisha (RA) heard it and was furious. She shot back: “And upon you be death and curse!”
But the Prophet (ﷺ) gently corrected her, saying: “O Aisha, Allah is gentle and loves gentleness in all matters.” Then he simply responded to the man: “And upon you.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book 78, Hadith 95)
He didn’t take the bait. He didn’t escalate. He responded with dignity and moved on.
There’s an even more powerful example. A Bedouin once grabbed the Prophet’s (ﷺ) cloak and pulled it so violently that it left a mark on his neck. Then he demanded: “Muhammad, give me some of Allah’s wealth!”
The Prophet (ﷺ)—whose neck was literally bruised from being yanked—looked at the man, smiled, and ordered that he be given charity. (Sahih Bukhari, Book 78, Hadith 155)
He smiled at someone who just physically assaulted him.
That level of self-control, patience, and mercy is almost superhuman. But it was normal for him. Anas ibn Malik (RA), who served the Prophet (ﷺ) for ten years, said: “I served the Prophet for ten years, and he never said ‘Uff!’ (an expression of annoyance) to me. He never said ‘Why did you do that?’ or ‘Why didn’t you do this?'” (Sahih Bukhari, Book 78, Hadith 149)
Ten years. Not a single harsh word. Not one moment of losing his temper over a servant’s mistake.
How He Treated Women and Children
In a society where women were often treated as property and baby girls were buried alive, the Prophet (ﷺ) revolutionized how women should be treated.
He said: “The best among you are those who are best to their wives, and I am the best among you to my wives.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Book 46, Hadith 3895, authenticated as sahih)
When asked who deserves the best treatment, he replied: “Your mother.” The man asked, “Then who?” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Your mother.” “Then who?” “Your mother.” “Then who?” “Your father.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book 78, Hadith 2)
He said “mother” three times before mentioning father. That’s how much Islam honors mothers.
And with children? He was incredibly playful and gentle. When his grandson Hasan or Husain (RA) would climb on his back during prayer, he’d prolong his prostration so they wouldn’t fall. He’d let them ride on his shoulders. He’d kiss them publicly—even though Arab culture of that time saw public affection as weakness.
Once a man saw him kissing his grandson and said, “I have ten children and I’ve never kissed any of them.” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: “Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book 78, Hadith 18)
How He Treated Non-Muslims
The Prophet (ﷺ) wasn’t just kind to Muslims. His character extended to everyone.
When a Jewish funeral procession passed by, the Prophet (ﷺ) stood up out of respect. His Companions (RA) were surprised: “But it’s a Jew!” He responded: “Was he not a soul?” (Sahih Bukhari, Book 23, Hadith 50)
He honored the deceased regardless of religion.
When a Jewish neighbor who used to throw garbage at the Prophet (ﷺ) got sick, the Prophet (ﷺ) went to visit him. His kindness and concern so moved the man that he embraced Islam.
And when he conquered Makkah—the city that had persecuted, tortured, and expelled him and his followers for years—he stood before his former enemies and asked: “What do you think I will do to you?”
They said: “Good. You are a noble brother and the son of a noble brother.”
He declared: “Go, you are free.” (Al-Bayhaqi)
No revenge. No executions. Just forgiveness.
That’s the character Allah (SWT) praised.
How He Treated the Poor and Servants
The Prophet (ﷺ) never looked down on anyone. He’d sit with the poorest members of society, eat with them, and listen to their concerns.
He said: “The one who cares for widows and the poor is like the one who fights in the cause of Allah or the one who stands for prayer at night and fasts during the day.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book 67, Hadith 29)
He’d mend his own clothes, repair his own shoes, and help with household chores. When asked about this, Aisha (RA) said: “He was in the service of his family, but when the prayer was called, he would go out for prayer.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book 67, Hadith 30)
The leader of the Muslim community, the Messenger of Allah (SWT), did his own housework. He didn’t see manual labor or serving others as beneath him.
Practical Lessons for Today
So how do you actually live these manners in 2025?
When someone makes a mistake:
Don’t immediately attack or shame them. Explain gently, like the Prophet (ﷺ) explained to the Bedouin. Most people aren’t being malicious—they’re just ignorant or careless.
When someone insults you:
Don’t escalate. Respond with dignity or simply walk away. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The strong person is not the one who can wrestle someone else down. The strong person is the one who can control himself when he is angry.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book 78, Hadith 135)
With your family:
Be the best version of yourself at home, not just in public. Your family deserves your best character, not your leftovers after you’ve been polite to strangers all day.
With those who serve you:
Treat waiters, cashiers, janitors, and customer service workers with respect. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Your servants are your brothers. Whoever has a brother under him should feed him from what he eats and dress him from what he wears, and not burden him beyond his capacity.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book 2, Hadith 29)
With non-Muslims:
Represent Islam through your character. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “I have been sent to perfect good character.” (Musnad Ahmad, authenticated as sahih)
Your behavior is dawah (invitation to Islam). If you’re rude, arrogant, or harsh, you’re pushing people away from Islam. If you embody Prophetic manners, you’re inviting them toward truth.
FAQ Section
How can I develop better manners?
Study the Prophet’s (ﷺ) life (Seerah), make dua asking Allah (SWT) to improve your character, practice self-awareness when interacting with others, and start with one trait (like patience or gentleness) and work on it consistently.
Is it weak to be so patient and forgiving?
No. The Prophet (ﷺ) said true strength is controlling your anger. It takes far more strength to respond with gentleness when you’re hurt than to lash out. Prophetic manners are for the strong, not the weak.
What if people take advantage of my kindness?
Good character doesn’t mean being a doormat. The Prophet (ﷺ) set boundaries when necessary. Be kind but not naive. You can be gentle while still protecting yourself from harm.
How do I practice adab when I’m stressed or overwhelmed?
Start small. You don’t have to be perfect immediately. Work on controlling your reactions in one area—maybe road rage, or how you speak to family. Build gradually. And remember: Allah (SWT) judges your effort and sincerity, not perfection.
Conclusion
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) lived in the same difficult world we do. He faced insults, attacks, betrayal, loss, and hardship. People wronged him constantly. Yet his character never wavered.
He was patient with those who made mistakes. Merciful with those who hurt him. Kind to those beneath him socially. Respectful to those who disagreed with him. Gentle with children. Honoring of women. Compassionate to all creation.
And Allah (SWT) made him the model for all of humanity until the Day of Judgment.
You’re not going to perfect Prophetic character overnight. But every time you choose patience over anger, gentleness over harshness, forgiveness over revenge—you’re following his example. You’re embodying Islamic manners. You’re living the Quran.
Start today. Start with one interaction. Treat one person the way the Prophet (ﷺ) would have treated them.
Because at the end of your life, you won’t be judged by your wealth, status, or accomplishments. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The heaviest thing on the scales on the Day of Judgment will be good character.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 43, Hadith 4793, authenticated as sahih)
Good character. That’s what matters.
May Allah (SWT) bless us with the manners of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). May He make us patient, gentle, merciful, and kind. May He forgive our bad character and replace it with Prophetic adab. Ameen.
