MUHAMMAD (SAW) AND SACRIFICE OF THE LAMB
Just as Hazrat Muhammad (saw), and his companions landed from their rides, and laid the loads down, it was decided that they would sacrifice a lamb for dinner.
One of the companions volunteered: "I will sacrifice the lamb."
Another: "I will skin it."
Third: "I will cook it."
Fourth: " I will ..."
Hazrat Muhammad (saw): "I will gather the wood from the desert."
The group: "O Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (saw) it is not becoming of you to discomfort yourself as such. You rest. We will be honored to do all this on our own."
Hazrat Muhammad (saw): "I know that you are eager to do it all, but Allah isn't pleased with the slave who distinguishes between himself and his companions, and considers himself better than others."
Then Hazrat Muhammad (saw) went to the desert, and gathered some wood, and brought it to the group.
HAZRAT MUHAMMAD (SAW) AND TYING THE CAMEL
The caravan had been traveling for few hours now. Signs of fatigue were obvious on their faces. They arrived at a point and stopped. Hazrat Muhammad (saw) who was also in the caravan, stopped the camel, and landed. Prior to anything, they were in search of water to prepare for prayer.
Hazrat Muhammad (saw) also started searching for water. But soon, returned to his camel, without saying anything to anyone. The companions were surprised that Hazrat Muhammad (saw) had ordered stopping here, and now perhaps he would like to move again? Eyes and ears were awaiting his order. But the surprise of the group increased as they saw him approach his camel, and tied its knees, and returned back in search of water.
Noises were raised from every corner: "O Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (saw) Why didn't you order us to do this for you, and instead you put yourself in discomfort? We would have proudly done that service for you."
Hazrat Muhammad (saw) responded: "Never seek others' help in your affairs, don't lean on others, even if it is a small piece of Miswak (the wood used for brushing teeth)."
HAZRAT MUHAMMAD (SAW) AND TELLING THE TRUTH
Telling the truth is a very good habit. If you always speak the truth, you can save yourself from a lot of trouble! Here is a story of a man who did a lot of bad things, but his promise to tell the truth saved him.
Once a man came to Hazrat Muhammad (saw) and said, "O Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (saw) I have many bad habits. Which one of them should I give up first?" Hazrat Muhammad (saw) said, "Give up telling lies first and always speak the truth." The man promised to do so and went home.
At night the man was about to go out to steal. Before setting out, he thought for a moment about the promise he made with Hazrat Muhammad (saw). "If tomorrow Hazrat Muhammad (saw) asks me where have I been, what shall I say? Shall I say that I went out stealing? No, I cannot say that. But nor can I lie. If I tell the truth, everyone will start hating me and call me a thief. I would be punished for stealing."
So the man decided not to steal that night, and gave up this bad habit.
Next day, he felt like drinking wine, when he was about to do so, he said to himself, "What shall I say to Hazrat Muhammad (saw) if he asks me what did I do during the day? I cannot tell a lie, and if I speak the truth people will hate me, because a Muslim is not allowed to drink wine." And so he gave up the idea of drinking wine.
In this way, whenever the man thought of doing something bad, he remembered his promise to tell the truth at all times. One by one, he gave up all his bad habits and became a good Muslim and a very good person.
If you always speak the truth, you can be a good person, a good Muslim whom Allah likes and favors. If Allah - our Creator - is pleased with us, He will reward us with HEAVEN, which is a place of happiness and joy.