Prophet Muhammad preached for twenty-three years and consequently the writings in the Qur’an and the Adith contain thousands of accounts of his interactions and public communication.  His public communication contained many references to values necessary to follow completely Allah’s will.  In his book, Muhammad in the Qur’an, Raza (1982) traced the verses in the Qur’an that described Prophet Muhammad’s character values: “And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted standard of character” (Qur’an 68:4). This was not only a claim, but Prophet Muhammad had already won from his fellow-citizens of Mecca the recognition of his magnificent morality inasmuch as he had won the title of Al-Amin, a title rarely conceded to anybody in the pre Islamic days (Khan, 1998).

Raza (1982) quoted from the Qur’an a verse that declared Prophet Muhammad to be a mercy to all the generations of men, a worldwide community value:
"We sent you not (O Muhammad), but as a Mercy for all creatures" (Qur'an, 21:107).  This verse contains not only a reference to the merciful dealings of Prophet Muhammad with his opponents but also signifies that the Prophet’s arrival was not only a mercy to the Arabs, but it was also a mercy to the whole of humanity (p. 169).  Even today, the writings and words of the Prophet Muhammad are relevant for all of humankind and his words will remain pertinent and appropriate for the masses indefinitely.

 The Prophet’s manner of preaching is indeed unique.  By leading through example, He was able to share the word and will of Allah through his actions and interactions.  In the Qur’an, the Prophet’s way with the people was described in the following verse: "By the grace of Allah, you (O Muhammad) are gentle towards the people; if you had been stern and harsh-hearted, they would have dispersed from round about you" (Qur'an 3:159).  And also: “Most certainly, you (people) have in the messenger of Allah an excellent pattern (of behavior)” (Qur’an 33:21).  This verse points to the most significant truth and a distinguishing character of the Prophet (Raza, 1982, p. 164).

 Many accounts of his prophethood describe his interactions with the people and how they held him in esteemed remembrance.  In his book, The Sealed Nectar, (1996). Al- Mubarakpuri quoted Ali ibin Abi Talib describing Prophet Muhammad thus:

He was the most generous of heart, truthful of tongue, softest in disposition, and noble in relationship. He who first set eyes upon him feared him, but he who associated with him loved him. Those who described him would say: “I have never seen before or after him anyone similar to him, peace be upon him. (Al-Mubarakpuri, 1996, p. 493)

Character Values:

The Prophet Muhammad is continuously remembered for his dealings with those he shared the word and will of Allah.  His kindness to them and his interest in their well being are typically mentioned.  Michener (1955) wrote about Muhammad’s life and his treatment of the poor and needy, the widow and the orphan, the slave and the oppressed thus: Muhammad, the inspired man who founded Islam, was born about A.D. 570 into an Arabian tribe that worshipped idols. Orphaned at birth, he was always particularly solicitous of the poor and needy, the widow and the orphan, the slave and the downtrodden. At twenty, he was already a successful businessman, and soon became director of camel caravans for a wealthy widow. When he reached twenty-five, his employer, recognizing his merit, proposed marriage. Even though she was fifteen years older, he married her, and as long as she lived, remained a devoted husband. (pp. 68-70)

According to Sharma (1935), "Muhammad was the soul of kindness, and his influence was felt and never forgotten by those around him" (p. 12).Mahatma Gandhi, well-known for his compassionate character to all people, described the character of Muhammad similarly to how others describe him:
I wanted to know the best of one who holds today's undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of humankind....I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. (Young India, nd)

Carlyle, one of the greatest thinkers of the past century, described Prophet Muhammad’s sincerity thus:
the great man's sincerity is of the kind he cannot speak of: nay, I suppose, he is conscious rather of insincerity;  for what man can walk accurately by the law of truth for one day?  No, the great man does not boast himself sincere, far from that; perhaps does not ask himself if he is so: I would say rather, his sincerity does not depend on himself: he cannot help being sincere! (1840, p. 59)

Carlyle’s glowing description of the Prophet, based on his research of the Prophet’s interactions with others and his desire for them to do according to God’s will, continued describing the Prophet Muhammad as:
a silent great soul, he was one of those who cannot but be in earnest, whom nature herself has appointed to be sincere. While others walk in formulas and hearsays, contented enough to dwell there, this man could  not screen him in formulas; he was alone with his own soul and the reality of things. . . Such sincerity, as we named it, has in very truth some thing of divine.  The word of such a man is a voice direct from nature's own heart.  Men do and must listen to that as to nothing else, - - - all else is wind in comparison. (1840, p. 71)

Carlyle described Prophet Muhammad’s fidelity in the following situation with his wife Ayesha thus: 
It is a boundless favour. He never forgot this good kadijah.  Long afterwards, Ayesha his young favourite wife, a woman who indeed distinguished herself among the moslems, by all manner of qualities, through her whole long life; this young brilliant Ayesha was, one day, questioning him. “Now am not I better than kadijah?  She was a widow; old, and had lost her looks: you love me better than you did her?” “No, by Allah!” answered Mahomet: “no, by Allah! She believed in me when none else would believe.  In the whole world I had but one friend, and she was that!... (1840, p.76)

            It would have been easier to repel the temptation of the devil than to give way to the ego of a young, loving, brilliant and beautiful wife like lady Ayesha.  Why not let her hear the soft soothing balm of flattery, it will not harm anyone.  Even the soul of Khadija, the mother of the Faithful, would look light-heartedly at the trick.  There is no shamming, no innocent "white lies" with Muhammad. Traits of this kind show us the genuine man (Deedat, 1990, p. 24).

Finally, Carlyle described Prophet Muhammad’s faithfulness and interest in the people as:
a man of truth and fidelity; true in what he did, in what he spake and thought. They noted that he always meant something. A man rather taciturn in speech; silent when there was nothing to be said; but pertinent, wise, sincere, when he did speak; always throwing light on the matter. This is the only sort of speech worth speaking! (1840, p.69)