Distaste for Self-Aggrandizement
It is well known that worldly kings love to hear their own praise and acclamation. Hearing and receiving the most grandiose titles gives them no end of satisfaction. It is said that Elizabeth I and Henry VIII were very desirous of hearing their own praise and hungered after it. The other kings also are no different. But the manner in which the Holy Prophet reigned was completely different. There was no question of excessive praise being permitted. At times even permissible words of praise were forbidden by him. Abdullah bin Maskheer, one of his companions, relates that when we were given an audience upon the recommendation of Bani Aamir. we respectfully submitted: O Messenger of Allah, you are our Lord and Master. Upon hearing these terms, Holy Prophet prohibited the use of these epithets. The Holy Prophet of Islam is remembered by many names: Muhammad, Ahmad, Bashir, Nazeer, Ta Ha etc. But we never see any terms like, Emperor, Caesar, Chosroes, the All Powerful, the King of Kings, King, Sultan etc. Similarly, many other adjuncts of regal life like palaces, halls, great buildings, edifices, thrones and crowns are not to be seen anywhere in Holy Prophet’s life. There was no hall for royal audience, no bodyguards, or chamberlains, or door keepers. There was no hint of military or soldiers, no presence of any body of men or train of servants.