The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 263
The Holy Prophetsa Holy Prophets the Grand Reformer Holy Prophets Brought Morals to Perfection 263 In meekness and gentleness, Moses stood higher than all the Prophets in Israel and no other Prophet in Israel, whether Jesus or anyone else, approached the lofty sta- tion of Moses. The Torah bears witness that in meekness and gentleness and in moral qualities Moses was higher than all the Prophets in Israel. The third verse of the twelfth chapter of Numbers says that Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. God has in the Torah praised the meekness of Moses as He has not praised any other Prophet in Israel. It is true, however, that the high moral qualities of the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] that are mentioned in the Holy Qur'an are thousands of times more exalted than those of Moses. God has said that the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] combined in his person all the high moral qualities which were found in the different Prophets and said with regard to him: إِنَّكَ لَعَلَى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ 158 Thou dost possess the highest moral qualities. The word 'azīm in Arabic idiom is used as connoting the highest quality of a thing. For instance, when a big tree is called 'azīm, it would mean that it possesses all the height and width and bulk that is possible for a tree to possess. Thus, this verse means that all the high moral qualities and excellent characteristics which a human being can 158 al-Qalam, 68:5 [Publisher]