Striving to attain good character

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” – (English – Mohsin Khan)

Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) summarized the extent of his noble manners by saying:

The Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) used to greet the children when he passed by them. Sometimes, a little girl would take him by the hand and he would allow her to lead him wherever she wanted. He (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) used to lick his fingers after eating. He (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) would be in the service of his family when at home. Never would he become angry because of something personal. He (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) used to repair his own sandals and mend his own torn clothes. He would milk his goat himself for his own family. He would feed his own camel. He used to eat with his servants, sit in the company of the poor people, and personally take care of the needs of widows and orphans. He would be the one to initiate the greeting when meeting people. He would respond to the humblest of invitations. He (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) lived a very modest lifestyle, a man of soft manners, naturally kind, easy to get along with, having a pleasant smile on his face, gracefully humble, extremely generous but not wasteful, soft-hearted and gentle in his dealing with each and every Muslim, lowering his wings of humility to the believers, bearing their companionship in such a gentle way.

Ref: Madaarij as-Saalikeen (3/111-112) / [Makaarim al-Akhlaaq, p. 6]