by: Sufaira Jan
Of all the prophets, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is thoroughly known to the world. He was a beloved orphan, a devoted husband, an affectionate father, and a sincere friend. He was also a successful businessman, a far-sighted reformer, a brave warrior, a skillful general, an efficient administrator, an impartial judge, a great statesman, and whatnot. In all these roles he played his part with exemplary ability, honesty, and integrity. It can be said about him that he left nothing untouched and touched nothing that he didn’t rectify and improve. When the whole world groaning under oppression and injustice, he came to this earth as a savior of the oppressed humanity. Within 20 years he transformed the barbarous and impious Arabians into a civilized and religious nation and lifted his people from the depth of moral and spiritual degradation to a high conception of God, morality, and justice.
The fundamental reason for the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and its beneficial impact on humanity has been explicitly outlined in the Book of God. “Thus we have sent forth to you a messenger from amongst you, who recites to you Our revelations and purifies you and teaches you the Book and wisdom, and teaches you what you were not wont to know.” (2: 151)
God’s Messenger was the kindest of men in the same way as he excelled all others in courage and valor. Being extremely kind-hearted, his eyes brimmed with tears at the slightest sign of inhumanity.
Mercy for the Believers: Allah says in the Qur’an: “And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the Alameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists).” [al-Anbiya’ 21:107].
The Messenger’s compassion towards the believers was of the utmost degree. The Qur’an describes his compassion in the following verse, which means:-
There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers is kind and merciful.” (Qur’an 9:128). Sa’d bin ‘Ubaadah once became ill, so Allah’s Messenger Muhammad (SAAS) visited him in his house. On seeing his faithful Companion in a pitiful state, he was moved to tears. Then, he said: “Allah does not punish because of tears, nor because of grief, but he punishes because of this.”- and he pointed to his tongue. (Al-Bukhari).
A Mercy Towards His Enemies: According to Hadrat Abu Hurayra (Radiyallahu Anhu), “I was submitted “O Messenger of Allah, invoke a curse against the idolaters.”He replied, ‘I was not sent as a curser. I was only sent as (an embodiment of) mercy.’ The prisoners of war taken captive at the battle of Badr were amongst his bitterest enemies. Nevertheless, he made sure that they were given the best of treatment. Among them was Suhayl bin ‘Amr who was a fiery speaker and was denouncing the Prophet Muhammad (SAAS).
‘Umar (RA)one the Prophet’s closest companions, suggested that two of his lower teeth be pulled out so that he might not be so vile in his speeches. The Prophet Muhammad SAAS replied: “Were I to do this, Allah would disfigure me on the Day of Judgment, even though I am His messenger.” (Hadith)
In Makkah, his people inflicted him with every kind of suffering, eventually forcing him to emigrate to Madinah, and then waged war on him for five years. However, when he conquered Makkah without bloodshed in the twenty-first year of his Prophethood, he asked the Makkan unbelievers who were awaiting his decision about them: “How do you expect me to treat you?” They responded unanimously: “You are a noble one, the son of a noble one.”
He announced to them his decision: “You may go free! No reproach this day shall be on you; may God forgive you.”
A Mercy for Women: Before the advent of Islam women were often treated worse than animals. The Prophet wanted to put a stop to all cruelties to women. He preached kindness towards them. He told the Muslims: “Fear Allah in respect of women.” And: “The best of you are they who behave best to their wives.” And: “A Muslim must not hate his wife, and if he be displeased with one bad quality in her, let him be pleased with one that is good.” And:”The more civil and kind a Muslim is to his wife, the more perfect in faith he is.” Hazrat Muhammad (SAAS)was very kind and affectionate towards women. Women were very badly treated in those times. The Noble Prophet gave them honor and dignity at par with men in the community.
‘Umar (RA) reported: “We did not have much regard for women while we were at Makkah, but they were better treated in Madinah. Allah’s Messenger established women’s rights through his sayings and commandments, which improved their position and status.”
A Mercy for Children: Allah’s Messenger Muhammad SAAS was particularly compassionate towards children. When he saw a child crying, he sat beside him or her and shared his or her feelings. He felt the pain of a mother for her child more than the mother herself. Once he said: “I stand in prayer and wish to prolong it. However, I hear the cry of a child and cut the prayer short for the anxiety which the mother is feeling.” (Al-Bukhari)
He would take children in his arms and embrace them. He was once hugging his beloved grandsons, Hasan and Hussain, when Aqrah bin Haabis told him, ‘I have got ten children. So far, I have not kissed any of them.’ Allah’s Messenger(SAAS) responded: “The one with no pity for others is not pitied.”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim) According to another version, he said: “What can I do for you if Allah has removed from you the feeling of compassion?” (At-Tirmidhi)
A Mercy for Animals: His compassion encompassed not only human beings, but also animals.The Prophet forbade his companions to keep the unintelligent creatures hungry or thirsty, to disturb or to overburden them. He commended that kindness and putting them at ease were meritorious acts tending to bring man nearer to Allah.
Abu Hurairah reports the Prophet Muhammad SAAS as saying: “A traveler who was thirsty saw a well in the way. He got inside the well and when he came out he saw a dog licking mud due to thirst. The man realized that the dog was as thirsty as him, so he got into the well again, filled his leather sock with water and carried it out holding it with his teeth. Thus, he quenched the thirst of the dog. Allah was pleased with this act of kindness and pardoned his sins.”
The Companions asked: “O Messenger of Allah is there recompense in the matter of beasts and wild animals also?”
The Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) replied: “There is recompense in regard to every creature that has a living heart.” ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar related that the Prophet said: “A woman was cast away to hell only because she had withheld food and water from her cat and refused to set it free so that the cat might satisfy its hunger by eating worms and insects.”
Once on return from a military campaign, a few Companions took away the chicks of a bird from their nest to stroke them. The mother bird came back and began to fly around screeching when it could not find its chicks in the nest. When informed of the matter, Allah’s Messenger became angry and ordered the chicks to be put back in the nest. (Abu Dawood).
The love and compassion of Allah’s Messenger (SAAS) for all kinds of creatures was not of the kind claimed by today’s ‘humanists’. He was sincere and balanced in his love and compassion. He was more compassionate than any other person. He was a Prophet raised by Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of all beings, for the guidance and happiness of conscious beings – mankind and jinn – and the harmony of existence. Therefore, he lived not for himself but for others; he is a mercy for all the world.
The author is pursuing Master’s in Islamic studies at Central University Kashmir. She can be mailed at mirsufaira@gmail.com
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