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(peace be upon him)
(…continued )
Setting the personal example
HE told the people that “every religion has some special characteristic, that of Islam being modesty.” In the absence of such a virtue, no community can have lasting peace. The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him)’s own modesty, coupled with great strength of character, is depicted in a well-known story of an old Makkan woman who hated the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). Every morning when the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) passed by her house, she would empty a basket of rubbish on his head from the upper story of her house. He never once remonstrated with her about this.
One day, when the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) passed through this area, no rubbish fell on his head. Thinking that the old woman must be ill, he went upstairs to inquire how she was, and found her ill in bed. When she discovered that the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) had come to see her, she began to weep, “I ill-treated you, and now you come to inquire after my health!” Ultimately, she became one of his followers. What strength of character, what patience and tolerance the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) exercised in refusing to be provoked, preferring rather to show kindness and magnanimity to one who had wished him ill.
Maintaining high morals
His was a high moral character, so that even if badly treated by others, he went on returning good for evil. People harmed him, yet he would pray for them. He would remain patient in the face of oppression and, regardless of the provocation, he would refrain from becoming incensed. In setting this example, his aim was to fashion souls that were God-oriented, that found Allah so great that everything else paled into insignificance. He wanted everyone to have such boundless peace of mind that nothing could disturb him. Such balanced individuals would never then become prey to worldliness. Totally free from negative reaction, they would then be able to turn everything in this world, whether material or spiritual, into food for more profound thought, rather than into pretexts for rash and vengeful action.
Divine instruction to the Prophet (peace be upon him)
The essence of this philosophy is expressed in one of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him)’s sayings: “Nine things the Lord has commanded me: “Fear of Allah in private and in public; justice, whether in anger or in calmness; moderation in both poverty and affluence; that I should join hands with those who break away from me; and give to those who deprive me; and forgive those who wrong me; and that my silence should be meditation; and my words be the remembrance of Allah; and my vision be keen observation.”
Constant quest for peace
Throughout the first thirteen years of his Mission, Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) preached in Makkah, but it was in the face of bitter opposition from the Makkans. When it became impossible for him to stay there, he left for Madinah. Wars were waged against him, but he showed his antagonists that the power of peace was far greater than that of war. The peace treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah is a clear example of this, when the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) agreed to every demand his antagonists made on the sole assurance that peace would subsequently prevail.
Determination and steadfastness
His life’s experience ranged from poverty to prosperity, from defeat to success, yet whatever the degree of well-being or hardship, he steadfastly trod the path of moderation. At all times and right until the end, he remained a patient and grateful servant of The Almighty, bringing his message of peace and tolerance to mankind.
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department
P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected]
