The Prophet as a Mercy to All Worlds: His Forgiveness and Compassion for Unbelievers - Part 2
By
Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam
24 January
2024
This Part
Solely Highlights The Prophet's Benevolence And Pardon. It Recounts An Incident
In Which The Prophet, Instead Of Punishing Or Taking Revenge On The Polytheist Bedouin,
Opted To Show Him Forgiveness. This Story Emphasises The Importance Of These
Qualities And Serves As A Reminder That The All-Powerful Allah Sent The Prophet
(Peace Be Upon Him) As A Mercy To All Worlds.
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When the
Prophet (peace be upon him) was returning on the occasion of the battle of Zaat
Al-Riqa, an incident involving a Bedouin occurred. This incident serves as
another illustration of the prophetic kindness, mercy, and forgiveness for
unbelievers.
According
to Jabir bin Abdullah's narration, he travelled with the Messenger of Allah
(peace be upon him) to Najd to take part in a Ghazwa. He narrates:
“When the
Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) returned, he too returned with him.
Midday came upon them while they were in a valley having many thorny trees. The
Messenger of Allah and the people dismounted and dispersed to rest in the shade
of the trees. The Messenger of Allah rested under a tree and hung his sword on
it. We all took a nap and suddenly we heard the Messenger of Allah calling us.
We woke up to see a Bedouin with him. The Messenger of Allah said, “This
Bedouin took out my sword while I was sleeping and when I woke up, I found the
unsheathed sword in his hand and he challenged me saying, ‘Who will save you
from me?’ I said thrice, ‘Allah.’ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)
did not punish him but sat down.”
According
to another hadith, the polytheist said, “Who will protect you from me?” The
Messenger of Allah replied, “Allah.” As soon as he said this, the sword fell
down from his hand and the Messenger of Allah, catching the sword, asked him,
“Who will protect you from me.” He said, “Please forgive me.” The Messenger of
Allah (peace be upon him) let him go. The Bedouin then went back to his
companions and said: “I have come to you from one of the best of mankind”.
(Sahih Bukhari: 4135)
This
incident exemplifies the mercy and forgiveness of Allah's Messenger (peace be
upon him). This further demonstrates his whole trust in Allah, which is
something we desperately need in our lives. The Almighty Allah states in the
Quran:
“And He
will provide him from (sources) he could never imagine. And whoever puts their
trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish His
purpose. Indeed, Allah has set a measure for all things.’ [65:3]
Ghaurath
son of al-Harith was the name of that Bedouin polytheist. Even though the
Messenger of Allah had complete control and might over the non-Muslim Bedouin,
he chose not to take revenge for the deadly tragedy and the murderous plot. He
did not threaten him for his transgression, nor did he utilise his authority to
exact revenge. He was merciful and offered him forgiveness. According to a
narration, it was the outcome of his mercy and kindness that the Bedouin
embraced Islam. (Fathul Bari, the commentary on Sahih Bukhari, 7/428)
Despite the
harsh and impolite attitude of the Taifites, the Prophet (peace be upon him)
exhibited a great deal of kindness, mercy, compassion, sympathy, and patience,
as we saw in the first section of the article. Rather than punishing or taking
revenge on the Bedouin, as we have seen in this second section of the article,
the Prophet's gesture of forgiveness and kindness emphasises the importance of
these qualities. It was as a mercy to all worlds that the All-Powerful Allah
sent him.
(Continued)
Part
1: The Prophet as a Mercy to All Worlds: His Moral
Conduct and Compassion for Unbelievers - Part 1
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Kaniz
Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam.
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic
Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism