Islam

Mercy to Mankind

Moulavi A.R.M. Mahroof

In the fifth and sixth centuries the world stood on the verge of a chaos and that mankind was likely to return to the condition of barbarism where every tribe and sect was against the next, fighting each other, law and order were not known.

There wasn’t any hope to bring mankind into unity and to save humanity. At that period of darkness and ignorance Muhammed was born as a mercy to mankind.

Also the Prophet Muhammad was sent as the last prophet. He closed the long line of messengers. He was a living example of the sublime morality of God’s last revelation.

A Muslim needs to try to emulate the behaviour and the morality of the Prophet Muhammad. Allah confirms that in a verse:

“You have an excellent model in the Messenger of Allah, for all who put their hope in Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much” (33:21).

The Prophet’s word “The most perfect believer in respect of faith is he who is best of them in manners” makes clear that ‘manners and morality are the most important components of true faith’. It is therefore an important religious duty to learn about and practice the very best examples of it.

The Prophet’s trust in God: An example to all people

The Prophet by his submission to God, was an example to all people and he warned that people would never have the power to alter anything that came from god:

“...When you ask for anything ask it from Allah, and if you seek help seek from Allah. Know that if the people were to unite to do you some benefit they could benefit you only with what Allah had recorded for you, and that if they were to unite to do you some injury they could injure you only with what Allah had recorded for you...”

Believers must always be patient, take Allah as their helper and sustainer and give thanks to Him, adopt the superior morality of the Prophet and hope for the mercy and compassion.

Throughout his life, however, he showed an interest in each and every person, warned them about their mistakes and failings, and tried to educate them in all matters, from cleanliness to matters of governance.

That compassionate, tolerant, understanding and patient attitude of his was the means by which many people’s hearts warmed to Islam and developed a genuine love for the prophet. Allah describes this pleasing attitude adopted by the Prophet towards those around Him in the Qur’an:

“It is a mercy from Allah that you were gentle with them. If you had been rough or hard of heart, they would have scattered from around you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them.... (3:159)

The Prophet never pressured those around him to accept the religion, nor imposed conditions on them. Instead he always used the pleasantest ways to tell them about it. He always supported the community of the faithful with his strong conscience, and was a benefactor to them at all times.

Those believers who were able to comprehend the conscientiousness of the Prophet regarded him as closer to them than all others, and humbled themselves towards him.

Everyone thought that the Prophet honoured him more. Whoever came to him could see his face. He used to call his companions by their surnames with honour. He also was very affectionate and kind in dealing with the people.

The Prophet’s human love, kind thought and compassion, which turned those around him to true religion and warmed their hearts to faith, is that superior morality which all Muslims should seek to reproduce.

The exemplary justice of the Prophet

Always he was just and tolerant towards those of other religions, races and tribes, and his way of not discriminating between rich and poor, but treating everybody equally.

So, Allah’s Messenger is a great example to all mankind.

The Prophet abided by Allah’s commands, even with such difficult people, and never made any concessions in his implementation of justice. He became an example for all times with the words, “My Lord has commanded justice....” (7:29).

During the time of the Prophet Christians, Jews and pagans were all treated equally. The Prophet abided by the verse “There is no compulsion where the religion is concerned...” (1:256), explain the true religion to everyone, but leave them free to make up their own minds.

The noble attitude of the Prophet being in total harmony with the morality of the Qur’an, should be taken as an example of how members of different religions today should be treated. During his final sermon, the prophet called on Muslims in these terms:

“There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab and for a non-Arab over an Arab; nor for white over the black nor for the black over the white except in piety. Verily the noblest among you is he who is the most pious.”

The Prophet’s glad tidings

In our day, the only solution to the fighting and conflict going on all over the world is to adopt the morality of the Qur’an, and, like the Prophet never to depart from the path of justice, making no distinction between different religions, languages, or races.

The Prophet always warned people against the sufferings to be experienced in Hell, and told them of the desirable future that awaited the good in this world, and of the infinite life of the Paradise in the Hereafter. This characteristic of the Prophet is revealed in the Qur’an thus:

“We have sent you with the Truth, bringing good news and giving warning.” (2:119)

Those who take the Prophet as a model must like him, give people the same glad tidings and warn them. The Prophet himself described how such people ought to behave:

“Make things easy for the people, and do not make it difficult for them, and make them calm (with glad tidings) and do not repulse (them).”

The Prophet lifted burdens from the people, and was a guide to them in tasks that they failed to understand properly, which were otherwise had been too difficult. People are easily prone to making their lives difficult, and to imposing rules upon themselves, by which they falsely believe they have solved their problems.

This particular human characteristic is one of the reasons why the religion has been distorted through the years. Many societies have dreamed up rules that did not actually exist in the religion, and then made themselves and others believe that they would only be truly god-fearing when they adhered to them.

Most considerate and compassionate

One of the Prophet’s most important qualities was the way he lifted such burdens that people had imposed on themselves. Allah speaks of that quality of the Prophet in a verse:

“Those who follow the Messenger, the Ummi, whom they find written down with them in the Torah and the Gospel, commanding them to do right and forbidding them to do wrong, permitting them good things and prohibiting them bad things, relieving them of their heavy loads and the chains which were around them.

Those who believe in him and honour him and help him, and follow the light that has been sent down with him, they are the ones who are successful. (7:157)

The Prophet was a compassionate man, full of love and understanding. He took an interest in the physical and spiritual problems of his friends, relatives and all those around him, and took all appropriate measures to ensure their health, security and happiness.

He took them under his wing, and always bore in mind their lot in the hereafter by encouraging them to remain godly. These features of the Prophet that are an example for all of humanity, are revealed in verses:

“A messenger has come to from among yourselves. Your suffering is distressing to him; he is deeply concerned for you: he is gentle and merciful to the believers.” (10:128)

The Prophet Muhammed was kind to all living beings, who protected the rights of human being, as well as animals. He prescribed to human being to prevent from cruelty and ill treatment of animals and had made kindness to animals, a part of his faith.

Further the Prophet declared that the cruelty to the animals is a sufficient reason for a person to be sent to hell. Another occasion he said ‘There is a reward (in relation to) every living creature’. (Al-Bukhary). Further there are many Traditions (Hadith) of the Prophet reflect the environmental visions about animals: ants, honey bees, hoopoes and sparrows (Abu Dawood).

The Prophet was always courteous

The faithful, who were taught by the Prophet behaved compassionately even towards less fortunate people, verses speak of this, too:

“They give food, despite their love for it, to the poor and orphans and captives: “We feed you only out of desire for the Face of Allah. We do not want any repayment from you or any thanks. Truly we fear from our Lord a glowering, calamitous day.” (76: 8-10)

The Prophet reminded his companions to be compassionate, and was the greatest model for them in that regard:

“Those who have mercy will receive the mercy of the Most Merficul. Have mercy on those who are on earth, the one in heavens will have mercy on you.”

Some of those who surrounded the Prophet were less than well-mannered and cultured. It can be seen from a number of verses that they could not understand how thoughtless they were and that their behaviour could make others uncomfortable.

For instance, verses speak of people entering houses by the back instead of the front, arriving when the Prophet was dining, or else taking up his time by talking for a long time.

The Prophet Muhammad on the other hand, was very thoughtful, courteous, patient and civilized, and treated such people nevertheless with the greatest tolerance.

Also, in the most pleasant manner, he warned those around him against behaviour that would make others uncomfortable, and thus won their sympathy, teaching them through patience and perseverance. That comportment made him an excellent example for all believers.

Prophet Muhammad was never heard speaking loudly in his meeting with people. He was soft spoken and kind hearted. He prevented himself from hurting people by shouting and using harsh words.

He also prohibited noise. Abu Musa, one of his companions, said We were travelling and men started raising their voices in exaltation of God, then the Prophet said ‘O men lower your voice for you are not addressing a deaf or an absent being, but you are addressing Allah who is nearby and can here everything.’

Because of his being both a Messenger of Allah and a head of state, the Prophet was in constant contact with people from all walks of life, from the wealthy leaders of states and tribes to poor, defenceless women and orphans.

He was able to communicate with and win the hearts of people whose social status, ways of life and customs were very different from one another, he exhibited understanding, patience and a desirable attitude.

Anas bin Malik who was raised in the Prophet household and served him for many years, spoke of his matchless kindness:

“Allah’s Messenger that when he shook hands with anyone he did not withdraw his hands till the other man withdrew his. Similarly, he did not turn away his face from anyone till that man turned his face to the other side. And he was never seen to put forward his knees in front of one with whom he was sitting.”

The Prophet’s concern with women’s rights

The Prophet Muhammad was an extremely successful social reformer as well as spiritual and political leader, who championed the rights of the weak and oppressed.

The Quranic verses referring to women had the effect of vastly improving the status and rights of women at the time they were revealed.

Muslim women were granted the right of own, inherit and dispose their property as they were fit; reject force marriages, keep their own names and identities after marriage. Early Muslim women were noted for their learning and accomplishments. The Prophet declared, ‘To seek knowledge is an obligation to every Muslim, male and female’.

The Prophet was most considerate of people as he was sent as mercy to man kind.

Meelad-un-Nabi

Muhamed, the Prophet of Islam,
Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him!
From the dismal abyss of Arabia
Where darkness held sway: He was sent,
As a Mercy and Blessing to mankind.
Can any pen describe his personality?
Of such splendour, service and serenity?
Amidst abuse, torture and persecution.
He resolutely stood with courage in abundance.
To preach about the One True God.
Through logic and reason, to elevate man.
He taught the heedless humanity.
A beautiful, cultured way of life
Unified the warring tribes of Arabia.
A general, a ruler, an intellectual
Who avoided, pomp, glitter and luxury.
Yet, his leadership is unparalleled.
His name in Heaven - Ahamed “One who is praised:
He practised what he preached?
Never missed the obligatory prayers.
A gift he got on the night of Mehraj.
Man’s Covenant with his Lord the Magnificent.
Curb your desires by fasting he advised.
The law is equal for both, the ruler and the ruled.
His religious tolerance, was so unique.
There’no compulsion in religion He declared:
“For you is your religion, for me my religion”
Isn’t his Last Sermon - a Human Charter?
Pray only five times a day.
To strengthen your Faith and submission to His Will
Can any being recognized His Lord,
While flouting His Commands?
Isn’t this the Faith that helps,
With a rigorous fast and sacrifice?
Your bounden duty - The “Zakah” or sharing your wealth.
To make the poor stand on their feet.
Perform Hajj - once, if health and wealth permits
Abolished the system of caste, creed, colour and class.
Avoid lending on interest and cause agony
he admonished.
Knowledge and Science you heritage: So ponder.
On nature, space, time and all creation.
Gave women the right to inherit - raised their status,
Saying - “Paradise lies at thy mother’s feet”
Abhorred alcohol, gambling, hypocrisy and vice.
Emphasized mercy to parents, widows, orphans,
elders and children:
Stressed one care of ecology and environment.
Love thy neighbour - be he a Muslim or non-Muslim.
He was the Quran - his miracle personified.
Let us emulate what he preached and practised.
- Nafeela Muktar