Islam and Tolerance by Ubqari

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Islam And Tolerance

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Treatment of Non-Muslims By The Prophet (May Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) of Islam

Shaikh-ul-Wazaaif, Hazrat Hakeem Tariq Mehmood Majzoobi Chughtai PhD, USA

August 23, 2014

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Islam and Tolerance

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Office of Monthly Ubqari Center of Peace and Spirituality, 78/3, Ubqari Street Near Qartaba Mosque, Mazang Chongi, Lahore Pakistan

Copyrights are Reserved With Ubqari Institute

Title: Treatment of Non-Muslims By The Prophet (May Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) of Islam Author: Shaikh-ul-Wazaaif, Hazrat Hakeem Tariq Mehmood Majzoobi Chughtai Publisher: Office of Monthly Ubqari, Center of Peace and Spirituality, 78/3, Ubqari Street, Near Qartaba Mosque, Mazang Chongi, Lahore, Pakistan Edition: First

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Prologue

Contents

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1 Islam and Tolerance 1.1 Prohibition of Inappropriate Words . 1.1.1 O Allah! Bestow Upon Them 1.1.2 Did not Complain at All . . . 1.1.3 I Had Different Expectations From You . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 Tolerance of Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) During The Incident of Ifk . . . . . . . . . . 1.3 Hosted Christians in Masjid-e-Nabwi 1.3.1 Hospitality Towards the Delegation of Taaif . . . . . . . . 1.3.2 Hospitality Towards the Ambassadors of Ethiopia . . . . . 1.3.3 Reaction to a Disgusting Act

18 19 20 21 21

21 25 25 26 26

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Affection and Mercy Towards Non-Muslims . . . . . . . . . 1.3.5 O Allah! Show guidance to Dose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 Release Them After Charging Fine . 1.4.1 Keep the Prisoners Like Guests 1.4.2 If You Capture Them, Act With Mercy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 Preach Islam With Kindness . . . . . 1.5.1 Generosity Towards Enemies . 1.6 Generosity Towards Enemies . . . . . 1.7 Go! Today All of You Are Free . . . 1.8 Abu Jahal’s Attempt to Assassinate Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (May Allah’s Peace and Blessings be Upon Him . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.9 Face Drenched in Blood, But No Complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.9.1 For the Intellectually Curious 1.10 Gentle Treatment of the Prisoners of War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.11 A Humane Constitution of War . . . 1.12 Muslims Even Gave Their Own Food to the Prisoners . . . . . . . . . . . 1.12.1 A Strange Pledge of Abu Sufiyan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.12.2 The Pledge of Abu Sufiyaan’s Wife . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 37

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1.3.4

40 44 46 47 48 50 51 51

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1.13 Flames of Revenge in Makkah and the Elegant Conduct of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 1.13.1 A Prisoner of War, Abu alAasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Accepts Islam . . . . . 53 1.14 Courtesy of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) Upon Being Surrounded By A Jew . 54 1.14.1 Can the World Present Such an Example... ? . . . . . . . . 56 1.15 The Incident of the Keys of Kaaba . 57 1.16 Never Complained About the Slanderers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 1.16.1 Invitation of Islam to the Chiefs of Taaif . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 1.17 A Shower of Stones on Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 1.17.1 Disposition Towards Servants 64 1.17.2 O Lord! Shower Flowers on the Land of Stones . . . . . . 65 1.18 Prayer for Infidels of Makkah . . . . 67 1.19 General Amnesty for Murderers and Tyrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 1.19.1 Finding Three Major Criminals and Pardoning Them . . 69 1.20 Generous Treatment Towards an Old Enemy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 1.21 Height of Benevolence and Happy Prisoners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

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1.21.1 Generosity of a Companion With a non-Muslim Child and His Mother . . . . . . . . . . Prisoners Refused to Go Back . . . . Treatment of Enemies in a Dignified Manner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.23.1 Ordained to Talk Politely With Pharaoh . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.23.2 Extreme Tolerance in Spite of Misbehavior . . . . . . . . . . Elegant Treatment Towards the Worst Enemy of Islam . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.24.1 Capture of Sumamah (RA) and His Coming to Medina . . . . 1.24.2 Freedom of Sumamah (RA) . 1.24.3 Acceptance of Islam . . . . . Assassins Became Chauvinists . . . . 1.25.1 Freedom of Wahab bin Umair 1.25.2 Poverty of Abu Azzah, the Poet Coming of Hazrat Sumamah to Makkah for Umrah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.26.1 Associating Sumamah (RA) With Irreligiousness . . . . . . 1.26.2 Nobody Was Ever Returned Empty-Handed . . . . . . . . Affection For the Sons of Abu Lahab Forgiveness, Patience and Prohibition of Bloodshed . . . . . . . . . . .

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1.26

w 1.25

1.27 1.28

73 74 76 77 78 79

1.24

1.22 1.23

79 80 81 82 82 83 85

86 87 87 89

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1.32 1.33

1.31

1.28.1 The Recommendation to Forgive Upon Gaining Authority 90 Prayer for the Forgiveness of The Quraish 91 Oppression of the Infidels of Makkah Before Migration . . . . . . . . . . . 93 1.30.1 Prayer For the Infidels of Quraish 94 A Prayer in the Favor of the Tribe of Dose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 1.31.1 The Acceptance of Islam by the Mother of Abu Hurairah (RA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Elegant Behavior With Barbaric Jews 97 Contempt About Oppressing Birds and Insects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 1.33.1 Killing an Enemy With Torture100 Funeral Prayers for the Worst Enemy of Islam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 1.34.1 The Intention to Pray for Forgiveness for an Enemy of Islam for More Than Seventy Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 1.34.2 The Suggestion of Hazrat Umar Farooq RA . . . . . . . . . . 104 The Apology of a Beduin and Mercy of Hazrat Muhammad may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace and blessings be upon him . . 105 Bestowment Upon Maalik bin Auf . . 107 1.36.1 The Honor of Faith . . . . . . 107 1.36.2 Heavenly Teaching . . . . . . 108

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1.29 1.30

1.34

1.35

1.36

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1.37 Transformation of the Nest of Conspiracies into a Sanctuary of Peace . 109 1.37.1 Breaking of Manaat by Ibne-Harb . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 1.38 Announcement of Absolution for the Murderer of Companions . . . . . . . 111 1.39 Elegant Conduct of Apostle of Allah (PBUH) and Peace in Makkah . . . . 114 1.40 Persecution by the People of Taaif . . 116 1.40.1 The Refusal to Destroy the People of Taaif . . . . . . . . 118 1.41 Concessions to the Christians of Najraan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 1.41.1 Reverence of the Christian Religion During the Era of Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) . . . . . . . 120 1.42 Apology of Impostors to Hazrat AbuBakar (RA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 1.42.1 Punishment of a Blasphemous Person and Annoyance of Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) . . . . . . . 122 1.43 Religious Independence of non-Muslims124 1.43.1 Security of the Rights of NonMuslims . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 1.44 Abject Plight of Christians and Jews 125 1.44.1 A Change in the Plight of nonMuslims . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 1.45 Tolerance Towards Christians and Jews129

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1.50

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1.49

1.48

1.47

1.46

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1.45.1 The Pact of Hazrat Muhammad (may Allah’s peace be upon him) With the Jews of Medina . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 1.45.2 Basic Points of the Pact . . . 130 1.45.3 Brutality Against non-Muslims! Never!! . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Tolerance of Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) for a Jew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Conduct With Christians . . . . . . . 135 1.47.1 An Interesting Event of Elegant Treatment . . . . . . . . 136 Guarding the Rights of Religious Rights of the Christians . . . . . . . . . . . 137 1.48.1 Audacity, Generosity and Imartiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Prohibition of Muslims to Occupy nonMuslims’ Properties and Wealth . . . 139 1.49.1 Prohibition of Barbaric Occupation of non-Muslims . . . 140 1.49.2 Illegitimacy of Buying nonMuslims Lands . . . . . . . . 141 Opinions of Hazrat Umar (RA) on His Death Bed . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 1.50.1 Keep the Doors Open for the Needy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Hazrat Umar (RA) and His Christian Slave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

1.51

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1.51.1 Elegant Conduct of the Companions (RA) . . . . . . . . . 145 Highest Example of Tolerance . . . . 146 1.52.1 When a non-Muslim Said: No Doubt Your Prophet is Truthful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 A Strange Way of Dealing With the non-Muslim of Jerusalem . . . . . . . 148 Peace and Protection for Life, Property and the Church and Temples . . 150 The Elegant Strategy of Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 1.55.1 Elegant Treatment of a Qibti Moneyed . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Treatment of Non-Muslims During the Time of Treason and Revolt . . . 153 Hazrat Umar (RA) and his Handling of Mutinies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 Muslims in the Roman Empire . . . . 157 Tolerance of Hazrat Usman (May Allah be Pleased With Him) . . . . . . 159 1.59.1 Elegant Treatment of the Christians of Najraan . . . . . . . . 161 Religious Tolerance of Hazrat Ali AlMurtaza(May Allah Be Pleased With Him) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 1.60.1 Popularity of Hazrat Ali (RA) 163 The Kindness of Hazrat Ali (RA) Towards Non-Muslims . . . . . . . . . . 164

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1.55

1.54

1.53

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1.52

1.58 1.59

1.57

1.56

1.60

1.61

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1.67 1.68

1.64 1.65 1.66

1.61.1 Conspiracies of Khaarijis and Elegant Treatment of Hazrat Ali (RA) . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 How Yemen Became a Muslim Country167 Tolerance of Hazrat Ali (RA) Towards Non-Muslims . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 1.63.1 A Decision in Favor of a Christian Thief . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Getting Along With Christians . . . 171 Conversion of a Fire-Worshipper . . . 173 Love and Adoration of Hazrat Khawaja Moin-ud-din Chishti . . . . . . . . . 177 An Interesting Incident . . . . . . . . 178 Mystery of Sheikh Jalal-ud-din and a Hindu Yogi . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 The Elegant Conduct of Saaien Tawakkal Shah Anbaalwi (RA) . . . . . . . . . 183 1.69.1 Care for a Hindu Neighbor . . 184 Restoration of the Archbishop . . . . 184 Good Demeanor of a Friend of Allah 186 Hazrat Ba-Yazeed Bastaami and His Jewish Neighbor . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 The Sufi Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Forgiveness and Mercy and Benevolence Towards Enemies . . . . . . . . 191 1.74.1 Encouragement and Affection 192 Tolerance of a Sufi . . . . . . . . . . 193 Matters Concerning Trade . . . . . . 195 Sympathy Towards a Christian Lady 197

1.62 1.63

1.73 1.74

1.70 1.71 1.72

1.69

1.75 1.76 1.77

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1.78 On Courteous Behavior . . . . . . . . 199 1.78.1 Signs of Courteous Behavior . 200 1.79 Love Your Neighbor As You Love Yourself . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 1.80 Conquest of Samarkand . . . . . . . 202 1.81 The Story of a Pirate Who Used to Rob Christians and Jews . . . . . . . 204 1.82 Universal Love . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 1.83 Advice of Behaving Nicely With a Polytheistic Woman . . . . . . . . . . 208 1.84 Treatment of non-Muslims With Love and Affection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

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2 Worship Places of non-Muslims, Their Rights and our Obligations 213 2.1 Islam as a Peaceful and a Calm Religion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 2.2 A Wonderful Message of Peace, Wellbeing and Peace for the Whole Humanity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 2.3 Those Three Who Died Were Not of Hindus, They Were Ours . . . . . . . 216 2.4 Islamic Teachings and Security of the Worship Places of non-Muslims . . . 218 2.5 An Appeal of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) to Allah Almighty on Behalf of a NonMuslim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 2.6 Same Rules for Muslims and nonMuslims in Islam . . . . . . . . . . . 219

Islam and Tolerance 2.7

There is no Compulsion in Religion According to Islam . . . . . . . . . . 220 A Pact for Polytheists and Muslims . 220 Respect of Worship Places of nonMuslims by Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)221 The Companions (RA) Gave a Written Guarantee for the Security of the Churches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Conquest of Egypt and Freedom of Worship to the Christians . . . . . . 223 The Grand Mosque of Damascus and a Place Associated With a Church . . 223 It is Forbidden Even to Look at nonMuslims With an Evil Eye . . . . . . 224 Gifts for the Persistently Tormenting non-Muslims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Hospitality Towards a non-Muslim Neighbor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226 Love and Affection With the nonMuslim Prisoners of the Battle of Badr226 Common Amnesty for the non-Muslim Who Disturbed for the Whole Night 226 Imam Azam (RA) Himself Freed a Drunkard non-Muslim from Prison . 227 Tasbih Khana and Concern for the Sleep of the non-Muslims . . . . . . . 228 Accountability of Allah Upon Disturbing a non-Muslimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sleep . . . . 229 The Message of Tasbih Khana Lahore 229

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2.13

2.12

2.11

2.10

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2.8 2.9

2.17

2.18

2.16

2.15

2.14

2.19 2.20 2.21

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2.22 Tolerance and Openheartedness of Saladin With non-Muslims . . . . . . . 230 2.23 Saladin and Christians . . . . . . . . 231 2.24 The Elegant Treatment of non-Muslims by Mughal Emperors . . . . . . . . . 232 2.25 Mughals Always Protected the Worship Places of non-Muslims . . . . . . 233 2.26 non-Muslim, Muslim Riots Were Never Heard, Read or Written About During the Reign of the Mughals . . . . 233 2.27 A Verification of the Encyclopedia of Britannia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 2.28 Height of Tolerance With non-Muslims235 2.29 Muslim Rulers As Well Wishers of the Protection of Worship Places of the non-Muslims . . . . . . . . . . . 235 2.30 Rule of Justice Without National, Racial and Religious Boundries . . . . . . . 236 2.31 Treatment of the Christians in the Ottoman Empire . . . . . . . . . . . 236 2.32 A Wonderful Example of Mercy Towards non-Muslims . . . . . . . . . . 237 2.33 Ten Wills of Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique (RA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 2.34 Hazrat Abu Ubaida (RA) and the Protection of Their Life and Property and Worship Places . . . . . . . 239 2.35 Protection of Hazrat Umar (RA) to the Churches . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240

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Epilogue

241 242 243 244 244 245 246

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2.36 Wonderful Behavior of Hazrat Umar (RA) With the non-Muslims . . . . . 2.37 Hazrat Umar (RA) Thought About non-Muslims Even on His Deathbed . 2.37.1 Tolerance of Bani Ummayya With the non-Muslims . . . . 2.38 Love and Affection With the nonMuslim Populace . . . . . . . . . . . 2.39 Muslim Ruler and Protection of a Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.40 Elegant Treatment of non-Muslims and Their Worship Places . . . . . . 2.41 Tolerance of Moatassim Billah . . . . 2.42 Common Tolerance of Abbasids With non-Muslims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.43 The Caliph of the Time Took Part in the Funeral Prayers of a Christian Physician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.44 Hospitality of a Christian Historian .

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248 248 250 251

Index

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List of Acronyms

Bibliography

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Prologue

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During the reign of Ibrahim Lodhi, an issue of demolishing a Hindu temple arose during construction. The Hindus were not giving permission to demolish it. A acclaimed mufti of Muslims was called in the court to advise. On hearing the complete account, the mufti delivered a fatwa that the temple could not be demolished. Although this decision was incommodious for the King and the public, but he stood by his words. And the history is witness to this account that the temple was not destroyed.

The religion of Islam is not only peaceful for Muslims, but it also holds clear principles for the safety of the whole human society. The verse of Quran, Whoever kills a soul, it is as if he has slain mankind entirely, is in reality an expression of the summary of an unseen relationship amongst every individual, sect, religion, class and nation. The history of Islam is witness that whenever a ruler implemented

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Ikhlaq-e-Muhammadi as a superior ethical code in an Islamic Kingdom, then in his reign, non-Muslims and their places of worship were protected as well as those of the Muslims. And they were provided with the same religious and social freedom as the Muslims. Each epoch is ornate with innumerable auspicious events due to which not only the Islamic history is proud, rather the non-Muslims historians have also mentioned them in an impressive and appraising manner. The bright examples of these events are the circumstances of Ahl-e-Allah. Baba Fareeds (RA) brotherhood and tolerance with the followers of Sikh religion is not at all a secret. His name is present in the holy books of Sikh religion as a religious leader. Khuwaja Moin-ud-Din Chishtis (RA) behavior, his benevolence, and humanitarianism is a true reality that is even remembered today. Hazrat Khuwaja Abdullah (RA) says that be a flower and not a thorn, be a friend and not a stranger. All such incidents, events, stories and accounts are a small glimpse of Islams tolerance towards the non-Muslims.

The humanitarian teachings of Ahl-e-Allah is a proof in itself of this reality that the true followers of Islam not only held sincere love for non-Muslims in their hearts, Rather their affection would tie the non-Muslims in their golden chain of love. In the current times when the whole world is en-

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gulfed in turbulence of violence, troubles and the mutual distances are increasing more than ever, it is needed more than ever to understand the true teachings of Islam and build the relation of humanity anew with a foundation of sincerity, bricks of love and mortar of elegant behavior. And a message should be delivered to the whole world that Islam is the religion of peace, brotherhood and love. Be it east or west, north or south, poor or rich, literate or illiterate, a high ranking official or poor labor, all of us are brothers.

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This book is a small effort to bring into notice the mutual tolerance and association amongst the Muslims and non-Muslims. If from the burning incinerator of hatred, even a single spark is kindled, I would not consider that my efforts have been wasted. Come! Become my companion in this mission and spread this message of The Centre of Peace and Spirituality in the world.

Desirous of Sincerity and Compliance

Lahore, Pakistan, August 23, 2014

Hakeem Muhammad Tariq Mehmood Chughtai Majzoobi

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Chapter 1

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Islam and Tolerance

Prohibition of Inappropriate Words

1.1

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As Muslims we are all followers of an extremely humane and genteel Prophet (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace and blessings be upon him). He had an exemplary attitude toward non-Muslims. You may have read about it in the previous episodes of the Ubqari magazine. Now read about it and the enlightened lives of his followers in this book. Think, the power of decision rests with you.

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Once Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) advised about a few things to Hazrat

Jaabir bin Saleem ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . One of them was

to not to badmouth anyone. He said that after that he not only refrained from badmouthing human beings, he refrained from using inhumane words viz a viz camels and goats.

Islam and Tolerance 1.1.1

O Allah! Bestow Upon Them

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The humiliation of the wealthy people of Taaif was a lot more severe than the defeat of Uhad for Hazrat Muhammad (may Allah’s peace be upon him). However, after that year during the battle of Taaif when on one hand they were firing stones from catapults towards the Muslims, on the other hand a personification of forgiveness and mercy human, Hazrat Muhammad (may Allah’s peace be upon him), himself was praying for them, “O Allah! Bestow upon them and bow them on the door of Islam.” Thus, this is what happened. In 9 AH when one their convoy came to Medina, Hazrat Muhammad (may Allah’s peace be upon him) received them in the mosque as guests and treated them with respect and dignity.

Islam and Tolerance 1.1.2

Did not Complain at All

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@

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Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ .

From among the Jews of Medina, Labaid bin Aasam, cast a magic spell upon Hazrat Muhammad Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; However, he

did not complain at all.

Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

When Hazrat Ayesha

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I Had Different Expectations From You

1.1.3

the people.â&#x20AC;?

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P inquired more, you Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

do not want to start an uprising

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I among

Tolerance of Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) During The Incident of Ifk

1.2

When Zaid bin Saana was a jew, he was a barter trader. Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) borrowed some money from him. There were a few days left in completion of the period in which it had to be paid back...

One of the extremely tormenting event of the life of Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) was that of Ifk. The hypocrites had cast

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an aspersion on your pious and chaste wife Hazrat Ayesha ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . The hypocrites made such

a propaganda about this baseless incident that the whole Medina became affected due to this mischief. As a result of this the Muslim society of Medina started facing a crisis. And Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) himself was so upset about that. But even under these troubling circumstances Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) did not give up on tolerance and courtesy.

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Once Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) was going to visit Hazrat Saad bin

Abaada ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P as he was sick. There was

a gathering of people on the way. Perhaps it was a meeting. As you stopped the chief of hypocrites, Abdullah bin Abi, covered his nose with his shawl due to the dust of the arrival of horses. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;look, do not scatter dust.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) took advantage of this gathering and invited people to accept Islam.

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Abdullah bin Abi said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do not like what you are saying. If this is the truth then do not disturb us in the meeting and go back from where you have come. Tell this to the person who comes to you from among us.â&#x20AC;?

Upon listening to this Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawaaha

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;He Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; will def

harshly. initely come.â&#x20AC;? Upon this he replied rather

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The conversation intensified into a baffle and ultimately swords were drawn. Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) mediated and re solved the issue. After this gathering you ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ went to Hazrat Saad bin Ibaada Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ and said to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Did you listen to Abdul

lah?â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Ibaada ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Prophet

of Allah! You should not lend an ear to what he says. This is the person for whom the people of Medina had prepared a crown before you had come,

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so that he could be donned (and that they could make him their king). But when due to the truth that Allah has bestowed upon you, his plan failed, he became humiliated.â&#x20AC;? (and due to this humiliation he speaks such a vain language).

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Many incidents of this kind can be found in your life that show that even in the most detestable and

the disgusting circumstances, you ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Â&#x201C; Ăş Ă&#x17D; most

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ acted with patience. This shows that you were the best personification and appearance of Allah Almightyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trait of tolerance and forgiveness. You advised the Ummah the same thing that even in the most difficult, undesirable and testing situations, they should not give up on forgiveness and tolerance.

Islam and Tolerance 1.3

Hosted Christians in Masjid-e-Nabwi

i.o

In 9 AH a delegation of Christians comprising 60 people from Najraan came to Hazrat Muhammad (may Allah’s peace be upon him). Hazrat Muhammad (may Allah’s peace be upon him) hosted them in masjid-e-Nabwi and also allowed them to worship in their own way. Hazrat Muhammad (may Allah’s peace be upon him) also showed extreme hospitality towards them. These were the people whom Hazrat Muhammad (may Allah’s peace be upon him) invited for Mubaahila, but they could not dare to accept that.

Hospitality Towards the Delegation of Taaif

1.3.1

When a delegation of Taaif from banu Qaseef came to Hazrat Muhammad (may Allah’s peace be upon him), you yourself treated them with a lot of hospitality. Although these were the same people who had shown extreme hostility towards Islam, even more than the infidels of Makkah.

Islam and Tolerance

Hospitality Towards the Ambassadors of Ethiopia

1.3.2

Reaction to a Disgusting Act

1.3.3

i.o

Once ambassadors sent by the Negus of Ethiopia came to Hazrat Muhammad peace be (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upon him). You Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; yourself started serving them and treated them with hospitality. The companions of Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Prophet of Allah! Please keep sitting, we are present here for serving them.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;When the Muslims went to Ethiopia these people served them. Now it is my duty to serve them.â&#x20AC;?

Once upon a time a non-Muslim stayed as a guest with Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) at his house. He intentionally ate so much

Islam and Tolerance

i.o

that he did not leave anything for his ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° family. The result of this was that he started suffering from loose motions due to indigestion. He even made his bowl on the bed. In the morning, due to embarrassment, instead of coming to Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him), he got up and left.

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

i.o

In the morning when Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) woke up he saw that the guest was absent and that the bed had become filthy. Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) started washing it with his own hands. The companions said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Prophet of Allah! We are present. We shall wash the bed ourselves. You should not worry.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat

Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;No, no, that person was my guest so this is my duty to serve him.â&#x20AC;?

On his way the non-Muslim recalled that he had left his sword behind while fleeing in a hurry. He went back to get his sword and saw that Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) was

washing his bed with his Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; own hands. When Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) saw him. He did not

Islam and Tolerance

bring a single word on his lips about his act. He Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; only said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Brother! You had forgotten your sword here. Take it with you.â&#x20AC;?

Affection and Mercy Towards NonMuslims

1.3.4

i.o

Upon seeing the good conduct of Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) the rust of infidelity at once removed from his heart and he embraced Islam immediately.

i.o

I am Not the One Who Would Curse

In Makkah non-Muslims had given so much severe punishments to Muslims and Hazrat Muhammad

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; (may peace be upon him) that his Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ companions used to become hopeless. Once companions said to Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him), â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Rasool Allah! Please pray for the polytheists.â&#x20AC;? The prophet of Allah Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be

Islam and Tolerance

O Allah! Show guidance to Dose

i.o

1.3.5

upon him)replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have not been sent as the one who would curse. I have only been sent as a blessing.â&#x20AC;?

i.o

Hazrat Tufail bin Amar Dosi ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was sent

by Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) to the tribe of Dose to preach Islam. When

Hazrat Tufail ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P could not become suc cessful in his endeavors, he came to Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) after loosing all and started saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Rasool Allah Â&#x201C; hope, Ăş Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ! Death be upon all the people of the tribe of Dose, because they have shown disobe dience and refused to obey. You Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; should curse them.â&#x20AC;? The companions thought that Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) was going to curse them. But Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) lifted his

Islam and Tolerance

Release Them After Charging Fine

1.4

i.o

hands and prayed to Allah Almighty like this, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Allah! Give guidance to the tribe of Dose and bring them back after making them Muslims.â&#x20AC;?

i.o

The prisoners of the battle of Badr were initially divided among the companions. Afterwards, after

consulting with his Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; companions Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is your suggestion regarding Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique

ĂŠ J ÂŤ these

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚprisoners?â&#x20AC;? Â&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Rasool Allah! They should

all be freed after being charged some fine.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Umar ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hazrat Muhammad (may

Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) these are the imams of infidelity and polytheism. Allah has given us superiority over them. That is why we should take revenge from them for the blood and barbarity they have been showing towards the Muslims and they

Islam and Tolerance

should be killed.â&#x20AC;?

Keep the Prisoners Like Guests

1.4.1

i.o

But Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) showed affection and mercy and liked

the suggestion of Hazrat Abu Bakar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

and left all the prisoners after charging them fines.

i.o

Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) had distributed the prisoners of the battle of Badr among his companions. And he ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° had advised them to keep them with care and comfort. Thus, what the companions did with them was that they would give them the food to eat and they themselves used to eat dates. One prisoner said that the Ansaari that kept him in his house was so generous that he used to put the food in front of me and would eat dates himself. I used to feel embarrassed and I used to give the bread back to him. But he used to insist and give the bread

Islam and Tolerance

i.o

If You Capture Them, Act With Mercy

1.4.2

back to me while saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been ordered by Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) to keep the guests with comfort.â&#x20AC;?

i.o

She-camels of Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) used to gaze in the fields of Zee-Qara. A few people of the Jewish tribe of Ghatfaan in vaded them and killed the son of Abu Zarr Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ and who had been appointed to take care of them, and captured his wife along with 20 shecamels. Upon knowing Muslims followed them and they entered a narrow pass. Among the Muslims

Hazrat Abu Zarr ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was an adroit archer.

He was the first one who came to know about the incident. He quickly reached the attackers. They were feeding the camles with water. Salma Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ started throwing arrows and they ran away.

Hazrat Salma ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P followed them and

fought with them and snatched all the camels back.

Islam and Tolerance

i.o

Upon back Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; coming

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Ibn-e-Akwa! When you get hold of the enemy, act with mercy.â&#x20AC;? [Ali and BukhÂŻarÂŻÄą, 1944] Preach Islam With Kindness

1.5

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ . And Allah and Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prophet Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ also love him.â&#x20AC;?

ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă°

i.o

Rest of the fortresses had been conquered easily in the battle of Khyber, but in the castle of Qamoos there was the throne of Marhab. Its expedition took a long time. Initially various renowned companions were sent on this expedition, but the pride of victory was destined for someone else. One evening Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tomorrow I shall give the flag to that person upon whose hands Allah will give us victory. And the one who loves Allah and his prophet Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

The companions spent the whole night anxiously to see that who would get the crown of pride. In the morning Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where is Ali?â&#x20AC;? This was a totally

Islam and Tolerance

Generosity Towards Enemies

1.5.1

i.o

call. Because the eyes of Ali ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠunexpected

JÂŤ hurt and everyone knew that under this plight he could not fight in a battle. Anyhow, he came to Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) as he had been demanded. Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) rubbed his spit on his eyes and prayed. When he was bestowed upon with the knowledge he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Rasool Allah! Would we fight with the Jews and make them Muslims?â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Say Salam to them politely. Even if one person accepts Islam due to your preaching, it is better than finding red camels.â&#x20AC;? (Red camels were very precious in Arabia and the Arabs used to value them a lot)

After the victory in the battle of Hanain the possessions that were captured by the Muslims and the prisoners, Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) decided to keep them safe. And then to confront the army of the enemies who had hidden in the fortress of Taaif, and were planning for

Islam and Tolerance

Generosity Towards Enemies

1.6

i.o

a new battle, He Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; took the

Muhamarmy of Muslims towards Taaif. Hazrat mad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) kept the fortress under siege for 20 days. And when they became satisfied that there was no threat from the army gathered in the fortress, they came back.

i.o

After reaching here Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) waited for a few days that when the relatives of the prisoners of the battle of Hunain would come, they would talk about release. But when after passing of many days nobody came, Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) distributed the prisoners and the captured goods of battle among the Muslims.

When the distribution completed, a delegation of the tribe of Hawaazan, who had fought a battle with Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be

Islam and Tolerance

i.o

upon him) came to him Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Prophet of Allah! We belong to a pious family. The calamity that has befallen us is known to you, Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him), be generous with us. Allah would be generous with you.â&#x20AC;?

i.o

A chief of this tribe, Zubair, stood up and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Rasool Allah! The women that are imprisoned here, among them are your aunts and those women who have groomed and nourished you. By Allah! If anyone among the kings of Arabia had drank the milk of our family, we would have had hopes with them. But with you we have very high hopes.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ok tell me that whether you like your women and children more or your wealth and belongings?â&#x20AC;? They said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Rasool Allah! If you have given us the authority to choose one thing then give us our women. They are more dear to us.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I waited for you for may days. But you did not come. I have distributed the possessions of people and prisoners among the Muslims. I have returned to you the prisoners that came under mine and my familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possession. The scheme regarding the rest of the prisoners is that when I finish my prayers, then stand in the congregation and we make Ra sool Allah Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; as guardian and

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request Muslims and make Muslims as guardians and request Rasool Allah Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; and

ask them to return our women and children.

i.o

Thus, the people of Hawaazan did the same thing and made request after their the prayers. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I give you

share.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; How could my and banu-Abdul-Mutallibâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ansaar and the immigrants that (muhaajir) bare Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; free

theirs his share of prisoners and they captivated instead. They immediately said together, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We also give our share to Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

i.o

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° .â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Like this Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° fulfilled his promise with Hawaazan and re-

Go! Today All of You Are Free

1.7

turned their six thousand prisoners.

Makkah was conquered in Ramadhan, 8 AH. The city in which the infidels had tormented Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) and his companions in numerous ways and had per

suaded them to migrate. You Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

entered the city in such a dignified manner that an army of 10,000 loyalists was with you. Hazrat

Islam and Tolerance

i.o

Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) had announced that a person who would take refuge in the Kabba would be spared. The person who would sit in his house would also remain safe. And who would refuge in the house of Abu Sufyan

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ take Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P would also remain safe.

i.o

This Abu Sufyan ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was the same

person who was an extreme enemy of Islam. Who had attacked Madina again and again. Who had provoked Arabs against the Muslims. And who had himself conspired in assassinating Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him). But now he had embraced Islam a short time ago. And Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) had forgotten all of his previous mischiefs and had given him respect and had made his house a refuge for the infidels. As Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) entered Makkah, he went straight to the Kaaba. He threw away the idols that were placed there. Then he entered the Kaaba. The pictures that were there on the walls, they were

Islam and Tolerance

i.o

rubbed. The idols that were placed there were taken out. After that Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) addressed the people. After the address Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) looked at the congregation. Renowned infidels were present.

i.o

Among them were those who had worked all the time for opposing Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him). They had not spared any effort in destroying Islam. They had hurt the Muslims. They had punished them in various ways. They had planted thorns in the ways of Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him). They <Ă&#x2039;@ Â&#x201C;

had said undesirable things viz a viz you ĂŠ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ . Among them were those who had

assassinated your Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; companions.

And who had assassinated the uncle of Hazrat also ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; , Hazrat Hamza Â&#x192; Muhammad Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x17D; Ă°

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . You looked

one of them and at each

then asked, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;O people of the Quraish! How do you

expect me to treat you today?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; All the people said together, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We expect you to treat us kindly. You are our noble brother. You are the of son our noble

brother.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

was a blessings both for this world and the here after. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Go, today all of you are free.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; A person

Islam and Tolerance

Abu Jahalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attempt to Assassinate Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (May Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Peace and Blessings be Upon Him

1.8

i.o

from among the infidels moved towards you, and his body started shivering due to and his legs fear quivered. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

saw and said anguishly, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Do not be afraid, I am also a son of a woman from Quraish, I am not a king.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; (Ikhlaaq-e-rasool)

i.o

One day Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; was worshipping Allah in the Kaaba in the state of prostration. Abu-Jahal reached there along with a few men of his tribe. Abu Jahal had a tripe of a camel in his hands. This filled with a lot of blood and filth.

In the island of Arabia one of the ways to give someone a capital punishment was that a camelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tripe, filled with water or blood or other filthy ma-

Islam and Tolerance

i.o

terials, would be tied around the head of the captive so much so that the head of the captive would get entrapped in that. Then the lower part of the tripe would be tied around the neck of the captive like the mouth of a bag. Because of this the nose and the mouth of the captive would get completely and badly stuck in the tripe, making it impossible for him/her to breath. And due to poor breathing, he/she would immediately die.

i.o

That day Abu Jahal and his accomplices had decided that Hazrat Muham they would assassinate

mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; with a tripe. When Abu

Jahl and his partners the entered Kaaba, Hazrat Â&#x192; Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; was oblivious about his surroundings and was busy in praying. On the other hand, his assassins were taking their steps very cautiously so that the voice of their steps could not be heard.

As soon as Abu Jahal reached there, he placed the tripe around the head of Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; . Soon the head and face of

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; got stuck in

of the tripe that. Then Abu Jahal tied the mouth

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; around neck of Hazrat Muhammad the Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ with immense alacrity. As soon as

Islam and Tolerance

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; felt that

something had been on his head, he stood up and tried to free himself, but he could not succeed. The people who were nearby Hazrat Muhammad Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

i.o

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ were looking at him Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; while he was struggling for his redemption. And they were fully aware that due to lack of air, Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; would soon die as

his breath would stop.

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Upon seeing plight and perplexity of Hazrat the Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; they thought

of tripe from that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d better remove the cover

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; the and head of Hazrat Muhammad face

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ . But they were afraid of Abu Jahal.

They knew that if they helped Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; , they would buy the enmity of

such as Abu Jahal. Thus, they a fearsome person did not take any of Hazrat step for the redemption Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C;. However, a woman

there, could not bear of Quraish, who was present

the sight of this tormenting scene. She came along running reached the and house of Hazrat Muham mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; and said to his ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

ĂŠJĂ&#x160; ÂŤ daughter, Hazrat Ruqayya ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P ,

to reach the Kaaba as soon as possible to help her

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă°

Islam and Tolerance

ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

father. And she warned that he Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ might not be found alive due to delay.

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Hazrat Ruqayya ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P reached the

Kaaba in a state of quandary and while she was crying. When Abu Jahal and the others saw her coming, they stepped back. And Hazrat Ruqayya

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P freed Hazrat Muhammadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ head and face from the grip of the

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tripe without any delay. She cleaned her face with her clothes. So that he But could breathe easily.

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; could not move for one hour due to stoppage of breath. And after that he stood up slowly with the help of his

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă°

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; daughter and went towards his ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; house. Upon reaching the house

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; cleaned

blood and other filth from his face with head and

the help of Hazrat Ruqayya ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . He

Â&#x192; changed his Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; clothes. And

Islam and Tolerance

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P washed her fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hanged them under Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; clothes and

the sun to dry. Next day Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; went to the Kaaba without any fear of the previous dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events, as if nothing had happened.

And upon reaching there he Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

started his worship. Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ was a steadfast and strong-willed person. When he became certain that he Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; had reached the reality of a metter, then no other person could shake his Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

faith by scaring, threatening and even with assas-

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Hazrat Ruqayya

Face Drenched in Blood, But No Complaints

1.9

sinations attempts.

The of Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; opponents

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° were also quite narrow minded. When they

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saw that Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

had entered the Kaaba again, they tried to assassinate him again. This time a person named Aqba, who was holding a sheet, entered the Kaaba barefooted. Although he was barefooted, he was still walking on his toes, so that the voice of his feet could not be heard.

i.o

On the other of Hazrat hand the concentration Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; was so much fo he was not aware of cused at Allah at that time that his surroundings. So he could not hear the voice of Aqba approaching him. When Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; went into prostration, Aqba put

his sheet on him Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@

Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; and attacked him with tremendous agility. The attack was so severe that blood rushed out of the nose and mouth of Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; .

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; tried to kill Prophet Muhammad Aqba Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ by attacking hims repeatedly, before the Prophet Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; could lift his head from the state of prostration. However, Aqba could not succeed in his scheme. This time Hazrat Muham mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; succeeded in freeing

the aggressors. He rehimself from the hands of turned home with a face covered with blood. Upon

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For the Intellectually Curious

1.9.1

i.o

reaching home he Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; cleaned his

face but did not complain about anything from his Â&#x192; lips. This was because as he Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

used to say himself that a person feels pain and sorrow only when he does not have the knowledge that for whom he is facing all the hardships. But when he learns about the purpose and goal for which these problems are befalling him/her, he/she does not have the fear of any pain or agony, nor does a complain come on his lips.

The European readers who are reading these lines may raise a question that whether it can be accepted that while Abu tried Jahal to assassinate

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; and the people of Quraish present there tacitly viewed the scene as silent audience, and did not take any step

Islam and Tolerance

Gentle Treatment of the Prisoners of War

1.10

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to set him Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; free? (It is addressed

only thing that can be to Constan Varivual). The said in this regard is that yes! This incident took place in those medieval times. This kind of cold behavior is quite similar to what happens in our times, in the 21st century. And incidents like these happen in the Arabian peninsula even today. I have witnessed events with my own eyes in which a hand of a thief was cut in Yemen. And once I also saw that a robber was publicly decapitated. However, the spectators that were present at the scene, did not have any sign of sympathy on their faces. The reason for this is that in the eyes of an Arab, and specially for a beduin, the meaning of mercy is not tantamount to its European connotation.

When the dead bodies of Muslims were laid in graves, Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; decided

of Badr to deal with prisoners of war. In the battle 70 men of the army of infidels were captured by the Muslims. It was a tradition in the Arabian peninsula that a prisoner used to come under the possession of the soldier who had captured him in the battlefield. The soldier who had captured an enemy soldier used to have a right either to kill the captured soldier, or to sell him in a slave market,

Islam and Tolerance

A Humane Constitution of War

1.11

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captive could not run. And then the severe stroke of the sword at captives neck would cut the head off the neck. A fountain of blood would gush from his neck. On that day too, when the dead bodies of Muslims were laid to rest, Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; consulted with his companions that as to what should be done about the captives

of war. Hazrat Umar bin Khattaab ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

answered in his peculiar style, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;their necks should

be blown away.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hazrat Abu Ubaida ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

opined, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I think that all the captives should be

burnt alive.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; But Hazrat Abu Bakar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

suggested that the captives of war should be allowed to contact their families in Makkah bout their captivity, and tell them that those people should pay ransom for back. Hazrat them and take them

Â&#x192; Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; liked this sugges

tion and endorsed it.

This was the first constitution that was developed by of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad Â&#x201C; the Prophet Ăş Ă&#x17D;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ , regarding the prisoners of war. In this constitution it was emphasized to treat the prisoners of war gently and to have due regard for

Islam and Tolerance

i.o

their needs. Before Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ promulgated a formal constitution for prisoners of war, it was a custom that a person who captured a soldier of enemy from the battlefield used to treat him according to his own whim. So much so that he could even kill him either by decapitating him or by burning him alive.

i.o

in the desert of Arabia any prisoner used to be his captorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sole property, who had been caught by him. And if the family of the prisoner paid ransom money for this person, he could be freed. Otherwise he was either sold by the person who caught him or was decapitated. In constitution pertaining to Â&#x201C; treatment the prisoners Hazrat Muhammad of Ăş Ă&#x17D;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ also included that the amount of ransom money that would be charged in freeing prisoners would be fixed according to the financial capability of the family of the captive. Moreover, since most of the members of the army of the Quraish belonged to wealthy families, that is why the fees for every captive was fixed to be 4,000

Islam and Tolerance

Muslims Even Gave Their Own Food to the Prisoners

1.12

i.o

dirhams. However, if someone could not pay the fixed fine money, he could buy his freedom by giving swords and shields equivalent in value to that money. Other than that, the prisoners who were literate were either exempt from paying such a fees in the form of money or arms, or the fine for such people would be to teach ten Muslims to read and write. After this they would be freed.

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It was also emphasized of Hazrat in the constitution Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; that till the time prisoners of war are under the custody of Muslims, they would be provided with free food and clothing. Moreover, they would not be hurt in any manner, because Allah does not like the prisoners of war to be hurt. In the written constitution it was so much emphasized to treat the prisoners of war kindly and to take care of their needs that Mus-

Islam and Tolerance

A Strange Pledge of Abu Sufiyan

1.12.1

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lims would even lend their own clothes and food to them, and would bare to remain hungry themselves, so that their prisoner would not remain hungry or naked.

i.o

As soon as the news of Muslims’ victory reached Makkah, the people of Makkah decided to take revenge from the Muslims through another battle. One person who decided to take revenge from the Muslims from among the people of Makkah was Abu Sufiyan. In the battle of Badr his son, fatherin-law and son-in-law had died. On the other hand, his second son had become a captive. Thus, Abu Sufiyan was also bound to arrange for a ransom of 4,000 dirhams for the freedom of his son.

The Pledge of Abu Sufiyaan’s Wife

1.12.2

Abu Sufiyan had sworn that till the time he would not take revenge from the Muslims, he would not rest nor would he go close to his wife.

The wife of Abu Sufiyan also swore in front of a large crowd that if she got hold of her son’s, father’s and brother’s murderer, she would take out her liver

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and chew it.

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Flames of Revenge in Makkah and the Elegant Conduct of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)

1.13

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She also announced that if there were multiple murderers of her son, father and brother, she would cut the ears, noses and tongues and make necklaces with them. And the day on which Islam would be defeated, she would put this necklace around her neck and dance What did Hazrat in the battle field.

Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; use to think about

the non-Muslims and how much Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; has emphasized us to treat

them politely.

The flames and feelings of animosity, wrath and revenge were roaring against Muslims in Makkah. On the other hand news was received from Medina that people of Makkah could free their prisoners. And

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i.o

that the ransom for the freedom for each prisoner was 4,000 dirhams. Thus, for the freedom of 70 captives 280,000 dirhams would have to be deposited. The elders of Makkah said that they should not pay the tax of the prisoners because the Muslims were financially weak. If they were paid such a high ransom their financial situation would ameliorate. Thus, they should not strengthen their enemy with their own hands.

A Prisoner of War, Abu al-Aasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Accepts Islam

1.13.1

i.o

However, the families of the prisoners, along with Abu Sufiyan, went to the elders of the Quraish and requested that these people be allowed to pay the ransom so that they could free their relatives from the captivity of the Muslims. Thus, the chiefs of Quraish agreed to pay the ransom money to free the prisoners of war.

One person among the prisoners of war was such that his name was Abu-al-Aas. He was the nephew of the late wife of Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° , Hazrat Khadija ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . He was also

betrothed to a daughter of Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; . The daughter of Hazrat

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Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; provided 3,000 dirhams for the freedom of her husband, but she could not provide the remaining money. Thus, in spite of that she gave two pieces of a necklace, the price of which was 1,000 dirhams, along with the cash amount and sent them to Medina. She sent a message to free her husband in return for that.

That necklace was of Hazrat Khadija ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

his eyes became wet as he saw that. He requested

i.o

companions to return that necklace if they found it appropriate and to free the prisoner. Thus, he was freed on the promise that he would send Hazrat

Zainab ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P to Makkah as soon as he

reached Makkah. Hazrat Abu-al-Aas fulfilled that promise. Afterwards upon a similar generous treatment on the occasion of the conquest of Makkah

Abu-al-Aas ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P accepted Islam.

Courtesy of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) Upon Being Surrounded By A Jew

1.14

Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Imam Behaqqi has quoted from Hazrat Ali

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ that once Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠJ Ă&#x160; ÂŤ Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° borrowed a few coins from a jew. A few days

Islam and Tolerance

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passed and the jew came to ask for the money. You Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;At this time I do not have anything to pay your loan back.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The jew said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;till the time you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ JĂ&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; would not return

my loan, I would not leave you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; .â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Thus, from the time of zuhr till the night he surrounded Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; . This is about the time when your Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; polity had become strong in Medina. You had

all the power to act against him in any way you

i.o

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; wished. Thus, your ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

tried to scare him away. But

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ companions you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; stopped everyone. Someone said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;O prophet of Allah! A jew has captivated you.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yes, but I have been stopped from acting op-

pressively.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; In the same situation it dawned. When the next day started the jew woke up. He became impressed you tolerate even when by seeing that

you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; have power, and do not take any adverse actions when you have ability to do so. Upon seeing all of this he accepted Islam. The jew was an extremely wealthy person of Medina. Till recent past he had circumscribed you ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° . But your character and your tolerance and

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forgiveness impressed him so much that he pre sented all of his wealth to Hazrat Muhammad Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

i.o

can spend it as you wish.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Can the World Present Such an Example... ?

1.14.1

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ and said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă°

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă°

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° thetic behavior and his Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă°

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; sympa

ĂŠJĂ&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; quality of

forgiveness used to persist in the battleground too. Historians of Hadith report that the companions of Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; had prepared a pond of clean water for their own use.

i.o

Hazrat Muhammadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Before the start of the battle a few people from the army of the Quraish came on this pond to drink water. The companions of Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; tried to stop them from taking water. It was also a requirement of an effective war strategy that they should not have been allowed to take water, and all sorts of blockages of food and eatables should have been applied. But

Islam and Tolerance

The Incident of the Keys of Kaaba

1.15

i.o

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Let

them take water.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Can the world present such an example?

i.o

The ceremony of key-bearing of Kaaba was considered a matter of much prestige even in the times of ignorance. This key-bearing and custodianship had remained in a special family since ancient times. During the era of Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° a person of this family, Usman bin Talha, wsa the custodian of Kaaba. He used to maintain the keys of the kaaba.

Imam Bukhari ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P has quoted in his

Sahih Bukhari [Ali and BukhÂŻarÂŻÄą, 1944] that once upon a time before the migration Hazrat Muham mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; wished to enter the Kaaba and worship Allah. You asked for the keys

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of Kaaba from Usman bin Talha, who had still not accepted Islam, so that you could open its door and go inside it and could prostrate in front of the Lord, the pure.

i.o

However, Usman bin Talha refused to hand over the keys. And not only did he refuse to give the keys, he also uttered a few insolent and rude words

about Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; .

ĂŠJĂ&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Us

Some day you will see that this key would be

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă°

i.o

man! in my hand and I would give it to whoever I would wish.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Upon listening to this Usman bin Talha said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;That day would be the day of destruction and an nihilation of the Quraish.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; You Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;No, rather on that day they would be prosperous and respectable.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; After this the eyes of the sun saw that time when Makkah was conquered and not only the Kaaba, rather the whole authority of the of Makkah came in your Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; hands.

ĂŠJĂ&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; entered Makkah,

As soon as you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă°

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Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ you

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; went to the Kaaba. You Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; circumambulated the Kaaba

seven times.

i.o

you called upon Usman bin Talha

ĂŠ J ÂŤ After

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăşthis ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P (according to one tradition Usman

bin Talha ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P had embraced Islam during

the period between the pact of Hudaibiya and the conquest of Makkah). Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ took keys from him and entered inside the Kaaba by opening its door. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; stayed inside the Kaaba for some

time and demolished all the idols inside it with his Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; own hands. When Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; came out of the Kaaba, its keys were in your hands and you

were reciting verse @Ă° XĂą K Ă @ Ă&#x2018; ÂťQ Ă&#x201C; A K ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ă @ the following A ĂŞĂ&#x160; ĂŤ @ ĂşĂ?@ H A KA Ă&#x201C; B @ Translation: Allah orders you to

give the possession you have to those to whom they

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belong.

i.o

At that time your cousin and son-in-law Hazrat

Ali ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P stood up and said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;O apostle of

Allah! May the blessings of Allah be upon you, we, banu-Hashim, have already been assigned the duty to serve water to the pilgrims of Kaaba. You should give the responsibility of key-bearing of Kaaba to us too.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; This was a very which significant service was delivered by your Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; family. Had there been someone else, he would have given

the keys to Hazrat Ali ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P at once. Rather

i.o

there tradition that Hazrat Abbas ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠJ ÂŤ hadisaasimilar

desire. But it is reported in Hadith

that Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; did

not reply to Hazrat Ali ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P. Rather you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; asked, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Where is Usman bin

Talha ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P ?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; He was called. You ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ gave the keys of Kaaba to him and said,

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i.o

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;O Usman! Take your keys. Today is the day of love and generosity. Take these, this will remain in your family forever as inheritance. No one except a tyrant would snatch it from you.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Due to this conduct of Hazrat Muhammad

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ one learns that regarding the matters

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă°

Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

Never Complained About the Slanderers

1.16

i.o

of delivery of rights and return of dues, the Muslims should be so strict and punctual that even if the person on the receiving side is harsh, even then he/she should be given his/her right. One should not delay the delivery of rights, even if it is quite undesirable. â&#x20AC;?The one who breaks ties with you, you should reconcile with him. The one who oppresses you, forgive him. And the one who treats you badly, treat him gently.â&#x20AC;?

It is a Hadith of Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° : â&#x20AC;&#x153;You should not act in a way by saying that when people would treat us well, we shall also treat them well. And when the people would treat us badly, we would also treat them badly. Rather make yourself habitual to this behavior that when people would behave nicely, you would behave

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i.o

nicely. And when the people would behave badly, you would still behave nicely and oppress would not

them.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

presented a map of a desirable lifestyle in the form of Quran in front of others, you became a personi fication of that. Hazrat Anas bin Maalik ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I served Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ , but you ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P never said a word

<Ă&#x2039;@ Â&#x201C;

to me. And never did Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160; ÂŤ say anything hostile about any affair of

Invitation of Islam to the Chiefs of Taaif

1.16.1

i.o

mine that why did you do such and such thing in such and such a way and not in another way. And <Ă&#x2039;@ Â&#x201C;

the thing that I never did for him, you ĂŠ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ never asked that why did you not do it like that? He had the best manners compared to all the other people.â&#x20AC;?

In the Southeast of Makkah is Taaif. It was located at a distance of 65 kilometers from Makkah. It was a fertile and green town. It was also considered a health resort. Due to this reason the wealthy people of Makkah had built their huge houses in Taaif. A

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few of your

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă°

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; relatives were also

resident After the demise of Hazrat Khadija

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ there. ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P and Hazrat Abu Taalib Hazrat

Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@

i.o

Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; went to Taaif along

with Hazrat Zaid-bin-Haarisah ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . At

that time there were three prominent chiefs in their

A Shower of Stones on Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)

1.17

i.o

community. Abd-Yaalail, Masood and Habib. You met all three of them. But each one of then refused to help and assist you. One person from among them said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If Allah made you his messenger, I would tear the cover of Kaaba apart.â&#x20AC;? The second said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Could the God not find anyone else that he could made him his messenger?â&#x20AC;? The third said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I swear upon God that I would not talk to you. If you are the prophet of Allah then your replying to me is irreverent and if your are an impostor then it is not appropriate for me to reply to you.â&#x20AC;?

After listening to the responses of Taaif of the chiefs

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; became

people of sad and decided to return back. But the

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i.o

Disposition Towards Servants

1.17.1

i.o

Taaif did not spare him Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

even then. They sent vagabond boys of the town to follow you. They kept on following you with slanders and stones.

Your servant Hazrat Zaid-binHaarisah ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P tried to cover you un der his blanket but he could not succeed in saving you. And your body drenched in blood due to their stones. After going a little far from the town there was a garden of grapes of Utbah ad Shaibah Pisraan who were wealthy people belonging to Makkah. Sun set as they reached there.

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ Ă&#x201D; gP has quoted Hazrat Ayesha ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P in his Masnad. She

says that Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; never beat any of his servants with his hands, nor did he ever beat any woman. He also never beat

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; anyone However, Hazrat Muhammad else.

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ used to participate in Jehad in the path of Allah. Whenever you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; were

offered to choose between two things, you ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ chose the easy one, provided that it was Imam Ahmad bin Hambal

not a sin. You used to refrain the most from going

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O Lord! Shower Flowers on the Land of Stones

1.17.2

i.o

near choosing sinful options. Even if you Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; or

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ had ever been hurt, you never avenged for yourself, except when sanctities were violated and you avenged for Allah Almighty.

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă°

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; was severely

The prayer injured and you were praying to Allah.

i.o

was also strange. The people who had tormented so much, it was natural to curse them. And that they should have been cursed in a way that their generations would have remembered. But the historians of Hadith report that even under these circumstances the personification of mercy did not utter a curse from his tongue for his enemies, neither did a word come out of his mouth in complaining to Allah, nor did his faith or shake. Hazrat certainty of belief Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; lifted his hands and prayed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Lord! I pray to you that neither do I have power nor means. I have nothing for the people. O merciful! You are the lord of weak and humble, you are my God. Who are you submitting me to? To the strangers, who are ruthless? Or to the enemy to whom your will gave strength over me? Lord! If you are not unhappy with me then I do not worry about anything. The girth of your

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i.o

blessings is enough for me. I seek refuge under your bright countenance. By which darkness converts to light, and the affairs of the world become pleasant. I seek refuge from that thing due to which your torment or wrath may fall upon me, I submit to your will. Till the time you are not pleased with listened to the prayer of Hazrat Muhammad

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me. All the power rests with You.â&#x20AC;? Allah Almighty Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; and replied: Translation: Have

how other dignified prophets had patience just like

patience. (Ahqaaf v. 35)

Prayer for Infidels of Makkah

1.18

i.o

How much torments you had to bear in the incident of Taaif. But instead of cursing them Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; prayed for them,

land of stones.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Lord! Shower flowers on the

i.o

In incident of Taaif Hazrat Muhammad Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; the

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ had to face many hardships. But the

Prophet of Islam Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; who is a blessing for all the worlds, prayed for them instead of cursing them, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Allah please spread flowers on the arid land.â&#x20AC;?

Once a severe famine struck Makkah. People started eating bones and leather. At that time Abu Sufiyan had not embraced Islam. He came

Â&#x192; to Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; and

ĂŠJĂ&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; you teach

your own people to reconcile with the kin whereas

said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă°

nation is dying. Why donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you pray to your God for rain?â&#x20AC;? Abu Sufiyan was an enemy of Islam and

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General Amnesty for Murderers and Tyrants

1.19

i.o

an enemy of Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192;. Had there been someone else, he would have buzzed Abu Sufiyan away on the pretext that he had not been behaving nicely with him. Moreover, the torture of the people of Makkah and their punishments towards Muslims had crossed all the limits. But driven by a merciful attitude, Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; lifted his ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤx hands at once for prayer after listening to what Abu Sufiyan had said. Allah Almighty did not like to return the hands of his beloved prophet empty. The prayer was accepted and it rained so much that the famine vanished.

Historians when Hazrat Muham have reported that

mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; entered Makkah as a

ĂŠJĂ&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; remembered that

conqueror, you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă°

delicate period of the migration, when the enemies had surrounded your house for the whole night. And now in the same city Allah Almighty had given

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you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; authoritative rule. But even under this situation you did not oppress anyone.

Finding Three Major Criminals and Pardoning Them

1.19.1

i.o

After conquering Makkah the first thing that you did was that an innocent person Junaid bin Akwa who had accidentally been killed by the Muslims, you arranged to give one hundred camels to his family. After this you made an announcement of pardon for everyone. There were only a few people whose crimes were severe and they were killed. It was decided for them that they would be killed. Thus you announced for them that where ever any one of them is found, should be killed even if he is holding the cover of the Kaaba. Then from among these sixteen, thirteen were spared. Only three were killed. Two among them were such people who had taken refuge in the house of Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; in Medina and they ran

The third person, Haaris away after killing people. bin Nafeed, had also tormented of the companions Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; severely.

In such a huge city in which there were people present at every step who had not only tormented

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Generous Treatment Towards an Old Enemy

1.20

i.o

you and your companions in your life at Makkah, but in various battles and in your life in Medina as well they had made life tough for you and they had been chasing you to kill you. Only three of them were found guilty and the rest were spared. Those who pardoned had among them Akrama, the son of Abu Jahal, the assassin of Hazrat Hamza Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ , Wahshi. Abu Lahab was your paternal

uncle. He had died. However, alive. his sons were Â&#x192; Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; thought about him. They had hidden due to fear because they knew about crimes of their the parents. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; found them and

treated them with love and affection. As soon as they saw your generous behavior, they converted to Islam.

On the occasion of the conquest of Makkah Hazrat

Â&#x192; Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; not only spared

rank to his house Abu Sufyan, rather he gave that which is that of a refuge and that was equivalent to that of the Kaaba. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whoever will enter the Kaaba he would be spared, and whoever would enter the house of Abu Sufiyan would also be spared.â&#x20AC;? Al-

Islam and Tolerance

i.o

though Abu Sufiyan had led every battle against Islam as a chief of their armies except the battle of Badr. This was the same Abu Sufiyan who had lured a beduin for killing Hazrat into a scheme Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; by offering him a huge monetary reward. When this beduin reached Medina Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

was busy in conversing with a delegation of a tribe. When you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; looked at the beduin,

this person has come you said to the gathering that to assassinate me. The companions caught him and searched him and found a dagger in his clothes.

Â&#x192; Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; said to the

beduin, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tell the whole story truthfully and you would be spared.â&#x20AC;? Although these people were enemies but they were aware about the temperament of prophethood that every word uttered from the tongue is true and every promise is firm. Thus, he told all the story truthfully. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; pardoned him and said,

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go where ever you wish.â&#x20AC;? Impressed with this ex-

Islam and Tolerance

Height of Benevolence and Happy Prisoners

i.o

1.21

tremely generous treatment, that beduin accepted Islam at once.

i.o

One of the benevolent aspects Hazrat Muham about mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; was that you had

forbidden to separate the prisoners from each other who were each othersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; relatives. You would locate the prisoners who were relatives at the same place. You could not bare that relatives be separated from each other. (Ibn-e-Maaja) The advantage of this was that the son, father, brother, sister, husband and wife would remain with each other happily and in affection of each other. The the prisoners had the same status as that of the family members of the companions of Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; to whom they were distributed. Thus, the piety of the conduct of the companions of Hazrat

Islam and Tolerance

i.o

Generosity of a Companion With a non-Muslim Child and His Mother

1.21.1

Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; used to prove to be

for the prisoners. a wonderful learning institution

i.o

In the battle of Rome many prisoners were traveling through sea under the supervision of a Muslim

officer. Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

passed from there and saw that a captive woman

was crying. Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

asked the reason for crying. He was told that her child had been snatched

from her. Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P went himself and

brought the boy to her. The officer complained about it to the commander of the faithful. When the matter was investigated he replied that Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; had strictly forbidden from such an oppressive behavior. (Masnad Imam Ahmad) You cursed the person who would create differences between a father and a son and

Islam and Tolerance

two brothers (Mishkaat, with reference to Ibn-eMaaja and Dar Qutni) [al TibrÂŻÄązÂŻÄą and Zaigham, 1989] (Masnad)

i.o

Prisoners Refused to Go Back

1.22

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It must be remembered that by reading about the circumstances of the pre-Islamic Arabia and its annexed lands that at times their families and cattle were also taken to battle so that they could risk their lives in their presence. In this state if warriors were captivated, their family were also confiscated as loot.

The gentle Hazrat Muham and polite treatment

mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; and his faithful com

panions gave to the prisoners had this pleasant effect that most of the prisoners did not like to go back to their countries after being freed. Rather they would convert to Islam and live among the Muslims forever. The reason was that the prisoners used to get some time to understand the civility, behavior and social values of the Muslims for some time during imprisonment. Before the battle of Badr and after that till the truce of Hudaibiya a state of war was established between the Muslims and the people of Makkah. Where ever the Quraish found a chance, they used to loot the Muslims and

Islam and Tolerance

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imprison them. Muslims also used to treat the people of Makkah in the same way in response. After the battle of Badr the Quraish imprisoned Hazrat

Saad-bin- Abi-Waqas ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . In response to

that the Muslims imprisoned Hakam bin Kaisaan. Quraish sent the due fine for the release of Hakam.

Hazrat Saad ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was under the custody

of the Quraish so Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° refused to accept the tax and said to Hakam

i.o

bin till the time Hazrat Saad Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P <Ă&#x2039;@ wouldthat

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠKaisaan

not be released, you will also not be released. Upon seeing this the Quraish freed Hazrat

Saad ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ also ordered to free Hakam bin Kaisaan.

Hakam got physical freedom. However, since during the imprisonment period he had a chance to attend of Hazrat Muhammad Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; the gatherings

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ and he had seen your truthfulness and the piety and chastity, purity and abnegation of his companions, that is why he put the yoke of slavery of Islam around his neck and started living

Islam and Tolerance

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Treatment of Enemies in a Dignified Manner

1.23

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

in the company of Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ .

i.o

All the Prophets had been bestowed with an excellent code of conduct and behavior. These pious souls did not do anything due to any common human emotion but they behaved equally well with friend and foe, that was also commensurate with their dignity. It is a natural human instinct to take revenge from the enemy. But usually the prophets and specially Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; were personifications of such high standards of behavior, a Hadith of Hazrat Muhammad

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@

Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ advertises that well. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;My Lord has said to

me that whoever oppresses me I should forgive him

Islam and Tolerance

Ordained to Talk Politely With Pharaoh

It was ordered to Hazrat Musa

Â&#x201A;Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ Ă?C

and

1.23.1

i.o

even if I have the power to avenge. And whoever parts his ways from me, I should reconcile with him. Whoever tries to neglect me, I should bestow upon him. Under the states of wrath and obedience, I should make truth my tradition. I should adopt moderation in poverty and affluence. I should fear God while I am alone and in company.â&#x20AC;? (Mishkaat)

i.o

ĂŠJ Ă&#x160; ÂŤ to go to the Pharaoh, the Hazrat Haroon Ă?CÂ&#x201A;Ă&#x2039;@

king of Egypt, and call him towards Allah. Because ĂŠJ Ă&#x160; ÂŤ had a rather strict and a Hazrat Musa Ă?C Â&#x201A;Ă&#x2039;@

regal personality, he could get and infuri wrathful ated quickly, it was said A J J Ă&#x2039; BĂą ÂŻ ĂŠ Ă&#x2039; BĂą ÂŽ ÂŻ Arabic

(Talk politely to the Pharaoh) (Surah Taaha, v.

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ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° was himself polite were ordered. soft, you D Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ÂĄ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ@ Ă° ĂĄ ÂŽ ÂŽ J Ă&#x153; Ă? @ Ă° PA and

ĂŚJ JĂ&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x2018;ĂŽ Âş Ă&#x2039;@ Y k ÂŽ ĂŞ

. . AĂŽE AK

i.o

44). And because Hazrat Muhammad

Extreme Tolerance in Spite of Misbehavior

1.23.2

Translation: (O Prophet! Keep on doing (armed) jihad with the barbaric enemies of Islam and (verbal) jihad with the hidden enemies of Islam) (surah Tawba. v. 73)

i.o

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ Ă&#x201D; gP writes that although Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

was ordered to act severely and strictly towards

Sheikh Abdul Haque

particular infidels, but still for them your door of mercy and forgiveness was open. You used to pray for the enemies so much so that the following verse was revealed.

Islam and Tolerance

Ă @ Ă&#x2018; ĂŞ Ă&#x2039; Q ÂŽ ÂŞ J Â&#x201A; B Ă° @ Ă&#x2018; ĂŞ Ă&#x2039; Q ÂŽ ÂŞ J Â&#x192;@ ĂĄ ÂŞ J . Â&#x192; Ă&#x2018; ĂŞ Ă&#x2039; Q ÂŽ ÂŞ J Â&#x201A; ĂŠ Ă&#x2039; Ăą Â&#x192; P Ă° ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039; AK . @Ă° Q ÂŽ Âť Ă&#x2018; ĂŽ E AK . Â˝Ă&#x2039; X Ă&#x2018; ĂŞ Ă&#x2039; ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Q ÂŽ ÂŞ K ĂĄ Ă&#x160;ÂŻ Ă¨Q Ă&#x201C; ĂĄ ÂŽ Â&#x201A; ÂŽĂ&#x2039;@ Ă? Ăą ÂŽĂ&#x2039;@ Ă¸ Y ĂŽ E B ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ă°

i.o

Translation: Even if you pray for their forgiveness for seventy times, even then Allah would not forgive them. (Tawba. 80) And this is an example of extreme tolerance and mercy in the wake of mischiefs of enemies.

Elegant Treatment Towards the Worst Enemy of Islam

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1.24

Capture of Sumamah (RA) and His Coming to Medina

1.24.1

Among the tribes that were severe enemies of Islam, the tribe of Banu Hanifa was very active in its animosity. In the future, Musaillimah Kazzaab, proclaimed his false prophethood. The days in which every tribe of the Arabia was gathering under the flagship of Islam, if there was one tribe that rebelled till the end, that was the tribe of Banu Hanifa.

Incidentally Sumamah ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was captured

by the Muslims. He was brought to Medina and

Islam and Tolerance

Freedom of Sumamah (RA)

1.24.2

i.o

was tied with a pillar of the mosque. After that Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; went to

him and asked him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sumamah! He How are you?â&#x20AC;?

said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Mohammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C;! If you

would kill me you would take life of a murderer. But if you would gratify me by setting me free, then you would find me obliged. And if you wish to receive a fine, I am ready to present before you as much money and wealth as you may wish.â&#x20AC;?

i.o

After listening to this Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ talked to him. On the second day the same conversation took place, but you came back without deciding anything about it. You went on the third day too. Sumamah said to Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C;, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you set me free

I shall feel obliged for my whole life. And if you wish to receive a fine, I am ready to give as much wealth as asked.â&#x20AC;? Upon listening to this Hazrat

Islam and Tolerance

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P .

Muhammad

Acceptance of Islam

1.24.3

i.o

Sumamah

ordered to free

i.o

On this unexpected generosity Sumamah became extremely impressed. As soon as he became free, he went to a garden that was adjacent to masjide-nabwi. After taking shower he came back to the mosque. He said, I am witness of the fact that there is no God but Allah, and I also accept that Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; is the Prophet

apostle of Allah! of Allah. After that he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Before accepting Islam I did not disdain any person on earth more than you. But now nobody is dear to me as compared to you. Till yesterday I used to consider Islam as the worst religion of all. But today Islam is the best religion in my point of view. Similarly, Medina was the most detestable city in the world according to me. But now this city is

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my most favorite.â&#x20AC;? (Bukhari and Muslim) [Ali and BukhÂŻarÂŻÄą, 1944, Muslim, ] Assassins Became Chauvinists

i.o

1.25

Freedom of Wahab bin Umair

1.25.1

i.o

the captives of the war of Badr were hosted in various companionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; houses in Medina. Hazrat Muham

mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; had ordered that who

ever wished to free his prisoner without a fine, they could do so. Thus, a Quraishi prisoner was prisoned in the tribe of Banu Khazraj of Ansaar was set free without taking ransom from him and he reached Makkah. One prisoner was Saifi bin Abu Rafaa Makhzoomi. When nobody brought his fees from Makkah, he promised that if he was set free, he would send his ransom money upon reaching Makkah. So he was set free, but he did not send anything upon reaching Makkah.

The son of Umair bin Wahab Jamhi, who was called Wahab bin Umair, was among the captives of Badr.

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P When, after the battle of Badr, Umair

ĂŠ J ÂŤ came to Medina with the intention of assassi

Islam and Tolerance

Poverty of Abu Azzah, the Poet

1.25.2

i.o

nating Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

and instead of taking your life, he himself became a lifetime devotee of yours lives, his thousand with Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; ordered to set his son free. Thus, Wahab bin Umair was also set free. Muaawiya bin Mugheera Umwi (who was the maternal grandfather of the caliph Abdul Malik bin Marwan) was captured of in the battle

Badr. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; fa

vored him by setting him free without any charges. But this person came back to fight against the Muslims in the battle last Hazrat Zubair At of Uhad.

bin Awwam ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P killed him with his

sword. Other than that, all the no one brought the fines of the prisoners destitute. Hazrat who were

Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; set all of them free.

They became obliged and went back to Makkah Â&#x192; while praying for him Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C;. (Seraah

ibn-e-Hishaam)

In those days there were two famous poets in Makkah. Abu Azzah bin Abdullah Jamhi and Musaafah bin Abdul Manaaf bin Wahab. Abu Azzah was also captured by the Muslims in the battle of Badr. This person was extremely poor. And there were many

Islam and Tolerance

i.o

daughters in his house who were unmarried. After being imprisoned he said to Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; , â&#x20AC;&#x153;Respectd sir! You know that I am quite poor and destitute. Please have mercy on me by freeing me.â&#x20AC;? Who could be more compassionate and benevolent than Hazrat Muhammad

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; ? He Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; freed

him. But he Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; took his word from

never ever help the him that in the future he would Quraish the Muslims. He praised him Â&#x201C; against Ăş Ă&#x17D;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ a lot and left while praying (Ibn-eJawair, Tabaari). The poetic verses that Abu Az Â&#x201C; zah in praising Hazrat Muhammad uttered Ăş Ă&#x17D;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ are reported in seerah Ibn-e-Hishaam,

i.o

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă°

vol.2 page. 315. But after this on the event of the battle of Uhad Abdullah bin Abi Rabeea, Safwaan bin Umayya, Akrama bin Abu Jahal and a few other chiefs and people went to him and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Abu Azzah! You are a very influential poet. Help us with your eloquence. Come with us encourage the people.â&#x20AC;? Abu Azzah am highly said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I indebted

by Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; . I cannot

betray him Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; .â&#x20AC;? Safwaan bin

these things beUmayya said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Abu Azzah. Leave hind. And do as we ask you to do. Initially go with us and spread a sentiment of hatred against

Islam and Tolerance

i.o

Coming of Hazrat Sumamah to Makkah for Umrah

1.26

i.o

Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; . Then participate in the battle too. If you return alive, we will go you so much wealth that you will become affluent. Otherwise, we take the responsibility of guardianship of your daughters.â&#x20AC;? Amar (Abu Azzah) was extremely destitute. He got entrapped in their trap and agreed. Now Quraish sent Masaafa to banu Maalik and Amar Ajami (Abu Azzah) to Banu Kanaana. They set the emotional atmosphere of the tribes ablaze with their infernal poetry (Taareekh Muhammad ibne Jarair Tabaari).

The treatment Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; gave to the infidels of Makkah despite their

machinations was a part of your Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; forbearance. Nothing grew in Makkah, everything was imported from outside. Thus, grains used to come from Yamaama. The ruler of Yamaama Hazrat Sumamah bin Asaal requested Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; after embracing Islam

that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Prophet of Allah! Your riders captured at that time when I was residing in Makkah with the intention of performing Umrah. What are your

Islam and Tolerance

Associating Sumamah (RA) With Irreligiousness

1.26.1

i.o

orders now?â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now go and perform Umrah.â&#x20AC;? For this reason he went to Makkah.

When the Quraish came to know that Sumamah had become disappointed with idol worship, they started ridiculing him for abandoning his religion and started calling him irreligious. Hazrat Sumamah

i.o

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P angrily replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are irreli gious who worship stones as opposed the Lord of

the worlds. I have accepted the true heavenly religion of the world.â&#x20AC;? After this he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O People of Makkah! Listen carefully with attentive ears that next time until I would have permission not from Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; , a sin from Yagle grain will not be exported to Makkah maama.â&#x20AC;? (Bukhari and Muslim) [Ali and BukhÂŻarÂŻÄą,

Islam and Tolerance

1944, Muslim, ]

Nobody Was Ever Returned EmptyHanded

i.o

1.26.2

perplexity. Hazrat Muhammad

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă°

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

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When Hazrat Sammama ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P went back to

Yamaama from the land of Kaaba, he completely stopped all the export of grains to Makkah. Due to this blockage a famine broke out in Makkah. A crisis developed among the enemies of Islam. At last contacted Hazrat Muhammad Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Quraish Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ in a state of severe quandary and

Affection For the Sons of Abu Lahab

1.27

became and you sent a message to Sumamah

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş soft ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P to stop the blockage and resume trade.

Thus, after that according to the routine, the trade of grains began.

The rebellions of Abu Lahab are quite evident, who was the uncle of the pride of the universe, Hazrat

Islam and Tolerance

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Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; . He was the

of death was only unfortunate person whose news given in the Quran by proclaiming his name. The divine revelation described this eternal sufferer in surah Lahab. Abu Lahabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youngest son, Utaibah, had been killed before the migration. His two sons, Utbah and Muaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ttab, were present till the end of the conquest of Makkah.

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On the second day of the conquest of Makkah Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; thought

Muhamabout the two sons of Abu Lahab. Hazrat

Â&#x192; J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; asked his uncle Abbas mad

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ăş ĂŚĂ°Â&#x2022; P ĂŠ that

his nephews, Atba and Maatab,

could be found anywhere. Hazrat Abbas Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ not

surmised that they might also have hidden themselves somewhere people. Hazrat like other

Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; requested to fetch

to look for them. He them. Hazrat Abbas went out found them and told them that Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; was looking for them. Both of

them came to Hazrat Muhammad

Ă°

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

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Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; along with their uncle Abbas ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P .

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; treated

desire to them with affection. They showed their become Muslims. Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° invited them to the circle of Islam. After their converting to Islam Hazrat Muhammad Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ held their hands and brought them between the door of Kaaba and the black stone and prayed. At that time Hazrat Muhammadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ face was shining with happiness.

Hazrat Abbas ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O apostle of

Forgiveness, Patience and Prohibition of Bloodshed

1.28

Allah! May Allah always keep you happy. what is the reason for this unusual Hazrat cheerfulness?â&#x20AC;? Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I asked for both of my brother to Allah almighty, and he gave them back to me with his blessings. This happiness is the result of this acceptance.â&#x20AC;? (Tabqaat ibn-eSaad) [Sad et al., 1972]

When the oppressive tortures of the infidels of Makkah did not seem to be coming to any end in any way,

Islam and Tolerance

Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ , Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqas ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P ,

Qodamah bin Maazoon ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P, Miqdar bin

Aswad ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P and a few others went to

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; and requested, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O apostle of Allah! When we were poly-

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then from the oppressed companions Hazrat

The Recommendation to Forgive Upon Gaining Authority

1.28.1

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theists everyone used to respect us, and nobody could even raise an eyebrow towards us. But since the time we have accepted Islam, we are being persecuted and punished severely. We are severely humiliated. That is why would you to take allow us

revenge?â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have been ordered to forgive their follies. So be patient and do not hurt anyone. And if someone commits any excess towards you, forgive them.â&#x20AC;? Thus, you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; did not allow anyone to take revenge. (Nisaai)

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠJ ÂŤ , â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was going from Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ in Medina towards Ghaaba. When I It is quoted by Hazrat Salma bin Akwa

reached the hill, I met a slave of Abdur-Rehman

Islam and Tolerance

Prayer for the Forgiveness of The Quraish

1.29

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bin Auf ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . I asked that what was

he doing there?â&#x20AC;? He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pirates had stolen a she-camel of Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; and I have come to find them.â&#x20AC;? I asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who were they?â&#x20AC;? The slave said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The people of Ghazfaan and Fazaara.â&#x20AC;? After listening to this I shouted loudly thrice, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been looted in the morning.â&#x20AC;? After that I followed the directions of the

slave and caught them. Hazrat Salma ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I attacked them while chanting the following verses, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I am the son of Akwa. And today is the day of the death of the infidels.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The pirates could not bare the fire of the arrows and ran. I took the she-camel and brought her back. On the way I met Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; . I said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;O apostle of Allah! before the pirates could drink its milk, I took the she-camel back. Now send a few people in search for it so that they could arrest them.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;O Ibn-e-Akwa! When you get hold of the enemy, forgive him.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? (Bukhari) [Ali and BukhÂŻarÂŻÄą, 1944]

Four teeth of Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; were broken in the battle of Uhad. And the face and the head were injured. Upon seeing this

Islam and Tolerance

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the companions said in perplexity, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O apostle of Allah! You should curse the Quraish so that the world could be freed from their mischief. And the routine of their barbaric acts could come to an end.â&#x20AC;?

Â&#x192; Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have not been sent to curse. Rather I have been sent to invite people to the straight path.â&#x20AC;? At last when this was said repeatedly that the inflections of the people excessively, of Quraish had increased then he Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; prayed in their

favor, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lord! Forgive my nation. They are not aware.â&#x20AC;? In the battle of Uhad two circles of Khud had in your face. Hazrat Abu Ubaidah <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P took

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠpenetrated them out with his teeth. When

he pulled one of them with his teeth, one of his teeth broke. And upon pulling the second circle another tooth Upon seeing this Hazrat Umar Farooq

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ broke. ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P requested, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O apostle of Allah! Please

curse Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; the infidels.â&#x20AC;?

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ still prayed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Allah! Please forgive

my nation. They are ignorant.â&#x20AC;? (Bai-Haqqi fi-al-

Islam and Tolerance

Oppression of the Infidels of Makkah Before Migration

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1.30

Shuaib), meaning that whatever they are doing is because of their ignorance.

Before the migration the infidels of Makkah had tortured Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

and his followers so much its account is quite that

painful. However, he Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; did not

i.o

take any revenge from them. Rather he ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ prayed for them and tried to solve their problems. After the migration, such a drought was imposed upon the people of Makkans due to their immoral acts that was similar to the drought in Ă&#x160; ÂŤ Egypt upon the nation of Hazrat Yousaf ĂŠ J

Â&#x201A;Ă&#x2039;@ , that lasted for seven years. Rain stopped Ă?C and the surroundings also became barren. This famine had deteriorated the plight so much that the Quraish started eating leather and dead ani-

Islam and Tolerance

Prayer For the Infidels of Quraish

1.30.1

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mals. It is a matter of principle that in the severity of aridity the air between the sky and the earth looks smoky. When the people of Makkah used to look up towards the sky, all the view appeared full of smoke.

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When the people of Makkah became weary of their lives then their chief Abu Sufiyan bin Harb did not have any other choice but to contact Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; . Thus, he

reached Medina begged and requested Hazrat and

Â&#x192; Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; , â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your nation is

You should pray dying due to famine and drought. for Thus, Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; them.â&#x20AC;? Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° accepted his request and raised his hands at once and Allah Almighty gave them respite from that torment. (Sahih Bukhari) [Ali and BukhÂŻarÂŻÄą, 1944] Another tradition from Bukhari sharif is that Abu Sufiyan also promised that Quraish would accept Islam. upon Hazrat Muham It was revealed

mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; that if We lift the torment from them, they will revert to their previous state.

Islam and Tolerance

A Prayer in the Favor of the Tribe of Dose

1.31

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However, Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; prayed to Allah and the torment of famine was removed. But the Quraish reverted to their previous behavior. That is why Allah punished them through a defeat in the battle of Badr.

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Upon Islam, Hazrat Tufail bin Amar Dosi <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P went

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ accepting to his tribe and preached Is lam. Dose had rejected this invitation. He came to Medina from Yemen and requested, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O apostle of Allah! The sexual indulgence of my tribe has dominated my preaching struggle. Please curse them.â&#x20AC;? Instead of cursing hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° prayed the following, AÂ&#x192; Ă° X Y ĂŤ @ Ă&#x2018; ĂŞ Ă&#x2039; @ (O Allah! Please path to the Dose). After this show the right

he Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go back to your nation

them to Islam and treat them and keep on inviting

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The Acceptance of Islam by the Mother of Abu Hurairah (RA)

1.31.1

with courtesy.â&#x20AC;? Thus, he went back and started preaching again and became successful in his purpose. (seerah ibn-e-Hishaam)

Amng the incidents of praying for the enemies, one is the story of acceptance of Islam by the mother

of Hazrat Abu Hurairah ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . Hazrat Abu

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Hurairah ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P quotes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;My mother was a

polytheist. I used to invite her to Islam. But she

plainly refused to accept Islam every time. One day when I asked her to accept Islam she uttered bad words about Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

and insulted him Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; a lot.

I became so much agonized due to this event that I became quite upset. In this state I reached the house of Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

. I was crying. I requested, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;O apostle of Allah!

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192;

Please pray for the guidance of the mother of Abu

Hurairah.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hazrat Abu Hurairah ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P says

that after this prayer I came back to my house quite happily. When I reached my house the door was closed. My mother heard the voice of my steps and asked me to wait. I heard the voice of water falling

Islam and Tolerance

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down. My mother was bathing. After bathing my mother quickly wore clothes. She opened the door and said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Abu Hurairah! I bear testimony that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; is the prophet of Allah.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; After listening to the testimony of faith from the mouth of my mother I went straight to Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; and I was crying due to my

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; about

happiness. I told him

Elegant Behavior With Barbaric Jews

1.32

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the news of my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acceptance of Islam. He Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said alhamd-o-lillah and became

very happy. (Muslim) [Muslim, ]

As Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

reached Medina he made pacts with all the three jewish tribes. Banu Qainqaa was the first one to breach the peace agreement. After the battle of

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Badr Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

observed their mischiefs and advised them to keep the truce. Upon this they instead behaved very badly and rudely.

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After a few days a veiled Muslim woman went to the jewelry market of Qainqaa to sell something. In order to sell her things she reached the shop of a jewish jeweler. The jewish jeweler and the other jews that were present there insisted her to lift the veil. However, she refused. Upon this the jeweler tied the corner of her trouser with her back in such a way that when she stood up, she became naked. Upon seeing the woman naked the jews burst out in a laughter and ridiculed her very badly. The woman yelled for help. In the interim, an Ansari Muslim attacked the jeweler from nearby and killed him at once. The market belonged to the jews. They surrounded him and When Hazrat him beat <Ă&#x2039;@ to Â&#x201C;death.

Â&#x192; J ÂŤ ĂŠ heard the news, he Ă° ĂŠ Ă&#x160; Muhammad Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x17D; Ăş Ă&#x17D;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; appointed Abu Labaaba Bashir

bin Abdul Manzir Ansaari Aosi ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P as

your caretaker and went to Banu-Qainqaa and took the whole tribe under siege. At last the jews gave up and threw their weapons. Now the chief of hypocrites Abdullah bin reached Hazrat Muham Ubai mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; and said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;O apostle of

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Allah! Please have mercy on Banu Qainqaa.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; You Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; did not say anything to him.

Ibn-e-Abi held your armor. You Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; said to leave it. He said till the time you would

Contempt About Oppressing Birds and Insects

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1.33

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not spare the lives of my caliphs, I would not leave. On this you became lenient. You forgave them. Thus, everyone was freed at once. Abdullah became very happy at this happiness. (seerah ibn-eHishaam)

A companion ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P named Abdullah Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ has reported that once we were riding with

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; on a

Â&#x192; journey. He Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ JĂ&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; went nearby as we

stopped somewhere. In his Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Hazrat Muhammad

absence we saw a red bird that had two chicks. We took the chicks. The bird started spreading her feathers in front of us. In the interim Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; came back. As he saw the bird he at once asked, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Who has tormented the bird by taking her chicks? Return the chicks.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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After this Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

saw a nest of insects which we had burnt in order

to the ants. Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; destroy Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ asked, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Who has burnt this nest?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; We said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;O apostle of Allah! have burnt the nest.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; We Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It is not appropriate for anyone to give the torment of fire to any creature except Allah.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; (Abu Dawood) [al SijistÂŻanÂŻÄą and Hasan, 1984] And he Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nobody should give

to anyone, which only Allah the punishment of fire can.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Killing an Enemy With Torture

1.33.1

Non-Muslims have always had this tradition that they kill the opponent in such a tormenting way so that they can attain complete satisfaction for their cruel instincts from such an act. But Islam does not tolerate this inhuman philosophy of taking revenge. In one of the expeditions the son of Saif

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ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P ,

Ullah, Khalid bin Waleed

Abdul-

Rehman ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , who was the chief of the

army, was presented before him four enemies of Is-

i.o

lam who had to be killed due to death sentence. He was asked on as to how should they have been killed? Abdul-Rehman said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tie them up and kill them with arrows.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; This order was executed.

When the companion of Hazrat Muhammad

i.o

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ came to know about this incident, he went

to AbdulRehman ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P and said that Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; had forbidden to

kill After this Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari

ĂŠ J ÂŤ like

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ this. Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I swear upon Allah, in whose possession is my life, these were humans, even if it had been a hen, I would not have tolerated their being killed so ruthlessly like this.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Abdul-Rehman felt very ashamed of this and in order to make up

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Funeral Prayers for the Worst Enemy of Islam

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1.34

for this, he freed four slaves. [al SijistÂŻanÂŻÄą and Hasan, 1984]

The funeral prayers are offered only for a believer. But despite the fact that ibn-e-Abi was a worse enemy of Islam, he had identified himself as a Muslim. For this reason Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; accepted the request of his son, Hazrat Abdul-

i.o

lah ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , and offered his funeral prayers.

Thus, Bukhari [Ali and BukhÂŻarÂŻÄą, 1944] and Muslim

quote Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P that

when the head of hypocrites died, his son who was a companion since the times of the battle of Badr, requested Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; to lend his shawl so that his dead body could be wrapped in that. Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° gave his shawl out of affection. But when you

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stood the prayers Hazrat Umar Farooq <Ă&#x2039;@ toĂş ĂŚÂ&#x2022;offer

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ up P , who had proven to be extremely

scrupulous in the matters of religion, held the corner of your shawl and requested, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;O apostle of Allah! Why do you offer a prayer on this kind of a hypocrite? You have been prohibited in this verse from offering prayers upon hypocrites.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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The Intention to Pray for Forgiveness for an Enemy of Islam for More Than Seventy Times

1.34.1

Translation: O Messenger Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; ! Whether you pray for their forgiveness or not, it is the same. Even if you pray seventy times for their forgiveness even then Allah will not forgive them.â&#x20AC;?

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O

Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P ! Allah Almighty has given

me authority and He did not prohibit me. Allah Hazrat Muhammad

has said that even if you pray for the hypocrites for

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i.o

seventy times even then your prayers would not be accepted, I would pray for them for more than seventy times. Perhaps the prayers would be accepted. Thus, you offered the funeral prayers. When you finished this, a few verses of the Quran were revealed, among them was the following verse:

i.o

Translation: If someone from among the hypocrites dies, do not offer his funeral prayers. Do not stand by his grave for burial. Because they have denied Allah and His prophet Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; and he has died in the state of infidelity.â&#x20AC;? The Suggestion of Hazrat Umar Farooq RA

1.34.2

After the revelation of this verse you refrained from praying for the hypocrites and standing by their graves The suggestion of Hazrat Umar

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ forever. ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P at this time was right and correct.

Islam and Tolerance

The Apology of a Beduin and Mercy of Hazrat Muhammad may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace and blessings be upon him

1.35

105

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From the prophetic Hadith we come to know about an incident concerning another beduin enemy. Once Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; captured

i.o

Â&#x192; him, he Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; forgave him too and freed him without taking revenge. Thus, Hazrat

Jaabir Ansaari ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P quotes that we were

coming back with Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;

ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° from the expedition of Najad. We reached such a jungle in the afternoon where there were plenty of thorny trees. Hazrat Muhammad Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ rested under an acacia tree. He Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ hanged his sword with a tree. Then Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; rested along

with rest of the companions. After some time you called us. What we saw was that a beduin was sitting with you. Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This person tried to kill me while I was sleeping. But in the meanwhile I woke up. This person said to me, Now who can save you from me? I said that only Allah can save me. Upon listening to this the sword fell down from his hand which I picked up. Now this person is sitting.â&#x20AC;? In this mu-

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tually quoted Hadith of Bukhari [Ali and BukhÂŻarÂŻÄą, 1944] and Muslim [Muslim, ] there is an addition in another quote that when the sword fell down from the hand of the beduin and Hazrat Muhammad

i.o

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; picked it up, he Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; asked now who can save you from me? The beduin asked for forgiveness. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said that bear testimony that

there is no God but Allah and Muhammad Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ is his Prophet. So he said that

i.o

although I would not convert to Islam but I promise that I would never fight with you again. And I would never help a nation that will fight with you. You Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; released him. When he reached his village he told his fellow men, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am coming back after meeting with the most elegant person in the world.â&#x20AC;? This incident is reflection of the chivalry, confidence in Allah, dignity and deter

mination of Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

. At such a delicate stage this perseverance is also

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a rationale for your prophethood. Bestowment Upon Maalik bin Auf

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1.36

The Honor of Faith

1.36.1

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When the tribe of Hawaazin set their prisoners free and negotiations Hazrat Muhammad Â&#x201C; Ăş Ă&#x17D; started

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ asked them, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where is your chief Maalik bin Auf who had provoked you to fight against Allah and His prophet Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

?â&#x20AC;? They said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has fled to Taaif after being defeated.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

said to the members of the delegation, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If Maalik bin Auf could somehow come to me, I would not only return his cattle and wealth, rather I would give hundred camels to him personally too.â&#x20AC;?

At that time Maalik bin Auf was counting his moments of death in a state of helplessness and anxiety. There was no one to help When he heard him. that Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

had announced about his pardon, he became very happy. And without any hesitation he went to meet

him. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; for

gave all of his faults and returned all of his property,

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i.o

Heavenly Teaching

1.36.2

i.o

wealth, family and kin. And personally gave him a gift of hundred camels. Maalik bin Auf said a few

verses for Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; of poetry

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ , the meaning of which is that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have never seen as Hazrat Muham a person so generous mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; in my whole life, nor have

I ever heard about one. You not only made Maalik

bin Auf ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P the chief of his tribe, you also

appointed him as an emir for a few other tribes who had converted to Islam.â&#x20AC;? (Tabqaat ibn-e-Nasad o Madaarij Anabooat)

The courteous behavior that Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; showed towards Hazrat Maalik

bin Auf ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P and befriended him was

the result of the heavenly teaching through which you were being guided. In this learning process the commandments of Quran that were being revealed

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Transformation of the Nest of Conspiracies into a Sanctuary of Peace

1.37

i.o

also had the following verse in them. Translation: Good and evil cannot be equal. The effect of every action is different. In order to erase evil, emply good conduct. If you do like this, you will see that if there is animosity between you and another person, he would become a dear friend.

i.o

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; was a

state of incarnation of forgiveness and mercy. The your mercy was such after entering that Makkah as Â&#x192; a conqueror, you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; made the

house of Abu Sufiyan a refuge for everyone by announcing that any person of Makkah who would enter the house of Abu Sufiyan would be spared. (Sahih Muslim) [Muslim, ]. It must be mentioned that this house was once used to develop conspiracies against the Muslims, and to design schemes for

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assassinating Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; .

Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Breaking of Manaat by Ibn-e-Harb

1.37.1

i.o

After the conquest of Makkah Abu Sufiyan bin Harb said to Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192;, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O apostle of Allah! Make my son Muaawiya your secretary (to write down the revelation of Quran).â&#x20AC;? You accepted this request and made him his secre tary. Muaawiyya ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P had converted to

Islam before the conquest of Makkah. From the possessions that were obtained from the battle of

Hanain you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; gave both of the sons of Abu Sufiyan, Yazeed and Muaawiya, forty oqiyas 1 of silver and 100 camels to each one of them.

Abu Sufiyan recited the testimony of faith at the point of Marr-u-Zahran and displayed that he had converted to Islam. This conversion was based on the sensitivity of the time. But after the conquest of Makkah he became impressed by the forgiveness and mercy of Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; . He became a true Muslim. He also benefitted a lot spiritually from the company of Hazrat 1

Oqiya is an Arab unit of weight

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Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; . After embracing Islam the blood of his veins started gushing with an ambition for Jihad in the path of Allah. Thus

during the stay of Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

i.o

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ in Makkah Hazrat Abu Sufiyan ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ said to him Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; , â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Apostle

of Allah! Just like in the days of infidelity I have

Announcement of Absolution for the Murderer of Companions

1.38

i.o

been conflicting Muslims, now for the rest of my life, I would remain expediting against the enemies of Islam.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

asked him to demolish the famous idol of Manaat, whom the Arabs used to worship, and he demolished them.

Safwaan bin Umayya ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was an idol wor shipper, a leader of the Quraish and a worse enemy of Islam. Like his father, Ummayya bin Khalaf, he

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was very severe in opposing Islam. Safwaan

Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

i.o

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ had persuaded Umair bin Wahab Jamhi

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P to kill Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ . He had bought ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P and killed

him.

i.o

Makkah was conquered, Safwaan Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ decided

ĂŠJ ÂŤ When

to run away through the sea. Umair

bin Wahab Jamhi ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P who had gone

to disturb Hazrat to Medina with intention the

Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; and who had converted to Islam after seeing the tolerance and mercy of Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; was a close relative of He requested to Safwaan. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; , â&#x20AC;&#x153;O apos

tle of Allah! Safwaan bin Umayya is being expelled from Makkah, him refuge.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Muham please give mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; accepted the request of Umair and gave refuge to Safwaan. He took this news and went to Safwaan, but Safwaan could not believe. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I fear that I would be killed if I

go back.â&#x20AC;? Umair ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Safwaan!

you only hesitate in going back since you have no idea about the tolerance and forgiveness of Hazrat

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i.o

Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; .â&#x20AC;? Safwaan could still not believe and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;By God! I would not go back till the time you bring back to me a sign of forgiveness.â&#x20AC;?

When Umair saw that Safwaan could not be satisfied in way he came any back to Hazrat Muham Â&#x192; mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Apostle of Allah! Safwaan does not consider himself worthy of being forgiven. He does not have the courage to come to you time till the he does not receive a sign

Â&#x192; from you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C;.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Muhammad

i.o

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; gave his Holy shawl to Umair

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . Umair ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P took that and

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P went to Safwaan ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚ Â&#x2022; P . Safwaan

ĂŠ J ÂŤ became satisfied and came back to Hazrat

Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Umair Muhammad Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x17D;

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P says

gave me peace, he that you

has said the truth.â&#x20AC;? Till that time Safwaan was undecided on the matter of accepting Islam. That is why he did not accept Islam. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; took 100 camels and gave them

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ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . Hazrat Muhammad Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

many other favors to him

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ did to Safwaan

Elegant Conduct of Apostle of Allah (PBUH) and Peace in Makkah

1.39

i.o

so much so that within three to four months after the conquest of Makkah he went to Medina and embraced Islam.

i.o

Although of Makkah Hazrat Muham the after conquest

Â&#x192; mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; made peace with the people

to kill them, but the crimes of Makkah and forbade of four people were such that Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; had announced about them, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Neither would I give refuge in Kaaba nor in any other place. Their blood is forgiven. They should be killed where ever they are found.â&#x20AC;?

One of these four people was Abdullah bin Ubai Sarah. Apparently this person had accepted Islam in Medina. Because he had literary knowledge, Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; had made him a recorder of divine revelation. Meaning that he was ordered to write the verses of the Holy Quran as they were revealed. However, that person started making undue changes in the verses. For instance, instead of writing the word Hakeem he

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used to write the word Aleem according to his own ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; caprice. When Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; came to know about his mischiefs, he fled to Makkah.

i.o

At last when Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° developed influence In Makkah, he said to

Hazrat Usman Ghani ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , with whom he

had kinship, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Brother, I come under your protec tion. You should ask Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ for my forgiveness.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Usman

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was a very kindhearted man. Hazrat

Usman stood in front of Hazrat Muhammad Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O apostle of Allah! Ab2

dullah bin Abi Sarah is my foster brother. His mother has done many favors to me. This person is repentant. He is also embarrassed about his mistake. Now he has come to make baiyah. Please 2

Two people are foster brothers if they have been fed milk from the same woman as infants.

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pardon him.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Usman

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

starting begging

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and and went to you and kissed your Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; pleading

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ head and embraced him and kissed him. And while requesting earnestly he asked him to forgive brother. Hazrat Muham his him as he was

mad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ok I have forgiven

him.â&#x20AC;? Abdullah bin abi Sarah happily took Hazrat Usman ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P with him.

i.o

Readers! Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; was a personification of love and tolerance,

Persecution by the People of Taaif

1.40

peace and protection to an extent that due to his conduct many non-Muslims became Muslims. It is difficult to count them. There is a lesson in these incidents for us, that is to make our own lives practical examples of such an elevated conduct.

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

reached the valley of Taaif for preaching, you Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ invited the wealthy people to the

When Hazrat Muhammad

Tawhid (oneness). But they reacted very rudely. And they not only restrained themselves to this.

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Rather they sent small urchins to follow you

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă°

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ .

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@

Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

This satanic army stampeded you ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; from all the sides. And they started throwing stones at you from all the sides.

i.o

Wherever you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; used to go these brats used to follow you and throw stone at

you. Hazrat Zaid ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P had made himself a shield for you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; . But when the stones were being thrown from all the sides, till

how long could they save Hazrat Zaid ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠJ ÂŤ . So many stones were thrown at you ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ that the body became bloody and the shoes

soaked in his blood. There was not a single part of your Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; body that was not severely

injured and fountains gushing out of blood were not

of it. At last you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; took refuge in a garden of grapes and got rid of the urchins.

(Taareekh ibn-e-Jurair)

He got a sigh of relief in the garden. At first

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The Refusal to Destroy the People of Taaif

1.40.1

i.o

Hazrat Zaid ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P cleaned the blood on your

body. And then he started cleaning his wounds. Since a lot of blood had gathered in your shoes, you could barely take your feet out as you performed ablution. (Taareekh ibn-e-Jurair and Madaarij)

In a theological sense, tawhid means unity of God.

i.o

In the interim the angel of mountains called, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C;! My Lord has sent me to you to obey each one of your commands. If you so command, should I collapse the two mountains of Taaif and Hazrat destroy its inhabitants?â&#x20AC;? Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;No. I do

I keep hope with not wish their destruction. Rather Allah Almighty that He may produce such people from their generations, who would propagate his tawhid3 and worship in the whole world.â&#x20AC;? And the

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Concessions to the Christians of Najraan

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history is witness to this that Allah accepted your prayer and gave birth to such people in Taaif who spread the message of religion in the whole world. (Tabqaat ibn-e-Saad, Madaaraj-e-nabooat)

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă°

The pact Hazrat Muhammad

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

made with the people of Najraan, Hazrat Abu Bakar

i.o

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P amended and renewed it by writing

that their life, land, wealth, worship, religion, their

monks, Rabbis, their worship places and whatever is in their possession is under the protection and guardianship of Hazrat Muhammad Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; . Neither should they be harmed, nor should they be subjected to any hardship. Any priest should not be refrained from his priesthood and any rabbi would not be inhibited from his function. This pact is being made in accord with the promises

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ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; made

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Reverence of the Christian Religion During the Era of Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA)

1.41.1

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă°

that Hazrat Muhammad with them.

During the era of Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , Hazrat Khalid ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P also made

a similar pact with the Christians of Aanaat, that

i.o

their churches should not be destroyed. They can knell their church bells at any time during the day or night except at the times of Muslimsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; prayers. They can bring their crosses out on all of their religious ceremonies. It is written in the history of Tibri that the territories that were conquered by

Hazrat Khalid ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , the pacts he made with

their non-Muslim inhabitants, it was written with clarity in them that in return for getting the Jiziya, their life and property would be protected. And

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when they could not be saved and secured, they would not be charged Jizya (a form of Islamic tax, similar to zakaat, that the non-Muslim inhabitants pay to the government).

Apology of Impostors to Hazrat AbuBakar (RA)

1.42

i.o

During his tenure as a caliph he was very strict in organizing his polity. However, for the nonMuslims of the conquered territories, his heart was very soft. All kinds of generous, pious, and tolerant treatment was extended towards them. In his reign under the guardianship of Hazrat Abu-Ubaida ibn e Jarraah ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P when Syria was conquered,

Hazrat Abu Ubaidah made an agreement with its people that their churches and tombs will remain safe. They would be allowed to bring out crosses without flags on religious ceremonies.

In order to bring the astray to the right path, to empower the week, and to get the rights of the poor from all the activities of Hazrat Abu Bakar <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăşrich,

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠthe ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P are tolerant. In his era as caliph he

used to treat the criminals very softly and politely.

After the demise of Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ Ashas bin Qais also claimed prophethood like other impostors. When he was captured and

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brought in front of Abu Bakar

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@

Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , he Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P not

i.o

repented. Hazrat Abu Bakar only forgave him, rather he betrothed him with his

daughter umm-e-Farda ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . Similarly,

Taleeha also claimed to be a prophet but when he

wrote his apology to Hazrat Abu Bakar ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ , his ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P heart cleared like a mirror.

He ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P also allowed him to come back to

i.o

Punishment of a Blasphemous Person and Annoyance of Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA)

1.42.1

Medina.

He appointed Muhaajir bin Ummiyya ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

as the emir of Yamaama and during that era one of the two female singers sang embarrassing an song for Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; . The other badmouthed Muslims in a song.

Hazrat Muhaajir bin Ummayya ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

cut their hands off as punishment and pulled their

teeth. When Hazrat Abu Bakar ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P came

to know about this, he became extremely angry. He wrote back to him that if the woman who sang an

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embarrassing song for Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ was a Muslim, so she became an apostate, so she should have been punished for apostasy. And if she was a non-Muslim then she acted against the truce. But the woman who badmouthed the Muslims should not have been punished because if she was a Muslim then she only needed to be warned and scolded and if she was a non-Muslim, then since she had afforded to remain a polytheist, then what could be the harm of badmouthing the Muslims.

i.o

However, this was your first mistake so you are being forgiven.

It an extremely detestable sin to cut a part of the body. It is only allowed in the case of a feud (Qasaas?).

Islam and Tolerance 1.43

124

Religious Independence of non-Muslims

Security of the Rights of Non-Muslims

1.43.1

i.o

When Hazrat Abu Bakar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P sent an

army on the expedition of Syria, he addressed the emir of the army, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will find a nation which has devoted itself for the worship of Allah (the Christian nation). Leave them. I make ten recommendations for you. Do not kill any woman, child, or an old person. Do not cut a fruit bearing tree. Do not ruin a place that is inhabited. Do not slaughter goat or camel without need for eating. Do not burn an oasis. Do not cheat in the property that has been confiscated due to battle. And do not become cowards.

The countries that were conquered in his time, their non-Muslim population was taken under safety and took complete responsibility for guarding their rights. The same rights were given by him that were given

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i.o

to by Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; non-Muslims Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ. When Heera was conquered, a pact was made with the christians of that place that their churches and mausoleums will not be demolished. Their that palace will not be demolished in which they hid themselves while competing with the enemy. They will not have any prohibition in knelling and ringing of church bells. On the occasions of religious ceremonies they will not be prohibited to take out their crosses. Taxes would not be charged from any old person who had become handicapped for work or from someone who contracted a severe illness. Or if someone was wealthy in the beginning and then became destitute, from such people too taxes would not be charged. And till the time they stayed alive their kinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs would be fulfilled from the bait-al-maal (treasury). Nonetheless, if they go to another country their relativesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; financial assistance would not be a responsibility of the Muslims. It was also written in this agreement that the nonMuslims would have permission to wear any dress other than the military dress. On the condition that they do not try to imitate the Muslims. The instruction for avoiding imitation was given so that a difference could be maintained between Muslims and non-Muslims to give complete security to the latter. 1.44

Abject Plight of Christians and Jews

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A Change in the Plight of non-Muslims

1.44.1

i.o

example in this regard. In this regard special arrangements were made during the prophetic period and the era of the righteous caliphs of the faithful.

If we compare the rights Hazrat Umar ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ gave to the non-Muslim masses with the em pires of our period, a fair comparison would be impossible.

i.o

During the era of Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P the

empires of Rome and Persia had implemented worse possible rights for the aliens and people of other nations. Despite the fact that the Christians of Syria had the same religion as the Romans, they did not have any proprietary rights on their captured lands. The plight of jews in these states was so bad that they were not even considered as ordinary citizens. Whereas the plight of the Christians of Persia worse than this. When Hazrat Umar

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ was ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P conquered these countries their situa tion changed at once. The way he gave them rights, in this regard as if they not only became citizens, rather such a relationship was formed, as if it is the case with two equal parties. It can be estimated by seeing agreements that Hazrat Umar

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ theĂş ĂŚÂ&#x2022;written P made while different countries were

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conquered that you ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P gave plenty of

rights to the non-Muslim citizens and encouraged them considerably.

i.o

The second caliph Hazrat Umar entered Jerusalem 1400 years ago. He gave one order to cancel the 500 year old diaspora of the Jews. Hazrat Umar Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ respected the sacred places of the Christians so much that upon the event of its conquest you

yourself went to Jerusalem. You ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

i.o

traveled with extreme austerity. You ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

stayed at Jaabiya for a long time and went to Jerusalem and the pact of reconciliation. He Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

formulated

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ conferred privileges to Christians. Hazrat

Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P wrote the agreement himself.

Thus, he wrote: â&#x20AC;?This is the truce of peace which the slave of Allah, ameer-ul-momineen, Hazrat Umar

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P gave to the people. This truce is

for their life, property, church, cross, healthy, sick

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i.o

and for all of their religions. This is pledged that neither their worship places shall be captured, nor shall they be demolished, nor those or their peripheries would be damaged. Any interference shall not be done in their religious affairs. They shall not be forced in any way in the matter of religion. Nor shall they be hurt.â&#x20AC;?

i.o

The result of this generous treatment was that

Batareeq gave Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P permis sion to pray in his sacred church. Please read the account of a Christian writer in this regard: â&#x20AC;?This is also stated that when Batareeq invited Hazrat

Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P to pray in his sacred church,

ĂŠJ ÂŤ

Hazrat Umar ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P denied this offer on the

grounds that if he ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P did so then the

Muslims would make this event as a pretext and would expel the Christians from their church and would convert the church to a mosque.

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

Hazrat Umar

came out of the

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i.o

church prayed alone on the stairs. Then he

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ and ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P wrote an article about this matter

that a congregation prayer should not be offered even on the stairs of the of the church and neither should azaan be called. Tolerance Towards Christians and Jews

1.45

i.o

Regarding the attitude of tolerance that Muslims have had viz a viz Christians and Jews, three events are specially worth mentioning. The Pact of Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) With the Jews of Medina

1.45.1

Creation a truce by Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ with the Jews of Medina. Giving of a manifesto of independence to the Christians of Najraan. And after the conquest of Palestine presentation of a manifesto of independence by Hazrat

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ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Likewise the messages of peace Hazrat Umar Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ gave to the citizens

of Azerbaijan, Jurjaan,

Basic Points of the Pact

1.45.2

i.o

and Madaain were also similar.

Umar

â&#x20AC;˘ The life and property of non-Muslims is just like those of Muslims.

â&#x20AC;˘ They have complete religious freedom.

i.o

â&#x20AC;˘ Neither would their religion be changed nor would there be any interference in their religious affairs.

â&#x20AC;˘ Neither would their religious places of worship be inhabited nor would they be demolished.

â&#x20AC;˘ Nothing about their crosses and property be reduced if they keep on paying jiziyya 4 properly. However, this tax included security of their religious laws and assistance to live their Jiziyya is a form of a tax imposed by a Muslim state to its non-Muslim inhabitants. In some ways it is similar to zakaat, the obligatory tax for every Muslim of means. However, it is lower than zakaat in value. Moreover, the Muslim state is required to save and secure the lives and properties of its non-Muslim inhabitants in return for charging this jizyaa.

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i.o

Brutality Against non-Muslims! Never!!

1.45.3

lives according to them and also the independence to resolve their disputes according to their religious laws.

Following words were written in the parchment that

Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P wrote to Hazrat Abu

Ubaidha ĂŠ JÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P after the conquest of Syria.

â&#x20AC;?Refrain Muslims from oppressing non-Muslims and

i.o

hurting them. Secure their life and property and fulfill all the conditions. Regarding the basic rights

Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P did not differentiate

between Muslim and non-Muslim. The rights that

Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P provided to the non Muslims for their lives and properties, he thoroughly implemented them too.

Thus, a Christian farmer of Syria complained that the army of Muslims has destroyed his crops.

Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P provided him with a

compensation of 10,000 dirhams at once. He also issued an illustrative parchment to the concerned officials that they should not commit any kind of atrocity the non-Muslims. Qazi Abu Yusuf

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚupon Â&#x2022; P has quoted in Kitaab Al-Khiraaj [YaqÂŻub

and Shemesh, 1969] that once upon a time Hazrat

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Umar Farooq ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was coming back from

Syria. He passed through a place where a few people had been forced to stand under the sun. Oil was being poured over their heads. When they were asked, it was learnt that these people did not have the means to pay the jiziyya.

Tolerance of Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) for a Jew

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However, it was important to collect mandatory jiziyya from them. Upon listening to this Hazrat

Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leave them, do not

burden them more than what they can bear. I have heard Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

saying that do not torment the people. The people who torment others in this world, Allah will torment them on the day of judgement.â&#x20AC;?

During the prophetic period Hazrat Umar Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ was well known for his soldiery skills,

chivalry, audacity and speaking ability. He always

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remained close to Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° as a loyal friend.

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

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Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; had

Ashra a lot of love for him. He is also included in Mubashira. Ashra Mubashira were ten people who had personally been announced as the inmates of heaven while they were alive by Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; in a particular gathering. He was very strict in delivering justice. But he used to

consider love of Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; the

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ and in following his sunnah as his sole wealth.

In order to exhibit the truth, he never refrained. He was always ready to sacrifice everything for Islam. He also never thought about unduly favoring his own kinship. In the battle of Badr he killed his maternal uncle Asim bin Hashaam bin Mugheera with his own sword.

Once Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was passing

from somewhere. He saw an old and blind beggar passing by. He asked him about his religion. He told that he was a jew. Then he asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why do you beg?â&#x20AC;? He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have become destitute due to senility, I have to pay the jiziyya too.â&#x20AC;? Upon

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listening to this Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P took

him to his house and gave him something.

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Then he called the treasurer of the bait-al-maal (treasury) and ordered him to take care of him and other people like him. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is against justice that we take advantage of such people by taking jiziyya from them when they are young, and when they become old, they be left without any kind of support.â&#x20AC;? Then he recited this verse of the holy Quran.

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Translation: The poor means the poor of the Muslims. And needy also include the people of the book.

After this he pardoned the jiziyya of that jew and the jiziyya of similar handicapped poor people. (Kitaab Al-Khiraaj, chapter. 13, vol. 2) [YaqÂŻ ub and Shemesh, 1969]

Hazrat Umar Farooq ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said that in

the conquered territories the life, wealth and reli-

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Conduct With Christians

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gion of its people should be completely safe secured. In 22 AH Azerbaijan was conquered, the pact that was made with its people was implemented in a way that their life, property, religion and sharia would be at peace.

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In the era of Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P when

Banu Taghlab was conquered, they were not ready to abandon their old religion. Hazrat Umar Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ said,

â&#x20AC;&#x153;These people should not be persuaded. And they are free in choosing their religion and following it. However, if someone among them wished to accept Islam then no body would interfere. Neither would anyone be able to persuade their children who had converted to Islam.â&#x20AC;? (Tibri)

A person from the tribe of Bakar killed a Chris tian of Heera. Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P wrote

that the murderer be given to the heirs of the per-

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An Interesting Event of Elegant Treatment

1.47.1

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son who had been killed. Thus, that person was handed over to the family members of the person who was murdered and whose name was Hanain. That person was killed.

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An extremely interesting event of the time of Hazrat

Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P is that the ruler of Persia had

made peace agreements with his chief of the Army,

Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqas ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . And he

always used to renounce. In the battle of Shoster two prominent Muslims were killed by him. Hazrat

Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was so much agonized due to

this that he made complete intention of assassinating Harmazaan. However, he postponed his plan. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Umar! Till the time Allah was with us, you were our slaves. Now Allah is with you so we are your slaves.â&#x20AC;? By saying this he asked for water to drink. When the water arrived he requested to be allowed to finish water before being killed.

Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P accepted the request.

He put the cup down and refused to drink water. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;So according to the condition you cannot kill me now.â&#x20AC;? This misunderstanding astounded

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Guarding the Rights of Religious Rights of the Christians

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Hazrat Umar ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . Then Harmzaan recited

the testimony of faith and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had accepted Islam much before. But I played this trick so that people may not say that I have accepted Islam due to the fear of sword.â&#x20AC;?

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In 20 AH when Hazrat Umar raised the flag of Islam in Egypt, he maintained all the rights of the religious dignitaries. The patriarch was living in exile for the past thirteen to fourteen years due to the oppression of the Romans. Hazrat Amar bin

Al-Aas ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P gave him written peace agree ment and called him back and restored him back to his old designation.

On the occasion of the conquest of Egypt Hazrat

Amar bin Al-Aas ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P forgot all the

grievances of the war. When the Christians invited

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Audacity, Generosity and Imartiality

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1.48.1

him, he joined along with his partners in the gathering. And then he invited them back in response.

In 21 AH Alexandria was conquered. A Muslim soldier blew an eye out of the picture of Jesus Christ Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; . Christians felt extremely bad

due to this. They reached Hazrat Amar bin al-Aas

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ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P that a picture of Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; be made and given to them so that they could tear one of its eyes out. Hazrat

Amar bin al-Aas ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is the

need for making a portrait of him Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; when we are present. So if you wish you can tear

apart an eye of a person from amongst us.â&#x20AC;? Then he gave his dagger to one of the christians and presented his eyes to him. After listening to this the

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dagger dropped from the hands of the Christian. The Christian refrained from his claim by saying that a nation that is so much brave, generous, unprejudiced, it is a huge mistake and cruelty to take revenge from them.

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Prohibition of Muslims to Occupy nonMuslimsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Properties and Wealth

1.49

This incident has been written by a Christian bishop of Egypt, Saeed bin Al-Batreeq, in his History of Egypt, that has been published. This incident was also reported by maulana Shibli Naumani in his presidential sermon of an educational conference held in 1903.

Once upon a time Hazrat Umar Farooq ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P ĂŠJÂŤ was coming back from Syria. He passed through a place where a few people had been forced to stand under the sun. Oil was being poured over their heads. When they were asked, it was learnt that those people did not have the means to pay the jiziyya. However, it was important to collect mandatory jiziyya from them. Upon listening to this,

Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leave them, do

not burden them more than what they can bear. I

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Prohibition of Barbaric Occupation of non-Muslims

1.49.1

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have heard Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

saying that do not torment the people. The people who torment others in this world, Allah will torment them on the day of judgement.â&#x20AC;?

Hazrat Umar Farooq ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P took com plete care of this aspect that Muslims would not conquer non-Muslims oppressively. When countries were being conquered Hazrat Abu Ubaida Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

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ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ wrote back to Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

that Muslims are demanding that the conquered

territories, their lands, farms, and trees etc. should be distributed among them. In reply to this Hazrat

Umar ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P wrote back by taking reference

from a few verses of surah al-Hashar and surah atTawba that after taking jiziyya from those people, Muslims do not have any right and neither is there

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Illegitimacy of Buying non-Muslims Lands

1.49.2

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any margin for any excuses. Muslims do not have any right to distribute the occupied lands among themselves. Their inhabitants should continue to use the lands because they are more aware with that work. And they are more capable. Till the time they keep on paying the jizziya they should not be enslaved. Muslims should be stopped from oppressing them and harming them and consuming their wealths.

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Opinions of Hazrat Umar (RA) on His Death Bed

1.50

Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P also made it unlawful

to buy the lands of non-Muslims. Upon imposing taxes on them he used to indicate that severe taxes not be imposed. They were also consulted. When he was about to decide such matters about Iraq, he asked for the suggestions of its influential people. In making arrangements for Egypt the suggestions of Maqooqas were sought.

The accounting of the financial offices of Iraq, Egypt and Syria was kept in their local languages. For this

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in the era of Hazrat Umar Farooq ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠreason,

J ÂŤ, the accountants used to be majoosi (fire worshippers?), christians or qatbis. They used to be treated well according to the commands of Hazrat

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . Hazrat Umar Farooq Umar Farooq

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P cared about

the zimmis (non-Muslim

minorities living in Muslim lands) even on his death bed. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I instruct the caliph who would follow me to treat the zimmis (non-Muslims) well. Whatever truce be made with them, should be well guarded. They should be defended against their enemies well. And they should not be given loads which they cannot bear.â&#x20AC;? He was extremely punitive about the mistakes of the governors. Once he addressed the people, â&#x20AC;&#x153;By Allah, I do not send my governors to you so that they should slap you on your faces and snatch your property. They are sent because they can teach you your religion and sunnah of Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him). should a caretaker treat someone by stepping out of the boundaries prescribed by religion and sunnah of Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him), I would definitely avenge on behalf of the person that is oppressed.â&#x20AC;? Listen ing to this Hazrat Amar bin Al-Aas ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;if a Muslim governor gives corrective punishment to his people should he also be fined?â&#x20AC;?

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Keep the Doors Open for the Needy

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Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, I will

certainly fine him, I have seen Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) paying fines himself.â&#x20AC;?

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Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P used to know if a

government official used to express his grandeur, did not visit the ill, weak could not approach his

office, and he ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P used to suspend him.

He had given instructions to governors that they should not ride Turkish horses, should not wear thin clothing, should not eat sieved flour, should not keep guards on the door, should always keep the doors open for the needy. If someone used to go against these instructions he used to take severe corrective actions against him.

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Hazrat Umar (RA) and His Christian Slave

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A slave of Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with

him) was a christian. He ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P used to

invite him to embrace Islam. But he ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

never emphasized too much. He ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P used

to say that there is no compulsion in Islam. The

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P slave remained christian throughout his

ĂŠJ ÂŤ life.

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Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P had blown such a

spirit of Islamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true teachings among his officials and soldiers that non-Muslims of the conquered countries automatically kept on embracing Islam by getting impressed with their fear of Allah, following of sunnah, piety, abstinence, hospitality, helpfulness, behavior, truthfulness, justice, mercy, equality, good treatment of opponents.

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Elegant Conduct of the Companions (RA)

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145

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When the Muslim army reached Syria, the ambassador of Romans, George, embraced Islam. The emir of of Shitaa, a city of Egypt, embraced Islam with two thousand people. The bishop of Damascus came to Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed (may Allah be pleased with him) and embraced Islam in front of him. After the conquest of Jalola the emirs and affluent of that city themselves embraced Islam. After the battle of Qaadsia the royal regiment of Iran embraced Islam with 4000 soldiers. When some army officers of Yazdgird converted to Islam, nations like Siaabcha, Zatt, and Andghaar also embraced Islam. People of a few towns of Egypt also became Muslims.

After the conquest of Wimyaat the whole population ranging from Baqaara to Asqalaan embraced Islam. And then who can refuse to accept this reality that the population of the whole territories of Iraq, Syria, Egypt and Iran gradually embraced Islam in such a way that Muslim majority increased in these countries. And those countries became known as Muslim countries. If Muslims had not exhibited the elegant model of their tolerant character there, how would they have embraced Islam. A few people can be pressed and oppressed but to

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Highest Example of Tolerance

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1.52

persuade a whole territory with force and terror to a particular religion is against the human nature.

A Roman Caesar.

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In the era of Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P also

there remained continuous confrontation with the Romans. And when the chivalrous military chiefs

of Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P occupied Damas cus, Jordan and Qabas Harqul 5 was extremely perplexed and horrified. He called his military emirs and asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;what is the reason, Arabs are too numerous compared to us in terms of numbers and arms and even then they become successful.â&#x20AC;? An experienced person gave an answer for this, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Arabs have better morals than us. They worship at night and fast during the day. They do not oppress anyone and live with equality amongst each other. In comparison to that our situation is that we drink,

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When a non-Muslim Said: No Doubt Your Prophet is Truthful

1.52.1

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indulge in adultery, do not keep promises, and oppress others. The result of this is that, in their every activity they have vigor and perseverance and our activities are void of them.â&#x20AC;?

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It is an incident of the battle of Yarmook that an emissary named George came to Hazrat Abu

Ubaida ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P and brought the message of

truce to him. Muslims were offering the Maghrib prayers at that time. By looking at their concentration and attention, he was extremely impressed. When the prayer finished, he was brought to Hazrat

Abu-Ubaidha ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . He asked a few ques tions. One of them was about the opinion of Islam about Hazrat Isa Ă?C Â&#x201A;Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ (Jesus Christ) ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ . Hazrat Abu Ubaidah recited a few verses of the holy Quran, the meaning of which was: O People of the book! Do not modify your religion. Say the right thing about Allah Almighty. Isa bin Maryam is only a prophet of Allah and His word, which was put in Maryam by Allah. Maseeh has no objection on this that he is only a man of Allah. Upon listening to this George at once said that indeed these are the characteristics of Hazrat

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A Strange Way of Dealing With the non-Muslim of Jerusalem

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ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ (Jesus Christ Ă?C Â&#x201A;Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ). No Isa Ă?C Â&#x201A;Ă&#x2039;@ doubt your messenger is truthful. After saying this he recited the testimony of faith and converted to Islam. He did not want to go back to his nation, but this was against the teachings of Rasool Allah (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) to stop and refrain an ĂŠJ Ă&#x160; ÂŤ told ambassador. Hazrat Abu Ubaidah Ă?CÂ&#x201A;Ă&#x2039;@

him to go back for the time being, and to come back afterwards if he wished to do so. This is a very elevated example of a humane behavior.

The historian of Islam, ibn-e-Khuldoon, writes that

Hazrat Amar bin Al-Aas ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P used to sit

on the floor with the common people of his palace in Egypt. When Maqooqas (king of Egypt) used to

come to him ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , potters used to carry

formerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throne. And he used to sit on his throne

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kings with Hazrat Amar bin Al-Aas ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠlike J ÂŤ. Because Maqsoos was a zimmi (non-Muslim) and the Muslims used to care about their truces and pacts, and worldly glory so far had not gained any value in their eyes, so on this act of Maqsoos nobody criticized.

ĂŠJ ÂŤ

Hazrat Abu-Ubaida ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P took bait-al maqdas under siege. On getting anxious about the siege the priests of bait-al-maqdas made a truce on this condition that the conditions for truce be set through the caliph himself. Thus, on invitation of

Hazrat Abu Ubaida ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P Ameer-ul-

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momineen Hazrat Umar Farooq ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P went to bait-al-maqdas. When ameer-ul-momineen went

close to the city of Jerusalem, a christian came to you and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am a zimmi (a non-Muslim living in a Muslim country) and this is my garden in front. Some people of your army are harming it.â&#x20AC;? Ameerul-momineen went close to the garden and saw that some people were taking grapes away from the garden. Ameer-ul-momineen stopped those people. They

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said that they were hungry. Hazrat Umar

ĂŠ J ÂŤ went inside the garden and found some people

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Peace and Protection for Life, Property and the Church and Temples

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there too. He ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P called that zimmi

(non-Muslim) to himself and asked about the price of the garden and paid him the price.

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The peace treaty that was written through Ameerul-Momineen, Hazrat Umar Farooq (may Allah be pleased with him) for the inhabitants of Bayt alMuqdis (Jerusalem) had written in it: â&#x20AC;?The life, property, churches, cross, sick, healthy of inhabitants of Aelya and Bayt al-Muqdis all are given peace . Habitation in their temples is forbidden. And neither should they be demolished. So much so that even their enclosures would not be harmed. Nor would any deficiency be made in their crosses or properties. Nor would any torture be done as regards their religion.

Misho writes about the history of crusades that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;When Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) conquered Bayt -al-Maqdas, he did not give any hardship to the christians. Contrary to this when crusaders conquered this city they committed genocide extremely ruthlessly of Muslims and burnt the Jews.â&#x20AC;?

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The Elegant Strategy of Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA)

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Renowned English Historian Gibbon writes: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Caliph Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) indeed conquered Jerusalem, but neither did he torture the inhabitants of the city nor did he interfere in their religion. A part of the city was set aside for christians, priests, and cardinal bishops. For the security of this christians only had to pay 2 Dinars annually. Instead of stopping the pilgrimage to Bayt alMaqdas (Jerusalem), Muslims facilitated it so that due to visitors business could be flourished. After 460 years of this when this sacred city went back into the hands of European Christians, the eastern Christians used to miss and remember the tolerant governance of the Arab Caliphs.â&#x20AC;?

When Hazrat Umar ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠJ ÂŤ wentAmeer-ul-momineen

to the church of Qayaama and the time of prayers approached there, he said to Venice Batareeque, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to offer my prayers.â&#x20AC;? Batareeq replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ameer-ul-momineen, you can offer your

prayers here.â&#x20AC;? You ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P refused to do so.

Batareeq went to the church of Constantinople, but

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ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P did not offer your prayers there

too. You ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P offered your prayers out side the church in front of the door. And said to

you

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Batareeque that I did not offer the prayers inside the church so that in future Muslims do not capture

the church following the logic that Umar ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

After that you ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

wrote a letter and gave it to Batareeque. In which

ĂŠJ ÂŤ had prayed there.

it was written, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any Muslim cannot pray in the church with Azaan and jamaa (as a group prayer), although he can pray alone.â&#x20AC;?

Elegant Treatment of a Qibti Moneyed

1.55.1

i.o

Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed (may Allah be pleased with him) made a peace agreement with the priest of Ghaanaat on the following conditions. (1) Their temples not be destroyed. (2) They should be able to ring their bells and display crosses on their religious festivals whenever they like, during the day or night, but not during the times of the prayers.

While playing polo a rich Qibti man advanced his horse further from that of governor of Egypt, Hazrat

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ĂŠ J ÂŤ

Amar bin Al-Aas ĂŠJ ÂŤ Amar bin Alaas

153

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@

Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . The son of Hazrat Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P angrily beat the rich

i.o

man with a whip. The rich man went to Madina Munawara and complained about it to ameer-ul momineen Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . Ameer-ul-

momineen ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P called both the father and

the son from Egypt and gave a whip in the hands of

the rich man and said, whoever of these has beaten you, you can also beat him. The rich man whipped

Hazrat Abullah ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . Hazrat Umar Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

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1.56

i.o

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ pointed towards Hazrat

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;On him Amar-bin-Alaas too.â&#x20AC;? The rich

man said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;no, he is my mentor.â&#x20AC;?

ĂŠ J ÂŤ

Foreign nations are complete strangers. In the time of treason and revolt even the most civilized of the empires cannot do any favors even to its own peo-

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154

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ple. Sahaaba (friends of Prophet of Allah Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; But

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ) (may Allah be pleased with them) treated the minorities even under such circumstances with extreme politeness, courtesy and civility. On the extreme border of Syria there was a city Areesus. The Muslims had signed a peace treaty with the Christians living there. But these Christians conspired covertly with the Romans and used to convey the news of Muslims to them. When Hazrat Umair bin Saad (may Allah be pleased with him), who was the governor of that place, informed about it to Hazrat Umar-e-Farooq (may Allah be pleased with him), he replied back in writing that the inhabitants be given twice the worth of their property and belongings and then they should be exiled. If they do not agree to this, they should be given a time of one year. Thus, after one year they were sent in to exile. These favors and amenities had such an effect on the minorities that they became supporters of Muslims themselves. Although Romans were themselves of the same religion as the Christians, when Romans made preparations for a great and decisive battle against the Muslims, these minority Christians sent their spies from all over to gain information about the Romans. The governors, that Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (may Allah be pleased with him) had appointed in every city, were approached by affluent christians from every city and reported about this bellicose preparation.

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Hazrat Umar (RA) and his Handling of Mutinies

1.57

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When all the governors reported about this news to Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him), he wrote back that all the tax that had been collected by the minorities be returned, because according to the treaty the security of latter was a responsibility of the Muslims and that they did not possess the means to do so at that time. When these officials returned these amounts back, the minorities were deeply impressed and exclaimed that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;May God bring you back, if Romans had themselves been in this situation they would not have returned the tax back, rather they would have taken whatever was oursâ&#x20AC;? When the Muslims won the christians themselves returned the money so that they could come under the shade of this blissful rain again.

The jews of Khyber adopted such a rebellious attitude that not only did they cheat in the matters of Muslims and tried to spread their destruction, rather they threw the son of Hazrat Umar Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ , Hazrat Abdullah ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , from the

top of the roof. Due to this his hands broke. Hazrat

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Umar ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P exiled them from Khyber. But

in the times of Rasool Allah (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) an agreement was made with them that they would be partners in half of the land and half of the yield. Thus, at the time of exile Hazrat Umar

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P gave them silver and gold equivalent

to their shares of half the land and half the yield.

i.o

The jews of Fidak also committed political mutiny.

Hazrat Umar ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P had made a truce with

them on the conditions of exile. That is why at the

time of exile he ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P gave them the jus tifiable price of whatever shares they had in oasis and land. He sent some acquaintances to set these terms with them and according to the pact whatever price was set with them was given to them.

When Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P used to get

knowledge of any rebellious conspiracy in his land,

he ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P used to act severely to dissipate

it. If this conspiracy used to be from non-muslims, although he would hesitate in punishing them but even in this he used to be merciful and tolerant. When Syria was conquered, on the boundary of it there was a city known as Arboos. A truce was made with the people of this city. But they used to secretly conspire with the Romans of central Asia and used to tell the secrets of Muslims to them.

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Muslims in the Roman Empire

1.58

i.o

When Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P came to know

about this, he wrote to the governor of that place, Hazrat Umair bin Saad ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P, to give them

a deadline of one year, that they should refrain from their conspiracy. And if they do not refrain, their property, land, animals and belongings be counted and the price be given and they be asked to leave. This order was fulfilled.

i.o

In the era of Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P also

there remained continuous confrontation with the Romans. And when the chivalrous military chiefs

of Hazrat Umar ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P occupied Damascus,

Jordan and Qabas, Harqul was extremely perplexed and horrified. He called his military emirs and asked, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;what is the reason, Arabs are too numerous compared to us in terms of numbers and weapons and even then they become successful.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; An experi-

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enced person gave an answer for this, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Arabs have better morals than us. They worship at night and fast during the day. They do not oppress anyone and live with equality amongst each other. In comparison to that our situation is that we drink, indulge in adultery, do not keep promises, and oppress others. The result of this is that, in their every activity they have vigor and perseverance and our activities are void of them.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

i.o

In the battle of Fahal when the Romans wished to have a truce they sent a message to the chief of

Arabs, Hazrat Abu-Ubaida ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , that

some person should come over as an ambassador.

Hazrat Abu-Ubaida ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P sent Maaz-bin-

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P Jabal ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ Ăş ĂŚ Â&#x2022; P . When Hazrat Maaz <Ă&#x2039;@

ĂŠ J ÂŤ reached the camp

of the Romans he saw that

there was a very expensive floor laid in the tent. He stopped there. A christian came and said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I can hold the horse, you please go and sit in the

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P court.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The piety and chastity of Maaz

ĂŠ J ÂŤ was well known. And even the christians were

aware of that. That is why they really wanted to respect His staying out disturbed them. Maaz

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăşhim. ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I do not want to sit on the floor

that has been prepared by snatching the rights of the poor.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Saying this he sat on the floor. Christians felt pity and said that they wanted to respect

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Tolerance of Hazrat Usman (May Allah be Pleased With Him)

1.59

i.o

him but if he did not care about it, what could they

do. Hazrat Maaz ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P became angry. He

stood on his knees and said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;what you consider as respect, I do not care about that, if sitting on the floor is a tradition of the slaves, then who can be a bigger servant of Allah than me.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Romanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s were astonished about his carelessness and independence. So much so that a person asked, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;is there a person among Muslims who, in this regard, is above you?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; He said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I can swear upon Allah! this is enough that I should not be the worse of all.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Romans kept quiet.

All the agreements that were made with non-Muslims

in the times of Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P were

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P kept in the era of Hazrat Usman

. And all the new territories that were conquered,

ĂŠ J ÂŤ

the same tolerant spirit was maintained there too.

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This training was given by Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; . He kept on following the holy prophet (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him)

i.o

in his every small or big deed. His era remained troubled due to some reasons. Even then due to the chivalry of Muslims soldiers Taraablas, Algeria, Qabras, Tabristaan and Armenia were conquered. In his time there were also a lot of mutinies. His personality had a lot of softness and regard for others. But he kept on overcoming these mutinies by adopting the strategies of lack of tyranny and blissfulness. In order to be aware of the wellbeing, or not, of the conquered territories he used to send delegations of notable sahaaba-e-karaam (friends of Prohept Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him)). On fridays he would ask about the circumstances of neighboring countries by reaching the rostrum. And he had made a general announcement that if anyone had any problem with a governor, he should describe that on the occasion of hajj. On that occasion he used to call all the concerned officials so that inquiry of such matters could be made easily.

Islam and Tolerance

Elegant Treatment of the Christians of Najraan

1.59.1

161

i.o

In his time Muslims did some bad treatments towards the christians of Najraan. They complained

about it to Hazrat Usman ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P by coming

to him. At that time the governor of that place was

Hazrat Waleed bin Utbah ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . Hazrat

Usman ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P wrote to him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The chief of

the citizens of Najraan in Iraq has come to me and

i.o

complained and showed to me the condition which

Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P had set with them.

I have come to know about the damages Muslims have done to them. I have reduced their taxes. I have given it to them in the way of Allah. And I have them all the land that Hazrat Umar

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ given ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P had agreed with them.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Islam and Tolerance

Religious Tolerance of Hazrat Ali AlMurtaza(May Allah Be Pleased With Him)

1.60

162

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Hazrat Ali ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s era of caliphate also

remained mostly tormenting and vociferous. The period of his caliphate was five years. Due to fights and rebellions he could not achieve that peace of mind which is mandatory for ruling. But he had gotten his grooming under the shadow of Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him). That is why about chivalry, piety, worship, hospitality and good treatment and character, whatever good examples can be given, all were present in his personality. No contemporary was his equal in chivalry. But he continuously kept on acting on this Hadith of Rasool Allah (may peace be upon him) that brave is not the one who defeats his enemy rather brave is the one who can control his nafs (self). This story of his life is very famous. That in one battle he bowled over a jew and sat on his chest. He wanted to kill him that he spat on his face. At once he got away from his chest. The jew got astonished and asked the reason for his getting away. And he said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;initially I wanted to kill you for Allah, you spat on my face. If I had killed you now, I would have done it for my nafs (self), which would not have been right.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The jew accepted Islam after listening

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to this.

Popularity of Hazrat Ali (RA)

i.o

1.60.1

i.o

He remained very popular due to the beauty of his treatment, character and charismatic behavior. Depending on this quality of his, Rasool Allah (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) kept on taking the work of spreading Islam from him continuously. After the conquest Makkah Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022;of P was appointed for spreading the mes sage of Islam in Banu-Khuzaima. Initially this tribe accepted Islam but afterwards they refused. Hazrat

Khalid ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P imprisoned and killed some

of these people. When Rasool Allah (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him) learnt this, he became sad. You (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon you) had complete con fidence in Hazrat Aliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P performance in

dealing with sensitive circumstances. That is why you (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon you) sent him to Banu-Khuzaima in order to make up for the dam-

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age. Hazrat Ali

164

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P dealt with the matter

He ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P redeemed the pris

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1.61

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with tolerance. oners and paid monetary concessions for the people who were killed. (Fateh Al-Baari)

i.o

Hazrat Ali

ĂŠ J ÂŤ

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P to be sent over there.

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P initially considered this

But Hazrat Muhammad (peace be

Once upon a time Hazrat Khalid (may Allah be pleased with him) was sent for the purpose of tableegh (daawaah) to Yemen. He remained unsuccessful there. Rasool Allah Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; chose

Hazrat Ali task as difficult. upon him) prayed for him by putting his hand on his chest, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;O Allah! make his tongue truthful and enlighten his heart with the light of hedayet (divine guidance).â&#x20AC;&#x2122; After this he tied amaama shareef (turban) on his head and sent him towards Yemen by

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Conspiracies of Khaarijis and Elegant Treatment of Hazrat Ali (RA)

1.61.1

i.o

giving him a black flag. Hazrat Ali ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

changed the atmosphere of that place with the beauty of his strategy and treatment in such a way that the whole tribe of Hamdaan converted to Islam. (Fateh-al-Baari, khulafaa-e-raashideen).

i.o

Khaarijis kept on continuously conspiring against

Hazrat Ali ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . They kept on provok ing majoosis (fire worshippers?), apostates, newMuslims, and minorities (zimmi?), for mutiny. But

Hazrat Ali ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P handled these mutinies

with a lot of patience. When they were subdued, he treated them in a very nice way. Iranian rebels said about his charitable treatment that the method of governance Ameer-ul-momineen Hazrat Ali

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; of P bin Abi-Taalib has made us forget

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the memory of the governance of Nosheerwaan 6 .

i.o

He had maintained and attitude of love and af fection with zimmis 7 . Hazrat Ali ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

maintained all the pacts that he had made with them. Hazrat Aliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is that when his murderer, Ibn-Baljam, was brought to him was brought to his death bed, he said by looking at him: give him good bed, have him sleep on a soft bed. If I remain alive, then I would have the authority to forgive him or to take revenge from him. If I die, I would fight with him in front of Allah. Then he also made this will that he should be treated softly while being avenged, that is, his hands or feet should not be cut.

i.o

glorious example of

ĂŠ J ÂŤ The

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ most ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P charitable treatment

A famous Persian emperor renowned for his justice. non-Muslim minorities living in Muslim countries are called as zimmis in Arabic.

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167

How Yemen Became a Muslim Country

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; chose

Hazrat Ali ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P to go to Yemen to preach

Islam. Initially Hazrat Ali ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P found this

task difficult. But Hazrat Muhammad Â&#x201C; quite Ăş Ă&#x17D;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ put his hand on his chest and prayed,

i.o

Hazrat Muhammad

i.o

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;O Allah! Make his tongue truthful. And enlighten his heart with light of divine guidance.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; After this you tied a turban around his head and gave him a black sent him to Yemen. Hazrat Ali

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ flagĂş ĂŚand P changed the atmosphere of Yemen Â&#x2022;

with the elegance of his conduct in such a way that the whole tribe of Hamdaan converted to Islam. (Khulafaa-i-Raashideen)

Khaarijis kept on continuously conspiring against

Hazrat Ali ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . They kept on provok ing majoosis (fire worshippers?), apostates, newMuslims, and minorities (zimmi?), for mutiny. But

Hazrat Ali ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P handled these mutinies

with a lot of patience. When they were subdued, he treated them in a very nice way. Iranian rebels said about his charitable treatment that the method of

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governance Ameer-ul-momineen Hazrat Ali

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; of P bin Abi-Taalib has made us forget

the memory of the governance of Nosheerwaan.

i.o

He had maintained an attitude of love and affection with zimmis (non-Muslim minorities). Hazrat

Ali ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P maintained all the pacts that

Hazrat Umar ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P had made with them.

Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P had expelled the

i.o

Christians of Arabia from Yemen and had sent them to Iraq because they had started gathering arms and horses against the Muslims. During the era of

Hazrat Ali ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P they wanted to come back.

And when they requested Hazrat Ali ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

about this, he refused to accept it by saying that

the decisions of Hazrat Umar ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P used to

be very appropriate. Even then he wrote an agreement for them that, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You have brought a writing of

Â&#x192; Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; to me in which conditions to protect your life and property have been written. What Hazrat Muhammad Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

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Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ , Abu Bakar ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P and Umar

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P have written for you, I have fulfilled

Tolerance of Hazrat Ali (RA) Towards Non-Muslims

1.63

i.o

that. Thus the Muslim who will go to them now, he should fulfill those promises which have been made with them, instead of suppressing them. Neither should anyone treat them oppressively, nor should anyone make reductions in their rights.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

i.o

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) did not tolerate the betrayal of right of non-Muslims under any circumstance. When non-muslims complained about the severity and strict handling of one of his

officials, Hazrat Amar bin Muslima ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

, he wrote: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I have come to know that the nonMuslim farmers of your country have problems with your strict attitude. There is nothing better in this. You should handle things both with softness and

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i.o

strictness. But strictness should not reach the limits of oppression. And softness should not reach the limits of loss. Whatever is due to be received from them, you should receive it. But save yourself from spilling their blood.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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A Decision in Favor of a Christian Thief

1.63.1

Similarly, an irrigation canal of non-muslims was ruined. He wrote to the official Hazrat Qarz bin

Kaab ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It is the duty of the Muslims to

rehabilitate the canal. And that I can swear upon my life, I like its rehabilitation as opposed to the exile of people living there.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

upon a time the armor of Hazrat Ali Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠOnce J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ fell somewhere. A christian picked it up.

He recognized it as he ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P saw it. The

christian refused to give it. Despite being the caliph of the time Hazrat Ali ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P reported the

matter to the Qazi (judge) of the shariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ah and filed

a petition. Qazi asked that what proof did he have

of the armor being his ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P ? He could

not provide any evidence and the Qazi made the judgement in favor of the christian. The christian got impressed by it and said that this justice is like

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that of prophets. Ameer-ul-momineen ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ presents

me in front of the Qazi to make a judgement and after that the Qazi makes a judge ment against him ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . After that he

Getting Along With Christians

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converted to Islam. When Hazrat Ali ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

used to send a military convoy somewhere, he used to address them: â&#x20AC;?I advise you to acquire the piety of that Allah, with whom you have to ultimately meet. Other than this you cannot have a destination. And he is the lord of this world and the afterlife. Look! The expedition on which you are being sent, make complete arrangements for that. And perform such deeds that will make you near to Allah. Because only those worldly things will be useful, which reach Allah.â&#x20AC;?

Hazrat Imran bin Hassain (may Allah be pleased with him) describes an account of a journey, â&#x20AC;&#x153;On a night we stayed somewhere. In the morning everyone fell asleep. The prayers were missed. They were offered immediately afterwards. We had run short of water. And we were extremely thirsty. The

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Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; sent me with

prophet of Allah Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ some riders in search of water.

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When we went out we saw a woman taking two skins of water on her camel. We asked her as to where could the water be found? She said that water was not available in the vicinity. That she had traveled away from her tribe for a day and a night to fetch water. She told that she was a widow and that she had small orphaned We children. took her to the prophet of Allah Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; .

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Â&#x192; Upon your Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; order the camel was sat down. You Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; put your hand in the skin. You took a little bit of water and gargled with it. After this Your Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; miracle

was observed by 40 people. All of us drank water

from it. And whatever, big or small, utensils we had, we filled them all. One person had the need for taking shower. He was given water for that. Despite that it felt that the skins were so full that they were tearing apart. He Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

told that woman, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;look we have not lessened your

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water.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Then due to Your

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

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command we gave her pieces of leftover bread and dates. You (peace be upon you) said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;go and feed these to your children.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; She went to her tribe and told about this incident and everyone accepted Islam.â&#x20AC;?

It is said about Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that during his journey of Syria he took water from the house of a christian woman and performed ablution with it. Imam Shaafi Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

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ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ has quoted this incident that Hazrat Umar

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P performed ablution by taking water

ĂŠJ ÂŤ

ĂŠ J ÂŤ

Conversion of a Fire-Worshipper

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from the pitcher of a christian woman.

A fire-worshipper named Shamoon was a neighbor

of Hazrat Hasan Basri ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . When he

neared death, you ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P went to him and

saw that his body had become black due to the

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smoke of fire. You ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P advised him to

accept Islam by abandoning fire worship. Allah will have mercy!

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He said that he was nihilistic about Islam due to three reasons. First, while according to your beliefs love of the world is a bad thing then why do you struggle for it? Second, when you consider that death is certain then why donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you work in the world to attain the will of God? And that considering the certainty of death, why donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you prepare for it? Third, that when you consider that the river of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sight as very special and wonderful, then why do you work against the will of God in this

world? You ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P replied that these are

deeds and character of the believers (meaning that they do not reflect the teachings of Islam), but what what had he achieved by wasting time in believing in fire worship? A believer, no matter what his character is, after all believes in the unity of God. But you have worshiped fire for seventy years. And if both of us fall in the fire, would it burn both

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of us equally, or would it have any regard for your worship? but my God has that much power that should He will, the fire cannot give me minutest of the harm. And after saying this, he held fire in his hand and the fire did not affect him at all.

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Upon getting impressed by this Shamoon said that I have indulged in fire worship for seventy years, what would I achieve by becoming a Mus lim now? But when you ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P insisted

again to him to accept Islam, he said that he would

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P accept Islam on one condition that you

ĂŠJ ÂŤ should write a testimonial for him that after my becoming a Muslim Allah Almighty would forgive all of my sins. You wrote a testimonial to him about this subject. After this Shamoon became a Muslim by the truth of his heart. And he made a request

that upon his death you ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P would wash

his body with his hands and lay him down in his grave and place the testimonial in his hand so that on the day of judgement he would have a proof about being a believer. And by making this will he

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recited the testimony of unity and departed from this world.

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The same night you ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P saw in a

dream that Shamoon was wearing a very expensive dress and was wandering in the heaven. And when

you ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P asked about as to what happened

to him? He said God forgave him by virtue of his mercy and what the bounties He bestowed upon him were indescribable. Thus, there is no burden

on you ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P and that you ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P can

take your testimonial back because it is not needed

now. And when you ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P woke up in the

morning, that testimonial was in your hand.

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Love and Adoration of Hazrat Khawaja Moin-ud-din Chishti

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Hazrat Khawaja Moin-ud-din Chishti ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠĂ&#x201D;gP was in reality Sultan-ul-Hind 8 and a sage who was harbinger of prosperity. You were the one who spread light of Islam in the infidel land of India. And for spreading the religion you spread a network of your caliphs and scholars of spiritual knowledge in every corner of India. They started bringing non-Muslims under the shadow of the teachings of Islam. You were not only a dignified wali (friend of Allah) rather you were Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest and first Muslim leader with whose leadership not only in the dark and infidel-nourishing corners of the land of India Islamic lights were lit, but a Muslim dynasty was also established.

The Sultan of India.

Khawaja Moin-ud-din Chishti ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ Ă&#x201D;gP When ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ came to Delhi in the beginning, a person, hiding a knife under his armpit, attacked him with the intention of killing him. Hazrat Khawaja Moin-

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An Interesting Incident

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ud-din Chishti ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P lovingly said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since

you have come, finish your job.â&#x20AC;? The infidel started quivering as soon as he heard these words. He fell in the feet and accepted Islam instantaneously. Seeing this wonder many other people also became Muslims.

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A fire worshipper named Behram used to live in the

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P neighborhood of Hazrat Ahmad bin Hizb

ĂŠ J ÂŤ . He was a big merchant. Once in the way robbers looted all of his property. When you heard about this you felt very sad. He said to his disciples, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What if he is a non-Muslim? He is our neighbor. It is mandatory for us to console him. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s go and and console him. He is very sad.â&#x20AC;? Thus, you went

to his house. He also respected you ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P a

lot. And took you ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P in the house and

hosted you in a well decorated room. Since it was

a time of severe famine, formalities were made, but

he thought that may be you ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P have

come to eat something. You ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P under stood from your enlightened self and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Behram, be comfortable. We have not come here to eat and drink. We have just come here to console you. We

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heard about your great loss.” He said, “indeed my belongings were looted and I had a grave loss. But still there are three things for which it is mandatory for me to be thankful. Firstly, I was looted but I did not loot anyone. Secondly, half of my belongings are still with me. Thirdly, a few worldly are safe.” You

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belongings looted, belongings of the afterlife

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; Pwere said to your disciples that his sayings

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have a smell of friendship. Then you ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tell us that why do you people worship fire?â&#x20AC;? He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Only so that on the day of judge ment I remain safe from it.â&#x20AC;? You ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said,

â&#x20AC;&#x153;you are worshipping it since a long time. And I could not understand its significance even for a single day. Come! letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s both of us put hands in it. We will get to know as to how much it spares you.â&#x20AC;? This suggestion struck Behramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart a little bit. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ok explain four affairs to me. Why did

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P Allah brought to life His creation?â&#x20AC;? You

ĂŠJ ÂŤ said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Creation was given birth so that it could

recognize its creator. Sustenance was given so that they could know Him due to it. Death was given so that they could recognize Him by the virtue of His dominance(Qahaari?). Then he brought back to life so that they could recognize him by the virtue of His nature.â&#x20AC;? Behram said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ok bring forward this

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Mystery of Sheikh Jalal-ud-din and a Hindu Yogi

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fire and letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s test it too.â&#x20AC;? You ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P put

your hand in it and no harm happened. Behram embraced Islam at that point.

Hazrat Sheikh Jalal-ud-din Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Kabeer-ul-Aulia,

was very wealthy and a rich person of his

Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

time. And your father, Khawaja Mehmood

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ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wealth also did not have any measure. You

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P were renowned for your knowledge and

benevolence. From childhood you ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

used to get upset about anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problem. And till

the time you ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P would not solve his

problem you ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P would remain restless.

You ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P used to help poor and the needy

a lot. You ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P were very charitable and

you had this habit till the end. You belonged to

Paani Patt. You ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P had not reached

adolescence yet that you started developing mystic

states. You ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P would go to jungles

ĂŠJ ÂŤ

and remain busy in worships there. When Hazrat

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ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P made you a

caliph he ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P prayed for you ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P ,

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jalali! I give you this and that.â&#x20AC;? This meant that

Sheikh Shams-ud-din

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blessings of both this life and afterlife were prayed to be bestowed upon him.

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of people benefited from you Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠJ ÂŤ Thousands

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ . Islam and

the purpose of Islam benefited a lot. Plenty of hindus accepted Islam on your hands.

You ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P reached a mountain while touring.

You ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P saw that a hindu yogi was sitting

still his eyes were closed. When you Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ while

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ reached

near him, you gave movement to his heart. He opened his eyes. And gave you a piece

of Paaras? (a gem) happily. You ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

threw it in water while smiling. He did not like

this act. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P did not value

this priceless thing. I do not know give me my stone back. Otherwise I will not let you lift even a single foot from here.â&#x20AC;? And he behaved with severe

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . But you insolence in front of you

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P while exhibiting a good behavior went

down into the spring and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;come pick your stone up.â&#x20AC;? What he saw was that there were lying

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The Elegant Conduct of Saaien Tawakkal Shah Anbaalwi (RA)

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thousands stones (gems) over there. You

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ofĂŚÂ&#x2022; such P smiled and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;When respect ful people of Allah look at any stone it becomes paaras (gem).â&#x20AC;? When he saw this wonder and the beautiful behavior he converted to Islam instantaneously. Then in his vicinity all of his disciples also converted to Islam. This yogi became a firm and a complete believer.

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Many traits can be found in the character of Hazrat

Shah Sahib ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P that show that he had

a lot of affection for the creation of Allah. This did not have any discrimination of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian. A part of this affection was hadayet (guidance) too. He would meet everyone openheartedly. And he had a catch phrase, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O banday Allah dai!â&#x20AC;? (O man of Allah). He used to address the others with this.

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Care for a Hindu Neighbor

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Restoration of the Archbishop

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You had so much regard for the of sun punctuality nah of Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

that once in the neighborhood a Hindu died. You did not eat food till the time he was taken out for cremation. He said that he was a neighbor and when the neighbors are in sorrow food should be eaten by separating from them 9 . Thus, he went to the mosque and ate a little bit of rice over there.

The inhabitants of Egypt were given complete independence in the matters of religious affairs. They were assured about the safety of life, property and personal respect. So much so that the archbishop of christians, Benjamin, who was in hiding due to the fear of the Romans, was invited by Hazrat Amar bin Al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with Him) and was appointed back to his designation. And whatever concessions were asked about churches were granted. On gaining religious independence Christians celebrated a lot and speeches were made in the churches. Asqaf Baasili said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;After a long op9

i.e. Not in front of them to exhibit a complete lack of empathy.

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pression of Romans, I am seeing an era of redemption and peace in Alexandria today.â&#x20AC;? In the eyes of the Muslims jews, christians, polytheists and fireworshippers were all equal. And muslims used to treat everyone with sympathy and love.

Â&#x201A;Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ). Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; (Hazrat Isa Ă?C

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@

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After seeing the beauty of behavior of Muslims, myriads of non-Muslims adopted Islam and by the passage of time they started adopting Arabic language too. The result of this was this that in future eras Egypt became a center of Islamic culture and civilization. When Muslims conquered Alexandria, an arrow of a person belonging to the Muslim army accidentally broke an eye of the statue of Hazrat Isa (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon Him) (Jesus Christ Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; ). This incident deeply ag They went to the chief of onized the Christians. the Muslim Army, Hazrat Amar bin Al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with Him), and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your man has broken an eye of the statue of Jesus Christ You

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Good Demeanor of a Friend of Allah

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should also make a statue of your prophet (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace and blessings be upon Him). And we would break an eye of that statue in return.â&#x20AC;? The chief of the Muslims said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This sounds like a foolish idea. It would be better that instead of breaking the eye of the statue, you should break the eye of a Muslim soldier.â&#x20AC;? A christian agreed to do this. The chief of the muslims himself gave him his dagger and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;My eye is presented here, you can break it.â&#x20AC;? Seeing this justice of the chief of Muslims the dagger dropped down from the hands of the christian and he refrained from his act.

It is described in Israr-at-Tawhid that one day Abu Saeed Abu-Al-Khair ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was passing

through a street with a group of people. A woman was throwing the ash of her stove from the top of her roof. Some ash fell on Sheikhâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothes. Sheikh was not affected by this incident at all. But his

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companions became severely angry. And they felt about asking the man of the house. Sheikh said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You should not become angry. Only ash has fallen on the person who deserved fire. This time is appropriate for thanking Allah instead.â&#x20AC;? Everyone became quiet by listening to this. And no one harmed any one.

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Hazrat Ba-Yazeed ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was pass ing through a graveyard. A Bistaami young man was playing a musical instrument. You recited Laahola-waala qoowata upon seeing him. That young man struck his instrument so severely on Hazratâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head that his head got wounded. And the instrument also broke. You came back to your house and sent to him the price of the instrument and a little bit of sweet. And also sent this message to buy a new instrument from that money and eat sweet so that the sorrow of broken instrument may go away. When the young man got this message he felt very ashamed. He came back to sheikh and asked for forgiveness.

Islam and Tolerance

Hazrat Ba-Yazeed Bastaami and His Jewish Neighbor

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A Jew lived in the neighborhood of Hazrat Bayazid Bastami (Allahs mercy be upon him).Once a child kept crying all the night in his neighbors home. In the morning Hazrat knocked at his Jewish neighbors door. A lady replied from inside that there was no man in the house. Hazrat Bayazid Bastami introduced himself and asked if everything was alright. The Jewish lady told that many months ago her husband went on a journey. During his absence she gave birth to his child who kept crying all the night. When Hazrat asked that why the child had been crying during the night, she replied that it was too dark in the house and she did not have money, neither was anyone there to bring oil. She was living on the grain which her husband left at home before leaving. Hazrat went straight to his home and brought everything for her. Before evening, the holy man called Bayazid Bastami by the world was standing in front of the Jews door holding a bottle of oil. For many days Hazrat kept on providing that lady with all the necessities so that her child would not cry in the darkness of night. After a few months that Jewish ladys husband came back from his journey. The lady told everything to her husband. The Jew was very happy and he went to Hazrat Bayazid Bastami to say thanks to him.

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Hazrat said that there was no need to say thanks as whatever he did was his duty and if he had not have done that, it would have been extremely sinful as in his religion, Islam, neighbors had a lot rights. The Jew requested Hazrat that he also wanted to protect himself under the divine mercy of that religion and wanted to convert to Muslim faith by reciting the testimony of purity taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) because of which Allah has given you great respect. Hazrat taught him the tetimony and converted him to Islam.

The Sufi Path

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Episode 80 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; March, 2013)

Sufi-saints have given a lot of value to human friendliness. In this they have never been bound by religion or sect, nation and race. They value a lot to help the humanity with altruism, even though they may have non-Muslims among them. Below a few sayings and teachings of the sufi saints are copied due to which you would have an idea that what is the value of good treatment of the non-Muslims according to the sufi saints.

Hazrat Baa-Yazeed Bastaami ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P used

to pray, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Allah! make my self so big that only

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my self could fit into the hell. So that nothing else

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P may come into the hell.â&#x20AC;? Hazrat Shibli

ĂŠJ ÂŤ has said, A sufi cannot become a sufi till the time

he does not consider the whole creation of Allah as his family. Meaning that he does not look at them

with love. Sheikh Saadi ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P says that once

upon a time my master, Shahaab-ud-din Suhar wardi ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P could not sleep for the whole

night for the fear of hell. And in the morning I heard that he is saying in the prayer that, O Allah! How nice it would have been that hell would have been filled with my self. So that all the other human beings could have been redeemed. Khawaaja Moin ud-din Chishti ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P has said that a sufi

is that person who has the generosity of a river, affection of the sun and hospitality of the land.

Khawaaja Abdullah ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P has said that

become a flower and not a thorn. a friend Become

and not foe. Shams Tabrez ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P has said

that if you want redemption from the hell, then

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P serve the creation. Abu Maashar balkhi

ĂŠJ ÂŤ says that 6 things are obligatory upon me and one among them is to look upon the creation with

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Forgiveness and Mercy and Benevolence Towards Enemies

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affection. Sufi Aziz-ud-din Nafsi ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P says

that treat friend and foe with love and affection. So that your friend may become friendlier and the enemy may not become more hostile, rather he may as well also become a friend.

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Sufia-e-karaam (sufi saints of Islam) (may Allah shower His blessings on them) have always adopted the attitude of forgiveness with the creation of Allah, muslim and non-muslim. This had a very good effect on the social Once Hazrat Ma environment.

lik bin Deenaar ĂŠJÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P rented a house in the

neighborhood of a jew. Your cottage was adjoining with the door of the jew. Thus, the jew made such a pipe out of enmity through which he used to pour all the filth in to your house. And the place of your

prayer used to become dirty. You ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

never complained. One day the jew himself said,

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do a problem due to my pipe?â&#x20AC;? You <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăşhave

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠyou ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I clean the filth that comes

out of the pipe every day. So I do not have any problem.â&#x20AC;? The jew said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You do not get angry even after bearing with so much filth. Your religion is definitely true.â&#x20AC;? (Tazkira-tul-Aulia, p, 27).

guests of Hazrat Nizam-ud-din Aulia

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ of Ăşthe

ĂŠ J ÂŤ One ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some ill-religious, your ill wishers badmouth you everywhere, which we can not listen.â&#x20AC;? You ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have forgiven

everyone, you should also forgive them. Do not

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argue with such people.â&#x20AC;?

Encouragement and Affection

1.74.1

In front of Sufia-e-karam ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P there is no

better deed than encouragement, affection, and to provide happiness to others. Hazrat Junaid Bagh-

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ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P went to a person with a few

dirhams. He said he did not need them. You

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said, that â&#x20AC;&#x153;You do not need them but I am

a Muslim. If you will accept them I will feel happy.

dadi

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So you should accept them to make me happy.â&#x20AC;? (kitab-ul-Alhuma, p, 263)

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Hazrat Syed Ishaq Gaazoni Lahori (may Allah shower his blessings upon him) was among the great and highly ranked shaikhs of his time. He came to Lahore after getting a divine, invisible, indication. Your courteous behavior was not only with Muslims, rather it was exemplary towards non-Muslims too. The thing that was most prominent in the mirror of your behavior was your softness and humility. It is written in tohfa-tul-waasileen that a very affluent person who was very famous in his area came

to you ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . You ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠĂ&#x201D;gP did not pay

any attention towards him. He became very angry

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with you and started abusing you. But you ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ remained quiet.

ĂŠ Ă&#x201D; gP

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So much so that there was not a sign of any annoyance on the face. When that person kept on badmouthing you for a long time and kept on abusing you, and did whatever he could do. Then a person from among the audience of the gathering said to you ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠĂ&#x201D;gP , â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hazrat this person is behaving rudely in front of you for a long time, we cannot endure this. Please give us permission so that we punish him or you ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ Ă&#x201D;gP curse him with a bad prayer so that he meets his logical end.â&#x20AC;?

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You ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ Ă&#x201D;gP raised your hands in front of Allah Almighty for this rude person and started saying with a lot of humility and softness, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Allah, I have forgiven him. You should also forgive him.â&#x20AC;? And for a while he kept on praying like this slowly. You ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ Ă&#x201D;gP had hardly finished praying that that irreverent fell down on the floor and became unconscious. And he remained unconscious for around two hours. When he gained conscious-

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Matters Concerning Trade

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ness he came to Hazrat Shaikh ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ Ă&#x201D;gP and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hazrat I made a mistake, please forgive me.â&#x20AC;? He used to say about the importance of courtesy towards Muslims and non-Muslims, â&#x20AC;&#x153;People should make use of forgiveness. And in oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attitude and character one should be a model of sunnah of Hazrat Muhammad (may Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace be upon him). Otherwise the purpose of tableegh (daawa, preaching Islam to humanity) cannot be fulfilled.â&#x20AC;?

It is mentioned in a Hadith that the Muslim is one, from whose tongue and hand, other fellow beings are safe. The life of spiritualists manifests these noble traits. There is no discrimination on the basis of color, creed or religion. They serve the whole humanity without any prejudice or discrimination and always strive for that.

Hazrat Ibrahim Bin Adham says that he was in Bait-al-Maqdas (Jerusalem) and after the Isha Prayer when all the people had left, two angels descended from the heavens. One of them said to the other, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I could feel a human here.â&#x20AC;? The other said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, he is Ibrahim Bin Adham Balkhi.â&#x20AC;? Then first said, It is such a pity! That he had to suffer a lot of calamities to seek his Almightys Pleasure and re-

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mained steadfast till he was blessed with spiritual privilege and prestige but he lost that with a tiny mistake. The other asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What was that mistake?â&#x20AC;? The first said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;While he was in Basra, he bought dates from a date merchant, when he finished buying he returned and found a date fallen on the ground. He thought that it was one of the dates which he had bought, so he picked it up, cleaned it, and then ate it. Actually the date did not belong to him. Rather it was thrown from the shopkeepers shop. So, when that date reached his stomach, his spiritual enlightenment was taken back.â&#x20AC;?

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Hadhrat Ibrahim Bin Adham ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ When

listened to this entire conversation, he started crying and, in desperation and haste, he rushed towards Basra. Then he bought dates from there and took them to the shopkeeper and told him the full matter. The merchant not only forgave him at once but also apologized for the inconvenience caused by that. Then he returned back to Jerusalem and the next night he again witnessed the angels descending down. Then they repeated the same conversation but one of them told the other that Hadhrat

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Sympathy Towards a Christian Lady

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Ibrahim Bin Adhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P spiritual enact ment was rehabilitated and his spiritual enlightenment was restored.

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P came out of the Lahori door, Shah darra, to see off his friend. Both friends were stand-

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ing and chatting there when they saw a Christian lady who was injured badly and she was also thirsty, but nobody was giving her water. Both went to her, and gave her water after arranging from somewhere.

Era of 1857 was very chaotic. Initially, the Indians were powerful over the British people and they were so enthusiastic that no one was able to help or support the British, whether old or ill, man, woman or a child. But in Islam, even during war you are not allowed to hurt any old, ill, woman and child, rather you should try to save them from all problems.

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Rasool and Maulana Abdullah

ĂŠJ ÂŤ Maulana

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P Gulam

put themselves in danger to help that

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lady. They make her wear mans dress and took her into the room of mosque, and her treatment started. At night people came to investigate after their doubt. They were told that a patient was in the room. They went back due to listening to it. Maulana Gulam Rasool dropped the idea of his return to his country. After the treatment of some days that lady recovered fully. It was then revealed that she was the wife of an English Colonel, she was sent to her house somehow.

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thanked Maulana Gulam Rasool ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ She

very much and tried to give him a letter for future assistance. But he refused, and said that they helped her only for the sake of Allah and for the sake of humanity, that Allah shall repay them. That woman also said that a situation might arise when the Indians might be captured, the letter shall help then. If anyone complains about you to the British, then in that situation this letter will help you. But the Maulana did not agree. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are dervishes. Why would anyone complain against us and what shall he gain by tormenting

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On Courteous Behavior

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us?â&#x20AC;? Maulana Ghulam Rasool ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P took

her to home safely and returned from Delhi to his country after few days of the incident. (Tazkira Maulana Ghulam Rasool Qalwi p 159 - 161)

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Abu Abdullah Khiyat ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P used to stitch

clothes in a shop. One fire worshipper who was very jealous of him, used to get his clothes stitched from him and would pay invalid currency coins. One day he came to the shop to pay a bill. He found that his assistant was sitting in the shop instead of him. As usual, when the fire-worshipper paid invalid currency and demanded his clothes, the assistant returned the money and refused to give the stitched clothes. Abu Abdullah came and assistant told him about the incident, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You did a bad thing. This fire worshipper is dealing with me in the same manner since one year and I just accept invalid currency and throw it into a well so that he

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may not cheat some other Muslim.â&#x20AC;? Signs of Courteous Behavior

1.78.1

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Yousaf Ibn-e-Asbat ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P says that there

are 10 signs of courteous behavior. Less opposition, doing justice, not taking revenge, hating sins, accepting apologies, concentrating on shortcomings of oneself instead of others, treating young and elders with courtesy and speaking courteously with ordinary and privileged .

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Somebody asked Sohail Tastari ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

what is courteous behavior. He (R.A) said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;That its lower level is not to take revenge, tolerating torture, mercy on oppressor and praying for his forgiveness.â&#x20AC;?

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Love Your Neighbor As You Love Yourself

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Our elders and dignified people of the Umma who were our guides and whose lives were light for our lives. What was their way of treatment, behavior and good attitude with non-Muslims and their neighbors. And what sort of love, affection and sacrifice they used to bear in their hearts for nonMuslims, please note an example of this in the following account.

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Hazrat Mujahid (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I was present with Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). At that time one of his slaves was slaughtering and cutting a goat. Ibn-e-Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said to his slave, when you prepare the meat do not forget to give it to our Jewish neighbor. He said this many times. That slave asked, how many

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P reiterate this? He times would you

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P said Hazrat Muhammad

(may Allahs

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Conquest of Samarkand

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peace and blessings be upon him) used to emphasize so much on the rights of the neighbors that we used to fear that perhaps you (may Allahs peace and blessings be upon you) would include their rights in inheritance. (Abu-Dawood, Tirmidhi) [al Sijist¯an¯ı and Hasan, 1984]

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In Fatah al-Baladan Balazari it is reported that when Samarkand was conquered, people there somehow came to know that the actual Islamic procedure of war is like this:

First the local non-Muslims will be invited by the Muslim Army to embrace Islam. If these people will not accept the invitation for Islam, they may be asked for payment of jiziyyah (Penalty). If they refuse this as well, then the Muslim Army could be permitted to attack that country or city of nonMuslims.

The people of Samarkand realized after a long time that the Muslim Army had captured Samarkand without invitation for Islam or payment of jiziyyah. Muslims had settled there and made their houses. People of Samarkand sent a delegation to Hazrat

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Umar Bin Abdul Aziz ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , who is con sidered as one of the Rashidun caliphs, and known as the fifth caliph. The delegation complained that Muslims had captured Samarkand without abiding by this Sunnah and Islamic Law.

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He wrote a letter to the Qazi (Judge) to immediately form a court upon the receipt of the letter, and to gather evidence that when Samarkand was captured, whether this Sunnah was followed or not? If there was no proof of following of this Sunnah, Muslim Army was supposed to immediately abandon Samarkand and to take position outside the city.

Thereafter, they must follow this Sunnah. First they should offer people of Samarkand to embrace Islam. If they do not accept then ask for fibha followed by jiziyyah. If these are also not accepted only then they could invade the country.

Upon receipt of this letter, the Qazi formed the court. Defendant was the commander of the Muslim Army. There might not be any example in the history of the world that a commander who had conquered the capital of the important area of Turkmenistan, appeared as a defendant and as a common person in front of the Judge.

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204

The Story of a Pirate Who Used to Rob Christians and Jews

Ă @ @Ăą J Ă&#x201C; @ ĂĄK Y Ă&#x160;Ă&#x2039;

Ă AK Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2039; @

AĂ&#x201C;Ă° ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039; @ Q ÂťY Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2018;ĂŽ E . ĂąĂ&#x160;ÂŻ Â&#x2021;Â&#x201A; m ' Ă&#x2C6; Q K Â&#x2021;ĂŞĂ&#x2039; @ ĂĄĂ&#x201C;

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Hazrat Fuzzail bin Ayyaz ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was a pirate

in the beginning and used to loot caravans. It was

your ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P routine to loot the arriving cara vans. Love of Allah kindled a fire in the heart, the sentiment of helping the poor developed an attraction. At the time of night a caravan passed by. One person was sitting on the back of a camel and was reciting Quran-e-hakeem. He recited the following verse:

(Surah Hadeed, verse. 16)

Translation: has the time not arrived yet hearts of the faithful would start trembling with remembrance of Allah.

As soon as he heard this verse, it was as if electricity had struck your hear and got stuck in it. It was that set your life and sould ablaze. You

ĂŠ J ÂŤ a ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ flame Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P started saying unintentionally, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The time has arrived! It has arrived!!â&#x20AC;? You repented

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P for all of your past mistakes. Then he

ĂŠ J ÂŤ started worrying no wonder how many people

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had he ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P looted. There were Muslims

among them and non-Muslims as well. There were jews among them and christians as well. No wonder people of how many religions are in them who have

become victims of his ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P piracy. You

started following each one of the persons, irrespective of whether they were jews, christians, buddhists, or zoroastrians, or of any other religion or sect. You used to go to each one of the persons and

either you ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P would return the looted

money, or would ask for it to be forgiven.

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Among these people was a jew who was extremely heartless. He was not ready to forgive his money at any cost. Initially he set a condition the

he ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P should pick a huge dune and

throw it away, that was destroyed overnight due to an invisible wind. Despite this he was not ready to

forgive you ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P . You started coaxing him.

At night this worry started disturbing you that how should I get this jew to forgive me his rights. Then

he him ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P to pick up the pouch of money

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Universal Love

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that was lying below his pillow. You ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

gave the pouch at once. As soon as he saw the bag he converted to Islam. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have read in the Torah that a person who repents sincerely even f he puts his hand in the sand, that converts to gold. In order to test this I had put a pouch filled with sand over there. Now I know that your repentance and your religion are true.â&#x20AC;? (Derived from Kutab al Deeniyya)

Along the bank of river Nile Hazrat Zunnoon Misri saw a scorpion. He thought to kill the lethal insect. AS he was about to pick a stone in his hand that it ran close to the water. At the same time a frog appeared from somewhere. The scorpion got on top of his back. The frog dived in the water to swim to

the opposite bank. Hazrat Zunnoon ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

also became curious and he also reached there. The

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scorpion got off from the back of the frog and crawled in a direction towards the dry land. There was a drunk man upon whose head was huge snake who was about to bite him.

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The scorpion accosted the snake and stung him. The snake dissolved into pieces. Hazrat Zunnoon

Misri ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P woke up the drunk man. When

he woke up he thought about running away with fear as he saw the huge snake. Shaikh said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why do you run away from this. Allah has been kind and with the aid of the scorpion He has saved your life.â&#x20AC;? And then he told the whole story. Upon listening to this the drunk man raised his head towards the sky and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O God! You have bestowed so much upon a non-Muslim and disobedient person, how much would you bestow upon obedient Muslims. I severe upon your respect and dignity! I would never disobey you.â&#x20AC;? And while crying vehemently and reciting the following verses he went away from that place.

O the one who sleeps! Allah almighty takes care

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of you from every bad thing that walks in the darkness.

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How do the eyes sleep from such a king from whom you receive wonderful blessings.

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Readers! This story gives us this lesson that no matter how big a mistake, an act of disobedience, or a sin we commit, we should never be hopeless about the blessings and kindness of Allah Almighty. Our mistakes that are as big as the mountains and sins as huge as the oceans are not dependent on a single drop of His blessings. That is why whether a person is Muslim or non-Muslim, whether he/she is pious or sinful, we should live with everyone with love and encouragement. We do not know when our Lord may choose any one of them and they might become as His friends.

Advice of Behaving Nicely With a Polytheistic Woman

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Please do not forget to read the book Worship places of non-Muslims and our Responsibilities in English and Urdu.

The pious selves of Aulia Allah (friends of Alla) consider it a first and foremost priority to serve the humanity without any discrimination of religion, sect,

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color, race, nationality or language. They preach to treat everyone elegantly.

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As we come to know about many rights of kinship and familial bondings according to Islam, similarly several rights become obvious based upon a mere human relationship between every human being. Moreover, by the virtue of being a human being alone their application becomes necessary. Even if they are not Muslims. For example, to treat oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s polytheistic mother nicely.

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One must abide by all the regulations concerning obedience towards the parents unless they are prohibited by the sharia. Such as it is quoted by

Hazrat Asma bint-e-Abi Bakar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P ,

â&#x20AC;&#x153;My mother came to me in such a state that she was a polytheist during the epoch of the pact of Hudaibiyya. I said to Hazrat Muhammad ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ that my mother had come to me and she had a few expectations should I treat her from me,

gently?â&#x20AC;? You Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, treat

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her nicely too.â&#x20AC;?

Treatment of non-Muslims With Love and Affection

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Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; was

a personification of sympathy and compassion for the whole humanity. The manner in which Hazrat

Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; treated non

Muslims does not have an equivalent example in

the whole human history. He Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

naturally adored friends and strangers alike. He Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; was appointed by Allah to stretch his Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; hands for friendship

with affection towards strangers too. Irrespective of how much animosity they felt towards towards him Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; , he was directed to

respond with sympathy. Thus, it is a saying of Al-

lah Almighty, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If rivals and enemies mould towards

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Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

peace and reconciliation, you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; should also bend towards peace.â&#x20AC;?

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă°

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In pursuit of giving redemption to a maximum number of enemies charged with capital punish ment, he Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D; Â&#x201C; had passed an order

of the Muslims could that even the least influential provide refuge to a non-Muslim criminal or enemy. And that the Muslim also had the permission to intercede on behalf of the captives. Mother of the

faithful, Hazrat Ayesha ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , says that if

any woman ever gave refuge to a polytheist, that refuge was considered correct [al SijistÂŻanÂŻÄą and Hasan, 1984], meaning that every Muslim was legally bound to respect that refuge.

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; used to

accept the gifts of non-Muslims and he ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ used to send gifts towards them. The governor of Ayla sent a white mule towards him Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; as a gift. Thus, Hazrat

Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; sent a white shawl towards him as a gift, and also granted him Hazrat Muhammad

the rights to govern the city in writing [Ali and BukhÂŻarÂŻÄą, 1944]. Between Syria and Arabia there is a city named Doma. The Christian governor of that city whose name was Doma, sent a precious

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gown towards him Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; as a gift. The

everyone used gown was so soft and auspicious that to praise its delicacy and finesse [Ali and BukhÂŻarÂŻÄą, 1944].

rg i.o

Chapter 2

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Worship Places of non-Muslims, Their Rights and our Obligations

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Islam as a Peaceful and a Calm Religion

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Islam is for peace meaning that neither would it beguile or torment someone, nor would a Muslim get duped or troubled by someone else. Or stated in other words, a Muslim is a person from whom every person would remain peacefully safe.

i.o

That is why it is obligatory according to Islam to commonly greet everyone and there are numerous benefits of this. Faith stands for peace, a believer is a person from whom all the creation of God (Allah) can derive peace, meaning a sense of safety, prosperity and wellbeing. This is the reason why the name of the mother of the prophet of Islam Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; was Aamina. Aamina stands for peace (aman). And the name of her maid was Haleema. Haleema also refers to softness (hilm) and peace. The woman who helped at the time of his Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; birth was Shifaa. Shifaa also refers to blessings, wellbeing, peace and prosperity. When we look at all of these evidences, our vantage

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A Wonderful Message of Peace, Wellbeing and Peace for the Whole Humanity

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2.2

point shifts to a position from where we look at Islam as a peaceful and calm religion.

i.o

The prophet of Islam Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; reacted

with non-Muslims with immense elegance. There were innumerable people who had tormented you persistently for years, so much so that they persuaded you to leave Makkah. When you became a conqueror and came was a black to Makkah, there turban on your Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; head, and your head was so much bowed due to modesty that it was touching the hunk of the camel that you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; were riding.

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; put his hands on the door of Kaaba and made an announcement that is a wonderful message of peace, wellbeing and prosperity for the history and humanity. That message was that today I have forgiven everyone. I have given peace to the children, respect to women, forgiven the senile, and I have pronounced common amnesty for the warriors, tyrants and murderers. All of this was done in a way that a standard

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of self respect and personal dignity was developed

among them. Not only you Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C;

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; companions, family

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , followers, Auliya

and pious followers acted with

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă°

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ

ĂŠ J ÂŤ

rather your

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Those Three Who Died Were Not of Hindus, They Were Ours

2.3

i.o

and descendants (friends of Allah) such elegance with the non-Muslims that will remain a message and a sign for the whole humanity till the end of history. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s come and have a look at our attitudes that whether we have love or hatred, tolerance or oppression for the non-Muslims.

Hindu-Muslim riots is an old tradition in Gujarat. Recently during the journey of hajj (pilgrimage) I was sitting in the company of a great scholar of India Hazrat Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui . He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I came back from journey there were a few

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familiar and a few unfamiliar faces. We started talking to each other and we came to know that they are talking to each other about the recent riots in Gujarat that three people of Hindus died and two of ours died.

I stopped them at once and said that the three people who died belonged to us. They insisted that the three people who died belonged to them. But I was insisting that three people who died, belonged to us. At last I said to them that the ones who died were not of but ours. Their father is Hazrat Hindus Adam Ă?C Â&#x201A; Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ and their mother is Hazrat

i.o

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ . We are human brothers. Islam Hawwa Ă?CÂ&#x201A;Ă&#x2039;@ has taught us to love each other. Islam is a religion of tolerance, endurance, softness and sincerity.â&#x20AC;?

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Islamic Teachings and Security of the Worship Places of non-Muslims

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An Appeal of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) to Allah Almighty on Behalf of a NonMuslim

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According to the central teachings of Islam the matters concerning security and safety of lives and properties of non-Muslims is as important as those of the Muslims. Whether non-Muslims live in Muslim countries or elsewhere, it is incumbent upon the Muslims to secure their lives, property, respect and worship places.

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; has mentioned a universal principal regarding the nonMuslims that their blood and property is as respectable as ours. According to another Hadith of

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Same Rules for Muslims and non-Muslims in Islam

2.6

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Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; , â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any per and damson who would torment a non-Muslim, aged his/her life and property, then on the day of judgment I shall personally intercede for that nonMuslim in respect of Allah Almighty.â&#x20AC;?

i.o

The monetary penalties and compensations in cases where someone is murdered are the same for Muslims and non-Muslims. Just as if upon a murder of a Muslim it is compulsory to charge a monetary fine, similar law applies to the murder of a non-Muslim. This is known as qisaas in Islamic jurisprudence. Similarly in the case of providing employment opportunities and safety of property there is no difference between a Muslim and a nonMuslim. The penalty for stealing from a Muslim is to crop a hand. Similar law is applied upon stealing possessions of a non-Muslim.

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There is no Compulsion in Religion According to Islam

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A Pact for Polytheists and Muslims

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2.8

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Religious rights are more important than wealth and property. This is because Islam does not favor compulsion, terrorism and torture in the case of choosing religion. Allah Almighty say in the Quran, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no compulsion in religion according to Islam.â&#x20AC;? (translation of a verse of Surah Baqarah)

This pact is the tolerance. Hazrat example best of

Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂ&#x17D;Â&#x201C; arranged this pact

among Muslims, Jews and polytheists after coming to Medina. According to this everyone had complete independence for abiding by their respective religions. Non-Muslims were free and independent in following their religious so that chores. So much Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; allowed the Christians of Najraan to worship in a corner of masjid-e-nabwi 1 according to their own religious The mosque that in Medina was constructed by Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; himself upon his arrival in

Median after migration.

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Respect of Worship Places of non-Muslims by Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)

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221

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What could be a better example of tolerance than this. The way Islam has respected the worship places of non-Muslims is indeed exemplary. When the territories of Syria and Jerusalem were conquered, there were many churches in those countries. Muslims maintained them the way they were. Hazrat Umar bin Abdul-Aziz

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The Companions (RA) Gave a Written Guarantee for the Security of the Churches

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traditions. ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P had ordered his gov ernors that no synagogue or a Zoroastrian temple be destroyed. Nor should any be burned. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; always had due

regards for the religious sentiments, traditions and places of worship. One of the points of the pact he made with the Christians of Najraan was that no church should be demolished, neither should any religious leader be exiled. [al SijistÂŻanÂŻÄą and Hasan, 1984]

Allama Shibli ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P has quoted the follow ing points of the pact of Nijran that priests, rabbis, and worshippers would not be dismissed from their ranks. Neither would the crosses or statues be broken. When the territory of Syria was conquered, Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed prepared a document in

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Conquest of Egypt and Freedom of Worship to the Christians

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the of Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Jaraah <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P and

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠpresence Hazrat Amar bin al-Aas . In this

fourteen churches were mentioned and a guarantee for their safety and security was given. (Albadaaya wa-Nahaaya, vol. 7)

The Grand Mosque of Damascus and a Place Associated With a Church

2.12

i.o

On the occasion of the conquest of Egypt as well, Muslims presented a written agreement for the security of churches. The christians were given the authority that they could worship in their churches as they wished. And they had freedom of speech and expression. Muslims always had due regards for the worship places of the others.

Hazrat Ameer Muaawiya ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P tried to

assimilate a church named as Youhanna (John?) in the grand mosque of Damascus. The christians did

not give persmission for this and you ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

abandoned your plan. However, afterwards the caliph Abdul Maalik bin Marwaan compulsively included

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It is Forbidden Even to Look at nonMuslims With an Evil Eye

2.13

i.o

the church in the mosque. The under the reign of the caliph Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P

ĂŠ J ÂŤ just

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ the

christians made a petition to him and presented a reference of the act of Hazrat Ameer

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P that upon their request he Muawwiya

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P had

not included the church of

Youhanna into the mosque. Thus Hazrat Umar bin

Abdul Aziz ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P issued an order for the

governor of Egypt that the portion of the church that has been included in the mosque should be returned. (Reference: Alfatah Al-Bildaan)

Through many historical facts one comes to know that Muslims acted openheartedly even in the case of their most private religious affairs. Irrespective of the nation to which worship places belong, however, they have association with the worship of God.

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Gifts for the Persistently Tormenting non-Muslims

2.14

i.o

In such affairs, to hurt the worshippers, to kill them, or to cast an evil eye on them in Islam is strictly forbidden in Islam.

i.o

In Islam it is customary and obligatory to behave well with siblings, neighbors, travelers, people who have borrowed loan, sick and weak. Such commandments are not only for Muslims and they do not apply to Muslims alone.

All the Muslims are advised to behave and treat equally all the human beings. Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D; Â&#x201C; gave a huge amount of money to the people of Makkah during a famine. Although these were the same people who were nonMuslims and they had tormented Muslims a lot. Umm-ulmomineen (mother of the faithful) Hazrat Safiyya ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P distributed 30,000 dirhams

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among her jewish relatives.

Hospitality Towards a non-Muslim Neighbor

i.o

2.15

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Love and Affection With the non-Muslim Prisoners of the Battle of Badr

2.16

It is quoted about Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P that he had a goat slaughtered and

instructed to send it meat to the neighbors. Upon his slaveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return he asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Was the meat given to the jewish neighbor too?â&#x20AC;?

Common Amnesty for the non-Muslim Who Disturbed for the Whole Night

2.17

Hazrat Muhammad Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x192; Ă° ĂŠJ Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C; established

forgiveness, such a mechanism for love, affection, and endowment for the prisoners of the battle of Badr that they were donned with new clothes before being sent back.

One of the neighbors of Hazrat Abdullah bin Mubarak

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ Ă&#x201D; gP

was a blacksmith. Among many of the accounts of his life, one is that sometimes

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Imam Azam (RA) Himself Freed a Drunkard non-Muslim from Prison

2.18

i.o

night. You have no regard for him.â&#x20AC;? At last all of them went to ibn-e Mubarak ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ Ă&#x201D;gP and asked for forgiveness. His words were, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have open permission from me, I have no complaints with you.â&#x20AC;?

i.o

A person used to live in the neighborhood of imam e-azam Abu Hanifa ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ Ă&#x201D;gP . He was a cobbler. Whatever he used to earn during the day, he would spend that on buying alcohol. Then he would gather his friends. They used to sing songs and make noise. This process went on for many years. One night imam-e-azam did not hear any crescendo. He ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ Ă&#x201D;gP came to know in the

morning that the police confiscated him. You ĂŠĂ&#x201D;gP ĂŠJĂ&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ changed your clothes and reached the court

of the governor. The governor respected you and

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228

ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ Ă&#x201D; gP ĂŠ J Ă&#x160; ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂŠ Ă&#x201D; gP

requested for the release of his neighbor.

asked about his reason of arrival. He

Tasbih Khana and Concern for the Sleep of the non-Muslims

i.o

2.19

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He accepted it at once. He went to the jail himself and took the orders for release with him and brought him back. At last that person got impressed by this elegant conduct and repented from everything.

In the tasbih khana of Lahore a loud dhikr-bil-jahar is performed every morning after the Fajar prayers. But the author has given special instructions to his friends that dhikr not be performed in a very loud voice, because there are two huge churches adjacent to our wall. This is to have regard for the sleep of the non-Muslims. This concern is not only of the author, rather renowned and prolific scholars, saints and friends of Allah also had this tradition.

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Accountability of Allah Upon Disturbing a non-Muslimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sleep

2.20

229

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The Message of Tasbih Khana Lahore

2.21

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Islam cares so much about the wellbeing of everyone that it is written in the books of various scholars that if the caller said the Azaan before the time of the fajar prayers and in the meanwhile if a Muslim or a non-Muslim woke up then on the day of judgement the caller would be held responsible in front of Allah for all the people whose sleep was disturbed due to this.

The message of tasbih khana Lahore is that of peace and tranquility. This is one of the reasons that we call it the center of peace and spirituality too. Every month we publish a serial, Treatment of

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Non-Muslims By The Prophet

Ă° ĂŠ J Ă&#x160;ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@

Ăş Ă&#x17D;Â&#x201C;

Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x17D; Â&#x192; of Islam. We have been publishing it for many

years.

Tolerance and Openheartedness of Saladin With non-Muslims

2.22

i.o

Where Ubqari trust is working for the welfare of Muslims, at the same time it can be proven with evidence that it is contributing its share for the welfare of non-Muslims too. Come! Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s abandon the attitude of intolerance and keep in front of us the religious tolerance of Islam in front of us. What sort of agreements Islam made with christians and jews. And then Islam returned its favors with human mercy, guardianship of the rights of non-Muslims and forgiveness.

When Saladin entered Jerusalem as a victorious conqueror, the way he proved his tolerance, openheartedness and love for humanity, has also been commended by European historians. Edward Gibbon writes justice demands that benevolence of the Turkish conqueror be admired. He did not let the people he conquered enter into any trouble or hardship. He could have charged them heavy fines. But he freed 70,000 prisoners by charging them

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Saladin and Christians

2.23

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an amount of 30,000. He freed 2-3,000 without any fines. Like this the number of prisoners reduced from 14,000 to 11,000. When the queen of Jerusalem was brought in front of him, he not only talked to her politely, rather he lowered his eyes and his eyes became wet with tears. Edward Gibbon writes more that Saladin distributed charity among the orphans and widows of the war. He provided all sorts of facilities for the injured. He could be right in acting strictly with the enemies of Quran, but his affectionate benevolence is not only praiseworthy, it is also adorable. (For details: Edward Gibbonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, History of the decline and fall of the Roman empire, vol. 6, p. 499-500) [Gibbon, 1901]

Stanley Lane Poole writes in his book Saladin [Poole, 2002] that when Jerusalem was being handed over to the Muslims, the army of the sultan, respectable people and officials had made arrangements in the streets and corners. These soldiers and officers used to stop all sorts of excesses. The intention and result of this was that no christian be hurt. Sultanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guards were watching every path that led out of the city. And an extremely mature emir was appointed on the door of David, so that everyone could be

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The Elegant Treatment of non-Muslims by Mughal Emperors

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2.24

allowed to go to and forth the city without any prohibition. [Poole, 2002, p. 202]

i.o

Professor Ram Prasaad Khosla writes in his book Mughal kingship and nobility [Khosla, 1934] that the arrangements for justice and equality and religious tolerance that were implemented in the era of Mughal emperors, masses were always satisfied with them. A deep relationship remained between politics and the religion in the Islamic republic. But due to the religious tolerance of the Mughals there was no danger to this relationship. It was never tried in any era that the religion of the rulers should also become the religion of the masses too. So much so that Aurangzeb did not pose any condition for a person to be a Muslim while seeking employment. The king was considered a guardian of the religion of Islam but he never applied any restrictions on the beliefs of the non-Muslim masses, irrespective of whether they were christians, jews or hindus. (p. 297, edition, 1934)

Islam and Tolerance

Mughals Always Protected the Worship Places of non-Muslims

2.25

233

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non-Muslim, Muslim Riots Were Never Heard, Read or Written About During the Reign of the Mughals

2.26

i.o

Pirmitha Seren writes in his book Professional governments under the Mughals that the polity of Mughals during its climax was one of the most wonderful governments in the world. But the standards they set for the treatment of the non-Muslims would be remembered till the end of humanity. They never acted harshly with the non-Muslims. They always acted justly with them and about their temples.

Sir John Kaye has written in his history of Sepoy war [Kaye, 1870] that in the name of mutiny women and children were being killed along with culprits. And they were not intentionally hanged, rather their whole villages were set ablaze, or they were shot. The Britons do not hesitate in taking pride in the fact that they did not leave anyone. Killing was a hobby for them. For three months eight wagons used to transport corpses that were left hanging on the thoroughfares, passages and markets. Sir John further writes with extreme pity

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A Verification of the Encyclopedia of Britannia

2.27

i.o

that this was the attitude of these torture loving people that they exhibited in 1857. But if I look at the climax of the lives of the Mughal emperors, they always adorned every corner of the lives of the non-Muslims. They gave them respect, dignity and a high place in society. That is why they gave due rights to the east India company, they gave them space and provided them with means of protection and all the opportunities to flourish. So much so that Sir John writes that Hindu-Muslim riots were never heard of, spoken about or written during the era of the Mughal emperors. [Basu, 2001, vol. 5, p. 285](ref: Rise of the christian power in India, K. D. Basu vol. 5, p. 285)

It is written in the edition number 11, vol 10 of Encyclopedia of Britannia that all the scholars of Europe accept this fact that where ever the Muslims have ruled, they implemented and maintained high standards of justice, equality, love and affection. They protected their people irrespective of whether they were Muslims or non-Muslims, all were provided with the same protection that was given to them by Islam.

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235

Height of Tolerance With non-Muslims

Muslim Rulers As Well Wishers of the Protection of Worship Places of the non-Muslims

2.29

i.o

Sir Vincent Chirol has collected a huge volume of the glorious history of the Turks like his compatriots and religious fellows. He has written The Turkish Empire along with lord Eversley [Eversley et al., 1958] . In its last chapter, while discussing the achievements of the Turks, he has written that for three hundred years ten sultans and one prime minister Sokoli participated in the expansion of this empire. During this time he had continuous victories. In 1402 they found rulers like Tamer-lain and Mongols. There were wars, victories and defeats. But the most commendable thing that the Turk rulers did was that they acted with extreme religious tolerance and elegance with the non-Muslims. This has signs for our contemporary rulers and statesmen. Alas! Someone should have read about that. [Eversley et al., 1958, p, 426, edition, 1921]

Lord Eversley has discussed Sultan Abdul-Majeed who was a Turkish ruler and his reign was over all the Arabia and the gulf. He has said that he instinc-

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Rule of Justice Without National, Racial and Religious Boundries

2.30

i.o

tively had many qualities and traits. He was the greatest person in the Ottoman empire. One of the traits he had was that he did not have any inclination or intention to crush the non-Muslims, to create severe laws for them and to punish them severely. Rather he always remained a well wisher for the security and protection of the worship places of the Muslims.

i.o

French writer Villason Caner has written that Mehmood II used to have a lot of concerns for his christian inhabitants. When he used to tour his country, he would meet them. He would address their demands, listen to their complaints, solve their problems, he would satisfy them and try to make them happy. Among all of his masses a rule of justice was maintained without andy national, racial or religious discrimination. 2.31

Treatment of the Christians in the Ottoman Empire

George Finlay writes in his renowned book A History of Greece that the Ottoman empire was the

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A Wonderful Example of Mercy Towards non-Muslims

2.32

i.o

strongest in Europe due to many reasons. However, due to several other reasons it was the most tolerant and moderate as well. Even if they imprisoned anybody, only their bodies were confiscated, they would keep their minds free. The lower strata of its christian society were psychologically a lot more advanced as compared to their contemporary strata of the other European nations. (History of Greece, George Finlay, vol. 5, p. 288, vol. 6, p. 18: History of the Ottoman Empire, vol. 2, p. 27, edition 1920) [Finlay and Tozer, 2010, vol. 5, p. 288, vol. 6, p. 18]

The European historian has written a wonderful thing, that the Muslims who inhabited deserts started spreading in the whole world. There were black people among them and white people as well. Their biggest quality was they left behind them a wonderful example of mercy. They used to treat their prisoners, their children and even their wives very gently. They would never loot their self-respect or hurt their self-esteem. They used to give highest possible education to their children. They used to make arrangements for the schooling and teaching. (Historian, History of the World, vol. 12, p, 467.

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Ten Wills of Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique (RA)

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2.33

Ottoman Empire, vol. 1, p. 461) [Williams, 1904, p. 467]

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When Hazrat Abu Bakar ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P sent an army

on the expedition of Syria, he addressed the emir of the army, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will find a nation which has devoted itself for the worship of Allah (the Christian nation). Leave them. I make ten recommendations for you. 1) Do not kill any woman. 2) Do not kill a child. 3) Do not kill an old person. 4) Do not cut a fruit bearing tree. 5) Do not ruin a place that is inhabited. 6) Do not slaughter goat without a need for eating it. 7)Do not slaughter a camel without a need for eating it. 8) Do not burn any oasis. 9) Do not cheat in the property that has been confiscated due to battle. 10) And do not become cowards.â&#x20AC;? (Taareekh-al-Khulafaa, 96, Khulafaaye-Rashideen, p. 16)

Islam and Tolerance

Hazrat Abu Ubaida (RA) and the Protection of Their Life and Property and Worship Places

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239

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Hazrat Abu Ubaida ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P moved from

Damascus to Hamas. The town of Balbak was on the way. Its inhabitants requested them for peace.

He ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P announced peace for their life,

property and their church. And he wrote the following for them:

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Bismillah-i-Rehman-i-Raheem. This is for so and so. And for the people of Balbak, its Romans, its Persians, its Arabs, for their lives, for their properties, for their churches, for their palaces, or for the entries and exits of the city, their posts are under protection. Romans are allowed that they can graze their cattle within a radius of fifteen miles. And that they should not a worship place before spending the month of Rabi-ul-awwal and jamaadiul-awwal. After this they can land where ever they wish. Because their security is in this. So that they

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Protection of Hazrat Umar (RA) to the Churches

2.35

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do not get hurt. From among them whoever would embrace Islam would have the same rights as our and the same duties as ours. Whoever does not wish to accept Islam cannot be persuaded. Their traders are allowed to travel to those cities with which we have reconciled. From among them whoever would abide by his religion, Allah is witness about that, and we consider His witness as sufficient. (Bilaa Zarri Arabi, p. 136, Urdu Translations, p. 207â&#x20AC;&#x201C;208)

When Jerusalem was conquered a pact was made with in the presence of Hazrat Umar <Ă&#x2039;@ people

ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠits ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P and that was that all of those are

under peace and protection that the slave of Allah,

ameer-ul-momineen ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , gave to the

people of Jerusalem. This protection is for their property, wealth, church, cross, healthy, weak, sick,

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Wonderful Behavior of Hazrat Umar (RA) With the non-Muslims

2.36

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and for all of their religious people, their churches should not be inhabited like that, nor should they be demolished, nor should they be harmed, nor should their crosses and wealth be lessened. There should be no compulsion on them in the matter of religion. Neither should they be harmed. (Ref. Taareekh Abu Jaafar Jareer Tabri Fatah bait-alMaqdas, vol. 5, p. 420, Alfarooq, vol. 2, p. 136â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 137) [NumÂŻanÂŻÄą, 1996, p. 136â&#x20AC;&#x201C;137]

Once Hazrat Umar ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ<Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P was passing from

somewhere. He saw an old and blind beggar passing by. He asked him about his religion. He told that he was a jew. Then he asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why do you beg?â&#x20AC;? He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have become destitute due to senility, I have to pay the jiziyya too.â&#x20AC;? Upon listening to this

Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P took him to his house

and gave him something. Then he called the trea-

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Hazrat Umar (RA) Thought About nonMuslims Even on His Deathbed

2.37

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surer of the bait-al-maal (treasury) and ordered him to take care of him and other people like him. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is against justice that we take advantage of such people by taking jiziyya from them when they are young, and when they become old, they be left without any kind of support.â&#x20AC;? Then he recited this verse of the holy Quran. Translation: The poor means the poor of the Muslims. And needy also include the people of the book. After this he pardoned the jiziyya of that jew and the jiziyya of similar handicapped poor people. (Kitaab Al-Khiraaj, chapter. 13, vol. 2) [YaqÂŻ ub and Shemesh, 1969]

Hazrat Umar ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P thought about non Muslims even on his death bed. He advised his successors in his last will to take care of the nonMuslims. (Ref. Kitab al-Khiraaj, chapter. 13, vol.

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2) [YaqÂŻ ub and Shemesh, 1969]

Tolerance of Bani Ummayya With the non-Muslims

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2.37.1

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The evidence of the tolerance of Banu Ummayya is that in their conquered territories, specially in Syria and Iraq, the official languages was maintained as Roman and Persian as opposed to Arabic. So much so that in the department of tax, other nationals were appointed as opposed to Arabs. (Kitaab AlMamoon, p. 161)

During the reign of Banu Ummayya Hazrat Ameer

Muawiyya ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P encouraged the non Muslims a lot. He appointed a christian as a chief of his court. Ibn-e-Aasaal was a christian. Ameer

Muawiyya ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ ĂşĂŚÂ&#x2022; P appointed him on a re spectable rank in Hamas. He was a physician. So

Ameer Muawiyya ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P translated a few

books of medicine in Greek so that the non-Muslims

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of Greece could benefit from those books too.

Love and Affection With the non-Muslim Populace

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2.38

Muslim Ruler and Protection of a Church

2.39

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A renowned physician of the court of Marwaan bin Al-Hakam was a jew. His name was Maasajees . He translated the encyclopedia of the bishop of Iran from the Siryani language to Arabic. The caliph Marwaan bin Al-Hakam kept him appointed on a high rank and kept on bestowing favors on him. Other than that he maintained a relationship of love and affection with the whole non-Muslim populace.

S. B. Scott writes that in Saleeqa thousands of palaces of Muslims and their beauty was a mater of prestige for the Muslims. But the one thing that they protected was a church. They kept that beautiful as well. (Akhbaar al-Andalus, vol. 2, p. 75)

Islam and Tolerance

Elegant Treatment of non-Muslims and Their Worship Places

2.40

245

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The son of Abdur-Rehman ad-Daakhil , Hashaam I, rejuvenated the memory of Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz ĂŠ J ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P due to his character and per sonality and the way of governance. Where there are many achievements of him, there indiscrimination between the rich and poor and treating them with love and mercy and to punish the tyrant rulers is exemplary. To treat the non-Muslims and their worship places with elegance are also worth mentioning. The ruler of this family, Abdur-Rehman II , also had a similar attitude. And another ruler of this family, Abdur-Rehman III , had a similar attitude.

After his death a parchment was found from his papers in which it was written that I am leaving after ruling for fifty years with immense success and peace and prosperity. My enemies and friends are happy with me. The rulers of the whole

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246

Tolerance of Moatassim Billah

2.41

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world are desirous of my friendship. There is nothing that a human being can desire in his heart and that I have not had. I have counted those days in which I have remained relaxed and I have really been without worries. I have fount real happiness. S B Scott writes that Abdur-Rehman III had such a a big heart for non-Muslims that even a lionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart would be smaller than that. Dosy, a famous scholar, writes that Abdur-Rehman IIIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s army was the best army of the world. But his sword was never raised for the non-Muslims. He always acted generously and in the best possible way with nonMuslims and their places of worship. (History of Saarasees, p. 112 to 114)

The Mamoon , Moatassim Billah

ĂŠ J ÂŤ successor

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039;@ Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; Pof ,caliph always acted elegantly with the

non-Muslims. His confrontation was with the Romans. He always used to inform Theuninus, the

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Common Tolerance of Abbasids With non-Muslims

2.42

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king, about the weakness of his army or soldiers, even if he had to bear losses. He always acted generously with the prisoners, children, women, cattle, animals, gardens, castles and fields of the Romans. (For details see, Taareekh ibn-e-Aseer, vol. 6, p. 166)

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One of the friends of caliph Mamoon was Abdul Maseeh bin Ishaque Kandi . He was his best friend and a non-Muslims. The eulogy Kandi wrote after the demise of Mamoon is worth reading. That Mamoon was that person who was not only proficient in his knowledge and rank, but even in his generosity and dignity he was so much ahead that he never acted compulsively in persuading people to accept Islam. He protected my christian rights. And not only that he never criticized my christian beliefs, he never even uttered a bitter word about them. (Ref. Al-Mamoon)

Islam and Tolerance

The Caliph of the Time Took Part in the Funeral Prayers of a Christian Physician

2.43

248

Hospitality of a Christian Historian

2.44

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Caliph Moatassim Billah had considerable affection for a christian physician Salmoyya. He was attached to him to the point of friendship. Salmoyya became ill. The caliph went to see him. And till the time he remained sick, he kept on going constantly. When he died, he did not eat food for one whole day. He ordered that his funeral be placed in the capital. His relatives were smoking his corpse according to their religious tradition. They had lit torches. The caliph did not show any annoyance. Rather he stood up with the christians for his funeral prayers. (Kitaab al-Mamoon, p. 162)

George bin Gabriel was a renowned christian historian. During the reign of caliph Mansoor, the caliph had given him a lot of respect and honor. When George was on his death bed and wanted to go back to his country, Mansoor gave him 50,000 coins for traveling. It was written with them that he should not be hurt. And that all means of protection would accompany him. Caliph Mansoor himself was quite

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249

knowledgable and seasoned. He never used to interfere with the religious customs and worship places of the non-Muslims. (Ref: Mazmoon Taraajum az Maulana Shibli Naumani, Maqaalaat jild Hashtam)

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Philip K Hilti writes that all the chiefs in the territories of the Muslims gave respect to the nonMuslims. They used to treat Muslim and nonMuslim criminals alike. They never hurt the nonMuslims of Pelsiyya, Venice and Geneva in the crusades. So much so that Muslims have played a very vital role in providing financial and economical aid to the non-Muslims of France, Loraine, Italy and Sicily. And Muslims never tried to demolish and annihilate the religious customs and places of worship of non-Muslims. (History of Arabs, p. 636) [Hitti, 1970, p.636]

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Epilogue

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Readers! Monthly Ubqari has come out in the world with a message of peace and tranquility. And the way this message of peace and tranquility has been received by the world, the whole humanity is witness of that. Where Ubqari is popular among the Muslims, at the same time it is equally popular, as it should be, among the Hindus, SIkhs, Christians and Jews. Come and join us! we should hold each other hands irrespective of our religion, nationality, language, geography and ethnicity, to serve the whole humanity. By erasing the message of terrorism we should give a message of peace to the whole world. Let us erase the message of intolerance and distribute a message of peace and tolerance to the whole humanity.

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PBUH Peace be Upon Him

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Alaihe Salatus Salam (meaning: May Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s salutation be upon him/her/them)

List of Acronyms

Rahmat Allah Alaih (meaning: May Allah be pleased with him/her/them)

Razi Allah Taala Anhu (meaning: May Allah be pleased with him/her)

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Index

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Aamina, 207 Abdur-Rehman bin Auf, Abbas, 85 87 Abdul Maseeh bin Ishaque Abdur-Rehman II, 236 Kandi, 238 Abu Abdullah Khiyat, 193 Abdullah, 96 Abu al-Aas, 52 Abdullah bin Mubarak, Abu Ayub Ansari, 71 218 Abu Azzah, 81 Abdullah bin Rawaaha Abu Bakar, 117, 120, 229

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039; Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , 23 Abu Bakar Siddique, 29

Abdullah bin Ubai Sarah, Abu Hurairah, 93 Abu Jahal, 39 111 Abdur-Rehman ad Daakhil,Abu Labaaba Bashir bin Abdul Manzir Ansaar 236 Aosi, 95 Abu Lahab, 68, 85 Abu Sufiyan, 50, 69 Abu Sufyan, 37 Abu Ubaida, 143 Abu Ubaidah bin Jaraah, 214

Islam and Tolerance

253

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Abu Zarr, 31 Aziz-ud-din Nafsi, 185 Abu-Saeed Abu-Al-Khair, Ba-Yazeed, 181 180 Baa-Yazeed Abu-Ubaida, 145 Bastaami, 183 Abu-Ubaida ibn-e Jarraah, badmouth, 19 118 Badr, 46 Ahmad bin Hizb, 173 bait-al-maal, 122 Alexandria, 135 Bait-al-Maqdas, 190 Ali, 53, 158 Banu Hanifa, 77 Allah, 19 Amar bin Al-Aas, 134, 149,Banu Qainqaa, 94 Banu Taghlab, 132 178 Banu-Khuzaima, 160 Amar bin al-Aas, 214 Bayazid Bastami, 182 Ameer Muaawiya, 215 Blood, 43 Ansaari, 30 Aqba, 44 Caliph Ashas bin Qais, 118 Mansoor, 239 Asim bin Hashaam bin Abdul Maalik bin MarMugheera, 130 waan, 215 Asma bint-e-Abi Bakar Hazrat Umar bin Ab

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039; Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P , 203 dul Aziz, 215

Mamoon, 237, 238 Asqaf Baasili, 178 Marwaan bin Al-Hakam, 235 Moatassim Billah, 238 Capture, 31 Christian, 136 Christians, 24, 126, 167 Constantinople, 148

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Constitution of War, 47

Hazrat , Fuzzail bin Ayyaz

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039; Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P 198

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Hawwa (AS), 210 Hazrat Abu

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039; Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022;Ubaida P , 230

Hazrat Ameer Muawiyya, 234 Hazrat Ayesha, 22 Hazrat Muhammad, 20 Hazrat Umar, 231â&#x20AC;&#x201C;233 Heera, 121, 132

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Haleema, 207 Hamza, 68 Hanain, 33

ibn-e-Khuldoon, 145 Ibrahim Bin Adham, 190 Ifk, 22 Imam Behaqqi, 53 Imran bin Hassain, 167 Inappropriate, 19 Isa, 144 Islam, 19

George bin Gabriel, 239 Ghaaba, 89 Ghazfaan, 88 Guests, 30

Fazaara, 88 Fidak, 153

Edward Gibbon, 222 Egypt, 136, 215 Encyclopedia of Britannia, 225 Enemies, 33 Ethiopia, 25 European, 45

Damascus, 154

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255

Jaabir bin

ĂŠJ ÂŤ Saleem

ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039; , 19 Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P Jalal-ud-din, 175 Jerusalem, 190, 231 Jesus Christ, 145 jew, 53 Jews, 21, 126 jews, 123 jiziyya, 130, 136, 232 John Kaye, 224 Jordan, 154 Junaid Baghdadi, 186

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Malik bin Deenaar, 185 Maqooqas, 145 Marhab, 32 Marwaan bin Al-Hakam, 235 Masjid-e-Nabwi, 25 Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui, 209 Maulana Abdullah, 191 Maulana Abdullah Gaznavi, 191 Maulana Gulam Rasool, 191 K. D. Basu, 225 Medina, 21 Kaaba, 56, 86 Mehmood II, 227 Keys, 56 Miqdar bin Aswad, 87 Khadija, 53 Moatassim Billah, 237 Khalid, 160 Muaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ttab, 85 Khalid bin Waleed, 149 Muaawiyya, 107 Khawaja Moin-ud-din Chishti, Muhammad, 20, 38, 47 172 Mujahid, 195 Khyber, 32 Musa, 75 Musailimah Kazzaab, 77 Labaid bin Aasam, 21 Lord Eversley, 226, 227 Najraan, 116 Nizam-ud-din Aulia, 186 Maalik bin Auf, 104, 105 Nosheerwaan, 163 Maasajees, 235 Maashar balkhi, 184 Persia, 123 Makkah, 208 Philip K Hilti, 239

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Pledge, 50 Prisoners, 30 Prohibition, 19

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Shahaab-ud-din Suharwardi, 184 Shahdarra, 191 Shamoon, 169 Qamoos, 32 Sheikh Abdul Haque, 76 Qodamah bin Maazoon, Shibli, 183 87 Shifaa, 207 Ram Prasaad Khosla, 223 Sohail Tastari, 194 Stanley Lane Poole, 223 Roman Empire, 154 Sultan Abdul-Majeed, 227 Sumamah, 77 S. B. Scott, 235 Sumamah bin Asaal, 83 Saad bin Abaada

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠ <Ă&#x2039; , 23 Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P Syed Ishaq Gaazoni Lahori, 187 Saad bin Abi Waqas, 87, Syria, 150 133 Saaien Tawakkal Shah An- Taaif, 20 baalwi, 177 Tolerance, 22 Saeed bin Al-Batreeq, 136 tripe, 39 Safiyya, 217 Tufail bin Amar Dosi, 92 Safwaan bin Umayya, 109 Tufail bin <Ă&#x2039; Ăş ĂŚÂ&#x2022; P ,Dosi

ĂŠJ ÂŤ ĂŠAmar Saladin, 223

28 Salma bin Akwa, 31, 88

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257

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Uhad, 20 Umair bin Wahab Jamhi, 80 Umair bin Wahab Jamhi, 109 Umar, 29, 141 bin Khattab, 47 Umar bin Abdul-Aziz, 213 Usman, 112 Utbah, 85

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Venice Batareeque, 148 Vincent Chirol, 226

Yousaf Ibn-e-Asbat, 194

Wahshi, 68 Waleed bin Utba, 158

Zaid, 114 bin Saana, 21 Zaid bin Saana, 21 Zaid bin Wasna, 109

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[Finlay and Tozer, 2010] Finlay, G. and Tozer, H. (2010). A History of Greece V3, the Byzantine and Greek Empires, Part 2, a D 1057-1453: From Its Conquest by the Romans to the Present Time (1877). Kessinger Publishing.

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