War has to be in self-defense and in support of justice and freedom from oppression.
It must not be waged randomly or with indiscrimination. It must be legitimate and precise.
It must aim at establishing peace and justice. Peace in Islam is the norm, while war is the exception.
War in Islam is meant for defending the oppressed and not to revenge from the oppressor. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) set the best example for this principle. Though he was expelled by his own people and was put to torture for so many years, he forgave the very people who used to oppress him and chastise his companions.
Even at the time of war, the Muslim should never lose hope in peace and reconciliation. A Muslim should never go very far in furthering enmity. This is a lesson that we learn from verse 7 from Surat al-Mutahinah:
"It may be that Allah will grant love (and friendship) between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies. For Allah has power (over all things); And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Friday, March 27, 2009
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH); THE MERCIFUL LEADER
Researcher William Muir discussed the manner with which the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) treated his enemies; a manner that can only be described as full of mercy and pardon.
Muir, while marking the event of Ramadhan 8 A.H. (January 630 A.D.), the period when the Prophet took over Makka, wrote: “The long and obstinate struggle against his pretensions maintained by the inhabitants of his native city might have induced a haughty tyrant to mark his indignation in indelible traces of fire and blood. But Mahomet (the Prophet Muhammad), excepting a few criminals, granted a universal pardon; and nobly casting into oblivion the memory of the past, with all its mockings, its affronts, and persecutions, he treated even the foremost of his opponents with a gracious and even friendly consideration.” [1]
Similarly, Washington Irving [2] stated: “The whole conduct of Mahomet, on gaining possession of Mecca, showed that it was a religious more than a military triumph. His heart, too, softened toward his native place, now that it was in his power; (…), and his inclinations were all toward forgiveness.”[3]
The Prophet was a merciful conqueror. He treated people with justice and rightfulness. He was neither an unfair invader nor a cruel tyrant.
“The Makkans who had all along subjected him and his friends to the most barbarous tortures were given a general amnesty. What treatment a worldly conqueror would have meted out to them can easily be imagined. But the Holy Prophet’s forgiveness was unbounded. Thirteen long years of persecutions and conspiracies were absolutely forgiven and forgotten.”[4] He forgave those people who, for long, tortured and displaced him and his companions, and killed a considerable number of his people.
John Bagot Glubb writes further on the topic: “Thus, Makka was taken without any significant bloodshed. (…) The Prophet captured the hearts of people with the kindness and forgiveness he showed on the day of his victory.”[5]
Moreover, Emile Dermenghem, an orientalist, spoke of the merciful conqueror and leader at the times of his victory: “The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his final conquest proved the generosity of his spirit; a spirit unique of its kind. He ordered his men to free the weak, the elderly, children and women. He warned them not to destroy houses, thieve merchants, cut fruitful trees, and not to raise their swords except in cases of dire necessity. We even saw him blaming some of his leading men and substantially fixing their mistakes telling them that one soul is more worthy than the greatest of triumphs.”[6]
“In this manner came the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a mercy for mankind. He liberated humanity from the chains of ignorance, superstition and corruption.” [7] The Prophet was as the Belgian thinker Henri Masse described him: “resembling absolute mercy.”[8] This absolute mercy, as pointed by Marcel Boisard, is clearly evident in the Prophet’s sayings (Hadiths) and in his life. His words and actions never stopped creating the image of his generosity and modesty in people’s minds. Furthermore, they kept bringing, to this day, his integrity, purity, kindness, and patience to peoples’ minds. Just like history presented him as a great leader with a heart full of grace, it also showed the Prophet as a democratic, vigorous, and leading statesman.[9]
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH); MERCY TO CRIMINALS AND ENEMIES
In addition to his kindly manners towards his opponents, whom over he prevailed in his successful battles and conquests, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sympathetic when treating criminals and enemies living in the Islamic state despite their continuous attempts to create conflict between Muslim brothers and to destroy the union between religion and the state. He was humane even to the spies and traitors who worked for enemies in other territories.
Maulana Muhammad Ali wrote: “The Holy Prophet’s generosity even towards his enemies stands unique in the annuals of the world. ‘Abd Allahh ibn Ubayy was a sworn enemy of Islam; his days and nights were spent in plotting mischief against the faith, ever instigating the Quraish and the Jews to crush the Muslims. Yet at his death the Holy Prophet prayed to the Lord to forgive him; he even offered his own shirt to enshroud his body.”[10]
The Prophet of mercy, Muhammad (PBUH), never took revenge of individuals who wronged him. Ali continued in his book: “There were cases, no doubt, though very few and far between, in which punishment had to be inflicted. But all these were cases of ugly treachery by a people with whom forgiveness had lost its reformatory effect. To let such offenders go at large would have meant countenancing mischief. Punishment was never given where there was the least chance for the success of forgiveness as a deterrent, if not a reformatory measure.”[11]
Muir, while marking the event of Ramadhan 8 A.H. (January 630 A.D.), the period when the Prophet took over Makka, wrote: “The long and obstinate struggle against his pretensions maintained by the inhabitants of his native city might have induced a haughty tyrant to mark his indignation in indelible traces of fire and blood. But Mahomet (the Prophet Muhammad), excepting a few criminals, granted a universal pardon; and nobly casting into oblivion the memory of the past, with all its mockings, its affronts, and persecutions, he treated even the foremost of his opponents with a gracious and even friendly consideration.” [1]
Similarly, Washington Irving [2] stated: “The whole conduct of Mahomet, on gaining possession of Mecca, showed that it was a religious more than a military triumph. His heart, too, softened toward his native place, now that it was in his power; (…), and his inclinations were all toward forgiveness.”[3]
The Prophet was a merciful conqueror. He treated people with justice and rightfulness. He was neither an unfair invader nor a cruel tyrant.
“The Makkans who had all along subjected him and his friends to the most barbarous tortures were given a general amnesty. What treatment a worldly conqueror would have meted out to them can easily be imagined. But the Holy Prophet’s forgiveness was unbounded. Thirteen long years of persecutions and conspiracies were absolutely forgiven and forgotten.”[4] He forgave those people who, for long, tortured and displaced him and his companions, and killed a considerable number of his people.
John Bagot Glubb writes further on the topic: “Thus, Makka was taken without any significant bloodshed. (…) The Prophet captured the hearts of people with the kindness and forgiveness he showed on the day of his victory.”[5]
Moreover, Emile Dermenghem, an orientalist, spoke of the merciful conqueror and leader at the times of his victory: “The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his final conquest proved the generosity of his spirit; a spirit unique of its kind. He ordered his men to free the weak, the elderly, children and women. He warned them not to destroy houses, thieve merchants, cut fruitful trees, and not to raise their swords except in cases of dire necessity. We even saw him blaming some of his leading men and substantially fixing their mistakes telling them that one soul is more worthy than the greatest of triumphs.”[6]
“In this manner came the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a mercy for mankind. He liberated humanity from the chains of ignorance, superstition and corruption.” [7] The Prophet was as the Belgian thinker Henri Masse described him: “resembling absolute mercy.”[8] This absolute mercy, as pointed by Marcel Boisard, is clearly evident in the Prophet’s sayings (Hadiths) and in his life. His words and actions never stopped creating the image of his generosity and modesty in people’s minds. Furthermore, they kept bringing, to this day, his integrity, purity, kindness, and patience to peoples’ minds. Just like history presented him as a great leader with a heart full of grace, it also showed the Prophet as a democratic, vigorous, and leading statesman.[9]
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH); MERCY TO CRIMINALS AND ENEMIES
In addition to his kindly manners towards his opponents, whom over he prevailed in his successful battles and conquests, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sympathetic when treating criminals and enemies living in the Islamic state despite their continuous attempts to create conflict between Muslim brothers and to destroy the union between religion and the state. He was humane even to the spies and traitors who worked for enemies in other territories.
Maulana Muhammad Ali wrote: “The Holy Prophet’s generosity even towards his enemies stands unique in the annuals of the world. ‘Abd Allahh ibn Ubayy was a sworn enemy of Islam; his days and nights were spent in plotting mischief against the faith, ever instigating the Quraish and the Jews to crush the Muslims. Yet at his death the Holy Prophet prayed to the Lord to forgive him; he even offered his own shirt to enshroud his body.”[10]
The Prophet of mercy, Muhammad (PBUH), never took revenge of individuals who wronged him. Ali continued in his book: “There were cases, no doubt, though very few and far between, in which punishment had to be inflicted. But all these were cases of ugly treachery by a people with whom forgiveness had lost its reformatory effect. To let such offenders go at large would have meant countenancing mischief. Punishment was never given where there was the least chance for the success of forgiveness as a deterrent, if not a reformatory measure.”[11]
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH); A MERCY TO DOMESTIC WORKERS:
Once a man came to Prophet Muhammad and said, "O Allah's Messenger! How many times should I forgive the mistakes of slaves?" The Noble Prophet kept quiet. The man repeated his question three times, and the Prophet replied at the third time, "Forgive them seventy times every day." A man had two slaves but was not happy with them. He used to beat and abuse them but they did not change their ways. He complained to the Prophet and asked for his advice. Prophet Muhammad said that if his punishment was in proportion to their wrongs, well and good; otherwise Allah would punish him for his excess. On hearing this the man was upset and began crying. Prophet Muhammad recited the verse from the Qur'an,
"We shall set up scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection." (1:47)
and observed that the man did not read the Qur'an. After this he said, "O Allah's Messenger, it is better that I release them from my possession. Be witness that they are now free."
"We shall set up scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection." (1:47)
and observed that the man did not read the Qur'an. After this he said, "O Allah's Messenger, it is better that I release them from my possession. Be witness that they are now free."
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH); A MERCY FOR CHILDREN
Allah's Messenger was particularly compassionate towards children. When he saw a child crying, he sat beside him or her and shared his or her feelings. He felt the pain of a mother for her child more than the mother herself. Once he said:
“I stand in prayer and wish to prolong it. However, I hear the cry of a child and cut the prayer short for the anxiety which the mother is feeling.” (Al-Bukhari)
He would take children in his arms and embrace them. He was once hugging his beloved grandsons, Hasan and Hussain, when Aqrah bin Haabis told him, ‘I have got ten children. So far, I have not kissed any of them.’ Allah’s Messenger responded:
“The one with no pity for others is not pitied.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
According to another version, he said:
“What can I do for you if Allah has removed from you the feeling of compassion?” (At-Tirmidhi)
Anas always greeted children as he passed them, saying that he did so because he had observed the Prophet doing the same thing. ( Bukhari and Muslim)
Ibn `Abbas said that the Prophet used to hold the first of any seasonal harvest, he used put it on his eyes then on his lips and say
“Oh Allah! Like you have made us see its beginning (of the season), allow us to see its end.” Then he would give it to any child sitting around him." (Tabarani)
When his guests brought children with them, the Prophet called them towards him and placed them on his lap. One day an infant urinated on his clothes. He simply poured water over the area but did not wash the clothes (as the infant was only breast-fed). ( Bukhari )
Prophet Muhammad used to set some kids in a row and saying, "I'll give such and such (i.e gift or so) to the one who come to me first." So they used to race and fall on his back and chest. (Ahmad)
“I stand in prayer and wish to prolong it. However, I hear the cry of a child and cut the prayer short for the anxiety which the mother is feeling.” (Al-Bukhari)
He would take children in his arms and embrace them. He was once hugging his beloved grandsons, Hasan and Hussain, when Aqrah bin Haabis told him, ‘I have got ten children. So far, I have not kissed any of them.’ Allah’s Messenger responded:
“The one with no pity for others is not pitied.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
According to another version, he said:
“What can I do for you if Allah has removed from you the feeling of compassion?” (At-Tirmidhi)
Anas always greeted children as he passed them, saying that he did so because he had observed the Prophet doing the same thing. ( Bukhari and Muslim)
Ibn `Abbas said that the Prophet used to hold the first of any seasonal harvest, he used put it on his eyes then on his lips and say
“Oh Allah! Like you have made us see its beginning (of the season), allow us to see its end.” Then he would give it to any child sitting around him." (Tabarani)
When his guests brought children with them, the Prophet called them towards him and placed them on his lap. One day an infant urinated on his clothes. He simply poured water over the area but did not wash the clothes (as the infant was only breast-fed). ( Bukhari )
Prophet Muhammad used to set some kids in a row and saying, "I'll give such and such (i.e gift or so) to the one who come to me first." So they used to race and fall on his back and chest. (Ahmad)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH); MERCY TO CRIMINALS AND ENEMIES
In addition to his kindly manners towards his opponents, whom over he prevailed in his successful battles and conquests, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sympathetic when treating criminals and enemies living in the Islamic state despite their continuous attempts to create conflict between Muslim brothers and to destroy the union between religion and the state. He was humane even to the spies and traitors who worked for enemies in other territories.
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH); A MERCY FOR ANIMALS
His compassion encompassed not only human beings, but also animals.
The Prophet forbade his companions to keep the unintelligent creatures hungry or thirsty, to disturb or to overburden them. He commended that kindness and putting them at ease were meritorious acts tending to bring man nearer to Allah. Abu Hurairah reports the Prophet as saying: "A traveler who was thirsty saw a well in the way. He got inside the well and when he came out he saw a dog licking mud due to thirst. The man realised that the dog was as thirsty as him, so he got into the well again, filled his leather sock with water and carried it out holding it with his teeth. Thus, he quenched the thirst of the dog. Allah was pleased with this act of kindness and pardoned his sins." The Companions asked: "O Messenger of Allah is there recompense in the matter of beasts and wild animals also?
"The Prophet replied: "There is recompense in regard to every creature that has a living heart."
The Prophet forbade his companions to keep the unintelligent creatures hungry or thirsty, to disturb or to overburden them. He commended that kindness and putting them at ease were meritorious acts tending to bring man nearer to Allah. Abu Hurairah reports the Prophet as saying: "A traveler who was thirsty saw a well in the way. He got inside the well and when he came out he saw a dog licking mud due to thirst. The man realised that the dog was as thirsty as him, so he got into the well again, filled his leather sock with water and carried it out holding it with his teeth. Thus, he quenched the thirst of the dog. Allah was pleased with this act of kindness and pardoned his sins." The Companions asked: "O Messenger of Allah is there recompense in the matter of beasts and wild animals also?
"The Prophet replied: "There is recompense in regard to every creature that has a living heart."
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH); A MERCY FOR SLAVES
The Prophet strongly enjoined the duty of kind and generous treatment upon slaves, servants and labourers engaged in manual work. Jaabir related the Apostle of Allah as saying: "Feed them with the food which you eat, clothe them with such clothing as you wear, and do not cause trouble to Allah's creatures." The Apostle is further stated to have said: "Those whom Allah has made your dependents are your brothers, servants and helpmates. Anybody whose brother has been made subservient to him ought to feed him with the food he eats and clothe him with the clothes he wears; command him not to do that which he is unable to do and if it becomes necessary to do so then he should help him in doing the job."
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH); A MERCY TO ORPHANS, NEEDERS, AND WIDOWS:
From his mercy is that he never used to disdain from walking along with a widow or with a poor person and fulfill their needs . He used to visit weak and sick Muslims and attend their funerals . He used to treat orphans well and charitably. He used to commend people to sponsor them and treat them with excellence and he also used to announce the consequent virtues of that saying,
“I and a patron of an orphanage are as close in Paradise (while waving with the index and middle finger and parting them .” He also said that the best house in Muslim houses is the one with an orphan being treated well in it. ” ( Bukhari and Ibn Majah)
Ibn Omar reported Allah's Messenger as saying,
"A Muslim is a Muslim's brother; he does not wrong him. If anyone cares for his brother's need, Allah will take care of his need; if anyone relieves his brother's anxiety, Allah will remove from him one of his anxieties on the Day of Resurrection; and if anyone conceals a Muslim's secrets, Allah will conceal his secrets on the Day of Resurrection." (Bukhari and Muslim)Abu Hurairah reported Allah's Messenger as saying,
‘The best house among the Muslims is one where an orphan is well treated, and the worst house among the Muslims is one where an orphan is badly treated." (Ibn Majah)Abu Omamah reported Allah's Messenger as saying, "If anyone caresses an orphan by moving his fingers in his hair, doing so only for God's sake, he will have blessings for every hair over which his hand passes and if anyone treats well ail orphan girl or boy under his care, he and I shall be like these two in Paradise," putting two of his fingers together. (Ahmad)
“I and a patron of an orphanage are as close in Paradise (while waving with the index and middle finger and parting them .” He also said that the best house in Muslim houses is the one with an orphan being treated well in it. ” ( Bukhari and Ibn Majah)
Ibn Omar reported Allah's Messenger as saying,
"A Muslim is a Muslim's brother; he does not wrong him. If anyone cares for his brother's need, Allah will take care of his need; if anyone relieves his brother's anxiety, Allah will remove from him one of his anxieties on the Day of Resurrection; and if anyone conceals a Muslim's secrets, Allah will conceal his secrets on the Day of Resurrection." (Bukhari and Muslim)Abu Hurairah reported Allah's Messenger as saying,
‘The best house among the Muslims is one where an orphan is well treated, and the worst house among the Muslims is one where an orphan is badly treated." (Ibn Majah)Abu Omamah reported Allah's Messenger as saying, "If anyone caresses an orphan by moving his fingers in his hair, doing so only for God's sake, he will have blessings for every hair over which his hand passes and if anyone treats well ail orphan girl or boy under his care, he and I shall be like these two in Paradise," putting two of his fingers together. (Ahmad)
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH); A MERCY FOR WOMEN
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was also very kind and affectionate towards women. Women were very badly treated in those times. The Noble Prophet gave them honour and dignity at par with men in the community. 'Umar reported: "We did not have much regard for women while we were at Makkah, but they were better treated in Madinah. Allah's Messenger established women's rights through his sayings and commandments, which improved their position and status."
Once many women relatives of Prophet Muhammad were sitting around him and talking loudly to him. When Omar came they all left, at which the Prophet laughed. Omar said, "O Allah's Messenger, may Allah keep you smiling. Why did you laugh?", The Prophet remarked that he was amazed at the behavior of those women, who, on hearing Omar's voice, had all hidden themselves from him. Omar, addressing them, said, "You fear me but do not fear Allah's Messenger." They all said, "You are a hot-tempered person in comparison to Allah's Messenger." (Muslim)
Once the Noble Prophet was sleeping with his face covered in the apartment of Aisha. It was the day of Eid (Muslims' holiday) and young girls were singing. Abu Bakr entered the house and asked the girls to stop. The Prophet said, "Let them sing, it is the day of Eid for them." (Bukhari)
Once many women relatives of Prophet Muhammad were sitting around him and talking loudly to him. When Omar came they all left, at which the Prophet laughed. Omar said, "O Allah's Messenger, may Allah keep you smiling. Why did you laugh?", The Prophet remarked that he was amazed at the behavior of those women, who, on hearing Omar's voice, had all hidden themselves from him. Omar, addressing them, said, "You fear me but do not fear Allah's Messenger." They all said, "You are a hot-tempered person in comparison to Allah's Messenger." (Muslim)
Once the Noble Prophet was sleeping with his face covered in the apartment of Aisha. It was the day of Eid (Muslims' holiday) and young girls were singing. Abu Bakr entered the house and asked the girls to stop. The Prophet said, "Let them sing, it is the day of Eid for them." (Bukhari)
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH); A MERCY TOWARDS HIS ENEMIES
The prisoners of war taken captive at the battle of Badr were amongst his bitterest enemies. Nevertheless, he made sure that they were given the best of treatment. Among them was Suhayl bin 'Amr who was a fiery speaker and was denouncing the Prophet . 'Umar one the Prophet’s closest companions, suggested that two of his lower teeth be pulled out so that he might not be so vile in his speeches. The Prophet replied:
“Were I to do this, Allah would disfigure me on the Day of Judgement, despite the fact that I am His messenger.” (Hadith)
In Makkah, his people inflicted him with every kind of suffering, eventually forcing him to emigrate to Madinah, and then waged war on him for five years. However, when he conquered Makkah without bloodshed in the twenty-first year of his Prophethood, he asked the Makkan unbelievers who were awaiting his decision about them: “How do you expect me to treat you?” They responded unanimously: "You are a noble one, the son of a noble one." He announced to them his decision:
“You may go free! No reproach this day shall be on you; may God forgive you.”
“Were I to do this, Allah would disfigure me on the Day of Judgement, despite the fact that I am His messenger.” (Hadith)
In Makkah, his people inflicted him with every kind of suffering, eventually forcing him to emigrate to Madinah, and then waged war on him for five years. However, when he conquered Makkah without bloodshed in the twenty-first year of his Prophethood, he asked the Makkan unbelievers who were awaiting his decision about them: “How do you expect me to treat you?” They responded unanimously: "You are a noble one, the son of a noble one." He announced to them his decision:
“You may go free! No reproach this day shall be on you; may God forgive you.”
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH); A MERCY FOR THE BELIEVERS
The Messenger’s compassion towards the believers was of the utmost degree. The Quran describes his compassion in the following verse, which means: “There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers is kind and merciful.” (Quran: 9:128)
Sa‘d bin ‘Ubaadah once became ill, so Allah's Messenger visited him in his house. On seeing his faithful Companion in a pitiful state, he was moved to tears. Then, he said:
“Allah does not punish because of tears, nor because of grief, but he punishes because of this."- and he pointed to his tongue. (Al-Bukhari)
Sa‘d bin ‘Ubaadah once became ill, so Allah's Messenger visited him in his house. On seeing his faithful Companion in a pitiful state, he was moved to tears. Then, he said:
“Allah does not punish because of tears, nor because of grief, but he punishes because of this."- and he pointed to his tongue. (Al-Bukhari)
MERCIFUL HUMANITARIANISM
God says in His Glorious Book:
'Prophet! surely We have sent you as a witness, and as a bearer of good news and as a warner, and as one inviting to Allah by His permission, and as a light-giving torch. '
We are living in these days the anniversary of the Prophet's birth, whom Allah has sent to take the people out of darkness and into the light, by means of the Holy Quran, the light that shines on the minds to open it up on the truth…It shines on the hearts to open it up on love and mercy, and a life to guide it to the way of good and justice.
This Messenger who lived his Message through his humanitarianism was full of kindness and mercy towards all people. He was the orphan who lost his parents at a very young age, and he dedicated his life to the orphans ,the needy and those in pain and distress to try to ease their sufferings and address their griefs .
He is the Messenger whom the Quran describes in this way:
'Certainly a Messenger has come to you from among yourselves; grievous to him is your falling into distress, excessively solicitous respecting you; to the believers (he is) compassionate. '
'Prophet! surely We have sent you as a witness, and as a bearer of good news and as a warner, and as one inviting to Allah by His permission, and as a light-giving torch. '
We are living in these days the anniversary of the Prophet's birth, whom Allah has sent to take the people out of darkness and into the light, by means of the Holy Quran, the light that shines on the minds to open it up on the truth…It shines on the hearts to open it up on love and mercy, and a life to guide it to the way of good and justice.
This Messenger who lived his Message through his humanitarianism was full of kindness and mercy towards all people. He was the orphan who lost his parents at a very young age, and he dedicated his life to the orphans ,the needy and those in pain and distress to try to ease their sufferings and address their griefs .
He is the Messenger whom the Quran describes in this way:
'Certainly a Messenger has come to you from among yourselves; grievous to him is your falling into distress, excessively solicitous respecting you; to the believers (he is) compassionate. '
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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