The Prophet as a Mercy to All Worlds: His Forgiveness and Compassion for Unbelievers - Part 2

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 24 January 2024 This Part Solely Highlights The Prophet's Benevolence And Pardon. It Recounts An Incident In Which The Prophet, Instead Of Punishing Or Taking Revenge On The Polytheist Bedouin, Opted To Show Him Forgiveness. This Story Emphasises The Importance Of These Qualities And Serves As A Reminder That The All-Powerful Allah Sent The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) As A Mercy To All Worlds. ------ When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was returning on the occasion of the battle of Zaat Al-Riqa, an incident involving a Bedouin occurred. This incident serves as another illustration of the prophetic kindness, mercy, and forgiveness for unbelievers. According to Jabir bin Abdullah's narration, he travelled with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to Najd to take part in a Ghazwa. He narrates: “When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) returned, he too returned with him. Midday came upon them while they were in a valley having many thorny trees. The Messenger of Allah and the people dismounted and dispersed to rest in the shade of the trees. The Messenger of Allah rested under a tree and hung his sword on it. We all took a nap and suddenly we heard the Messenger of Allah calling us. We woke up to see a Bedouin with him. The Messenger of Allah said, “This Bedouin took out my sword while I was sleeping and when I woke up, I found the unsheathed sword in his hand and he challenged me saying, ‘Who will save you from me?’ I said thrice, ‘Allah.’ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not punish him but sat down.” According to another hadith, the polytheist said, “Who will protect you from me?” The Messenger of Allah replied, “Allah.” As soon as he said this, the sword fell down from his hand and the Messenger of Allah, catching the sword, asked him, “Who will protect you from me.” He said, “Please forgive me.” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) let him go. The Bedouin then went back to his companions and said: “I have come to you from one of the best of mankind”. (Sahih Bukhari: 4135) This incident exemplifies the mercy and forgiveness of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him). This further demonstrates his whole trust in Allah, which is something we desperately need in our lives. The Almighty Allah states in the Quran: “And He will provide him from (sources) he could never imagine. And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Indeed, Allah has set a measure for all things.’ [65:3] Ghaurath son of al-Harith was the name of that Bedouin polytheist. Even though the Messenger of Allah had complete control and might over the non-Muslim Bedouin, he chose not to take revenge for the deadly tragedy and the murderous plot. He did not threaten him for his transgression, nor did he utilise his authority to exact revenge. He was merciful and offered him forgiveness. According to a narration, it was the outcome of his mercy and kindness that the Bedouin embraced Islam. (Fathul Bari, the commentary on Sahih Bukhari, 7/428) Despite the harsh and impolite attitude of the Taifites, the Prophet (peace be upon him) exhibited a great deal of kindness, mercy, compassion, sympathy, and patience, as we saw in the first section of the article. Rather than punishing or taking revenge on the Bedouin, as we have seen in this second section of the article, the Prophet's gesture of forgiveness and kindness emphasises the importance of these qualities. It was as a mercy to all worlds that the All-Powerful Allah sent him. (Continued) Part 1: The Prophet as a Mercy to All Worlds: His Moral Conduct and Compassion for Unbelievers - Part 1 ------ Kaniz Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/prophet-mercy-forgiveness-compassion-unbelievers-part-2/d/131577 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism