Interfaith
Zishaan E Fatima Karim is a writer and a poet, passionate about making a difference and believes in beginning at the roots. She has a Montessori Diploma in Early Childhood Education and 4 decades’ experience in teaching as a Madrasah teacher She also writes children’s stories and creates comic strips and video stories for little children. She facilitates Teaching Skills Practice programs under the MCE of WF and Leadership and Mentorship Development Programs under CBG of AFed. “Small changes by many people equals a Big Change,” is her motto. With that, she anticipates the reappearance of Al Hujjah (atfs) and wishes to be a part of his system of governance.
Prophet Muhammad (saww) was sent as a final messenger, a seal of Prophethood. His task was to establish Islam as the ultimate and final faith. His passion was to see each and every one submit to One God.
Being born and raised in a community of pagans and idol worshippers, this was going to be a challenging task. However, Allah (swt) in His Wisdom, equipped him (saww) with the most appropriate tool to perform this unique task- He made him a Mercy to mankind.
Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 107: And We have not sent you but as a mercy to the worlds.
There were countless incidences in Makka when he was persecuted, abused and tortured and all these went unretaliated.
Migrations to Abyssinia
When the persecution escalated, the Prophet (saww) sent Muslims to Abyssinia to settle and practice Islam in peace. He opted for a peaceful solution in place of physical assault and retaliation.
Makkans sent an envoy to bring these Muslims back and after a dialogue with Najjashi, where Jafar At-Tayyar, a cousin of the Prophet (saww) exhibiting Muslim manners, peacefully explained what they believed in and how they respected Isa, the son of Maryam as a Prophet of Islam too.
Thus, they were welcomed to stay as long as they desired in Abyssinia, and the Makkan returned having gained nothing from his trip.
Boycott of Bani Hashim
Likewise, in Makka Prophet (saww) did not retaliate against any of the persecution till he was boycotted for 3 years and the conditions were made so tough that survival therein was a challenge. Three years later, when the agreement no longer existed as bugs ate it up, he returned to Makka. In a short time, his wife and his uncle, both passed away. These were his two main supporters, and he severely felt the pain yet his behaviour with people remained merciful.
The Migration to Yathrib
This was around the time when Makkans decided to get together and murder him. All along, the Prophet (saww) has never been recorded in history to have retaliated or taken any sort of revenge on anyone. He continued to live with peace and mercy amidst monsters.
Then he left Makka for Yathrib, hoping for a better future.
It is awestriking to note that those Makkans who pelted him with stones and garbage, did not accept his message, were ready to murder him yet had their valuables kept in his care, knowing that come what may, Muhammad (saww) would never betray them or devour their belongings. This has been recorded in history when Imam Ali (as) was left to sleep in his bed, not only to protect his life but also his honour by returning people’s belongings before he joined him.
Yathribites anticipated his arrival and wholeheartedly welcomed him. However, there were Jews who had established their settlements in Yathrib, anticipating a final messenger and expecting him to be one among them. This was now going to turn into a challenge because he was not from the Jews and the Jews found this impossible to accept.
The name of Yathrib was then changed by the people to Madinatun Nabi-the city of the Prophet. In a short time, it was shortened to just Madina and that is what the city has been called ever since.
The Charter of the Constitution
Soon after that, the Charter or Constitution of Medina was written by the Prophet (saww) so as to allow Muslims and other communities to live in harmony and peace. This had 47 clauses, and we shall state some here, which are relatable to this discussion.
* All disputes between any two parties in Yathrib would be referred to Muhammad for his decision on them.
* Muslims and Jews would enjoy the same rights.
* Each group in Yathrib would follow its faith, and no one group would meddle in the affairs of any other group.
* In the event of an external attack upon Yathrib, both groups, i.e., the Muslims and the Jews, would defend the city.
* Both groups would refrain from shedding blood in the city.
The Prisoners of War
The first battle was fought between Muslims and the kuffar of Makkah in 2AH. This was the Battle of Badr, where the Muslims won the battle and amidst the war booty, they captured fifty prisoners of war. The Prophet (saww) had to decide what to do with them. Upon consulting his companions, one proposed killing them and another proposed setting them free for ransom. He (saww) decided to act upon the latter advice and since there were no prisons in Madina as yet, he distributed the prisoners amongst the Muslims who in turn treated them like ‘guests’ to the extent that these prisoners were embarrassed by the generosity and hospitality shown by Muslims upon the guidance of the Holy Prophet (saw).
Those prisoners who were rich bought their freedom and those who could read & write earned it through teaching this art to the Muslim children. The destitute who were neither rich not knew the art of literature were released without ransom.
The Treaty of Hudaybiyya
Everyone, since ancient times, was free to visit the Ka’aba. The only condition was not to carry any arms. Also, by ancient traditions, fighting was taboo during the four sacred months.
Since the Muslims longed to visit their house of God, in 6AH Prophet (saww) declared that he would go for Umrah, unarmed, with his followers. He left Madina with 1400 followers and animals of sacrifice.
In the outskirts of Makka, he (saww) was informed by the idolaters that they would not allow them entry and would use force to prevent them. Desiring peace, he (saww) asked the followers to halt at Hudaibiyya and sent a message to the Makkans that they wished to do tawaf, sacrifice their animals and return to Madina and were not carrying arms. The Makkans did not agree to this and proposed writing of a peace treaty which demanded them to go away without entry to Makka only to return the following year, as two of its conditions.
Interesting to note is how this important political document in the history of Islam was scribed. Imam Ali (as) was chosen to write and dictating to Ali, the Prophet (saww) said, “Write, ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Beneficent.’”. To this, the Makkan envoy, objected, “Do not write this. Instead, write, ‘In Thy name O Allah.’”
The Prophet complied with this demand. The Prophet next asked Ali to write: “This is a treaty of peace between Muhammad, the Messenger of God and the Quraysh…” The envoy again objected with, “If we had acknowledged you a messenger of God, why would we be fighting against you? Therefore, do not write the words, ‘the Messenger of God,’ and write only your name and the name of your father.”
The Prophet (saww) agreed to comply with this too but by then Imam Ali (As) had already written “Muhammad, the Messenger of God,” and he refused to delete them. He said to his master: “This high rank has been bestowed upon you by Allah Himself, and I shall never delete the words ‘Messenger of Allah’ with my hand.”
The Prophet took the pen and deleted the words with his own hands!
Of course, this move was not due to a lack of courage but was filled with wisdom. In his tolerance, he could envision the ultimate victory through the signing of the Treaty of Hudaibiyya.
Eighteen months later Rasulullah (saww) marched into Makka with 10,000 Muslims and conquered the city of Makka without a single drop of bloodshed. Due to these results, many historians have called the Treaty of Hudaybiyya the tour de force of Muhammad’s statesmanship.
When he entered Makka and asked the Makkans what they expected from him, they replied in unison, “Mercy! Mercy!”
This was an optimum time to take revenge for everything he and his followers had suffered at their hands. Yet, he responded by saying, “You are my brothers and I shall deal with you the way Yusuf dealt with his brothers!”
At every phase of his noble life, Prophet (saww) was seen going out of his way to exhibit mercy and kindness. He embraced one and all and showered the mercy of Allah channelled through him, upon one and all.
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