The writer, 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 & 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.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was an embodiment of mercy, as proclaimed by the Holy Quran in verse 107 of Chapter 21 (Surah Ambiya), We have not sent you but as a mercy to the worlds.
He was nothing but mercy and we see his character as an exemplary one, illuminating and reflecting mercy in every encounter he makes with anyone. Thus, he is the role model for whoever hopes in Allah.
Certainly, you have in the apostle of Allah an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah…
Through several incidences in his life, he has shown mercy, and we shall see a few here. Since he is a role model, it becomes incumbent upon us to follow his steps and adopt his sunnah (practice) in our characters.
The Prophet (PBUH) was born in Makka and declared his Prophethood when he was 40. He faced a tough time with the Makkans as they were adamant about following their forefathers and he managed to get but a few followers.
The Makkans continued torturing him and his followers for years and he was once warned of danger and commanded by The Lord to go to Madina to save his life. The Makkans had planned to assassinate him while he was sleeping and he was thus told by Allah to leave Makka on the same night.
The Makkans, despite not having accepted Islam, had faith in his trustworthiness and so had given him their belongings for safekeeping. Before he left Makka, he gave all their belongings to Imam Ali (as) with instructions of returning them to the owners. These were the people who had mistreated and tortured him. However, the embodiment of mercy ensures the return of their trust to them.
After migration to Madina, the Makkans were angry at him for having moved to another place and having better means to propagate Islam. They started fighting battles and wars joining hands with other non–Muslims to add strength to their forces. The Holy Prophet (saww) would give specific instructions in any battle and these instructions would show his mercy. Some of these instructions were not to fight a woman or a child or an aged and not to attack places of worship.
Years after The Holy Prophet (PBUH) had left Makka for Madina, he returned to Makka with the intention of conquering it. This was no worldly conquering, where there would be force and pressure, blood spilt and many wounded or dead! This was a peaceful conquering. The world has not seen such a conquering before the conquest of Makkah nor after, to date.
His first step was to alert the Makkans and list for them places of refuge, where no one person shall harm another.
When he gathered his army and proceeded to enter Makka, one of his commanders showed his intention of taking revenge on the Makkans. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) dismissed the commander and declared that this was a peaceful entry and no soul shall be harmed.
Not only this, but when they captured the Makkans, he (PBUH) asked them as to what they expected of him. These were those very same people who had pelted him with stones, paved his path with thorns, thrown garbage and rubbish at him, called him names like magician and insane and had banished him with his family into the desert for 3 whole years.
Take a moment to think… what would our behaviour be with such people?
The reply from the Makkans is an astonishing one. They cried out, “Mercy! Mercy!”
and Muhammad (PBUH) responded, “I shall deal with you the way Yusuf dealt with his brothers. I shall forgive you.”
This is Muhammad (PBUH), our role model. How do we live his mercy in this strife-torn world?
At every step, think, “What would Muhammad do?” And do it…
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