5. Would you like to meet him outside the institution? (cont.)

Amongst them was Safwan bin Umayyah who fled Makkah. He was confused as to where he should head to, so he decided to go to Jeddah to board a ship and sail to Yemen. When the people noticed the generous pardoning on part of the Messenger of Allah , and the fact that he decided to overlook the painful past, there came to him ‘Umayr bin Wahb, who Forgiving others said, “O Prophet of Allah, Safwan bin Umayyah is the leader of his people. He has fled Makkah in fear of you and thrown himself into the sea. Please, grant him security! May Allah’s blessings be on you!” The Prophet  quite comfortably said, “He is granted security.” ‘Umayr said, “O Messenger of Allah, please give me a sign with which he will know that you have granted him security.” The Prophet  gave him his turban which he wore upon entering Makkah, so that when Safwan saw it, he would trust ‘Umayr’s words. ‘Umayr took the turban and caught up with Safwan as he was trying to board the ship. He said, “O Safwan! May my father and mother be sacrificed for you! For Allah’s sake, don’t kill yourself! I have come to you with an assurance of security from the Messenger of Allah!” Safwan said, “Woe be to you! Disappear from my sight and don’t speak to me! You are a liar!” He was afraid of the consequences of the evil actions he had perpetrated against the Muslims. ‘Umayr shouted, “O Safwan! May my father and mother be sacrificed for you! The Messenger of Allah is the best of people! He is the most righteous of people! He is the most persevering of people! He is the most excellent of people! He is your cousin. His dignity is your dignity. His honour is your honour. His kingdom is your kingdom!” Safwan said, “I fear for my life.” Forgiving others ‘Umayr replied, “He is too persevering and honouring to exact revenge!” Safwan therefore returned with him and they reached Makkah. ‘Umayr took him to the Messenger of Allah . Safwan said, “He claims that you have granted me security.” The Prophet  replied, “He has spoken the truth.” Safwan said, “As for accepting Islam, then please give me two months to think about it,” i.e. I will remain in Makkah on my religion of worshipping idols for two months and contemplate whether or not I should accept Islam. The Prophet  said, “You can think for four months.” Safwan later embraced Islam – may Allah be pleased with him. How beautiful it is to forgive others and forget the painful past! Without any doubt, only great people can have this characteristic - those who rise with their noble principles above the lowliness of revenge and retribution, grudge and rage. Life is very short. It is surely too short for us to soil it with grudge and malice. Even with regards to personal matters, the Prophet  was very easy going. Al-Miqdad bin al-Aswad said, “My friends and I arrived in Madinah and met people, but nobody accepted us as guests. We thus came to the Prophet  and mentioned to him what had happened. He hosted us in his house where he had four goats and said: ‘Milk them, O Miqdad. Divide them up in four portions and have one each.’ This is what I would do each day.” Forgiving others Every evening, al-Miqdad would milk the goats, drink from them, along with his friends, and leave a portion for the Prophet . If the Prophet  was present he would drink it there and then, and if he was absent, they would preserve it for him until he  returned. One evening, al-Miqdad milked the goats as usual and portioned it into four, drunk it along with his friends and left a portion for the Prophet  to drink when he returned. The Prophet , however, got delayed. Al-Miqdad laid down in his bed and thought to himself, “Perhaps, the Prophet  went to some Ansari’s house where they gave him dinner. Maybe I can drink his portion of milk!” His soul kept whispering to him until he eventually got up and drunk it, not leaving anything for the Prophet ! Al-Miqdad said, “When the milk entered my stomach, I was very much taken by what had happened and felt remorse. I thought to myself that perhaps the Prophet  would arrive at any time, hungry and thirsty, only to find his utensil empty, and thereupon he may even pray against me! I covered my face with my blanket.”, (due to sorrow). After a while, the Prophet  came and greeted people loud enough for those who were awake to hear without disturbing those who were asleep. Al-Miqdad was still lying in his bed looking at the Prophet . The Prophet  turned to his utensil to find it empty.