91. Be brave and start from now! (cont.)

He informed me about things that only a Prophet could know." The master replied, "Woe be to you O 'Addas! Do not let him change your religion, for your religion is better than his." Could we today treat everyone with such excellent manners, irrespective of their social status? A glimpse... Treat people humanely, irrespective of their appearance, wealth and status. With slaves and servants (13) With adversaries The Prophet would always be just with the disbelievers and even be ready to sacrifice his life in order to call them to Islam and rectify their affairs. He would bear their evils with patience and try to overlook their harms. Why would he not do so when Allah has said: "We have sent you as a mercy..." To whom? To the believers only? No; rather, "To the world." Think about the Jews who would insult him and instigate trouble, whilst he would continue to be gentle with them. 'A'ishah – may Allah be pleased with her – said, "The Jews once passed by the Prophet's house and said: 'as-Saam 'alaykum' (i.e. death be upon you), and the Prophet replied: 'And upon you, too!'' 'A'ishah couldn't bear it, so when she heard it, she responded, 'And death be upon you, too, and Allah's curse and anger!" The Prophet said, "Take it easy, O 'A'ishah! You should be gentle. You shouldn't curse or be harsh." She said, "Didn't you hear what they said?" He said, "Didn't you hear what I said? I prayed against them and that prayer will be accepted, whereas their prayer against me will not be accepted." Yes, for there is no need to respond to insult with another insult. Allah has said, "Speak to people with kind words..." One day the Prophet went out with his companions on an expedition. On their way back they stopped over in a valley full of trees. The companions dispersed under the various trees and fell asleep. The Prophet hung his sword on a branch, spread out his cloak, and went to sleep. Meanwhile, a pagan who was following the Muslims noticed that Allah's Messenger didn't have his sword, so he approached him stealthily, took the sword off the branch and then shouted, "O Muhammad! Who is going to protect you from me now?" The Messenger of Allah woke up to find the man standing over him with a sword, ready to kill him. The Prophet was alone and wearing only a lower garment. His companions had dispersed and were asleep. The man became conceited with his power and strength and kept repeating, "Who will save you from me?! Who will save you from me?!" The Prophet replied with full conviction, "Allah." The man was struck with terror and the sword fell from his hand. The Prophet then got hold of the sword and said, "Who will save you from me now?" The man's complexion changed. He became frightened and began to beg for mercy. He said, "No one will protect me now! Please treat me well!" The Prophet said, "Do you accept Islam?" He said, "No, I will not, but I shall not ally with anyone you are fighting against!" The Prophet forgave him and treated him well. The man With adversaries was a leader among his people, so he went back and called them to Islam, and they all accepted. Yes, be good to others, thereby capturing their hearts. In fact, even with his sworn enemies, he would be of immaculate character, due to which he would win them over, guide their hearts and cleanse them of disbelief. When the Prophet began to call the people to Islam publicly, Quraysh began to resist him even more severely. One of the things the Quraysh did was to discuss among themselves what to do about the Prophet's call and the speed at which people were accepting his faith. They said, "Look for the most expert among you in magic, soothsaying and poetry, and let him approach the man who split our ranks, disunited us and insulted our religion. Let him converse with him and see what he says." They said, "We cannot think of anyone except 'Utbah bin Rabi'ah." They said to 'Utbah, "You are the one, O Abu'l-Walid!" 'Utbah was a very forbearing person. He said, "O Quraysh, do you want me to go and speak to him, and perhaps make him some offers he might accept?" They said, "Yes, O Abul-Walid." 'Utbah got up and went to the Messenger of Allah . He found him sitting tranquilly. 'Utbah came up to him and said, "O Muhammad! Who is better, you or 'Abdullah?" The Prophet remained silent in honour of his father. He said, "Who is better, you or 'Abd al-Muttalib?" He remained silent in respect for his grandfather.