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

Are you going to prevent someone who comes to honour the House of Allah? By the One who has the soul of al-Halis in His Hand, you must allow Muhammad to perform 'Umrah, or I will leave along with People are like the minerals of the earth all of my tribe!" They said, "Refrain! Let us decide for ourselves what we wish!" They then decided to send an honourable person from Quraysh, so they chose 'Urwah bin Mas'ud at-Thaqafi. He said, "O Quraysh, I have seen the response given to you by some of those you have already sent. You know that you are like the father and I am the son." They said, "You are correct. We cannot accuse you of anything." 'Urwah was one of the leaders amongst his people who was much honoured and respected. He went to the Prophet and said, "O Muhammad! You have gathered all these people and returned to your birthplace. The Quraysh have come out and pledged to Allah that you will not enter Makkah by force against their will. By Allah, all these people around you may well desert you!" Abu Bakr was standing behind the Prophet . When he heard this, he said, "Go and suck on the clitoris of al-Laat! Would we desert him?" 'Urwah being a leader of his people was shocked at the response, for he was not used to such language. However, he needed a dose of this medicine to treat the arrogance he carried. 'Urwah said, "Who is this, O Muhammad?" He said, "This is Ibn Abi Quhafah." 'Urwah said, "By the One who has my soul in His Hand, had People are like the minerals of the earth it not been for a favour you gave to me and which I never repaid, I would have given you a similar response." 'Urwah then began using mild and measured expressions. As he spoke to the Messenger of Allah , he would attempt to stroke his beard. While this was happening, al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah at-Thaqafistood beside the Prophet with an iron mask covering his face. As 'Urwah would bring his hand closer to the Prophet's beard, al-Mughirah would thrust it away with his sword. 'Urwah repeated his act and al-Mughirah did the same. When 'Urwah reached out for the Prophet's beard for the third time, al-Mughirah said, "Draw back your hand from the face of Allah's Messenger before you lose it!" Meaning, before I cut it off. 'Urwah said, "Woe to you! How crude and coarse you are! Who is this, O Muhammad?" The Prophet smiled and said, "He is your nephew, alMughirah bin Shu'bah at-Thaqafi." 'Urwah said, "You'd do this, you traitor? It was only yesterday that I washed away your treachery!" 'Urwah then left the Prophet and returned to Quraysh and said, "O Quraysh! By Allah, I have met Kisra, Caesar and Negus, but by Allah, I have not seen a king being honoured by his people the way Muhammad is honoured by his Companions." Upon hearing this awestruck man, the Quraysh were left awestruck themselves. They then decided to send Suhayl bin 'Amr instead. Suhayl went to the Prophet and when the Prophet saw him he said, "The matter is now easy to resolve." They then wrote the well-known pledge of al-Hudaybiyah. People are like the minerals of the earth This was a demonstration of the Prophet's recognition of different personalities and the correct approach of dealing with each individual based on his personal merit and individuality. The variance in people's personalities is noticeable by analysing the way they react to the various stories or incidents that are related to them. One can carry out this experiment himself: Try relating a sad story to a group of people and see how differently people react. I recall delivering a Friday sermon once wherein I mentioned the story of 'Umar's assassination. When I came to the part where Abu Lu'lu' the Magian stabbed 'Umar, I said in a loud voice, "Suddenly, Abu Lu'lu' jumped at 'Umar and stabbed him three times! The first stab hacked his chest. The second went into his stomach. Then, with all his strength, he thrust his sword into 'Umar below his navel and dragged the knife across his body until his intestines emerged." I noticed that the people varied in their reaction to my words: Some closed their eyes as if they were witnessing the murder taking place in front of them. Others wept. Others showed no reaction at all, as if they were listening to a bedtime story. You would witness a similar mixed reaction if you were to relate the story of Hamzah when he was killed in Uhud; how his stomach was cut open, his liver taken out, his ears cut off, and his nose mutilated, Hamzah, being the master of the martyrs and the lion of Allah and His Messenger .