page 4
The Prophet's
Mercy
Brother Akib Azad
Giving is a noble quality. Giving, when one has very
little for himself, is even more noble. The Prophet (S)
kept for himself and his family barely enough to survive.
Umar (R) once visited the Prophet (S) when he was lying
down on a mat. When the Prophet (S) sat up, he noticed
that the mat has left marks on his skin. When he looked
around the room to see what other things the Prophet
(S) possessed, he noticed a semi-tanned leather bag
hanging on the side and a meager amount of food
supplies. Umar (R) broke into tears on seeing the grim
living condition of the noble Prophet (S). When asked
why he was weeping, he responded, “Apostle of Allah,
why should I not shed tears? This mat has left its marks
on your sides and I do
not see in your
storeroom (except
these few things) that I
have seen; Caesar and
Chosroes are leading
their lives in plenty
whereas you are Allah's
Messenger. His chosen
one, and that is your
state”. The messenger
(S) replied, “Ibn Khattab, are you not satisfied that for us
(there should be the prosperity) of the Hereafter, and for
them (there should be the prosperity of) this world?”
rude manner,
the Prophet (S) could have said “Why
should I give you anything?”. What he does
next is even more extraordinary. After all
the companions left, the Prophet (S) took
the Bedouin by his hand and took him to
his house and fed him and sheltered him
for three days and three nights.
After his experience with the messenger (S),
the Bedouin took Prophet (S) outside his
home and called people for an
announcement. He testified to the people
that no man has ever shown him mercy
except Muhammad (S). The Prophet (S)
disliked that anyone should return home
from his presence empty-handed, whether
he be gentle or harsh to the Messenger of
Allah. Although the blessed messenger
suffered injuries from
the Bedouin, the
thought of vengeance
did not occur to him
for a moment. He gave
the man what no other
man could give for the
type of behavior he
displayed, mercy.
"The thought of
vengeance did
not occur to him
for a moment."
There was a time when the Prophet (S) was giving away
whatever he could to the needy whe n a Bedouin man
came. Bedouins, living a very simple life in the desert,
can lack mannerisms and proper conduct. The Bedouin
man came after the Messenger (S) gave away whatever
he had to give and had no more to give. The man came
and grabbed the messenger by the collar and dragged
him down towards him so aggressively that the cloth
tore through the prophet’s skin, causing a line of blood
to form around his neck. The Prophet’s (S) immediate
response was not to flail his limbs at the aggressor, but
lean towards the man to ease his pain. Then the man
shouted, “Give me from your wealth”. Prophet (S)
replied, “I don’t have any more to give”. After being
physically abused and then being addressed in a very
His prophetic
character goes beyond
any ordinary instance of mercy. If a similar
incident took place today to the president of
the United States or to any prominent
figure, the bodyguards will deal with the
man with a force that will be condoned by
the president or the prominent figure. That
is because he feels entitled to receive
unconditional respect and any deviation
dents his ego. Any act of mercy is rare and
usually is interpreted as an act of public
display to promote oneself or some agenda.
Both party, thereafter, are on news
headlines for weeks. An act of mercy is
taken advantage of and becomes a redcarpet phenomenon. Let’s bring this down
to the everyday human being situation. We
feel like we cannot be kind, merciful and
continued on pg 6 ...
A MUNA Youth Publication