THE PROPHET (P) OVERLOOKED THE SHORTCOMINGS OF OTHERS

Anas bin Malik said, “I was walking with the Messenger of Allah (p), and he was wearing a Najrani[1] cloak with a rough collar. A Bedouin man caught up with him, then violently pulled him by his cloak, causing the cloak to tear, and leaving its collar [hanging] on the neck of Allah’s Messenger (p). I looked at the Messenger of Allah’s neck, and the cloak’s collar had left marks from how roughly he (the Bedouin) had snatched it. Then, he said, ‘O Muhammad (p), order [them] that I be given from the wealth of Allah that you have!’ The Messenger of Allah (p) turned to him, smiled, and then ordered that he be given something.”[2]

Supporting Texts

“Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e. don’t punish them).” (Qur’an 7:199)

Allah praises, “Those who spend (in Allah’s Cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon others; verily, Allah loves those who do good (al-muhsinun).” (Qur’an 3:134)

“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.” (Qur’an 25:63)

Aishah reported that the Prophet (p) said, “Verily, Allah is kind… and he gives for gentleness, what he does not give for anything else.”[3]

The Prophet (p) again said, “Allah loves that one should be kind and lenient in all matters.”[4]

Comments

Imam Badr al-Din al-Ayni said concerning this narration that, “It shows the mercy, kindness and generosity of the Messenger of Allah.”[5]

Implications and Lessons

This incident also shows the importance of forbearance and patience when dealing with others who are rough, ill-mannered and uncultured. This character of the Prophet (p) should serve as an inspiration for Muslims and especially the leadership, when dealing with the harsh treatment they may face from others.

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[1]Najran is in the southern region of Saudi Arabia, inhabited then by mainly Christians.

[2]Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith no.3149; Sahih Muslim, hadith no.1057.

[3]Sahih Muslim, hadith no.1186.

[4]Sahih al-Bukhari, vol 8, hadith no.53.

[5] Imam Badr al-Din al-Ayni, Umdah al-Qari, al-Maktabah al-Shamilah 3.13, vol.22, p.332.