Images of the Prophet's mercy with non-Muslims (1)

This is our Prophet (Images of Muhammad’s, peace and blessing be upon him, mercy with non-Muslims)



All perfect praise be to Allaah The Almighty Who says:

{وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ}

'Translation' {And We have sent you (O Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists).} [Al-Anbiya:107].

Peace and blessings be upon whom his Lord sent with guidance and mercy; Prophet Muhammad, and upon his household and companions.

Mercy appears clearly in our Messenger Muhammad’s, peace and blessing be upon him, morals and conduct towards all people. This mercy was not only confined to his companions, may Allaah be pleased with them; but rather, it extended to include non-Muslims. This really manifested in different ways and images that many Muslims and non Muslims may be unaware of. Therefore, these images get us acquainted with our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him, and how his mercy towards non-Muslims was:

First image: The instructions of the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, in the Ghazawaat (i.e. battles):

- It was narrated that ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with them, said: "During some of the Ghazawaat of the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, a woman was found killed. The Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, disapproved the killing of women and children" (Reported by Al-Bukhaari).

- It was narrated that Burayd ibn Al-Haseeb, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: "When the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, appointed anyone as leader of an army or detachment he would especially exhort him to fear Allaah and to be good to the Muslims who were with him. He would say:

«Fight in the Name of Allaah and in the cause of Allaah. Fight against those who do not believe in Allaah. Wage a holy war: do not embezzle the spoils, do not break your pledge, do not mutilate (the dead) bodies and do not kill the children. When you meet enemies who are polytheists, invite them to three courses of action. If they respond to any one of these, you also accept it and restrain yourself from doing them any harm. Invite them to (accept) Islam; if they respond to you, accept it from them and desist from fighting against them. Then invite them to migrate from their lands to the land of Muhaajirs (immigrants) and inform them that, if they do so, they shall have all the privileges and obligations of the Muhaajirs. If they refuse to migrate, tell them that they will have the status of Bedouin Muslims and will be subjected to the Commands of Allaah like other Muslims, but they will not receive any share from the spoils of war or Fay’ (booty gained with no fight or war and was assigned to the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him) except when they actually fight with the Muslims (against the nonbelievers). If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the Jizyah (tribute tax). If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold your hand. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allaah's Help and fight them. When you lay siege to a fort and the besieged appeal to you for protection in the Name of Allaah and His Prophet, do not accord to them the guarantee of Allaah and His Prophet, but accord to them your own guarantee and the guarantee of your companions. It is a lesser sin that the security given by you or your companions be disregarded than that the security granted in the Name of Allaah and His Prophet be violated. When you besiege a fort and the besieged want you to let them out in accordance with Allaah's Command, do not let them come out in accordance with His Command, but do so at your (own) command, for you do not know whether or not you will be able to carry out Allaah's behest with regard to them»" (Reported by Muslim).

- It was narrated that Sahl ibn Sa‘d, may Allaah be pleased with them, said: "On the day of (the battle of) Khaybar, Allaah's Messenger, peace and blessing be upon him, said, «Tomorrow I will give this flag to a man through whose hands Allaah will give us victory. He loves Allaah and His Messenger, and he is loved by Allaah and His Messenger». The people remained that night, wondering as to who would be given it. In the morning the people went to Allaah's Messenger, peace and blessing be upon him, and everyone of them was hopeful to receive it (i.e. the flag). The Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, said, «Where is ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib?» It was said, "He is suffering from eye trouble, O Allah's Messenger." He said, «Send for him». ‘Ali was brought and Allah's Messenger spat in his eye and invoked good upon him. So ‘Ali was cured as if he never had any trouble. Then the Prophet , peace and blessing be upon him, gave him the flag. ‘Ali said «O Allaah's Messenger! I will fight with them till they become like us». Allaah's Messenger said, «Proceed and do not hurry. When you enter their territory, call them to embrace Islam and inform them of Allaah's Rights which they should observe, for by Allaah, even if a single man is led on the right path (of Islam) by Allaah through you, then that will be better for you than the nice red camels» (Reported by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim).

By: Dr. Muhammad ibn ‘Adnaan As-Sammaan