Morality of the Holy Prophet (A.S)

part 5

Forgiving A Foulmouthed Man

Ka`b ibn Zuhayr was an idolater who was steadfast in his idolatry until the conquest of Mecca. One of his indecent works was poem of reproach and satire about Allah’s Messenger. He and some other atheists who were extremely biased in their paganism and in committing horrible crimes against Islam were so detested that the Holy Prophet made Muslims duty bound to shed their blood upon the conquest of Mecca. Hearing this, Ka`b ibn Zuhayr, with his poetic talent, composed an ode eulogizing the Holy Prophet and set out for Medina where he introduced himself to Abu-Bakr and beseechingly asked to take him to the Holy Prophet so that he might forgive him. Abu-Bakr accepted his request and took to the Holy Prophet. He covered his face with his turban so that nobody would recognize him, said, “O Allah’s Messenger! This Arab man wishes to embrace Islam.”‌ The Holy Prophet stretched out his hand and Ka`b pledged his allegiance, saying, “My father and mother are at your disposal, O Allah’s Messenger! This is the station of one who seeks refuge with you. I am Ka`b ibn Zuhayr.”‌ He immediately recited the ode eulogizing the Holy Prophet. When he finished, the Holy Prophet rewarded him with his stripped cloth from Yemen, accepted his Islam and forgave him.

Behavior towards the Chief of Hypocrites

`Abdullah ibn Ubay who was the chief of hypocrites in Medina and his friends did not spare any attempt to persecute the Holy Prophet and Muslims. They were spying in favor of the enemies of Islam and insisted on hypocrisies so much so that Qur’anic verses were revealed on their being deprived of Allah’s mercy and their punishment on the Judgment Day. Nevertheless, they did not stop their hypocrisy nor did they repent. When the Holy Prophet returned from Tabuk, `Abdullah ibn Ubay fell sick and lay in the course of death. Based on the Qur’anic verse “He brings forth the living from the dead (7:95)”‌ His son, a true and pure-hearted youth, was favored by the Holy Prophet and Muslims. Based on the Qur’anic verse, “And you shall do good to your parents (2:83)”‌ he would visit his father everyday as a religious duty. This good son of Ubay asked the Holy Prophet to visit his father to save the dignity of the family. Hence, the Holy Prophet too visited his father to preserve the dignity of a man who was a true believer. Out of sympathy, the Holy Prophet said to `Abdullah ibn Ubay, “I forbade you to make friends with the Jews but you did not accept it. Now is it not time to do away with the love of the enemies of Allah and depart for the hereafter?”‌ In response, `Abdullah said, “As`ad ibn Zurarah was the enemy of Jews but this enmity was of no avail when he was on the verge of death. This is not the time to reproach me. I am on the verge of death. I would like you to perform prayer for my dead body and give me your shirt so that I will be buried with it.”‌ The Holy Prophet gave his outer shirt to him generously. But `Abdullah said, “I want the shirt which has touched your holy body.”‌ The Holy Prophet complied with his request and gave his under shirt to him.

Following this manly and generous act, a thousand persons of the Khazraj embraced Islam.”‌

Behavior towards the Companions

The Holy Prophet would visit his companions and inquire about their health in the same way that they would visit him and inquire about his health. He would bid them a fond farewell as they would bid him a fond farewell. He would hug them as they would hug him. He would kiss them as they would kiss him saying, “My father and mother are at your disposal.”‌

If the Holy Prophet was invited to a party even at midnight, he would accept it. When he was riding, he would not allow anyone to be on foot at his service. If it were possible, he would make him ride with him; if not, he would say, “You go to the appointed place, I will come after you.”‌ When he passed by children, he would salute them.

Source:

maaref-foundation.com

Other Links:

Namaz of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Mercy unto the Creation