Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
7. The Revolution of the Prophet
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possible chance to accept the faith. One
outstanding example of this magnanimity, which
the Prophet displayed throughout his life, can be
found in his treatment of the Quraysh after
Makkah had been conquered. The very people who
had been relentlessly persecuting the Prophet and
his followers for the previous twenty years, were
now at the Prophet’s mercy. But, rather than
punish them for past crimes, he forgave them all.
When the Quraysh were brought before him in
chains he simply said to them, “Be on your way:
you are all free men.” He pronounced suspended
death-sentences on some, but these too were freed
when they appealed for clemency, either
personally or through representatives. In all,
seventeen people were sentenced to death, but of
these only five —those who made no appeal—were
actually executed. In the Battle of Uhud the
Prophet’s uncle, Hamzah, had been slain by
Wahshi ibn Barb, after which Hind bint ‘Utbah had
mutilated Hamzah’s corpse. When the Prophet
learnt of this he said, in the heat of the movement,
“If God makes me triumph over them, then I will
mutilate three of them.”
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