Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
4. Sublime Character
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Muslim during the period in between the peace of
Hudaybiyyah and the Conquest of Makkah. The
Prophet took the keys from him, opened the gate of
the Ka’bah, and went inside. He remained there for
a while, demolishing the idols that remained
standing within its walls.
Then he came outside, holding the keys in his
hands. On his lips was this verse of the Qur’an:
God commands you to hand back your trusts
to their rightful owners.
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It was then that ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet’s
cousin and son-in-law, stood up: “God bless you,’
he said to the Prophet, “but we Banu Hashim have
always been entrusted with the task of bearing
water for pilgrims. Now is the time to take over the
office of gate-keeper as well.’ The Prophet did not
reply to ‘Ali, and asked where ‘Uthman ibn Talhah
was. When he came forward, the Prophet handed
the keys over to him. ‘Uthman,’ he said, “here are
your keys. This is a day of righteousness and
fulfillment of promises. They will remain in your
family from generation to generation. It is only a
wrongdoer who will take them away from you.’
