Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
4. Sublime Character
~ 78 ~
This action of the Prophet illustrates that Muslims
should be meticulous in fulfilling obligations and
returning trusts. Even if they have been treated
acrimoniously by those with whom they are
dealing, they should still pay them their full due.
However much it may hurt them, they should never
deny people their rights.
When worldly people gain power, the first thing
they do is punish their opponents, removing them
from their posts and installing their own henchmen
instead. All people who come to power think in
terms of supporters or opponents. Promoting
supporters and demoting opponents is an essential
part of their policy. But when the Prophet of Islam
gained power in Arabia, he did quite the opposite.
He did not look at matters in terms of supporters
and opponents; he considered only what was right
and fair. He buried all grudges and dealt with
everyone as justice and compassion would demand.
NOTES
1. Qur’an, 68:5
2. Hadith quoted in
Mishkat al-Masabih.
