The Prophet Muhammad A simple Guide to his Life
The Prophet of Islam and other Prophets
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point where he became intent on killing his own
brother. On this occasion, Abel, the virtuous brother,
has been recorded in the Qur’an as having said:
“If you stretch out your hand to kill me, I shall not
lift mine to slay you.” (5:28)
From this we learn the
shariah
based on the example
(uswah)
set by a virtuous person who had received
guidance from the first prophet. This shows that
among the believers, mutual strife is totally
forbidden. If at times the believers reach a point of
head-on clash and confrontation, it is the virtuous
one who refrains from killing his brother and who
risks being killed.
This example is borne out by the teachings of the
Prophet of Islam himself. According to a tradition
the Prophet totally forbade fighting or even
confrontation amongst Muslims. Once a certain
person asked the Prophet how, if a Muslim were
intent on killing him, he should react to this. The
Prophet replied:
“You should be the better of the two sons of
Adam.” (Mishkat AI-Masabih, 3/1486)
