The Prophet Muhammad A simple Guide to his Life
Prophetic Wisdom
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Jerusalem, the direction followed by the Jews, for a
period of seventeen months, until God’s command
came to change the orientation towards the Kabah.
By doing so, the Prophet aimed at fraternizing with
the Jews, in order that they might be brought closer
to his faith.
(Tafsir
al-Qurtubi, 2/150)
The way of the Prophet was not to return
opposition for opposition. It was rather to make
allowances in the face of opposition. His thinking
was not to bring people into his fold by means of
suppression. On the contrary, his way was to soften
their hearts and bring them to his side through
affection and kindness.
SECRECY
We read in the annals of history that, prior to the
conquest of Makkah, the Prophet gave instructions
to his companions to ready themselves for a
journey. The Muslims then engaged themselves in
the necessary tasks. At that time Abu Bakr came to
his daughter, Aisha, wife of the Prophet. She too
was busy making preparations for a journey. Abu
Bakr asked her: “Has the Prophet ordered you to do
so?” Aisha replied in the affirmative. Then Abu
