MUHAMMAD PBUH PROPHET OF MERCY

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                 MUHAMMAD [PBUH] PROPHET OF MERCY

                            Prepared By: Dr. Umer Farooq
Abstract: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the best role model for all mankind. He infused
justice, love, equality, humanity and dignity in all those around him. The most distinctive
quality of our beloved Prophet (PBUH) was that he was a blessing to all of Allah's creatures.
Prophet (PBUH) once asked: "Do you love your Creator? Then love your fellow beings first".
Once companions (RA) asked what actions are most excellent. Prophet (PBUH) replied "To
cheer the heart of human beings, to feed the hungry, to help the people in trouble, to ease the
sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the sufferings of the injured."

Prophet (PBUH) always loved to greet the children, showed them affection and joking with
them. Once he saw a group of children who were racing. He joined them and raced with
them. Anas ibn Malik said that I never saw anyone who was more compassionate towards
children than Allah’s Messenger (PBUH).

Prophet (PBUH) taught us to care the old people irrespective of their gender, color, or
religion. Prophet (PBUH) said, "If a young man honors an old man on account of his age,
Allah appoints someone to honor him in his old age". Prophet (PBUH) also said that "He is
not one of us who shows no mercy to younger ones and does not give honor to our elders"

Prophet (PBUH) was very kind to animals as well. He (PBUH) stated: "Verily, there is
heavenly reward for every act of kindness done to a living animal". Prophet (PBUH) also said
that"Fear Allaah in your treatment of animals."

The Prophet (PBUH) ordered Muslims to treat the poor with respect and dignity. He
(PBUH) said: "He is not a perfect Muslim who eats well and his neighbors go hungry".
Prophet (PBUH) also totally changed the meanings of slavery. Anas (RA) said: "I served
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for ten years. When I made mistakes, He even did not ask me
"Why did you do that?

In Muslim society of Madinah non-Muslim had complete independence. Once when the
funeral of a Jew was passing, the Prophet (PBUH) stood up as a mark of respect for the dead.
Sahaba also did so. Later, sahaba said: "O Messenger of Allah! It was the jinazah of a Jew!
He responded: "Is he not also a human?”. The prayer which Prophet (PBUH) made against
his severest enemies was as follows: “O my Lord! They know not! Give them guidance!"
Prophet (PBUH) also said “Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, even if he is an
unbeliever, because there is no screen between it and Allah"

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Surely, a Messenger has come unto you from among yourselves; grievous to him is

that you should fall into trouble; (and) he is eagerly desirous of your welfare;

and to the believers he is compassionate, merciful. But if they turn away, say, Allah

is sufficient for me. There is no God but He. In Him do I put my trust, and He is the

Lord of the mighty Throne. [9;128]

Dear brothers and sisters, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the best role model for

all mankind. Among his various outstanding characteristics, he was kind husband, a

perfect father, unique grandfather, extraordinary judge, great and spiritual leader.

He infused justice, love, equality, humanity and dignity in all those around him.

The most distinctive quality of our beloved Prophet (PBUH) was that he was a

blessing to all mankind, he was blessings to all of Allah's creatures, he was blessing

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to all of Allah's universes. Allah Rabbul-Alamin introduced the Prophet

Muhammad (PBUH) in these words.

And we have not sent you but as a mercy to all mankind

In today's khutaba I want to share with you some stories from the life of Prophets

(PBUH) that will show us how kind and merciful was our Prophet (PBUH) towards

children, elders, poor, non-Muslims and even towards animals.

Love and mercy towards kids

Dear brother and sister, all parents love their children naturally but sometimes this

varies depending upon whether the child is a boy or a girl. It was a common custom

in Arab culture to celebrate birth of a boy. But, however when a daughter was born

it was viewed as a sad day. Even girls were buried alive. But Prophet (PBUH)

totally changed this attitude and raised the status of women. Prophet (PBUH) called

her a blessed woman who's' first child is a daughter. Prophet (PBUH) also said,

"Anyone who up-brings two daughters with love and affection, and also did not

favor his sons over daughters, he shall enter into Jannah".

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Dear brothers and sisters whenever Prophet (PBUH) met children of his

companions he used to take the children in his arms kissed them and patted them.

He always loved to greet the children, showed them affection and joking with them.

Once he saw a group of children who were racing. He joined them and raced with

them. Prophet's (PBUH) used to give a ride to children on his camel on returning

from journeys. (Bukhari)

Anas ibn Malik said that I never saw anyone who was more compassionate towards

children than Allah’s Messenger (PBUH). Hazrat Usamah ibn Zaid narrated that

Allah’s Messenger used to put me on (one of) his thighs and put Al-Hasan ibn `Ali

on his other thigh, and then embrace us and say, “O Allah! Please be merciful to

them, as I am merciful to them.” (Bukhari)

Aisha (RA) narrated that once, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was playing with his

grandchildren. A Bedouin came in. That Bedouin was surprised when he saw the

scene. He asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Do you kiss the children? We never kiss

our children, never we play with them". Prophet (PBUH) replied him: “If Allah has

removed the compassion and mercy from your heart, what can I do for you?

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Prophet (PBUH) was always patient and considerate with children. Abu Qatadah

narrated that: “The Messenger of Allah once came towards us while carrying his

grand daughter Umamah over his shoulder. He went for salah, and when he wanted

to bow, he put her down, and when he stood up he lifted her up during the salah.”

(Bukhari)

Love and Mercy towards Elders

In 2002, the UN conference held in Madrid adopted a plan of action to solve the

problems of the old people in various countries. The outcome of these conferences,

however, was just sweet plans without any actual application. On the other hand,

our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was a pioneer in this field. He taught us to care

the old people irrespective of their gender, color, or religion.

Anas ibn Malik (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "By Him in Whose

hand my soul is, Allah does not bestow His mercy except on a merciful person"

Sahaba (RA) said, "All of us are merciful." The Prophet replied, "Not only that

each of you had mercy upon each other, but to have mercy also upon all people."

Anas ibn Malik (RA) also narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "If a young man

honors an old man on account of his age, Allah appoints someone to honor him in

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his old age"(Tirmidhi). The Prophet here advises the young of the Muslim society,

who will be tomorrow's elderly, to honor the old people. It was also narrated that

the Prophet (PBUH) said, "Jibreel taught me to give priority to the elders." Prophet

(PBUH) also said that "He is not one of us who shows no mercy to younger ones

and does not give honour to our elders" (At-Tirmidhi and Ahmad)

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "The young should

(initiate) greet to the old people, the walking people should (initiate) greet to the

sitting one, and the small group of persons should (initiate) greet to the large group

of persons." (Al-Bukhari)

It is reported that the Prophet (PBUH) once rebuked Mu`adh ibn Jabal when he led

people in prayer and prolonged it: The Prophet (PBUH) said to him, "O Mu`adh!

Are you putting the people to trial? [Thrice] It would have been better if you had

recited Sabbihisma Rabbika-l-a`la [Surah 87], Wash-shamsi wa duhaha [Surah 91],

or Wal-layli idhayaghsha [Surah 92], for the old and weak people who prayed

behind you." (Al-Bukhari)

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Love and Mercy towards Animals

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was kind to every living creature and his kindness

had no limits. The Prophet      not only preached to the people to show kindness to

each other but also to all living souls. He   stated: "Verily, there is heavenly

reward for every act of kindness done to a living animal."

He was very kind to animals as well. Before Islam, Arabs were very ignorant and

illiterate people. They were also very unkind and cruel to their animals. It was very

common in Arabia to put a collar round the neck of a camel, but this practice was

stopped on the Prophet's orders. People also used to cut pieces of flesh from living

animals, cook and eat them. This common practice became completely forbidden

by Prophet (PBUH). Prophet ((PBUH) also forbade the branding of animals at any

soft spot. If he saw any animal over-loaded, badly treated or poorly fed prophet

(PBUH) would scold the owner and say: "Fear Allaah in your treatment of

animals." [Abu Daawood].

He once entered the garden of man from the Ansar and there was a camel. When

the Prophet (PBUH) saw the camel; water came out from the eyes of camel. Then

Prophet (PBUH) came to it and rubbed its ears so it calmed down. Then Prophet

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(PBUH) said, “Who is the owner of this camel? Whose camel is this?” A young

man from the Ansar told him (PBUH),”O Messenger of Allah, it belongs to me.”

Then he told him (PBUH) and said “Do you not fear Allah with regard to this beast

which Allah has let you own? It complained to me that you are not giving it proper

food; tire it by overworking it and using it beyond its capacity.”

Once the Prophet (PBUH) was on a journey with his companions and they stopped

for rest at a certain place. A bird had laid an egg there. A sahabi took away the egg

and the bird began to beat her wings in a state of great sorrow. The Prophet (saw)

inquired who had hurt her by taking her eggs. When the man admitted that he had

done that, the Prophet (PBUH) asked him to return the egg to the nest. (Buhkhari)

Prophet Muhammad (saw) once told a story to his companions. There was a man

who went on a journey and on his way he felt very thirsty. He found a well and

went down into it and drank water. When he came out of the well he saw a dog that

was also very thirsty and was licking the salty ground with his tongue. Thinking

that the animal was thirsty like him, he again went down into the well, filled his

leather socks with water and gave it to the dog. Allah was so pleased with this

action of the man that He granted him Paradise.

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Prophet (PBUH) also once said, “A woman was punished because she had kept a

cat, tied it, until it died, and (as a punishment of this offence) she was thrown into

Hell.

Love and Mercy towards poor

The Prophet (PBUH) ordered Muslims to treat the poor with respect and dignity

and to help them with sadaqat, zakaat, and by other ways. He (PBUH) said: "He is

not a perfect Muslim who eats well and his neighbors go hungry."

He also (PBUH) asked: "Do you love your Creator? Then love your fellow beings

first"; irrespective of their religion, sect, color, tribes and country. Once Prophet

(PBUH) said to his wife: "O 'Aa'ishah, love the poor and let them come to you and

then Allah will draw you near to Himself." [Al-Bukhaari]

His love for the poor was so deep that he (PBUH) used to pray: "O Allaah, keep me

poor in my life and at my death and raise me on the Day of Judgment among those

who are poor." [An-Nasaa'ee]

One day a poor man brought a bunch of grapes to the holy prophet (PBUH) as a

gift. The holy prophet (PBUH) ate one, two, three and then the whole bunch of

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grapes by himself. Prophet (PBUH) did not offer grapes to anyone who was present

at that moment. The poor man who brought those grapes was very pleased and left.

One of the companions asked, "O prophet of Allah (PBUH)! you ate all the grapes

by yourself and did not offer to any one of us? ....The holy Prophet (PBUH) smiled

and said, "I ate all the grapes by myself because the grapes were sour. If I would

have offered you, you might have made funny faces and that would have hurt the

feelings of that poor man. I thought that it's better that I eat all of them cheerfully

and please the poor man. I did not want to hurt the feelings of that poor man." Such

were the manners of our most noble Prophet of Allah.

Once sahaba asked what actions are most excellent. Prophet (PBUH) replied "To

cheer the heart of human beings, to feed the hungry, to help the people in trouble,

to ease the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the sufferings of the injured."

Dear brother and sisters, Prophet (PBUH) also totally changed the meanings of

slavery. Prophet (PBUH) was extraordinary kind to slaves. He used to say, "They

are your brothers; give them to eat what you eat, and give them to wear what you

wear." Whenever he received any slaves, he always gave them freedom but they

could never free themselves from his kindness and generosity. They left their

parents, relatives and families and regarded it as an honor to live in bondage to

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Prophet (PBUH). Zaid Ibn Haritha (ra) was a slave. Muhammad (PBUH) freed him

and gave him the choice to go with his father, who had come, to take him, but he

refused to go with his father and preferred to stay with the Prophet. Muhammad

(saw) loved Usama, son of Zaid, so much that he used to say that if he had been a

girl, he would have adorned him with ornaments.

Anas (RA) said: "I served Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for ten years. When I made

mistakes, He even did not ask me "Why did you do that?

Prophet (PBUH) also advised his companions not to say them "my slave" but to

say, "my son" or "my daughter." He was so kind to slaves that his last warning

before he died was, "Fear Allah in regard to your slaves."

Prophet (PBUH) also said that: “Those who abuse their slaves cannot enter

Paradise". Once a sahabi abused a non-Arab slave, who complained to the Prophet

(saw) about this. Prophet (PBUH) scolded his companion and said, "You still have

some traces of Days of Ignorance; these slaves are your brothers. Allah has given

you authority over them; if they are not suited to your temperament, sell them.

Don't harm Allah's creatures. Give them to eat what you eat; and to give them to

wear what you wear. Don't give them that much of work which they cannot do"

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Once Prophet (PBUH) saw a slave who was grinding grains on a grinding mill. As

he was grinding the grains he was crying. On seeing this Prophet became anxious.

He asked the person why he was crying. That man replied, "I am sick. I cannot

grind the grain. My master is very cruel and he will beat me if I cannot finish my

job." At this, the Prophet (PBUH) stepped forward and grinded the rest of the grain

by saying, "Always call me if you have any grain to grind. I will help you and will

grind it for you."

Dear brothers and sisters, this was the result of orders and behavior of Prophet

(PBUH) towards slaves that slavery was gradually finished from Islamic world.

Just think in light of the orders of Prophet (PBUH) is it possible to have a person in

your house who is slave in eyes of world but you call him my brother, giving him

same food as you are eating, giving him same dress as you are wearing, you cannot

show ill-temperament towards him if he does something wrong.

In Islamic history slaves become commanders, famous generals of Muslim army

and become great emperor of Muslim world. In sub-continent region of India,

Pakistan and Bangladesh, there was family of slaves who ruled over whole sub-

continent for more than 84 years. This dynasty is famous as Mamluk or slave

dynasty. In this dynasty slave of one king become king after his death. The famous

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king Sultan Ghori divided his entire kingdom which was from Bangal to Uzbikstan

into different slaves.

Mercy for Non-believers

Allah set the basis of Islamic society by saying

There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion (Chapter 2, verse 256)

In Muslim society of Madinah non-Muslim had complete independence. There was

no discrimination with Jews of Medina. They were living as the neighbor of

Prophet (PBUH) and Prophet (PBUH) always fulfilled their rights and was always

kind to them. Prophet (PBUH) used to visit their sick children. Once he went to the

house of a Jew to visit his sick son. He invited the boy to Islam but the boy looked

towards his father for his permission. His father gave him permission and the boy

embraced Islam.

Once when the funeral of a Jew was passing, the Prophet (PBUH) stood up as a

mark of respect for the dead. Sahaba also did so. Later, sahaba said: "O Messenger

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of Allah! It was the jinazah of a Jew! He responded: "Is he not also a human?”

(Sahîh Bukhârî, Sahîh Muslim, Sunan An-Nasâ'î)

It is reported by Abu Basra Ghifari (ra) that when he was a non-believer he came to

Madinah and stayed as a guest of the Messenger of Allah (saw). He drank milk

from all his goats at night but the Prophet (saw) did not say a word. That night

Prophet (PBUH) and all his family slept hungry. Perhaps due to the Prophet's

behavior, Next morning, that man embraced Islam.

One day Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was going somewhere at the middle of the

day and it was very hot weather in the desert when He (PBUH) saw an old woman

carrying her luggage on her head. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) helped her and

took the luggage from the woman and carried it for her. Prophet Muhammad

(PBUH) asked the woman that where she was going and why? She said that I am

leaving this town because I have heard that a magician named Muhammad (PBUH)

is in town and this magician invented new religion. Prophet (PBUH) didn't say a

word and kept listening. When they reached the destination, Muhammad (PBUH)

put down her luggage and was about to leave when the old woman said, "O, kind

person! At least tell me your name". Prophet (PBUH) replied, "I am the person

because of whom you left the town". The old lady was amazed to listen that and

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said that such a kind, helping and true person can never be wrong and therefore she

also accepted Islam.

Most of us know about the story of old women who was a neighbor of the Prophet

(PBUH). She tried her best to irritate him by throwing garbage in his way every

day. One day, when Prophet (PBUH) walked out of his home no body threw

garbage on him. Prophet (PBUH) inquired about the old woman and he came to

know that she was sick. The Prophet went to visit her and offered any assistance or

help she might need. The old woman was extremely ashamed of her actions and by

seeing the example of compassion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), she became

convinced that Islam must be a true religion.

One day, the companions, as a result of pressures put on them by non-Muslims,

asked the Prophet (PBUH) to make a dua and condemn the enemies of Islam. In

response, the Prophet said: “I did not come for condemnation; I came as a mercy".

The prayer which Prophet (PBUH) made against his severest enemies was as

follows: “O my Lord! They know not! Give them guidance!

The prophet (PBUH) said “Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, even if he

is an unbeliever, because there is no screen between it and Allah" [Ahmad]

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Once Abdullah ibn Amr slaughtered a sheep and said: Have you presented a gift

from it to my Jew neighbor, for I heard from the Prophet (PBUH): Gabriel insisted

me on the rights of the neighbor so much that I thought the neighbor would make

heritor? Have we ever thought of giving sweets to our Non-Muslim neighbors?

Dear brothers try this sunnah of Prophet (PBUH) believe me your neighbors will be

overjoyed.

Once Prophet (PBUH) was sitting with Sahaba (RA) and women come who

was mentally retarded and ill. She came to the door of the masjid. She indicated

towards Prophet (PBUH) as to talk with him. Prophet (PBUH) stood up from his

place and listened to her. She talked and talked and Prophet (PBUH) was listening

to her by bowing is head down. At last she got tired and went from the place. When

Prophet (PBUH) returned to sahaba the whole body of Prophet (PBUH) became

wet because of the intensity of warm weather. Umar (RA) came forwards and

asked Prophet (PBUH) why were you listening to her, she was a mad women.

Prophet (PBUH) answered him. Umar (RA)!! in the whole city of Makkah nobody

listened her, no body given her any importance. If I would not listen to her then

who else's will listen to her.

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One day a stranger non-Muslim came to the house of Prophet (PBUH) and

requested to spend a night. Prophet (PBUH) gave him food and also bed. That man

came with bad intentions. Before morning he passed urine and stool on the bed and

left the house. When Prophet (PBUH) wake up and saw the filth he cleaned and

washed the bed with his own hands. That man forgot his sword in Rasul Allah's

house. He came back after a while by thinking its too early and everybody will be

sleeping. But when he came back Prophet (PBUH) was washing the bed. Instead of

becoming angry with that person Prophet (PBUH) told him very politely that I

think you forgot your sword, take it with you. After hearing this that man said

loudly "Ash hadu an la ilaha ill Allah wa ash hadu anna Muhammadar Rasul

Allah."

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) treated every human being with respect, kindness and

dignity and Prophet (PBUH) also taught the same lesson to his companions.

Dear brothers and sisters, after the death of Hazrat Usman (RA) unfortunately there

were many mutual wars among the Muslims but its reality that never ever any Non-

Muslim population of newly conquered areas took any revolt against Muslim

governments. Even Qaisr-e-Rome sent messages to Christians of Egypt, Jordan and

Syria that I will attack from the outside and you should take revolt and start war

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from inside against the Muslims occupation but they always answered that we will

prefer these Muslims against you.

And this is also part of the history that when Qiaser-e-Rome gathered large army

and attacked on his lost kingdom then Muslim army left some cities of Syria due to

strategy. They given back all the money of Jazia to the Non-Muslims by saying that

we took this money to guard your cities to protect your honor and lives; now we

can no longer protect you and your cities and we are leaving. It is written in the

books that people who were non-Muslims came out from their houses; holding the

reins of their horses and crying by saying May God give you back again. We did

not see people like you.

Dear brothers and sisters, in China more than 30 million Muslims are living. There

is story that in the area close to Shanghai, Muslim merchants came and they started

their business in the area. All Muslim merchants were very pious, humble, kind and

honest. They used to busy in trade during the mornings and at the hours of night

they used to stand in front of Allah. One night robbers attacked on them when all

were praying in a big room and all were killed. They were so deeply involved in

their salah that they even did not know that robbers attacked on them. Next

morning when people came to know about the incident they came out in the streets

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and cried loudly. 1000s of people accepted Islam and they build masjid in the house

where those Muslim merchants were living.

All Islam which spread in Far East Asia including Sri lanka, Philippine, Thailand

Malaysia, Indonesia was because of Muslim merchants and traders, wherever they

went they impressed people by their excellent character and good deeds but now

look upon us what we are presenting before non-Muslims and how we are

presenting Islam. Lying is our habit, deceiving is part of our character, we are

notorious in these societies because we are those people who presented wrong

documents to save taxes, get extra social benefits, nobody have trust on us. And

that's the reason we are those who have no weightage, no dignity and no respect in

any society.

Dear brothers and sisters once qualities like rahma, sympathy, compassion,

humanity, manners, truthfulness, honesty, knowledge, and equality were identity of

a Muslim. But today we have lost these characteristics. We have totally changed

the meaning of Islam and we totally forgot what Prophet (PBUH) required from a

Muslim character. Prophet (PBUH) said that Allah does not judge you according to

your bodies and appearances, but He looks into your hearts and observes your

deeds [Muslim]".

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During last Friday speech Sheikh Tayyib was telling that non-Muslim women spent

10 years with her Muslim husband but she did not convert to Islam because she

said I did not see any impressive thing in his character. Some years ago the woman

converted to Islam and wished to live in a Muslim country. She travelled to Muslim

country and if you read her experiences you definitely feel ashamed. More than 400

million people are living in Non-Muslim countries but how many Non-Muslim

converted to Islam after looking to our character.

I pray to Allah that we May find out our lost treasure and that is good character and

blessings to all mankind. Famous writer Sir George Bernard Shaw wrote in his

book that "If any religion had the chance of ruling over Europe within next 100

years it could be Islam".