Man’s greatness is not measured by his education, wealth, or rank but by his high manners, humility, austerity and sincerity. Without manners, we are sterile. Morality is our best weapon. Our religion spread through higher ethical values, yet today Muslims are generally lack high morals and manners. Our flowers have lost their fragrance. We need a deeper reflection. We need to look into our ethical values very carefully. We need humility, forgiveness, high morality and sweet temperedness.
Islam teaches us forgiveness. There are 99 names of Allah given in the Quran. Some of these most beautiful names are related to Allah’s mercy and forgiveness, namely Al-Ghafoor, Al-Afuw, Al-Tawwab, Al-Haleem, Al-Rahman and Al-Rahim. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) has taught us to recite this prayer abundantly during the last 10 days of Ramadan: “O God! You are most Forgiving One, You love to forgive, so forgive me.”
If you refuse to forgive others, how can you expect the Almighty to forgive you. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was the most forgiving person. When he went to Ta’if to preach the message of Allah to his people, they mistreated him, abused him and hit him with stones. He left the city humiliated and wounded. When he took shelter under a tree, an angel appeared to him and told him that Allah was very angry with the people of Ta’if and sent him to destroy them because they mistreated him. The Prophet (SAW) prayed to Allah to save the people of Ta’if, because what they did was out of their ignorance.
When the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) entered the city of Makkah after the victory5, the Prophet had in front of him some of his staunchest enemies, those who had fought him for many years, persecuted his followers and killed many of them. He now had full authority to do whatever he wanted to punish them for their crimes. The Prophet (SAW) asked them: “What do you think I shall do to you now.” They expected nothing but retaliation and pleaded for mercy. The Prophet said: “Today I shall say to you what Yusuf said to his brothers, No blame on you today. Go, you are all free.” 12:92
Abu Jahl was the worst enemy of Islam. His son, Ikrimah followed in the footsteps of his father. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) forgave Ikrimah on the eve of the conquest of Makkah.
Habbar Ibn Aswad hurt Zainab, the daughter of The Prophet Muhammad, when she was attempting to emigrate from Makkah. She was pregnant. She suffered a miscarriage, from which she never recovered. Habbar came to the Prophet and sought pardon. The Prophet Muhammad, despite his personal pain, granted him an unconditional pardon.
Hazrat Hamza was the Prophet’s loving and devoted uncle. Wahshi Ibn Harb killed Hamza ruthlessly during the battle of Uhud. Hinda, wife of Abu Sufyan, chewed the liver of Hamza after his martyrdom. Wahshi came to The Prophet Muhammad in Madina and asked for forgiveness. The Prophet pardoned him. Hinda sought pardon from Muhammad on the eve of the conquest of Makkah and he granted it.
During the Prophet’s lifetime, a false accusation was leveled against his wife Ayesha. Mistah Ibn Athathah, one of the relations of Abu Bakr Siddique (RA), spread this false accusation against Ayesha. It was a great misdemeanor on his part. Mistah was not a well-off person and was financially helped by Abu Bakr, which he stopped after this incident. It was, in the first instance, not the legal responsibility of Abu Bakr to extend help to him. He did it on his own accord on moral grounds. After this incident, he was morally justified to stop this financial help. When Abu Bakr stopped giving Mistah financial help, the following verse was revealed:
“Let not those who are men of plenty and means among you swear that they will not give to their relatives and the poor and those who leave their homes in the service of God. They should forgive and overlook (their feelings). Would you not like God to forgive you? And God is forgiving and kind.” 24:22
Such are the noble teachings of Islam! What a high moral standard Muslims are taught through the Quran and the actions of its prophets! Muslims are advised to do good even to the enemies and those who have hurt them. Yet Muslims are not known for higher ethical values today.
By Bashir Nuckchady
