Holy Prophet Muhammad and His Teachings — Page 37
37 would never say for instance that one should make use of mercy and forgiveness on every occasion, He would say in effect that if one was harmed or injured by another, one should think how best one could improve the character of the harmer or injurer. If he happens to be a noble minded person, he would certainly mend in future if he was given an opportunity to do so. . So he would say such a person deserves every consideration of Mercy and Forgiveness. But if he happens to be so degraded as to mis-interpret your •forgiving him' as a sign of weakness or fear and thus become bolder and more impudent in his wickedness, then it is time that strict measures were adopted or else he would hirm others beside yourself. Punish him, according to the measure of his guilt, or else innocent and weak people would suffer for no fault of their own. . His Teachings as to wars. 10. He taught that offensive wars should never be undertaken. War was permitted only as a defensive measure. Even in the latter case if the aggressing party repents of its folly, and