Introduction to the Study of The Holy Quran — Page 249
249 himself of the opportunity to the full is bound to become confirmed in righteous ways and a recipient of the grace of God. A man once complained to the Holy Prophet that the more benevolence he exercised towards his relations the more hostile they became towards him; and that the more he treated them with kindness the more they persecuted him; and the more he demonstrated affection towards them the more they frowned upon him. The Prophet said: "If what you say is true you are very fortunate, for you will ever be the recipient of God’s succour. " 313 On one occasion when the Holy Prophet was exhorting people to give alms and charity one of his Companions, Abu Talhah Ansari, came to him and offered to dedicate an orchard for charitable purposes. The Prophet was very pleased and exclaimed, "What an excellent charity! What an excellent charity! What an excellent charity!" and added: "Having dedicated this orchard to the service of the poor, I want you now to divide it among your poor relatives. " 314 A man came to him on one occasion and said: "O Messenger of Allah! I am prepared to make a covenant of Hijrat and I am prepared to make a covenant to take part in the holy war, for I am anxious to win the pleasure of God. " The Holy Prophet inquired whether either of his parents was alive and the man told him that both were alive. He then asked: "Are you indeed anxious to win the pleasure of God?" and on the man replying in the affirmative the Prophet said: "Then go back to your parents and serve them and serve them well. " He pointed out that one’s non-Muslim relations were equally entitled to be treated kindly and with consideration along with one’s Muslim relations. One of Abu Bakr’s wives, who was a non-Muslim, visited her daughter Asma’ and the latter inquired of the Holy Prophet whether she might serve her and make presents to her, to which the Holy Prophet replied: "Certainly, for she is thy mother. " 315 He treated not only his near relatives but even remote ones and anybody connected with them with great consideration. Whenever he sacrificed an animal he would send a portion of the meat to the friends of Khadijah (his deceased wife) and told his wives never to overlook them on such occasions. Many years after Khadijah’s death when he was sitting with some of his Companions, Khadijah’s sister, Halah, came to see him and asked permission to enter. Her voice sounded in the Prophet’s ears very much like that of Khadijah and when he heard it he said: "Oh Lord! This is Halah, Khadijah’s sister. " Indeed, true affection always manifests itself thus that one becomes fond of and considerate towards all those who may be connected with a person whom one loves or holds in high esteem. Anas bin Malik relates that during the course of a journey he found himself in the company of Jarir bin ‘Abdullah and observed that the latter busied himself in looking after him as a servant looks after his master. As Jarir bin ‘Abdullah was older than Anas, the latter was embarrassed and protested that Jarir should not put himself out on his account. Jarir replied: "I used to observe how devotedly the Ansar served