So Said The Promised Messiah (as) — Page 17
humble and meek but they are not courageous at all, so much so that if they just hear of the bubonic plague or cholera, they get loose motions (that is the height of their fear). I do not say that whoever is not courageous is devoid of faith. Even among the Companions of the Holy Prophet, salfallaho alaihi wa- sallam, there were some who could not stand the battles; the Holy Prophet excused them on this count. There are many aspects of morals. I have expounded them in my speech that was delivered at the Conference of Religions (reference here is to the speech which was later on published in a book form under the title: Teachings of Islam). All the moral qualities are not to be met with in any one person, nor it can be said that there is any one who does not possess any moral quality whatsoever. The perfect example of all the good morals is the life of the Holy Prophet Mohammad, sallallaho alaihi wa sallam. That is why God says to him: innak. a la-alaa kholoqin azeem. At one time he kept them spell bound with his oratory and at another time he displayed his courage on the battlefield. His generosity awarded the hills of gold' to the people; his kindness forgave those who deserved to be put to death. In short, the Holy Prophet, sallallaho alaihi wa sallam, was matchless and a perfect example of good morals. He was like a big tree under which thousands of people sit to enjoy its shade and also fulfil their various needs. They take its fruit, flowers, skin, leaves etc. Millions upon millions of people benefit from the Holy Prophet, sallallaho alaihi wa sallam and enjoy themselves as the chickens do under the wings of the hen. The bravest man on the battlefield was the person who was nearest to the Holy Prophet, for, he used to be at the most dangerous spot. Glory be to God, how excellent was he. During the battle of Uhud, he was in the thick of it. So much so that the Companions found it beyond their powers. But this courageous man-the Holy Prophet-was facing the enemy. Of course 17