Understanding Islam — Page 243
241 being tormented for recovery of tax. On this Hish ā m said: I bear witness that the Holy Prophet sa said: Allah will chastise those who torment people in this life. Then he went to the Governor and told him this, and he ordered the men to be released (Muslim). #1611 J ā bir ibn ‘Abdull ā h relates that the Holy Prophet sa passed by a donkey that had been branded on its face and said: Allah’s curse be on him who branded it (Muslim). #1613 Ibn Mas‘ ū d ra relates: We were with the Holy Prophet sa in the course of a journey when he drew apart and in his absence we saw a red bird which had two little ones with it. We caught them and the mother bird came and started beating the earth with its wings. By that time the Holy Prophet sa returned and exclaimed: Who has distressed this bird on account of its young? Return them to her. He also noticed a mound of ants to which we had set fire. He inquired: Who has set fire to this? We answered: We have. He observed: It does not behove any to torment with fire except the Lord of the fire (Abu Daud). #1615