The Blessed Model of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and the Caricatures — Page 129
sa ± _________________________________________________________________ There is an incident of an enemy of Islam who had received the death penalty. Not only was he pardoned by the Holy Prophet , he was also given the freedom to practice his sa own religion while staying among the Muslims. His story is as follows: ‘Ikramah, son of Abu Jahl, fought wars all his life with the Holy − Prophet. At the time of the victory of Mecca, despite the sa declaration of amnesty, he attacked some troops and caused bloodshed in the Ka‘bah. It was for his war crimes that he had been given the death penalty. Since, at that time, no one could stand up to the Muslims, therefore, after the victory of Mecca, he ran off towards Yemen to save his life. His wife sought forgiveness for him from the Holy Prophet who most sa graciously pardoned him. She then followed her husband to fetch him back. ‘Ikramah could not believe that he had been pardoned despite the fact that he had meted out such cruelty, killed so many Muslims and was fighting till the last day, how could he be forgiven? However, she somehow managed to convince him and brought him back. When ‘Ikramah came in the presence of the Holy Prophet he wanted to have sa confirmation of his clemency. On his arrival the Holy Prophet sa made an amazing gesture of goodwill, and stood up as a mark of respect for him in his capacity as the leader of the enemy. On his asking he told ‘Ikramah that he had indeed pardoned him. (Mu’atta’ Imam Malik, Kitabun-Nikah, Nikahul Mushriki Idha ±± − − − ± − ± − Aslamat zaujatuhu qablahu) − − ‘Ikramah inquired if his pardon was on the grounds that he stayed firm on his own faith? That he had not embraced Islam, and he still maintained his idolatrous stance, was he still 129