A Letter to a Dear One — Page 53
Muhammad Zafrulla Khan 53 wheat was crushed between two stones and used to bake bread. The Holy Prophet ( ” allall ā hu ‘alaihi wa sallam) did not amass wealth at any time in his life. However, he would borrow in time of need. It was his custom to always repay a little more than he had borrowed. The Holy Prophet’s Forgiveness and Mercy The Holy Prophet’s ( ” allall ā hu ‘alaihi wa sallam) nature brimmed with mercy and forgiveness. After he declared his Prophethood in Mecca, he faced many hardships and life was made very difficult for him. His Companions were put through all kinds of afflictions. Some were brutally killed. One kind of torture was to tie one leg of a Companion with one camel and the other leg with another camel. The camels were then urged to go in opposite directions; this action tore the body of the Companion apart. © a ñ rat Bil ā l (ra ñ iyall ā hu ‘anhu) was a slave and his idolatrous master would make him lay down in fierce sunshine on burning sand. He would then place hot stones on his chest and demand to deny Muhammad ( ” allall ā hu ‘alaihi wa sallam). © a ñ rat Bil ā l (ra ñ iyall ā hu ‘anhu) would confess his faith with perfect composure. However, this torture left lifelong marks on the back and chest of © a ñ rat Bil ā l (ra ñ iyall ā hu ‘anhu). When the Holy Prophet ( ” allall ā hu ‘alaihi wa sallam) migrated to Medina, the hostility and enmity of the Quraish of Mecca did not abate. They repeatedly attacked Medina. Many times, the Holy Prophet ( ” allall ā hu ‘alaihi wa sallam) had to battle in self-defense. The Muslims thus suffered greatly and many were martyred. However, when Mecca was eventually conquered and his worst enemies were presented in front of him, the Holy Prophet ( ” allall ā hu ‘alaihi wa sallam) inquired from them as to what sort of treatment should be meted out to them. They replied that whatever treatment they would get, they were guilty of it. However, they knew that the Holy Prophet ( ” allall ā hu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was a merciful person and that they hoped for his mercy. The Holy Prophet ( ” allall ā hu ‘alaihi wa sallam) pardoned them and told them, G vMÂGÃM ö Z H âH¼ÃG¾G“ G Ì † I ®M¦G† G ê