The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 75
II - Brief Note on Islāmic Equality 75 makes this occurrence the highlight of his book as an example of the ‘barbaric spirit’ of the Muslims. As a matter of fact, Sir William wrote that the very reason he included this in his book was because the Muslims committed a cruel deed in this Sariyyah. As such, Mr. Muir wrote: “There were several unimportant raids this year hardly requiring mention ; but I must not omit one for the cruel deed that closed it. ” 1 A historian who gives preference to one occurrence over another merely on the basis that it furnishes proof of the brutality and ruthlessness of a people and makes it the highlight of his book, is in actuality not worthy of being referred to as an unbiased researcher. This is because it can never be expected that such an individual would pay attention to investigating whether this occurrence of brutality and ruthlessness was even true or not, because in doing so, a proof in his favour is lost to him. In any case, Mr. Muir has written this account in his book with special enthusiasm. However, as shall now become evident, this occurrence was completely erroneous and categorically baseless. Furthermore, both in terms of record and rationality, this narration is vindicated as being fabricated. In terms of rationality, it should be known that to imprison a lady who is not convicted of murder and then to kill her in calmness and then to kill her in the manner which is related in this narration, is something quite untenable. Islām strongly prohibits even killing women in the very field of battle and we have already mentioned the instructions of the Holy Prophet sa , which he issued in the prohibition of killing women in the fundamental discussion on Jihād. As such, it is mentioned in a Ḥadīth that on one occasion, a woman of an enemy tribe was found dead in the field of battle and even though it was not known which circumstances and by whose hand she had been killed, upon seeing this, the Holy Prophet sa was very displeased. The Holy Prophet sa emphatically stated to his companions that this should never happen again. 2 Similarly, it has also been mentioned that whenever the Holy Prophet sa would send off an army, in addition to all other advice, one instruction which he would give to 1 The Life of Mahomet, By Sir William Muir, Chapter XVIII (Sixth Year of Hegira), p. 354 & 361, Barbarous Execution of Omm Kirfa, Published by Smith, Elder & Co. London (1878) 2 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Jihād, Bābu Qatliṣ-Ṣibyāni Fil-Ḥarb, Ḥadīth No. 3014 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Jihād, Bābu Qatlin-Nisā’i Fil-Ḥarb, Ḥadīth No. 3015