Life of Muhammad — Page 235
sa 235 her and make presents to her, to which the Holy Prophet sa replied: "Certainly, for she is thy mother" ( Bukh a r i , Kit a bul Adab ). He treated not only his near relatives but even remote ones and anybody connected with them with great consideration. Whenever he sacrificed an animal he would send a portion of the meat to the friends of Khad i ja ra (his deceased wife) and told his wives never to overlook them on such occasions. Many years after Khad i ja's ra death when he was sitting with some of his Companions, Khad i ja's ra sister, Ha lah ra , came to see him and asked permission to enter. Her voice sounded in the Prophet's sa ears very much like that of Khad i ja ra and when he heard it he said: "Oh Lord! This is H a lah ra , Khadija's ra sister. " Indeed, true affection always manifests itself thus that one becomes fond of and considerate towards all those who may be connected with a person whom one loves or holds in high esteem. Anas bin M a lik ra relates that during the course of a journey he found himself in the company of Jar i r bin ‘ Abdull a h ra and observed that the latter busied himself in looking after him as a servant looks after his master. As Jar i r bin ‘ Abdull a h ra was older than Anas ra , the latter was embarrassed and protested that Jarir ra should not put himself out on his account. Jar i r ra replied: "I used to observe how devotedly the An sa r served the Holy Prophet sa and, being impressed with their devotion to and love for the Holy Prophet sa , I had resolved in my mind that if I ever happened to be in the company of an An sa r i , I would serve him like a servant. I am, therefore, only carrying out my resolve and you should not seek to dissuade me" ( Muslim ). This incident affirms that where one person truly loves another, his affection extends also to those who sincerely serve the object of his attachment. In the same way those who truly honour their parents are always deferential and considerate towards those who may be connected with their parents through bonds of affection or relationship. On one occasion the Holy Prophet sa stressed it as the highest