Minorities in an Islamic State — Page 12
12 when a funeral procession passed by, the two got up to respect the dead. Somebody pointed out that the funeral was that of a non-Muslim; whereat the two replied: "What does it matter, do you not remember that when once a funeral procession passed by the Holy Prophet sa , he got up. The people pointed out that it was the funeral of a Jew. The Prophet sa replied, 'Do you not think the Jews too are human beings'. " 11 Ab u Hurrairah ra reports that once a non-Muslim stranger stayed with the Prophet sa as a guest. The Prophet sa milked one of his goats and offered the milk to the guest. But the guest was not satisfied. The Prophet sa offered him the milk of a second goat, but the guest was still not satisfied. In fact he drank the milk of as many as seven goats. The Prophet sa was amused at his hunger but would say nothing. 12 Moreover the Holy Prophet sa , as a matter of habit, used to visit the ailing non-Muslims to express sympathy with them and to share their sorrows and sufferings. 13 Protection of the Rights of Dhimm i s : Bil a l ra , who handled the domestic expenses of the Holy Prophet sa , borrowed some money from a Dhimm i , for use in the Prophet ’ s sa house. The day on