The Seal of Prophets - His Personality and Character — Page 25
The Seal of Prophets 25 and he said: “What do you mean by this intercession? I would most certainly have done what Allah wants me to do even if my daughter Fatimah ra had committed this crime”. The Holy Prophet sa once owed money to a Jew. The Jew thought it was overdue whereas it was not so. He confronted the Holy Prophet sa and demanded his money, using very harsh words, and accused that all Quraish were bad debtors who never honoured their promises. He had not only insulted the Holy Prophet sa but also his tribe. Umar ra , who was also there, became extremely annoyed and his hand went for his sword. The Holy Prophet sa stopped Umar ra , who had now used some abusive words against the Jew and was perhaps about to strike him, and said: “Umar, you should have behaved differently. First you should have told me to be mindful of the contract and pay in time, then you should have told him to be kind in his demands and merciful to his debtors”. Then he turned to another of his companions and said: “Still there are three days, I know the limit is not yet over, but pay him whatever I owe and add some more because of the harsh attitude of Umar”. This was his behaviour when openly insulted in the company of his companions. His sense of justice was supreme. It was absolute, not in any way connected to his personal, tribal or religious loyalties. Today the Jewish/Muslim relationship is a much-misunderstood concept and needs to be corrected. I will quote some examples from the Holy Prophet’s sa relationship with Jews because we must follow his conduct in this regard; any contradictory attitude has to be dismissed. The Holy Founder of Islam, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had built an image in