Stories from Early Islam — Page 46
46 further on his journey’. He did not desire worldly riches and comforts. He listened to everybody with patience. If a person treated him rudely he never attempted retaliation. He was ever ready to forgive people their faults and trespasses. His generosity towards his enemies has no parallel in the history of the world. When Makkah fell to Muslims and the Holy Prophet entered the city victorious, those who had treated him and his followers most cruelly received his free pardon even without asking for it. Thirteen years of persecution were forgiven and forgotten in one single moment. He always treated his neighbours with extreme kindness and consideration. He used to say that the angel Gabriel has emphasized consideration towards one’s neighbour so often that he sometimes began to think that a neighbour would per- haps be included among the prescribed heirs. He devoted most of his time to the worship of God. Sometimes he stood so long in Prayer that his feet would be swollen. In fact in the words of Aishah, the wife of the Holy Prophet, his character was the Qur’an.