The Impact of the Holy Prophet’s Good Character on Society
When he reached Ta’if, he met three prominent
personalities of the tribe: Abs Khalid, Mas’ud, and Habib, all three sons of
‘Amr ibn Umayr. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) was received with respect and dignity.
Once settled among them, he explained the purpose of his visit, inviting them
to follow the path of Allah and seeking their support in this noble cause. He
hoped they would accept the truth and help him confront his enemies – the
Quraysh.
However, their responses were deeply hurtful.
One of the brothers declared that he would tear apart the sacred cloths of the
Holy Ka’aba if Allah had truly chosen the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as His
Messenger. Another said, “Did Allah not find anyone else but you to send?”
The third scornfully added, “By Allah! I swear that I will never speak to
you. If you are truly a Messenger sent by Allah, as you claim, then addressing
you would be dangerous due to your importance. And if you are lying about
Allah, then there is no reason for me to speak to you at all.”
Facing this adversity and such hurtful words,
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) calmly stood and left. He realised that he would not be
able to obtain their support. Worse still, he feared that his conversation with
them might be used against him. Before leaving, he made one final request: “If
you persist in your position, I cannot do anything about it. But at least, by
Allah, do not reveal our conversation to anyone.”
The three brothers did not keep their word. On
the contrary, they launched a violent campaign against the Holy Prophet (pbuh)
and spread insults and mockery about him. Nevertheless, by Allah’s grace, he
managed to leave the city and take refuge in a garden owned by two Quraysh
brothers: ‘Utba bin Rabi’a and Shayba bin Rabi’a.
After a long and exhausting walk, Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) sought a shady place to rest. He sat under a tree and fell
asleep. Although ‘Utba bin Rabi’a and Shayba bin Rabi’a disagreed with his
message, but their Quraysh and Arab upbringing made them display courtesy to
the Holy Prophet (pbuh) upon seeing his intense fatigue. They sent a young
Christian servant named Adass with a bunch of grapes to offer to the Prophet.
When Adass presented them, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) accepted them with gratitude
and said, “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah) [or “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim”
(In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful)] before eating.
Adass was extremely surprised by this act and remarked, “By Allah! No one in
this region ever says such words.” Intrigued, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) asked
him about his origins and faith.
Adass replied that he was from Nineveh in Iraq.
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) then said, “Ah, so you come from the land of that
pious man, Yunus ibn Matta (Jonah, son of Matthew).” Astonished, Adass
asked, “How do you know Jonah?” The Holy Prophet (pbuh) gently replied, “He
is my brother. He was sent to Earth by the Creator, just as I was.”
Moved by this revelation, Adass, with tears in
his eyes, rushed to embrace the Prophet (pbuh) tenderly, expressing his respect
and admiration. When his masters saw Adass’s behaviour, they became angry and one
of them reprimanded him severely. But Adass calmly and respectfully responded, “O
my master, forgive me, but there is no one better on this Earth than him
(Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh)). He has given me information that only a Messenger of
God could know.”
One of the sons of Rabia, annoyed, warned him, “Be
careful, Adass. Do not let this man influence you or turn you away from your
religion. Your faith is better than his.”
This episode from the life of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) is an endless source of inspiration for how we should interact
with others, regardless of their beliefs, origins, or social status. The
patience, kindness, and humanity he showed towards Adass and even the sons of
Rabia (despite their religious opposition) in the face of adversity and
humiliating rejection demonstrate the Holy Prophet’s noble and exemplary
character.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) teaches us that every
person deserves respect, regardless of their differences. This lesson applies
to all human relationships – whether at work, within families, among friends,
or even with strangers. He invites us to break down barriers of religion,
social class, and prejudice. Indeed, every person is a human being with innate
dignity who deserves to be treated with justice and compassion, whether they
are a servant, a slave, or a wealthy person.
This story from the Holy Prophet’s (pbuh) life
also highlights the power of small acts of kindness. Adass’s simple act of
offering grapes to the Prophet may seem insignificant, but it became a blessed
opportunity for him to have a conversation with the Holy Prophet (pbuh),
transforming his perception of truth and the Prophet’s character. This reminds
us that even the simplest actions, performed with sincerity, can profoundly
impact another person’s life.
Finally, this account teaches us the importance
of patience and perseverance in maintaining respect and dignity, even in the
face of scorn or rejection. Despite the humiliating responses from the three
brothers of Ta’if, the Prophet (pbuh) did not react with anger or hostility.
Instead, he chose to leave with dignity and make a respectful request, showing
that dignity and humility always triumph.
Thus, this is a lesson for all of his followers
and the Ummah – to treat every person with respect and dignity, regardless of
religion, rank, or wealth. He encourages us to follow his example and to adopt
an empathetic attitude towards those facing difficulties or hardships, just
like the sons of Rabia, who showed a moment of compassion despite disagreeing with
the Prophet’s message, demonstrating their humanity when they allowed Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) to take refuge in their courtyard.
We must always remember that small actions have
a great impact – never underestimate the power of simple gestures or acts of
kindness, as they can transform an entire life.
Be patient in the face of adversity. Never
respond to harm with harm, or violence with violence, but always maintain
serenity and act with dignity. And never forget that we are all human, each
with hopes, expectations, trials, challenges, and an inner dignity that should
not be wounded.
By adopting these values in our daily lives, we
can create a world where peace, mutual respect, and understanding transcend
divisions and differences. The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) has shown us
that it is always possible to uphold our humanity through our actions, even in
the most difficult moments. His example remains a guiding light for our
behaviour and interactions with others. I hope that all my disciples and all my
brothers and sisters in the Ummah take inspiration from the life of our beloved
Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) and strive to incorporate these good deeds and
virtues into their daily lives, both in their homes and in society at large. Insha-Allah,
Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 11 Shawwal 1446 AH~ 11 April 2025 delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.