Best Caller to God’s Way

AUGUST 22 Best Caller to God’s Way About 1400 years ago the Prophet was forced by the Quraysh tribe to leave his native city of Makkah. He showed the utmost patience and restraint in the face of provocation by the Makkans but finally to avoid confrontation, left the city along with a handful of his followers. In Madinah the Prophet was welcomed by the Ansars, who treated the immigrants as their brothers and sisters, and even shared their possessions and properties with them. In Madinah, the Prophet founded the mosque which is today known as the Mosque of the Prophet, himself taking part in its construction. It became the centre of his activities, from which he would preach the message of Islam, sitting for hours on end in order to have the revelations written down and memorised by his companions. The Prophet laid great emphasis on character building, excellence in moral and social conduct, good family ties and the dignity of labour. Charity was one of the main features of the new society. The Prophet said, “Give alms from your right hand, but your left hand should not come to know of it.” But over and above giving alms and feeding the poor, the Prophet gave much wider meaning to the concept of charity, as he believed that every good act was a form of charity: smiling at a fellow human being; showing the road to a person who has lost his way; removing hindrances such as thorns and stones from the road; assisting the blind; helping a person to mount his beast; uttering pure, comforting words and replying to questions with mildness. All of these for the Prophet constituted charity. The Prophet’s kindness and merciful nature was unparalleled. Often, when he passed by a group of children, he would say, “Children are flowers of God,” and pass his hand affectionately over their heads and sometimes even join in innocent games. He gave special honour and regard to parents: “Paradise lies at the feet of mothers” and “God’s pleasure is in the father’s pleasure; and God’s displeasure is in the father’s displeasure.” Those, he believed, who served their parents well, were deserving of Paradise. A man once asked the Prophet, “Who rightfully deserves the best treatment from me?” “Your mother,” said the Prophet. Then the man said, “Who comes next?” “Your mother,” said the Prophet. “Who is after that?” asked the man, “Your mother,” was the Prophet’s