Lessons of the Prophet’s Life

LESSONS OF THE PROPHET’S LIFE But those who fear God will look at the matter soberly. Then, after intense mind-searching, they will ask themselves: if you are required to fight in defence of your property, life, religion and family, why are there cases in the Prophet’s life of his not doing so? In the face of manifest oppression, why did the Prophet often adopt a passive attitude and exhort others to do the same? The following incident, for instance, has been recorded by Ibn Hisham on the authority of Abu ‘Uthman alNahdi. When Suhayb decided to emigrate to Madinah, the Quraysh said, “You came to us in an abject and destitute state. You became rich while with us. Eventually, you reach your present state of wealth. Do you think we will let you run away and take everything with you? If so, you are mistaken!” Suhayb enquired, “If I hand over all of my wealth to you will you let me go then?” They said they would, so Suhayb gave them everything he had. When the Prophet heard this, he said: “Good for Suhayb! He has made a good profit.” If the previously mentioned hadith means—in an absolute sense—that one should fight and give one’s life in defence of one’s property under any conditions whatsoever, the Prophet should have condemned Suhayb’s failure rather than felicitated him on his success. The case of Abu Jandal (see Part I, Chapter IV) also illustrates this point. When, at Hudaybiyyah, in the year