Lessons of the Prophet’s Life

LESSONS OF THE PROPHET’S LIFE “Would you like me to kill Muhammad?” This terrible question was put by a member of the Banu Ghatfan tribe, Ghaurath ibn al-Harith, to his tribe’s people. The answer was overwhelmingly affirmative, but they wanted to know how it would be possible. Ghaurath replied with confidence, “I shall catch him unawares and kill him!” And this is precisely what he set out to do. When he reached the camp of Muhammad and his companions, he chose his moment well. He waited until the Prophet, and his companions had settled down to rest, unarmed, in the shade of the trees. The Prophet lay alone, and his sword dangled from the branches above him. Ghaurath darted forward, snatched the weapon, and bore down on the Prophet. “Who will save you from me?” he challenged, savouring this moment. “God,” the Prophet replied quite simply. Daunted, Ghaurath said, “Take a look at the sword I am holding! Don’t you fear it?” “Of course not,” the Prophet said. “Why should I fear it when I know God will save me?” The supreme confidence of the Prophet’s reply proved too much for Ghaurath, and his courage left him. Instead of attacking the Prophet, he put the sword back in its sheath and returned it to him. The Prophet then made him sit down and called his companions. When they arrived, he told them the whole story. Ghaurath was petrified, expecting to be killed at any moment. But the Prophet let him go without inflicting any punishment on him.33