Lessons of the Prophet’s Life

LESSONS OF THE PROPHET’S LIFE the Prophet was able to take action against, and drive out, the Jews of Khaybar, who had missed no opportunity of helping the enemies of Islam. He also turned his attention to building up the strength of Islam in Madinah. The culmination came within only two years of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah: the Quraysh surrendered without even putting up a fight. There was no further barrier to the Prophet’s triumphant entry into Makkah. The deliberate imposition of a humiliating retreat from Makkah paved the way for victory. People nowadays tend to resort to arms at the slightest provocation from their enemies. When the losses of meaningless war are pointed out to them, they justify themselves by saying they were not the aggressors; the enemy had wickedly involved them in warfare. They do not realise that non-violence does not mean remaining peaceful so long as no one is acting violently towards you; it is to refrain from violence even in the face of violence—to refuse to be provoked even in the face of provocation. Insidious plots should be met and defeated by quiet deliberations. Deeply rooted though the antagonism of one’s foes may be, one should not let their resistance become either a stimulus or a vindication of one’s actions. Fighting one’s enemies is no way to succeed in life. Only by avoiding conflict can one consolidate one’s strength. Then by awe alone, will one be able to overpower one’s foes?