THE RELIGION OF HUMANITY: Islam’s Ethical and Spiritual Outlook

CULTURE OF COMPASSION scolding, his conscience was awakened. He returned to his tribe saying: “I have come from the presence of the best of all people.” (Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah Vol. 4, pp. 270-271) This incident shows that revenge escalates conflict, while forgiveness resolves it completely. More than that, forgiveness becomes a strong moral example—one that can turn an enemy into a loyal supporter. A BURNING PIECE OF FIRE Narrated by Umm Salamah, the Prophet of Islam said: “I am only a human being, and you bring your disputes to me. It may be that one of you presents their case more persuasively than the other, and I issue a ruling in their favour based on what I hear. But if I give someone what rightfully belongs to their brother, then I have actually given them a piece of fire.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 7169; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1713) Through this statement, the Prophet of Islam makes it clear that wrongful ownership leads to eternal consequences. Property rightfully belongs only to its true owner—even if, due to human limitations, a judgment is mistakenly passed in favour of someone who is not entitled to it. Even if the Prophet of Islam were to issue a ruling based on the arguments presented before him, that property would still not become lawfully theirs. In the Hereafter, it would amount to nothing more than a burning piece of fire.