An Example of Noble Character

MERCY TO THE WORLDS “By God, were it not that messengers are not killed, I would have had both your necks struck.” Following this, the Prophet of Islam dictated a letter to be written to Musaylimah: “In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. From the Messenger of God to Musaylimah the Liar. Peace be upon those who follow guidance. After this: The earth belongs to God. He grants inheritance of it to whomever He wills among His servants. And the final outcome is for the God-conscious.” (Seerah Ibn Hisham, Vol. 2, pp. 600–601) In this incident, we find a clear contrast between a true prophet and a false claimant to prophethood. Musaylimah’s letter reflects the tone and claims of a false prophet, while the Prophet of Islam’s reply reflects the clarity, truth, and character of a genuine messenger. Another important lesson from this example is that the envoy of another nation—even if he is a serious wrongdoer—is not to be killed. Rather, he must be allowed to return safely to his homeland. In such matters, Islam is firmly rooted in international norms. THE WAY OF THE PROPHET One of the significant incidents recorded in the books of the Prophet’s biography is the Hilf al-Fudul (Alliance of the Virtuous). This took place before the Prophet of Islam