An Example of Noble Character

A RELIGION OF PEACE would not face difficulty. But this Sunnah is rarely mentioned or applied in major affairs. When the Prophet of Islam began his mission in Makkah, the Kaaba had become a center of manifestations opposed to God. If he had begun his campaign by purifying the Kaaba itself, it would have been a highly challenging step. Therefore, he chose to begin by purifying hearts. Accordingly, the first verse revealed in the Quran was: “Read in the name of your Lord who created.” (Quran, 96:1) It is as though, rather than being instructed to purify the Kaaba of manifestations opposed to God, he was instructed to purify hearts of inner evils. Towards the end of his life in Makkah, his opponents became determined to kill him. At that time, one option was to unite all Muslims under a defensive mindset and adopt the path of war. Instead, he chose to quietly leave Makkah and migrate to Madinah, advising other Muslims to do the same. This was an act of withdrawal rather than confrontation. During the event of Hudaybiyyah, he faced a choice between war and returning. Here too, he abandoned the method of war and chose to withdraw. Those who have performed Hajj or Umrah have seen a place adjoining the Kaaba called Hatim. According to the construction of Prophet Abraham, this place was originally part of the Kaaba. Later, during reconstruction, the