Not looking down on one’s Not looking down on one’s congregation
Al-Risala (English), November 1985, p. 17
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
Not looking down on one’s Not looking down on one’s congregation
1985 11 November 17 Not looking down on one’s Not looking down on one’s congregation (186) The Prophet returned from his journey of Taif seriously wounded, for the people of the town had turned down his invitation to Islam and set the street urchins on him. On the way he took refuge in a vineyard belonging to ‘Utba and Shayba, sons of a Meccan noble named Rabi’ya. Both were in the vineyard at the time. Seeing the Prophet’s state, they sent him some grapes with their Christian slave ‘Addas. The Prophet recited the name of God as he began to eat. ‘Addas was astonished, for it was not usual for people in Arabia to take the name of God in this manner. “Where are you from?” the Prophet asked him. “Ninevah,” ‘Addas replied. “Oh, that was the town of the good man Jonah, son of Matthew,” the Prophet observed. “How do you know about Jonah, son of Matthew?” Addas enquired. In reply the Prophet recited that part of the Qur’an which tells the story of Jonah. The Prophet showed ‘Addas the utmost deference while preaching the word of God to him. He never used to look down upon his congregation. (Abu Na’eem)
