NOBLE ATTRIBUTES OF THE PROPHET

himself has been treated. He is reconciliatory, even joining with those who break with him. He is compassionate, even to those who seek to harm him. He is forbearing, even towards those who wrong him. According to the French philosopher, Voltaire (1694-1778), “No one is a hero to his valet.” It is because a valet has access to a person’s private life, and in private life no one is perfect. Those close to a person usually do not hold him in such high esteem as those who are further off. That is why they cannot come to think of him as a hero. But, as Soren Smith has written, this does not hold true for the Prophet of Islam. History shows that the closer one came to him, the more one was enamoured by his fine qualities. Zaid Ibn Haritha was the son of Haritha Ibn Sharaheel, a member of the tribe of Kalb. His mother’s name was Suda Bint Tha’alaba. She belonged to a branch of the Tai tribe called Bani Ma’an. When Zaid was eight-yearold, his mother took him to her father’s home. There, some members of the tribe of Bani Qayn ibn Jasr attacked their camp. Amongst the booty that they captured was the young Zaid. They then took him to the Ukkaz fair and sold him. The buyer’s name was Hakim ibn Hazam, a nephew of Khadija, who was later to become the Prophet’s wife. He brought the child to Makkah and presented him to his aunt as a slave. When the Prophet married Khadija, she placed Zaid in his service. The boy’s father and uncle soon learnt of his whereabouts. They came to Makkah to recover him, and take him home with them. They met the Prophet, and said that they would give any compensation that he required, so long as he returned the child to them. The Prophet said that he did not want any compensation. If Zaid wanted to go with them, they could take him. He called Zaid, and asked him if he knew these people. Zaid said that he did; they were his father and uncle. “They want to take you with them,” the Prophet said. “If you want, you can go home with them.” “I won’t leave you to go anywhere,” Zaid replied. His father and uncle were incensed on hearing this. “What, do you prefer slavery to freedom?” they asked. “Do you want to forsake your own folk, and live amongst others?” “I cannot prefer anyone to Muhammad,” Zaid replied, “not after seeing the qualities that he has.” His father and uncle then returned to their home. This incident occurred before the commencement of the Prophet’s mission. It reveals the tenderness that was inherent in his nature. The The higher level of character is based on the principle: do as you would be done by.