ASK MAULANA

He preached, “A Muslim does not want for others what he does not want for himself.” He once was asked by the people to curse an aggressor and he replied “I have not been sent as the invoker of curse, but I have been sent as mercy.” (Sahih Muslim) Prophet Muhammad taught the believers to become conscientious members of society. He advised that, “A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe.” (Sunan An-Nasai) He encouraged caring and supporting the sick, feeding the hungry, being kind, and no-problem persons for the neighbours, refraining from using offensive names and caring for the animals. He encouraged responsible living and judicious utilization of natural resources like water even if we have limitless access to them. Once the Prophet passed by a Companion when he was performing ablutions and said to him, “What is this extravagance?” The companion asked, “Can there be extravagance in ablutions as well?” Prophet replied, “Yes, even if you are on the bank of a flowing river!” (Sunan ibn Majah) Prophet Muhammad exemplified peace and tolerance throughout his life. Once, on being asked for a master advice, he replied ‘Don’t be angry’. He said that the strongest among us is the one who can control his anger. He propagated the pursuit of the easier choice of peace and tolerance as against following intolerance or violence. During the course of his lifetime, there were certain defensive skirmishes that took place. Even during these, Prophet Muhammad strictly prohibited ill treatment of non-combatants and the prisoners of war. For example, the Prophet did not approve of any ill treatment of the prisoners of war that were taken after the Battle of Badr. He instructed Muslims to share equal food with the prisoners (Majma ul Zawaid) and declared that any prisoner who could teach ten children in Madinah to read and write shall be set free (Musnad Ahmad). It is also worth noting that in future battles, no prisoners of war were taken in by the Muslims. Prophet Muhammad taught believers to be virtuous and compassionate towards fellow human beings. He preached selfless service and development of piety and modesty amongst individuals. He said “A Muslim is soft, simple and lenient”. He cautioned Muslims from falling into extremism, “Those who go to extremes are doomed.” (Muslim) In an American publication entitled ‘The 100’, the author mentions the one hundred people whom he believes to have exerted the greatest influence on human history. The author, Dr. Michael Hart, was born