Regard for Sentiments — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 2
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Regard for Sentiments.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: XII – First Era of Life in Madinah Comes to an End and the Islamic System of Government
Pages: Book pp. 569–570 (PDF pp. 593–594)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Aid for Destitute Dhimmis] | Next: [Reverence for the Religious Leaders of Other Nations] »
Historical Account
The relationship between emotions and sentiments is a very delicate one, and victorious and triumphant nations generally exhibit extreme disregard in this matter, because this has nothing to do with a specific law. Rather, this issue relates to the spirit, which is hidden in the hearts of people and which no worldly law can govern. However, even in their era of dominance and rule the Holy Prophetsa and his Companions would take great care of the
sentiments of non-Muslims. As such, on one occasion, a young Jewish man of Madīnah fell ill. When the Holy Prophetsa was informed of this, he went to visit him. Upon finding his state to be weak, the Holy Prophetsa preached the message of Islām to him. He became influenced by the preaching of the Holy Prophetsa but since his father was still alive and standing nearby, he looked towards him as if to seek approval. The father said, “My son! (If you are satisfied then undoubtedly) accept the message of Abūl-Qasim.” The boy recited the Kalimah and became a Muslim. The Holy Prophetsa became overjoyed and said, “Gratitude is due to God who has delivered a soul from the fire of hell.”
[An appellation of the Holy Prophetsa]
[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Janā’iz, Bābun Idhā Aslamaṣ-Ṣabiyyu Fa-Māta….., Ḥadīth No. 1356]
When the land of Syria was conquered and the Christian population that lived there came under the Islāmic State, one day it so happened that two Companions of the Holy Prophetsa, Sahl bin Ḥunaifra and Qais bin Sa‘dra were sitting somewhere in the city of Qādsiyyah when a Christian funeral procession happened to pass by. Upon witnessing this, both Companions stood up in reverence. Another Muslim who had not remained in the company of the Holy Prophetsa and was unaware of the moral qualities taught by Islām, became very amazed and addressed Sahlra and Qaisra in astonishment saying, “This is the funeral procession of a Dhimmī.” They responded “Indeed! We are aware, but the practice of the Holy Prophetsa was that he would stand up even for the funeral procession of a non-Muslim, and he would say, ‘Do they not possess a soul created by God?’”
[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Janā’iz, Bābu Man Qāma Li-Janāzatil-Yahūdī, Ḥadīth No. 1312]
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Section: XII – First Era of Life in Madinah Comes to an End and the Islamic System of Government | Navigation: « Previous: [Aid for Destitute Dhimmis] | Next: [Reverence for the Religious Leaders of Other Nations] »