(12) With slaves and servants
The Prophet Peace be upon him was an expert on how to win hearts using appropriate techniques.
When the Prophet’s uncle passed away, the Quraysh began to harm him severely. He Peace be upon him therefore left for Ta’if in order to seek the support and assistance of the tribe of Thaqif, as well as to seek their protection against the Quraysh. He was hoping that they would accept the message that he brought to them from Allah. He thus went out to them on his own. He entered Ta’if and proceeded to meet three men who were the leaders and the noblest men of Thaqif. They were three brothers; ‘Abd Yalayl bin ‘Amr, and his brothers Mas’ud and Habib, all sons of ‘Amr bin ‘Umayr.
The Prophet Peace be upon him sat with them and called them to Allah. He asked them to help him and support the cause of Islam, and to stand by him against those who oppose him from his own people.
However, their response was a disgraceful one.
One of them said, “I would tear off the covering of the Ka’bah if Allah really has sent you!”
Another said, “Did Allah not find anyone else to send?”
The third person sardonically responded, “By Allah, I would never respond to you!
67
If you really are the Messenger of Allah as you claim, then you are too dangerous to be responded to, and if you are lying about Allah, then I should never speak to you!”
The Prophet Peace be upon him then stood up to leave after feeling disillusioned by the nobility of Thaqif. He also feared that the Quraysh would find out that Thaqif had rejected him, and subsequently increase their torture.
Thus he said to them, “Whatever you do, please keep this meeting a secret.”
But they did not. Instead, they incited the foolish people and the slaves against him, until they began to follow him to curse and abuse him. The people chased the Prophet Peace be upon him into the fields of ‘Utbah bin Rabi’ah and Shaybah bin Rabi’ah whilst the two were present. The mob then dispersed and the Prophet Peace be upon him sat under the shade of grape vines. The two sons of Rabi’ah witnessed his ordeal at the hands of the mob and felt pity for him, so they called a Christian servant they had by the name of ‘Addas and said to him, “Take a bunch of these grapes, place it in this plate and then deliver it to that man and ask him to eat them.” ‘Addas did as he was told. He came to the Prophet Peace be upon him, placed the plate in front of him and said, “Please eat.” The Messenger of Allah Peace be upon him stretched his hand forth to eat and said, “In the name of Allah...” ‘Addas said, “By Allah, no one says this phrase in these cities.”
The Prophet Peace be upon him said, “From which city are you, O ‘Addas, and what is your religion?”
He replied, “I am a Christian. I come from Nineveh.”
68
The Prophet Peace be upon him said, “You belong to the city of the righteous Jonah, son of Matta.”
He said, “What do you know about Jonah the son of Matta?”
The Prophet Peace be upon him replied, “He is my brother. He was a Prophet and so am I.”
Thereupon ‘Addas paid homage to Allah’s Messenger Peace be upon him by kissing his head, hands and feet, as the two sons of Rabi’a watched. One of them said to the other, “He has corrupted this servant of yours.”
When ‘Addas returned to his master, he was noticeably affected by the Prophet Peace be upon him and his words. His master said to him, “Woe be to you, O ‘Addas! Why did you kiss this man’s head, hands and feet?!”
He replied, “Dear master! There is none on this earth better than him. He informed me about things that only a Prophet could know.”
The master replied, “Woe be to you O ‘Addas! Do not let him change your religion, for your religion is better than his.”
Could we today treat everyone with such excellent manners, irrespective of their social status?
A glimpse...
Treat people humanely, irrespective of their appearance, wealth and status.
69