Mercy and Compassion

The Prophet's mercy toward his enemies is vividly illustrated by the incident at Ta'if. When the people of Ta'if rejected his message and sent their children and slaves to pelt him with stones until his blessed feet bled, the Angel of the Mountains came to him and offered to crush the people between the two mountains surrounding the city. The Prophet refused, saying: "Rather, I hope that Allah will bring from their descendants people who will worship Allah alone and not associate anything with Him." This response, given at one of the lowest points of his life, reveals the depth of his mercy and his hope for guidance rather than punishment. His mercy to children was a distinguishing feature. He would kiss his grandsons Hasan and Husayn, and when a man from the Bedouin remarked, "I have ten children and have never kissed any of them," the Prophet said: "What can I do for you if Allah has removed mercy from your heart?" He would prolong his prostration in prayer because Hasan or Husayn climbed on his back, not wanting to disturb them. He would carry his granddaughter Umamah during prayer and set her down when he prostrated. After the Battle of Badr, the Prophet instructed the Companions to treat the captives well. The captives later testified that their captors would give them bread while eating dates themselves, because the Prophet had commanded good treatment. He accepted ransom for their release, and for those who could not pay, he freed them on the condition that they teach ten Muslim children to read and write — turning captivity into an opportunity for education. His mercy extended to animals as well. He forbade branding animals on the face, keeping them hungry, overburdening them, or using them as targets. He told the story of a woman who entered the Fire for confining a cat without food or water, and of a man who was forgiven by Allah for giving water to a thirsty dog from a well. He said: "There is a reward in doing good to every living being." When he conquered Makkah with ten thousand Companions, entering the city that had persecuted, tortured, and expelled him and his followers, he did not seek vengeance. He asked the Quraysh: "What do you think I will do with you?" They said: "You are a noble brother, the son of a noble brother." He replied: "Go, for you are free." This unparalleled act of mercy transformed former enemies into devoted followers.