Reflection: Non-Violence & Love & Leadership
The most striking thing that attracted Urwa bin Mas’ud when he went to meet Messenger Muhammad was the extraordinary reverence and love the companions had for Messenger Muhammad, which he expressed by saying, “O people! By Allah, I have been to the kings, Caesar, khosrow, and an-Negus. By Allah, I have never seen any king who is venerated by his companions as much as Muhammad is venerated by his companions. If he offers you an acceptable reconciliation, accept it.”
But, how was Messenger Muhammad able to reap such a high degree of respect and love from his companions, taking into consideration that from the time they embraced Islam, they endured great hardship?
Many factors contributed to their deep love and reverence for Messenger Muhammad; however, we shall only concentrate, in this discussion, on the factor related to our subject, i.e. non-violence.
Allah says, interpretation of meaning,
By the mercy of Allah, you have been gentle to them; had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have abandoned you. So pardon them, ask forgiveness for them, and counsel them in the affairs. Then when you have decided, put your trust in Allah. Verily, Allah loves those who put their trust in Him. [Surah al-Imran: 159]
This ayah refers to the factors that helped Messenger Muhammad, after Allah’s help and support, to succeed in his mission. It also refers to some principles of Islamic Shariah and rules of conduct. Gentleness and mercifulness were some of the most important factors that positively contributed to the success of Messenger Muhammad when dealing with his companions. He enjoyed a gentle and merciful heart that treated all people with the utmost mercy and gentleness. Messenger Muhammad was also easy-going and compassionate. Had he been harsh and hard-hearted, his followers and companions would have abandoned him. However, Allah sent Messenger Muhammad as a gift of mercy to all people and He made them a role model. So He commanded him to pardon people’s mistakes and pass over their unmannered conduct with him. He also ordered him to meet their wrongdoing with kindness and ask Allah to forgive their sins.
Abdul Allah bin Salam, may Allah be pleased with him, said that Zayd bin Sa’na narrated a story about an incident that happened when Allah wanted to guide him to Islam. Zayd said ‘I could recognize all signs of prophet-hood when I looked at Messenger Muhammad’s face except two signs, namely, his forbearance is not overcome by impetuosity and great impetuosity increases his forbearance.’ Then Zayd bin Sa’na mentioned the event that led him to give a pledge of allegiance and became a Muslim. Once Messenger Muhammad took a loan from Zayd bin Sa’na. Two or three days before the due date of the loan, Zayd saw Messenger Muhammad with abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and some of his companions offering a funeral prayer. After Messenger Muhammad offered the funeral prayer and he was about to sit near a wall, Zayd looked angrily at him, grabbed him by his shirt and cloak. Then he said, ‘O Muhammad! Pay me off my due! By Allah, I know nothing about the family of Abdul-Mutalib but deferment of debts. Indeed, I know well of your people.’ Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, got extremely angry and looked at Zayd. Then he said, ‘O Jewish man! Dare you do this to Messenger Muhammad? By Allah, Who has sent him with the truth, had I not feared of his anger, I would have beheaded you with my sword.’ Messenger Muhammad looked at Umar calmly and smilingly. Then he said, ‘O Umar! This man and I need something other than this from you. You should advise me to pay off his debt courteously and you should advise him to demand his debt courteously. Go with him, give him his due, and give him extra twenty saa’ for frightening him.’ Then Zayd went with Umar, who gave him his due and extra twenty saa’. Zayd asked Umar, ‘Why have you given me more than my due?’ Umar said, ‘Messenger Muhammad commanded me to give more than your due for I frightened you.’ Then Zayd said, ‘Do you know me?’ Umar said, ‘No. Who are you?’ Zayd said, ‘I am Zayd bin Sa’na, the Jewish rabbi.’ Then Umar said, ‘Why did you do so?’Zayd said, ‘I could recognize all signs of prophet-hood when I looked at Messenger Muhammad’s face except two signs, namely, his forbearance is not overcome by impetuosity and great impetuosity increases him nothing but forbearance. Thus, I did so to know them by experience.’ O Umar! I testify that I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, Islam as my religion, and Muhammad as my prophet.’ [As-Sunan al-Kubrah, al-Bayyhaqi]
This story gives a glimpse of the non-violent attitude that Messenger Muhammad had, which is exemplified in his patience, forbearance, self-control, and tolerance.
In such a situation, the natural reaction was that Messenger Muhammad would react unkindly to both Umar and Zayd bin Sa’na. That is because Umar, though he reacted in such a manner due to his respect and love for Messenger Muhammad, treated the man harshly in the presence of Messenger Muhammad, and Zayd asked for his due impolitely and harshly. However, Messenger Muhammad’s reaction was the opposite, namely, forbearance, tolerance, and calmness. The result of which was that Zayd’s attitude towards Islam changed completely and he embraced Islam.
How could a leader characterized by such a great personality not be loved by all those who know him, friend or enemy?
How could the love of such a leader not reside in the innermost of the hearts of all those who know him?
Even when Messenger Muhammad is faced with hostility, he would choose forbearance and love instead of harshness and hatred.
He would resist violent souls with love and mercy.
He would not sink into the level of the hater; rather, he would bring the hater up by love and patience.
His formula was ‘Love is the only human emotion that consistently generates the most productive and intelligent actions. – Humberto Maturana Chilean Biologist.
Then Quraysh sent Suhyl bin Amru to Messenger Muhammad to conclude a treaty with the Muslims and write an agreement. Messenger Muhammad ordered Ali bin abi Talib to write the agreement. He told him to write, ‘I begin to write the agreement by mentioning the name of Allah, the Giver of mercy, the Most Merciful.’ Thereupon, Suhly said, ‘I do not know who the Most Merciful is. Write: by the name of God.’ Then Messenger Muhammad said, ‘This is an agreement that is concluded by Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah.’ Suhyl said, ‘By Allah! If we believe that you are Allah’s Messenger, we will not prevent you from performing the Umra nor fight you. Write; Muhammad bin Abdul Allah.’ Then Messenger Muhammad said, ‘… that you agree to allow us to enter Mecca and perform the Umra (this year).’ Suhyl said, ‘By Allah! The Arabs will say that we yield to you, but write that we will allow you to perform the Umra next year on condition that the Muslims will not bring weapons except the swords in their sheaths.’ It was written as Suhyl requested. Then Suhyl added, ‘And if any man from Quraysh comes to you, you must return him to them even if he is Muslim. On the other hand, if any Muslim from you comes to us, we will not return him to you.’ The Muslims said, ‘Glory be to Allah. How will we return a Muslim to the disbelievers?’ Then they turned around to Messenger Muhammad inquiringly and said, ‘Shall we write as Suhyl said?’ Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Yes. If someone from us goes to Quraysh, may Allah keep him away, and if one of them comes to us, we shall return him to them, and then Allah will open the door of easiness for him.’ While they were writing the agreement, abu Jandal, the son of Suhyl bin Amru, came seeking refuge with the Muslims, as he was Muslim. Upon which Amru said that it was the very condition of the treaty that they have agreed to conclude with them, namely, the Muslims should return his son to Quraysh. Messenger Muhammad asked Suhyl to allow his son to remain with the Muslims, as the treaty was not concluded yet. However, Suhyl refused and insisted on returning his son to Quraysh. Thereupon, Umar bin al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, protested. Addressing Messenger Muhammad, he said, ‘Are you not the true Messenger of Allah?’ Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Yes.’ Umar said, ‘Are we not following the truth and our enemy is following falsehood?’ Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Yes.’ Then Umar said, ‘Why should we accept humiliating terms concerning our religion?’ Messenger Muhammad said, ‘I am the Messenger of Allah. I will never disobey Him. Allah will certainly make me victorious.’ Umar said, ‘Did you not tell us that we would visit the Kaba’ and make Tawaf?’ Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Yes, but did I say that you would do so this year?’ Umar said, ‘No.’ Then Messenger Muhammad said, ‘You will visit the Kaba and make Tawaf.’
Reflection: Non-Violence & Steadfastness & Victory
Messenger Muhammad’s commitment to non-violence made him continue the negotiation with Quraysh until he concluded the treaty. However, the journey was not easy. Rather, it was a battle, not a physical one, but a moral battle. It required him to keep on focusing on his just cause, and at the same time taking into consideration comprising with Quraysh without sacrificing the core principles of Islam.
Steadfastness, patience, forbearance, and non-violence were the characteristics that Messenger Muhammad showed throughout the process of concluding the treaty of al-Hudaybiyah. Commitment to these principles demonstrated the power of non-violence to achieve a strategic victory.
Allah says, interpretation of the meaning,
Verily, We have given you a manifest victory. [Surah al-Fath: 1]
Allah, Exalted be He, called the treaty of al-Hudaybiyah a victory in the Quran. However, the Muslims did not think that it was a victory when they concluded the treaty. After the treaty, the Muslims and disbelievers had the chance to communicate with one another in a peaceful environment, which helped the Muslims to invite the disbelievers to Islam easily. No reasonable person was invited to Islam, but he accepted it. The number of those who embraced Islam the following two years of the treaty was equal to or more than those who embraced it before it.
Indeed, presenting Islam in a peaceful environment, accompanied by freedom of dialogue, discussion in the best manner, and convincing proofs will certainly help to achieve the desired goals. That is because the truth itself has the power that can defeat falsehood. So the presence of the truth with introducing it in the best manner, in an appropriate time, by a capable person, and eliminating obstacles that may negatively affect the communication will certainly, by Allah’s help, produce promising results.
Suhyl bin Amru was obstinate, unyielding, uncooperative, unreasonable, and unresponsive throughout the process of writing the agreement. He as the representative of Quraysh disapproved of writing certain things in the agreement, e.g. writing Allah, the Most Merciful, Messenger Muhammad’s name, to openly assert Quraysh’s authority. This same person, by Allah’s bounty and then by the wise conduct of Messenger Muhammad, turned 180 degrees. Suhyl bin Abmru, may Allah be pleased with him, embraced Islam, and became one of those who hoped to find an opportunity to be close to Messenger Muhammad. Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘There is no victory in Islam that is greater than concluding the treaty of al-Hudaybiyah. However, the people did not understand the matter that was between Messenger Muhammad and his Lord, Allah. Human beings, by nature, tend to be in a hurry, but Allah does not become in a hurry because of man’s rashness. He manages the affairs in a way that things happen as He wishes. I saw Suhyl bin Amru during the farewell Hajj standing beside Messenger Muhammad. He was offering a she-camel to Messenger Muhammad to slaughter it with his hand. Then Messenger Muhammad called the barber to shave his head, and Suhyl took some of the Messenger’s hairs and put them in his eyes to gain blessings from them though he refused to write, ‘By mentioning the name of Allah, the Giver of mercy, the Most Merciful’ on the day of al-Hudaybiyah. I thanked Allah who guided him to Islam.”
The conditions of al-Hudaybiyah treaty, which made Quraysh believe that it was victorious by succeeding in preventing the Muslims from performing the Umra in that year, were seemingly against the interests of the Muslims. However, the progress of events showed otherwise. Throughout the process of concluding the treaty, it was clear that Messenger Muhammad was determined to adhere to a non-violent attitude towards the unreasonable and unfair terms that Quraysh offered. He was patient and accepted Quraysh’s demands. Messenger Muhammad acted as if he knew beforehand how the events would change soon. Besides, he was determined not to refuse any of Quraysh’s offers as long as the commands of Allah would be respected.
However, Allah, the Wise, wanted to test the believers; He wanted to manifest their anger for His sake; and He wanted to test their loyalty to their religion, Islam.
When the treaty was concluded, abu Jandal, the son of Suhyl bin Amru, came seeking refuge with the Muslims, as he was Muslim. Messenger Muhammad asked his father to let him remain with the Muslims, but Suhyl refused. Thus, abu Jandal was forced to return to Quraysh.
Indeed, being forced to make abu Jandal return to Quraysh was a great emotional challenge to the Muslims, who had a firm belief in the truthfulness of the Islamic cause. How could they agree to yield to such a humiliating and unjust condition? Their brother in Islam found an opportunity to seek refuge with them and be saved from the suffering he was undergoing with the disbelievers. However, their believed Messenger and role model accepted the conditions of the treaty and made abu Jandal return to Quraysh.
Messenger Muhammad told abu Jandal then to be patient and promise him that Allah would open doors of ease for him and all the weak Muslims who were suffering just like him. He explained to him that he made an agreement with Quraysh and that he should abide by its conditions.
Messenger Muhammad’s companions concealed their painful feelings; however, Umar bin al-Khattab, who was known for his strong adherence to the truth, could not bear the situation. Thus, he openly showed his protest against what was happening. First, he went to Messenger Muhammad, inquiring, and protesting. He wanted to understand the matter that seemed unjust. Messenger Muhammad did not meet Umar’s attitude with anger nor resentment though Umar’s attitude could be interpreted negatively, i.e. it was a refusal to submit to the decision of Allah’s Messenger. Rather, Messenger Muhammad’s reaction was characterized by understanding, patience, and calmness. He had complete trust in Umar; he knew that Umar’s attitude was out of love for the truth, and to defend the cause of Islam for which sake he and the Muslims sacrificed a great deal and they were still sacrificing.
Messenger Muhammad’s reply to Umar’s inquiries represents a practical and non-violent approach showing how to deal with difficulties that may face a leader. Messenger Muhammad knew that just as his enemies' unkind attitude should be met with patience and calmness, his followers’ seemingly unkind attitude and misunderstanding should be met with the utmost patience and understanding that lead to clarifying the matter.
Messenger Muhammad knew, as a human being and a leader, that he should deal positively with emotional reactions that might block channels of communication and understanding, and consequently might trigger conflicts and violence. Thus, he encountered Umar’s negative attitude calmly to remove such emotional barriers.
Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, asked Messenger Muhammad, ‘Are you the true Messenger of Allah.
Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Yes.’
Messenger Muhammad calmly affirmed his authority as a Messenger of Allah Thus, told Umar indirectly that his conduct and attitudes agreed with the commands of Allah.
Umar said, ‘Are we not following the truth and our enemy is following falsehood?’
Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Yes.’
Messenger Muhammad’s reply confirmed the truthfulness of the message of Islam. Thus, told Umar indirectly that accepting the terms of the treaty of al-Hudaybiyah would not have negative effects on the justness of the message of Islam though a superficial assessment of the situation might reveal otherwise. On the contrary, the terms of the treaty would yield positive effects for Islam and its followers.
Then Umar said, ‘Why should we accept humiliating terms concerning our religion?’
Messenger Muhammad said, ‘I am the Messenger of Allah. I will never disobey Him. Allah will certainly make me victorious.’
Messenger Muhammad again emphasized his position as a Messenger of Allah and that he was certain that Allah would guide him to the best decision that would grant victory to Islam and Muslims.
Umar said, ‘Did you not tell us that we would visit the Kaba’ and make Tawaf?’
Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Yes, but did I say that you would do so this year?’
Umar said, ‘No.’
Then Messenger Muhammad said, ‘You will visit the Kaba and make Tawaf.’
Messenger Muhammad’s reply indicates that change needs time to take place. Changing unyielding human attitudes and deep-rooted concepts and understanding may seem impossible, but it can happen and it needs a long time to realize.
Thus, advocates of just causes should not expect that their goals will realize in the twinkling of an eye. They should not act as if people were only waiting for their coming, and as soon as they knew about their coming and their cause, they would rush to support them.
In real life, bringing change into existence is a long process involving a great deal of patience, comprise that does not negatively affect the principles of the cause, positive communication and negotiation with the followers and adversaries of the cause, and unshakable commitment to the cause.
Then, the treaty of al-Hudaybiyah that was supposed to last for ten years concluded between the Muslims and Quraysh.
Then Messenger Muhammad ordered his companions to slaughter their sacrifices and get their head shaved to end their Ihram, namely, the sacred state into which a Muslim must enter to perform the Hajj or the Umra. However, they did not obey his order though he repeated it thrice.
Then Messenger Muhammad left them, entered his tent, and told his wife Umm-Salama about his companions’ reaction. Umm-Salama advised him to go out and not talk with anyone. Then he should slaughter his sacrifices and then call the barber and ask him to shave his head.
Messenger Muhammad went out, and did not talk with anyone. Then he slaughtered his sacrifices and got his head shaved. When the Muslims saw what Messenger Muhammad did, they got up, slaughtered their sacrifices, and shaved their heads.
Reflection: Non-Violent Implementation of Commands
When Messenger Muhammad ordered his companions to end their Ihram, they did not obey his orders because they were deeply saddened by what happened. They hoped to slaughter their sacrifices and end their Ihram in Mecca after performing Umra.
When Messenger Muhammad entered his ten with a sad countenance, his wife Umm Salama asked him about the causes of his sadness. Then he told her about his companions' attitude.
Umm Salama told him that his companions were sad and that he should set a practical example before them by slaughtering his sacrifices and getting his hair shaved. Messenger Muhammad followed her advice.
When the companions saw what Messenger Muhammad did, they followed suit and immediately began to slaughter their sacrifices and shave their heads.
This situation shows that leaders should set practical examples for their followers, demonstrating the principles that they want to implement. Messenger Muhammad could use his authority as Allah’s Messenger and the leader of the Muslims to force his companions to obey his commands. However, he set a lasting example for his companions and generations to come, demonstrating that a leader could persuade his followers to abide by his commands by applying them by himself, which would set a practical example for what he advocates peacefully and practically.
Conclusion
Biography of Messenger Muhammad is an important source of guidance for Muslims from which they learn lessons and to which they should resort when encountering situations where there are no clear-cut resolutions they can adopt.
Throughout his life, Messenger Muhammad adhered to the highest degree of morality that a human being could achieve. He treated all those who knew him, his followers or non-followers, with kindness, patience, forbearance, and forgiveness. He was marvelously able to change deadlocked situations into promising and successful realities by adhering to non-violence though all surrounding circumstances appeared hopeless.
The story of the treaty of al-Hudaybiyah represents an ever-living lesson for gaining strategic victory in a seemingly hopeless situation by adhering to non-violence and reacting positively to difficulties throughout concluding the treaty.
Finally, Muslims can find countless lessons in the biography of Messenger Muhammad to solve problems they may encounter in all spheres of life if they sincerely try to learn from these lessons. And Allah knows best.
Biography of Messenger Muhammad
& Non-Violence [Part 1]
Biography of Messenger Muhammad
& Non-Violence [Part 2]
