At the time of the Holy Prophet(sa), specific situations were created for wars, which left Muslims with no choice but to fight back in defence. However, as I said, the current-day Jihadi organizations, with their militant slogans and actions, without having any warrantable reasons and rightful authority, have given others the opportunity, and courage to become audacious and shameless enough to make nonsensical attacks on the holy person of the Holy Prophet(sa), and continue doing so. Whereas, the Holy Prophet(sa) was the personification of compassion; a benefactor for humanity and a great defender of human rights who would not miss a chance to facilitate the enemy even at the time of a battle. Each step of his life, his each deed, in fact each moment of his life is a testimony to the fact that he was an embodiment of compassion with a heart that surpassed all others in fulfilling the requisites of compassion and kindness. He did so at the time of peace, at war, at home, outside the home, in his daily routine as well as in honouring the pacts with people of other religions. He established high standards of freedom of conscience and freedom of religion and tolerance. When he entered Mecca as the great conqueror, he granted amnesty to the conquered people and gave them total freedom of religion. Thus, he established an excellent example of the Quranic injunction:
There should be no compulsion in religion.
Religion is a matter of an individual’s heart and mind. He only desired that they accepted the true religion and thus made their life better both here and in the Hereafter, and tried to achieve forgiveness for themselves. However, there is no compulsion. His life is replete with similar illuminating examples of tolerance, freedom of religion and conscience, of which I shall mention a few now.
The hardship and pain of the thirteen year period in Mecca after his claim of prophethood is known to all. The Prophet(sa) and his Companions(ra) endured great suffering and torment. They were laid on the scorching midday sand while hot stones were placed on their chests. They were flogged. Women were killed by having their legs torn apart. They were martyred. A range of tortures were inflicted on the Prophet(sa) himself. At times the innards of a camel were placed on his back while he was prostrating, which would make it impossible for him to get up. During his visit to Ta’if children threw stones at him, hurled abuse at him. Their leaders kept on inciting them. His injuries made him bleed profusely from head, and his shoes were filled with blood. Then there is the incident of Sha‘b-e-Abi Talib when he, his family and his followers were held under siege for many years. They had nothing to eat or drink, and children starved. A Companion felt something soft under his feet at night which he picked up and put in his mouth, imagining it to be food. Such was their desperation due to hunger. Eventually, compelled by these circumstances, the migration to Medina took place; the enemy did not leave him alone even in Medina and invaded the town. They tried to incite the Jews of Medina against him. Under the circumstances, which I have just briefly described, if war ensues and the victim has a chance for reprisal, an attempt is made to requite oppression with oppression. It is said that all is fair in war. However, our Prophet(sa) established high standards of compassion and mercy even in these situations. It had been a very short time that they had left the relentless persecution of Mecca, the memories of which were still raw; the Holy Prophet(sa) was mindful of the pain of his adherents more than his own pain, yet he did not breach the Islamic rules and regulations. He did not contravene his inherent high morals that constituted his teachings. You may notice the extent to which certain Western countries go to in treating those with whom they are at war these days, and notice this blessed model in contrast. Regarding this, in history, a tradition is related which is as follows:
At the Battle of Badr, the spot where the Muslim troops had encamped was not very suitable. Hubab bin Mundhar inquired from the Holy Prophet(sa) whether the choice of the area for encampment was by Divine revelation or he had chosen it himself from a strategic point of view. The Holy Prophet(sa) replied that he has chosen it due to its elevation thinking it would be a good place strategically. It was submitted to him that it was not such a good area. They should head for the water spring and take control of it, and make a reservoir there. This way they would have access to water and the enemy would not. The Holy Prophet(sa) accepted this counsel and they moved to that spot and encamped there. After a short while a few people of Quraish came by to drink water, the Companions(ra) tried to stop them from getting the water. The Holy Prophet(sa) refrained his Companions(ra) to do so, and said, “Let them take water.”2
1 Surah Al‐Baqarah, 2:257
2 As‐Siratun‐Nabawiyyah libn‐e‐Hishsham, vol. 2 p. 284, Ghazwatu‐Badril‐ Kubra, Mashwaratul‐Hubab ‘Alar‐Rasul…