Prophet’s (sas) Greatness

One can judge from the following illustration the Prophet’s (sas) tenderness of heart and the love that he felt for his fellow human beings. In the hour of his triumph, when he had the power to avenge himself over his persecutors, he forgave them all.

It is reported that:

"Before his migration to Medina, the Holy Prophet (sas) once asked ‘Uthman bin Talha—the keeper of the keys of Ka‘bah—to open the door of the House of Allah. Most arrogantly he refused to comply with the request. At this, the Holy Prophet (sas) said, 'A day will come when these keys would pass into my hands and I will give these keys to whomsoever I would like.' With great contempt and derision, ‘Uthman exclaimed 'Will the sons of Quraish be powerless on that day!' On the day of the Fall of Mecca, the Holy Prophet (sas) went to Ka‘bah and summoned ‘Uthman in his presence. Trembling he came and stood before the Holy Prophet (sas) cowering in fear and remembering how he had once treated the Prophet (sas). Disregarding his unseemly behaviour the Holy Prophet (sas) forgave him and addressed him in tones full of love and kindness, 'You are pardoned, ‘Uthman, because today is the day of forgiveness and not of revenge. You are also appointed the keeper of Ka‘bah’s keys and whosoever tries to take away these keys from you shall be treated as a usurper."1

Such was the conqueror of Mecca! On that day he had the right and the power to avenge injuries done to him. The proud Meccans were at his mercy. He could have done whatever he wished. But he forgave them all! The gentleness with which he treated his violent enemies won for him a large number of converts from among his early opponents. Yet there remained certain tribes who, in spite of becoming his subjects, preferred to remain faithful to their old religion.