The Holy Prophet (sas) as the head of the Islamic state treated the non-Muslims on a footing of absolute equality and tried successfully to establish good business and social relations with them.
Thus we see that once he borrowed some money from a Jew. After some time the Jew came to realize his loan, he was rather rude and insulting in his behaviour towards the Holy Prophet (sas). He used such language that the companions of the Holy Prophet (sas) flew into rage. But the Prophet (sas) restrained them and said:
"Please let him alone. He has the right to say what he has said because I owe him what he demands."1
After this the Prophet (sas) paid him the money he owed. Eventually the Jew accepted Islam when he experienced such good treatment at the hands of the Prophet (sas).
Once a Jewess who was a Dhimmiyah from Khaiber tried to poison him by offering him some poisoned roasted meat. On being found out she apologized and instead of punishing the Prophet (sas) forgave her.2
Anas (ra) reports that the Prophet (sas) accepted the invitation of a Jew and willingly partook of the humble fare of fat and oat meal.3
Ibn-e-Abi Laila relates that one day Suhail bin Hanif and Qais bin Sa‘d were sitting in Qadsiyyah, when a funeral procession passed by, the two got up to respect the dead. Somebody pointed out that the funeral was that of a non-Muslim; whereat the two replied:
"What does it matter, do you not remember that when once a funeral procession passed by the Holy Prophet (sas), he got up. The people pointed out that it was the funeral of a Jew. The Prophet (sas) replied, 'Do you not think the Jews too are human beings.'"4
Abu Hurrairah (ra) reports that once a non-Muslim stranger stayed with the Prophet (sas) as a guest. The Prophet (sas) milked one of his goats and offered the milk to the guest. But the guest was not satisfied. The Prophet (sas) offered him the milk of a second goat, but the guest was still not satisfied. In fact he drank the milk of as many as seven goats. The Prophet (sas) was amused at his hunger but would say nothing.5
Moreover the Holy Prophet (sas), as a matter of habit, used to visit the ailing non-Muslims to express sympathy with them and to share their sorrows and sufferings.6
1 Tabaqat Ibn-e-Sa‘d, Vol. I, pp. 173-174. (Beirut 1996)
Bukhari, Kitabul-Wakalah, Hadith 2141.
2 Siratul-Halbiyyah, Vol. III, p. 81. (Beirut 2002)
3 Musnad Ahmad Bin Hanbal, Vol. IV, p. 543, Hadith 13233. (Beirut 1998)
4 Musnad Ahmad Bin Hanbal, Vol. VII, pp. 899-900, Hadith 24343. (Beirut 1998)
5 Tirmidhi, Abwabul-At‘imah, Hadith 1819. (Beirut 2002)
6 Zadul-Ma‘ad, Vol. I, pp. 141-142.