Muslims must change the present situation of being indifferent to each other. According to Islam, it is not appropriate for Muslims to live in their own world, while ignoring or being indifferent to other Muslim communities. One of the phases in the life of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) consisted of turning this atmosphere of indifference into an atmosphere of compassion, cooperation, and brotherhood and creating a cooperative community. This is also needed in our community today.
Muslims should treat each other with compassion and sympathy, avoiding indifference. If you see a Muslim is afflicted with a predicament, you should not ignore them. Cooperation, compassion, sympathy and mutual friendship among Muslims was one of the main tasks that Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) performed. His Excellency, during his life, didn't let Muslims—no even in one case—develop hatred towards each other, in the Islamic society. By his patience and wisdom, Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) created a healthy and friendly environment, full of compassion. It is narrated that an Arab nomad, unfamiliar with civilization, city life, and social etiquettes-- came to Medina and with his rough nomadic manners of living in deserts, he visited the prophet (p.b.u.h.). Prophet was with his companions-- either in the mosque or outdoors. The nomad asked for something and the prophet provided him with a donation like money, clothes or food. After donating to him, the prophet asked him if he was happy with the help he had received. The man, for his aggressiveness and frankness, and because seemingly the gift appeared too little to him, said: “No, your gift was nothing and you didn't do anything worthy of thanking." Normally this aggressive behavior towards the Prophet (p.b.u.h.), appeared very unacceptable to the companions. They all became angry. A number of companions that were standing by the prophet wanted to react and answer him crossly. But the prophet held: "Let me handle this." He left the group of companions and took the Arab man home with him. It was revealed that the prophet didn't have more to give him there, so he took him home and offered more (clothes, food or money) to him. Then he asked: "Now, are you satisfied?" He answered: "yes!" The man became ashamed before the tolerance and benevolence of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and affirmed that he was satisfied. The holy prophet stated: "You said things before my companions that made them dislike you. Would you like to repeat your words of satisfaction in their presence again?" He agreed. Then the prophet took him to visit the companions again on the same day or the next morning. The prophet said: “This Arab brother of us thinks he is satisfied with my help now.” Then, he turned toward the man and said: “If you are happy, announce it.”
He, then, started to appreciate the prophet (p.b.u.h.) by remarks like, "I am happy and satisfied; I thank the Messenger of Islam very much for his help and benevolence." He uttered these words and left.
Once he was gone, the prophet (p.b.u.h.) turned toward his companions and maintained: “The example of this man is like the example of a camel that has separated from its pack, led by a shepherd, and runs in the desert. You, my friends, in order to catch and return this camel would attack and run toward him from around. This act will make him even more furious and frightened and will make it more difficult to tame it. I didn’t let you scare him more than he was already. I followed him with kindness and compassion and returned him to our gathering.”
This is the method of the Prophet (p.b.u.h).
October 20, 1989
