Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) (Part-3)

Author: Engineer M. M. E. Hossain

Today, friends, I am back again. In the 3rd part of 'Genius Person'. This part will discuss the generosity of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the formulation of a new tax system for economic development, as well as his kindness towards subjects of religions other than Muslims and justice for all people. It is very difficult to say how great the prophet person was, whose character had so many beautiful things in common. Okay, now let me begin my writing.

****Part-3****

***Charity***

Lady Khadija (RA), the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the preacher of Islam, was the owner of a lot of property. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) inherited a huge amount of property from his wife. He donated all of that property to the poor. His example of generosity was unique.

I have given one example from among the many:

One day, when he was about to stand for the noon prayer, he made everyone stand and went to his house. When he returned, the companions asked him, "O Messenger of Allah, why did you do this?" He said, "While I was standing in prayer, I remembered that I had some gold coins in my house, so I gave them away." Then the companions asked permission to be like him. But he did not give it.

Because, if they gave away all their wealth, they would turn away from Islam due to financial hardship. Moreover, even if they were not, the followers of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who came until the Day of Judgment would go astray if they gave away all their wealth.

***Formulation of a new tax system***

According to Islam, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instituted a tax system called Zakat for Muslims at the behest of Allah. This tax is collected from the rich and distributed to the poor, thereby establishing economic equality between the rich and the poor. History shows that as a result of this tax, within a few decades, no one in the Arab states of the Middle East needed to borrow. There was even no one to take zakat. All the money then started accumulating in the treasury. His most successful initiative, the Zakat tax system, which was revealed by his Lord, was later declared by the Prophet (PBUH) as the third pillar of Islam.

***Kindness towards subjects of other religions***

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a man of great kindness. According to Islam, Allah Almighty bestows upon His servants the virtues of His ninety-nine names. One of them is kindness. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was not only kind to his followers. He was also kind to non-believers.

A story from his life is presented below:

Once he was traveling with a companion to a place in Arabia. Tired on the way, he went to rest under a tree and fell asleep. His companion walked a little distance. At that moment, an enemy came there. The enemy man drew his sword to kill Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and shouted, "Muhammad, who will save you from my hands now?" Immediately, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) woke up and said calmly, "Allah.” Immediately, the enemy's mind trembled and the sword fell from the man's hand. Then the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) picked up the sword and said to the man, "Now tell me, who will save you from my hands?" By that time, the companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) arrived there. At that moment, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) forgave the helpless enemy of another religion. Seeing such great kindness, the enemy converted to Islam.

This incident shows how kind-hearted the Prophet of Islam was and how much Allah honored him with kindness.

***Establishment of Justice***

Among those who established justice on earth, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the foremost person. He was incomparable and steadfast in the hand of the rod of justice. His entire life from the beginning to the end was an endless treasure trove of justice and fair principles.

Here are some incidents in this regard:

1.       As a child:

When his foster mother Halima fed him, he would drink milk from one of her breasts. There was no way to feed him from the other breast, because she would save it for her milk brother. This description was given by his foster mother Halima herself. He was completely different from other children as a child.

2.        As a young man:

When there was fighting and strife in Arabia, the situation was preparing for more chaos. It was about placing a precious stone in the wall of the Kaaba. All the tribes of Arabia wanted to place that precious stone in the Kaaba. Then everyone decided that whoever arrived first on a certain day would decide on placing the stone. Everyone accepted that. On that particular day, the first to arrive was Mohammed, who had the title of 'the Believer'. Everyone was happy then. Mohammed, the 'believer', then asked everyone to bring a sheet. All the tribal chiefs took that sheet. The stone was placed in the middle of the sheet. The 'believer' Muhammad placed it in the 'Kaaba' with his own hands. In an act of impartial justice, great bloodshed was stopped and history was written.

3.       After becoming a prophet:

This was the incident that happened when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) became the ruler of Medina after his prophet-hood. Once, a theft took place in Medina. It involved a woman from the noble Quraysh clan. Some people were trying to cover it up. When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) heard this, he became very angry. He said, “If my daughter Fatima also steals, her hand will also be cut off.” Later, the woman was punished. Even though the woman was from the Prophet’s tribe.

So friends, that's it for today. Very soon I will come to you in the 4th episode of 'Genius Person' about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Those who are geniuses have dedication and a lot of self-sacrifice. Through which a person can become a genius. And, if the future little friends are to become geniuses, they too will have to be hardworking and self-sacrificing. So, farewell friends. May peace be upon all.