Introduction:
The Arabic word samaha / musamaha means tolerance and forgiveness. The Muslim scholars describe Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the Asmahun-naas, the most tolerant of all people. He was most forgiving and most magnanimous in his conduct towards his followers, non-Muslims, and enemies. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has been declared as the mercy for all worlds by virtue of his tolerance, forgiveness and compassion extended to all creatures. He symbolized mercy and compassion; tolerance and forgiveness. The recipients of this quality were not limited to just the Muslims, but also to non-Muslims, some of who spent all their effort trying to harm the Prophet (PBUH) and his mission. This mercy and forgiveness is clearly demonstrated in the fact that the Prophet (PBUH) never took revenge on anyone for personal reasons and always forgave even his staunch enemies. Syeda Aisha said that the Prophet (PBUH) never took revenge on his own behalf on anyone. She also said that he never returned evil for evil, but he would forgive and pardon. The Prophet (PBUH) was the kindliest of men just as he excelled all others in courage and valour. Being extremely kindhearted, his eyes brimmed with tears at the slightest sign of inhumanity.
Status and Grade of Prophet's Tolerance and Forgiveness in Quran
The Prophet was all for forgiveness and no amount of crime or aggression against him was too great to be forgiven by him. He was the complete example of forgiveness and kindness, as mentioned in the following verses of the Quran:
"We have sent you as mercy for all the worlds". (Al-Anbiya 21:107)
"Keep to forgiveness (O Muhammad), and enjoin kindness, and turn away from the ignorant." (al-Aaraf 7:199)
Examples of Prophet's Tolerance and Forgiveness from Makkan Period
1. Disturbance during Prayers
In the early Makkan period when the enemies of the new religion far exceeded the Prophet's companions in number, it often happened that when the Prophet would stand to pray, his foes would come near him and whistle and clap in order to disturb him, but the Prophet (PBUH) would not even once show his anger at such acts. He used to tolerate and avoid confrontation.
2. Nauseous act of Abu Jahil
Once the Prophet (PBUH) was performing prayer in the Kaaba, Abu Jahl had camel placenta poured over him. Syeda Fatimah al-Zehra, upon hearing the news. rushed to her father and wiped away the filth.
3. Muhammad’s visit to Taif
In the earlier part of his mission, the Prophet (PBUH) traveled to the city of Taif in order to invite its leaders to Islam. The leaders of Taif, however, were rude and discourteous in their treatment of the Prophet (PBUH). the Prophet (PBUH) had to endure even more obstacles in Taif than he had had to face in Makkah. These ruffians, stationed either side of the path, threw stones at him until his feet were injured and smeared with blood. These oppressions so grievously dejected the Prophet (PBUH) and plunged him into in such a state of depression that a prayer, citing his helplessness and pitiable condition and seeking the aid of God, spontaneously came from his lips:
"O God, to You I complain of my weakness, lack of resources and humiliation before these people. You are the Most Merciful, the Lord of the weak and my Master. To whom will You consign me? To one estranged, bearing ill will, or an enemy given power over me? If You do not assign me any worth, I care not, for Your favor is abundant upon me. I seek refuge in the light of Your countenance by which all darkness is dispelled and every affair of this world and the next is set right, lest Thy anger should descend upon me or Your displeasure light upon me. I need only Your pleasure and satisfaction for only You enable me to do good and evade the evil. There is no power and no might but You."
Later, the Taif delegation visited Median in 9 AH and the Prophet (PBUH) greeted them and hosted them with unprecedented respect and warm hospitality. Impressed by his tolerant and welcoming demeanor, the Taif leaders and delegation accepted Islam.
Examples of Prophet's Tolerance and Forgiveness from Medinite Period
When the Prophet (PBUH) and many of his companions migrated to Medina, again his great character in dealing with his companions and enemies was further manifested. In Medina, the Muslims were in the process of establishing the new Islamic state.
1. Injury in battle of Uhud
In the battle of Uhud, when his Makkan enemies attacked the Muslims, the Prophet (PBUH) suffered head injury and his front teeth got smashed. When the blood started to seep from his head, he swabbed it saying, "If a drop of my blood fell on the earth, those disbelievers will be destroyed by Allah." Umar bin al-Khattab (583-644) told him, "O Messenger of Allah, Curse them!" The Prophet, peace be upon him, replied: O people, verily, I am a mercy and a guide. And he also said: My Lord, forgive my people, for they do not know.
2. Trample of Mosque
A Bedouin once entered the mosque and started to urinate in it. Mosques at that time had no walls and carpeted floors and the ceilings were palm leaves held up by palm stems. The people ran to prevent and restrain him. The Prophet (PBUH) asked for a pitcher of water to be poured over the place of urine, and he said: Verily, you were sent only to make things easy, and you were not sent to make things difficult.
3. The Jew Neighbor
It is reported that one of the Prophet's neighbors was a Jew who hated the Prophet (PBUH). Each day he would throw trash on his way. The prophet never rebuked him. One day, the Jew did not show up. The Prophet (PBUH) asked about him, and was told that he was sick. So, he went to visit him and inquire about his health with kindness. Upon seeing this, the Jew embraced Islam.
4. Martyrdom of Hazrat Hamza
The mercy of the Prophet (PBUH) even extended to those who brutally killed and then mutilated the body of his uncle Hamzah (568-625), one of the most beloved of people to the Prophet. Hamzah was one of the earliest to accept Islam and, through his power and position in the Quraishite hierarchy, diverted much harm from the Muslims. Martyrdom of Hazrat Hamza. After Hind had killed Hamzah she mutilated his body by cutting his chest and tearing his liver and heart into pieces. When she quietly came to the Prophet and accepted Islam, he recognized her but did not say anything. She was so impressed by his magnanimity and stature that she said, "O Messenger of God, no tent was more deserted in my eyes than yours; but today no tent is more lovely in my eyes than yours."
5. Funeral of a Jew
Once, when the Prophet (PBUH) was sitting at a place in Medina, along with his companions, a funeral procession passed by. On seeing this, the Prophet stood up. One of his companions remarked that the funeral was that of a Jew. The Prophet replied: "Was he not a human being?"
6. Teaching of Forgiveness in last Sermon
In the Hajjat-ul-Wada, the Prophet (PBUH) ended all bloodshed and their claims from Jahiliyyah. He forgave the blood of his own kin and asked others to do the same. He declared the sanctity of human life, honour and property.
Mercy for All Creatures:
God's Messenger (PBUH) was the kindliest of men just as he excelled all others in courage and valour. Being extremely kindhearted, his eyes brimmed with tears at the slightest sign of inhumanity.
1. Keep oneself prepared before slaughtering
A man threw a goat on its side and then started sharpening his knife. When the Prophet (PBUH) saw him he said, "Do you want to kill it twice? Why did you not sharpen the knife before throwing it on the ground?"
2. Serving water to thirsty creature
Abu Huraira reports the Prophet (PBUH) as saying, A traveler who was thirsty saw a well in the way. He got inside the well and when he came out he saw a dog licking mud because of thirst. The man bethought himself that the dog should be as thirsty as he was and so he got into the well again, filled his leather sock with water and carried it out holding with his teeth. And thus he quenched the thirst of the dog. God was pleased with this act of kindness and pardoned his sins.
3. Curse for denial of food and water
the Prophet (PBUH) said, A woman was cast away into the hell only because she had denied food and water to her cat and refused to set it free so that the cat might satisfy its hunger by taking worms and insects.
4. About health of animal
(PBUH) came across a camel so famished that its belly had shrunk to its back. He said, "Fear God in the matter of these dumb creatures. If you ride them, ride when they are healthy and if you eat them, eat them when they are in a good condition."
5. Ease and kindness of domesticated animals
Once the Prophet (PBUH) entered the enclosure of an Ansari where there was a camel which started groaning on catching sight of the Prophet (PBUH), tears running down its eyes. The Prophet (PBUH) went near it, patted on its hump and face which set it at ease. Then the Apostle asked who its owner was. The Ansar young man came and said: "O Messenger of God, it belongs to me." The Prophet (PBUH) said to him, "Do you not fear God in the matter of this beast although He has made you its owner? It complained to me that you bore hard upon it and always kept it at work."
Conclusion:
These are only a few of many examples of the Prophet's tolerance, forgiveness and noble character. Syeda Aisha, the wife of the Prophet was asked regarding the character of the Prophet (PBUH). She said very simply that: "Have you not read the Quran? Verily, the character of the Messenger of Allah was the Quran".
He always repelled evil with the good of forgiveness and kind behavior for, in his view, an antidote was better than poison. With his forgiveness, he freed people from the bondage of sin and crime, and also made them great friends of Islam. He was an epitome of the verse of the Quran:
"Good and evil are not alike. Repel evil with what is better. Then he, between whom and you there was hatred, will become as though he was a bosom friend." ( Fussilat 41:34)