Before the advent [i.e. coming] of the Last Nabi, Muhammad Mustafa صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم to the world; oppression, barbarism and injustice were quite common in the world. Human beings were deprived of many of their rights, let alone animals. Slaves, orphans, women and newly-born baby girls were often brutally oppressed. When the Nabi of Rahmah صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم came to the world, he صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم spread the teachings of real humanity in the world, promoting real well-wishing to orphans, slaves, women, children, animals and all creatures. His excellent and clear teachings put an end to oppression and cruelty, establishing peace and tranquillity in society. Let’s read about some of the aspects of the well-wishing shown by him to the creatures of the Almighty, gladdening our hearts:
1. Humanity even in battlefield
The laws enacted and adopted by the Merciful Nabi صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم who was also a great Well-wisher of mankind were not specific to Muslims but rather he صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم also described such rights of non-Muslims regarding the protection of their life, wealth and respect that no such example can be found in the world. When non-Muslims fought wars, they inflicted every type of cruelty and oppression on Muslims but the Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم strictly forbade killing old people, women, children, unarmed people and animals. He also prohibited destroying trees and crops. Furthermore, he صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم also forbade making any attack at night for the protection of the children, old people and women of disbelievers.
2. Well-wishing of orphans
Before Islam, violating the rights of orphans and inflicting cruelty upon them were also very common. It was the Greatest and Noblest Nabi صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم who ordered that the rights of orphans be fulfilled, their needs be met and their inheritance be given to them after they get mature. Sometimes, orphans are completely neglected in society even by their own relatives, let alone strangers. Our Beloved and Blessed Nabi صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has provided motivation for treating orphans with good manners and stroking their heads sympathetically. He صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated, ‘One who has placed the hand on the head of an orphan for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, there are virtues for him in return for every hair that his hand has stroked.’ (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 8, pp. 300, Hadees 22347)
3. Well-wishing of women
Before the coming of the Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in the world, women were victimized by the barbaric customs of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance. Showing compassion and affection, he صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم rescued them from the mire of cruelty and brutality and adorned their heads with the crown of respect. Through his sayings and actions, he صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has described the rights of women whether she is a daughter or a sister or a wife or a mother, granting them an important position in society. He صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم behaved towards his daughters and blessed wives sympathetically and affectionately. Teaching the same manner to people, he صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘خَیْرُ کُمْ خَیْرُ کُمْ لِنِسَائہٖ وَلِبَنَاتِہٖ’ the best among you is the one who is good to his women and daughters. (Shu’ab-ul-Iman, vol. 6, pp. 415, Hadees 8720)
He صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has also given the good news of the reward of an accepted Hajj for the one looking at his parents sympathetically and has also given the glad tidings of his companionship in Paradise for the one treating his sister with good manners. (Shu’ab-ul-Iman, vol. 6, pp. 186, Hadees 7856)
4. Well-wishing of the old
According to the teachings of the Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, the elderly should neither be considered a burden nor be admitted to the old people’s home. Instead, they should be treated with respect and their companionship should be considered a means of blessing. This is a distinctive aspect of his teachings. The Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated, Blessing is with our elder ones; and the one not having mercy on our younger ones and not revering our elder ones, is not from amongst us.’ (Al-Mu’jam-ul-Kabeer, vol. 8, pp. 227, Hadees 7895)
5. Well-wishing of animals
Animals are among the countless bounties of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. In addition to a huge number of benefits obtained from their meat, milk, hair, etc., they also serve as a means of transportation and riding. Buying and selling them are also the means of Halal livelihood. Keeping animals hungry and thirsty, making them bear the burden more than their strength and causing pain to them in anyway have all been forbidden by the Kind and Compassionate Rasool صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم even prohibited slapping the face of the animal and slaughtering it in the state of hunger and thirst. He صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم ordered that a sharpened knife be used at the time of the slaughter so that the animal feels the minimum amount of pain.
Whatever is described above is only a small part of the teachings of the Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. In short, it is the Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم who has made humans gain their real status. But, regrettably, some unwise people are busy promoting inhumanity in the name of humanity by choosing the ways contrary to Islamic teachings. May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ bless us with great wisdom!
اٰمِيۡن بِجَاهِ النَّبِيِّ الۡاَمِيۡن صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم
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