Muhammad (SAW): Preacher of Peace (II)

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “If people insult one another, the sin of what they say falls exclusively on the one of them who initiated it unless the one wronged exceeds the bounds.” [Muslim]It is narrated on the authority of Jabir that he […]

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “If people insult one another, the sin of what they say falls exclusively on the one of them who initiated it unless the one wronged exceeds the bounds.” [Muslim]
It is narrated on the authority of Jabir that he heard the (Holy Prophet) say: “A Muslim is he from whose hand and tongue the Muslim’s are safe” [Muslim].
Calls for verification of information
As a proactive measure to avoid any possible instigation of conflict, the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) taught his followers not accepted every piece of information hook, line and sinker without verification its authenticity. “O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done” (Qur’an 49:6).
Commenting on this verse, a renowned English Translator of the Qur’an, Abdullah Yusuf Ali says “all tittle-tattle or reports-especially if emanating from persons you do not know -are to be tested, and the truth ascertained. If they were believed and passed on, much harm may be done, of which you may have cause afterwards to repent heartily. Scandal or slander of all kinds is here condemned”.
The Qur’an talked about the qualities of believers as “those who listen to the Word, and follow the best (meaning) in it: Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the ones endued with understanding” (Qur’an 39:7). 4269.
According to Abdullah Yusuf Ali “the Commentators construe this clause in two alternative ways. (1) If “word” be taken as any word, the clause would mean that good men listen to all that is said and choose the best of it. (2) If “word” be taken to mean Allah’s Word, it would mean that they should listen reverently to it, and where permissive and alternative courses are allowed for those who are not strong enough to follow the higher course, those “endued with understanding” should prefer to attempt the higher course of conduct. For example, it is permitted (within limits) to punish those who wrong us, but the nobler course is to repel evil with good (Sura 23:96)”.
“And why did ye not when ye heard it say? It is not right of us to speak of this: glory to God! This is a most serious slander, God doth admonishes you that ye may never repeat this conduct) if ye are true believers”. (Qur’an 24:16-17).
Taught decorum in speech
The use of good language in speech is an essential peace building ingredient. Therefore, it is not surprising to note that one of the central messages of the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) offers the decorum in speech. The Qur’an talks about qaulan sadeeda (words of appropriate – Qur’an 4:9, 33:70), qaulan baleeqa (Words that will reach soul – Qur’an 4:63), qaulan ma’arufa (words of kindness and justice – Qur’an 4:5, 4:8, Q33:32), qaulan kareema (words of honor – Qur’an 17:23), qaulan layyinan (Words Of Mildness – Qur’an 20:43-44), qaulan maisura (gentle words – Qur’an17:28), qaulal lati hiya ahsan (gracious words- Qur’an 17:53) among others.
The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) in a hadith related by Abu Isa Mughira Iban Shu’bah (R.A) said: “Allah has forbidden you from the disobedience of your parents, parsimony, usurping the property of others, and the burying alive of female infants, and has disapproved for you useless talking, excessive questioning and waste of property” (Bukhari and Muslim).
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