Prophet Muhammad as a Humanitarian Leader
We sent you not except as a mercy for the worlds. (Al-Anbiya’ 21:107)
Have you seen someone who rejects religion? That is the person who pushes the orphan aside and does not promote feeding the needy. Woe to those who pray but who are unmindful of their prayer, whose aim is to be noticed, while they hold back the common courtesies. (Al-Ma’un 107:1-7)
The word “humanitarian” is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as “a person devoted to promoting the welfare of humanity, especially through the elimination of pain and suffering.”
Prophet Muhammad was the best example and the greatest leader who came to promote human welfare. Allah sent him as a “mercy to the worlds.” As a Prophet and Messenger of Allah, his mission was to guide human beings to the path of truth and salvation. He, however, did not limit his work to preaching faith and prayers alone; he also emphasized helping all human beings, regardless of their races, colors or religions. He was good to all human beings.
The purpose of this talk is to emphasize the humanitarian aspects of the Sirah of the Prophet - peace be upon him. We shall look at both the humanitarian teachings of the Prophet and his humanitarian example.
Humanitarian teachings of the Prophet
From the beginning of his mission until he left this world, Prophet Muhammad emphasized that all human beings are one family, descending from the one and same father and mother, Adam and Eve. He spoke against racial or color discrimination. He spoke against tribalism and against all kinds of prejudices. There is not a single incident or a single statement in which he showed directly or indirectly any prejudice against any person of any race, color or tribe. In the society in which he was born such discriminations were common; but he always spoke against them and reminded his followers to treat all people with respect.
He emphasized justice towards all people. He was just not only to the Muslims, but also to non-Muslims. He was just not only to his friends but also to his enemies. Allah gave him the message of universal justice:
O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to Piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.
(Al-Ma’idah 5:8)
Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him- preached this message and practiced it in the best way. Neither in the time of peace nor in the time of war he did injustice to his enemies. Actually, in many instances when he defeated his enemies in battle, he forgave them and let them go free.
He emphasized the human rights of all people. Before Prophet Muhammad there was no concept of universal human rights; it was he who gave the world the idea that all human beings have some God-given and inalienable rights. He spoke about the rights of life, right of basic necessities of life, right of property, protection of honor, personal freedom, freedom of expression, freedom of conscience and conviction, equality before law, the right of consultation. It was he who taught that women must be treated with respect and honor. It was he who taught the dignity of workers and said that workers should be given fair wages and paid promptly. It was Prophet Muhammad - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him - who taught the first time in history that rulers are responsible before their people and they can be removed by the people.
Prophet Muhammad taught kindness to family, love of children, respect of parents and elders and kindness to neighbors. He told us that even if our parents or other relatives reject Allah’s message and continue in their unbelief or idol worship, we should not mistreat them. We should not follow their wrong ways, but in worldly matters we should be good to them. He told us that we should treat all our neighbors with care and kindness. He told us, “He/she is not a believer who eats while his neighbor is hungry.” He did not distinguish between a Muslim and non-Muslim in this humanitarian treatment of relatives and neighbors.
Prophet Muhammad was not only kind to Muslims; he was also kind and respectful to non-Muslims. He listened to their arguments and answered them in the nicest manner. He criticized their misconceptions and gave them the message of Islam, but never forced them to accept Islam. Some of his own relatives did not accept Islam but the Prophet did not mistreat them even when he had full powers to do that. He rather helped them whenever they were in need. He taught kindness to neighbors and to all relatives whether Muslims or non-Muslims. Prophet Muhammad never allowed fighting any person or group unless they attacked first. He urged peaceful relations, agreement and treaties and he reminded his followers to observe all treaties and covenants as long as the enemies observed them.
Humanitarian Example of the Prophet
Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - also gave us a perfect example of a humanitarian leader.
In his early age, before Allah appointed him as His Prophet and Messenger, Prophet Muhammad was known as an honest, trustworthy and truthful person. He was called al-Sadiq and al-Amin. It was due to his loving and peaceful character that Quraish asked him to arbitrate in their dispute on who should place the Black Stone in the wall of the Ka’bah when they were repairing its building. It was due to his humanitarian spirit that he joined a group of noble people in Makkah who wanted to protect the widows, orphans or strangers in their city. He joined the Hilf al-Fudul and even after he became the Prophet of Allah, he continued speaking highly of this group, its humanitarian efforts and indicated his willingness to respond to them whenever they would call.
When the leaders of various tribes in Makkah made life difficult for Prophet Muhammad, surrounded his house and came to kill him, the Prophet did not leave his home without making sure that anything that he had borrowed or kept as a trust with him must be returned to its rightful owners, although some of them turned against him and became his enemies because of his message of Islam. This is a most unique example of sincerity and honesty as well as of humanitarian spirit.
It is reported that after the Hijrah while the people of Makkah were still his enemies, it came to the attention of the Prophet that they were going through shortage of food due to some famine; the Prophet immediately sent some food for them from Madinah. This is another unique example of humanitarian spirit towards the enemies, even when they are at war. Prophet Muhammad never allowed the starvation of any person, even animals. He warned about Allah’s punishment of hell for a woman who kept a cat in some place, did not allow the cat to go out nor gave her food or water. The poor cat died of starvation. On the other hand, the Prophet praised a person who gave water to a very thirsty dog and thus received special blessings of Allah. There are many examples of his compassion and kindness towards the animals.
As the leader of the community, in Madinah, the Prophet used to receive charity (Sadaqat and Zakat), but he never used it on himself or his family. He was, however, very generous in helping the poor people. He used to give with such a generosity that people used to say that he gives like a person who does not fear poverty. Beside teaching and preaching the message of Allah, it was his mission to remove the suffering of all people.
It is important for us Muslims to remember this humanitarian spirit of Islam. We should be kind and generous towards all people. Because of lack of understanding of the humanitarian nature of Islamic teachings and humanitarian example of Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - many Muslims today think that our social work, relief work and humanitarian efforts should be only directed towards Muslims.
We lag behind in supporting the humanitarian causes here in America and around the world. This is against the clear teachings and spirit of Islam. We should emphasize more and more humanitarian work. We should establish institutions for the assistance of all poor people, regardless of their religions. We should feed the hungry, provide clean water and clothes to those who are in need. We should establish medical clinics for free treatment of all those who are sick and need our help and assistance. We should take care of the senior citizens, orphans and widows to the best of our capacities. We should organize systematic relief programs for those who are victims of natural or man-made disasters everywhere in the world. We should establish educational institutions not only for Muslims but also for others.
Just as da’wah is important, humanitarian work is also very important. Actually no successful Da’wah work can be done without sincere humanitarian work.
