Chapter 3: The Life and Importance of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

Prophet Muhammad (SAW)‟s Relation with Non-Muslims of Madinah

Background
The Holy Prophet SAW advocates a just and kind treatment for non-Muslim, and it has gone to such
extremes that there was liberty that non-Muslims were allowed to follow their religion and no believers were
not forced to change their religion.

Charter of Madinah

The Prophet (SAW) defined religious, social, and political relations, establish peace and
friendship. A charter was drawn for the Jews and various tribe of Madinah known as “Treaty of
Madinah”. The clauses of charter were favourable for non-Muslims.

1. Both the parties enjoy complete religious freedom and tolerance.

2. Both the parties would be allies and make peace together with outsider.
3. The Jews and the Muslims civil society and enjoy equal rights.
4. Madinah would be a city of peace for both the parties.
5. The allies of both the parties would enjoy the same security and freedom.
6. In case of attack on Madinah, both the parties would assist each other and defend it.
7. The Prophet (SAW) would decide all the disputes and his decision would be final.

Interaction with Non-Muslims

The Prophet (pbuh) engaged in commercial dealings with them and gave and received help from
them. One day a Jew caught hold of the cloth the Prophet (pbuh) was wearing and demanded that
he repay the loan he had taken from him. „Umar (RA), got angry with the Jew and scolded him.
The Prophet (pbuh) then ordered that the loan to be repaid to the Jew, and because „Umar (RA)
had scolded him, Prophet (pbuh) gave more money than what he had actually to be given.
Abdullah bin Ubay the leader of hypocrites and the leader of Banu Kharjas, during the first five
years of Hijra he was engaged in weakening the position of Prophet‟s (S.A.W) by verbal
arguments and by criticizing the Quran. He showed his hypocrisy in the battle of Uhad where he
abandoned the Prophet (S.A.W) and took his 300 men back to Madinah. He was also responsible
scandalizing the Prophets (S.A.W) wife Hazrat Aisha (R.A) until her innocence was declared by
Allah in Quranic (Surah Noor).
Despite all of his enmity, Prophet offered his funeral prayer while Allah forbade him to perform
funeral prayer of hypocrites. “And never (O Muhammad) pray (funeral prayer) for any of them
(hypocrites) who dies, nor stand at his grave.” (Surah Taubah 9:84). Muslims were allowed to
marry Jews and Christians and they were not forced to change their religion and they were allowed
to follow their religion freely.
Not just this but rules of war were also instructed by Prophet Muhammad SAW;

 to not to harm old, women children,

 not to mutilate the dead bodies
 to be kind treatment with prisoners of war
 prohibition of trees‟ cutting, killing of animal and damage to worship places

These were made according to human rights setting best examples of how two different religions must
respect each other despite of different beliefs.

Relation with Jewish Tribes and their Banishment

 Prophet SAW always had peaceful approach while dealing with non- Muslims. They were asked
to pay Jizyah in return of the services Muslims were instructed to provide them.
 Christian tribe of Najran didn‟t accept Islam so, he was not forced to change religion. He was
given all rights and protection in exchange of Jizya.
 Jews of Khyber were allowed to remain in Khyber and pay Jizya instead of any harsh
punishment.
 Prophet PBUH gave all the rights to non- Muslims like Jews tribe and remain sincere with
treaty despite of the fact that Jews tribe is not sincere with the treaty. However, when no option
was left and their enmity started to cause serious damage to Muslims, they were asked to
leave the state of Madinah instead of any serious punishment.
 Two of the tribes the Banu Nadir and the Banu Qaynuqa were exiled for breaking the treaty
and for the consequent danger they posed to the new Muslim community.
 Banu Qurayza was not banished. However, dealt according to their own laws, which meant
that many of them were put to death.

Conclusion: Prophet (SAW) completely changed the political, social and religious life of Madinah.
It established political unity and transformed the city of fighting tribes into a peaceful state
 Prophet's relations with the Jewish tribes and „hypocrites' in Madinah

Background
The Jews of Madinah were divided into three main tribes Banu Nadeer, Banu Qainuqa and Banu
Quraiza. The Jews had a very strong position in Madinah. They did not accept Muslims by heart
and turned against Muslims.

Relation with the Jews

Prophet (PBUH) irrespective of Jewish attitude, tried his level best to maintain a friendly
relationship with Jews. He concluded the treaty of Madinah under which Jews were given an
important position. This was the first treaty after migration between Muslims and Non-Muslims
based upon human rights.

Charter of Madinah
 The Prophet (SAW) defined religious, social, and political relations, establish peace and
friendship. A charter was drawn for the Jews and various tribe of Madinah known as “Treaty of
Madinah”. The clauses of charter were favourable for non-Muslims.
 Both the parties enjoy complete religious freedom and tolerance.
 Both the parties would be allies and make peace together with outsider.
 The Jews and the Muslims civil society and enjoy equal rights.
 Madinah would be a city of peace for both the parties.
 The allies of both the parties would enjoy the same security and freedom.
 In case of attack on Madinah, both the parties would assist each other and defend it.
 The Prophet (SAW) would decide all the disputes and his decision would be final.

Drastic changes in relation
 Prophet (S.A.W) had made every sincere effort to make friend with Jews.
 He (SAW) gave them the liberty and freedom to live freely.
 During earlier days after Hijra Jews tried to exploit Islam by promoting their own interest
 Muslim‟s victory of Badr frustrated them a lot
 They had religious, social economic and political reason to remain hostile towards Islam
 The monitoring position of Banu Qunaqa was detoriated when Muslims turned against them
after the verses against „Reba‟ were revealed
 The alliance of Banu Qunaiqa and hypocrite (under Abdullah Bin Ubey) were also cooperative
in making Muslims turned against Jews in 624 A.D.

Respect of position of Prophet

Similarly, with the passage of time Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) realized that they did not respect
his position as a Prophet. Jews would try to find faults in Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and his
teaching of Islam. The Jews did not reciprocate and never accepted the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) and
never accepted the Prophethood of Holy Prophet (S.A.W). They could not digest the idea that a
non-Jew Prophet was of their religion and from amongst their tribe.
Mocked the Muslims

They mocked the Muslims for adapting Jerusalem as their Kiblah and for sharing other religious
rights of Jews such as „Ashura Fast‟. They miss pronounce the Quranic verses with the intentions
of changing their meaning. Relation between them and the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) continued to
become worst.

Expulsion of Three Jewish tribes from Madinah between 624 and 627 A.D:

 The main hostility was shown by Banu Quraiza, Banu Qunaiqa and Banu Nazir.

Banu Qainuqa was punished first assault of a Muslim woman at the shop of a Jewish goldsmith,
resulted in violent quarrel between Muslims and Jews. They were expelled from Madinah and left
for Syria and Khyber.

Banu Nadir broke their covenant by not supporting Muslims in the battle of Uhud. They Refused to
share blood money with Muslims regarding the incident of Bir Ma‟una. They lost no time conspiring
with the Quraish against Muslims and plotting the killing of Holy Prophet (S.A.W) by Banu Nazir and
treason of Banu Quraiza. Due to the hostility of Banu Qainuqa and Banu Nadir and for not fulfilling
the treaty, they were banished from Madinah. They were not harmed nor were their possessions
taken from them. They were asked to take their belongings with them and leave Madinah.

Banu Quraiza

They broke the treaty with Muslims and collaborated with enemies against Islam. A siege laid by
Prophet Muhammad PBUH to their fortress. They were offered three options by their own chief
which they did not accept than Hazrat Saad was appointed as judge and decision was taken
according to their own book „Torah‟ which was accepted by them. Accordingly, men were killed and
women and children were taken captive.
“And those of the People of the Book who aided them - Allah did take them down from their
strongholds and cast terror into their hearts. (So that) some ye slew, and some ye made prisoners”
(33:26)

Relation with the Hypocrite:

Enemies in Disguise

Similarly, as for Hypocrites the Prophet (S.A.W) had different situation, which he had to face in
Medina was immense than opposing he faced in Makkah. In Medina Prophet (S.A.W) had to face
enemies in disguise. The disguise enemies are the hypocrite who had apparently accepted Islam
but were enemies of the core of their hearts. The Holy Quran says, “And you see those in whose
hearts there is a disease (of hypocrisy), they hurry to their friendship, saying: "We fear lest some
misfortune of a disaster may befall us........" (5:52).
Abdullah bin Ubay the leader of hypocrites

Abdullah bin Ubay the leader of hypocrites and the leader of Banu Kharjas, during the first five years
of Hijra he was engaged in weakening the position of Prophet‟s (S.A.W) by verbal arguments and by
criticizing the Quran. In the battle of Uhad where he abandoned the Prophet (S.A.W) and took his
300 men back to Medina. All his life he left no stone unturned in damaging the Muslims through
conspiring, mechanizing and plotting against Muslims. Some times with the Quraish some time with
the Jews. He was the one who even made malignant effort of scandalizing the Prophets (S.A.W)
wife Hazrat Aisha (R.A) until her innocence was declared by Allah in Quranic verses.

The attitude of Prophet towards Abdullah bin Ubay

The attitude of Prophet (S.A.W) although was changed but he was not very strict .The major reason
for this leniency was that if he (SAW) had taken punitive action against them, his repute might have
been damaged, for turning against his own people. He (SAW) acted in a wise way which was let
them die their own death. The Holy Quran says, “of the people there are some who say: we
believe in Allah.”

Conclusion: Prophet (PBUH) brought peace in society with his interactions and leadership.
 Seal of the Prophets

 Seal as Completeness and Authentication:

A seal signifies that a document or message is complete and final, with nothing more to be
added. The concept of the "seal" also serves to authenticate and confirm the legitimacy of
the content.

 Prophet Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets:

The Prophet Muhammad is referred to as the "Seal of the Prophets," indicating that he is
the final prophet in a line of prophetic messages. His role confirms and completes the
messages of previous prophets.

 Completion of Religion:
The Qur‟an states that the religion brought by Prophet Muhammad has been completed:
“Today I have completed your religion and have bestowed upon you my entire blessing. I
accept Islam as your religion” (The Holy Qur‟an, 5:3). This verse emphasizes that the
religious message and its guidance are now complete.

 Integrity and Protection of the Message:

The seal ensures the integrity of the message and the fidelity of its transmitter. It acts as a
safeguard against falsification and tampering.

 Role of the Sunnah and Example:

The seal of the Prophets guarantees that the religion, as conveyed through Islam, is
preserved in its authentic form. To understand and follow the religion correctly, referring to
the Sunnah (the practices of the Prophet) and his example is essential.

Reference:

 Islam Beliefs and Practice by Yasmin Malik

 Cambridge O level Islmaiyat by Dr.Saqib Muhammad Khan & Habibur-Rehman