Ways of The Prophet (S.A.W)

Taif incident

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) accompanied by Hadrat Zaid Harisa went to Ta’if to preach oneness of ALLAAH, and invited the people to Islam, whereupon they got enraged and set about maltreating him. The chiefs instigated the local urchins to mischief. While he was preaching these rowdies pelted him with stones so heavily that he began to bleed profusely; the blood congealing in his shoes making it difficult for him to take out his feet for making ablution. On one occasion the rogues and vagabonds abused him, clapped hands and jeered at him so much that he was forced to seek shelter in a house. Once while preaching in the same town he received so many injuries that he fainted and fell down. Hadrat Zaid (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) lifted him on his back: took him outside the habitation and sprinkled water on his face to bring him round.

In spite of the catastrophe and hardships faced in this journey and the sorrow that not a single body embraced Islam, the heart of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) was full of love and glorification of ALLAAH (the Most High). The prayer he made at this time is as follows:

‘O ALLAAH! To thee I complain of my helplessness, puny strength and of man’s haughtiness towards me. O Most Merciful, O Lord of the helpless, Thou alone art my Lord. To whom dost thou entrust me: to strangers who will be outrageous to me, to an enemy who will control my right and wrong? But if Thou art not unhappy with me then I care nothing for all the tribulations for Thy grace as well as comfort is more extensive for me. I seek refuge in Thy countenance - which brings forth light from darkness and adjusts the works of the world and the Hereafter - lest Thy wrath and Displeasure should befall me. Thine is the right to reprove and admonish till Thou art pleased. There is no strength or power except with thee’. (Tabari)

While returning from Ta’if the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi WaSallam) also said; “Why Should I pray for the destruction of these people? I do hope that their posterity will certainly be among the believers in the one ALLAAH.”

(Sahih Muslim, Rahmat -ul- liI ‘Alamin)