The Roles of the Prophet Mohammad, PBUH, in the Sphere of Civilization (Part 8)
A. Firmness in the Law and Protecting People’s Property
All previous divine laws agree on the preservation of life, property, dignity, and honor. However, Islam has pursued these principles with even greater seriousness and determination. For example, when a woman from the Bani Makhzoom tribe committed theft, her case was brought before the Prophet of Islam. He ordered that the prescribed punishment, which was the amputation of her hand, be carried out. The Bani Makhzoom tribe sent Osama bin Zayd, who was one of the dearest people to the Messenger of Allah, to intercede on her behalf so that the tribe’s reputation would not be questioned. However, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, responded firmly: «یا اُسامه اتشفع فی حدٍّ من حدود الله؟! انما هلک الذین من قبلکم انهم کانوا إذا سرق فیهم الشریف ترکوه، واذا سرق فیهم الضعیف اقاموا علیه الحد، وایم الله، لو ان فاطمة بنت محمد صلی‌الله‌علیه‌وسلم سرقت لقعطت یدها.» “O Osama! Do you seek to intervene in the boundaries set by Allah [i.e., to prevent the implementation of divine law]? Indeed, the reason for the destruction of those who came before you were that when a person of high social status committed theft, they were let go, but when a weak person [with no social status] stole, they enforced the punishment upon him. I swear by Allah, if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, [I, as her father] would cut off her hand.”
This incident demonstrates the Prophet’s unwavering commitment to justice and the law, regardless of social status or personal connections.
As in the capitalist system of the West, the same customs of ignorance are cloaked in the garments of civilization and spread throughout human societies.
B. Equality in the Application of Divine Law
A Jewish man and woman committed the sin of adultery, while the ruling on adultery was in the Torah. They wanted to go to the Prophet, peace be upon him, to disqualify him from implementing the law. However, when they came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, he stated: “The divine law does not distinguish between a Muslim and a non-Muslim; everyone is equal before the law.” He then asked them, “Is there not such a ruling in the Torah?” They replied, “No!” He instructed, “Bring a copy of the Torah.” When they brought it, they said it was written in Syriac and told him to read it himself. As one of them was reciting, he placed his hand over the verse of stoning, reciting the verses before and after but omitting the verse of stoning. Abdullah bin Salam, who had just converted to Islam and knew their language, said, “Raise your hand.” When the man removed his hand, the verse of stoning was visible beneath it. It was at this point that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, ordered both of them to be stoned.
C. The Prophet of Islam as an Advocate for Non-Muslims in Case of Muslim Transgressions
In this regard, the Prophet said: «الا مَن ظلمَ مُعاهدًا، أوِ انتقصَهُ، أو كلَّفَهُ فوقَ طاقتِهِ، أو أخذَ منهُ شيئًا بغَيرِ طيبِ نفسٍ، فأَنا حَجيجُهُ يومَ القيامةِ» Translation: “Whoever wrongs a non-Muslim who is under a treaty, takes advantage of him beyond his capacity, or usurps his property without his consent, I, Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), will be the advocate for non-Muslims on the Day of Judgment.” It is stated in another narration that Hazrat Abdullah bin Omar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: عَنْ عَبْدِاللَّهِ بْنِ عمر رضي‌الله‌عنهما، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلی‌الله‌علیه‌وآله‌وسلم قَالَ: «مَنْ قَتَلَ مُعَاهَدًا لَمْ يَرَحْ رَائِحَةَ الْجَنَّةِ، وَإِنَّ رِيحَهَا لَيُوجَد مِنْ مَسِيرَةِ أَرْبَعِينَ عَامًا “Whoever kills a Dhimmi, the smell of Paradise will not reach his nostrils, while its fragrance can be detected from a distance of forty years’ journey.”
D. Drafting of the Constitution
When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, migrated to Medina with the intention of establishing a government, he formed an Islamic state where many groups, including Jews and Christians, coexisted. In addition to the guidance provided by the Quran and Sunnah in addressing the people’s increasing problems, he drafted a law known as the “Misaq Al-Madinah” to ensure peaceful coexistence among various religions, including the Ansar and the Muhajirin. The law explicitly stated that the Jews who paid jizya would have immunity, as long as they adhered to divine law. Those who transgressed would be punished according to divine law, with the recognition that crime is a personal act.
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