CHAPTER 3: THOSE OF HIGH SOCIAL STATUS – PART 1
The Dealings of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, with those of high social status
Introduction:
The Prophet’s superb manners manifested themselves in many different forms, and with all societal groups without exception, that includes the Muslims, non-Muslims, rich, poor, leaders, and subordinates. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to give special treatment, honour, and respect to those who had a high status in society. He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to give everyone with a right their specific rights, and would not lower the rank of the highly ranked in society, rather, he would preserve their status among their people, and order his Companions to do the same.
When speaking about the levels of the narrators, Muslim (a scholar) said: “He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would not lower the highly ranked person below his rank, and would not raise someone whose rank in knowledge was low above their rank. He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would give every person their due right, and would put them in their respective places. It has been mentioned on the authority of `Aa’ishah (the wife of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that she said: ‘The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered us to give people their specific ranks.’” (The introduction to the book of Muslim (1/2). The narration mentioned was reported by Abu Dawood (4842).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, recognized their status and rank among their people:
Abu Sufyaan was one of the elders of Quraysh, and then became their leader after the death of the rest of its leaders. During the Battle of Uhud, he was the leader of Quraysh. When he accepted Islam, the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, specifically mentioned him when conquering Makkah.
‘Abdullaah ibn `Abbas (the Prophet’s cousin) reported that his father Al-`Abbas ibn `Abd Al-Muttalib brought Abu Sufyaan to the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to accept Islam, which he did. Al-`Abbas said: “O Messenger of Allah, Abu Sufyaan is someone who likes honour and glory, so if only you would mention him in some fashion.” The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Yes; whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyaan is safe, and whoever locks their door is also safe.” (Reported by Abu Dawood (3021).)
Abu Hurayrah (a Companion) reported at the conquest of Makkah and said: “The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ascended Mount Safa, then the Ansaar approached and circuited Safaa. Then Abu Sufyaan approached and said: ‘The blood of Quraysh has been annihilated; there is no Quraysh after today.’ Then the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyaan is safe; whoever puts their weapon down is safe; whoever locks their door is safe.’” (Reported by Muslim (1780).)
An-Nawawi (a scholar) said: “This is a form of softening the heart of Abu Sufyaan, as well as showing his position and nobility.” (The explanation of An-Nawawi on the book of Muslim (12/127).)
When Sa’d ibn Mu’adh, the chief of Al-Khazraj approached to judge in the affair of Banu Quraythah, the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered that they stand for him, out of respect:
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (a Companion) said: “The people of the tribe of Banu Quraythah agreed to accept the verdict of Sa’d ibn Mu’adh, so the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, sent for him, and he came riding on a donkey. When he approached close to the mosque, the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to the Ansaar: ‘Stand for your chief, or the best among you, and help him off his donkey.’ Then, he sat beside the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (3043) and Muslim (1768).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was keen on calling them to Allah:
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would covet the Islam of the elders of the people, in hope that those beneath them would also accept Islam, and that is why he would give them special attention.
An example of that is when he was busy with Al-Waleed ibn Al-Mugheerah (calling him to Islam), who was one of the chiefs of Quraysh, hoping that he would accept Islam. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was busy with Al-Waleed when Ibn Umm Maktoom (one of the Companions who was blind) approached, and the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ignored Ibn Umm Maktoom and instead proceeded to Al-Waleed.
`Aa’ishah said: “Allah revealed (what means): «He [i.e. the Prophet] frowned and turned away.» with regards to Ibn Umm Maktoom, the blind one, who went to the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and was saying: ‘O Messenger of Allah, guide me,’ when the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was present with some chiefs of the Quraysh. This caused the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to turn away from him, and instead give his attention to the other man. Ibn Umm Maktoom said to him, ‘Do you see anything wrong with what I am saying?’ and the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would respond: ‘No.’ So it was revealed about this.’ (Reported by At-Tirmidhi (3331).)
Another instance which shows his keenness on guiding people, especially the elders and chiefs among them, is when the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “O Allah, give Islam glory with either of these two men that you love more; Abu Jahl, or `Umar ibn Al-Khattaab.” `Abdullaah ibn `Umar (a Companion and the son of ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab) said: “The most beloved to Allah out of those two was `Umar.” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi (3681) on the authority of `Abdullaah ibn `Umar.)
`Aa’ishah reported that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “O Allah, give glory to Islam through `Umar ibn Al-Khattaab specifically.” (Reported by Ibn Hibbaan (6882).)
Al-Albaani (a scholar) said: “There is no contradiction (between the two narrations), because it might be that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said the first one in the beginning of Islam, but when he saw Abu Jahl’s obstinacy and insistence on opposing him, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he supplicated for `Umar specifically. The outcome was that Allah answered his call and granted Islam glory through him, as is well-known from his biography and this is something that Ibn Mas`ood (a Companion) explicitly mentioned when he said: ‘We have been given glory ever since `Umar accepted Islam.’” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (3863) and As-Silsilah As-Saheehah (13/28).)
His trip, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to Taif:
When the Quraysh increased their persecution of the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, after the death of his uncle (Abu Taalib), he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, went to Taif in the hope that they would support and help him against his people, and safeguard him so that he could convey the message of his Lord.
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, called them to Allah, but did not find anyone to shelter him or help him. Instead, they wronged him severely and harmed him more than his own people did. He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, remained there for ten days, and spoke to every single one of the chiefs and noblemen there. (Zaad Al-Ma`aad (3/28).)
The reason he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did so is that when the elders and chiefs accept Islam, that also allows those who follow them and their subordinates to accept it as well.
By Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid
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