Seerah

The Islamic legislative system benefits everyone and equates everyone, giving the nation true power, peace of mind, stability, firmness and progress. People's belief in lofty Islamic ideals, represented in the person of the Prophet, prevailed on everything. It is obvious that in such an environment, personal problems and disputes are minimized, and people are overwhelmed by the spirit of togetherness, adopting the trend of giving, generosity, avoiding falling into prohibitions and sins such as theft, rape, adultery, murder, sodomy, backbiting and other such crimes. People demonstrated beautiful manners which had hitherto never been known, whether throughout the Arabian Peninsula or anywhere else then. People used to favour others over their own selves in giving in the cause of Allah Almighty. One favours his friend over himself as far as wealth is concerned. The incident involving the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali and his family, wherein the verse saying eAnd they feed the poor, the orphan and the captive, for the love of God, (saying,) "We feed you for the sake of God alone: We desire no reward from you, nor thanks. We only fear a Day of distressing Wrath from our Lord 155 is a glorious example.

One would inquire about the well-being of his neighbour and his family before inquiring about those of his own, and wealthy people used to provide aid and food for those who needed it without being asked. The Prophet did not need to force or coerce anyone nor did he confiscate anyone's wealth, nor did he kill anyone arbitrarily. News of the new community continued to reverberate throughout the Arabian Peninsula, the community about which the Holy Qur'an said, eYou are the best nation sent to people 156, and throughout surrounding countries which claimed to have deeply rooted civilizations.

Everyone felt that a new era had dawned, so all hearts were attracted to Islam and people rallied behind it willingly and obediently. Thus, tribes, countries and groups hostile to Islam yielded before the Messenger of Allah on account of the popularity of his government and the freedom of the people, blended with conviction, virtue, piety, cooperation and love for everything good. As part of his socio-economic policy on welfare and inheritance the Prophet used to say, "He who dies and leaves poor family behind, then they should come to me for I am responsible for them [and their welfare]." Then he went further with monitory policy and said, "One who dies and leaves a bequest, it belongs to his family. And whoever dies leaving a debt behind, I am responsible for it." 157

Notes:

155. The Holy Qur'an, The Human (76): 8-10

156. The Holy Qur'an, The Family of Emran (3): 110

157. On this precedence, it is the duty of the leader of the Islamic State to do the same in these respects.

Adopted from the book : "The Prophet Muhammad; a Mercy to the World" by : "Ayatullah Muhammad Sadiq al-Shirazi"