A Time for Amnesty and Re-evaluation
by S. D.
Al-Ahmadiyya, May 1979 Issue (Vol. 1, No. 5, p. 3)
The Holy Prophet Muhammad showed remarkable perseverance and determination during thirteen years of soaring crises at Makkah. Later, he displayed marvellous courage and bravery as a front-rank warrior in the wars which were forced upon Muslims. But in the most exhilarating moment of victory over the enemies who had left no stone unturned to torment and torture him, he rose to the occasion in a manner which had no parallel in the annals of history. He proclaimed a general amnesty and said in the words of the Quran:
لَا تَثۡرِیۡبَ عَلَیۡکُمُ الۡیَوۡمَ ؕ
“No blame shall be on you this day” (The Holy Quran, 12:92).
Thus, he pardoned his persecutors.
The manner of forgiving was so unique and so humanly impracticable that it made one feel that the Kingdom of God had descended on earth as only the Most Merciful and the Most Compassionate God alone pardons the sinners.
After thirteen years of victimization by the enemies and after three military expeditions against Muslims when the dearest and nearest companions and relatives were martyred and the Holy Prophet himself suffered humiliations and sustained wounds, the inveterate foes were forgiven.
This day of amnesty and pardon was a red-letter day in the history of mankind, because the blood-thirsty enemies of the Prophet were not hauled over coals. They were not even reprimanded. They were not even commanded to recall their inhuman atrocities. They were just let off and allowed to live peacefully. This is the example which Muslims should follow today.
There is still another event which is worth remembering. During the Holy Prophet’s lifetime, the Muslims conquered Yemen, which was mostly inhabited by the Jews. The Prophet appointed Muaz bin Jabal and Ubaidah to administer the affairs of this territory. When they started their journey to Yemen, the Prophet walked on foot with them for a little while and exhorted them how to treat the non-Muslims. He told them that they were going there as rulers of the People of the Book. It, therefore, was their duty to remember that:
“These people have a revealed religion. They are wise. Rule over them leniently. Do not be hard on them. Your administration should have a benevolent complexion which should please them. On no account should it alienate their minds. The ruler’s job is not to rob the subjects and swallow their possessions.”
He further advised:
“Do not deal with the non-Muslims cruelly, because the victim’s cry of anguish will go straight to the heavens, as there is no barrier between it and God.”