we will also make an effort to develop the attribute of tolerance within ourselves اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه.

In terms of forbearance and soft-heartedness, the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has no equal. Praising the soft-heartedness of the Prophet  صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , Allah Almighty has stated in verse 159 of Surah Aal-e-‘Imran, part 4:

فَبِمَا  رَحْمَةٍ  مِّنَ  اللّٰهِ  لِنْتَ  لَهُمْۚ-وَ  لَوْ  كُنْتَ  فَظًّا  غَلِیْظَ  الْقَلْبِ  لَا  نْفَضُّوْا  مِنْ  حَوْلِكَ۪                

‘So what a great mercy it is from Allah that you (O dear Prophet Muhammad), are lenient towards them; and if you had been stern and hard-hearted (unsympathetic), they would have certainly been uneasy in your company.’^[1]

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Amr رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا has said: ‘I have seen the qualities of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in the earlier books; he صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is neither narrow-minded, nor hard-hearted, nor one who makes noise in the markets, nor one who responds to evil with evil, but rather he is one who forgives.’^[2]

A beautiful account of the Prophet’s forbearance

Dear Islamic brothers, the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was a matchless epitome of forbearance and forgiveness who would pardon others without taking any revenge despite having the ability and power to do so. When the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم journeyed to Taif to spread the message of Islam, Sayyiduna Zayd Bin Harithah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ accompanied him. There were many influential and rich people in Taif. Amongst these influential people, the family of ‘Amr were distinguished from all the tribes; they were three brothers: ‘Abd Yaaleel, Mas’ood and Habib.