Its important to develop a soft temperament. Allah created Prophet
gentle not harsh when calling people to Allah.
“So it is through mercy from Allah that you are gentle to them.” (3:159)
There was great benefit due to gentleness of Prophet
. Prophet was gentle with his companions, strangers and even enemies. He was gentle with those that held enmity with him .
(1) Magic was done against Prophet
. It was strong spell, written in books it was to make man impotent so as to create conflicts between husband and wife.
Narrated Aisha: Magic was worked on Prophet
so that he used to think that he had sexual relations with his wives while he actually had not.. (Bukhari 5765) Effect of this spell lasted for six months (Ahmad).
Through revelation, Prophet
came to know person who had performed the magic. Allah showed how to break the spell. The last two chapters of Quran were revealed upon which Prophet health recovered. Prophet was asked what should be done with regards to the magician. Prophet said no punishment be given. ‘Why should punishment be given when Allah has cured me now?’ ie what is benefit of punishment now? This is having soft temperament.
It was narrated that Zaid bin Arqam said: ” A Jewish man cast a spell on the Prophet
…No mention of that was made to that Jew and he did not see that in his face at all.” (Nasai 4085)
Aisha said “Will you not make this public?” He
replied ” Allah has cured me and I hate to spread (the news of) wickedness to any of the people.” (Bukhari 5765) (Ibn Kathir)
(2) Then there is incident of Prophet
being given poison. He and companions accepted an invitation, lamb was prepared. They sat down to eat. As soon as Prophet ate, he knew there was poison in the food.
Narrated Abu Hurairah:…So a Jewess presented him at Khaybar with a roasted sheep which she had poisoned…So he (the Prophet) sent for the Jewess (and said to her): What motivated you to do the work you have done? She said: If you were a prophet, it would not harm you; but if you were a king, I should rid the people of you…(Dawud 4512)
Narrated Anas bin Malik: A Jewess brought a poisoned sheep to the Prophet
…She said: I intended to kill you… They (the Companions) said: Should we not kill her ? He said: No… (Dawud 4508)
The poison affected Prophet
for many days. As body gets affected each time season changes, Prophet would experience pain in his body because of that poison.
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that Umm Salamah said: “O Messenger of Allah, every year you are still suffering pain because of the poisoned meat that you ate.” He said: “Nothing that happens to me, but it was decreed for me…’” (Ibn Majah 3546, Scholars differ on use of weak hadith)
The ones who did magic, poisoned and he
was not vindictive. These are examples of having a soft temperament.
Treat and motivate others with soft temperament. Possessing a soft temperament, one’s mind gains clarity, chest is relieved from carrying grudges and heart becomes pure.
