A Glimpse into the Life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa)

Mutual Cooperation

He used to teach that one of the best Islamic characteristics was that a man should not interfere in matters with which he was not concerned and that people should not go about criticizing others and interfering in matters that were not their concern. This is a principle which if generally adopted and enforced would go a long way towards securing peace and orderliness in the world. A large part of our troubles is due to the tendency of the majority of people to indulge in undue interference and to hold back their cooperation when it may be needed in providing relief for those in distress. The Holy Prophet^sa laid great stress upon mutual cooperation. He had made it a rule that if any person was called upon to pay a sum of money by way of penalty and was unable to put up the whole amount, his neighbours or his fellow-citizens or his fellow-tribesmen should make up the amount by raising a subscription. People sometimes came and took up their residence near the Prophet^sa, devoting their time to the service of Islam in various ways. He always counselled their relatives to assume the responsibility of providing for their modest requirements. It is reported by Anas^ra that during the time of the Holy Prophet^sa two brothers accepted Islam and one of them stayed on with the Holy Prophet^sa while the other continued with his normal occupation. The latter, later on, complained to the Holy Prophet^sa that his brother was spending his time in idleness. The Holy Prophet^sa said: ‘God provides for you also on account of your brother and it behoves you therefore to make provision for him and leave him free to serve the Faith’ (Tirmidhi). During the course of a journey, when the Prophet’s^sa party arrived at their camping place, his Companions immediately occupied themselves with their respective tasks in setting up camp for the night. The Holy Prophet^sa said: ‘You have allotted no task to me. I shall go and collect fuel for cooking.’ His Companions protested and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah^sa! why should you occupy yourself in that way when all of us are here to do whatever may be necessary?’ He said: ‘No, no. It is my duty to do my share of whatever may have to be done,’ and he collected fire-wood from the jungle for cooking the food.¹

Endnotes

1. Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-din Mahmud Ahmad^ra, Life of Muhammad (Tilford, Surrey, U.K.: Islam International Publications Limited, 2013), 241-242.