Our beloved Prophet (sa) used to do good in return for a wrong done to him. He used to say, ‘If a gift is given to someone, he should return a similar gift. If he is unable to do so, he should appreciate it, whosoever shows appreciation is grateful. Whosoever does not show appreciation has shown ungratefulness.
For repaying a good deed, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) used to recite this verse of the Holy Qur’an:
فَمَن يَعۡمَلۡ مِثۡقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيۡرٗا يَرَهُۥ
‘Then whoso does an atom’s weight of good will see it.’ (99:8)…
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) always remembered the kindness of Hazrat Khadijah (ra). Once Hazrat A’ishah (ra) remarked in way of envy about Hazrat Khadijah (ra), the Holy Prophet (sa) replied that when people rejected him, Khadijah (ra) believed in him, when people refused to accept him, Khadijah (ra) accepted him, when people deprived him of livelihood, Khadijah (ra) gave him her wealth and God granted him children from her…
The Holy Prophet’s (sa) uncle Abu Talib was always faithful to him and was at his side throughout his life. He endured siege of Shi‘b-e-Abi Talib for the Holy Prophet’s (sa) sake. When Abu Talib fell ill, he asked the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) for prayers. He asked him to pray to his Lord for his health and with these prayers he recovered.
It is obvious from this incident that Abu Talib did believe in him as a truthful one but did not profess belief openly. In his last illness, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) requested him to proclaim Islam but he could not do so. Despite this the Holy Prophet (sa) always treated him with kindness.
Hazrat Ali (ra) relates, ‘When the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) was told of the death of Abu Talib, he started to cry and instructed him to wash his body and cover it with the shroud. He prayed for the departed soul that God may forgive him and show His mercy.’
At the funeral the Holy Prophet (sa) was overwhelmed by the thoughts of his kindness and prayed, ‘O Allah! Give him the best reward.’
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) wanted his companions and friends to develop this trait of gratefulness in them. He advised Hazrat Abu Hurairah (ra), ‘O Abu Hurairah, fear Allah a great deal, then you will be able to worship Allah more than the others. Be content and you will be the most grateful among men.’
Muhammad (sa) – The Perfect Man (Qadian, India: Nazarat Isha’at, 2015), 118-121.
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