The duty of the nation toward those who insult the Messenger (peace be upon him) (2)

The vicious attacks against our Prophet (peace be upon him) aimed to block the way of Allah and causing sectism in the society, but it may have other benefits. At every attack, the interest of people to know about Islam increases then many people know about Islam and embrace it. Many reasonable non-Muslims refused this vile action and joined demonstrations with Muslims against this lack of respect.

Our duty toward this lack of respect

Allah (Glory be to Him) ordained some rights and duties on this nation toward its Prophet (peace be upon him), particularly when people show lack of respect to him. We have seen many insults against the personality of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and these insults have increased by the pass of time, and we have no excuse before Allah if someone insults him without doing anything from our part.

The first of these duties are the following:

1- Defending him and his Sunnah even if we sacrifice our souls and properties for this sake because we have nothing more precious, dearer, and beloved to our hearts more than the Prophet (peace be upon him) after the love of Allah. However, this love needs to be turned to actions because the Companions did all their best to defend the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and his Sunnah. Sa`d ibn Ar-Rabi` taught the entire nation how to defend the Prophet (peace be upon him). Zayd ibn Thabit said: On the Day of Uhud, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent me to search for Sa`d ibn Ar-Rabi`. I found him among the injured with his last spark of life and he had about seventy strikes such as a stabs of a spear, strikes of a sword, and shots of arrows. I said to him: "O Sa`d, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordered me to see whether you are among the living or the dead." He said: "I am among the dead. Therefore, I would like you to give the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) my Salam (Salutation of Islam), and tell him that Sa`d ibn Ar-Rabi` tells you, 'May Allah reward you with the best thing that He rewards a Prophet for his people! 'And give your people my Salam and tell them that Sa`d ibn Ar-Rabi` tells you: 'You have no excuse before Allah if your Prophet is hurt or harmed while your eyes still blink (i.e. you are still alive).' Then he passed away."

`Abdur-Rahman ibn `Awf narrated to us the story of two brave boys who did not reach the puberty age: Mu`adh ibn `Afra' and Mu`adh ibn `Amr ibn Al Jamuh who knew about the insult of Abu Jahl to the Prophet (peace be upon him), so what did they do to teach the nation?

`Abdur-Rahman ibn `Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "When I was standing in the line during the battle of Badr, I looked at my right and my left and found two young boys from the Ansar [the Supporters], but I wished I had stronger men at my sides. One of them called my attention saying: "O Uncle! Do you know Abu Jahl?" I said: "Yes, What do you want from him, O my nephew?" He said: "I have been informed that he abuses Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him). By Him in Whose Hands my life is, if I should see him, then my body will not leave his body till either of us meet his fate." I was astonished at that talk. Then the other boy called my attention saying the same as the other had said. After a while I saw Abu Jahl walking amongst the people. I said (to the boys): "Look! This is the man you asked me about." So, both of them attacked him with their swords and struck him to death and returned to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) to inform him of that. Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) asked: "Which of you has killed him?" Each of them said: "I have killed him." Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) asked: "Have you cleaned your swords?" They said: "No." He then looked at their swords and said: "No doubt, you both have killed him and the spoils of the deceased will be given to Mu`adh ibn `Amr ibn Al Jamuh." [Reported by Al Bukhari and Muslim].

The matter was not limited to men, but Um `Imarah blocked the way of Ibn Qami'ah when he tried to attack the Prophet (peace be upon him) during the battle of Uhud. Ibn Qami'ah stroke her shoulder until he left a trace, and in turn she stoke Ibn Qami'ah many strikes with her sword but he was wearing a shield, so he survived. Um `Imarah continued fighting until she had 12 wounds. There were many bright examples who sacrificed everything in defending the Prophet (peace be upon him). Part of defending the Prophet (peace be upon him) is refuting all doubts arise against him and against his Sunnah.

2- Boycotting those who show lack of respect because the infidels have risen to support their falsehood by boycotting and besieging the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the valley of Abu Talib. So, it is entitled to boycott the products of these countries not only their false ideas and creeds.

3- Introducing the Prophet (peace be upon him) to people and narrating his biography, in addition to translating his biography to all languages and spreading his guidance by words and actions.

4- Acting according to his Sunnah because when those who show lack of respect to the Prophet (peace be upon him) have seen people walking away from the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), they dared to attack him and thought that his nation had forgotten him. So, the best response is following the Prophet (peace be upon him) in all actions and words. So, whoever leaves or ignores the Sunnah, he should hold himself accountable and start to execute the ordinances of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and avoiding his prohibitions.