Life-of-Muhammad

248Life of Muhammad samosque to pass water. Some of the Companions of theProphet sa got up to stop him from doing so. TheProphet sa restrained them, pointing out that anyinterference with the man was bound to causeinconvenience to him and might possibly cause himinjury. He told his Companions to let the man alone andto clean the spot later.THE FULFILLING OF COVENANTSThe Holy Prophet sa was very particular with regard tothe fulfilling of covenants. On one occasion an envoycame to him on a special mission and, after he hadremained in his company for some days, he wasconvinced of the truth of Islam and suggested that hemight declare his adherence to it. The Prophet sa told himthat this would not be proper as he was there in arepresentative capacity and it was incumbent upon himto return to the headquarters of his Government withoutacquiring a fresh allegiance. If, after he had returnedhome, he still felt convinced of the truth of Islam hecould return as a free individual and declare hisacceptance of it (Abu Dawud, chap. on Wafa bil ‘Ahd).DEFERENCE TOWARDS SERVANTS OFHUMANITYHe paid special deference to those who devoted theirtime and substance to the service of mankind. The Arabtribe, the Banu Ta’i started hostilities against theProphet sa and in the ensuing battle their forces weredefeated and some were taken prisoner. One of thesewas the daughter of Hatim Ta’i, whose generosity hadbecome a proverb amongst the Arabs. When Hatim'sdaughter informed the Holy Prophet sa of her parentagehe treated her with great consideration and as the resultof her intercession he remitted all the penalties imposedupon her people on account of their aggression(Halbiyya, Vol. 3, p. 227).