Defending the Prophet (SAW) (Hadith No. 444)

Salam,
Bismillah.

Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan, had once done hajw (insult via poetry) of the Prophet (SAW). The companions got really angry. Question was: how to retaliate? A lot could’ve been done. Companions were ready to kill and die for Prophet (SAW)’s sake. Hearing him getting insulted was something they couldn’t bear. So they suggested Hind’s murder, waging war on the Quraysh and other ways to defend Prophet (SAW)’s honor. But the only thing that the Prophet (SAW) allowed was a reply to that hajw. He allowed Hassaan bin Thabit (RA), who was a poet, to do it and also prayed for him.

Volume 1, Book 8, Number 444:

Narrated Hassan bin Thabit Al-Ansari:

I asked Abu Huraira “By Allah! Tell me the truth whether you heard the Prophet saying, ‘O Hassan! Reply on behalf of Allah’s Apostle. O Allah! Help him with the Holy Spirit.” Abu Huraira said, “Yes. “

That said, I want to bring your attention to the way today’s Muslims ‘defend the honor of the Prophet (SAW)’. Violence, that does not result in everlasting peace, in not encouraged by Islam. If we were to follow his Sunnah when those cartoons became an issue, or the Facebook event “Draw Muhammad Day” came near, we’d reply to the world and defend Prophet (SAW)’s honor using the same medium. We’d publish articles in the news, post on our blogs, draw, paint; fill up Facebook, Twitter and YouTube with peaceful messages, portraying the true personality and character of our beloved Prophet (SAW). But ashamed as I am to say this, all we did was protest and burn flags. Sigh.

It’s okay, rather good, to feel offended when the disbelievers insult our Prophet (SAW). But we’ll only be able to meet him with heads high on the Day of Judgement if we defend him the right way. So gear up. Learn more about him and his life. So if anyone tries to even point a finger at him, you make them see the three that they point towards themselves. InshaAllah. May Allah help us with the Holy Spirit (Jibreel) as well. :)

Wassalam.