MUHAMMAD’S TEACHINGS TO MANKIND
“ ’Uthmān Ibn-’Affān came out on the Day of the House (1) and said, "I adjure you by God; do you know that the Messenger of God, peace and blessings of God be upon him, said, 'Shedding the blood of a Muslim is not permissible (as defined by God) except in one of three [cases]: adultery, apostasy after [embracing] Islam or killing a soul unrightfully and therefore, being executed in return'? By God, I did not commit adultery in the pre-Islamic time (2) nor after [embracing] Islam, I have not apostatized since I pledged to the Messenger of God, peace and blessings of God be upon him, and I have not killed the soul that God has forbidden [to be killed]. So what are you killing me for?" Footnotes: (1) This refers to the period when ’Uthmān Ibn-’Affān's house in Madīnah was under siege. In 656, a group of rebels had confined him inside his house as part of a rebellion against the Caliphate rule that started in Egypt, Basrah and Kūfah. The rebels ended up killing 'Ūthmān while he was still under siege. (2) (Jāhiliyyah) literally means ignorance and refers to the pre-Islamic pagan practices, i.e. the fragility of moral values and manners, injustice and commitment of atrocities against humans, animals and the environment. A more general meaning for (Jāhiliyyah) that applies to modern times is: A state that befalls humanity when it steers away from God’s path. ”
Artwork
