Now, you are the most beloved person to me.
Now, you are the most beloved person to me." [^4] It was a difficult time for the Prophet's companions when his teeth were broken and his blessed face wounded and stained with blood during the Battle of Uhud. They requested to be allowed to curse the disbelievers and the enemies. But he (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said, "I was not appointed (as a prophet) for cursing.
Rather, I am the Prophet of Mercy and I will pray for them, so that God may guide my people, for they are ignorant."[^5] His method of dealing with the enemy in times of war and dealing with army personnel, demonstrated the magnificence of the soul of this ambassador of God, a soul full of kindness.
Imam as Sadiq (peace be upon him) has said, "Whenever the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) wanted to dispatch an army, he would request at them to come to him and he would tell them: 'Go in the name of God, the Exalted. Seek perseverance from Him and fight for His cause. Do not steal from the war booty. Do not mutilate the disbelievers. Do not kill old men, children or women. Do not kill monks who live in caves. Do not uproot trees unless you are forced to do so.
Do not burn palm trees nor destroy them. Never poison the water of the idol worshippers. Do not be deceptive nor treacherous. If a Muslim gives asylum to an idol worshipper, he is a refugee until he hears the word of God and Islam is presented to him. If he accepts, he is your brother in faith. If he does not accept, he is to be returned to a safe place (amongst his own people).’ ”[^6] The scope of the Prophet's mercy and affection was so wide that he would not even take part in hunting birds.
If a bird had been hunted, he would make use of it. But he would never hunt birds himself: "The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would eat the meat of birds that had been hunted but he would not pursue them himself nor would he hunt them."[^7] [^1]: Surah Al ‘Imran 3:159. [^2]: Muntaha al-Amal, vol. 1, p. 18. [^3]: Sunan an-Nabi, p. 51. [^4]: Sirah Rasul Allah, vol. 2, p. 1092. [^5]: Muhajjah al-Baydha’, vol. 4, p. 129. [^6]: Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 19, p. 177.