I swear by [the idols] L"t and !

I swear by [the idols] L"t and !Ozza that had I not feared my folks describing me as rash, I would have hit you with this sword of mine one blow that will kill you, thus making myself the master of the first generations and of the last!" One of the companions leapt to him to hit him, but the Prophet said to the companion, "Sit down; a clement person is almost as good as a prophet." Then the Messenger of Allah turned to the Bedouin and said, "O brother of BanY Sal:m! Is this how Arabs behave?!

They approach us at our place of meeting and thus assail us with such rough language?! O Bedouin! I swear by the One Who sent me as a Prophet with the truth, anyone who harms me in the life of this world shall be tomorrow in the fire being tormented." The Bedouin, who expected a similarly hash response from the Prophet, was moved by the latter's clemency and his overlooking of his own harsh words.

He paused and on contemplating on the manner and behaviour of the Prophet in response to him words, and his reminder of the hereafter, and the values he holds dear, the Bedouin began to realise the virtue and magnanimity of the Prophet of Islam. After some soul searching, the man accepted Islam and thereafter started inviting his tribesmen to Islam, until the Muslim population amongst the tribe numbered more than five hundred.

Foes Testify to His Distinction The Quraysh kept admitting his truthfulness, trustworthiness and every virtue. Even al-Akhnas met AbY Jahl163 during the battle of Badr and said to him, "O AbY al-Hakam! Only you and I are here; nobody hears our dialogue, could you please inform me about Muhammad, is he truthful or a liar?" AbY Jahl said, "By Allah!

Muhammad is truthful; never did Muhammad ever tell a lie." Heraclius164 asked AbY Sufy"n [who was one of the prophet's archenemies] about him saying, "Did you all used to accuse him of telling lies before his claim that he is what he says he is?" AbY Sufy"n answered with a simple "No". Kindness Beautifies One of his wives has narrated saying that a Jew entered the house of the Messenger of Allah and said, "As-S"mm !Alaik (death be upon you)!" Another Jew entered and repeated the same.