PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH):

AS ROLE MODEL FOR INDIVIDUALS

1 Introduction
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born on Rabiul Awwal 12 of the Hijrah calendar. His birth, on a
Monday, came 570 years after that of the Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him). The Prophet was born in
the city of Makkah to Abdullah, the son of Abdul Muttalib, the venerable sheikh of the Quraish, the ruling
clan of Makkah.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), called Al-Ameen (The Trustworthy) even by his enemies, was the last of
the prophets sent by Allah. There is no other prophet on whose life so much light has been shed. Born
after the age of myth, living in the full glare of history, his sayings and actions were documented as no
other prophets were. Recorded in minute detail, their authenticity has been questioned by no fair scholar.
The Prophets life is a shining example for all to follow. He was the kindest of persons a sense of
compassion that was directed at Muslims and non-Muslims alike. His care for those around him and even
for those who caused him harm provides shining examples of true nobility. His love for orphans was deep,
and the kindness that he exhibited to the needy, the humble and the poor knew no bounds.
It is extremely difficult for the Muslims of today to imagine and much less to endure the hardships that the
Prophet and his companions underwent. In the ninth year of his mission, the Prophet having been
persecuted and terrorized by his people in Makkah headed for Taif, home to the Banu Thaqif tribe.
There he went to preach his message but was treated rudely by the tribal elders, who told him to clear off
and even sent street urchins after him to beat him and pelt him with stones. He bled profusely causing his
entire body to be covered with blood and his sandals to become clogged to his feet. He headed away from
the town and took respite near a rock and made a heart-rending invocation to Allah Almighty beseeching
mercy for the people who had persecuted him a few moments earlier.
It is said that the heavens were moved by the Prophets prayer and the Archangel Gabriel came and said
that Allah Almighty is aware of what has passed and that he has deputed an angel in charge of the
mountains. The angel in charge of the mountains then came forward and offered to bring the mountains
overlooking Taif to collide with each other to destroy the inhabitants. However, being a mountain of mercy
himself and the mercy of the worlds, the Prophet refused. Note the conduct of our noble Prophet. Irritated
by a little trouble or abuse from someone, we spend years scheming and devising ways to take revenge.
How far removed are the Muslims of today from the Prophet who they consider their exemplar.
In spite of suffering so much at the hands of the Taif mob, the Prophet did not curse or seek revenge, even
when the opportunity arose. Instead, he pleaded for mercy.
When there was a stop in a Makkan woman who would repeatedly throw garbage on him as he walked in
the streets, the Prophet being an icon of compassion asked people about her and even humbly
visited her after hearing she had fallen ill.
Over 14 centuries have gone by since he, the Last of the Messengers, left us, but his message one that
was earmarked by mercy for the entire creation lives on. His examples live on to lead us from darkness
to light. His life was one of mercy, compassion, care, consideration, kindness and tolerance for all. His
sayings, known as Hadiths, bear testimony to this. One particular theme found in his sayings relate to the
rights of women. It is without a doubt that Islam afforded women an honorable and respected position.
However, it is sad to see people, many Muslims included, ignorant of this.
On one occasion, he said, Fear Allah in respect of women. He also said, The best of you are they who
behave best to their wives. In another he said, A Muslim must not hate his wife, and if he be displeased
with one bad quality in her, let him be pleased with one that is good. In one more Hadith, he said, The
more civil and kind a Muslim is to his wife, the more perfect in faith he is.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as Role Model for Individuals 92

It is no wonder then that the Prophet Muhammads (PBUH) employer was none other than a woman,
Sayyidatuna Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her). So impressed was she by his kindness,
compassion, manners and trustworthiness that they married, a model marriage that is often cited by
scholars as a perfect example for Muslims to follow. Unlike those jihadists who preach hatred and dislike
for non-Muslims and even to those Muslims who dont subscribe to their views, the Prophets own behavior
stands contrary to the way they call to. Let them take heed to the fact that it was the Prophet who
accepted Safiyyah and Mariya in his home as his wives one being of Jewish and the second being of
Christian heritage. In an attitude that was revolutionary at that time, the Prophet taught his companions to
remain in their mothers service, saying that Paradise lies beneath their feet.
Today, as we stumble through a confused and turbulent world, as we grope in darkness and as we suffer
from uncertainty and depression, we must look for and grasp at the teachings of the Holy Prophet so
that they will act as a cure for many of the social ills that have befallen our world.
The world faces a host of seemingly insoluble problems. In the West, people speak of depression and
decay in society. In the East, industrial and technological progress has created a vacuum in society. Many
people are floundering in darkness. They cling to values that have nothing to do with life. They join cults.
For role models they look to unworthy individuals who are moral vacuums.
For us the perfect role model is the Last Messenger of Allah. His life, his dealings with young and old and
both friend and foe are an inspiration to all of us. Let us teach ourselves and our children about the life of
the Holy Prophet and use it in our daily lives so that we may improve our conduct and become better
human beings. Let us be more tolerant, more forgiving and show compassion to all our brothers and
sisters in humanity, irrespective of their race or religion.

2. The Importance of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and His Status as a Role Model
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had taught humanity through his exemplary life that nobility of character is
an essential asset that everyone must strive to acquire. The Prophet did not preach the words of Allah
only by mouth, rather, he exemplified and even epitomized the messages. People like Ab Sufyn, Khlid
ibn Wald and a host of many others did not embrace Islam solely on account of the Prophets preaching
but because they were convinced of the noble character.
Allah has declared in the Qurn that there is certainly in the Messenger of Allah a good example to follow
for whoever hopes for the meeting with Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much (Q. 33:21). In
another verse, He clearly states: And verily, you [Muhammad] are on an exalted standard of character
(Q. 68:4). Of course, Muhammad (PBUH) was born posthumously into a rotten society. A society
bedeviled with all sorts of evils and criminal acts. He also became a complete orphan at a very tender
age. This pathetic situation notwithstanding, Muhammad (PBUH) still imbibed the best of character while
he exhibited the noblest behaviors. He was an embodiment of virtues. His trustworthiness earned him a
nickname (Al -Amn)- a title, which nobody before and after him has qualified to earn.
The life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is full of countless examples that show his status as a role model
for Muslim societies and individuals. His life is one that was dominated by a superior morality, good habits,
noble and gentle feelings and superior skills, all of which are characteristics that help prevent people from
getting entangled in a web of sin. The rich and the prosperous, the poor and the needy, the ruler and the
ruled, the weak and the lonely, the conqueror and the victorious commander, the teacher and the student,
the preacher and the mentor, the merchant and the craftsman, the employer and the employee - in other
words, every sort of person can find truths in Prophet Muhammads (PBUH) life that constitute an example
for them to follow.
Prophet Muhammads (PBUH) status as a role model is an issue based on the Holy Quran and the
sunnah. Islamic scholars, as with many other issues, have examined the status of the Prophet as a role
model and leader not in a sectional framework, but from a unified perspective, and they have reached the
conclusion that the best method is to examine the verses of the Holy Quran that determine and
demonstrate the status of the Prophet as a whole. For this reason, when discussing the status of the
Prophet as a role model, issues such as believing in the Prophet, obedience to the Prophet, following the
Prophet, and disagreeing with the Prophet also come to the fore.

i. The Holy Quran and the Role Model Status of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
In the Holy Quran the only verse that refers literally to the status of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a role
model is as follows: Verily in the messenger of Allah you have a good example for him who looks unto
Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.
Verily in the messenger of Allah you have a good example for him who looks unto Allah and the Last Day,
and remembers Allah much.
The Arabic word uswa (example) in the original verse means example or model that should be obeyed and
followed. A person who follows another persons lead imitates that person; they follow their attitude and
style. That is to say, they identify themselves with that person. In terms of Islamic faith, usva, that is to say
being an example or a role model, is an attribute that is found in those who possess goodness, beauty and
righteousness. This verse shows the importance of Prophet Muhammads (PBUH) sunnah in the lives of
Muslims. As a matter of fact, the Quran clearly states that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has a superior
character and demonstrates an exemplary life style.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as Role Model for Individuals 93

If one accepts that Islam is the final and perfect religion, then it would be inconsistent to not consider the
life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as an example for the Muslim community or to not accept his life as
something that shapes and guides the daily lives of Muslims. For that reason, the life style and personality
of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), demonstrated during his prophethood of 23 years, includes very
significant provisions and principles for the religious, political, social and moral life of Muslim communities
as a whole. The following hadith summarizes the statements found in the Quran:
The best of speech is unquestionably the speech of Allah. That is the Book of Allah (the Quran). The best
of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (PBUH). Of all matters, the most evil of things are those which
are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation is a deviation, and every deviation leads people to
Hell

i. The Sunnah and Prophet Muhammads (PBUH) Status as Role Model

Islamic scholars state that the terms sabil (road), sirat al-mustaqim (straight path) and uswa al-hasana
(best of examples), which are mentioned in the Holy Quran, in the hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),
and in the words of his Companions, are words and terms that represent the concept of the sunnah. All
these terms indicate the path to be followed and the model to be taken as an example. The name of this
road is the sunnah, and it is collectively followed by the Companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and
the believers.
Johann Fck, who mentions the great cultural unity that was accomplished by Islam, believes that the
reason for this is the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who serves as a role model (al-uswatulhasana) for every Muslim; he concludes: Sunnah forms the face of Islam and gives it the characteristic
features that we see all around the Islamic world. At this point, how the Quran introduces and describes
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the status of the Prophet according to the Quran is of great importance
to us. As a matter of fact, all the characteristics of a person who is an example and a role model must be
known and thus their life can be examined in detail. The information on this subject must be accurately
passed on to the following generations. The life of the Prophet is unique when looked at from this
perspective.
The Quran repeats many times that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is neither superhuman nor a deity, but
that he is a human being. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) verifies this truth over and over again. The
conclusion of scholars on this subject, which is also of great importance for the role model status of
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is that every action of the Prophet is not necessarily related to necessity or
good deed, and often only represents a routine action. This is because the Prophet practiced routine,
good, or obligatory actions, but he never practiced sinful actions that are prohibited. If by mistake he
performed an action that was a minor sin, this mistake was criticized by Allah, thus making all other actions
valid as examples to be followed. All actions performed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) have been
examined, and if the indications show that this was an action performed to become close to Allah, that
action is followed, otherwise it is not necessary to follow it. If the action was a routine action, people may
perform it or not. This status as a role model is not only present in issues that are considered compulsory,
but also in fields that represent routine actions.
The exemplary and role model status of the Prophet have a quality that covers all types of sunnah. Each
type of sunnah is right and there is no place for superstition in them. The role model status of the Prophet
is not limited to merely worshipping or actions that are a compulsory part of the religion, a requirement, or
examples of good morals. The sunnah descriptions given by the hadith researchers are in line with the
verses found in the Quran about his role model status and the orders and advice he gives in the sunnah
context; it is according to all these factors that general opinion is formed. The sunnah, whether it
constitutes a base for a provision or not, are all the words, actions, teachings, characteristics, examples of
the morality and personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Within the hierarchal evidence in Islam, sunnah ranks as the second most significant aspect after the
Quran. The term sunnah used within the hadith of the Prophet and the words of the Companions and
followers of the Prophet indicates collective deeds and involves every part of life, such as faith, worship,
morality and ethics.
The fortification that was necessary to the Islamic ideal was provided by the sunnah. Once the views were
solidified and the ideals were achieved, the sunnah turned the theory into a reality. The values of Islam
were formulated and perpetuated in this way. Prophet Muhammads (PBUH) practices for worshipping
Allah took on the form of the application of the sunnah. This form of worship, which continued during the
last twenty-two years of his life, guided the believers even after his death. Contemplating the sunnah of the
Prophet and applying it supports the connection between the Prophets ability to perceive, his attitude,
thought, life and history.
This is the reason why the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) have become an instructor for
millions of people.
Sunnah materials are classified under four groups, each one of which forms an image of Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) in the minds of Muslims:

The principles related to those practices that describe the Prophet as a worshipper of
and believer in Allah,

The texts related to the missions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which make contact

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with and call people to the new reality, yet make it clear that he is a human being who
only lives for his own mission,
The principles related to the aspects of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a human,
husband, father, relative and friend.

The principles concerning Prophet Muhammads (PBUH) leadership within the state
administration, at the battle-ground, at the market place, at school or in the masjid.
Each and every one of these principles is an indication that reflects the comprehensive extent of his
exemplary, role-model status and his ability to provide guidance.
The following principles might be mentioned when discussing Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as an example
for adherence to the sunnah:

The path to deliverance from excess and instability can be achieved by following the
sunnah. The applications stemming from the differences in sunnah are not perceived as
areas of conflict.

We should evaluate the validity and invalidity of our own opinions, thoughts and
practices according to the Quran and the Sunnah.

The perception of some people of the sunnah consists only in the physical aspect. For
instance, such people think that the most important thing is to trim the beard and
moustache and the cleanliness of clothes, etc. Such people claim that they are applying
the sunnah in their lives; yet they forget and ignore the other significant parts of the
sunnah. In reality, issues like affection, moderation, clemency, fear, hope, chastity,
compassion, generosity and the reflection of these in life are more important and have
higher priorities.

While speaking of certain issues, some of us consider randomly reading from the Quran
and the hadith as a form of devotion to the Quran and sunnah. Without understanding
the significance of the Quran and sunnah, without following this path, without abiding by
the contents of these two cornerstones, without directing our lives by the light of these
principles, what does reading the Quran and hadith truly mean? Obeying the sunnah
with the correct attitudes is more effective and accurate in approaching true Islam than
merely uttering words.

ii. Morality and the Prophets Status as a Role Model

A person cannot be considered to be a role model sent to guide people and at the same time be a person
who commits deeds that are against the will of Allah. For this reason, all the prophets have been granted
with a particular high-moral quality. They never intentionally or deliberately acted against the consent of
Allah. The mistakes that they made and the faults which stemmed from forgetfulness caused Allah to
remind or warn them. These mistakes and faults are not reflected to the people as an aspect of their status
as role model. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) committed no mistakes that would harm the conveyance of
the Quran and this is proven in the Holy Quran and is agreed upon by Muslim community. Those who
accept that it was possible for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to make mistakes believe that in such cases
he was immediately warned and corrected by Allah. No Muslim doubts the fact that Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) was free from faults in the conveyance of the Shariat (Islamic law) and that his conveyance was
dependent on the revelation imparted unto him by Allah. According to the generally accepted perceptions
and approaches, the sunnah put forward by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) resulted from orders found in the
revelations. It is understood from the verses of the Quran and the qualities granted to the Prophet by Allah
that the revelations imparted to him do not only consist of the Holy Quran. Many verses in the Quran
clearly state that each word and behavior of the Holy Prophet is proof of the existence of Allah.
It is clear that the revelations were all conveyed accurately to the Muslims, and that those types of sunnah
that are attributed as being free of faults in the Quran are valid guides and examples that are relevant at all
times. However, it is not possible to say that the level of importance for each of these types of sunnah is
the same. As a result, from the very start Islamic scholars have drawn attention to the differences between
the sunnah.

iii. The Prophets Status as a Role Model and the Practices of the Companions
The verses in the Quran that command belief in, obedience to, conformity with and submission to the Holy
Prophet are unambiguously clear. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) invited the believers to obey him, to
devote themselves to the sunnah and to abstain from incorrect actions. In such conditions, if we want to
witness the practices of the Prophet, we must look at the lives of the Companions. There are many clear
accounts that provide us with adequate materials on this issue. As the revelations related to faith,
obedience and submission were imparted to the Prophet, the Companions did not consider performing any
practice without his permission or confirmation. At the same time, if the ruling of the Prophet was on
something related to worldly issues, the Companions asked him how and why this was; when a ruling on
religious issues was required, they would speak to him about the points revealed by the ruling; when it was
a ruling imparted to Muhammad (PBUH) by Allah, they would ask him in order to understand its purpose
and try to understand the truth. None of these questionings implies opposition to the Prophet; on the
contrary it is known that the Companions adapted and implemented some of the attitudes of the Prophet

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as Role Model for Individuals 95

without asking or knowing the reasons. What these actions do imply is that in Islam to ask questions and
to understand the reason why something has been commanded is permitted, and even encouraged.
There were times when the Companions understood the rulings in the Quran and the sunnah in a way that
was not intended and practiced them in an incorrect manner; in such cases they were corrected by
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Sometimes the Companions performed actions at their own discretion which
were later ruled to be incorrect and subsequently they were corrected by the Prophet. All of these are
examples of how strictly Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) trained his Companions, who were deemed as the
exemplary generation
Another important attitude of the Companions is the way in which they dealt with problems when Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) was not available. They would seek the solution to the problem firstly in the Holy
Quran, secondly, if they could not find the solution there, they would turn to the sunnah, thirdly, if they
found no answer there either, they would practice what they thought was the best action. When they once
again encountered the Prophet, they would state the matter and seek his opinion; they would correct their
faults if there were any. There is no instance that shows that the Prophets companions displayed an
attitude that was opposed to the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
In conclusion:

The importance of the status of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a role model is defined
in the Holy Quran and in the sunnah; this constitutes one of the foremost practices for
Muslims.

There is no disagreement among Muslims as to the fact that Prophet Muhammad

(PBUH) constitutes the best example with his morality, actions, words and other
features.

It would not be correct to demote the Prophets status as role model to a limited number
of fields. This status is related to all fields of life.

Prophet Muhammads (PBUH) status as role model is important not only from the
perspective of the individual, but also from the social perspective. Its binding features
and determination of methods must be considered from these two perspectives.

Prophet Muhammads (PBUH) status as role model and the validity of the sunnah are
not limited to his life or to a certain time period. The Holy Quran and the notions of the
sunnah state this issue clearly, and the fact that Muslim community practices his sunnah
is proof of this issue.

Prophet Muhammads (PBUH) status as role model and the continuity of his sunnah are
the most important components that provide a unifying force in the Muslim world.

It is important to study the lives of the Companions in order to understand and

comprehend the status of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a role model.

iv. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the Eyes of Non-Muslim Writers

In a book written by Michael Hart, a Christian, in which he selected one hundred people he considered to
be influential in the history of the world, Muhammad (PBUH) is rated by him as the most influential man
that had ever lived.
Part of the argument advanced by Hart is that Muhammad (PBUH) was responsible for both the theology
of Islam and its main ethical and moral principles. And in addition, he played the key role in proselytizing
for the new faith, and in establishing the religious practices of Islam.
Also, Jules Masserman, a United States psychoanalyst and professor at the Chicago University, stated
the qualities that the greatest leader of all times must possess which according to him are that:
i.
The leader must provide for the well-being of the led.
ii.
The leader or would be leader must provide a social organization in which people feel relatively
secure.
iii.
The leader must provide his people with one set of beliefs.
With these standards, Masserman conclude thus:
Perhaps the greatest leader of all times was Muhammad (PBUH), who
combined all three functions ....
George Benard Shaw also wrote about Muhammad (PBUH) thus: I have studied him the wonderful
man and in my opinion far from being an anti- Christ, he must be called the Savior of humanity.
The above are few of the non-Muslim writers who have made positive remarks about Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH).

3. Some Outstanding Qualities of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

If the above are the submissions of non-Muslims on Muhammad (PBUH), then, it is important that we

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enumerate and discuss briefly some outstanding qualities that earned him those remarkable comments.
(i)
Leadership: The leadership offered by the Prophet remains till today a model worthy of
emulation. He led by example and was always conscious of the fact that leadership is a trust
from Allah for which one will be accountable before Allah on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet
exhibited all the traits of a model leader not only in the sphere of religion. Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) was also a perfect political and matrimonial leader. The prophet also handed down a
principle that a leader should see himself as a servant of the led. The implication of this is that a
leader should assume the position of leadership only to serve the people. He should not allow
the position he occupies to get into his head and as such feels that he is superior to his subjects.
Rather, he should see himself as their servant and must be ready to serve them at all times.
(i)
Firmness: This is another quality that the Prophet exemplified. You will recall that right from the
time he started preaching in Mecca till close to the time he died in Medina, the enemies of Islam
did not allow him breathing space. You will remember the reference made in unit six about how
the Meccans tried to bribe him with worldly things so that he might abandon his mission. Rather
than succumb to them, he remained firm, resolute and focused. He never looked back.
(ii)

Trustworthiness: Truthfulness, honesty and trustworthiness are other outstanding qualities of

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Even as a child, he was truthful. And as a youth in the city of
Mecca, he was known to be trustworthy as a result of which the people always kept their
valuables with him. You will recall as mentioned in unit four that this attribute of trustworthiness
was the consideration for his being nicknamed al -Amn in the city of Mecca. The Prophet never
betrayed the trust reposed in him. He never broke any truce he entered into even with the
unbelievers. You will also recall how he and his followers kept religiously to the letters of the
truce they signed with the Meccans at Hudaybiyyah whereas the Meccans, on the other hand,
betrayed the treaty.

(iii)

Justice: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a just ruler and a just leader. He forbade injustice
and oppression. In his dealings with people, he never denied any one of his rights. He was
always just.

(v)

(vi)

(vii)

In the eyes of the Prophet, the poor and the rich are equal. He would not allow the poverty of the
poor to prevent him from doing justice while he would also not allow the nobility of the noble to
affect his judgment. To him, the strong and the weak are the same when it comes to obtaining
justice.
Once, a woman of repute from the tribe of Makhzm was arraigned before the Prophet for theft.
The people there present recognizing her status tried to influence him so that she might be let
off. The Prophet refused their plea and remarked: Had she been Ftimah, my daughter that
stole, I would have certainly cut off her hand. So the ladys hand was chopped off.
Equality: The Prophet believed strongly in equality of man. He once remarked that men are
equal and the same like the teeth of a comb. The Prophet exemplified this in the way and
manner he related with his followers among whom were blacks and slaves. He did not
discriminate between the Arabs and the black or between the free- born and the slave. You
should note that Bill, the Prophets Muadhin [caller to prayer] was a freed slave and a black
man. Once a companion reminded Bill that he was a son of a black woman. When the Prophet
heard of it, he scolded the companion saying: Do you abuse him on the blackness of his
mother. Shame on you, you are indeed a man of the period of ignorance.
Based on the above submission, the Prophet condemned racism and regarded it as barbarism.
Selflessness: This is another outstanding quality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The prophet
was humble and selfless. He was not self-assuming. Though he was the prophet and the leader,
yet he ate and dined freely with his followers as if they were equals.
The humility of the Prophet was such that those who did not know him before will find it difficult
to recognize him when in the midst of his followers. His humility would not allow him to take
unilateral decisions on matters of general interest. He would always consult with his followers
before taking such decisions. You will recall as mentioned in unit ten that the suggestion to dig a
ditch round Medina was made by a Persian Muslim during consultation and was upheld by the
Prophet.
Tolerance: Though, some Orientalists in their writing try to distort historical facts by accusing the
Prophet of religious intolerance. The truth is that such writers themselves are the ones guilty of
the accusation. History bears witness to the high level of tolerance demonstrated by the Prophet
in his dealings with the dhimm (i.e. non-Muslims under the protection of Islam). He even issued
a verdict in their respect thus: Whoever hurts a dhimm I shall be his complainant and for
whosoever I am a complainant, I shall ask for his right on the Day of judgment.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as Role Model for Individuals 97

The points to be noted here are that non-Muslims are allowed to live in the Islamic state and that
they have rights which must not be trampled upon. You will recall the clauses in the Medina
charter discussed in unit ten in which the rights of the Christians living in Medina are stated and
well guaranteed.
The above are few of the noble characters of the Prophet (PBUH) which Muslim and non-Muslim
leaders and the led are expected to emulate.