Relations with non-Muslims - Teachings of the Prophet of Mercy(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

 The incident of Saffana bint Hatim

When the prisoners from the clan of Tayy were brought to Muslims, among them was the daughter of Hatim Taai, Saffana.  The treatment of this lady is a lesson for all heads of state.  ‘Allama Ibn Katheer (May Allah shower His mercy on him) writes in Al Bidayah Wan Nihayah:

فجعلت ابنة حاتم في حظيرة بباب المسجد كانت السبايا تحبس بها فمر بها رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم فقامت اليه وكانت امرأة جزلة فقالت يا رسول الله هلك الوالد وغاب الوافد فامنن علي من الله عليك قال ومن وافدك قالت عدي بن حاتم قال الفار من الله ورسوله قالت ثم مضى وتركني حتى إذا كان الغد مربي فقلت له مثل ذلك وقال لي مثل ما قال بالامس قالت حتى اذا كان بعد الغد مر بي وقد يئست فاشار إلي رجل خلفه أن قومي فكلميه قالت فقمت اليه فقلت يا رسول الله هلك الوالد وغاب الوافد فامنن علي من الله عليك فقال صلى الله عليه و سلم قد فعلت فلا تعجلي بخروج حتى تجدي من قومك من يكون لك ثقة حتى يبلغك إلى بلادك ثم آذنيني فسألت عن الرجل الذي اشار إلي أن كلميه فقيل لي علي بن ابي طالب قالت فقمت حتى قدم من بلي أو قضاعة قالت وإنما أريد أن آتي أخي بالشام فجئت فقلت يا رسول الله قد قدم رهط من قومي لي فيهم ثقة وبلاغ قالت فكساني وحملني وأعطاني نفقة فخرجت معهم حتى قدمت الشام

Translation: The daughter of Hatim Taai was kept in the room adjacent to the door of the Masjid as prisoners were kept there.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) passed by her.  She stood up.  She was a very eloquent woman.  She said:  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  My father has passed away.  The one who had to come has vanished.  Please treat me with benevolence.  Allah has granted you many bounties……………. (The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied to her and went away).  She says the next day, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) again passed by her and she again appealed to Him and He gave her the previous reply.  The third day, again the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) passed by me.  I had despaired.  A man gestured to me to stand up and entreat the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  She says:  I stood before the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and entreated:  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  My father has passed away and the one who had to come has vanished.  Please honor me with benevolence!  Allah has granted you many bounties. 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  I am benevolent with you.  Don’t be hasty in leaving unless you find reliable people of your community who will escort you to your place.  Then you inform me.  I asked about that man who had gestured me to talk to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  I was told:  He is Hadhrat ‘Ali bin Abi Talib (May Allah be well pleased with him).  She says:  I got ready (for this).  Eventually men from the clan of Balayy or the clan of Quza’a came.  She says:  I wanted to go to Syria to my brother.  I went to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and said:  Some people from my community have come.  I consider them reliable and they will escort me there.  She says:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) arranged for my clothing, granted me a mount, gave me the expenses and I reached Syria along with them.[1]

In those times, the law was that the prisoners of war were that they would be tortured and they would be kept as slaves for their whole life.  But the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) not only freed her but arranged for complete protection of the prisoner.  With this kindness and benevolence of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) she embraced Islam.