The Protector of the Helpless: Our Master, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

One of the most agreed-upon characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), acknowledged by both friend and foe, is his protection of the weak and the helpless. The fact that the society in which he was born and raised, despite the presence of some good people, was predominantly described as a “Jahiliyyah” (Age of Ignorance) is sufficient to show the extent of the injustice that prevailed and the scale of his struggle against it.

Even before his prophethood, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was a refuge for the weak and oppressed. When he first received revelation and returned home trembling and overwhelmed, his wife, the respected Khadijah comforted him with these words: “Do not worry! By God, God will never disgrace you. You maintain family ties, speak the truth, carry the burdens of the weak, help the poor, host your guests generously, and support those who are wronged.”

With the coming of the Prophet—the Mercy to the Worlds—like the rising of the sun over a darkened land, those who were oppressed, despite being in the right, gained strength and dignity. Even Abu Sufyan, before becoming Muslim, acknowledged this. When the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius received the Prophet’s letter inviting him to Islam, he questioned Abu Sufyan and his companions about the Prophet. One of his questions was: “Do the noble or the weak follow him?” When Abu Sufyan answered, “The weak,” Heraclius responded:

“Indeed, this is the case with all prophets.”

Before his prophethood, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also took part in the Hilf al-Fudul, an alliance established to protect the rights of the oppressed. He actively participated in this pact, which clearly demonstrated his stance against injustice. The covenant stated: “We swear by God that if anyone in Mecca is wronged, whether they are good or bad, local or foreign, we will stand together as one body to ensure justice is served…” True to this pledge, the Prophet later assisted a man whose money Abu Jahl had unjustly withheld, ensuring that he received what was rightfully his.

When Ja‘far ibn Abi Talib migrated to Abyssinia and spoke to King Negus (al-Najashi), he described their pre-Islamic condition in the following words: “O King! Until God sent us a messenger, we were an ignorant people. We worshiped idols, ate the flesh of dead animals, committed all sorts of immoral acts, severed family ties, mistreated neighbors, and the strong among us would oppress the weak. Then God sent us a Messenger from among ourselves, whose lineage, truthfulness, and trustworthiness we all knew. He called us to worship the One God alone and to abandon the stones and idols our ancestors had worshipped. He commanded us to speak the truth, fulfill trusts, maintain kinship ties, treat neighbors well, avoid forbidden acts, and refrain from shedding blood. He forbade us from immoral conduct, lying, consuming the wealth of orphans, and slandering chaste women…”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) emphasized the value of the weak with profound statements such as: “Call for me the weak among you, for indeed you are granted provision and victory only because of your weak ones and their supplications.” “Many a person, dusty and disheveled, turned away from doors and considered lowly by people—yet if they were to swear by God, He would certainly honor their oath.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) consoled those in hardship and gave them glad tidings. For example, he once addressed the poor among the Ansar, telling them that they would enter Paradise before their wealthy brethren, encouraging them to be patient and not complain about their condition. At the same time, he reminded the wealthy of their responsibilities. It is clear from his statements that the Prophet never criticized wealth or the wealthy themselves, but rather warned that wealth comes with accountability. While the rich will be delayed in entering Paradise due to the reckoning they must face, the patient poor will be admitted more swiftly, as they will have less to account for. The Prophet’s warning to beware of the supplication of the oppressed, because it is never rejected, is another powerful way in which he upheld the rights and dignity of the weak.

In every noble trait, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was a shining example. Here, we wish to highlight a few timeless examples from his life regarding his protection and compassion for the weak and the helpless—examples that continue to inspire and guide us in every era.

1. The Protector of the Helpless

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) valued people simply because they were human. He believed that human dignity is inherent in one’s humanity. This is powerfully illustrated in several examples, showing that the Prophet was truly a protector and refuge for all who were alone or marginalized, regardless of who they were. There was a Black woman (Umm Mihjan) who used to clean the mosque. When she passed away, the Companions, thinking it unnecessary to trouble the Prophet, performed her funeral prayer and buried her without informing him. Later, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) noticed her absence and asked about her, they told him she had died and been buried. He responded with a mild reproach: “Shouldn’t you have told me?” He then asked them to show him her grave and went there to perform the funeral prayer for her personally.

And when he learned that the idolaters of Mecca, who had inflicted all kinds of torment upon him and his followers, were suffering from a famine in the year 627, he (peace and blessings be upon him) sent 500 dinars to be distributed among their poor. This was the compassion of the Prophet.

2. Daughters: Keys to Paradise, Women: Trusts from God

In pre-Islamic times, in many cultures, and especially among certain Arabs, there existed a deep-rooted contempt for women and girls. Some would even go so far as to bury their newborn daughters alive. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) declared that daughters are a source of great blessing and a key to Paradise for their parents. He said: “Whoever takes care of three daughters (or sisters or even others’ daughters), raises them well, gets them married, and continues to support them with kindness, Paradise is promised to them.” Through this statement, daughters were honored with the title “keys to Paradise.”

Understanding the natural affection mothers feel and the pain of loss they endure, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) consoled grieving women by saying: “Any woman whose three children have died will find that they serve as a shield from the Fire for her.” One woman asked, “What if it was two?” and he replied, “Yes, even two.”

Women earned the dignity of being God’s trust through the message of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In his farewell sermon, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) reminded men: “You have made them lawful for yourselves with the word of God, so be mindful of God concerning women, for you have taken them as a trust from God.” This expression highlights the immense responsibility husbands bear towards their wives. Failing to honor that trust is considered betrayal—and not just to the spouse, but to God, who entrusted the woman to the man.

No reminder could be more powerful than this about the gravity of that responsibility. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself was the perfect role model in fulfilling this command of the Qur’an: “Treat your wives kindly.” He confirmed this by saying:

“The best among you are those who are best to their wives. And I am the best among you in this regard.”

His wife, our mother, the respected ‘Ā’ishah, testified to the truth of this statement through her lived experience with him.

3. Abolishing Privileges

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) abolished all forms of privilege in the eyes of the law by instituting the principle of equality before justice. A powerful example of this occurred when a woman named Fāṭimah from a respected aristocratic tribe committed theft. In an attempt to protect her from punishment, some people sent the respected Usāmah ibn Zayd, whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) dearly loved, as an intercessor. The Prophet responded firmly: “The people before you were ruined because when a noble among them stole, they let it go, but when a weak person stole, they punished them. By God, if Fāṭimah, the daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would cut off her hand.”

The sentence was carried out, affirming the unbending commitment to justice.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never demanded any special privilege even for himself. On one occasion, while distributing aid to the people, a man leaned too closely into him. The Prophet gently nudged him back with a stick to create space. The stick happened to leave a small scratch on the man’s face. Immediately, the Prophet handed him the stick and offered him the right to retaliate (as per the principle of qisās, equitable retribution). The man, however, forgave him and did not exercise this right.

4. Eliminating Discrimination

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) firmly prohibited any behavior that could be seen as discriminatory or exclusionary. For example, he criticized the practice of inviting only the wealthy to wedding feasts (walīma) while ignoring the poor, labeling such behavior as wrong. One of the most striking examples of his stance against discrimination was appointing Usāmah ibn Zayd, whose parents were formerly enslaved, as the commander of an army at just 18 years old. This decision not only demonstrated Usāmah’s capabilities and merit but also challenged social prejudices and showed that leadership was based on qualification, not lineage.

5. Avoiding Hardship—Even in Worship

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who deeply cared for his followers, said: “You are a nation for whom ease is desired.”

He explained that his message was sent with “ḥanīfiyyah samḥah”—a pure and gentle path—indicating that Islam is meant to be lived in all circumstances with ease and balance. He emphasized that Islam is a religion of ease and taught: “The best form of your religion is the one that is easiest to follow.” In his own life, whenever he had a choice between two permissible options, he always chose the easier one, so long as it did not involve sin. Out of concern that too many questions might overburden the community or create unnecessary difficulty, he discouraged excessive questioning.

A touching example of his mercy: when he encountered a Companion he hadn’t seen in a year and didn’t recognize him due to how much weight he had lost, he asked what had changed. The man replied that he had been fasting constantly. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised him to practice worship in moderation and recommended that fasting one day each month outside of Ramadan would be sufficient.

6. Comforting the Sick

Visiting the sick and offering emotional support, as well as consoling the bereaved, were practices the Prophet (peace be upon him) both personally upheld and strongly encouraged among his Companions. In a hadith, he said: “Visit the sick, feed the hungry, and free the enslaved.” He even considered visiting the sick one of the rights a believer has upon another believer.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught that the prayers of a sick person are as valuable as those of the angels, and that a visitor walking to a sick person is metaphorically picking fruits from Paradise until they sit beside them—showing both encouragement for the visitor and providing morale for the sick.

7. Supporting Bereaved Families

Recognizing the stress and grief families experience when a loved one passes away, the Prophet advised that food be sent to the grieving family so they would not have to worry about feeding others during such a difficult time. For instance, after his cousin Ja‘far ibn Abī Ṭālib was martyred in the Battle of Mu’tah, the Prophet said:

“Prepare food for the family of Ja‘far, for something has happened to them that preoccupies them.”

8. Feeding the Hungry

In every society, there will be those in need. The Prophet made it clear with his command: “Feed the hungry.”

This message aligns with the Islamic practice of distributing meat from animals sacrificed during Eid al-Adha to those in need. Historically, this principle led to the establishment of soup kitchens and charitable foundations that fed the poor.

9. Helping the Unemployed

The Prophet actively helped people find employment or guided them toward self-reliance. He criticized begging as dishonorable and instead praised hard work, saying: “It is better for one of you to gather wood, carry it on his back, and sell it than to ask people (for help), regardless of whether they give to him or not.” This teaching reinforces the idea that dignity comes from self-reliance, not dependency. Once, a man from the Ansar came asking for help. The Prophet helped him auction off a few household items to raise some initial capital, then instructed him to buy an axe and begin collecting and selling firewood. After some time, the man returned with enough money to live on. The Prophet told him, “This is better for you than appearing before God on the Day of Judgment with the disgrace of begging.” By this logic, even small-scale self-employment, like selling bagels or shining shoes, is more honorable than begging.

10. Considering the Weak Ones in Group Duties

The Prophet always considered the presence of the elderly, the sick, the weak, and those with urgent needs during collective activities and advised others to do the same. He understood that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and if one link breaks, the whole chain can collapse. For example, he advised imams to keep prayers brief if they were leading a group, knowing that people of all conditions might be in the congregation. When Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal once led a prayer and recited a long passage, causing complaints, the Prophet firmly reprimanded him.

11. Helping Those in Debt and in Need

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) personally took on the debts of people who died while still owing money, and he also took responsibility for the care of their dependent families. For example, he once bought a calf from a caravan and sold it at a profit, then distributed the earnings among needy women. On another occasion, when he saw Ka‘b ibn Mālik grabbing the cloak of a very poor Companion, ʿAbdullāh ibn Abī Ḥadrah, demanding repayment of a debt, the Prophet signaled from his window for Ka‘b to forgive half the debt. Ka‘b accepted, showing the Prophet’s encouragement of mercy and leniency.

12. Supporting Widows and Orphans

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) called for special care for widows—women left alone due to death or divorce—and declared that those who look after such women are like warriors in the path of God or like worshippers who pray all night and fast all day. In accordance with the Qur’anic command, he allocated a portion of state revenue for the care of orphans. He identified the misuse of an orphan’s property as one of the seven most destructive sins, and he promised that those who care for orphans would share the joys of Paradise with him. He encouraged people to treat orphans like their own children. To a man who complained about having a hard heart, the Prophet advised feeding the poor and gently caressing the head of an orphan. Following the Battle of Uhud, in which Muhammad ibn Faḍāla was martyred, the Prophet donated a garden to his three-year-old son, on the condition that it could neither be sold nor given away.

13. Concessions for the Disabled and Exemptions from Obligations

Islam grants certain exemptions to people with disabilities, recognizing that religious obligations are tied to one’s capacity. This approach reflects the respect and compassion Islam shows toward those with physical or mental challenges.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also brought hope and encouragement to those with disabilities. For instance, he affirmed that those who genuinely wished to join military expeditions but couldn’t due to disability would still be rewarded for their intentions, as if they had actually participated.

14. Gestures to Ease Discomfort

The Prophet occasionally made kind gestures to relieve people of distress. One touching example is recounted by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar:

“We were traveling with the Prophet, and I was riding a young, spirited camel that belonged to my father. The camel kept surging ahead of the group, and my father kept pulling it back. This happened several times until the Prophet said to my father: “O ʿUmar, sell it to me!’

My father replied: ‘It’s yours, O Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him)!’ and gave it to him. Then the Prophet turned to me and said: ‘It is now yours, O Ibn ʿUmar! Ride it as you wish.’”

This thoughtful act shows the Prophet’s sensitivity to social discomfort and his desire to prevent tension or embarrassment.

15. Sensitivity Toward Non-Muslim Citizens

Non-Muslim citizens living in an Islamic state are not to be oppressed or pressured because of their faith. They are not to be burdened with any obligations beyond what is legally required, and their fundamental rights are under the protection of the Islamic state. The Prophet clearly stated that any ruler or official who oppresses non-Muslims simply because of their religious beliefs would be personally accountable to him on the Day of Judgment. He considered the protection of their rights a matter of utmost justice and responsibility.

16. Kind Treatment of Animals

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was a mercy to all creation. His compassion and kindness extended not just to humans but to every living being. According to a narration by Sawādah ibn ar-Rabīʿ, the Prophet once told him: “When you return home, tell your household to treat the animals well. Make sure the calves are properly fed and have them trim their fingernails so that they don’t hurt the animals’ udders while milking.” While encouraging kindness to animals, the Prophet also emphasized hygiene. He said:

“Trim your nails, for Satan lingers between the flesh and the nail.”

This hadith, long before the discovery of microbes, remarkably points to the importance of cleanliness and how the areas beneath the nails can harbor harmful agents, expressed in a way that made sense for people of the time.

Another remarkable example: One day, while the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was in the garden of an Ansārī man, a camel came up to him crying and groaning. The Prophet gently stroked its head and calmed it down. Then he called the owner and said: “Do you not fear God regarding the animal He has placed under your care? It has complained to me that you leave it hungry and work it too hard.”

The Prophet forbade cruel practices such as making animals fight each other, using them as live targets, keeping them standing while loaded or mounted, or branding them on the face.

Conclusion

The examples we’ve highlighted from the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) clearly show that he was the protector of the vulnerable and the guardian of the weak. He was not only a mercy to humanity but also to all living beings. People learned from him that blessings come through caring for the weak and underprivileged. Families learned that daughters are not a burden, but a source of mercy. Husbands learned from his teachings that their wives are a sacred trust from God. The elderly regained their honor through his saying: “He who does not show respect to our elders is not one of us.”  Orphans had their heads lovingly caressed because of him. Those who begged learned from him that dignity lies in working with one’s own hands and discovered the joy of self-reliance. Discrimination, which leads to societal collapse, came to an end with him, as did privileged classes built on inequality. Because of him, the hungry were fed, the unemployed found work, and the sick found comfort. Non-Muslim citizens were protected from persecution and discrimination. The world learned ethics and laws of warfare through his example. Even animals found refuge in his mercy.  In short: He was a mercy to all the worlds.

Prof. Dr. Saffet Köse | Issue: 98 | Year: 2012