Many of the sayings of Islam’s founding Prophet Muhammad bear witness to the Qu’ran’s mention that Isa (Jesus) “put in the hearts of those who followed him kindness and mercy” – Sura LVII:27. Muhammad is said to have started on his mission in a spirit of meekness and gentleness, but later turned to revenge on those who even disbelieved him. How is it that one who in God’s name claimed to uphold Jesus’ teachings about mercy and kindness, eventually reverted to pre-Jesus retribution such as an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth? Such contradictions cannot be attributed to Divine revelation but human adaptation/reaction to difficult circumstances. Whereas vengeful violence is the natural bent of human nature, the God-centred non-violence that can even love one’s enemies requires Divine empowerment, being a “fruit” of the Spirit/Presence of God. In the New Testament (the “Injil” mentioned in the Qu’ran), the spirit of non-violence even in the face of life-threats is sustained from Matthew to Revelation. Jesus clearly said His true disciples are not to fear, but instead forgive and even love those who can kill only the body but not the soul. Only just before Jesus’ arrest did He tell His disciples that they would revert to a period of unbelief as they would see Him suffer and die, just as the unbelieving cling to their money sacks and trade their garments for swords (Luke 22:35-38) in a time of crisis. Thus, according to Jesus’ teaching, taking to the sword is an act of unbelief for those who have fallen from faith, as demonstrated when Peter cut off Malchus’ ear, to which Jesus replied in rebuke, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)…
Muslim Prophet Muhammad seems to have borne witness to many of Jesus’ teachings, as evidenced by many of his sayings in the Sunna. Perhaps because he denied the significance of Jesus’ virgin birth (i.e. as proof that Jesus was pre-existent) and denied the purposeful death of Jesus (i.e. as the atoning payment for God’s wrath upon human sin), Muhammad could not supernaturally live out the teachings nor example of Jesus when faced with persistent resistance and unbelief. Muhammad eventually reacted in an “only human” way by carrying out fleshly retribution. As a result, in contradiction to the Qur'an's upholding of the non-violent spirit of Jesus’ teachings, Muhammad humanly reverted to authorizing his followers to carry out Divine retribution by the sword - and as a result the spirit of the Qur'an's teachings took on the same form…
Here are some of the sayings of Muhammad (compiled by the late Dr. M. Hafiz Syed, M.A., Ph.D. scholar of Allahabad University, India) which uphold the spirit of Jesus’ teachings of kindness and mercy, forbearance, self-control and forgiveness:
*Non-Violence in Jihad & Peaceful/Just Leadership
The most excellent Jihad (Holy War) is that for the conquest of self.
Faith is a restraint against all violence, let no Mu’min commit violence.
The best Jihad is his who speaks a just word before a tyrannical authority.
Verily, it is better that the leader should err on the side of forgiveness rather than that he should err in punishing.
The proud will not enter Paradise, nor a violent speaker.
The greatest enemies of God are those who are entered into Islam, and do acts of infidelity, and who, without cause, shed the blood of men.
Deal gently with the people, and be not harsh; cheer them and condemn them not.
Refrain for seeing and speaking of the vices of mankind, which, you know, are in yourself.
Curse not people with the curse of God, or with the wrath of God, or with the fire of hell.
God is not merciful to him who is not so to mankind.
*Show Forgiveness and Kindness to Unbelievers & Even Enemies
Verily God is more compassionate on His creatures than a woman on her own child.
Someone said to the Prophet, ‘Pray to God against the idolaters and curse them.’ The Prophet replied, ‘I have been sent to show mercy and have not been sent to curse.’
I found this inscribed on the hilt of the Prophet’s sword, ‘Forgive him who wrongs you; join him who cuts you off; do good to him who does evil to you, and speak the truth although it be against yourself.’
Thus says the Prophet, ‘Verily those who are patient in adversity and forgive wrongs are the doers of excellence.”
Whoever suppresses his anger, when he has in his power to show it, God will give him a great reward.
That person is most respectable near God, who pardons, when he has him in his power, him who would have injured him.
Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever has not kindness has not faith.
*Knowledge & Learning Better than Martyrdom
The ink of the scholar is holier than the blood of the martyr.
He dies not who gives life to learning.
It is better to teach knowledge one hour in the night, than to pray the whole night.
To listen to the words of the learned, and to instill into others the lessons of science, are better than religious exercises.
