During 1857 war of Independence in India, many Muslims were killed by the invading British. For some time, the tables were turned and the British were being hunted and killed around Delhi. There were two scholars in Delhi studying Hadith,Syed Abdullah Ghaznavi from Afghanistan and Ghulam Rasool from Punjab, who shared their experiences.

Ghulam Rasool was a very influential orator and the news of his fiery and impactful speeches put him on the radar of the British army. Abdullah Ghaznavi suggested him to return to Punjab to his people. He agreed and Abdullah Ghaznavi escorted him till the borders of Delhi.

“On the way, suddenly we heard a continuous cry of pain. We discovered a British lady, injured with bullets behind some bushes. She appeared very thirsty”.

The two men decided to help her. Here was a lady whose husband was in the enemy army trying to locate and arrest Abdullah yet the two men still helped the lady. For them it was:

•  Repel evil with that which is good- the Qur’anic injunction. They gave her a man’s dress and took her along. They had a fear of their own lives, from both parties , the British were already searching for him and the fighting army of Muslims would not like their enemy being given refuge.

A true follower of the Prophet ﷺ will not harm women

Yet they took her to a Masjid and kept her in a room. The news of a British lady in Masjid spread and a hostile crowd reached there but the crowd did not find her. Few weeks later, the lady recovered and was able to leave. She thanked them but they said:

"This is our religious teaching by our Prophet ﷺ that made us treat you with respect. We are instructed strictly not to harm the women and children of enemies. Those Muslims who are trying to kill you are not one of us.A true follower of the Prophet will not harm women and children”.

Then she told them that her husband was the Colonel of the British army. She then requested them to give her a paper where she mentioned good words about the two men who saved her life and treated her. This letter ended with an order to the British army that if they find one of these two men, they should not be mistreated. The duo thanked her and said that they did not require it as they had done a good deed for the sake of obeying Allah and His Messenger ﷺ .

Ghulam Rasool was arrested again under the pressure of British. When he was presented in the court, many people tried to set him free. The Judge agreed to give him the bail but on the condition that he should present someone as his guardian. Ghulam Rasool pointed towards heaven and said, " My Guardian is Allah." He got a bail.

A few days later it was announced that he was to be hanged to death. News spread fast and a huge crowd assembled to protest. The jury was surprised when the people said that Ghulam Rasool was their true teacher who helped them get out from the darkness of ignorance and they added that they were ready to die if he was to be hanged. Sensing the pressure, the British judge set Ghulam Rasool free.

The moral of the incident is - Repelling evil with goodness will drive away calamities that would have befallen you.

Know it well, good deeds never go in vain and evil will not be forgotten

Abu Darda (May Allah be pleased with him)