Ttl1(bings and Dtfiat^117
1b.is verse from the fifth surah (the last injunction to be revealed) states
the terms of a privileged relationship bet\veen Muslims and Christians,
based on two essential qualities: sincerity and humility. \'{Tith Christians, as
with all other spiritual or religious traditions, the invitation to meet, share,
and live together fruitfully will always remain based on these threc condi-
tions: trying to get to know the other, remaining sincere (hence honcst)
during the encounter and the debates, and, fwally, learning humility in
regard to alit's daim to possess the truth. Such is the message the Prophet
bote in his relationship with the faithful of orner religions. As can he seen,
he did not besitate to question and cven contradict the Christians' beliefs
(such as the T rinity or the role of priests), but in the end his attirude was
based on knowledge, sincerity, and humility, which are the three comli-
tions of respect. They were ftee to leave, and the dialogue went on with
the Prophet's envoy.
A Daughter, a WifeT he Prophet lived very modestly: his dwelling was particularly bare, and
he often had nothing but a few dates left to eat. Yct he kept helping the
destitute around him, especially aM aHIIJfoh, the people of the bench, who
lived near his home. \X!hen he received prese.nts, he had them given out,
and he immediately freed the slaves who were sometimes sent to him as
gifts: he did so with the slave Abu Rafi, whom his uncle Abbas had sent
him when he had returned to Mecca after his release. In spite of his
increasingly important role in :rvfcdinan society and of his many respo nsi-
bilities, he kept this simplicity in his life and in the way he allowed the
members of his community to approach him. He owned nothing, and he
let himself bc accostcd by women, children, slaves, and the poorest peo-
ple. He lived among them; he was one of them.
His daughter Fatimah was very dose to het father. Married to Ali ibn
Abi TaIib, the Prophet's cousin, she had eventually movt:d near her
father's dwelling and she was most devoted to the cause of the poor,
including ahl as-suifah. Wht:n the Prophet was at home or in publie and his
daughter camt: to him or entered tllC room, he would stand up and greet
her, publicly showing hcr great respect and tenderness. Both the people
of Medina and the Meccans were surprised at trus behavior toward a