of Allah ﷺ—about whom Allah says, “And you are indeed upon an exalted standard of character” (Q 68:4)—he merely turned toward the man, smiled at him, and ordered that he be given something.

In the same way a person should be broad-minded: when people grow harsh, he should soften; when they tighten the reins, he should loosen them.

Muʿāwiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) was once asked, “By what means have you governed the people?” For Muʿāwiyah was famous for astute leadership and wisdom. He answered, “I keep between myself and the people a single hair: if they pull it, I go along with them; and if I pull it, they come along with me, yet it never breaks.”

What he meant is that he was easy to deal with, for a lone hair placed between you and another would snap with the slightest tug. Nonetheless, his political skill lay in leading people by this very method: when he saw them advancing, he met them head-on; when he saw them falling back, he followed after them until he gained control.

Thus a person should always manage affairs with gentleness and forbearance, just as the Prophet ﷺ did. We ask Allah to grant us and you refined manners and noble character.

4/646- Ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: It is as though I can still see the Messenger of Allah ﷺ describing a prophet from among the earlier prophets—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon them—whom his people struck until he bled. While wiping the blood from his face he kept saying, “O Allah, forgive my people, for they do not know.” Agreed upon.