It is said, according to sound narrations, that the hands of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) were soft over the heads of children, the prophet’s hands worked in the struggle for peace, built places of prayer, held the sword at battle and grasped the hands of enemies with honor and good will in treaties of peace. The prophet’s hands dug the earth to bury the dead and dug the earth to protect the living. His palms, smooth as silk, rejected the bribe of sun and moon, remaining free and open to carry loads for neighbours, comfort his family, caress his wife and jestfully covered the eyes of his companion in a moment of market place merriment. The prophet’s hands were real, the prophet’s example was true, the prophet’s hands are gone, the prophet’s example lives on. – Dawud Wharnsby Ali