Page 113 - Seekers Guide Book

The Seeker’s Guide

31 What are some things Muslims agree
that Muhammed did wrong?

n this topic, there is nothing much listed in books of
OHadith or Sunnah. There are some decisions which
could be referred to as Ijtihadi khata (Interpretational
Error).

Here is an example. When the Prophet of Islam migrated
from Makkah to Madinah, he witnessed practices like
agriculture and horticulture — in particular, the growing
of date palms. Being raised in Makkah, the Prophet had
no experience of either farming or fruit growing. One
day, as the Prophet was passing through the outskirts of
Madinah, he noticed that some people, who had climbed
up the date palm trees, were engaged in some activity. On
inquiring what they were busy with, they explained that
they were aiding pollination in trees.

Traditionally, they did this by artificial pollination of
the date flowers, and this experience had ensured a good
crop yield. But when their actions were explained to the
Prophet, he said, “What if you don’t do it?” The people,
in deference to his judgement climbed down the trees
without completing their task. That year the yield was
very low. When the Prophet inquired why the yield was
so low that particular year, the orchard keepers replied
that the yield depended on pollination, which they had
abandoned as the Prophet had asked them not to do. On
hearing this, the Prophet replied:

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