EXCERPT from the Preface

"In the Name of God the Compassionate and Most Merciful Whose Guidance and Help I Ever Seek and Invoke

I have turned the bulk of this study into an answer to the central question posed in its title: Was Muhammad (pbuh) Merciful?

The study itself falls into four parts:

• ï‚ · ChapterOne:AnIntroduction

• ï‚ · Chapter Two: Aspects of Mercy for Human Beings in the Character of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Before the Divine Call

• ï‚ · ChapterThree:IntroducingtheProphetMuhammad(pbuh)

• ï‚ · Chapter Four: Aspects of Mercy for Human Beings in the Character of the

  Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) After the Divine Call

  The reader will no doubt note that the first three chapters are only a prologue to the fourth, which carries the weight of the argument and is the main part and chief objective of this study. Each of the four chapters is in turn divided into various subsections, each with a specific idea tackled and underpinned by a corresponding subtitle. A brief conclusion rounds up the debate, followed by a bibliographical list of reference works cited."