crown you king over us...” Only one concession was required from Muhammad in return for that, to give up calling people to Islam and worshipping God alone without any partner. Wouldn’t this offer be tempting to one pursuing worldly benefit? Was Muhammad hesitant when the offer was made? Did he turn it down as a bargaining strategy leaving the door open for a better offer? The following was his answer: { In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful } And he recited to Otba the verses of the Qur’an 41:1-38.1 The Following are some of these verses: A revelation from (God), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful; a Book whereof the verses are explained in detail; a Qur’an in Arabic, for people who know, giving good news and warning, yet most of them turn away, so they do not listen. (Qur’an, 41:2-4) On another occasion and in response to his uncle’s plea to stop calling people to Islam, Muhammad’s answer was as decisive and sincere: { I swear by the name of God, O Uncle!, that if they place the sun in my right-hand and the moon in my left-hand in return for giving up this matter (calling people to Islam), I will never desist until either God makes it triumph or I perish defending it. }2 Muhammad and his few followers did not only suffer from persecution for thirteen years but the unbelievers even tried to kill Muhammad several times. On one occasion they attempted to kill him by dropping a large boulder, which could barely be lifted, on his head.3 Another time they tried to kill him by poisoning his food.4 What could justify such a life of suffering and sacrifice even after he was fully triumphant over his adversaries? What could explain the humbleness and nobility which he demonstrated in his most glorious moments when he insisted that success is due only to God’s help and not to his own genius? Are these the characteristics of a power-hungry or a self-centered man? Chapter 1 Some Evidence for the Truth of Islam (6) The Simple Life of Muhammad A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam 39 (1) Al-Serah Al-Nabaweyyah, Ibn Hesham, vol. 1, pp. 293-294. (2) Al-Serah Al-Nabaweyyah, Ibn Hesham, vol. 1, pp. 265-266. (3) Al-Serah Al-Nabaweyyah, Ibn Hesham, vol. 1, pp. 298-299. (4) Narrated inAl-Daremey, #68, and Abu-Dawood, #4510.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjQ1