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Makkah was in sight and there was no escape whatsoever. Makkah's unbelievers were overjoyed to hear
that their long-awaited prey was caught in the trap they had laid.
At that time, the right of protection - to be under the assistance, support, refuge, and protection of his
patron - was a sacred and honored Arab tradition. Consequently, if a weak man had a claim on a man of
high standing, he would instantly enjoy the privileges of the right of protection and would be under an
invincible protection and safety. Naturally, not all of those who returned to Makkah had claims on a
high-ranking man. Therefore, few enjoyed the protection and safety guaranteed by this right. Among
those who did was `Uthmaan Ibn Madh'uun, who had a claim on Al Waliid lbn Al-Mughiirah. Hence, he
entered Makkah safely and peacefully and attended its councils without being humiliated or harmed.
Yet, every time lbn Madh'uun - the man who had been refined by the Qur'aan and whom the
Prophet (PBUH) had taught and disciplined - looked around, he saw his weak, poor Muslim brothers
who had no claim on the right of protection being atrociously abused and unjustly haunted, while he sat
safe and sound in his sanctuary away from the least provocation. His free spirit rebelled and his noble
compassion got the better of him. Hence, he decided to throw aside Al-Waliid's patronage and take off
his shoulders this burdensome sanctuary that deprived him of the bliss of enduring abuse in the way of
Allah and of following his Muslim brothers who were the believing vanguard and the glad tidings of the
world that would afterwards overflow with faith, monotheism, and light. Let us now call an eyewitness to
narrate what occurred.
When `Uthmaan Ibn Madh'uun saw the affliction that had befallen the Prophet's Companions while
he was free and safe under Al-Wallid lbn Al-Mughiirah's protection, he said to himself, "By Allah, 1
realize now that I have a fatal flaw in my character, for here I am sound under the protection of a
disbeliever while my brothers and companions are being abused and tortured by disbelievers." Instantly,
he hastened to Al-Waliid Ibn Al- Mughiirah and spoke. Aby Abd Shams, you have been a dutiful friend,
you did your utmost to honor the ties of kinship. But now I must forsake my claim on you." Al-Waliid
asked him," Why, nephew? Did any of my people lay a finger on you?" He answered, "No, but I'm fully
satisfied with Allah's protection and sanctuary and I do not want to resort to anyone but Him. So please
come with me to the mosque and withdraw your protection and support in public." They both hastened to
the mosque. Then Al-Waliid cried out, "`Uthmaan has asked me to withdraw my protection and support
from him." `Uthmaan said, "He was indeed a loyal, dutiful, and generous patron, but I do not like to
resort to the protection and help of anyone but Allah."
As `Uthmaan was leaving, Lubaid ibn Rabii'ah was sitting in one of the Quraish's meetings reciting
poetry, so he decided to join them and sat down and heard Lubaid recite, "Everything but Allah is
falsehood." `Uthmaan nodded and said, "You spoke the truth." Lubaid continued, "Every blessing is
transient." `Uthmaan objected saying, "You are a liar, for the blessings of Paradise are eternal." Lubaid
said, "O you Quraish, by Allah, I have not heard before that anyone dared to call a man who was
attending your meeting names." A man of Quraish explained, "Do not pay attention to what he says, for
he is a fool who has turned apostate." `Uthmaan objected to the man's insult and both quarrelled until the
man lost his temper and punched `Uthmaan's eye ruthlessly.
Nearby was Al-Waliid Ibn Al-Mughiirah, who saw what had happened and said, " By Allah,
nephew, you could have spared yourself the pain if you had stayed under my invulnerable protection."
`Uthmaan answered, "On the contrary, my healthy eye yearns for the pain of my abused eye. I am under
the protection of Allah, Who is far better and more capable than you, Abu Abd Shams." Al-Waliid urged
him saying, "Come on nephew, be sensible and return to my sanctuary and protection." Ibn Madh'uun
said firmly, "No." After he left, the pain in his eye was severe yet his spirit was revived, strengthene, and
reassured. On his way home he recited, "I don't care if a deluded disbeliever hurt my eye, for it was in the
way of Allah. For the Most Merciful will reward me on the Day of Reckoning in compensation for it. My
people, if Allah attempts to please someone, then he will be undoubtedly a happy man. Even if you say
that I'm a misguided fool, my life will always be consecrated to the Prophet Muhammad's religion
(PBUH). I will always do my utmost to please Allah, for our religion is the only truth despite abuse and
oppression.