Basic HTML Version
54
Khabbab bin Al-Aratt was also an easy victim to similar outrages on every possible occasion. He
experienced exemplary torture and maltreatment. The Makkan polytheists used to pull his hair and
twist his neck, and made him lie on burning coal with a big rock on his chest to prevent him from
escaping. Some Muslims of rank and position were wrapped in the raw skins of camels and thrown
away, and others were put in armours and cast on burning sand in the scorching sun of Arabia.
Even the women converts were not spared, and the list is too long to include all of them. Zanirah,
An-Nahdiyah and her daughter, Umm Ubais and many others had their full share of persecution at
the hand of the oppressors Umar bin Al-Khattab included of course before his conversion to Islam.
Abu Bakr, a wealthy believer, purchased and freed some of those she-slaves, just as he did with
regard to Bilal and Amir bin Fuheirah.
THE HOUSE OF AL-ARQAM:
In thlight of these inhuman persecutions, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) deemed it wise to advise
his followers to conceal their conversion, in both word and deed. He took the decision to meet them
secretly lest Quraish should get to know of his designs, and so take measures that might foil his
goals. He also had in mind to avoid any sort of open confrontation with the polytheists because such
a thing at this early stage would not be in the interest of the newly-born Call, still vulnerable and
not fully fledged. Once, in the fourth year of Prophethood, the Muslims were on their way to the
hillocks of Makkah to hold a clandestine meeting with the Prophet (Peace be upon him), when a
group of polytheists did observe their suspicious movement and began to abuse and fight them. Sad
bin Abi Waqqas beat a polytheist and shed his blood and thus recorded the first instance of
bloodshed in the history of Islam.
The Prophet (Peace be upon him), on the other hand, used to proclaim the Islamic Faith and preach
it openly with deep devotion and studious pursuit, but for the general welfare of the new converts
and in consideration of the strategic interest of Islam, he took Dar Al-Arqam, in As-Safa mountain,
in the fifth year of his mission, as a temporary centre to meet his followers secretly and instruct
them in the Qur'an and in the Islamic wisdom.
Click on View to read this book online under free books www.islamicbulletin.com