Seerah

The Apostle of God was persevering and steadfast to the utmost degree. For example, when AbY ?"lib informed him of what the Quraysh had been plotting for him and for the Clan of H"shim in general he said: 'O uncle, if they were to put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand on condition that I forgo this mission, I would not forgo it until God makes it prevail or I perish in the process.' 60 He would encourage the first Muslims to stand up to opposition and to stay with the truth and would say: 'There were those before you whose flesh and nerves would be raked to the bone with steel rakes and they would not relinquish their religion, and saws would be placed upon the middle of their heads and they would be sawn in two and they would not relinquish their religion. God will fulfil this mission until one will be able to ride from £ana!" to H{a+ramaut fearing nothing but God and the wolf for his flocks, but you are too hasty.' 61

When he visited the city of al-?"'if, he was treated in the worst possible manner by the people of the city, who incited the children and slaves against him and they began stoning him until wherever he put his foot there was a stone, and they split open his head and wounded his body. However he did no more than pray and supplicate to Almighty God saying: 'O God, to you I complain of my weakness and my lack of means and my insignificance in the eyes of the people, O Most Merciful One, you are the Lord of the enfeebled ones and you are my Lord. To whom will you deliver me? To an enemy from afar who is scowling at me or an enemy whom you have given dominion over my affair? As long as your anger is not upon me then I do not care, although your protection I prefer.' 62

His most difficult days were during the battles of O9ud and the Confederates (al-A9z"b). In the battle of O9ud the Muslims were routed by the forces of polytheism after they had disobeyed the orders given by the Prophet Muhammad. No-one remained at the heart of the fighting except the Apostle of God, Imam Ali, and certain sincere companions. The Prophet was severely injured; his nose was broken and his face was split open and he lost copious blood until false news spread that he had died. Despite this however, he remained steadfast until God put an end to the adversity.

In the campaign of the Confederates, the believers were under extreme pressure which the Holy Qur'an speaks of saying: eAnd when they came upon you from above you and from below you and when your eyes trembled and your hearts came into your mouths and you began to have doubtful thoughts about God. There the believers were tested and were shaken most severely .63

The Muslims were in danger of being annihilated by the army of the Confederates who had lain siege to Medina, and the Apostle of God witnessed all this, which was of such severity that the perseverance of great men vanquished before it. However, the Apostle of God remained steadfast and optimistic of victory during this trial and rose above it with his endurance, and by this he gave hope to the believers and raised their spirits and gave them strength and strengthened their trust in Almighty God. He made plans to confront the situation with the utmost poise and determination until God gave victory to His servant and Apostle, and defeated the Confederates Himself.

Notes:

60. Ibn Ath:r; al-k"mil f: al-ta'r:kh; vol.1, p.587, Beirut edition.

61. bihar al-anwar; vol.18, p.210.

62. bihar al-anwar; vol.19, p.17, chap.5, 9ad:th 9.

63. The Holy Qur'an: The Confederates (33): 11.

Adopted from the book : "The Prophet Muhammad; a Mercy to the World" by : "Ayatullah Muhammad Sadiq al-Shirazi"