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been handed down from generation to generation for centuries. He could have started by going around
the issue to avoid as much as possible a direct confrontation he knew would bestir all the envy of his
people and draw upon them all their weapons against him.
Yet, he did not. This illustrates that he was a Messenger (PBUH). He heard a divine voice within
him telling him to rise, and he did, and telling him to deliver the message, and he did so without the force
of weapons and without fleeing! He confronted them from the first instant with the essence of the
message and the core of the case: "O people, I am the Messenger of Allah unto you, to worship Him and
not to set partners with Him. These idols are intellectual falsehood. They are of no harm or benefit to
you".
From the very beginning he faced them with such clear and plain words, and from the very
beginning he faced the severe struggle which he had to undergo his departure from life!
Or were the early believers in need of a prompting power to support the Prophet (PBUH)!
What awakened conscience would not be stirred by such a rare and unique scene! It was the scene
of a man known to the people to have full intellectual power and immaculate behavior, standing alone,
facing his people with a call which could bring mountains down. Words were issuing forth from his heart
and lips, obedient and superb, as if in them lay all the power, will, and design of the future, as if it were
fate announcing its proclamation! But perhaps this was the prompting of a good spirit, after which
Muhammad (PBUH) would worship his Lord as he liked, leaving the deities of his people in their place
and leaving his community's religion alone.
If such a thought occurred to some minds at that time, Muhammed (PBUH) soon dissipated it. He
made it quite clear to the people that he was a Messenger and had to convey the message, that he could
not be silent nor turn into himself after being guided by the truth and enlightenment. All the powers of
the world and nature could not have silenced him or stopped him because it was Allah Who made him
speak and move and Who guided his footsteps.
The Quraish's reaction came as swift as flames stirred by a violent wind. Troubles began to be
wreaked upon a soul unaccustomed to anything but absolute grace. The Messenger (PBUH) then began
to teach his first lessons with utmost mastery and amazing loyalty. The image of this scene is paramount
in all places and at all times, as well as in history. Those with an awakened conscience in Makkah were
pleased, filled with admiration, and came closer. They beheld a lofty and majestic man. They did not
know whether his neck had become longer until it was able to touch the sky or the sky had come down to
crown his head. They beheld loyalty, steadfastness and eminence.
However, the best scene they beheld was on the day when the noblemen of the Quraish went to Abu
Taalib saying, "Verily, we cannot tolerate a person who insults our fathers, mocks our dreams, and finds
fault with our deities. You either stop him or we fight both of you until one of the parties is destroyed."
Abu Taalib sent a message to his nephew saying, "My nephew, your people have approached me and
talked about your affairs. You have to think of me and yourself and not burden me with what I cannot
endure."
What then was the attitude of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)?
The only man who had stood with him seemed to be abandoning him, or rather seemed unable to
confront the Quraish who sharpened all their teeth. The Messenger (PBUH) did not hesitate in his reply,
and his determination did not waver. No! He did not even search for the words to show his tenacity. It
was already there, efficiently rising to deliver one of his most significant lessons to the whole of
humanity and to dictate its highest principles.
Thus he spoke: "O uncle, by Allah, if they put the sun on my right and the moon on my left in order
to abandon this matter until it is manifested by Allah or I perish by it, I would never abandon it!" Peace
be upon you, O Prophet of Islam, you who were colossal among men, and your words were colossal.