An Islamic Treasury of Virtues
15. Divine Succour
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for the Muslims to be provided with food and
clothing, and asked them whether they were having
to suffer any ill-treatment. When they said that they
were, he issued a proclamation to the effect that
anyone ill-treating a Muslim would have to pay him
(the Muslim) a fine of four dirhams. “Is that
sufficient?” he asked the Muslims. When they said
that it was not, he doubled the sum.
When the Muslims emigrated from Makkah to
Madinah, the Muslims who had settled in Abyssinia
also moved there; they were given mounts and
provisions for their journey by the King.
THOSE WHO SERVE GOD ALONE SHALL BE
RAISED ABOVE OTHER MEN
In the beginning, Abu Talib had provided his
nephew, the Prophet Muhammad, with the
patronage necessary to the continuance of his public
mission. But as Abu Talib lay on his death-bed, a
group of Qurayshite chieftains gathered around
him with a request. “You well know the position
you hold among us,” they began, “but now, as all
men must, you have reached the end of your days.
You know the matter still at issue between your
