Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
6. The Path of the Prophet
~ 125 ~
Zakat
was part of the religion revealed to the
Prophet Muhammad; they themselves would have
to pretend to prophethood in order to speak with
the same authority. Their “prophethood” became
very popular among the tribes who looked upon
zakat
as a burden, and they flocked to these false
prophets’ support. Their morale received a boost
with the death of the Prophet in A.H. 10, and
apostasy started spreading like wildfire, the only
places remaining immune being Makkah, Madinah
and Ta’if. There were reports, too, that these rebels
were preparing to attack Madinah.
Much as the first Caliph, Abu Bakr, wanted the
army to advance, most of the companions were
against this. “These Arab tribes are in the throes of
revolt,” they said. “Madinah is liable to be attacked
at any time. The army should stay to defend
Madinah, rather than be sent to a distant land.”
The other reservation they had were about
Usamah’s leadership, for he was only seventeen
years of age and, worse, was the son of a slave.
How, they thought, could great companions of the
Prophet serve under him, a mere stripling? An
