Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
16. The Companions of the Prophet
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so much added incentive to believe. With a
contemporary prophet, however, the situation is
quite different. His prophethood is still a
controversial issue. His mission is surrounded in a
cloak of doubt. In order to believe in him, one has to
see through outward appearances. In order to
follow him, one has to bury all thoughts of oneself
Doubt prevails over the truth of his mission. His
prophethood has not yet received the verification of
history. Under such conditions, it is the most
difficult thing in the world to believe in a prophet,
and actively participate in his mission. But it was
this, no less, that the Companions were able to do:
believe in a prophet of their own day as if he were a
prophet of ancient times.
During the Battle of the Trench (A.H. 5) Madinah
was besieged by the Quraysh and all of the Arab
clans who had entered into an alliance with them.
The siege was intensified until it became impossible
for the Muslims to obtain even the basic necessities
of life. At this time one of the Muslims said in
desperation: “Muhammad used to promise us that
the treasures of Khusrau and Caesar would be ours,
and now here we are—unable even to relieve
