Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
5. Lessons of the Prophet’s Life
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all three of them, and all three refused to join him,
or even extend their protection. “I will tear the
curtain of the holy Ka ‘bah, if God has made you
His Prophet,” one of them said. “Couldn’t God find
anyone else to send as His Prophet,” added another
sneeringly. “I swear that I won’t speak to you!” said
the third. “It would be an insult to you for me to do
so if you are a true prophet, and an insult to myself
if you are false in your claims.”
4
Dispirited, the Prophet set out on the return
journey. But still the people of Ta’if did not leave
him alone. They set the urchins upon him, and a
volley of stone-throwing and abuse drove him out
of town. Zayd tried to shield the Prophet with his
blanket, but with no success: he was wounded from
head to foot.
Some way out of town, there was a vineyard
belonging to two brothers by the name of ‘Utbah
and Shaybah. It was dusk when the Prophet
reached there, and he took refuge in it. His body
was covered in wounds, but on his lips were
prayers. “Lord,” he cried, “help me; do not leave
me to fend for myself.”
