Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
5. Lessons of the Prophet’s Life
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THE PROPHET FORCED INTO EXILE
The Prophet Muhammad met with dire opposition
when he started his preaching mission in Makkah
in the year A.D. 609. When he presented the
message of Islam before the disbelievers of
Makkah, they proudly pointed out that they were
already involved in great religious work. “Why
should we become Muslims,” they protested,
“when we already look after the Sacred Mosque,
and give water to the pilgrims?” This verse of the
Qur’an was revealed in condemnation of their
argument:
Do you pretend that He who gives a drink to
the pilgrims and pays a visit to the Sacred
Mosque is as worthy as a man who believes in
God and the Last Day and strives for God’s
cause? These are not held equal by God. He
does not guide the wrongdoers. Those that
have embraced the faith and migrated from
their homes and striven for God’s cause with
their wealth and their persons are held in
higher regard by God. It is they who shall
triumph.
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