Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
5. Lessons of the Prophet’s Life
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Initially, the message of the Prophet of Islam had
nothing but conceptual truth behind it. It was an
abstract message, with no material grandeur
attached. The Ka’bah in Makkah, on the other hand,
had assumed the status of an institution, backed up
by grand architecture and glorious historical
traditions. To associate oneself with the Ka’bah was
socially acceptable; it had even become a symbol of
pride. To associate oneself with the message of the
Prophet of Islam, meanwhile, amounted to belief in
a religion, which had not yet come into its own and
had no material benefits to offer.
The people of Makkah, therefore, did whatever they
could to thwart him and he was subjected to
torment upon torment. But his mission continued to
gain ground, and finally the message of Islam
reached the people of Madinah, the majority of
whom accepted Islam. Together with the Prophet,
other Muslims were also persecuted in Makkah.
The Prophet told them to go to Madinah, where
they would be received by their Muslim brethren,
who were ready to give them succour. One by one,
the Muslims started emigrating to Madinah. When
the Quraysh heard about this scheme, they made
