AFFIRMATION OF PROPHETHOOD

Affirmation of Prophethood ~ 269 ~ could recognize his virtues is in itself ample evidence of being a prophet of God. M. Abul Fazal, in his Life of Mohammad, quotes Dt. Leitner as saying: “If there be such a process as inspiration from the source of all goodness, indeed, I venture to state in all humility, that if self-sacrifice, honesty of purpose, unwavering belief in one’s mission, a marvellous insight into existing wrong or error, and the perception and use of the best means for their removal, are among the outward and visible signs of inspiration, the mission of Muhammad was ‘inspired.’” When the Prophet began to propagate his message, his own people began to persecute him in a variety of ways. On one occasion his path was strewn with thorns. On another he was pelted with filth when saying his prayers. Once, when he was in prayer at the Kabah, Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, a dire opponent of the Prophet, twined a sheet so tightly round his neck that he fell down in a swoon. When torment upon torment failed to deter him from his resolve, the Makkans imposed a social boycott upon him and all the members of his family, who were then