The Revolution of the Prophet

THE REVOLUTION OF THE PROPHET love so much that they were willing to renounce everything for it. In short, they saw the truth when it was still an abstract force before the ratification of history backed it up before it had become a symbol of national pride. One had to be ready to give everything for it and to expect nothing in return. One outstanding example of the selflessness involved in faith at that time was the event known as bay’at ‘aqbah thaniyah (The Second Oath of Allegiance), which was made before the Prophet emigrated to Madinah. Just when persecution of Muslims in Makkah had reached intolerable levels, some of them started spreading the message of Islam in Madinah, and soon it reached every home there. At that time, some of the people of Madinah resolved to go to Makkah, swear allegiance to the Prophet, and invite him to emigrate to Madinah. Jabir al-Ansari later recalled how, when Islam had spread to every house of Madinah, they held consultations among themselves. “How long can we let the Prophet wander around the hills of Makkah, fearful and distressed?” They said to one another. To those who judged from appearances alone, the fact that the Prophet was alone, with few supporters, was proof of his not being in the right: how could he be God’s prophet and be left in such an abject state? But the people of Madinah looked at the matter more profoundly. They had realized the truth of his prophethood and saw that helping him, they would earn God’s grace and good favour.