Lessons of the Prophet’s Life

LESSONS OF THE PROPHET’S LIFE Considering this, let us look at incidents of great moral significance during the Prophet Muhammad’s life. Never Yielding To Despair The tribal system prevalent in the time of the Prophet protected individuals. It was seldom that anyone could survive without it. At the beginning of the period he spent in Makkah, the Prophet Muhammad enjoyed the protection of his uncle, Abu Talib, chieftain of the Banu Hashim. However, Abu Talib died in the tenth year of his mission, and his mantle descended upon Abu Lahab. Since Abu Lahab refused to extend any protection to him, the Prophet began seeking the protection of some other tribe to continue his preaching work. It was for this purpose that he went to Ta’if. Along with Zayd ibn Harithah, the Prophet made the 65mile journey to Ta’if, a fertile oasis southeast of Makkah. He had some relatives in the town, but power rested with three individuals at that time: ‘Abd Yalayl, Mas’ud and Habib. The Prophet met 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 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.”31