Lessons of the Prophet’s Life

LESSONS OF THE PROPHET’S LIFE 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, most 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. So, one by one, the Muslims started emigrating to Madinah. When the Quraysh heard about this scheme, they tried to prevent the Muslims from leaving Makkah: some they beat up, some they took captive; but somehow, most of the Muslims managed to reach their refuge in Madinah. Finally (A.D. 622) came the Prophet’s turn. The Quraysh realized that, with the rest of the Muslims safely installed in Madinah, it would not be long before the Prophet joined them. So leaders of all the tribes of the Quraysh, except the Banu Hashim, met in the great hall of Qusayy ibn Kilab’s house, where all such meetings were held. Various proposals were put forward, but finally, all agreed that a person from every tribe should attack and kill Muhammad: his blood would thus be divided over all eleven tribes, the Banu Hashim, the tribe to which the Prophet belonged, being unable to fight with all of them, would accept compensation instead. The next night, they surrounded