Al-Risala (English), September 1984

in the west, Islam in the early part of the 13th century seemed forever lost. How different was the situation in the last part of the same century. The last crusader had by that time been driven into the sea, the seventh of the Il-Khans, many of whom had been flirting with Christianity, had finally recognized Islam as the state religion—a dazzling victory for the faith of Mohammad. Just as in the case of the Seljuks, the religion of the Muslims had conquered where their arms had failed. Less than half a century after Hulagu’s merciless attempt at the destruction of Islamic culture, his greatgrandson Ghazan, as a devout Muslim, was consecrating much time and energy to the revivification of the same culture. Philip Hitti, History of the Arabs, p.488. In this way history has repeatedly proved the truth of the verses quoted above. But when it was revealed events had not proved the truth of God’s statement. History was still clothed in the veil of the future. At that time there was nothing more difficult than sacrificing one’s life and property for the sake of communicating the faith. Just as it is easy to see past history, so it is difficult to see future history. The Muslims in the time of the Prophet achieved this most difficult task. They saw events before they happened, and did exactly what was required of them. In comparison the task before us is an easy one. We only have to repeat in our lives a principle that history has already proven to be true. But whereas our predecessors succeeded in their most difficult trial, we have failed in our easy one. □ Fearing God with regard to the oppressors The seventy idolaters who were captured in the Battle of Badr were brought to Madinah. Suhail Ibn Amr was one of them. The Prophet was told that Suhail was a fiery speaker, and kept on making speeches against him. “Why not pluck his teeth out?” it was suggested. “If I break his teeth,” the Prophet replied, “then God will break mine, although I am a prophet.” The Prophet divided the prisoners up into various homes of the companions, and told all concerned to treat them well. Abu Aziz, who was one of the prisoners, says that the Ansari household in which he was kept would give him bread morning and evening, and themselves make do with dates. The chief of the Yamama tribe, Thumama Ibn Uthal was taken prisoner. For the duration of his captivity, he was provided with excellent food