The Blessed Model of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and the Caricatures — Page 126
sa ± _________________________________________________________________ Mecca after his claim of prophethood is known to all. The Prophet and his Companions endured great suffering and sa ra torment. They were laid on the scorching midday sand while hot stones were placed on their chests. They were flogged. Women were killed by having their legs torn apart. They were martyred. A range of tortures were inflicted on the Prophet sa himself. At times the innards of a camel were placed on his back while he was prostrating, which would make it impossible for him to get up. During his visit to children Ta’if ± − threw stones at him, hurled abuse at him. Their leaders kept on inciting them. His injuries made him bleed profusely from head, and his shoes were filled with blood. Then there is the incident of when he, his family and his Sha’b Ab Talib ™¿ ± − followers were held under siege for many years. They had nothing to eat or drink, and children starved. A Companion felt something soft under his feet at night which he picked up and put in his mouth, imagining it to be food. Such was their desperation due to hunger. Eventually, compelled by these circumstances, the migration to Med na took place; the enemy ™¿ did not leave him alone even in Med na and invaded the town. ™¿ They tried to incite the Jews of Med na against him. Under the ™¿ circumstances, which I have just briefly described, if war ensues and the victim has a chance for reprisal, an attempt is made to requite oppression with oppression. It is said that all is fair in war. However, our Prophet established high sa standards of compassion and mercy even in these situations. It had been a very short time that they had left the relentless persecution of Mecca, the memories of which were still raw; the Holy Prophet was mindful of the pain of his adherents sa more than his own pain, yet he did not breach the Islamic 126