The Detroit Address — Page 26
26 would behave so lovingly towards a miserable wretch like him. But seizing upon this rare opportunity, he started rub- bing his sweaty body and odorous clothes with that of the Holy Prophet sas, and started to touch and feel him with his hands. When asked by the Holy Prophet sas whether he had recognized him, he said that no one but the Holy Prophet sas would treat a poor person with such affection; and he was merely taking advantage of the good fortune to touch him, to hold him close, and to embrace his loving person with his hands. He said he was taking full advantage of a golden and rare opportunity. Afterwards, he said, “O Prophet of God, who else other than you would be so much concerned about the downtrodden? I am a wretched man of no value at all; no one will even buy me as a slave in the market. ” On this, the Holy Prophet sas replied, “No, not at all. God in heaven has owned you; you enjoy His love and respect. ” This is Islam. This is what we have learned from the Holy Prophet sas. If you go out into the streets of America with this Islam, you will then certainly be the winners. No power of this world can arrest the influence of attraction and charm of this Islam. People will come to you for this Islam because you will then be indeed the true ambassadors of the Holy Prophet sas rather than mere conveyors of a hollow message. The present-day world does not care for envoys who indulge in lip-service only. Today many heads of states falsely pretend to be emissaries of peace and love. Should you truly endeavor to represent and reflect the moral excellences of the Holy