The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 135
Prophethood in Islam 135 and the remaining disciples deserted Jesus at the time of his trial. Not one of them remained steadfast. They all turned out to be cowards. In contrast, the companions of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) demonstrated such steadfastness and were so reconciled to death that any mention of their devotion brings tears to one's eyes. . What was it that inspired them with such devotion?. Whose hand was it that brought about such a change in them? In their pre-Islamic ignorance, there was no sin and no wrong that they did not commit. On becoming the followers of the Holy Prophets, they were so drawn to. God, as if God dwelt within them. I tell you truly that it was the spiritual attention of the Holy Prophets that pulled them out of a low life into a holy one. Those who later entered Islām in hosts did not do so under the threat of a sword. They did so in consequence of the sincere supplications and humble and passionate prayers which the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) offered in Mecca for thirteen years, so that even the soil of Mecca confessed that it was under the blessed feet of him whose heart proclaimed the Unity of God so passionately that heaven was filled with his cries. God is. Self-Sufficient. He does not care whether anyone is rightly guided or goes astray. The light of guidance which was so extraordinarily manifested in Arabia, and then spread to the rest of the world, was a consequence of the heartfelt desire of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. ) Followers of every religion had digressed and strayed away from the spring of. Tauḥīd [belief in the Unity of God] but it continued to flow in Islām. All these blessings were granted in answer to the supplications of the Holy Prophet (peace and bless-