The Guiding Light — Page 16
S u rah Ban i Isr a ’ i l, Chapter 17, Verses 79-85 16 Prophet sa. The news of his departure from Makkah would naturally have caused him great pain. In order to relieve him of this mental anguish God preceded the news of his departure from Makkah by the news of his entry into Med i nah, where power and honour awaited him. The word ﻣﺪﺧﻞ ( mudkhala ) entry might also be taken to refer to the Holy Prophet's subsequent victorious entry into Makkah. Read in this sense, the said ‘entry’ may be understood to constitute another stage in the Holy Prophet's march to his promised ﻣﻘﺎم حمﻤﻮد ( maq a m-e-ma h m u d ) exalted station because with his triumphant re-entry into Makkah ended all opposition to Islam and the Prophet’s erstwhile opponents became his devoted followers. The prayer contained in the words, And grant me from Thyself a helping power , was necessary because power is a great corrupter of men. The Prophet sa is taught to pray that instead of corrupting him the acquisition of power may prove a source of real help to him. The prayer contained in this verse supports the interpretation of اﺳﺮاء Isr a ’ ) the Vision about the Prophet’s