Hazrat Sayyedah Khadijah — Page 20
20 20 help the Holy Prophet saw in preaching Islam. As a result Islam began to spread slowly and steadily in Makkah. The Faithful Persecuted When the Quraish observed that in spite of their strong oppo- sition, Islam was spreading fast, they became furious and started a cruel campaign to stop the message of Islam. It was a difficult period for the Muslims, however they remained steadfast. They were confident of Allah’s help and were convinced that this period of trial would end soon and that Islam would triumph in the end. God repeatedly consoled the Holy Prophet saw through revelation, which enhanced the faith of every Muslim. The slaves were possibly the worst affected group. Their mas- ters used to inflict unbearable torments upon them in vain attempt to force them to renounce Islam. Here are some examples. Bilaal ra was a slave, who had accepted Islam. His master Umayyah bin Khalf used to lead him out of the town and make him lie down on his bare back, exposed to the blazing heat of the sun. Enormous stones were then heaped on his chest. Sometimes he was dragged through the stony streets of Makkah. Umayyah would then tell him to give up his religion and sing praise of the Makkan gods, Laat and ‘Uzzaa instead. In spite of all this torture, Umayyah could not force Bilaal ra to renounce Islam. He would say, ‘ Ahad! Ahad!’ Ahad means one. Thus Hazrat Bilaal ra would go on declaring that God is one. ‘Ammaar ra was another slave. He was often beaten up cruelly and asked to renounce Islam. His father Yaasir ra and his mother