Islam and the Freedom of Conscience — Page 47
~ 47 ~ relatives were ever looking for him and came to know that their son was in Mecca. They reached Mecca and having found out their son's whereabouts came to the Holy Prophet sa. They offered him as much wealth as he wanted for the freedom of their son, saying his mother was desperately aggrieved. The Holy Prophet sa told them that he had already freed Zaid so he was free to go, and that he did not want any money. His people asked him to come. However, the son replied, 'I have met with you and this is sufficient, if an opportunity comes by, I shall meet my mother as well, however, I cannot come with you people now. I am now the slave of the Prophet sa and there is no question of separation from him. I love the Prophet sa more than one could love one's mother and father. ' Zaid's father and uncles urged him but he refused to go. Seeing the love of Zaid, the Holy Prophet sa said, 'Zaid was already free but from today he is my son. ' Zaid's father and uncles left for their homeland while Zaid remained there permanently. 19 After prophethood, the Holy Prophet's sa values of freedom were further enhanced. Besides his inherent good nature he had the directive of the Sharia revealed to him that 19 Introduction to the Study of the Holy Quran by Hadrat Mirza Bash i r ‐ ud ‐ D i n Ma h m u d Ahmad Khalifatul Masih II, p. 112