Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 99
99 the philosophy that lay behind them and in urging the Muslims to order their lives accordingly. One day he announced that he had received the revelation: “In the name of Allah, Ever Gracious, Most Merciful. The help of Allah having come, and the Victory, and thou having witnessed men entering the religion of Allah in troops, hymn the praises of thy Lord, and seek His protection against their weaknesses. Surely He is Oft-Returning with compassion” (110:2 ⎯ 4). Abu Bakr concluded from this that as the Prophet’s mission had been fulfiled, he would not be spared to them for long, and he was overcome by emotion. The Prophet, observing this, remarked: “If it were permissible to love a human being with the heart’s full devotion, I would have so loved Abu Bakr, but such love is only for God;” and he went on to add that all doors that opened into the mosque should be closed except Abu Bakr’s. Soon the Prophet fell ill. For some days he continued to go to the mosque and lead the Prayers, but then he became too weak to do this. He directed Abu Bakr to lead the Prayers. One day he told those present that if there was anyone whom he might have injured by mistake or unwittingly, that person should come forward now so that he might make suitable amends, as he did not wish to appear before his Maker with any obligation undischarged. One of them came