Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 34
34 uncle, announced that not only was Zaid a free man, but that henceforth he would be treated like a son. Abu Bakr, who had been away from Mecca when the Prophet proclaimed his mission, returned to hear reports that his friend Muhammad must have become afflicted with madness, inasmuch as he had announced that God had commanded him to proclaim His Unity and to denounce idols. Abu Bakr on hearing this exclaimed: “That mouth utters no lies!” He then sought out the Prophet and inquired whether what he had heard was true. The Prophet tried to explain, but Abu Bakr was insistent that his question be answered Yes or No. The Prophet then affirmed that what Abu Bakr had heard was true. Said Abu Bakr: “I believe. ” He added that he had not wished to hear any explanation at this stage because of his firm conviction that the Prophet was incapable of uttering an untruth, let alone inventing a lie against God. These four joined the Prophet and undertook to help him spread the Divine Light. When this became known to the Meccans, they laughed in derision. But they did not laugh long. Verse by verse the revelation proceeded, “precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little there a little” (Isa. 28:13) until many wondered, and some began to be drawn to it. Among those who still resisted, mockery gave way to active concern. They awakened to the fact that