Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 40
40 Umar drew his sword to attack his brother-in-law, but his sister parried the blow, and received a slight injury which drew blood. This served to check further violence on the part of Umar, and in the end he asked that he might also hear what was being recited to them. Umar listened to the recitation (20:15 ⎯ 17) and marvelled at it. “Surely this is the truth,” he exclaimed. Proceeding immediately to the Prophet, he made his submission to Islam. Umar’s acceptance of Islam was fervently welcomed by the Muslims, who had hitherto always congregated in secret and had performed their worship five times a day behind closed doors. They now felt that with a man of Umar’s standing among them, they could worship God openly. Umar’s conversion did not, however, bring about any change in the attitude of the Meccans. Umar was treated in the same manner as the rest of the Muslims. Persecution grew more bitter and intense. Aiming to starve them out, a complete boycott of the Muslims and those who sided with them was put into effect. The small band of Muslims, together with some members of the Prophet’s family who, though they did not believe in his mission nevertheless stood by him against Meccan persecution, were completely blockaded within a