Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 90
90 led by Khalid was attacked by the Meccans and there was a clash resulting in the death of about a dozen men. News of this was brought quickly to the Prophet, and he immediately issued orders which stopped further bloodshed. The Prophet proceeded to the Ka’aba, and himself smashed one by one the idols that had been installed therein. As each idol fell, he recited the verse: “Truth has come and falsehood has vanished away. Falsehood does indeed vanish fast” (17:82). Thus was the Ka’aba restored to its true purpose, the worship of the One God, as was intended by Abraham. Having performed these immediate and necessary tasks, and having prayed inside and outside the Ka’aba in thankfulness to God for all His favours, the Prophet sent for the leaders of the Qureish and asked them how he should deal with them. They replied that they fully merited whatever punishment he might choose to inflict upon them, but that they knew he was a generous brother and would deal with them as such. The Prophet pronounced judgement in the words addressed by the Prophet Joseph to his brethren: “No retribution shall be exacted from you this day” (12:93). All the scorn and ridicule poured on him by the Meccans; their implacable hatred and enmity; the long years of bitter, cruel, and sustained persecution; all the