The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 208
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 208 that come and prostrate before Allāh. 1 After the recitation of these verses, the Holy Prophet sa and all the Muslims fell into prostration at once, and as a result, these words and this sight had such a miraculous effect on the Quraish, as they also fell into prostration involuntarily. This should not be surprising, for under such circumstances, as have been mentioned above, the human heart, at times, falls in awe and powerlessly commits such a deed as is against its actual principles and religion. Therefore, at times, we have witnessed that during a severe and sudden affliction, even an atheist cries out, ‘O God! O God!’ or ‘O Rām Rām!’ The Quraish were not even atheist, and they actually believed in the being of God. Hence, after the recitation of this majestic word, full of awe, the community of Muslims all at once fell into prostration; it had such a miraculous effect, that the Quraish powerlessly fell into prostration as well. However, such an influence is usually temporary, and man quickly returns to his original state. As such, same was the case here, for when the Quraish rose from prostration, they remained the very same idolaters they were before. In any case, this occurrence is such as is substantiated by authentic Aḥādīth. Hence, if the news of the return of the immigrants to Abyssinia is in fact true, it seems that the Quraish (who were ever-longing to have the immigrants of Abyssinia return) probably utilised this action to spread the rumour that the Quraish of Makkah had become Muslim, and that Makkah was now completely safe for Muslims. When this rumour reached the immigrants of Abyssinia, they were naturally delighted to hear it, and in the fervour of their delight, they quickly returned. When they were near Makkah, they were enlightened of the actual matter at hand, upon which some secretly, and others under the protection of a powerful and influential Chieftain of the Quraish, entered Makkah, while others set back again. Therefore, if there was any truth in the rumour that the Quraish became Muslim, it was merely confined to the incident of the prostration upon the recitation of chapter An-Najam. ُ وَاللّٰه ُ اَعْلَم In any case, if the immigrants of Abyssinia did in fact return, a majority of them set back again. Moreover, since the Quraish continued to progress in their infliction of suffering, and their tyrannies were increasing day by day, other Muslims, upon the instruction of the Holy Prophet sa , began secret preparations to migrate as well. They began to leave gradually whenever they could find an opportunity to do so. This chain of migration began such as ultimately the number of immigrants to Abyssinia reached 101, 18 of which 1 An-Najm (53:63)