The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 295
VIII - Expansion of Preaching 295 who was a claimant to prophethood in the final era of the Holy Prophet sa. The visits of the Holy Prophet sa to various tribes, presents an astonishing illustration. The King of both worlds, in whose name latter Muslim rulers (the mention of whom would make the world tremble) would step down from their thrones, goes to the pavilions of the Bedouin chieftains of Arabian tribes, and knocking on every single pavilion, he presents them with the message of the Creator of this world and the next. In persistence, he humbly appeals that this is for your benefit, take it. But every door is closed upon him, and he hears the voice ‘Be gone, there is no place for you here’ from every single pavilion. This servant then picks up his holy bale of wealth and starts off in the direction of another pavilion. In any case, now the Islāmic outlook was dark from all four sides. The Quraish were bloodthirsty enemies of Islām and always remained concerned as to how it could be annihilated. The people of Ṭā’if showered the Holy Prophet sa with stones upon his mentioning Islām, and the other tribes of Arabia had outright rejected him. Therefore, in terms of apparent means, Islām was in a state of: 1 - But Islām was a religion sent by God, and it was He who had promised its victory, and during this era as well, promises were being made for its assistance and succour. Rather, it is interesting to note that in the divine revelation of this era, the forthcoming success and triumph of Islām was being illustrated in very powerful and awe-inspiring words. Furthermore, prophecies of the imminent failures and ruin of the enemies of Islām were being announced to the world. The Quraish would hear this and impetuously laugh, but the God of all the worlds was about to show these sights, and something was soon to be shown from the veil of the unseen. Therefore, suddenly the bank of Yathrib broke and fell, and the water of the Islāmic spring, which until this time continued to strike its own corners due to a barrier in all four directions, vigorously gushed forth. However, before we describe its circumstances, it seems necessary to write about Yathrib and the people of Yathrib in brief, so that it becomes easier to comprehend their relevant occurrences. 1 A Persian phrase used to indicate complete helplessness and literally translates as, ‘No place to remain, no feet to leave. ’ (Publishers)