Life of Ahmad — Page 769
as JIHAD 769 at once lead us to suspect the real cause of the patience was in all probability nothing but cowardice and want of means for retaliation. But the fact that a body of strong and stout men well versed in the arts of war should be thus tormented, their innocent children mercilessly butchered and their members put to the rack and that, with all these excesses on the part of the enemy, they should still refrain from doing any evil in return is without a parallel in the history of the world. The admirable quality of manly courage and fortitude shown by our Prophet sa and his Companions for the long period of thirteen years in which they had to face severe hardships at every step is undoubtedly unique; and if anyone doubts this statement, let him produce any similar instance from the history of the past great men. It is also worth remembering that when persecuted, the Prophet sa did not exercise his own judgment to devise some plan of deliverance but repeatedly advised his Companions to show forbearance. If ever a proposal was made for resistance it was rejected on the ground that the Divine command was for patience. Thus did they submit themselves to every sort of violence until permission for self-defence and retaliation came from heaven. Ransack the pages of history, dive deep into the lives of all eminent