Life of Muhammad — Page 9
sa 9 Young Zaid ra , newly freed, saw at once that it was better to sacrifice freedom for the sake of slavery to the Prophet sa. When the Prophet sa set the slaves free, Zaid ra refused to be freed and asked leave to continue to live with the Prophet sa. He did so, and as time went on his attachment to the Prophet sa grew. But in the meantime Zaid's ra father and his uncle were on his track and they ultimately heard that he was in Mecca. In Mecca they traced him in the house of the Prophet sa. Coming to the Prophet sa , they asked for the liberty of Zaid ra and offered to pay as much ransom as the Prophet sa should demand. The Prophet sa said that Zaid ra was free and could go with them as he liked. He sent for Zaid ra and showed him his father and uncle. After the parties had met and dried their tears, Zaid's ra father told him that he had been freed by his kind Master and, as his mother was much afflicted by the separation, he had better return home. Zaid ra replied, "Father! who does not love his parents? My heart is full of love for you and mother. But I love this man Muhammad sa so much that I cannot think of living elsewhere than with him. I have met you and I am glad. But separation from Muhammad sa I cannot endure. " Zaid's ra father and his uncle did their utmost to persuade Zaid ra to return home with them but Zaid ra did not agree. Upon this the Holy Prophet sa said, "Zaid ra was a freedman already, but from today he will be my son. " Seeing this affection between Zaid ra and the Prophet sa , Zaid's ra father and uncle went back and Zaid ra remained with the Prophet sa ( Hish a m ). THE PROPHET sa RECEIVES HIS FIRST REVELATION When the Prophet sa was over thirty years of age, love of God and love of His worship began to possess him more and more. Revolting against the mischiefs, misdeeds and the many vices of the people of Mecca, he chose a spot two or three miles away for his meditations. This was on top of a hill, a sort of cave shaped out of stone. His wife Khad i ja ra would prepare food enough for