Life of Muhammad — Page 155
sa 155 Muslim campers turned out for their morning prayers. Some went to and fro in quest of water for ablutions, others to supervise the lining up of worshippers for the service. Ab u Sufy a n ra could not understand this activity early in the morning. He was frightened. Was a new plan afoot to overawe him? "What can they all be doing?" he asked in sheer consternation. "Nothing to be afraid of," replied ‘ Abb a s ra. "They are only preparing for the morning prayers. " Ab u Sufy a n ra then saw thousands of Muslims lined up behind the Prophet sa , making the prescribed movements and devotions at the bidding of the Prophet sa — half prostrations, full prostrations, standing up again, and so on. ‘ Abb a s ra was on guard duty, so he was free to engage Ab u Sufy a n ra in conversation. "What could they be doing now?" asked Ab u Sufy a n ra. "Everything the Prophet sa does, is done by the rest. " "What are you thinking about? It is only the Muslim prayer, Ab u Sufy a n ra. Muslims would do anything at the bidding of the Prophet sa — give up food and drink for instance. " "True," said Ab u Sufy a n ra , "I have seen great courts. I have seen the court of the Chosroes and the court of the Kaiser, but I have never seen any people as devoted to their leader as Muslims are to their Prophet sa " ( H albiyya , Vol. 2, p. 90). Filled with fear and guilt, Ab u Sufy a n ra went on to ask ‘ Abb a s ra if he would not request the Prophet sa to forgive his own people — meaning the Meccans. The morning prayers over, ‘ Abb a s ra led Ab u Sufy a n ra to the Prophet sa. Said the Prophet sa to Ab u Sufy a n ra. "Has it not yet dawned upon you that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah?" "My father and my mother be a sacrifice to you. You have ever been kind, gentle and considerate to your kith and kin. I am certain now that if there were anyone else