Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 399
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 399 mounting Qaswa he proceeded to the Ka’aba and performed the circuits of the House. He then directed the demolition of the idols that were installed inside and around the Ka’aba. As each idol fell, he recited the verse: ‘Truth has come and falsehood has van ished away. Falsehood does indeed vanish fast’ (17:82). Thus was the Ka’aba restored to its true purpose, the worship of the One God, for which it was originally designed. He then desired Bilal to make the Call for Prayer from the top of the Ka’aba, and worship was performed by the surrounding multitude, as it has been ever since, according to the ritual of the mosque of Medina. A crier was then sent through the city with th e proclamation ‘Whoever believeth in God, and in the Last Day, let him not leave in his house any image whatever that he doth not break in pieces. ’ He likewise deputed a party of Khuzaa to repair the boundary pillars around the sacred territory. Thus he ga ve practical proof that while determined to uproot idolatry from the land, he was equally resolved to uphold the sanctity of Mecca. He won the hearts of the inhabitants by his ardent declaration of attachment to the city. ‘Thou art the choicest spot on ear th unto me,’ he said, ‘and the most delectable. If thy people had not cast me forth, I would never have forsaken thee. ’ Ansar now began to express their fear that, as the Lord had given him victory over his native city, he would not return to Medina as his home. He overheard it and, calling them around him, assured them he would never quit Medina. ‘God forbid it,’ he said. ‘Where ye live, there will I live, and there too shall I die. ’ Having performed these immediate and necessary tasks, the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, sent for the leaders of Quraish