The Seal of Prophets - His Personality and Character — Page 29
The Seal of Prophets 29 approached him in Mecca and begged him to liberate Zaid ra. He said: “Of course I will do that but why not ask him? He is a free man; if he wants to stay I cannot compel him to leave. ” So he kept quiet while Zaid ra was made to appear before his father and uncle. There was an emotional meeting as they had met after a long time. They asked Zaid ra to return to his home. He replied: “If the choice is mine, I will not return because I have discovered a man who is dearer to me than my father, my mother, my uncle and everyone else in the world. ” Hearing this, the Holy Founder sa of Islam took them out and, in the presence of some people proclaimed: “I declare that Zaid ra is no longer a slave. From now on he will be my adopted son. ”