Stories from Early Islam — Page 66
66 Seeing this the non-believers were greatly worried. They sent a deputation to the Prophet’s uncle and guardian, Abu Taalib. They said to him, ‘You are one of our chiefs, and for your sake we have so far spared your nephew. We demand that he should refrain from saying anything against our idols. If he agrees to this, there is no dispute between us and him. If you cannot persuade him to do this, then one of two things must happen. Either you will have to give up your nephew, or all your people will give you up’. Abu Taalib was much upset. He sent for the Holy Pro phet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and told him what had happened. The Prophet listened to him carefully. Tears came to his eyes. He did not want his uncle to suffer because of him. He said, ‘I ask you not to give up your people. I ask you not to stand by me. God is my witness, that even if they were to place the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, I would not desist from preaching the truth with which God has sent me’. Hearing this bold reply from his nephew, Abu Taalib said, ‘Son of my brother, go your way. Do your duty as you see it. Let my people give me up. I will stand by you’.