Through Force or Faith? — Page 130
?— A Reply to Pope Benedict XVI 130 But the Muslims were enjoined by their master to be patient and forgiving. ( Sunan Nasā’ī, Kit a bul Jihad, Chapter on Reasons for Jihad, part 6, p. 3) Instigations Against Muslims While the Holy Prophet Muhammad s as was in Makkah, he per- severed with all kinds of atrocities. Ultimately, however, he was forced to migrate from there. But, alas, the tyrants did not give up the chase and further advanced in hostility. They became more invigorated and charged to annihilate Islam. Initially, they asked the Aus and Khazraj, the Medinite tribes, to withdraw their shel- ter of Muslims. ( Abū Dāwūd, Kit a bul Khar a j, Chapter on the News about Na d īr) Having failed in this effort, the infidels visited other tribes of Arabia and started instigating them against Islam. Because of the custodianship of the House of Ka‘bah, the Quraish had a certain clout with all tribes of Arabia. Many tribes became bitter enemies of Muslims due to this instigation. Madinah was engulfed with fire all around it. An explicit account is provided in many narra- tions. In one narration, Ubayy bin Ka‘b, who was a stalwart com- panion, says: When the Messenger of Allah and his companions came to Madinah and their hosts gave them shelter, the whole of Arabia stood up against them united. In those days, Muslims even slept armed because of the fear at night and moved about carrying their weapons during the day, lest there be a surprise invasion. They used to say to each other