Understanding Islam — Page 82
WHAT IS JIHAD? 80 Prophet Muhammad sa chose to award punishment for only a handful of Makkans whose crimes against humanity had been of the worst category. Most of these were also forgiven, later on. One of them was ’Ikrimah, son of the arch-enemy of the Muslims, Ab ū Jahl. ’Ikrimah was on the way to Abyssinia when his wife went after him and said to him, “Are you running away from a man as gentle and soft as Prophet Muhammad sa ?” She then assured him that he need not worry and that Prophet Muhammad sa will forgive him too. ‘Ikrimah then returned to Makkah and said to Prophet Muhammad sa , “I understand from my wife that you have forgiven even one like me”. Prophet Muhammad sa affirmed that he had forgiven him. At that point, ’Ikrimah was so overwhelmed by the magnanimity of Prophet Muhammad sa that he made the declaration of faith and became a Muslim right there and then. This is what caused the religion of Islam to spread very rapidly, not fear or violence or brutality! Explaining the reasons for the spread of Islam, the Promised Messiah as says: