Unity of God — Page 43
43 and the Teachings of Muhammad s as hauled over rough terrain, and had their eyes gouged out. The persecution became so intense that the Holy Prophet s as ultimately fled his hometown. Yet, the Makkans would not leave him in peace, even in his new city. They incited the locals against him and even tried to enlist the support of Caesar and Chosroes 22 against him. In the end, the tides turned, and the Holy Prophet s as led an army of 10,000 holy men into Makkah. At this moment, memories of all the acts of oppression and violence committed against them came flooding back, and their blood boiled with the desire for revenge. One of the regimental commanders said, ‘The Makkans will show no mercy. Today, we will avenge the tortures. ’ At this, Abu Sufyan approached the Holy Prophet s as and complained that the commander’s comments had caused him distress. The Holy Prophet s as called for the commander and told him, ‘You are relieved of your duties because you have disregarded the feelings of the Makkan disbelievers. ’ Remember, it was unclear how Makkans would react to the Muslim army. Nor was the outcome of the march to Makkah certain. Still, upon the complaint 22 Imperial titles of Roman and Persian emperors [Publishers]