Our Beloved Master - His Early Life — Page 128
•oUR BELoVED MASTER• 128 the middle phase of idol worshipping. When idol worship became deeply rooted in Arabia, the Arabs did not even need to take three stones with them on journeys. During a journey wherever they stopped, they would just pick up any stone out of their pocket, worship it and then put it back in their pocket. Strangely, even though they were devoted to these stone idols, when they were unhappy with a situation they would curse at these very same gods! The story of Imra’ul-Qais, a very famous poet tells more about this practice. It was very unfortunate that someone killed Imra’s father. This naturally saddened him a great deal. Imra decided to ask his idol to guide him in whether to take revenge for the killing of his father. People would draw lots to see what the idol wished to say. The idol told him that he should not take revenge. The poet became very angry but thought maybe the draw of the lot was not right, as an idol cannot be so unjust. He decided to pick another stone. But yet again the draw of the lot showed that revenge should not be taken. Now the poet lost control and became very angry. In his rage he spat at his god and said, “How dare you! If your father had been killed, then I’d like to see you