The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 261
The Holy Prophetsa 261 spent in Mecca which extended over thirteen years and the other spent in Medina extending over ten years. His. Meccan life illustrated his name Aḥmad. During that period his time was spent weeping before God, in seeking His help and in supplication. He who is fully informed of his. Meccan life knows that no lover could ever equal the tears the Holy Prophets shed and the supplications he made during that period in search of his Beloved, nor can any lover ever do so in future. . His weeping was not for himself but was on account of his awareness of the condition of the world. The worship of God had disappeared and God Almighty, having put faith in his soul, had inspired him with a joy and delight. . He naturally desired to communicate this delight and love to the world, but when he observed the condition of the world and the capacities and natures of the people, he was confronted with great difficulties. He wept over this condition of the world so much that he put his life in danger. This is indicated in the verse: 154 لعَلَّكَ بَاخِعُ نَفْسَكَ اَلا يَكُونُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ (4). This was his life of supplication and was the manifestation of his name Aḥmad. At that time he was concentrating in a grand manner and the concentration manifested its effect in his life in Medina at the time when the significance of his name Muḥammad was revealed, as is indicated in the verse: وَاسْتَفْتَحُوا وَخَابَ كُلُّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيْهِ 155 154 'Haply thou wilt grieve thyself to death because they believe not. al-Shu'arā', 26:4 [Publisher] 155 'They prayed for victory, and as a result thereof every haughty enemy of truth came to naught. '-Ibrāhīm, 14:16 [Publisher]