Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 36
36 None was secure against persecution, not even the Prophet himself, who was continuously subjected to all kinds of indignities and molestations. But the worst affected were the slaves who accepted Islam, and whose masters inflicted unbearable torments upon them in vain attempts to force them to recant. They were taken out during the scorching heat of the midday sun and were made to lie down on their bare backs on the burning sands and rocks, while sun- heated rocks and pebbles were heaped upon their bare bodies. Even inside the town, boys were incited to make them victims of their cruel sport. They would tie ropes to the ankles of a slave and drag him through the streets paved with rough, jagged stones, leaving him a lacerated mass of bruises and bleeding cuts. Some succumbed under such tortures. Nor were women spared, some of them being subjected to shameless and unmentionable torture. The Prophet’s soul was tormented by the sufferings thus inflicted upon his helpless followers for no reason save that they said: “God alone is our Lord. ” He could do nothing to alleviate his own or their lot. He counselled patience and steadfastness, and assured them that God would open a way for them. The Qureish, becoming more and more apprehensive of the inroads being made by the new dostrine, sent a delegation to Abu Talib, the Prophet’s