The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 217
VII - Days of Struggle 217 as per his request. On reaching Makkah, Ibni Daghinah rebuked the Chieftains of the Quraish saying, “Do you exile a man of such and such virtues?” After this, Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr ra made a small mosque in the veranda of his home, where he would observe prayers and recite the Holy Qur’ān. Since he was exceedingly soft-hearted, he would often weep while reciting the Holy Qur’ān. This sight would especially move the hearts of the women and children of the Quraish, who were relatively simple and free of religious prejudice. Since Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr ra was extremely revered among the Quraish, his fervent worship would pull the hearts of people towards Islām. Upon this, the Quraish complained to Ibni Daghinah that Abū Bakr ra recites the Qur’ān aloud and due to this our women, children and weaker ones are put to trial, thus forbid him. Ibni Daghna attempted to stop Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr ra , but he refused saying, “I cannot leave this on any account. However, if you are fearful, then I leave your protection, the protection of my Lord is sufficient for me. ” 1 After this, the Quraish inflicted many hardships upon Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr ra but he remained steadfast like a resolute rock. Acceptance of Ḥamzah ra In an attempt to narrate all the events related to the migration of Abyssinia at one place, many other concurrent events were left out, which shall be mentioned now. Until now the apparent state of the Muslims was very weak, because among them, there was not a single person (excluding Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr ra ) who possessed influence among the Quraish, or at least from whom the Quraish were somewhat pressured. But now, by the Grace of Allāh two such persons entered the fold of Islām, who, to some extent, by their dignity and awe, proved to reinforce the apparent glory of Islām. Our intent is Ḥaḍrat Ḥamzah bin ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib ra and Ḥaḍrat ‘ Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb ra , who accepted Islām one after the other in 6 Nabawī. Ḥamzah ra was the biological paternal uncle of the Holy Prophet sa. He loved the Holy Prophet sa dearly, but until now, he was an idolater. It was his practice to set out in the early morning, bow and arrow in hand, and would hunt all day long. In the evening, he would return to perform Ṭawāf of the Ka‘bah, and he would then hold sessions with the various gatherings of the Quraish, which were held in the courtyard of the Ka‘bah in groups of twos and fours. Afterwards, he would return home. One day, when Ḥamzah ra returned 1 Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, Kitābu Manāqibil-Anṣār, Bābu Hijratin-Nabiyyi sa wa Aṣḥābihī ilal-Madīnah, Ḥadīth No. 3905