Life of Ahmad — Page 761
as JIHAD 761 tortured to death. Many righteous persons, the flower of Arabian chivalry were ruthlessly butchered and cut into pieces by those savage tyrants. Fatherless children and helpless women were murdered in cold blood in the streets. Still the Muslims were commanded to suffer patiently and forbear retaliation. Calmly they faced these hardships and scrupulously obeyed the commandments of their Lord. Streets flowed with their blood but they uttered not a cry. They were slaughtered like sheep but they heaved not a sigh. Not only were the Companions subjected to these shocking persecutions but the Holy Prophet sa himself was often seriously injured with stones, but constant as the Northen Star and steady as time he bore all with an open heart filled with true love. On the other hand the patience and forbearance shown by the Muslims made their cruel persecutors the more arrogant and gave them hope of soon striking the death knell of Islam'. It was planned as a last measure to exterminate Islam by murdering the Holy Prophet sa himself, with the result that he had to leave Mecca. All this, however, did not satisfy the enemies of Islam and they pursued the Holy Prophet sa to execute their evil designs. He reached Medina. Even then his enemies did not relax their efforts to uproot Islam. The whole of Arabia responded to the call of the Koraish, 'the ancient, servitors of the national gods,' and marched to the slaughter of the Muslims. And it was not until their enemies were upon them that