Mahzarnama (The Memorandum) — Page 119
Mahzarnama 119 cruelly the faithful servants of God who were the pride of mankind; and orphans and weak and humble women were slaughtered in the streets of Mecca. Even then the Divine command was clear that evil should not be opposed and the righteous ones carried out the command in every case. The streets turned red with their blood but they raised no cry. They were slaughtered like sacrificial lambs but they uttered no complaint. The Holy Messenger of God, upon whom be the endless peace of heaven and earth, was repeatedly made the target of stones that drew his blood; yet that mountain of truth and steadfastness bore all these torments with a cheerful and loving heart. This attitude of humility and steadfastness encouraged their enemies to intensify their persecution and they made this holy community their quarry. Then God who does not permit that cruelty and mercilessness should exceed all bounds turned with compassion towards His persecuted servants and His wrath was kindled against the wicked, and He informed His servants through the Holy Quran that He was a witness to everything that had been inflicted upon them and that He now gave them permission to oppose their opponents and that He was Mighty and would not leave the wrongdoers unpunished. This was the commandment which was designated Jehad. It was set forth in the fo llowing words: Permission to fight is granted to those against whom war is made, because they have been wronged and Allah indeed has the power to help them. They are those who have been driven out of their homes unjustly (22:40-41). [British Government and Jehad, Roohaani Khazaa’in vol. 17, pp. 3-6] "Islam permits taking up of the sword only in opposition to people who themselves take it up first, and it permits the