The Message of Islam — Page 23
Opposition and Persecution 23 of being disowned? They made it plain that if Abu Talib did not adopt this course, they would be compelled to disown him. Abu Talib spoke to his nephew, conveying to him what the del- egation had said, but he replied firmly that while he lamented his uncle’s dilemma, he was under Divine orders which he could not disobey. ‘Do not give up your people, uncle’, said Muhammad saw. ‘I do not ask you to stand by me. You may disown me as they have suggested. As for me, the One and Only God is my Witness when I say that if they were to place the sun on my right and the moon on my left, I would not desist from preaching the truth that God commands. I must go on doing so until the end. ’ Abu Talib plunged into deep thought. He was not ready to declare his faith in the Prophet’s message, but he was very fond of him and must have felt a surge of pride at his firm and noble resolve to carry out his mission as commanded by God. Finally, he raised his head, and said: ‘Son of my brother, go thy way; do thy duty as thou seest it; my people may disown me, but I shall stand by thee. ’ The tempo of persecution continued to mount and the Prophet saw advised those of his followers who could do so to leave Makkah and migrate across the Red Sea to Abyssinia, where they would find conditions more bearable under the rule of the Christian Emperor. A small band under the leadership of a cousin of the Prophet saw departed for Abyssinia. A delegation of Quraish followed them, demanding of the Emperor that the fugitives be delivered to them. The Emperor heard both sides and rejected the demand of the Meccans. About this time, the persecuted and harassed Muslims of Makkah received some support and encouragement from the