Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 296
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 296 Ansar, as both were eager to obtain his co - operation. The matter was submitted to the Holy Prophet, and, after listening to both sides, he observed with a smile, ‘Salman is neither Emigrant nor of Ansar; he is a member of my family and is one of us. ’ Thenc eforward, Salman was always known as a member of the Holy Prophet’s family. Each party of ten divided their task among themselves and started the work of preparing the trench in right earnest. But the digging was not easy and the weather, being cold, added to the difficulties. Almost all the able - bodied Muslims had been drafted fo r the digging of the trench, and all other occupations were laid aside, so that those who were dependent upon their daily labour for their livelihood suffered great privation through hunger and lack of nourishment. The Holy Prophet stimulated the enthusias m of the Muslims by himself carrying basket - loads of excavated earth, and joining in their songs, as at the building of the mosque: O Lord, there is no happiness but that of the hereafter. O Lord, have mercy on Ansar and Emigrants. He also frequently repeated the following verses, covered as he was, like the rest, with earth and dust: O Lord, without Thee, we had not been guided! We would neither have given alms, nor yet have prayed! Send down upon us tranquillity, and in battle make our steps firm! For they have risen up against us, and sought to pervert us, but we refused! Yea, we refused.