Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 417
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 417 meanwhile familiarised with the requirements of Islam, the wishes of the Holy Prophet might then without difficulty be carried into effect. But the Holy Prophet would not consent. Two years, one year, six months were asked successively, and successively re fused. The grace of one month might surely be conceded, they begged, but the Holy Prophet was firm. Islam and the idol could not co - exist. The idol must fall without a single day’s delay. They then begged to be excused performance of the daily prayers, and that someone else might be deputed to destroy the image. ‘As for the demolition of the idol with your own hands,’ replied the Holy Prophet, ‘I will dispense with that; but prayer is indispensable. Without prayer religion were naught. ’ To this they submitt ed. They pleaded that the forest of Wajj, a famous preserve for the chase in the vicinity of Taif, might be declared inviolate, and to this the Holy Prophet acceded, and the embassy, having finally tendered their allegiance, left with a prescript to the ef fect that they had desired. Abu Sufyan and Mughira, both friends of the tribe, were deputed by the Holy Prophet to accompany the envoys and destroy their idol. Mughira, wielding a pick - axe and surrounded by a guard of his relatives, attacked the great image, and, amid the cries and w ailings of the women, with his own hand hewed it to the ground. Taif was the last stronghold that held out against the authority of the Holy Prophet. It was also the only place where the fate of an idol excited the sympathy of the people. Everywhere else t he idols were destroyed by the people themselves without a pang. The month of pilgrimage now drew near and the Holy