A Critique of Professor Arnold G. Toynbee’s Understanding — Page 39
39 and improvement: O Lord grant them wisdom and give them understanding of the truth of Islam. (Bokhari, Ghuzva - e - Tail. Moreover, in the ninth year of Hijra, (the calendar that begins from the date of Holy Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Madinah), a group from these very people came to visit Madinah. Disregarding the past completely, the Holy Prophet himself took care of all the obligations of a host. He arranged for all their needs and comforts, and made arrangements for them to stay in the Holy Mosque. A ll this was done with the greatest respect and dignity for the guests. ( Abu Daud, Zikr Taif ). This was the King, who bestowed upon even those who were the enemies of his very life, goodly treatment, care, and comfort. The King of both the material and spiritual Worlds, had the courage to forgive and forget, the worst of offences against himself. Wh at a glorious, merciful and gracious King indeed! The history of the Holy Prophet is full of the accounts of his love even for blood thirsty enemies. The Holy Prophet was subjected to every suffering and pain during his stay in Makkah. Tyranny upon tyranny, and injustice upon injustice were heaped upon th e Holy Prophet and his near and dear ones. The kind of sufferings he went through are difficult to find in human history. He was made to walk upon beds of thorns. Heaps of filth and dirt were thrown upon him. He was defiled by being called all kinds of abu sive names. All kinds of nefarious schemes and plans were hatched and carried out to make him fail in his mission. His companions were dragged on the burning sands of Arabia. They were disfigured by having burning coals placed on their bodies.