Chief of the Prophets — Page 55
Chapter Four 55 This is not foul language, rather it is the truth as revealed to me, and it is for this purpose that I have been commissioned, that I may show them their evils and invite them towards the right path. If I must die in this cause, I will gladly accept my fate. My life is devoted in this cause, and I shall not abstain from the expression of the truth because of threats and intimidation. O Uncle! If you are worried on account of your weakness and distress, then by all means relinquish your protection of me. I shall never refrain from the conveyance of Divine injunctions. By God! If these people place the sun on my one hand and the moon on the other, even then I shall not refrain from the fulfillment of my mission. I shall continue my work until I am successful or I die in this endeavour. Muḥammad sa was delivering this address while his face was lit up with the fervour of truth and serenity. When Muḥammad sa had concluded his speech, Abū Ṭālib, having noticed the light of truth radiating from him had tears flowing down his eyes. He said: I was unaware of this exalted station of yours. You possess a strange majesty and grandeur. My nephew, go then and engage in your work. Until I live, I shall stand with you with my full strength. The Third Delegation When the Quraish still did not succeed in their objective, they thought of a novel plan. They decided to present a person known for his intelligence and qualities to Abū Ṭālib to persuade him to exchange Muḥammad sa for him. Therefore, they took ‘Ammārah bin Walīd to Abū Ṭālib and said: We have brought ‘Ammārah bin Walīd along with us, for you are aware that he is but one of the finest young men of the Quraish. Take this young man in exchange for Muḥammad sa , and benefit from him as you wish. If you see fit take him as