The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page cliii
GENERAL INTRODUCTION Tā Hā. And he came upon the verses: Verily I am Allah; there is no God beside Me. So serve Me, and observe prayer for My remembrance. Surely the Hour is coming, and I am going to manifest it, that every soul may be recompensed for its endeavour (20:15, 16). The firm assertion of God's existence, the clear promise that Islam would soon establish genuine worship in place of the customary one current in Mecca these and a host of other associated ideas must have moved 'Umar. He could contain himself no longer. Faith welled up in his heart and he said, "How wonderful, how inspiring!" Khabbāb came out of his hiding, and said, "God is my witness, only yesterday I heard the Prophet pray for the conversion of 'Umar or ‘Amr Ibn Hishām. Your change is the result of that prayer. " 'Umar's mind was made up. He asked where the Prophet was and made straight for him at Dar-e-Ārqam, his bare sword still in his hand. As he knocked at the door, the Prophet's Companions could see 'Umar through the crevices. They feared lest he should have some evil design. But the Prophet said, "Let him come in. " 'Umar entered, sword in hand. "What brings you?" inquired the Prophet. "Prophet of God," said ‘Umar, "I am here to become a Muslim. " Allāhu Akbar, cried the Prophet. Allāhu Akbar, cried the Companions. The hills around Mecca echoed the cries. News of the conversion spread like wild fire and henceforward ‘Umar, the much-feared persecutor of Islam, himself began to be persecuted along with other Muslims. But ‘Umar had changed. He delighted now in suffering as he had delighted before in inflicting suffering. He went about Mecca, a much harassed person. Persecution Intensifies Persecution became more and more serious and unbearable. Many Muslims had already left Mecca. Those who stayed behind had to suffer more than ever before. But Muslims swerved not a bit from the path they had chosen. Their hearts were as stout as ever, their faith as steadfast. Their devotion to the One God was on the increase and so was their hatred for the national idols of Mecca. The conflict had become more serious than ever. The Meccans convened another big meeting. At this they resolved on an all-out boycott of the Muslims: The Meccans were to have no normal dealings with Muslims. They were neither to buy from them, nor to sell them anything. The Prophet, his family and a number of relations who, though not Muslims, still stood by him, were compelled to take shelter in a lonely place, a possession of Abū Ṭālib. Without money, without means and without reserves, the Prophet's family and relations suffered untold hardships under this blockade. For three years there was no slackening of it. Then at last, five decent members of the cxxvii