The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page cclvii
GENERAL INTRODUCTION dismounted and, holding the stirrup of the Prophet's mule, started going on foot. Sword in hand, he walked by the side of the Prophet determined not to let anyone come near the Prophet's person without first attacking and killing him. The Prophet watched this change in Abū Sufyān with delight and astonishment. He reflected on this fresh evidence of the power of God. Only ten or fifteen days before, this man was raising an army to put an end to the Movement of Islam. But a change had come. An erstwhile enemy commander now stood by the Prophet's side, as an ordinary foot-soldier, holding the stirrup of his Master's mule, and determined to die for his sake. 'Abbās saw the astonishment in the Prophet's look and said, "Prophet of God, this is Abū Sufyan, son of your uncle, and so your brother. Aren't you pleased with him?" "I am," said the Prophet, "and I pray, God may forgive him all the wrongs he has done. " Then turning to Abū Sufyān himself, he said, "Brother!" Abū Sufyan could not restrain the affection welling up in his heart. He bent and kissed the Prophet's foot in the stirrup he was holding (Ḥalbiyyah). After the battle of Ḥunain, the Prophet returned the war material he had received on loan. While returning it he compensated the lenders many times over. Those who had made the loan were touched by the care and consideration which the Prophet had shown in returning the material and in compensating the lenders. They felt the Prophet was no ordinary man, but one whose moral example stood high above others. No wonder, Ṣafwān joined Islam at once. A Sworn Enemy Becomes a Devoted Follower The battle of Hunain ever reminds historians of another interesting incident which took place while it was in progress. Shaibah, a resident of Mecca and in the service of the Ka'bah, took part in the encounter on the side of the enemy. He says that he had only one aim before him in this battle—that when the two armies met, he would find an opportunity to kill the Prophet. He was determined that even if the whole world joined the Prophet (let alone the whole of Arabia), he would stand out and continue to oppose Islam. When fighting became brisk, Shaibah drew his sword and started advancing towards the Prophet. As he came very near, he became unnerved. His determination began to shake. "When I got very near the Prophet," says Shaibah, "I seemed to see a flame threatening to consume me. I then heard the voice of the Prophet saying, 'Shaibah, come near me. ' When I got near, the Prophet moved his hand over my chest in great affection. As he did so, he said, 'God, relieve Shaibah of all satanic thought'. " With this little touch of affection Shaibah changed. His hostility and enmity evaporated, and from that moment Shaibah held the Prophet dearer than anything else in the world. As Shaibah changed, ccxxxi