Religious Problem in India

Author(s): Annie Besant
Publisher: Theosophist Office Adyar

Page 21

ISLAM
13
He flies to Medina, and there they welcome him, and there disciples begin to crowd around him, and he is made the ruler of the State. But see, his enemies follow him from Mecca, hosts of those who persecuted and who tortured his followers, and his own band is small, while the hosts of the enemy are mighty. They join in battle-the battle of Badr. The Prophet cries aloud: "O Lord! if this little band were to perish, there will be none to offer unto Thee pure worship." There is a furious struggle; blasts of bitter wind and sand seem to fight for the Muslims. The victory is won, for the forces of the divine Power are with him, and he is indeed to be seen by all men as the Prophet of the Lord. This is Muhammad's first bloodshed-repelling an attack. He had ever been tender, compassionate, "the womanish," his enemies called him; but now he is no longer private individual, forgiving all wrongs done to himself; he is ruler of a State, general of an army, with duties to the followers who trust him. The days are coming when the crimes that as a man he would have forgiven, as ruler he must punish, and Muhammad the Prophet is no weak sentimentalist. After the victory of Badr two men only were executed, and, contrary to Arab usage, the prisoners were, by the Prophet's order, treated with the greatest kindness, the Muslims giving them bread and keeping only dates for themselves.
Now follow years of struggle, and years of trouble, years of difficulty, of quarrels amongst his followers, * Ibid, p. 145.