Chapter 4: Mothers and Mayhem

In the name of Allah, the most merciful and kind, you are about to listen to an audio representation of the life of the Prophet Muhammad. It does not replace a thorough studying of his life. Now, sit back and enjoy the show.

Hey, look. It's that kid. Hey Ali, where you going? What do you want? Watch your attitude, kid. Is it true? You're a rebel? Yeah, you a little traitor to your people? No. What are you talking about? Everyone been saying you believe in your crazy cousin. Yeah, I heard he got magical words that can hypnotize you.

He's not crazy and he's not a magician. Now leave me alone. Uh leave me alone. I said watch your attitude, boy. Oh hey, back off you lousy rats. Leave Ali alone. Ali, are you alright? I'm fine. Thanks, Doc. What you guys got anything else to say? Come on, let's go. Yeah, you better, huh? Those coward. Ali ibn Ebi Talib dusted off his skinny shins. His knee was bleeding.

Alha ibn Urbaydilla watched him with concern. Did they hurt your army? They were making fun of the Rasul. They called him crazy. They didn't have anything to say when we showed up. The other boy was Ali's cousin, Zubair ibn Lawam. Don't listen to them, Ali. They don't know anything about Islam.

These days, Talha and Zubayr were the only real friends he had. All of Mecca had seen and heard his undying support of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and instantly turned him into a pariah. Follow me. My house is close by. I'll get you some water for your need. Thanks. You guys shouldn't have helped me.

Neither of you have any help. They're going to wonder why you helped someone outside your plant. They're going to suspect you're muffling. I don't care. Disobey you. What? I'm not afraid of anyone except Allah. Walha and Zubayr had become Muslims years ago. Ali was grateful for them, but he was also really concerned. I'm serious guys. Muslims are getting caught every day. Did you guys hear what happened to Khobeb? No. What happened?

He got jumped by the Koseya tribe. They knocked him out. And don't even get me started on what my Uncle Abu Lehab is doing. I'm not gonna just let people make fun of the prophet and get away with it. Can you spare a coin? Zubair, the Rasun never ordered us to fight anyone. And besides, as long as nobody knows you're a Muslim, nobody's gonna bother you. I'm just saying, if it comes down to it, I'm gonna stand my ground.

The trio arrived at Zubair's house. If anyone has a problem with me being Muslim, let them taste my sword. I'm not afraid of anyone. What did you say? The three boys cowered at the towering figure of Safia bint Abdul Muttalid. She was the paternal aunt of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and Zubair's mother. I uh um uh Did you just say you were a Muslim? Mom, I I need

Uh hey Zubeh, uh I think my knee's fine. I should get going. Yeah, I I need to get going too. Bye Zubeir. Sophia narrowed her eyes venomously at her son. He shrank back. decided to rebel against your family. Well, just wait till I'm through with you. CHAPTER four MOTHERS END MAHAM

Archery Shop Hazwara Market Sa'd ibn Abiwakas was examining a bow. He yanked on the string, Then brought it close to his face. His hair and beard gave him the appearance of a lion. Yeah. Did you make this bow? Which one? This one, right here in my hands? Sa'ad ibn Abi Wakas' brother. Why? What's wrong with it? Brother, the string is way too tight. We can't sell it like this. Maybe you're just too weak to pull it. Maybe I can pull your tongue instead. What was that? Nothing, nothing.

Altma, we have a customer. Hello, son. Oh, mother, it's you. Come in. I brought something. Come look. Sa'ad ibn Ebi Wakaz brought the heavy object to the center of the archery shop. It was wrapped in a camel skin. Mom, what is that? Well, boys, I want to introduce the two of you to your new god. Zad was dumbstruck at the idol, a statue of Hubal, who was Mother, why did you buy this? Well you've been hearing the news about this Mohammed Bellow and how he's I heard something. They could be anyone.

Customers! Great idea, mom. We can put it right here in the center. Doesn't that look good? We ask them to praise the God. Can it also protect us? Yes, son. Come here. Let's put Saadim and Ebi Wakas watched his mother and brother put their hands. on the idol. This was it. Yeah. You two son of the Abu Tonib. Abu Tonib. Alright, alright, one at a time. One at a time. Abu Tonib, Abu Tonib, is it true you've abandoned our religion and joined Muhammad's cult?

I remain on the religion of my ancestors, and Muhammad hasn't started a cult. Are the allegations true? Is he really using magic to corrupt slaves? What in no Muhammad is not a sorcerer. Where are you getting this nonsense from? Everyone, calm down. This is one big overreact. He isn't starting a cult or a rebellion. All he's doing is calling people to go from worshiping many gods to just one. That's it. Are you gonna keep offering him protection even though he's committing blasphemy?

Yeah! Woe to you, he's my nephew! Of course I'm going to keep protecting him. So you're responsible for shutting him up? Ain't no one gonna use magic on me. For the last time, he's not using magic. The Quran is just words. No more questions. Everyone My property. Abu Talib slumped down on the floor cushion. His family eyed him with concern. Well, I could have gone better. Are you all right, father? I'm fine, Jaffa. They're not listening to reason. They've completely lost their senses.

I think it's time we acknowledge that this is a very real problem. This isn't petty gossip anymore. People are scared. And when people are scared, they do stupid things. I've already spoken to Muhammad. He won't budge. He is determined to continue calling people to Saddam. Islam. Islam, right. I know you're not going to like this. But we should expect Walid Abin Morira to call for an assembly any day now. The utterance of Walid's name did not help Abu Talib's mood.

In times like this, he felt very, very old. Where's Abu Lahib? This was supposed to be a family meeting. He doesn't answer any of us any more. He acts like we don't exist. Good. You better not show his face to me again. Hamza, you No, I'm serious about all that. He turned on Muhammad like a wolf. It was disgusting. My question for you, Hamza, is where is your sister? Safiya? I don't know. She said she was coming. Abu Talib also noticed Safia's absence. Where could she possibly be?

زبير بن العوام sat on a tree stump that had been turned into a makeshift chair. He had his hands on his knees. He was looking down at the floor. His mother was pacing the room in front of him. He hadn't said a word, and he didn't dare look away from the floor. Sophia kept muttering to herself as she paced. Raised you better than this. Just can't believe me.

Zubayah didn't really know what she was waiting for. His mother had never hesitated to beat him for even the slightest mistake in the past. He still had some scars on his back from some previous beats. His mother discovering his religion was always a possibility in his head, but it was always coupled with the prospect of him dying a violent death. Fine.

Nophal, welcome. Zubair didn't look around to see who entered, but he was aware that his uncle Nophal was now a few bow lengths behind him. Has he said anything yet? No, he won't answer me. I need you to bring him to his senses. Boy, look at me. Now once does I'm hear about you disobeying your mother? I uh I became a Muslim a while ago and A Muslim? I've never heard of anything called a Muslim before.

Well, it's the religion of Allah we we only worship Listen, I don't know who you've been hanging around with or what you've been hearing, but we've raised you to worship the gods of Mecca! Understand. Your mother here feeds ya, clothes ya. She carried your useless hat around when you were a baby. I think that Muhammad gives it the right to decide what damn religion you follow. Zubayir swallowed hard. That Muhammad is causing a lot of trouble.

It's bad enough it's already messed up your right categorie. But I'm hearing from people everywhere that he's terror family is a part. You're not gonna be a part of something like that. Understand? Zubair looked down at his shoes. It's for your own good, Zubair. These ideas are dangerous. This is what your father would have wanted.

Listen to your mother boy. You're going to leave Islam and come with us to the shrine of Lat. You'll ask the goddess to forgive you. And then you'll never talk to Muhammad again. Understand? Zubair felt a lump in his throat. He kept looking down at the floor. Understand. Zubair was trembling now. He looked at his uncle. There was a vein throbbing in his neck. No. Don't you dare talk back to me. I asked you a question. Do you understand?

No, I'm not leaving Islam. You little Let go, stop! Zubay was tackled to the floor. His uncle put him in a chokehold. Right across the floor. You're acting like a big man. You see your old tough talking back? Zubir tried to stand up, but the kick to his stomach No, if I've just stopped, what are you doing? and flung him into the Not till you leave Islam. And I'll free you. What are you doing? Sleep him for a bit. rolled it up in a ball.

Naofa took the curtain and shoved it into the oven, igniting it instantly. He stormed over to the closet with the smart Yeah. There was no air. Choke you to death. I won't disbelieve in Islam. I'll never disbelieve. Never! You're going to kill him! No! No! Sebastian! Help my son Never Never leave. He's not dead. He's just lost contact. When he wakes we'll do it again. Woe to you! This isn't what I asked you to do.

Listen to me! All these years where I've had to act like this kid's father because my brother died, how many times did I tell you to stop hitting him? To stop abusing him? But now when he's actually gonna done something that's gonna stain our clan's name and bring dishonor to your family, now you wanna go easy on him? Sink woman! I just wanted to I just wanted him to be tough. You almost killed him. He's young and stupid. He doesn't know what he's doing.

We have to do whatever it takes to make him come back to the truth. You understand? Whatever it takes. I just don't want to lose my son. The only way you're gonna lose your son is if he stays a Muslim. Look at me. Sophia reluctantly looked at her brother-in-law. We're going to save your son. I promise you.

What do you mean hunger strike? I mean she's not eating. She refuses to put anything in her mouth until I leave a slam. Sa'ad ibn Ebi Wakaz was pacing back and forth in front of the Zemzem well. Tolha grunted as he pulled up the water bucket. She doesn't actually mean that, does she?

She does! She hasn't eaten or drunk anything for almost three days now. She won't bathe. She won't stay under the shade when it's hot. She won't even pick the lights from her hair. Nothing. Is your mom trying to kill herself?

I don't know. She wants to guilt me into leaving a slam. Are you going to leave a slam? Of course not! Then just tell her it won't work. She has to eat something eventually. My mom's giving me a lot of trouble, but look at me, I'm not leaving a slam. Batalha! It's my mother! I can't call her bluff and then find out she was serious. My family had to force water down her throat yesterday. If she keeps this up, my mom will die.

Saad had never felt so upset in his life. He wished his mom had never discovered he was a Muslim. Balha looked shrewd. Hmm. Arni, you're the most knowledgeable on this land. What should Saud do? Hmm. Well, leaving a slim would be the destruction of your afterlife sad. But Allah also commands us to obey our command. So? What do I do? In this case, why not just ask the Rasul? He would know what to do. And if he doesn't, then a lower.

Besides, you're from the Benuzor, just like the prophet's mother. That makes you like a cousin or an uncle to him, right? You're right. I should go to Darul Aqam right now. Whoa, not a good idea. Brother, we're being watched. The Rasul is only going there at night now. During the day he only takes small groups of Muslims to Abu Talib's valley. Yeah, we have to be extra careful, especially after what happened to the Zubair? What happened to Zubair?

Smoke. It was all around him. It stung his nostrils and singed his skin. The sparks were everywhere and he was. Pull him out. Thank you. His precious life. Me and ask Question after question. Smoke. We've been at this for an entire camel slaughter today. Are you prepared to die for your religion over your mother? If you showed this much courage on a You would have been the pride of the family. But no, you prefer to tear your throat out for Muhammad. Pull him out. His face was black with ash.

You leave. I will not disbelieve! That's it. I give up. Where are you going? The fire at- I need a drink. What about Zubeir? You wanna kill him? Go for it. He's your son. I quit. Sophia bin Tabdel Muttarib was left completely bewildered. She looked down at the black thing rolled into a rug and covered in ash. That thing was her son, and he had just defeated her brother in law in a battle of will. For the first time in her life, Sophia saw something in Zubayrib. Strength.

Mom, mother, it's me. Sad. San? Yes, mother, it's me. Look, I brought some dates for you. Ajua, fresh from the souk, just as you like them. Have you? Have you left Mohammed's religion yet? Mom, please just eat. You can't starve yourself just because I will not eat. I will not. morsel in my mouth not until you repent and come back to our gods mom please don't make me choose between you and allah i can't if you fall

Follow Mohammed, then do as he says. He commands his followers to obey their parents. Yes? Yes, but then do as I say, son. Leave Islam. Then I will eat. He couldn't bear to look at her emaciated form any longer. There was lice in her hair. Saad ibn Ebi Wakas left the dates at his mother's feet. But he severely doubted she would actually eat them. Zad's brother, Rutba, was busy shooting arrows. Did she eat? No, she refuses. You know whose fault that is?

You better not say Muhammad. I was going to say you. What do you want me to do? Oh I don't know, Saad. Maybe just listen to your mom and stop rebelling against your people. You think I want her to starve herself? You think I like seeing her like this? You definitely love being a rebel more than your mom. This is why I kept this a secret from you guys all these years. None of you understand anything. How does it feel to be the first Arab in history to kill his own mother?

Abu Tonibs Valley. Noon. The valley was called such since it was the property of Abu Talib. It was one of the few things he uttered. Though it wasn't worth very much. Noontime was when the sun bore its unforgiving heat. Most people did not venture outside at this time, but Rasul, peace be upon him, led a small group of his companions to the valley. The entrance was a narrow crevice between two rocky outcrops.

Wow, that was a mighty long trek, Amar. Amar ibn Yasid offered some water to his mother, Sumeya. Mother, I told you you could pray at home. And miss praying with Rasulu? I would never do such a thing. ورسول peace be upon Found a secluded area under some shade. This is where they would come during the day to pray. Muslims were getting exposed and caught every day. He hoped coming out here instead of the house of Arkom would take some of the suspicion off of the less powerful of his followers.

The Rasul, peace be upon him, looked behind him. Besides Ammar and Sumayya, there was the short and skinny Abdullah ibn Mas'ood with his braids down his back, the blind Abdullah ibn Umm Maktoum, Suhayb the Roman, his younger cousin Ali, and his daughter Fatima. They lined up in rows, preparing to pray. Hey, look what I found. A group of thugs had followed them from the city. They stood at the entrance of the gorge, blocking off any escape. I think we've found a group of traitors.

Yeah, and look, I found the chief of the traitors. One of them stuck a grimy finger at the prophet's face. Hey guys, we we only came here to pray. We're not looking for any other problem. Oh you heard that? He's not looking for any trouble. You guys are breaking the law. You can't be here. What law have we broken? That we believe in the religion of Ibrahim? That's crazy! I didn't know a black crow could talk. I think you folks should leave.

I think you need to shut up. Oh one of the thugs pushed Amar ibn Yasid onto the ground. He picked up a nearby stick and swung it viciously at the Muslims. You know what? I think I'll hit Chief Crazy over here. He's the one. One that needs a new brain He raised the stick over the prophet peace be upon his head. Before he could bring it down, an arrow whizzed by from behind the group. It split the stick in half right in the thug's hands. What the?

Sa debine Ebiwakar stood at the entrance of the gorge with his bow at the rim. He had discharged his only arrow, so he threw his go at the first two. Sad laid down a few punches on him before another thug tore him off. Saad aimed an elbow at the end. Two fists collided with Sad's neck. Some of the other Muslims jumped into the fray. Saad swung wildly, trying not to hit Suhed the Roman, who had lifted one. of thorns.

And sent him crashing into Amada Banyasu. It rolled onto the floor. Sad pivoted just in time to miss a rock thrown at where his face was a second earlier. Sad scrambled to find something to defend himself with. He saw a camel jawbone on the ground. Without thinking twice, he grabbed it and cracked it as hard as he could Ah my head Oh my head dark crimson blood oozed out his forehead. The man fell.

Floor. That weasel got me. Let's get out of here, man. The thugs ran off, dust flying off their shoes. I scampered away. A nahuac. Yeah, run away you. I don't ever mess with my cousin. and walked over to the Rasul, peace be upon him. My mother and father in ransom for you, Ya Rasulallah. He did. Sad and announced proudly this is my uncle. So let others show me their uncle.

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, invited Sa'dibn Abi Wakaz to speak freely, noting that this young companion She is starving herself, yeah Rasulallah. I don't know what to do. The messenger of Allah. peace be upon him. The young archer reassuring. not, but from the one who had heard Sad's cry from above seven heavens. And so Allah revealed verses of the Quran to his Messenger, peace be upon him. Mother? Mother Son, is that you?

Have you finally seen the error of your ways, boy? Mother, I am about to recite verses of the Quran. I beg that you listen. I What? We have commanded people to honor their parents with good. But if they urge you to associate partners with me, what you have to do is have a lot of people. Yeah. To me you will return, and I will inform you of what you used to do. I I I do not understand. Mother If you had one hundred souls, and each one left your body, one after the other.

I would still not leave this religion. He turned and left his mother behind. In the darkness of the night, and with the full extent of her son's conviction, Sa'ad ibn Abi Wakaz's mother finally ate. You're listening to the