The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 1 of 4

290 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUBAMMAD
extreme heat. Waraqa spoke some verses on that occasion, as we have already
given above. These were:
"I persisted, being determined to recall both a matter that often inspired my tears
And a description from Khadija, following (another) account; my waiting has been
long, 0 Khadija.
In the heart of Mecca, with my hoping because of your words, that I would see
some solution.
From what you related as the words of a priest who was a monk, words I would
hate to be wrong,
That Muhammad will one day prevail and defeat whomever opposes him
Making a light appear in the land by which he will bring change to all creation.
Those who oppose him will meet defeat, while those who aid him will achieve
success.
Would that I be there to witness, for I'll be the first of them in participating.
Sharing in that which Quraysh will hate, however much they bluster in their
Mecca.
I aspire, through him whom they all hate, to reach the Enthroned One, even if they
descend, aside.
Is it folly to not disbelieve in Him who chooses, He who raised the stars?
If they and I survive, things will happen at which the disbelievers will be sorely
discomfited."
He also spoke the following verses in another ode:
"By news of veracity you foretold of Muhammad, telling them about him, an
adviser being absent,
Informing that the son of 'Abd All*, bad, is sent to all men on earth.
My thought of him is that he will be sent to speak the truth, just as the two slaves
Hiid and Sd& were sent
And Moses and Abraham, so that a brightness will be seen and a clear emanation of
the truth.
And there will follow him the two tribes of Lu'ayy b. Gh%tib, both the young men
and the lordly greybeards.
And if I survive until his age arrives for man, the11 I will greet him in joy and love.
If not, then I will certainly, 0 Khadija please know this, be travelling somewhere
above the b~oad earth."
Yanus b. Bukayr stated, on the authority of Ihn Ishiiq, that Waraqa also spoke
the following:
"If it be true, 0 Khadija, then know that your account to us means that Ahmad is
sent.
And Gabriel will bring to him, Michael being with them both, from God a
revelation that relieves the heart sent down.
Through him there will succeed those who have success through repentance, and
through him will suffer those in distress, those deceived and led astray.