The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 2 of 4

IMAM ABO AL-FID~' ISMAC~L IBN KATHiR 43
what he likes without harming us or advertising it. We're concerned that he
might subvert our women and sons."
"'Ibn al-Daghina told that to Abu Bakr and the latter did therefore pray to his
Lord in his house, without announcing what he was doing, and he recited only
at home. But later Abii Bakr decided to build a mosque in the courtyard of his
house and there he would pray and recite the Qurlan. The women of the
polytheists and their sons would crowd around staring at him in wonder; Abn
Bakr was a man prone to tears, and he could not restrain his eyes when he recited
the Qnr'm.
"'This upset the polytheist Quraysh leaders and they sent for Ibn al-Daghina.
When he came, they told him, "We've acknowledged your protection of Abii
Bakr on the understanding that he would worship his Lord in his house. But he
has gone beyond that, built himself a mosque in his courtyard and openly prays
and recites there. We're concerned that he will subvert our young men and our
womenfolk. Make him stop. If he will restrict himself to worship at home, then
well and good. But if he insists on so doing only in full view, then ask hi
to give
back to you your protection. We don't want to break with you, but we cannot
agree for Abii Bakr to advertise."'
"[-,'
A lsha went on, 'Ibn al-Daghia then went to Abii Bakr and told him, "You
know what it was I agreed to with you. Either you restrict yourselfto that, or give
me back my protection. I don't want the Arabs to hear it said that I've had my
covenant broken because of a man to whom I had given my protection."
"'Aba Bakr replied, "Then I give you back your protection and will rely on
that of God, Almighty and Glorious is He.""'
Al-Bukhai then recounted the rest of the tradition concerning the emigration
of Abii Bakr, God bless hi, with the Messenger of God (SAAS), as will be
described hereafter.
Ibn Ishaq stated, "'Abd d-Wman b. al-@sim related to me, from his father
al-@sim b. Muhammad, the son of b. Abii Bakr, 'the Trusting', as follows: 'He
was confronted - that is Abii Bakr was confronted-after he had left the protection
of Ibn al-Daghina, on his way to the ka'ba by some fool from Quraysh who
tossed dirt up over his head. Then al-Walid b. al-Mnghira - or perhaps it was
al-'AS b. Wa'il- passed by Abii Bakr, who spoke as follows: "Don't yon see how
this idiot is behaving?" He was told, "You brought this on yourself." Meanwhile
Aba Bakr kept repeating, "0 God, how forbearing You are!" "'
Ibn Ishaq made mention of these incidents to show the contradiction between
the pact made by Quraysh with the Banii Hashim and the Banu d-Muttalib, and
their drafting of that damnable document against the latter and their
confinement to the enclave, with all the resultant consequences. These are
matters appropriate for consideration in this era. Ai-Shxfi'i, God be pleased with