Seerah - The Life of the Prophet (pbuh)

`Utbah ibn Rab|`ah was designated with the task of luring away the
Prophet r from his call with tempting bribes. Yet for all his experience
and skill, `Utbah failed miserably. He came and delivered a lengthy
speech. The Prophet r listened intently and then recited a few verses
of S[rah Fu]]ilat (S. 41 - below are the first 8 verses).
Ha-Mim. A revelation from the Gracious, the Merciful;
A Book, whereof the verses are explained in detail;
a Qur’\n in Arabic, for people who understand;
Giving Good News and Admonition:
yet most of them turn away, and so they hear not.
They say: “Our hearts are under veils,
from that to which you invite us, and in our ears is a deafness,
and between us and you is a screen:
so do (what you want); as for us, we shall do (what we want!)”
Say: “I am but a man like you:
it is revealed to me by inspiration, that your God is One God:
so stand true to Him, and ask for His Forgiveness.”
And woe to those who join gods with All\h,
Those who practise not regular Charity,
and who even deny the Hereafter.
For those who believe and work deeds of righteousness
is a reward that will never fail.
No sooner did `Utbah hear the verses that he retreated hastily from
there. To those awaiting him, he described the Qur’\n in the following
words: “It was not poetry, magic, or the words of any soothsayer. Obey
me, O Quraysh! and let me bear the consequences of what I tell you.
Leave this man and his mission alone.” This was not what they had
expected from such an accomplished diplomat. “By God, he has
enchanted you with his words!” was their response to his counsel.
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