5. Would you like to meet him outside the institution? (cont.)

He would go to their gatherings and speak to them on the pathways, but they refused to forsake the worshipping of idols. At-Tufayl became angry and left for Makkah to inform the Messenger of Allah . He said, "O Messenger of Allah, Daws have disobeyed and refused to accept Islam. O Messenger of Allah, supplicate to Allah against them!" The Prophet's facial complexion changed and he raised his hands to supplicate. At-Tufayl saw this and thought to himself that Daws would now be destroyed, yet, the Prophet of mercy Supplications said instead, "O Allah, guide Daws! O Allah, guide Daws!" He then turned to at-Tufayl and said, "Go back to your people and call them to Islam with gentleness." He returned to them and continued to call them to Islam until they finally accepted. How beautiful it is to knock on heaven's doors, not only for at-Tufayl and his people but many others besides them. The Muslims at the beginning of the Islamic call were very few, perhaps, not more than thirty-eight men. One day, Abu Bakr suggested that the Messenger of Allah proclaim his message openly to the people and declare openly his Islam. The Prophet replied, "O Abu Bakr, we are few in number." Abu Bakr was very eager, so he persisted until they decided to do as he had suggested. They went out with the Prophet leading them and headed for the Grand Mosque. There they dispersed, every one of them addressing his own people. Abu Bakr stood up and began to address his people, call them to Islam, and attack their idols. The pagans rose against the Muslims and began to beat them all over the mosque. As the pagans were many in number, the Muslims dispersed. Meanwhile, a group of pagans ganged up against Abu Bakr and beat him until he fell to the ground. Thereupon, the evil 'Utbah bin Rabi'ah came closer to Abu Bakr and began to strike him with his sandals and rub them against his face. He then stood on top of Abu Bakr's stomach while blood was pouring from his face. The flesh on his face became apparent and his mouth had became indistinguishable from his nose. Supplications Meanwhile, men from Abu Taym, who were the tribe of Abu Bakr, arrived on the scene and pushed people away from Abu Bakr. They then carried him on a sheet of cloth and took him home. They thought he had passed away. Banu Taym then returned to the mosque and began to shout, "By Allah, If Abu Bakr dies, we will surely kill 'Utbah bin Rabi'ah!" They then returned to Abu Bakr who was unconscious, not knowing whether he was dead or alive. Abu Quhafah, Abu Bakr's father, stood next to Abu Bakr along with his family, trying to speak to him, but he wouldn't respond. His mother was also standing next to him weeping. After a long while, he opened up his eyes, and the first thing he said was,"What happened to the Messenger of Allah?" May Allah have mercy on Abu Bakr! He was full of love for the Messenger of Allah , such that he feared for him more than he feared for his own life. All those around him, including his father, mother and his people, who were all pagans, became angry and began to curse the Messenger of Allah . They then left and told the mother of Abu Bakr to give him something to eat or drink. His mother began to console him as he kept repeating, "What happened to the Messenger of Allah?" She said, "By Allah, I don't know what happened to your friend." He said, "Please, go to Umm Jameel bint al-Khattab and ask her about him." Umm Jameel was a Muslim who would conceal her Islam. His mother visited Umm Jameel and asked, "Abu Bakr is asking about Supplications Muhammad bin 'Abdullah. Do you have any news?" She said, "I neither know Abu Bakr nor Muhammad bin 'Abdullah, but do you want me to go with you to your son?" 'Yes", she replied. She went with her until they approached Abu Bakr. She found him lying on his bed with his face disfigured and his body fatigued. When Umm Jameel saw him, she screamed, "Did the people do this to you only to defend the people of wickedness and disbelief? I really hope Allah exacts revenge from them!" Abu Bakr then turned to her with his drained eyes, fatigued body, disfigured face, and a heart full of love for this religion, and said, "What happened to the Messenger of Allah ?" Umm Abu Bakr was standing next to her and Umm Jameel feared that she might be exposed for her Islam and thereafter abused.