134 In the FODi!ftp! Df fix Prophdlapse and his lack o f steadfasmess. r orgiveness came, and the Prophet
himself unfastened Abu Lubabah's ties. This individual experience shows
that spiritual edification was never to tally accomplished, that consciences
were constantly being tried, and that the Prophet accompanied his (cach-
ing with stricmcss but also with benevolence.
Muhammad had, some time before, married a widow named Zayoab,
of the Banu Amir clan, who was esteemed for her generosity and her love
for the poor. It was through that marriage that he had set up tics with her
tribe, which was to remain faithful to hi m in spite of pressures from both
inside and outside the clan. ZaYflab, known as um rJl-masakin (rhe mother
of the poor), was most devoted, and she came to live in a dwelling that
had been arranged for her near the mosque. However, she died only eight
months after her wedding, and she was buried ncar Ruqayyah, the
Prophet'S daughter. A few months later, Urn Salamah, the widow of Abu
Salamah, \vith whom she had exiled herself in Abyssinia, married the
Prophet and settled in the dwelling left empty by Zaynab. Pious, enterpris-
ing, and particularly beautiful, she enjoyed a considerable position and
role at the P rophet's side, and Aishah confessed that she fclt jealous of
Urn Salamah, both, it seems, because of her beauty and because the
Prophet listened to her and was greatly influenced by her opinions.
The Messenger continued, as circumstances warranted and in spite of
difficulties, to spread Islam's teachings and illustrate them through his
example. A Companion had once taken a fledgling from a nest and sudden-
ly been attacked by the parent bird, which wanted to defend its offspring;
the Prophet asked him to put the fledgling back in the nest and told those
who were present, "God's goodness [mercy] to you is superior to that of
this bird for its offspring." ; He taught them to observe the dements, to
marvel at and draw teachings from the nature around them and the small-
es t parts of life. Revelation had repeatedly expressed this invitation:
\\!hatever is i n the heavens and on earth, declares the praises [and glory] of
God. Fo r H e is the Almighty, the \'(li se.^6Or again:
The seven heavens and the earth, :md all beings therein, extol His limitless
glory: there is not a thing but celebrates His praise; and yet you do not