In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad

(^186) In the FI}()/iteps of the Prophtt
should certainly no t measure his love for them through the amount o f
booty they had received. Their love of the possessions of this world had
led them to forget the meaning of true love for God, in God, beyond the
riches and life of this world. The Quraysh people were leaving with sheep
and camels, while the Ansar would go home with the P rophet, who had
decided to settle with them in Medina, his adoptive city. He added:
"Should all people take one path and the Ansar take another, I would take
the Ansar's path.,,12 The emotions in the group were intense, and many of
the Ansar began to weep, for they understood how wrong they had been
in their interpretation of the P rophet's attitude and of the signs of his loy-
alty. His presence was the sign of his love, while the goods he had distrib-
uted were simply evidence that he knew some hearts were still attached to
the illusions o f this world.
H e decided to leave J iranah and perform the lesser pilgrimage before
returning to Medina. H e had come to that city seeking refuge, but now he
felt at home there, even though its culture and habits were so different
from those of ]\kcca, where he had lived for more than half a century
before being compelled to leave. He had settled into his new environment
by observing the inhabitants' customs and traditions, their psychological
makeup and their hopes, and then graduaJ1y integrating many of these
dimensions into his own personality. H e loved the Ansar with a deep, spir-
ituallove that transcended tribe, clan, or cul tural tics.
Back in Medina the Prophet \vas carrying on with his teachings when
he was surprised to see the poet Kab ibn Zuhayr, who had fo rmerly used
his poetic gift to mock him and ridicule his claim s to be God's Messenger.
Kab had for some time been secretly staying with a l\Iedina acquainL'lilce
and observing the r ... luslims' daily life. He knew his life could be at risk, for
if certain Companions identified him they would not hesitate to kill him.
He had heard that the Prophet forgave those who came to him, whatev-
er their past o r their behaviot might have been. One morning, after dawn
prayer, he went to the Prophet and asked him whether he would forgive
K ab ibn Zuhayr if he came to him. The Prophet answered that he would,
and Kab then gave his name. One of the Ansar rushed on him to kill him,
but the Prophet stopped him and told him that Kab, who had come in
repent.ance, was no longer the same. The poet then recited for the Prophet
some verses expressing respect and love and asking for forgiveness.
i-luhammad was deeply moved, and when Kab had finished reciting, he