pre-islamic arabia:poetry,tribal rivalry and heroism 29slaves”. Prophet Muœammad’s prayer was, as Muslims believe, anal-
ogous to that of Jesus Christ’s before him, O Lord, “if You torture
them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, You are the
Only All-Mighty and All-Wise”, (Qur"àn, 5:118), but in contrast to
that of Noah’s, “O Lord leave not one on earth of those who dis-
believe in You”, (Qur"àn 71:26). The disbelief of the pagan Arabians
was, after all, a disbelief emanating from ignorance, Jahiliyyah.
Ignorance needed enlightenment, education and redirection, and
these were what Islam offered. And this is part of the strength of
the religion.