One day the Quraish tried to induce the Prophet to discontinue his teachings of the new religion which had sown discord among their people. Utba Ibn Rabi'a, was delegated to see the Prophet and speak to him. Utba said: "0 son of my brother, you are distinguished by your qualities; yet you have sown discord among our people and cast dissension in our families; you denounced our gods and goddesses and you charge our ancestors with impiety. Now we have come to make a proposition to you, and I ask you to think well before you reject it."
"I am listening to you, 0 father of Walid," said the Prophet.
"0 son of my brother, if by this affair you intend to acquire riches, honors, and dignity, we are willing to collect for you a fortune larger than is possessed by any one of us; we shall make you our chief and will do nothing without you. If you desire dominion, we shall make you our king; and if the demon which possesses you cannot be subdued, we will bring you doctors and give them riches until they cure you."
When 'Utba had finished his discourse, the Prophet said: "Now listen to me, 0 father of Walid."
"I listen," he replied.
The Prophet recited to him the first thirteen verses of Surah Fussilat, which may be interpreted as follows: In the Name of Allah the Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful. Ha Mim. These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings. A revelation from Allah the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. A Book whereof the Verses are explained in detail; - a Qur'an in Arabic for people who know. Giving glad tidings of Paradise to the one who believes in the Oneness of Allah (i.e., Islamic Monotheism) and fears Allah much (abstains from all kinds of sins and evil deeds) and loves Allah much (performing all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained), and warning (of punishment in the Hell Fire to the one who disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah), but most of them turn away so they listen not.
And they say: "Our hearts are under coverings (screened) from that to which you invite us, and in our ears is deafness, and between us and you is a screen, so work you (on your way); verily we are working (on our way).
Say (0 Muhammad): "I am only a human being like you. It is inspired in me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God - Allah), therefore take the Straight Path to Him (with true Faith - Islamic Monotheism) and obedience to Him, and seek forgiveness of Him. And woe to Al-Mushrikeen: polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah etc., those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals or partners to Allah etc.. Those who give not the Zakat and they are disbelievers in the Hereafter. Truly those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad - Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, for them will be an endless reward that will never stop (i.e., Paradise).
Say (0 Muhammad): "Do you verily disbelieve in Him Who created the earth in two Days and you set up rivals (in worship) with Him? That is the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).
He placed therein (i.e., the earth) firm mountains from above it, and He blessed it, and measured therein its sustenance (for its dwellers) in four Days equal (i.e., all these four 'days' were equal in the length of time), for all those who ask (about its creation). Then He Istawa (rose over) towards the heaven when it was smoke, and said to it and to the earth: "Come both of you willingly or unwillingly." They both said: "We come, willingly." Then He completed and finished from their creation (as) seven heavens in two Days and He made in each heaven its affair. And We adorned the nearest (lowest) heaven with lamps (stars) to be an adornment as well as to guard (from the devils by using them as missiles against the devils). Such is the Decree of Him the All-Mighty the All-Knowing.
But if they turn away then say (0 Muhammad): "I have warned you of a Saiqa (a destructive awful cry torment, hit, a thunder-bolt) like the Saiqa which overtook 'Ad and Thamud (people)." Surah 41: 1-13
When the Prophet had finished his recitation, he said to Utba: 'This is my reply to your proposition; now take what course you find best."
"I am listening to you, 0 father of Walid," said the Prophet.
"0 son of my brother, if by this affair you intend to acquire riches, honors, and dignity, we are willing to collect for you a fortune larger than is possessed by any one of us; we shall make you our chief and will do nothing without you. If you desire dominion, we shall make you our king; and if the demon which possesses you cannot be subdued, we will bring you doctors and give them riches until they cure you."
When 'Utba had finished his discourse, the Prophet said: "Now listen to me, 0 father of Walid."
"I listen," he replied.
The Prophet recited to him the first thirteen verses of Surah Fussilat, which may be interpreted as follows: In the Name of Allah the Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful. Ha Mim. These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings. A revelation from Allah the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. A Book whereof the Verses are explained in detail; - a Qur'an in Arabic for people who know. Giving glad tidings of Paradise to the one who believes in the Oneness of Allah (i.e., Islamic Monotheism) and fears Allah much (abstains from all kinds of sins and evil deeds) and loves Allah much (performing all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained), and warning (of punishment in the Hell Fire to the one who disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah), but most of them turn away so they listen not.
And they say: "Our hearts are under coverings (screened) from that to which you invite us, and in our ears is deafness, and between us and you is a screen, so work you (on your way); verily we are working (on our way).
Say (0 Muhammad): "I am only a human being like you. It is inspired in me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God - Allah), therefore take the Straight Path to Him (with true Faith - Islamic Monotheism) and obedience to Him, and seek forgiveness of Him. And woe to Al-Mushrikeen: polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah etc., those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals or partners to Allah etc.. Those who give not the Zakat and they are disbelievers in the Hereafter. Truly those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad - Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, for them will be an endless reward that will never stop (i.e., Paradise).
Say (0 Muhammad): "Do you verily disbelieve in Him Who created the earth in two Days and you set up rivals (in worship) with Him? That is the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).
He placed therein (i.e., the earth) firm mountains from above it, and He blessed it, and measured therein its sustenance (for its dwellers) in four Days equal (i.e., all these four 'days' were equal in the length of time), for all those who ask (about its creation). Then He Istawa (rose over) towards the heaven when it was smoke, and said to it and to the earth: "Come both of you willingly or unwillingly." They both said: "We come, willingly." Then He completed and finished from their creation (as) seven heavens in two Days and He made in each heaven its affair. And We adorned the nearest (lowest) heaven with lamps (stars) to be an adornment as well as to guard (from the devils by using them as missiles against the devils). Such is the Decree of Him the All-Mighty the All-Knowing.
But if they turn away then say (0 Muhammad): "I have warned you of a Saiqa (a destructive awful cry torment, hit, a thunder-bolt) like the Saiqa which overtook 'Ad and Thamud (people)." Surah 41: 1-13
When the Prophet had finished his recitation, he said to Utba: 'This is my reply to your proposition; now take what course you find best."
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