kill our children; we will not slander in anywise; and we will not disobey
the Prophet in anything that is right.' This is known as the ' First pledge of 'Aqaba,'
and, as it contained no promise to defend the Prophet, it is called the ' Pledge
of Women,' as being the only one women ever took. They then returned to Madina
as ardent disciples, and such large numbers attached themselves to the new
teaching that they had to send to Mecca to get a special instructor. Mus'ab 1
was sent and Islam then took root in Madina. The year was one of patient
waiting. The Prophet evidently despaired of making any further progress at
Mecca. His hopes were placed on his new converts. at Madina. He determined to
leave the Quraish severely alone and received in the last but one Sura revealed
in Mecca definite instructions to do so:
Follow that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord: there is no god
but He, and retire from the idolaters.
If God had so desired, they had not followed idolatry, and we have not made thee
a keeper over them, neither art thou over them a guardian.
And revile not those whom they invoke besides God, lest they revile God in
enmity from lack of knowledge. Sura Al-An'am (vi) 106-8.
But if there was now no aggressive work carried on, there was no lack of
confidence in the ultimate result and in the full assurance of victory over the
obstinate inhabitants of Mecca. Thus:
The unbelieving (nations) said to their apostles, ' We will surely expel you
from our land, or ye shall