…these Arab tribes [at the time of Muhammad] subsisted upon
mutual pillage and robbery, so that they were perpetually engaged in strife and
warfare, killing one another, plundering each other’s property, and seizing the
women and children and selling them to strangers. How often would the sons and
daughters of a prince spend the day in luxury and ease and find themselves at
nightfall reduced to utter abasement, wretchedness, and bondage. Yesterday they
were princes, today they are captives; yesterday they were honoured ladies,
today they are slaves.
It was among such tribes that Muhammad was sent forth. For
thirteen years He suffered at their hands every conceivable tribulation, till
at last He fled the city and emigrated to Medina. And yet, far from desisting,
these people joined forces, raised an army, and attacked with the aim of
exterminating every man, woman, and child among His followers. It was under
such circumstances and against such people that Muhammad was forced to take up
arms. This is the plain truth—we are not prompted by fanatical attachment, nor
do we blindly seek to defend, but we examine and relate matters with fairness.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered
Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)
