your son?” It is related that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, called him to faith, and he replied, “Were it not that Quraysh would reproach me, I would delight your eyes by accepting it; but I shall defend you for as long as I live.” He also composed verses concerning him:

“By Allah, they shall never reach you with all their forces,
until I am laid beneath the earth, buried.

So proclaim openly what you have been commanded; there is no shame upon you.
Rejoice in that, and let your eyes be comforted by it.

You called me, and I knew that you were my sincere adviser;
you have indeed spoken the truth and have always been trustworthy.

You presented a religion which I have known
to be one of the finest religions of mankind.

Were it not for reproach, or fear of disgrace,
you would find me openly willing to accept it.”

“And they destroy”—that is, they destroy only themselves: the harmful consequences of their deeds return only upon them, and they bear the sins of those whom they turn away—“though they do not realize it.”

“And if only you could see when they are made to stand before the Fire and say, ‘If only we could be sent back! Then we would not deny the signs of our Lord, and we would be among the believers.’” (27)