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The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, chose confinement for himself and his family in the ravine of Banū Hāshim for several years, during which they neither bought nor sold, while their children cried out from hunger. Their own people and others had shunned and forsaken them. This was more perfect than Joseph’s situation, peace be upon him. For these people were calling upon the Messenger to associate partners with Allah and to speak falsely about Him—to say, “He did not send me, nor did He forbid associating partners with Him.”

Allah Most High has said:

“They almost tempted you away from what We have revealed to you, so that you would fabricate something else against Us; then they would certainly have taken you as a close friend.”

“Had We not made you steadfast, you would almost have inclined toward them a little.”

“Then We would have made you taste double punishment in life and double punishment in death, and you would have found no one to help you against Us.”

“They almost drove you from the land to expel you from it; then they would have remained after you only a little while.”

“That was Our established way with the messengers We sent before you, and you will find no change in Our way.”

The lies these people told about the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, were graver than the lies told about Joseph. For they said that he was a sorcerer, that he was a soothsayer, that he was a madman, and that he was