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Furthermore, in the Battle of the Confederates, Abu Sufyan enlisted the aid of the Bani Kinanih, the Bani Qahtan and the Jewish Bani Qurayzih and rose up with all the tribes of the Quraysh to put out the Divine Light that flamed in the lamp of Yathrib (Medina). In those days the great winds of trials and tribulations were blowing from every direction, as it is written: "Do men think when they say 'We believe' they shall be let alone and not be put to proof?"[1] The believers were few and the enemy attacking in force, seeking to blot out the new-risen Sun of Truth with the dust of oppression and tyranny. Then Salman (the Persian) came into the presence of the Prophet -- the Dawning-Point of revelation, the Focus of the endless splendors of grace -- and he said that in Persia to protect themselves from an encroaching host they would dig a moat or trench about their lands, and that this had proved a highly efficient safeguard against surprise attacks. Did that Wellspring of universal wisdom, that Mine of divine knowledge say in reply that this was a custom current among idolatrous, fire-worshiping Magians and could therefore hardly be adopted by monotheists? Or did He rather immediately direct His followers to set about digging a trench? He even, in His Own blessed person, took hold of the tools and went to work beside them.[1=Qur'an 29:2]
(26:1)
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