Al-Khattab Opposes Zayd; Zayd Travels to Syria

Zayd said: “I submit my face to Him to whom the earth submits, bearing heavy stones. He spread it out, and when it was made even upon the water, He anchored mountains upon it. I submit my face to Him to whom the rain clouds submit, carrying pure, sweet water: when they are driven toward a land, they obey and pour abundant streams upon it.”

Al-Khattab persecuted Zayd until he drove him to the heights of Makkah, where he stayed at Hira facing the city. Al-Khattab set Qurayshi youths and reckless men to prevent him entering Makkah. Zayd could enter only secretly; when discovered, they informed al-Khattab, who had him expelled and harmed, fearing that he would undermine their religion or persuade others to leave it. Zayd said, honoring the sanctuary against those who violated its protection: “No blame: I am in consecration, not in the lawful territory; my house stands in the middle of the settlement, by al-Safa, not in a place of confusion.” He then travelled seeking Abraham’s religion and questioning monks and scholars. He reached Mosul and the Jazirah, traversed Syria, and came to a monk at Mayfa‘ah in the land of al-Balqa’. The monk told him that no one then could guide him to the religion he sought, but a Prophet bearing Abraham’s upright religion was about to arise from his homeland. Zayd should join him, for his time had come.