We carry out physical gestures of prayer in worship that unify our body, and our mind and our soul all at the same moment of our bowing and touching our head to the ground toward that exact center. What could be a more powerful symbol of unity?

 

It's said that while he was in Medina, Muhammad received a revelation, instructing those in prayer to face in the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. Though filled with pagan idols, it was still the shrine of Abraham, the first believer in the one true god. But even as the Muslims were praying toward Mecca, their enemies there were rallying in force, their goal---to wipe out the Muslims. Muhammad's people began to gather arms.

 

Though the Muslims prepared as best they could, they were outnumbered and outmatched. They mustered a force of only 313, mostly old men and boys with few weapons, while the approaching Meccans were heavily armed and a thousand strong. For years Muhammad had tried to bring Islam to the people of Mecca peacefully. Now it was time to fight.

 

The Muslims faced their own tribes, brother fighting brother, son against father. Yet they came armed with a powerful weapon, a passionate belief in their faith. Muhammad's troops fought with every confidence that god's will was guiding them.

 

They fought three very, very bloody battles. At one point, the entire young Muslim community was right on the edge of annihilation.