When, SOHAIL, AMMÄR, BALAL, and KHOBBAB, were converted among the first Muslims; they were tortured and persecuted harshly, by their faithless masters.

      Sohail told the Pagans:ِ ``I am very old and my being among you will be of no use to you. Even if I go from here and be against you, I am not able to harm you aught. Then take all my wealth, and let me go to Medina and live there with our prophet.'' They agreed, and Sohail gave them whatever of

property he had, and emigrated to Medina. Some Muslims there, told him:ِ ``you made a bargain with a very high profit;'' and to that effect the above verses revealed:ِ

      ``Those who emigrated IN Allah after they were oppressed, We shall....''

      Emigration is usually accompanied by troubles and endurance. There is not a good merit for such sufferings, and their reward is limited to the experiential lessons that the sufferer may take. But when the emigration is for the sake of God, the case is different, and it has a great merit and honour. Here the sufferer has only two options; either to leave his Lord, or his comfort and welfare. When some one leaves his home and hearth, and all his possession, and goes alone to his Lord, such an emigration is of a high value and his exile is entitled to the highest honour. And such was the case of the early Muslims who emigrated to ABYSSINIA, and later on to Medina.