"The foolish old man went to Hobal, and after praising him as is the fashion of idolaters, he continued: “ This woman of the Bani Sa’ad says that she lost Muhammad, the son of A’bd-ul- Muttalleb ; restore him to her if it so pleaseth thee ; for she bemoans him as lost.” As soon as that misguided individual had pronounced these words Hobal fell prostrate on his face, and from the cavity of his statue the words were heard : “ What have I to do with Muhammad, who will be the cause of our destruction ? and Allah the Most High and Glorious, who alone is to be worshipped, will not abandon him. Tell the idolaters that he is the great sacrifice; that is to say, he will kill all, except those who will be so fortunate as to follow him.” ’"