Ar-Raheeq Al-M akhtum

(The Sealed N ectar)

By
Saifur Rahman al-M ubarakpuri
CONTENTS

Locat ion and nat ure of Arab Tribes

Locat ion of t h e Ar abs
Ar ab Tr ibes

Rulership and Princeship am ong t he Arabs

Ruler ship in Yem en
Ru ler sh ip in Heer ah
Ruler ship in Geogr aphical Sy r ia
Ruler ship in Hij az
Th e Reason s of t h is w ar h av e b een illu st r at ed in t h r ee v er sion s
Ru ler sh ip in Pan -Ar abia
The polit ical sit uat ion

Religions of t he Arabs
Th e Religiou s sit u at ion

Aspect s of Pre- I slam ic Arabian Societ y

Social life of t he Ar abs
The Econom ic Sit uat ion

The Lineage and Fam ily of Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him )

The pr ophet ic Fam ily

Muham m ad’s Birt h and Fort y years prior Prophet hood

His Birt h
Bab y h ood
Back t o h is p assion at e Mot h er
To His com passion at e Gr an df at h er
Bah ir a, t h e Mon k
The Sacr ilegious w ar s
Al-Fu dou l con feder acy
Muham m ad’s Ear ly Job
His Mar r iage t o Kh adij ah
Rebuilding Al-Ka‘bah an d t h e Ar bit r at ion I ssu e
A Rapid Rev iew of Mu h am m ad’s Biogr aph y befor e com m ission in g of t h e Pr oph et h ood

I n t he Shade of t he Message and Prophet hood

I n t h e Cav e of Hir a’
Gabr iel br in gs dow n t h e Rev elat ion
I nt er r upt ion of Rev elat ion
Once m or e, Gabr iel br ings Allah’s Rev elat ion
Som e det ails per t in en t t o t h e su ccessiv e st ages of Rev elat ion
Proclaim ing Allah, t he All-High ; an d t h e I m m ediat e Con st it u en t s

Phases and st ages of t he call

The First St a ge
St rife in t he W a y of t he Ca ll
Th r ee y ear s of Secr et Call
Th e Ear ly Con v er t s
As-Salat ( t he Pr ay er )
Th e Qu r aish it es lear n abou t t h e Call

The Second Pha se, Open Prea ching

Fir st Rev elat ion r egar din g t h e Pr each in g
Callin g t h e Closest Kin speople
On Mount As -Safa
Sh ou t in g t h e Tr u t h an d t h e Poly t h eist s’ React ion
An Adv isor y Cou n cil t o debar
Pilgr im s fr om Muham m ad’s Call
At t em pt s m ade t o ch eck t h e On w ar d Mar ch of I slam
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Per secu t ion s
Th e Hou se of Al-Ar qum
The Fir st Migr at ion t o Aby ssinia ( Et hiopia)
Qu r aish ’s Mach in at ion again st t h e Em igr an t s
On ce m or e Qu r aish appr oach es Abu Talib
The Ty r ant s’ Decision t o k ill t he Pr ophet ( Peace be u pon h im )
Th e Con v er sion of Ham zah bin ‘Abdu l-Mut t alib
The Conv er sion of ‘Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab
Qu r aish ’s Repr esen t at iv e n egot iat es w it h t h e Messen ger of Allah ( Peace be u pon h im )
Abu Talib assm bles Bani Hashim and Bani Al-Mut t alib

Ge ne r a l Socia l Boycot t
A Pact of I n j u st ice an d Aggr ession

The Final Phase of t he Diplom acy of N egot iat ion

Th e Ye a r of Gr ie f
Abu Talib’s Deat h
Kh adij ah passes aw ay t o t h e Mer cy of Allah
His Mar r iage t o Saw dah ( May b e p lease w it h h er ) in Sh aw w al, t h e t en t h y ear of Pr op h et h ood

Fact ors inspiring pat ience and perserverance

The Third Phase
Calling unt o I s lam bey on d Mak k ah
I slam being int roduced t o Arabian Tribes and I ndividuals
Hope in spir in g Br eezes f r om t h e Madin ese
Mar r iage of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o Aish a ( May Allah be please w it h h er )
Al- I sra’ and Al- M ir ‘r a j

The First ‘Aqabah Pledge

The Muslim Env oy in Madinah
Th e Secon d ‘Aqabah Pledge

The Vanguard of Migrat ion ( in t he Cause of Allah)

I n An -Nadw ah ( Cou n cil) Hou se
Th e Par liam en t of Qu r aish

M igrat ion of t he Prophet ( Peace be upon him ) Life in M adinah

The First Phase ... The St at us Quo in Madinah at t he Tim e of Em igrat ion
A N e w Socie t y being built
A Char t er of I slam ic Alliance

A Cooperat ion and N on- Aggression

Pact w it h t h e Jew s

The Prophet on t he Bat t lefield

Pr e -Badr Mission s an d I n v asion s

The Bat t le of Badr - The First Decisive Ba t t le in t he H ist ory of I sla m

Reason of t h e Bat t le
Som e Significant I nst ances of Dev ot ion
React ion in Mak k ah
Madin ah r eceiv es t h e New s of Vict or y
The Bat t le of Badr in it s Qur ’anic Cont ex t

The M ilit ary Act ivit ies bet w een Badr and Uhud
Al-Kudr I nv asion
An At t em pt on t h e Lif e of t h e Proph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
I n v asion of Ban i Qain u qa‘
Th e Qain u q a‘ Jew s b r each t h e Cov en an t
As-Saw iq I n v asion
Dhi Am r I nv asion
Ka‘b bin Al-Ashr af, k illed
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The I nv asion of Bu h r an
Z aid bin Har it h ah leads a Com paign on t h e Tr ade Rou t es of Qu r aish

The Bat t le of Uhud

A Con su lt at ion Assem bly for a Defen ce Plan
Div iding t he I slam ic Ar m y int o phalanx es and Depar t ur e t o t he Bat t lefield
Par a ding t he Arm y
Passin g t h e Nig h t b et w een Uh u d an d Mad in ah
The Rebellion of ‘Abdullah bin Ubai and his Follow er s
The Rem ainder of t he I slam ic Ar m y ar e on t he Mov e t o Uhud
Th e Def en ce Plan
Th e Messen ger of Allah ( Peace b e upon him ) im plant s t he Spir it of Br av er y am ong his Ar m ed For ces
Recr uit m ent of t he Mak k an Ar m y
Polit ical Man oeu v r es of Qu r aish
Th e ef f or t of Qu r aish it e w om en at w agin g t h e Z eal of Men
Th e Com b at
Assassin at ion of Asadullah ( t he Lion of Allah) Ham zah bin ‘Abdul Mut t alib
Br in gin g t h e Sit u at ion u n der Con t r ol
Fr om his w ife’s lap t o Sw or d -figh t s an d Sor r ow s
Th e Con t r ibu t ion of t h e Ar ch er s squ ad t o t h e Bat t le.
The Ar cher s’s Fat al Mist ak e
Th e Most Aw k w ar d Hou r in t h e Messen ger ’s Lif e
Mult ilat ion of t he Mar t y r s
Bur ial of t he Mar t y r s
Ham râ’ Al-Asad I n v asion
Th e Obser v at ion s of t h e Noble Qu r ’ân on t h e Bat t le of Uh u d
Lesson s an d Mor alit ies

Milit ary Plat oons and Missions bet w een t he Bat t le of Uhud and t he Bat t le of t he
Confedera t es
Abi Salam ah Mission
An Er r and led by ‘Abdullah bin Unais
The Ev ent of Ar -Raj i‘
Th e Tr agedy of Ma‘u n a Well
Bani An -Nadeer I n v asion
The I nv asion of Naj d
Th e I n v asion of Badr , t h e Secon d
The I nv asion of Doum at Al-Jau d al

Al- Ahzab ( t he Confederat es) I nvasion

I n v adin g Ban u Qu r aiza
Milit ar y Act iv it ies cont inued
Bani Lihy an I nv asion
Ex pedit ion s an d Delegat ion s con t in u ed

Bani Al- M ust a liq ( M ura isi‘) Gh a z w a h Sha ‘ba n 6 H ij r i

Th e t r each er ou s Role of t h e Hy pocr it es
Pr ior t o t he Bani Al-Must aliq Ghazwah
Th e w ick ed Role t h ey play ed in t h e Cou r se of t h e Ghazwah of Bani Al-Must aliq
The Slander Affair

Delegat ions and Expedit ions follow ing

Al-Mur aisi‘ Ghazwah
Al-Hudaibiy ah Tr eat y ( Dhul Qu‘dah 6 A.H.)
Al-Hudaibiy a Tr eat y : Socio Polit ical I m pact

The Second St a ge
A New Ph ase o f I slam ic Act ion
Th e Pr op h et ’s Plan s t o sp r ead t h e Messag e of I slam t o b ey on d Ar ab ia
A Depu t at ion t o Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia)
Let t er t o t h e Viceger en t of Egy pt , called Mu qaw qas
A Let t er t o ch osr oes, Em per or of Per sia
The Env oy t o Caesar , King of Rom e
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A Let t er t o Mundhir bin Saw a, Gov er nor of Bahr ain
A Let t er t o Haudha bin ‘Ali, Gov er nor of Yam am a
A Let t er t o Har it h bin Abi Sham ir Al-Ghassani, King of Dam ascus
A Let t er t o t he King of ‘Om an, Jaifer , and his Bot her ‘Abd Al-Jalan di
Po st -Hudaibiy ah Host ilit ies
Dh u Qar ad I n v asion

The Conquest of Khaibar ( in Moharram , 7 A.H.)

Th e Act u al oper at ion begin s
Th e Secon d Par t of Kh aibar Con qu er ed
Negot iat ion s
Dist r ibut ion of Spoils

Sporadic I nvasions
The Ex pedit ion called Dhat -u r-Riqa‘ (in t he y ear 7 A.H.)
Th e Com pen sat or y ‘Um rah ( Lesser Pilgr im age)
The Bat t le of Mu’t ah
Dhat As -Salasil Com paign
Khadrah Cam paign
Th e Con q u est of Mak k ah
Pr e -con q u est Ev en t s
Pr epar at ion s f or t h e At t ach on Mak k ah ,
an d t h e Pr oph et ’s At t em pt at im posin g a New s Black -ou t

The Third St age

Hunain Ghazwah
Th e En em y ’s m ar ch an d t h eir En cam pm en t at Aw t as
Th e w ar-ex p er ien ced Man w on g s t h e Leader ’s Ju dgem en t
Recon n oit er in g t h e Weapon s of t h e Messen ger of Allah ( Peace be u pon h im )
Recon n oit er in g t h e En em y ’s Weapon s
Th e Messen ger of Allah ( peace be u pon h im ) leav es Mak k ah for Hu n ain
The I slam ic Ar m y st unned t he Ar cher s and t he At t ack er s
Mu slim s’ r et u r n t o t h e Bat t lefield, an d t h e fier ceness of t h e Figh t
Rev er se of For t u n es an d t h e En em y ’s u t t er Def eat
Hot pur suit of t he Enem y
Ta’if Com paign
Th e Dist r ibu t ion of t h e Boot y at al-Ji‘r anah
The Helper s ( Al-Ansar ) ar e f u r iou s at t h e Messen ger of Allah ( Peace be u pon h im )
Ar r iv al of t h e Haw azin Delegat ion
Lesser Pilgr im age ( Al-‘Um rah ) t o Mak k ah an d leav in g for Madin ah
Mission s an d Plat oon s Af t er t h e Con q u est
Th e Plat oon s

The I nvasion of Tabuk in Raj ab, in t he year 9 A.H.

Th e u n der ly in g Reason s
Gen er al New s ab ou t t h e By zan t in es an d Gh assan id e Pr ep ar at ion s f or War
Par t icu lar New s ab ou t t h e By zan t in e an d Gh assan id e p r ep ar at ion s f or War
The Muslim Arm y is leavin g f or Tabu k
The Ar m y of I slam at Tabuk
Ret u r n in g t o Madin ah
Th e Peop le Wh o lag ged Beh in d
Th e I n v asion of Tabu k an d it s Far-Reaching Ram ificat ions
Th e Qu r ’ân ic Ver ses Relat in g t o t h is I n v asion

Som e I m port ant Event s t hat feat ured t hat Year

Abu Bak r per for m s t he Pilgr im age
A Medit at ion on t h e Ghazawat

People em brace t he Religion of Allah in Large Crow ds

Th e Delegat ion s
Th e Su ccess an d I m pact of t he Call

The Fa r e w e ll Pilgr im a ge
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Th e Last Ex pedit ion s

The Journey t o Allah, t he Sublim e

Sy m pt om s of Far ew ell
Th e St ar t of t h e Disease
Th e Last Week
Fiv e d ay s b ef or e d eat h
Fou r d ay s b ef or e h is d eat h
A Day or Tw o pr ior t o Deat h
A Day bef or e h is Deat h
The Last day Aliv e
Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) b r eat h es h is Last
Th e com pan ion s’ con cer n ov er t h e Pr oph et ’s Deat h
Um ar ’s At t it ude
Abu Bak r ’s At t it u de
Bu r ial an d Far ew ell Pr epar at ion s t o h is Hon ou r able Body

The Prophet ic Household

The Prophet ( Peace be upon him ) , At t ribut es and Manners
Beau t y of cr eat ion
The per fect ion of Soul and Nobilit y

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 Loca t ion a nd N a t ure of Ara b Tr ibe s

Bey on d a sh adow of dou bt , t h e biogr aph y of Pr oph et Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) m an ifest edly
r epr esent s an ex haust iv e em bodim ent of t he sublim e Div ine Message t hat he com m unicat ed in or der
t o deliv er t h e h u m an r ace f r om t h e sw am p of dar k n ess an d poly t h eism t o t h e par adise of ligh t an d
m on ot h eism . An im age, au t h en t ic as w ell as com pr eh en siv e, of t h is Message is t h er ef or e on ly
at t ain able t h r ou gh car ef u l st u dy an d pr of ou n d an aly sis of bot h back gr ou n ds an d issu es of su ch a
biogr aph y . I n v iew of t h is, a w h ole ch apt er is h er e in t r odu ced abou t t h e n at u r e an d dev elopm en t of
Ar ab t r ibes pr ior t o I slam as w ell as t h e cir cu m st an t ial en v ir on m en t t h at en w r apped t h e Pr oph et ’s
m ission.

LOCATI ON OF TH E ARABS:

Lin gu ist ically , t h e w or d “ Ar ab” m ean s deser t s an d w ast e bar r en lan d w ell-n ig h w at er less an d
t r eeless. Ev er sin ce t h e daw n of h ist or y , t h e Ar abian Pen in su la an d it s people h av e been called as
such.

Th e Ar abian Pen in su la is en closed in t h e w est by t h e Red Sea an d Sin ai, in t h e east by t h e Ar abian
Gulf, in t he s ou t h by t h e Ar abian Sea, w h ich is an ex t en sion of t h e I n dian Ocean , an d in t h e n or t h
by old Sy r ia an d par t of I r aq. Th e ar ea is est im at ed bet w een a m illion an d a m illion an d a qu ar t er
squar e m iles.

Th an k s t o it s geogr aph ical posit ion , t h e pen in su la h as alw ay s m ain t ain ed gr eat im por t an ce. .
Con sider in g it s in t er n al set t in g, it is m ost ly deser t s an d san dy places, w h ich h as r en der ed it
in accessible t o f or eign er s an d in v ader s, an d allow ed it s people com plet e liber t y an d in depen den ce
t h r ou g h t h e ag es, d esp it e t h e pr esen ce of t w o n eigh bou r in g gr eat em pir es.

I t s ex t er n al set t in g, on t h e ot h er h an d, cau sed it t o be t h e cen t r e of t h e old w or ld an d pr ov ided it

w it h sea an d lan d lin k s w it h m ost n at ion s at t h e t im e. Th an k s t o t h is st r at egic posit ion t h e Ar abian
Pen in su la h ad becom e t h e cen t r e for t r ade, cu lt u r e, r eligion an d ar t .

ARAB TRI BES:

Ar ab k in f olk s h av e been div ided accor din g t o lin eage in t o t h r ee gr ou ps:

Per ish in g Ar abs: Th e an cien t Ar abs, of w h ose h ist or y lit t le is k n ow n , an d of w h om w er e ‘Ad,
Tham ûd, Tasam , Jadis, Em laq, an d ot h er s.
Pu r e Ar abs: Wh o or igin at ed f r om t h e pr ogen y of Ya‘r u b bin Yash j u b bin Qah t an . Th ey w er e also
called Qah t an ian Ar abs.
Ar abized Ar abs: Wh o or igin at ed f r om t h e pr ogen y of I sh m ael. Th ey w er e also called ‘Adn an ian
Ar abs.

Th e pu r e Ar abs – t h e p eop le of Qah t an – or iginally liv ed in Yem en and com pr ised m any t r ibes, t w o
of w h ich w er e v er y fam ou s:

1. Him y ar : Th e m ost f am ou s of w h ose sept s w er e Z aid Al-Jam hur , Quda‘a and Sak asic.
2. Kah lan : Th e m ost fam ou s of w h ose sept s w er e Ham dan , An m ar , Tai’, Mudhhij , Kinda,
Lak h m , Ju dh am , Azd, Aw s, Kh azr aj an d t h e descen dan t s of Jafn a — t he k ings of old Sy r ia.

Kah lan sept s em igr at ed f r om Yem en t o dw ell in t h e dif f er en t par t s of t h e Ar abian Pen in su la pr ior t o
t he Gr eat Flood ( Sail Al-‘Arim of Ma’rib Dam ) , due t o t h e f ailu r e of t r ade u n der t h e Rom an pr essu r e
an d dom ain on bot h sea an d lan d t r ade r ou t es f ollow in g Rom an occu pat ion of Egy pt an d Sy r ia.
Nat u r ally en ou gh , t h e com pet it ion bet w een Kah lan an d Him y ar led t o t h e ev acu at ion of t h e fir st an d
t h e set t lem en t of t h e secon d in Yem en .
TH E EM I GRATI N G SEPTS OF KAH LAN CAN BE I N TO FOUR GROUPS:

1. Azd: Wh o, u n der t h e leader sh ip of ‘I m r an bin ‘Am r Mu zaiqbâ’, w an der ed in Yem en , sen t

pion eer s an d f in ally h eaded n or t h w ar ds. Det ails of t h eir em igr at ion can be su m m ed u p as
follow s:

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 2. Tha‘labah bin ‘Am r left his t r ibe Al-Azd f or Hij az an d dw elt bet w een Th a‘labiy ah an d Dh i Qar .
Wh en h e gain ed st r en gt h , h e h eaded f or Madin ah w h er e h e st ay ed. Of h is seed ar e Aw s an d
Kh azr aj , son s of Har it h a bin Th a‘labah .

Har it ha bin ‘Am r , k now n as Kh u za‘a, w an der ed w it h h is f olk s in Hij az u n t il t h ey cam e t o Mar
Az-Z ah r an . Lat er , t h ey con qu er ed t h e Har am , an d set t led in Mak k ah af t er h av in g dr iv en
aw ay it s people, t h e t r ibe of Ju r h u m .

‘I m r an bin ‘Am r an d h is f olk s w en t t o ‘Om an w h er e t h ey est ablish ed t h e t r ib e of Azd w h ose

ch ildr en in h abit ed Tih am a an d w er e k n ow n as Azd-o f-Shanu’a.

Jafn a bin ‘Am r an d h is fam ily , h eaded for Sy r ia w h er e h e set t led an d in it iat ed t h e k in gdom
of Gh assan w h o w as so n am ed af t er a sp r in g of w at er , in Hij az, w h er e t h ey s t opped on t heir
w ay t o Sy r ia.

2. Lak h m an d Ju dh am : Of w h om w as Nasr bin Rabi‘a, fat h er of Man adh ir a, Kin gs of Heer ah .

3. Ban u Tai’: Wh o also em igr at ed n or t h w ar ds t o set t le by t h e so- called Aj a and Salm a
Mou n t ain s w h ich w er e con sequ en t ly n am ed as Tai’ Mou n t ain s.
4. Kinda: Who dw elt in Bahr ain but w er e ex pelled t o Hadr am out and Naj d w her e t hey inst it ut ed
a pow er f u l gov er n m en t bu t n ot f or lon g , f or t h e w h ole t r ibe soon f aded aw ay .

• An ot h er t r ibe of Him y ar , k n ow n as Qu da‘a, also left Yem en an d dw elt in Sam aw a sem i-

d eser t on t h e b or d er s of I r aq .

Th e Ar abized Ar abs go back in an cest r y t o t h eir gr eat gr an df at h er Abr ah am ( Peace be u pon h im )

f r om a t ow n called “ Ar ” n ear Ku f a on t h e w est ban k of t h e Eu ph r at es in I r aq. Ex cav at ion s br ou gh t t o
ligh t gr eat det ails of t h e t ow n, Abr aham ’s fam ily , and t he pr ev alent r eligions and social
cir cum st ances.
I t is k n ow n t h at Abr ah am l ( Peace be u pon h im ) eft Ar for Har r an an d t h en for Palest in e, w h ich h e
m ad e h ead q u ar t er s f or h is Messag e. He w an d er ed all ov er t h e ar ea. Wh en h e w en t t o E gy pt , t h e
Ph ar aoh t r ied t o do ev il t o h is w if e Sar ah , bu t Allâh sav ed h er an d t h e Ph ar aoh ’s w ick ed sch em e
r ecoiled on h im . He t h u s cam e t o r ealize h er st r on g at t ach m en t t o Allâh , an d, in ack n ow ledgm en t of
h er g r ace, t h e Ph ar aoh r en d er ed h is d au g h t er Hag ar at Sar ah ’s ser v ice, bu t Sar ah gav e Hagar t o
Abr ah am as a w if e.
Abr ah am r et u r n ed t o Palest in e w h er e Hagar gav e bir t h t o I sh m ael. Sar ah becam e so j ealou s of
Hagar t h at sh e f or ced Abr ah am t o sen d Hagar an d h er baby aw ay t o a plan t less v alley on a sm all
hill in Hij az, by t h e Sacr ed Hou se, ex posed t o t h e w ear in g of f loods com in g r igh t an d lef t . He ch ose
f or t h em a place u n der a lof t y t r ee abov e Z am zam n ear t h e u pper side of t h e Mosqu e in Mak k ah
w h er e n eit h er p eop le n or w at er w as av ailab le, an d w en t b ack t o Pale st ine leav ing w it h his w ife and
b ab y a leat h er case w it h som e d at es an d a p ot of w at er . Not b ef or e lon g , t h ey r an ou t of b ot h f ood
an d w at er , bu t t h an k s t o Allâh ’s fav ou r w at er gu sh ed for t h t o su st ain t h em for som et im e. Th e w h ole
st or y of Zam zam spr ing is alr eady k n ow n t o ev er y body .
Anot her Yem eni t r ibe – Jur hum t he Second – cam e an d liv ed in Mak k ah u pon Hagar ’s per m ission ,
aft er bein g said t o h av e liv ed in t h e v alley s ar ou n d Mak k ah . I t is m en t ion ed in t h e Sah ih Al-Buk har i
t h at t h is t r ibe cam e t o Mak k ah befor e I sh m ael w as a y ou n g m an w h ile t h ey h ad passed t h r ou gh t h at
v alley lon g befor e t h is ev en t .
Ab r ah am u sed t o g o t o Mak k ah ev er y n ow an d t h en t o see h is w if e an d son . Th e n u m b er of t h ese
j ou r n ey s is st ill u n k n ow n , bu t au t h en t ic h ist or ical r esou r ces spok e of f ou r on es.
Allâh , t h e Su blim e, st at ed in t h e Noble Qu r ’ân t h at He h ad Abr ah am see, in h is dr eam , t h at h e
slau gh t er ed h is son I sh m ael, an d t h er efor e Abr ah am st ood u p t o fu lfill His Or der :

• “ Th en , w h en t h ey h ad bot h su bm it t ed t h em selv es ( t o t h e Will of Allâh) , and he had laid him

pr ost r at e on h is f or eh ead ( or on t h e side of h is f or eh ead f or slau gh t er in g) ; an d We called ou t
t o him : “ O Abr aham ! You hav e fulfilled t he dr eam ( v ision) ! ” Ver ily ! Thus do w e r ew ar d t he
Mu h sin û n ( good-d oer s, w h o p er f or m g ood d eed s t ot ally for Allâh’s sak e only , w it hout any
show off or t o gain pr aise or fam e, et c. and do t hem in accor dance t o Allâh’s Or der s) . Ver ily ,
t h at in deed w as a m an if est t r ial — and We r ansom ed him w it h a gr eat sacr ifice ( i. e. a r am ) ”
[ 37: 103-107]

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I t is m ent ion ed in t h e Gen esis t h at I sh m ael w as t h ir t een y ear s older t h an h is br ot h er I sh aq. Th e
sequ en ce of t h e st or y of t h e sacr if ice of I sh m ael sh ow s t h at it r eally h appen ed bef or e I sh aq’s bir t h ,
an d t h at Allâh ’s Pr om ise t o giv e Abr ah am an ot h er son , I sh aq, cam e a f t er n ar r at ion of t h e w h ole
st or y .
Th is st or y spok e of on e j ou r n ey – at least – befor e I sh m ael becam e a y ou n g m an . Al-Buk har i, on
t h e au t h or it y of I bn ‘Abbas, r epor t ed t h e ot h er t h r ee j ou r n ey s; a su m m ar y of w h ich goes as follow s:
Wh en I sh m ael becam e a y o u n g m an , h e lear n ed Ar abic at t h e h an d of t h e t r ibe of Ju r h u m , w h o
lov ed h im w it h gr eat adm ir at ion an d gav e h im on e of t h eir w om en as a w if e, soon af t er h is m ot h er
died. Hav in g w an t ed t o see h is w if e an d son again , Abr ah am cam e t o Mak k ah , I sh m ael’s m ar r iage,
bu t h e didn ’t f in d h im at h om e. He ask ed I sh m ael’s w if e abou t h er h u sban d an d h ow t h ey w er e
doin g. Sh e com plain ed of pov er t y , so h e ask ed h er t o t ell I sh m ael t o ch an ge h is door st ep. I sh m ael
u n der st ood t h e m essage, div or ced h is w if e an d got m ar r ied t o t h e daught er of Mudad bin ‘Am r, chief
of t he t r ibe of Jur hum .
On ce m or e, Abr ah am cam e t o see h is son , bu t again didn ’t f in d h im at h om e. He ask ed h is n ew w if e
t h e sam e pr ev iou s qu est ion , t o w h ich sh e t h an k ed Allâh . Abr ah am ask ed h er t o t ell I sh m ael t o k eep
h is door st ep ( i. e. t o k eep h er as w if e) an d w en t back t o Palest in e.
A t h ir d t im e, Abr ah am cam e t o Mak k ah t o fin d I sh m ael sh ar pen in g an ar r ow u n der a loft y t r ee n ear
Zam zam . Th e m eet in g, aft er a v er y lon g j ou r n ey of separ at ion , w as v er y t ou ch in g for a fat h er so
affect ion at e an d a so du t ifu l an d r igh t eou s son . Th is t im e, fat h er an d son bu ilt Al-Ka‘b ah an d r aised
it s pillar s, and Abr aham , in com pliance w it h Allâh’s Com m andm ent , called unt o people t o m ak e
pilgr im age t o it .
By t he gr ace of Allâh, I shm ael had t w elv e son s f r om t h e d au g h t er of Mu d ad , w h ose n am es w er e
Nabet , Qidar , Edbael, Mebsham , Mishm a’, Dum a, Micha, Hudud, Yet m a, Yet our , Nafis and Qidm an,
an d w h o u lt im at ely f or m ed t w elv e t r ibes in h abit in g Mak k ah an d t r adin g bet w een Yem en ,
geogr aph ical Sy r ia an d Egy pt . Lat er on , t h ese t r ibes spr ead all ov er , an d ev en ou t side, t h e
pen in su la. All t h eir t idin gs w en t in t o obliv ion ex cept f or t h e descen dan t s of Nabet an d Qidar .
Th e Nab et ean s – son s of Nab et – est ablished a flour ishing civ ilizat ion in t he nor t h of Hij az, t h ey
in st it u t ed a pow er f u l gov er n m en t w h ich spr ead ou t it s dom ain ov er all n eigh bou r in g t r ibes, an d
m ade Pet r a t h eir capit al. Nobody dar ed ch allen ge t h eir au t h or it y u n t il t h e Rom an s cam e an d
m an aged t o elim in at e t h eir k in gdom . Aft er ex t en siv e r esear ch and painst ak ing inv est igat ion, Mr .
Sulaim an An -Nadw i cam e t o t h e con clu sion t h at t h e Gh assan ide k in gs, alon g w it h t h e Aw s an d
Kh azr aj w er e n ot lik ely t o b e Qah t an ian s b u t r at h er Nab et ean s.
Descen dan t s of Qidar , t h e son of I sh m ael, liv ed lon g in Mak k ah in cr easing in num ber , of t hem
issu ed ‘Adn an an d son Ma‘ad, t o w h om ‘Adn an ian Ar abs t r aced back t h eir an cest r y . ‘Adn an is t h e
t w en t y -f ir st gr an df at h er in t h e ser ies of t h e Pr oph et ic an cest r y . I t w as said t h at w h en ev er Pr oph et
Mu h am m ad Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã sp ok e of h is an cest r y h e w ou ld st op at ‘Adn an an d say :
“ Gen ealogist s t ell lies” an d did n ot go f ar t h er t h an h im . A gr ou p of sch olar s, h ow ev er , f av ou r ed t h e
pr obabilit y of going bey ond ‘Adnan at t aching no significance t o t he afor em ent ioned Pr ophet ic Hadit h.
They w en t on t o say t h at t h er e w er e ex act ly f or t y f at h er s b et w een ‘Ad n an an d Ab r ah am ( Peace b e
upon t hem ) .
Nizar , Ma‘ad’s on ly son , h ad fou r son s w h o br an ch ed ou t in t o fou r gr eat t r ibes; Ey ad, An m ar , Rabi‘a
an d Mu d ar . Th ese last t w o su b -br an ch ed in t o sev er al sept s. Rabi‘a fat h er ed Asad, ‘An azah , ‘Abdu l
Qais, an d Wa’il’s t w o son s ( Bak r an d Tagh lib) , Han ifa an d m an y ot h er s.
Mu dar t r ibes br an ch ed ou t in t o t w o gr eat div ision s: Qais ‘Ailan bin Mu dar an d sept s of Elias bin
Mu dar . Of Qais ‘Ailan w er e t h e Ban u Saleem, Banu Haw azin, and Banu Ghat afan of w hom descended
‘Abs, Zuby an, Ashj a‘ and Ghani bin A‘sur . Of Elias bin Mudar w er e Tam im bin Mur r a, Hudhail bin
Mu dr ik a, Ban u Asad bin Kh u zaim ah an d sept s of Kin an a bin Kh u zaim ah , of w h om cam e Qu r aish , t h e
d escen d an t s of Fahr bin Malik bin An -Nadr bin Kinana.
Qur aish br anched out int o v ar ious t r ibes, t he m ost fam ous of w hom w er e Jum ah, Sahm , ‘Adi,
Mak hzum , Tay im , Zahr a and t he t hr ee sept s of Qusai bin Kilab: ‘Abdud-Dar bin Qu sai, Asad bin
‘Abdu l ‘Uzza bin Qu sai an d ‘Abd Man af bin Qu sai.
‘Abd Manaf br anched out int o four t r ibes: ‘Abd Sham s, Naw fal, Mut t alib and Hashim . I t is, how ev er ,
fr om t he fam ily of Hashim t hat Allâh select ed Pr ophet Muham m ad bin ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdul-Mut t alib
bin Hashim ( Peace be upon him ) .
Pr oph et Mu ham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) said:

• “ Allâh select ed I sh m ael fr om t h e son s of Abr ah am , Kin an a fr om t h e son s of I sh m ael,

Qu r aish fr om t h e son s of Kin an a, Hash im fr om t h e son s of Qu r aish an d He select ed m e fr om
t h e son s of Hash im . ”

Al-‘Abbas bin ‘Abdu l-Mut t alib qu ot ed t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) as say in g:

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 • “ Allâh cr eat ed m an k in d an d ch ose m e f r om t h e best w h er eof , He ch ose t h e t r ibes an d
select ed m e f r om t h e best w h er eof ; an d He ch ose f am ilies an d select ed m e f r om t h e best
w h er eof. I am t h e v er y best in per son an d fam ily . ”

Hav in g in cr eased in n u m ber , ch ildr en of ‘Adn an , in pu r su it of past u r es an d w at er , spr ead ou t ov er

v ar iou s par t s of Ar abia.
Th e t r ibe of ‘Abdu l Qais, t oget h er w it h som e sept s of Bak r bin Wa’il an d Tam im , em igr at ed t o
Bah r ain w her e t h ey d w elt .
Banu Hanifa bin Sa‘b bin Ali bin Bak r w ent t o set t le in Hij r , t he capit al of Yam am a. All t he t r ibes of
Bak r bin Wa’il liv ed in an ar ea of land w hich included Yam am a, Bahr ain, Saif Kazim a, t he sea shor e,
t h e ou t er bor der s of I r aq, Ablah an d Hait .
Most of t h e t r ibe of Tagh lib liv ed in t h e Eu ph r at es ar ea w h ile som e of t h em liv ed w it h Bak r .
Banu Tam im liv ed in Basr a sem i-d eser t .
Banu Saleem liv ed in t he v icinit y of Madinah on t he land st r et ching fr om Wadi Al-Qu r a t o Kh aibar
on w ar d s t o t h e east er n m ou n t ain s t o Har r ah .
Th aqif dw elt in Ta’if an d Haw azin east of Mak k ah n ear Au t as on t h e r oad f r om Mak k ah t o Basr a.
Ban u Asad liv ed on t h e lan d east of Taim â’ an d w est of Ku fa, w h ile fam ily of Tai’ liv ed bet w een Ban u
Asad and Taim â’. They w er e fiv e -d a y-w alk far fr om Kufa.
Z u by an in h abit ed t h e plot of an d bet w een Taim â’ an d Haw r an .
Som e sept s of Kin an a liv ed in Tih am a, w h ile sept s of Qu r aish dw elt in Mak k ah an d it s su bu r bs.
Qur aish r em ained com plet ely disunit ed unt il Qusai bin Kilab m anaged t o r ally t heir r ank s on
h on ou r able t er m s at t ach in g m aj or pr om in en ce t o t h eir st at u s an d im por t an ce.

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 RULERSH I P AN D PRI N CESH I PAM ON G TH E ARABS

Wh en t alk in g abou t t h e Ar abs bef or e I slam , w e deem it n ecessar y t o dr aw a m in i-pict u r e of t h e

hist or y of r uler ship, pr inceship, sect ar ian ism an d t h e r eligiou s dom in at ion s of t h e Ar abs, so as t o
f acilit at e t h e u n der st an din g of em er gen t cir cu m st an ces w h en I slam appear ed.

Wh en t h e su n of I slam r ose, r u ler s of Ar abia w er e of t w o k in ds: cr ow n ed k in gs, w h o w er e in f act n ot

in d ep en d en t ; an d h ead s of t r ib es an d clan s, w h o en j oy ed t h e sam e au t h or it ies an d p r iv ileg es
possessed by cr ow ned k ings and w er e m ost ly independent , t hough som e of w hom could hav e show n
som e k in d of su bm ission t o a cr ow n ed k in g. Th e cr ow n ed k in gs w er e on ly t h ose of Yemen , Heer ah
an d Gh assan . All ot h er r u ler s of Ar abia w er e n on -cr ow n ed.

RULERSH I P I N YEM EN :

Th e f olk s of Sh eba w er e on e of t h e oldest n at ion s of t h e pu r e Ar abs, w h o liv ed in Yem en .

Ex cav at ion s at “ Or ” br ou gh t t o ligh t t h eir ex ist en ce t w en t y f iv e cen t u r ies B.C. Their civilizat ion
flou r ish ed, an d t h eir dom ain spr ead elev en cen t u r ies B. C.

I t is possible t o div ide t h eir ages accor din g t o t h e f ollow in g est im at ion :

1. The cent ur ies befor e 6 5 0 B. C. , dur ing w hich t heir k ings w er e called “ Mak r ib Sheba” . Their
capit al w as “ Sar w ah ” , also k n ow n as “ Kh r iba” , w h ose r u in s lie in a spot , a day ’s w alk f r om
t h e w est er n side of “ Ma’r ib” . Du r in g t h is per iod, t h ey st ar t ed bu ildin g t h e “ Dam of Ma’r ib”
w h ich h ad gr eat im por t an ce in t h e h ist or y of Yem en . Sh eba w as also said t o h av e h a d so
gr eat a dom ain t h at t h ey h ad colon ies in side an d ou t side Ar abia.
2. Fr om 6 5 0 B. C. unt il 1 1 5 B. C. Dur ing t his er a, t hey gav e up t he nam e “ Mak r ib” and assum ed
t h e design at ion of “ Kin gs of Sh eba” . Th ey also m ade Ma’r ib t h eir capit al in st ead of Sar w ah .
Th e r uins of Ma’r ib lie at a dist ance of six t y m iles east of San‘a.
3. Fr om 115 B. C. unt il 300 A. D. Dur ing t his per iod, t he t r ibe of Him y ar conquer ed t he k ingdom
of Sh eba an d t ook Redan for capit al in st ead of Ma’r ib. Lat er on , Redan w as called “ Zifar ” . I t s
ruin s st ill lie on Mu daw w ar Mou n t ain n ear t h e t ow n of “ Yar im ” . Du r in g t h is per iod, t h ey
began t o declin e an d fall. Th eir t r ade failed t o a v er y gr eat ex t en t , fir st ly , becau se of t h e
Nabet ean dom ain ov er t h e n or t h of Hij az; secon dly , becau se of t h e Rom an su per ior it y ov er
t h e n av al t r ade r ou t es af t er t h e Rom an con qu est of Egy pt , Sy r ia an d t h e n or t h of Hij az; an d
t h ir dly , becau se of t h e in t er-t r ibal w ar f ar e. Th an k s t o t h e t h r ee abov e -m ent ioned fact or s,
f am ilies of Qah t an w er e disu n it ed an d scat t er edou t .
4. Fr om 300 A. D. u n t il I slam daw n ed on Yem en . Th is per iod w it n essed a lot of disor der an d
t u r m oil. Th e gr eat m an y an d civ il w ar s r en der ed t h e people of Yem en liable t o for eign
subj ect ion and hence loss of independence. Dur ing t his er a, t he Rom ans conquer ed ‘Adn and
e ven helped t he Aby ssinians ( Et hiopians) t o occupy Yem en for t he fir st t im e in 340 A. D. ,
m ak in g u se of t h e con st an t in t r a -t r ibal conflict of Ham dan and Him y ar . The Aby ssinian
( Et hiopian) occupat ion of Yem en last ed unt il 3 7 8 A. D. , w her eaft er Yem en r egained it s
in depen den ce. Lat er on , cr ack s began t o sh ow in Ma’r ib Dam w h ich led t o t h e Gr eat Flood
( 4 5 0 or 4 5 1 A. D. ) m en t ion ed in t h e Noble Qu r ’ân . Th is w as a gr eat ev en t w h ich cau sed t h e
fall of t he ent ir e Yem eni civ ilizat ion and t he disper sal of t he nat ions liv in g t h er ein .

I n 5 2 3 , Dh u Naw as, a Jew , despat ch ed a gr eat cam paign again st t h e Ch r ist ian s of Naj r an in or der t o
for ce t h em t o con v er t in t o Ju daism . Hav in g r efu sed t o do so, t h ey w er e t h r ow n aliv e in t o a big dit ch
w h er e a g r eat f ir e h ad b een set . Th e Qu r ’ân r ef er r ed t o t h is ev en t :

• “ Cu r sed w er e t h e people of t h e dit ch . ” [ 8 5 : 4 ]

Th is ar ou sed gr eat w r at h am on g t h e Ch r ist ian s, an d especially t h e Rom an em per or s, w h o n ot on ly

in st igat ed t h e Aby ssin ian s ( Et h iopian s) again st Ar abs bu t also assem bled a lar ge f leet w hich helped
t h e Aby ssin ian ( Et h iopian ) ar m y , of sev en t y t h ou san d w ar r ior s, t o ef f ect a secon d con qu est of
Yem en in 5 2 5 A. D. , u n der t h e leader sh ip of Er iat , w h o w as gr an t ed r u ler sh ip ov er Yem en , a posit ion
h e h eld u n t il h e w as assassin at ed b y on e of h is ar m y leader s, Abr aha, w ho, aft er r econciliat ion w it h
t h e k in g of Aby ssin ia, t ook r u ler sh ip ov er Yem en an d, lat er on , deploy ed h is soldier s t o dem olish Al-
Ka‘bah , an d , h en ce, h e an d h is soldier s cam e t o be k n ow n as t h e “ Men of t h e Eleph an t ” .
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Af t er t h e “ Eleph an t ” in ciden t , t h e people of Yem en , u n der t h e leader sh ip of Ma‘dik ar ib bin Saif Dh u
Yazin Al-Him y ar i, an d t h r ou gh Per sian assist an ce, r ev olt ed again st t h e Aby ssin ian ( Et h iopian )
in v ader s, r est or ed in depen den ce an d appoin t ed Ma‘dik ar ib as t h eir k in g. How ev er, Ma‘dik ar ib w as
assassin at ed by an Aby ssin ian ( Et h iopian ) h e u sed t o h av e h im ar ou n d f or ser v ice an d pr ot ect ion .
Th e fam ily of Dh u Yazin w as t h u s depr iv ed of r oy alt y for ev er . Kisr a, t h e Per sian k in g, appoin t ed a
Per sian r u ler ov er San ‘a an d t h u s m ade Yem e n a Per sian colony . Per sian r uler s m aint ained r uler ship
of Yem en unt il Badhan, t he last of t hem , em br aced I slam in 6 3 8 A. D. , t hus t er m inat ing t he Per sian
dom ain ov er Yem en.

RULERSH I P I N H EERAH :
Ev er sin ce Kor osh t h e Gr eat ( 5 5 7 -5 2 9 B. C. ) u n it ed t h e Per sian s, t h ey r u led I r aq an d it s
n eigh bou r h ood. Nobody cou ld sh ak e of f t h eir au t h or it y u n t il Alex an der t h e Gr eat v an qu ish ed t h eir
k in g Dar a I an d t h u s su bdu ed t h e Per sian s in 3 2 6 B. C. Per sian lan ds w er e t h en cef or t h div ided an d
r u led by k in gs k n ow n as “ t h e Kin gs of Sect s” , an er a w h ich last ed u n t il 2 3 0 A. D. Mean w h ile, t h e
Qah t an ian s occu pied som e I r aqi t er r it or ies, an d w er e lat er f ollow ed by som e ‘Adn an ian s w h o
m an aged t o sh ar e som e par t s of Mesopot am ia w it h t h em .
Th e Per sian s, u n der t h e leader sh ip of Ar dash ir , w h o h ad est ablish ed t h e Sasan ian st at e in 2 2 6 A. D,
r egain ed en ou gh u n it y an d pow er t o su bdu e t h e Ar abs liv in g in t h e v icin it y of t h eir k in gdom , an d
f or ce Qu da‘a t o leav e f or Sy r ia , leav in g t h e people of Heer ah an d An bar u n der t h e Per sian dom ain .
Dur ing t h e t im e of Ar dash ir , Ju zaim a Alw addah ex er cised r u ler sh ip ov er Heer ah , Rabi‘a an d Mu dar ,
an d Mesopot am ia. Ar dash ir h ad r eck on ed t h at it w as im possible for h im t o r u le t h e Ar abs dir ect ly
an d pr ev en t t h em f r om at t ack in g h is bor der s u n less h e appoin t ed as k in g on e of t h em w h o en j oy ed
su p p or t an d p ow er of h is t r ib e. He h ad also seen t h at h e cou ld m ak e u se of t h em ag ain st t h e
By zan t in e k in gs w h o alw ay s u sed t o h ar ass h im . At t h e sam e t im e, t h e Ar abs of I r aq cou ld f ace t h e
Ar abs of Sy r ia w h o w er e in t h e h old of By zan t in e k in gs. How ev er , h e deem ed it f it t o k eep a Per sian
bat t alion u n der com m an d of t h e k in g of Heer ah t o be u sed again st t h ose Ar abs w h o m igh t r ebel
against him .
Aft er t he deat h of Juzaim a ar ound 268 A. D. , ‘Am r bin ‘Adi bin Nasr Al-Lak h m i w as appoin t ed as k in g
by t h e Per sian Kin g Sabou r bin Ar dash ir . ‘Am r w as t h e fir st of t h e Lak h m i k in gs w h o r u led Heer ah
u n t il t h e Per sian s appoin t ed Qabaz bin Fair u z in w h ose r eign appear ed som eon e called Mazdak , w h o
called f or dissolu t en ess in social lif e. Qabaz, an d m an y of h is su bj ect s, em br aced Mazdak ’s r eligion
an d ev en called u pon t h e k in g of Heer ah , Al-Munzir bin Ma’ As -Sam a’, t o follow aft er . Wh en t h e
lat t er , becau se of h is pr ide an d self -r espect , r ej ect ed t h eir or der s, Qabaz disch ar ged h im an d
nom inat ed Har it h bin ‘Am r bin Haj ar Al-Kin di, w h o h ad accept ed t h e Mazdak i doct r in e.
No soon er did Kisr a An u Sh air w an su cceed Qabaz t h an h e, du e t o h at r ed of Mazdak ’s ph ilosoph y ,
k illed Mazdak an d m an y of h is f ollow er s, r est or ed Mu n zir t o t h e t h r on e of Heer ah an d gav e orders to
su m m on u n der ar r est Har it h w h o sou gh t r ef u ge w it h Al-Kalb t r ibe w her e he spent t he r est of his life.
Sons of Al-Munzir bin Ma’ As -Sam a’ m aint ained k ingship a long t im e unt il An -Nu‘m an bin Al-Munzir
t ook ov er . Because of a calum ny bor ne by Zaid bin ‘Adi Al-‘Abbadi, t h e Per sian k in g got an gr y w it h
An -Nu‘m an and sum m oned him t o his palace. An -Nu‘m an w ent secr et ly t o Hani bin Mas‘ud, chief of
Sh aiban t r ibe, an d lef t h is w ealt h an d f am ily u n der t h e lat t er ’s pr ot ect ion , an d t h en pr esen t ed
him self befor e t h e Per sian k in g, w h o im m ediat ely t h r ew h im in t o pr ison w h er e h e per ish ed. Kisr a,
t h en , ap p oin t ed Ey as b in Qu b aisa At -Ta’i as k ing of Heer ah. Ey as w as or der ed t o t ell Hani bin Mas‘ud
t o deliv er An -Nu ‘m an ’s ch ar ge u p t o Kisr a. No soon er t h an h ad t h e Per sian k in g r eceiv ed t h e
f an at ically m ot iv at ed r ej ect ion on t h e par t of t h e Ar ab ch ief , h e declar ed w ar again st t h e t r ibe of
Sh aiban an d m obilized h is t r oops an d w ar r ior s u n der t h e leader sh ip of Kin g Ey as t o a place called
Dh ee Qar w h ich w it n essed a m ost f u r iou s b at t le w h er ein t h e Per sian s w er e sev er ely r ou t ed b y t h e
Ar abs for t h e fir st t im e in h ist or y . Th at w as v er y soon aft er t h e bir t h of Pr oph et Mu h am m ad Õáì
Çááå Úáíå æÓáã eig h t m on t h s af t er Ey as b in Qu b aisah ’s r ise t o p ow er ov er Heer ah .
Af t er Ey as, a Per sian r u ler w as appoin t ed ov er Heer ah , bu t in 6 3 2 A. D. t h e au t h or it y t h er e r et u r n ed
t o t he fam ily of Luk hm w hen Al-Munzir Al-Ma‘r u r t ook ov er . Har dly h ad t h e lat t er ’s r eign last ed for
eigh t m on t h s w h en Kh alid bin Al-Waleed fell upon him w it h Muslim soldier s.

RULERSH I P I N GEOGRAPH I CAL SYRI A:

I n t h e pr ocess of t h e t r ibal em igr at ion s, som e sept s of Qu da‘a r each ed t h e bor der s of Sy r ia w h er e
t h ey set t led dow n . Th ey belon ged t o t h e f am ily of Su laih bin Halw an , of w h ose of f spr in g w er e t h e
sons of Duj ‘am bin Sulaih k n ow n as Ad -Du j a‘im a. Su ch sept s of Qu da‘a w er e u sed by t h e By zan t in es
in t h e d ef en ce of t h e By zan t in e b or d er s ag ain st b ot h Ar ab Bed ou in r aid er s an d t h e Per sian s, an d
en j oy ed au t on om y f or a con sider able ph ase of t im e w h ich is said t o h av e last ed f or t h e w h ole
second cent ur y A. D. One of t heir m ost fam ous k ings w as Zy iad bin Al-Habula. Their aut hor it y
h ow ev er cam e t o an en d u pon def eat by t h e Gh assan ides w h o w er e con sequ en t ly gr an t ed t h e pr ox y
r uler ship ov er t he Ar abs of Sy r ia and had Dum at Al-Jan dal as t h eir h eadqu ar t er s, w h ich last ed u n t il

12
t he bat t le of Yar m uk in t he y ear 13 A. H. Their last k ing Jabala bin Al-Aihum em br aced I slam dur ing
t he r eign of t he Chief of Believ er s, ‘Um ar bin Al-Khat t ab ( May Allah be pleased w it h him ) .

RULERSH I P I N H I JAZ:
I shm ael ( Peace be u pon h im ) adm in ist er ed au t h or it y ov er Mak k ah as w ell as cu st odian sh ip of t h e
Holy San ct u ar y t h r ou gh ou t h is lif et im e. Upon h is deat h , at t h e age of 1 3 7 , t w o of h is son s, Nabet
an d Qidar , su cceeded h im . Lat er on , t h eir m at er n al gr an dfat h er , Mu dad bin ‘Am r Al-Jur hum i t ook
ov er , t h u s t r an sfer r in g r u ler sh ip ov er Mak k ah t o t h e t r ibe of Ju r h u m , pr eser v in g a v en er able
posit ion , t h ou gh v er y lit t le au t h or it y for I sh m ael’s son s du e t o t h eir fat h er ’s ex ploit s in bu ildin g t h e
Holy Sanct uar y , a posit ion t hey held unt il t he decline of t he t r ibe of Jur hum shor t ly befor e t he r ise of
Bu k h t an assar .
Th e polit ical r ole of t h e ‘Adn an ides h ad begu n t o gain fir m er gr ou n ds in Mak k ah , w h ich cou ld be
clear ly at t est ed by t h e f act t h at u pon Bu k h t an assar ’s f ir st in v asion of t h e Ar abs in ‘Dhat i ‘I r q’, t he
leader of t h e Ar abs w as n ot fr om Ju r h u m .
Upon Bu k h t an assar ’s secon d in v asion in 5 8 7 B. C. , h ow ev er , t h e ‘Adn an ides w er e f r igh t en ed ou t t o
Yem en, w hile Bur m ia An -Nabi f led t o Sy r ia w it h Ma‘ad, bu t w h en Bu k h t an assar ’s pr essu r e lessened,
Ma‘ad r et u r n ed t o Mak k ah t o fin d n on e of t h e t r ibe of Ju r h u m ex cept Ju r sh am bin Jalh am ah , w h ose
dau gh t er , Mu ‘an a, w as giv en t o Ma‘ad as w if e w h o, lat er , h ad a son by h im n am ed Nizar .
On account of difficult liv ing condit ions and dest it ut ion pr ev alent in Mak k ah, t he t r ibe of Jur hum
began t o ill-t r eat v isit or s of t h e Holy San ct u ar y an d ex t or t it s f u n ds, w h ich ar ou sed r esen t m en t an d
h at r ed of t h e ‘Adn an ides ( son s of Bak r bin ‘Abd Mu n af bin Kin an a) w h o, w it h t h e h elp of t h e t r ibe of
Khuza‘a t hat had com e t o set t le in a n eigh bou r in g ar ea called Mar r Az -Zahr an, inv aded Jur hum and
fr igh t en ed t h em ou t of Mak k ah leav in g r u ler sh ip t o Qu da‘a in t h e m iddle of t h e secon d cen t u r y A. D.
Upon leav ing Mak k ah, Jur hum filled up t he w ell of Zam zam , lev elled it s place and b u r ied a g r eat
m any t hings in it . ‘Am r bin Al-Har it h bin Mudad Al-Ju r h u m i w as r epor t ed by I bn I sh aq, t h e w ell-
k n ow n h ist or ian , t o h av e b u r ied t h e t w o g old d eer t og et h er w it h t h e Black St on e as w ell as a lot of
j ew elr y an d sw or ds in Zam zam , pr ior t o t h eir sor r ow f u l escape t o Yem en .
I sh m ael’s epoch is est im at ed t o h av e last ed for t w en t y cen t u r ies B. C. , w h ich m ean s t h at Ju r h u m
st ay ed in Mak k ah f or t w en t y -on e cen t u r ies an d h eld r u ler sh ip t h er e f or abou t t w en t y cen t u r ies.
Upon defeat of Ju r h u m , t h e t r ibe of Kh u za‘a m on opolized r u ler sh ip ov er Mak k ah . Mu dar t r ibes,
h ow ev er , en j oy ed t h r ee pr iv ileges:
• The Fir st : Leading pilgr im s fr om ‘Ar afat t o Muzdalifah and t hen fr om Mina t o t he ‘Aqabah
St oning Pillar . This w as t he aut hor it y of t he fam ily of Al-Gh aw t h bin Mu r r a, on e of t h e sept s
of Elias bin Mudar , w ho w er e called ‘Sofa’. This pr iv ilege m eant t hat t h e pilgr im s w er e n ot
allow ed t o t h r ow st on es at Al-‘Aqabah u n t il on e of t h e ‘Sof a’ m en did t h at . Wh en t h ey h ad
fin ish ed st on in g an d w an t ed t o leav e t h e v alley of Min a, ‘Sofa’ m en st ood on t h e t w o sides of
Al-‘Aq ab ah an d n ob od y w ou ld p ass t h at p osit ion u n t il t h e m en of ‘Sof a’ passed an d clear ed
t he w ay for t he pilgr im s. When Sofa per ished, t he fam ily of Sa‘d bin Zaid Manat fr om Tam im
t r ibe t ook ov er .
The Second: Al-I fadah ( leav ing for Mina aft er Muzdalifah) on sacr ifice m or ning, and t his w as
t h e r esp on sib ilit y of t he fam ily of Adw an.
The Thir d: Defer m ent of t he sacr ed m ont hs, and t his w as t he r esponsibilit y of t he fam ily of
Tam im bin ‘Adi from Bani Kinana.
Kh u za‘a’s r eign in Mak k ah last ed f or t h r ee h u n dr ed y ear s, du r in g w h ich , t h e ‘Adn an ides spr ead all
o ver Naj d an d t h e sides of Bah r ain an d I r aq, w h ile sm all sept s of Qu r aish r em ain ed on t h e sides of
Mak k ah; t hey w er e Haloul, Har um and som e fam ilies of Kinana. They enj oy ed no pr iv ileges in
Mak k ah or in t h e Sacr ed Hou se u n t il t h e appear an ce of Qu sai bin Kila b, w h ose f at h er is said t o h av e
died w h en h e w as st ill a baby , an d w h ose m ot h er w as su bsequ en t ly m ar r ied t o Rabi‘a bin Har am ,
f r om t h e t r ibe of Ban i ‘Udh r a. Rabi‘a t ook h is w if e an d h er baby t o h is h om elan d on t h e bor der s of
Sy r ia. Wh en Qu sai becam e a y ou n g m an , h e r et u r n ed t o Mak k ah , w h ich w as r u led by Halil bin
Habsh a f r om Kh u za‘a, w h o gav e Qu sai h is dau gh t er , Hobba, as w if e. Af t er Halil’s deat h , a w ar
b et w een Kh u za‘a an d Qu r aish b r ok e ou t an d r esu lt ed in Qu sai’s t ak in g h old of Mak k ah an d t h e
Sacr ed Hou se.

TH E REASON S OF TH I S W AR H AVE BEEN I LLUSTRATED I N TH REE VERSI ON S:

• Th e Fir st : Hav in g n ot iced t h e spr ead of h is offspr in g, in cr ease of h is pr oper t y an d ex alt of
h is h on ou r aft er Halil’s deat h , Qu sai fou n d h im self m or e en t it led t o sh ou lder r espon sibility of
r uler ship ov er Mak k ah and cust odianship of t he Sacr ed House t han t he t r ibes of Khuza‘a and
Ban i Bak r . He also adv ocat ed t h at Qu r aish w er e t h e ch ief s of I sh m ael’s descen dan t s.
Th er ef or e h e con su lt ed som e m en f r om Qu r aish an d Kin an a con cer n in g h is desir e t o
ev acu at e Kh u za‘a an d Ban i Bak r fr om Mak k ah . Th ey t ook a lik in g t o h is opin ion an d
suppor t ed him .

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 Th e Secon d: Kh u za‘a claim ed t h at Halil r equ est ed Qu sai t o h old cu st odian sh ip of Al-Ka‘bah
an d r u ler sh ip ov er Mak k ah af t er h is deat h .
The Third: Halil g av e t he r ight of Al-Ka‘bah ser v ice t o h is dau gh t er Hobba an d appoin t ed Abu
Gh absh an Al-Kh u za‘i t o fu n ct ion as h er agen t w h er eof. Upon Halil’s deat h , Qu sai bou gh t t h is
r igh t for a leat h er bag of w in e, w h ich ar ou sed dissat isfact ion am on g t h e m en of Kh u za‘a a nd
t h ey t r ied t o k eep t h e cu st odian sh ip of t h e Sacr ed Hou se aw ay f r om Qu sai. Th e lat t er ,
h ow ev er , w it h t h e h elp of Qu r aish an d Kin an a, m an ag ed t o t ak e ov er an d ev en t o ex p el
Khuza‘a com plet ely fr om Mak k ah.
Wh at ev er t h e t r u t h m igh t h av e been , t h e w h ole af f air r esu lt ed in t h e depr iv at ion of Sofa of
t heir pr iv ileges, pr ev iously m ent ioned, ev acuat ion of Khuza‘a and Bak r fr om Mak k ah and
t r an sfer of r u ler sh ip ov er Mak k ah an d cu st odian sh ip of t h e Holy San ct u ar y t o Qu sai, aft er
f ier ce w ar s b et w een Qu sai an d Kh u za‘a in flict in g h eav y casu alt ies on bot h sides,
r econciliat ion and t hen ar bit r at ion of Ya‘m ur bin ‘Aw f, fr om t he t r ibe of Bak r , w hose
j u dgem en t en t ailed eligibilit y of Qu sai’s r u ler sh ip ov er Mak k ah an d cu st odian sh ip of t h e
Sacr ed Hou se, Qu sai’s ir r espon sibilit y f or Kh u za‘a’s blood sh ed, an d im posit ion of blood
m on ey on Kh u za‘a. Qu sai’s r eign ov er Mak k ah an d t h e Sacr ed Hou se began in 4 4 0 A. D. an d
allow ed h im , an d Qu r aish af t er w ar ds, absolu t e r u ler sh ip ov er Mak k ah an d u n dispu t ed
cu st odian sh ip of t h e Sacr ed Hou se t o w hich Ar abs fr om all ov er Ar abia cam e t o pay hom age.
Qu sai br ou gh t h is k in speople t o Mak k ah an d allocat ed it t o t h em , allow in g Qu r aish som e dw ellin gs
t her e. An -Nus’a, t he fam ilies of Safw an, Adw an, Mur r a bin ‘Aw f pr eser v ed t he sam e r ight s t hey used
t o enj oy befor e his ar r iv al.
A sign ifican t ach iev em en t cr edit ed t o Qu sai w as t h e est ablish m en t of An -Nadwa House ( an assem bly
h ou se) on t h e n or t h er n side of Al-Ka‘bah Mosqu e, t o ser v e as a m eet in g place for Qu r aish . Th is v er y
h ou se h ad b en ef it ed Qu r aish a lot becau se it secu r ed u n it y of opin ion s am on gst t h em an d cor dial
solut ion t o t heir pr oblem .

QUSAI H OW EV ER EN JOYED TH E FOLLON G PRI V I LEGED OF LEAD ERSH I P AN D H ON OUR:

1. Pr esiding ov er An -Nad w a Hou se m eet in g s w h er e con su lt at ion s r elat in g t o ser iou s issu es
w er e con du ct ed, an d m ar r iage con t r act s w er e an n ou n ced.
2. Th e St an dar d: He m on opolized in h is h an d issu es r elev an t t o w ar lau n ch in g.
3. Door k eeping of Al-Ka‘b ah : He w as t h e on ly on e elig ib le t o op en it s g at e, an d w as
r espon sible f or it s ser v ice an d pr ot ect ion .
4. Prov idin g w at er f or t h e Pilgr im s: Th is m ean s t h at h e u sed t o f ill basin s sw eet en ed by dat es
and r aisins for t he pilgr im s t o dr ink .
5. Feeding Pilgr im s: This m eans m ak ing food for pilgr im s w ho could not affor d it . Qusai ev en
im posed on Qu r aish an n u al lan d t ax , paid at t h e season of pilgr im age, f or f ood.

I t is n ot ew or t h y h ow ev er t h at Qu sai sin gled ou t ‘Abd Man af , a son of h is, f or h on ou r an d pr est ige

t h ou gh h e w as n ot h is elder son ( ‘Abd Ad -Dar w as) , an d en t r u st ed h im w it h su ch r espon sibilit ies as
chairing of An -Nad w a Hou se, t h e st an d ar d , t h e d oor k eep in g of Al-Ka‘bah , pr ov idin g w at er an d f ood
f or p ilg r im s. Du e t o t h e f act t h at Qu sai’s d eed s w er e r eg ar d ed as u n q u est ion ab le an d h is or d er s
in v iolable, h is deat h gav e n o r ise t o con flict s am on g h is son s, bu t it lat er did am on g h is gr an d
ch ildr en , f or n o soon er t h an ‘Abd Mu n af h ad died, h is son s began t o h av e r ow s w it h t h eir cou sin s —
sons of ‘Abd Ad -Dar , w h ich w ou ld h av e giv en r ise t o dissen sion an d f igh t in g am on g t h e w h ole t r ibe
of Qu r aish , h ad it n ot been f or a peace t r eat y w h er eb y p ost s w er e r eallocat ed so as t o p r eser v e
feeding and pr ov iding w at er for pilgr im s for t he sons of ‘Abd Munaf; w hile An -Nadw a Hou se, t he flag
an d t h e door k eepin g of Al-Ka‘bah w er e m ain t ain ed f or t h e son s of ‘Abd Ad -Dar . The sons of ‘Abd
Mu n af, h ow ev er , cast t h e lot f or t h eir ch ar ge, an d con sequ en t ly lef t t h e ch ar ge of f ood an d w at er
giv in g t o Hash im bin ‘Abd Mu n af , u pon w h ose deat h , t h e ch ar ge w as t ak en ov er by a br ot h er of h is
called Al-Mu t t alib bin ‘Abd Man af an d aft er w ar ds by ‘Abd Al-Mu t t alib bin Hash im , t h e Pr oph et ’s
gr an df at h er , w h ose son s assu m ed t h is posit ion u n t il t h e r ise of I slam , du r in g w h ich ‘Abbas bin
‘Abdu l-Mu t t alib w as in ch ar ge.
Many ot her post s w er e dist r iam ong people of Qur aish for est ablishing t he pillar s of a new dem ocr at ic
pet it e st at e w it h gov er n m en t of f ices an d cou n cils sim ilar t o t h ose of t oday . En list ed as f ollow s ar e
som e of t h ese p ost s.

1. Cast in g t h e lot s f or t h e idols w as allocat ed t o Ban i Ju m ah .

2. Not in g of offer s an d sacr ifices, set t lem en t of dispu t es an d r elev an t is su es w er e t o lie in t h e
hands of Bani Sahm .
3. Con su lt at ion w as t o g o t o Ban i Asad .
4. Or gan izat ion of blood-m on ey an d fin es w as w it h Ban i Tay im .
14
 5. Bear in g t h e n at ion al ban n er w as w it h Ban i Om aiy ah .
6. The m ilit ar y inst it ut e, foot m en and cav alr y w ould be Bani Makhzum ’s r esponsibilit y .
7. Bani ‘Adi w ould funct ion as for eign m ediat or s.

RULERSH I P I N PAN - ARABI A:

We h av e pr ev iou sly m en t ion ed t h e Qah t an ide an d ‘Adn an ide em igr at ion s, an d div ision of Ar abia
b et w een t h ese t w o t r ib es. Th ose t r ib es d w ellin g n ear Heer ah w er e subor dinat e t o t he Ar abian k ing
of Heer ah , w h ile t h ose dw ellin g in t h e Sy r ian sem i-d eser t w er e u n d er d om ain of t h e Ar ab ian
Gh assan ide k in g, a sor t of depen den cy t h at w as in r ealit y for m al r at h er t h an act u al. How ev er , t h ose
liv in g in t h e h in der deser t s en j o y ed full aut onom y .
Th ese t r ib es in f act h ad h ead s ch osen b y t h e w h ole t r ib e w h ich w as a d em i-g ov er n m en t b ased on
t r ibal solidar it y an d collect iv e in t er est s in defen ce of lan d an d pr oper t y .
Heads of t r ibes en j oy ed dict at or ial pr iv ileges sim ilar t o t h ose of k in gs, an d w er e r en der ed f u ll
obedien ce an d su bor din at ion in bot h w ar an d peace. Riv alr y am on g cou sin s f or r u ler sh ip, h ow ev er ,
of t en dr ov e t h em t o ou t do on e an ot h er in en t er t ain in g gu est s, af f ect in g gen er osit y , w isdom an d
ch iv alr y f or t h e sole pu r pose of ou t r an k in g t h eir r iv als, an d gain in g fam e am on g people especially
poet s w h o w er e t h e of f icial spok esm en at t h e t im e.
Heads of t r ibes an d m ast er s h ad special claim s t o spoils of w ar su ch as t h e qu ar t er of t h e spoils,
w h at ev er h e ch ose f or h im self , or f ou n d on h is w ay back or ev en t h e r em ain in g in div isible spoils.

TH E POLI TI CAL SI TUATI ON :

Th e t h r ee Ar ab r egion s adj acen t t o f or eign er s su f f er ed gr eat w eak n ess an d in f er ior it y . Th e people
t h er e w er e eit h er m ast er s or slav es, r u ler s or su bor din at es. Mast er s, especially t he for eigner s, had
claim t o ev er y adv an t age; slav es h ad n ot h in g bu t r espon sibilit ies t o sh ou lder . I n ot h er w or ds,
ar bit r ar y aut ocr at ic r uler ship br ought about encr oachm ent on t he r ight s of subor dinat es, ignor ance,
oppr ession, iniquit y , inj ust ice an d h ar dsh ip, an d t u r n in g t h em in t o people gr opin g in dar k n ess an d
ignor ance, v iz. , fer t ile land w hich r ender ed it s fr uit s t o t he r uler s and m en of pow er t o ex t r av agant ly
d issip at e on t h eir p leasu r es an d en j oy m en t s, w h im s an d d esir es, t y r an n y an d ag g r ession. The tribes
liv ing near t hese r egions w er e fluct uat ing bet w een Sy r ia and I r aq, w her eas t hose liv ing inside Ar abia
w er e disu n it ed an d gov er n ed by t r ibal con f lict s an d r acial an d r eligiou s dispu t es.
Th ey h ad n eit h er a k in g t o su st ain t h eir in depen den ce n or a su ppor t er t o seek adv ice f r om , or
depen d u pon , in h ar dsh ips.
Th e r u ler s of Hij az, h ow ev er , w er e g r eat ly est eem ed an d r esp ect ed b y t h e Ar ab s, an d w er e
con sider ed as r u ler s an d ser v an t s of t h e r eligiou s cen t r e. Ru ler sh ip of Hij az w as, in fact , a m ix t u re of
secu lar an d of f icial pr eceden ce as w ell as r eligiou s leader sh ip. Th ey r u led am on g t h e Ar abs in t h e
n am e of r eligiou s leader sh ip an d alw ay s m on opolized t h e cu st odian sh ip of t h e Holy San ct u ar y an d
it s n eigh bou r h ood. Th ey look ed af t er t h e in t er est s of A l-Ka‘bah v isit or s and w er e in char ge of put t ing
Abr ah am ’s code in t o ef f ect . Th ey ev en h ad su ch of f ices an d depar t m en t s lik e t h ose of t h e
par liam en t s of t oday . How ev er , t h ey w er e t oo w eak t o car r y t h e h eav y bu r den , as t h is ev iden t ly
cam e t o light dur ing t he Aby ssinian ( Et hiopian) inv asion.

15
 RELI GI ON S OF TH E ARABS

Most of t h e Ar abs h ad com plied w it h t h e call of I sh m ael ( Peace be u pon h im ) , an d pr of essed t h e

r eligion of h is fat h er Abr ah am ( Peace be u pon h im ) Th ey h ad w or sh ipped Allâh , pr ofessed His
On en ess a nd follow ed His r eligion a long t im e unt il t hey for got par t of w hat t hey had been r em inded
of . How ev er , t h ey st ill m ain t ain ed su ch f u n dam en t al belief s su ch as m on ot h eism as w ell as v ar iou s
ot h er aspect s of Abr ah am ’s r eligion , u n t il t h e t im e w h en a ch ief of Khuza‘a, nam ely ‘Am r bin Luhai,
w h o w as r en ow n ed f or r ig h t eou sn ess, ch ar it y , r ev er en ce an d car e f or r elig ion , an d w as g r an t ed
u n r eser v ed lov e an d obedien ce by h is t r ibesm en , cam e back f r om a t r ip t o Sy r ia w h er e h e saw
p eop le w or sh ip id ols, a p h en om en on h e appr ov ed of an d believ ed it t o be r igh t eou s sin ce Sy r ia w as
t h e locu s of Messen ger s an d Scr ipt u r es, h e br ou gh t w it h h im an idol ( Hu bal) w h ich h e placed in t h e
m iddle of Al-Ka‘bah an d su m m on ed people t o w or sh ip it . Readily en ou gh , pagan ism spr ead all ov er
Mak k ah an d, t h en ce, t o Hij az, people of Mak k ah bein g cu st odian s of n ot on ly t h e Sacr ed Hou se bu t
t h e w h ole Har am as w ell. A gr eat m an y idols, bear in g dif f er en t n am es, w er e in t r odu ced in t o t h e
ar ea.

An idol called ‘Manat ’, for inst ance, w as w or shipped in a place k n ow n as Al-Mu sh allal n ear Qadid on
t he Red Sea. Anot her , ‘Al-Lat ’ in Ta’if, a t hird, ‘Al-‘Uzza’ in t h e v alley of Nak h lah , an d so on an d so
f or t h . Poly t h eism pr ev ailed an d t h e n u m ber of idols in cr eased ev er y w h er e in Hij az. I t w as ev en
m en t ion ed t h at ‘Am r bin Luhai, w it h t he help of a j inn com panion w ho t old him t hat t he idols of
Noah’s folk – Wadd, Su w a‘, Yagu t h , Ya‘u k an d Nasr – w er e bu r ied in Jeddah , du g t h em ou t an d t ook
t hem t o Tiham a. Upon pilgr im age t im e, t he idols w er e dist r ibut ed am ong t he t r ib es t o t ak e b ack
hom e. Ev er y t r ibe, and house, had t heir ow n idols, and t he Sacr ed House w as also ov er cr ow ded w it h
t h em . On t h e Pr oph et ’s con qu est of Mak k ah , 3 6 0 idols w er e f ou n d ar ou n d Al-Ka‘bah. He broke t hem
d ow n an d h ad t h em r em ov ed an d b u r n ed u p .

Po ly t h eism an d w or sh ip of idols becam e t h e m ost pr om in en t feat u r e of t h e r eligion of pr e -I slam

Ar abs despit e alleged pr of ession of Abr ah am ’s r eligion .

Tr adit ion s an d cer em on ies of t h e w or sh ip of t h eir idols h ad been m ost ly cr eat ed by ‘Am r bin Lu h ai,
a n d w e re deem ed as good in n ov at ion s r at h er t h an dev iat ion s f r om Abr ah am ’s r eligion . Som e
f eat u r es of t h eir w or sh ip of idols w er e:

• Self-dev ot ion t o t he idols, seek ing r efuge w it h t hem , acclam at ion of t heir nam es, calling for
t h eir h elp in h ar dsh ip, an d su pplicat ion t o t hem for fulfillm ent of w ishes, hopefully t hat t he
idols ( i. e. , h eat h en gods) w ou ld m ediat e w it h Allâh for t h e fu lfillm en t of people’s w ish es.
• Per for m ing pilgr im age t o t he idols, cir cum r ot at ion r ound t hem , self-ab asem en t an d ev en
pr ost r at in g t h em selv es bef or e t h em .
• Seek ing fav our of idols t hr ough v ar ious k inds of sacr ifices and im m olat ions, w hich is
m en t ion ed in t h e Qu r ’ân ic v er ses:
• “ And t hat w hich is sacr ificed ( slaught er ed) on An -Nu su b ( st on e-alt ar s) ” [ 5: 3]

Allâh also say s:

• “ Eat n ot ( O believ er s) of t h at ( m eat ) on w h ich Allâh ’s Nam e h as n ot been pr on ou n ced ( at
t he t im e of t he slaught er ing of t he anim al) . ” [ 6: 121]

• Consecr at ion of cer t ain por t ions of food, dr ink , cat t le, and cr ops t o idols. Sur pr isingly
en ou g h , p or t ion s w ere also con secr at ed t o Allâh Him self , bu t people of t en f ou n d r eason s t o
t r an sfer par t s of Allâh ’s por t ion t o idols, bu t n ev er did t h e opposit e. To t h is effect , t h e
Qu r ’ân ic v er ses go:

• “ An d t h ey assign t o Allâh a sh ar e of t h e t ilt h an d cat t le w h ich He h as cr eat ed , an d t h ey

say : ‘This is for Allâh accor ding t o t heir pr et ending, and t his is for our ( Allâh’s so-called)
par t n er s. ’ Bu t t h e sh ar e of t h eir ( Allâh ’s so-called) ‘par t ner s’, r eaches not Allâh, w hile t he
sh ar e of Allâh r each es t h eir ( Allâh ’s so-calle d) ‘par t ner s’. Ev il is t he w ay t hey j udge. ”
[ 6: 136]

16
 • Cu r r y in g f av ou r s w it h t h ese idols t h r ou gh v ot iv e of f er in gs of cr ops an d cat t le, t o w h ich
ef f ect , t h e Qu r ’ân goes:

• “ An d accor din g t o t h eir pr et en din g, t h ey say t h at su ch an d su ch cat t le an d cr ops ar e

f or bidden , an d n on e sh ou ld eat of t h em ex cept t h ose w h om w e allow . An d ( t h ey say ) t h er e
ar e cat t le f or bidden t o be u sed f or bu r den or an y ot h er w or k , an d cat t le on w h ich ( at
slaught er ing) t he Nam e of Allâh is not pr onounced; ly ing against Him ( Allâh) . ” [ 6: 138]

• Dedicat ion of cer t ain anim als ( such as Bahir a, Sa’iba, Wasila and Ham i) t o idols, w hich
m ean t spar in g su ch an im als f r om u sef u l w or k f or t h e sak e of t h ese h eat h en gods. Bah ir a, as
r ep or t ed b y t h e w ell-k n ow n h ist or ian , I bn I sh , w as dau gh t er of Sa’iba w h ich w as a f em ale
cam el t h at gav e bir t h t o t en su ccessiv e f em ale an im als, bu t n o m ale on es, w as set f r ee an d
f or bidden t o y ok e, bu r den or bein g sh ear ed of f it s w ool, or m ilk ed ( but for guest s t o dr ink
fr om ) ; an d so w as don e t o all h er fem ale offspr in g w h ich w er e giv en t h e n am e ‘Bah ir a’, aft er
h av in g t h eir ear s slit . Th e Wasila w as a f em ale sh eep w h ich h ad t en su ccessiv e f em ale
dau gh t er s in f iv e pr egn an cies. An y n ew bir t h s f r om t h is Wasila w er e assign ed on ly f or m ale
people. Th e Ham i w as a m ale cam el w h ich pr odu ced t en pr ogr essiv e f em ales, an d w as t h u s
sim ilar ly for bidden. I n m ent ion of t his, t he Qur ’ânic v er ses go:

• “ Allâh h as n ot in st it u t ed t h in gs lik e Bah ir a ( a sh e-cam el w h ose m ilk w as spar ed f or t h e

idols an d n obody w as allow ed t o m ilk it ) or a Sa’iba ( a sh e cam el let loose f or f r ee past u r e
f or t h eir f alse gods, e. g. idols, et c. , an d n ot h in g w as allow ed t o be c ar r ied on it ) , or a Wasila
( a sh e-cam el set f r ee f or idols becau se it h as giv en bir t h t o a sh e-cam el at it s fir st deliv er y
an d t h en ag ain g iv es b ir t h t o a sh e-cam el at it s second deliv er y ) or a Hâm ( a st allion-cam el
fr eed fr om w or k for t heir idols, aft er it h ad f in ish ed a n u m ber of copu lat ion s assign ed f or it ,
all t h ese an im als w er e liber at ed in h on ou r of idols as pr act ised by pagan Ar abs in t h e pr e -
I slam ic per iod) . Bu t t h ose w h o disbeliev e, in v en t lies again st Allâh , an d m ost of t h em h av e
n o u n d er st an d in g .” [ 5: 103]
Allâh also say s:
• “ An d t h ey say : Wh at is in t h e bellies of su ch an d su ch cat t le ( m ilk or foet u s) is for ou r
m ales alon e, an d for bidden t o ou r fem ales ( gir ls an d w om en ) , bu t if it is bor n dead, t h en all
h av e sh ar es t h er ein . ” [ 6 : 1 3 9 ]
I t h as b een au t h en t ically r epor t ed t h at su ch su per st it ion s w er e fir st in v en t ed by ‘Am r bin Lu h ai.
Th e Ar abs believ ed t h at su ch idols, or h eat h en gods, w ou ld br in g t h em n ear er t o Allâh , lead t h em t o
Him , and m ediat e w it h Him for t heir sak e, t o w hich effect , t he Qur’ân g oes:
• “ We w or sh ip t h em on ly t h at t h ey m ay br in g u s n ear t o Allâh . ” [ 3 9 : 3 ] , an d
“ An d t h ey w or sh ip besides Allâh t h in gs t h at h u r t t h em n ot , n or pr of it t h em , an d t h ey say :
Th ese ar e ou r in t er cessor s w it h Allâh . ” [ 1 0 : 1 8 ]
Anot her div inat or y t r adit ion am ong t he Ar abs w as cast in g of Azlam ( i. e. f eat h er less ar r ow s w h ich
w er e of t h r ee k in ds: on e sh ow in g ‘y es’, an ot h er ‘n o’ an d a t h ir d w as blan k ) w h ich t h ey u sed t o do in
case of ser iou s m at t er s lik e t r av el, m ar r iage an d t h e lik e. I f t h e lot sh ow ed ‘y es’, t h ey w ou ld do, if
‘n o’, t h ey w ou ld delay f or t h e n ex t y ear . Ot h er k in ds of Azlam w er e cast f or w at er , blood-m oney or
show ed ‘fr om y ou’, ‘not fr om y ou’, or ‘Mulsaq’ ( consociat ed) . I n cases of doubt in filiat ion t hey w ould
r esor t t o t h e idol of Hu bal, w it h a h u n dr ed-cam e l gif t , f or t h e ar r ow cast er . On ly t h e ar r ow s w ou ld
t h en decide t h e sor t of r elat ion sh ip. I f t h e ar r ow sh ow ed ( f r om y ou ) , t h en it w as decided t h at t h e
ch ild belon ged t o t h e t r ibe; if it sh ow ed ( f r om ot h er s) , h e w ou ld t h en be r egar ded as an ally , bu t if
( consociat ed) appear ed, t he per son w ould r et ain his posit ion but w it h no lineage or alliance cont r act .
This w as v er y m uch lik e gam bling and ar r ow -sh af t in g w h er eb y t h ey u sed t o d iv id e t h e m eat of t h e
cam els t h ey slau gh t er ed accor din g t o t h is t r adit ion .
Mor eover , t h ey u sed t o h av e a deep con v ict ion in t h e t idin gs of soot h say er s, div in er s an d
ast r ologer s. A soot h say er u sed t o t r af f ic in t h e bu sin ess of f or et ellin g f u t u r e ev en t s an d claim
k n ow ledge of pr iv at e secr et s an d h av in g j in n su bor din at es w h o w ou ld com m u n icat e t h e n ew s t o
him . Som e soot hsay er s claim ed t hat t hey could uncov er t he unk now n by m eans of a gr ant ed pow er ,
w h ile ot h er div in er s boast ed t h ey cou ld div u lge t h e secr et s t h r ou gh a cau se-an d -effect -induct iv e
p r ocess t h at w ou ld lead t o d et ect in g a st olen c om m odit y , locat ion of a t heft , a st r ay anim al, and t he
lik e. Th e ast r ologer belon ged t o a t h ir d cat egor y w h o u sed t o obser v e t h e st ar s an d calcu lat e t h eir
m ov em en t s an d or bit s w h er eby h e w ou ld f or et ell t h e f u t u r e. Len din g cr eden ce t o t h is n ew s
con st it u t ed a clu e t o t h eir con v ict ion t h at at t ach ed special sign ifican ce t o t h e m ov em en t s of
par t icular st ar s w it h r egar d t o r ainfall.
Th e belief in sign s as bet ok en in g f u t u r e ev en t s, w as, of cou r se com m on am on g t h e Ar abian s. Som e
day s an d m on t h s an d par t icu lar an im als w er e r egar ded as om in ou s. Th ey also believ ed t h at t h e sou l
of a m u r d er ed p er son w ou ld f ly in t h e w ild er n ess an d w ou ld n ev er r est at r est u n t il r ev en g e w as
17
t ak en . Su per st it ion w as r am pan t . Sh ou ld a deer or bir d, w h en r eleased, t u r n r igh t t h en w h at t h ey
em bar k ed on w ould be r egar ded auspicious, ot her w ise t hey w ould get pessim ist ic and w it hhold fr om
pur suing it .
People of pr e -I slam ic per iod, w hilst believ ing in super st it ion, t hey st ill r et ained som e of t he
Abr ah am ic t r adit ion s su ch as dev ot ion t o t h e Holy Sanct uar y , cir cum am bulat ion, obser v ance of
pilgr im age, t h e v igil on ‘Ar afah an d offer in g sacr ifices, all of t h ese w er e obser v ed fu lly despit e som e
in n ov at ion s t h at adu lt er at ed t h ese h oly r it u als. Qu r aish , for ex am ple, ou t of ar r ogan ce, feelin g of
su p er iorit y t o ot h er t r ibes an d pr ide in t h eir cu st odian sh ip of t h e Sacr ed Hou se, w ou ld r efr ain fr om
goin g t o ‘Ar af ah w it h t h e cr ow d, in st ead t h ey w ou ld st op sh or t at Mu zdalif ah . Th e Noble Qu r ’ân
r ebu k ed an d t old t h em :
• “ Th en depar t f r om t h e place w h en ce all t h e people depar t . ” [ 2 : 1 9 9 ]
An ot h er h er esy , deeply est ablish ed in t h eir social t r adit ion , dict at ed t h at t h ey w ou ld n ot eat dr ied
y ogh u r t or cook ed f at , n or w ou ld t h ey en t er a t en t m ade of cam el h air or seek sh ade u n less in a
h ou se of adobe br ick s, so lon g as t h ey w er e com m it t ed t o t h e in t en t ion of pilgr im age. Th ey also, ou t
of a d eep ly -r oot ed m isconcept ion, denied pilgr im s, ot her t han Mak k ans, access t o t he food t hey had
br ou gh t w h en t h ey w an t ed t o m ak e pilgr im age or lesser pilgr im age.
They or der ed pilgr im s com ing fr om out side Mak k ah t o cir cum am bulat e Al-Ka‘bah in Qur aish unifor m
clot h es, bu t if t h ey cou ld n ot af f or d t h em , m en w er e t o do so in a st at e of n u dit y , an d w om en w it h
on ly som e piece of clot h t o h ide t h eir gr oins. Allâh say s in t his concer n:
• “ O Ch ildr en of Adam ! Tak e y ou r ador n m en t ( by w ear in g y ou r clean clot h es) , w h ile pr ay in g
[ and going r ound ( t he Taw af of) t he Ka‘bah" . [ 7 : 3 1 ]
I f m en or w om en w er e g en er ou s en ou g h t o g o r ou n d Al-Ka‘bah in t heir clot hes, t h ey h ad t o discar d
t hem aft er cir cum am bulat ion for good.
Wh en t h e Mak k an s w er e in a p ilg r im ag e con secr at ion st at e, t h ey w ou ld n ot en t er t h eir h ou ses
t h r ou g h t h e d oor s b u t t h r ou g h h oles t h ey u sed t o d ig in t h e b ack w alls. Th ey u sed t o r eg ar d su ch
b eh a viou r as d eed s of p iet y an d g od -fear in g. Th is pr act ice w as pr oh ibit ed by t h e Qu r ’ân:
• “ I t is not Al-Bir r ( piet y , r igh t eou sn ess, et c. ) t h at y ou en t er t h e h ou ses fr om t h e back bu t
Al-Bir r ( is t h e qu alit y of t h e on e) w h o f ear s Allâh . So en t er h ou ses t h r ou gh t h eir pr oper
door s, and fear Allâh t hat y ou m ay be successful. ” [ 2 : 1 8 9 ]
Su ch w as t h e r eligious life in Ar abia, poly t heism , idolat r y , and super st it ion.
Judaism , Chr ist ianit y , Magianism and Sabianism , how ev er , could find t heir w ay s easily int o Ar abia.
Th e m igr at ion of t h e Jew s f r om Palest in e t o Ar abia passed t h r ou gh t w o ph ases: f ir st , as a r esu lt of
t h e pr essu r e t o w h ich t h ey w er e ex posed, t h e dest r u ct ion of t h e t h eir t em ple, an d t ak in g m ost of
t h em as capt iv es t o Baby lon , at t h e h an d of t h e Kin g Bu k h t an assar . I n t h e y ear B. C. 5 8 7 som e Jew s
lef t Palest in e f or Hij az an d set t led in t h e n or t h er n ar eas w h er eof. Th e secon d ph ase st ar t ed w it h t h e
Rom an occupat ion of Palest ine under t he leader ship of Rom an But s in 7 0 A. D. This r esult ed in a t idal
w av e of Jew ish m igr at ion int o Hij az, and Yat hr ib, Khaibar and Taim a’, in par t icular . Her e, t hey m ade
pr osely t es of sev er al t r ibes, bu ilt for t s an d cast les, an d liv ed in v illages. Ju daism m an aged t o play
an im por t ant r ole in t he pr e -I slam polit ical lif e. Wh en I slam daw n ed on t h at lan d, t h er e h ad alr eady
b een sev er al f am ou s Jew ish t r ib es — Khabeer , Al-Must a liq, An -Nadeer , Qu r aizah an d Qain u qa‘. I n
som e v er sion s, t h e Jew ish t r ibes cou n t ed as m an y as t w en t y .
Ju daism w as in t r odu ced in t o Yem en by som eon e called As‘ad Abi Kar b. He h ad gon e t o figh t in
Yat h r ib an d t h er e h e em br aced Ju daism an d t h en w en t back t ak ing w it h him t w o r abbis fr om Bani
Qu r aizah t o in st r u ct t h people of Yem en in t h is n ew r eligion . Ju daism fou n d a fer t ile soil t h er e t o
p r op ag at e an d g ain ad h er en t s. Af t er h is d eat h , h is son Yu su f Dh u Naw as r ose t o p ow er , at t ack ed
t he Chr ist ian com m unit y in Na j r an an d or der ed t h em t o em br ace Ju daism . Wh en t h ey r ef u sed, h e
or der ed t h at a pit of f ir e be du g an d all t h e Ch r ist ian s in discr im in at ely be dr opped t o bu r n t h er ein .
Est im at es say t h at b et w een 2 0 -4 0 t h ou san d Ch r ist ian s w er e k illed in t h at h u m an m assacr e. Th e
Qu r ’ân r elat ed par t of t h at st or y in Al-Bur uj ( zodiacal signs) Chapt er .
Chr ist ianit y had fir st m ade it s appear ance in Ar abia follow ing t he ent r y of t he Aby ssinian ( Et hiopian)
and Rom an colonist s int o t hat count r y . The Aby ssinian ( Et hiopian) colonizat io n for ces in league w it h
Ch r ist ian m ission s en t er ed Yem en as a r et aliat or y r eact ion f or t h e in iqu it ies of Dh u Naw as, an d
st ar t ed v eh em en t ly t o pr opagat e t h eir fait h ar den t ly . Th ey ev en bu ilt a ch u r ch an d called it Yem en i
Al-Ka‘bah w it h t he aim of dir ect ing t h e Ar ab pilgr im age car av an s t ow ar ds Yem en , an d t h en m ade an
at t em pt t o dem olish t he Sacr ed House in Mak k ah. Allâh, t he Alm ight y , how ev er did punish t hem and
m ade an ex am ple of t h em – h er e an d h er eaf t er .
A Chr ist ian m issionar y called Fim ion, and k now n for his ascet ic behav iour and w or k ing m ir acles, had
lik ew ise in filt r at ed in t o Naj r an . Th er e h e called people t o Ch r ist ian it y , an d by v ir t u e of h is h on est y
an d t r u t h f u l dev ot ion , h e m an aged t o per su ade t h em t o r espon d posit iv ely t o h is in v it at ion an d
em br ace Chr ist ianit y .
The pr incipal t r ibes t hat em br aced Chr ist ianit y w er e Ghassan, Taghlib, Tai’ and som e Him y ar it e
k in gs as w ell as ot h er t r ibes liv in g on t h e bor der s of t h e Rom an Em pir e.

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Magian ism w as also popu lar am on g t h e Ar abs liv in g in t h e n eigh bou r h ood of Per sia, I r aq, Bahr ain,
Al-Ah sâ’ an d som e ar eas on t h e Ar abian Gu lf coast . Som e Yem en is ar e also r epor t ed t o h av e
pr of essed Magian ism du r in g t h e Per sian occu pat ion .
As f or Sabian ism , ex cav at ion s in I r aq r ev ealed t h at it h ad been popu lar am on gst Kaldan ian folks,
t he Sy r ians and Yem enis. Wit h t he adv ent of Judaism and Chr ist ianit y , how ev er , Sabianism began t o
giv e w ay t o t h e n ew r eligion s, alt h ou gh it r et ain ed som e follow er s m ix ed or adj acen t t o t h e Magian s
in I r aq and t he Ar abian Gulf.

TH E RELI GI OUS SI TUATI ON :

Su ch w as t h e r eligiou s lif e of t h e Ar abian s bef or e t h e adv en t of I slam . Th e r ole t h at t h e r eligion s
pr ev alen t play ed w as so m ar gin al, in f act it w as n ex t t o n ot h in g. Th e poly t h eist s, w h o f ak ed
Abr ah am ism , w er e so f ar det ach ed f r om it s pr ecept s, an d t ot ally obliv ious of it s im m anent good
m anner s. They plunged int o disobedience and ungodliness, and dev eloped cer t ain peculiar r eligious
su per st it ion s t h at m an aged t o leav e a ser iou s im pact on t h e r eligiou s an d socio -polit ical life in t he
w h ole of Ar abia.
Ju daism t u r n ed in t o abom in able h y pocr isy in leagu e w it h h egem on y . Rabbis t u r n ed in t o lor ds t o t h e
ex clusion of t he Lor d. They got inv olv ed in t he pr act ice of dict at or ial subj ect ion of people and calling
t h eir su bor din at es t o accou n t f or t h e least w or d or idea. Th eir sole t ar get t u r n ed in t o acqu isit ion of
w ealt h an d pow er ev en if it w er e at t h e r isk of losin g t h eir r eligion , or t h e em er gen ce of at h eism an d
disbelief.
Ch r ist ian it y lik ew ise open ed it s door s w ide t o poly t h eism , an d got t oo difficu lt t o com pr e h en d as a
heav enly r eligion. As a r eligious pr act ice, it dev eloped a sor t of peculiar m edley of m an and God. I t
ex er cised n o b ear in g w h at soev er on t h e sou ls of t h e Ar ab s w h o p r of essed it sim p ly b ecau se it w as
alien t o t h eir st y le of lif e an d did n ot h av e t he least r elat ionship w it h t heir pr act ical life.
People of ot h er r eligion s w er e sim ilar t o t h e poly t h eist s w it h r espect t o t h eir in clin at ion s, dogm as,
cu st om s an d t r adit ion s

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 ASPECT OF PRE- I SLAM I C ARABI AN SOCI ETY

Af t er t h e r esear ch w e h av e m ad e in t o t h e r eligious and polit ical life of Ar abia, it is appr opr iat e t o
speak br iefly abou t t h e social, econ om ic an d et h ical con dit ion s pr ev alen t t h er ein .

SOCI AL LI FE OF TH E ARABS:

Th e Ar abian Societ y pr esen t ed a social m edley , w it h dif f er en t an d h et er ogen eou s social st r at a. The
st at u s of t h e w om an am on g t h e n ob ilit y r ecor d ed an ad v an ced d eg r ee of est eem . Th e w om an
en j oy ed a con sider able por t ion of f r ee w ill, an d h er decision w ou ld m ost of t en be en f or ced. Sh e w as
so h ig h ly ch er ish ed t h at b lood w ou ld b e easily sh ed in def en ce of h er h on ou r . I n f act , sh e w as t h e
m ost decisiv e k ey t o bloody fight or fr iendly peace. These pr iv ileges not w it hst anding, t he fam ily
sy st em in Ar abia w as w h olly pat r iar ch al. Th e m ar r iage con t r act r est ed com plet ely in t h e h an ds of
t h e w om an ’s le g al g u ar d ian w h ose w or d s w it h r eg ar d t o h er m ar it al st at u s cou ld n ev er b e
q u est ion ed .

On t h e ot h er h an d , t h er e w er e ot h er social st r at a w h er e p r ost it u t ion an d in d ecen cy w er e r am p an t

an d in fu ll oper at ion . Abu Da’û d, on t h e au t h or it y of ‘Aishah( May Allah b e p leased w it h h er )
r epor t ed four k inds of m ar r iage in pr e -I slam ic Ar abia: The fir st w as sim ilar t o pr esent -day m ar r iage
pr ocedu r es, in w h ich case a m an giv es h is dau gh t er in m ar r iage t o an ot h er m an af t er a dow r y h as
b een ag r eed on . I n t h e secon d , t h e h u sb an d w ou ld sen d h is w if e – af t er t h e m en st r u at ion per iod –
t o cohabit w it h anot her m an in or der t o conceiv e. Aft er concept ion her husband w ould, if he desir ed,
h av e a sex u al in t er cou r se w it h h er . A t h ir d k in d w as t h at a gr ou p of less t h an t en m en w ou ld h ave
sex u al in t er cou r se w it h a w om an . I f sh e con ceiv ed an d gav e bir t h t o a ch ild, sh e w ou ld sen d f or
t h ese m en , an d n obody cou ld abst ain . Th ey w ou ld com e t oget h er t o h er h ou se. Sh e w ou ld say : ‘You
k n ow w h at y ou h av e don e. I h av e giv en bir t h t o a ch ild an d it is y our child’ ( point ing t o one of
t h em ) . Th e m an m ean t w ou ld h av e t o accept . Th e f ou r t h k in d w as t h at a lot of m en w ou ld h av e
sex u al in t er cou r se w it h a cer t ain w om an ( a w h or e) . Sh e w ou ld n ot pr ev en t an y body . Su ch w om en
u sed t o pu t a cer t ain f lag at t h eir gat es t o in v it e in an y on e w h o lik ed. I f t h is w h or e got pr egn an t an d
gav e bir t h t o a ch ild, sh e w ou ld collect t h ose m en , an d a seer ess w ou ld t ell w h ose ch ild it w as. Th e
appoin t ed f at h er w ou ld t ak e t h e ch ild an d declar e h im / h er h is ow n . Wh en Pr oph et Mu h am m a d
( Peace be upon him ) declar ed I slam in Ar abia, he cancelled all t hese for m s of sex ual cont act s ex cept
t hat of pr esent I slam ic m ar r iage

Wom en alw ay s accom pan ied m en in t h eir w ar s. Th e w in n er s w ou ld f r eely h av e sex u al in t er cou r se

w it h su ch w om en , bu t disgrace w ou ld follow t h e ch ildr en con ceiv ed in t h is w ay all t h eir liv es.

Pr e -I slam Ar abs had no lim it ed num ber of w iv es. They could m ar r y t w o sist er s at t he sam e t im e, or
ev en t h e w iv es of t h eir f at h er s if div or ced or w idow ed. Div or ce w as t o a v er y gr eat ex t e n t in t h e
p ow er of t h e h u sb an d .

Th e obscen it y of adu lt er y pr ev ailed alm ost am on g all social classes ex cept f ew m en an d w om en

w h ose self -dignit y pr ev ent ed t hem fr om com m it t ing such an act . Fr ee w om en w er e in m uch bet t er
con d it ion s t h an t h e f em ale slav es w ho const it ut ed t he gr eat est calam it y . I t seem ed t hat t he gr eat est
m aj or it y of pr e -I slam Ar abs did not feel asham ed of com m it t ing t his obscenit y . Abu Da’ûd r epor t ed:
A m an st ood u p in fr on t of Pr oph et Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d said: “ O Pr oph et of Allâ h !
t h at boy is m y son . I h ad sex u al in t er cou r se w it h h is m ot h er in t h e pr e -I slam ic per iod. ” The Pr ophet
( Peace be u pon h im ) said:

• “ No claim in I slam for pr e -I slam ic af f air s. Th e ch ild is t o be at t r ibu t ed t o t h e on e on w h ose

bed it w as bor n , an d st on in g is t h e lot of a f or n icat or . ”

Wit h r espect t o t h e pr e -I slam Ar ab’s r elat ion w it h h is of f spr in g, w e see t h at lif e in Ar abia w as
p a radox ical an d pr esen t ed a gloom y pict u r e of con t r ast s. Wh ilst som e Ar abs h eld ch ildr en dear t o
t heir hear t s and cher ished t hem gr eat ly , ot her s bur ied t heir fem ale childr en aliv e because an illusor y
f ear of pov er t y an d sh am e w eigh ed h eav ily on t h em . Th e pr act ice of infant icide cannot , how ev er , be
seen as ir r ev ocably r am pan t becau se of t h eir dir e n eed f or m ale ch ildr en t o gu ar d t h em selv es
again st t h eir en em ies.

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An ot h er aspect of t h e Ar abs’ lif e w h ich deser v es m en t ion is t h e bedou in ’s deep-seat ed em ot ion al
at t achm ent t o his clan. Fam ily , or per haps t r ibal-p r id e, w as on e of t h e st r on g est p assion s w it h h im .
Th e doct r in e of u n it y of blood as t h e pr in ciple t h at bou n d t h e Ar abs in t o a social u n it y w as f or m ed
an d su p p or t ed b y t r ib al-pr ide. Th eir u n dispu t ed m ot t o w as: “ ÇäÕÑ ÃÎ Çß ÙÇáãÇ Ãæ ãÙáæãÇ —
Su ppor t y ou r br ot h er w h et h er h e is an oppr essor or oppr essed” in it s lit er al m ean in g; t h ey
disr egar ded t h e I slam ic am en dm en t w h ich st at es t h at su ppor t in g an oppr essor br ot h er im plies
det er r ing him fr om t r ansgr ession.

Avarice for leader sh ip, an d k een sen se of em u lat ion of t en r esu lt ed in bit t er t r ibal w ar f ar e despit e
descen den cy fr om on e com m on an cest or . I n t h is r egar d, t h e con t in u ed bloody con flict s of Aw s an d
Khazr aj , ‘Abs and Dhuby an, Bak r and Taghlib, et c. ar e st r ik ing ex am ples.

I n t er-t r ibal r elat ion sh ips w er e f r agile an d w eak du e t o con t in u al in t er-t r ibal w ar s of at t r it ion . Deep
dev ot ion t o r eligious super st it ions and som e cust om s held in v ener at ion, how ev er , used t o cur b t heir
im pet uous t endency t o quench t heir t hir st for b lood. I n ot h er cases, t h er e w er e t h e m ot iv es of , an d
r espect for , alliance, loy alt y and dependency w hich could successfully br ing about a spir it of r appor t ,
an d abor t gr ou n dless bases of dispu t e. A t im e -honour ed cust om of suspending host ilit ies dur ing t he
pr ohibit ed m ont hs ( Muhar r am , Raj ab, Dhul-Qa‘dah , an d Dh u l-Hij j ah) funct ioned fav our ably and
pr ov ided an oppor t u n it y for t h em t o ear n t h eir liv in g an d coex ist in peace.

We m ay su m u p t h e social sit u at ion in Ar abia by say in g t h at t h e Ar abs of t h e pr e -I slam ic per iod

w er e gr opin g abou t in t h e dar k an d ign or an ce, en t an gled in a m esh of su per st it ion s par aly zin g t h eir
m in d an d dr iv in g t h em t o lead an an im al-lik e life. The w om an w as a m ar k et able com m odit y and
r egar ded as a piece of in an im at e pr oper t y . I n t er-t r ibal r elat ionships w er e fr agile. Av ar ice for w ealt h
an d in v olv em en t in f u t ile w ar s w er e t h e m ain obj ect iv es t h at gov er n ed t h eir ch ief s’ self-cen t r ed
policies.

TH E ECON OM I C SI TUATI ON :

Th e econ om ic sit u at ion r an in lin e w it h t h e social at m osph er e. Th e Ar abian w ay s of liv in g w ou ld

illu st r at e t h is ph en om en on qu it e clear ly . Tr ade w as t h e m ost com m on m ean s of pr ov idin g t h eir
n eeds of lif e. Th e t r ade j ou r n ey s cou ld n ot be f u lf illed u n less secu r it y of car av an r ou t es an d in t er-
t r ibal peaceful co -ex ist en ce w er e p r ov id ed – t w o im per at iv e ex igencies unfor t unat ely lack ing in
Ar abia ex cept du r in g t h e pr oh ibit ed m on t h s w it h in w h ich t h e Ar abs h eld t h eir assem blies of ‘Uk az,
Dhil-Maj az, Mij an n ah an d ot h er s.

I n du st r y w as alien t o t h e Ar abian psy ch ology . Most of av ailable in du st r ies of k nit t ing and t annage in
Ar abia w er e don e by people com in g f r om Yem en , Heer ah an d t h e bor der s of Sy r ia. I n side Ar abia
t h er e w as som e sor t of f ar m in g an d st ock -br eedin g. Alm ost all t h e Ar abian w om en w or k ed in y ar n
spin n in g bu t ev en t h is pr act ice w as con t in u ally t h r eat en ed by w ar s. On t h e w h ole, pov er t y , h u n ger
and insufficient clot hing w er e t he pr ev ailing feat ur es in Ar abia, econom ically .

ETH I CS:

We can n ot d en y t h at t h e p r e -I slam Ar abs had such a lar ge bulk of ev ils. Adm it t edly , v ices and ev ils,
u t t er ly r ej ect ed by r eason , w er e r am pan t am on gst t h e pr e -I slam Ar abs, but t his could nev er scr een
of f t h e su r pr ise-pr ov ok in g ex ist en ce of h igh ly pr aisew or t h y v ir t u es, of w h ich w e cou ld addu ce t h e
follow ing:

1. Hospit alit y : Th ey u sed t o em u lat e on e an ot h er at h ospit alit y and t ak e ut m ost pr ide in it .

Alm ost h alf of t h eir poet r y h er it age w as dedicat ed t o t h e m er it s an d n obilit y at t ach ed t o
en t er t ain in g on e’s gu est . Th ey w er e gen er ou s an d h ospit able on t h e poin t of f au lt . Th ey
w ou ld sacr if ice t h eir pr iv at e su st en an ce t o a cold or h u n gr y gu est . Th ey w ou ld n ot h esit at e
t o in cu r h eav y blood-m on ey an d r elev an t b u r d en s j u st t o st op b lood -shed, and consequent ly
m er it pr aise an d eu logy .
2. I n t h e con t ex t of h ospit alit y , t h er e spr in gs u p t h eir com m on h abit s of dr in k in g w in e w hich
w as r eg ar d ed as a ch an n el b r an ch in g ou t of g en er osit y an d sh ow in g h osp it alit y . Win e
dr in k in g w as a gen u in e sou r ce of pr ide f or t h e Ar abs of t h e pr e -I slam ic per iod. The gr eat
p oet s of t h at er a n ev er f or g ot t o in clu d e t h eir su sp en d in g od es t h e m ost or n at e lin es
pr egn an t w it h boast in g an d pr aise of dr in k in g or gies. Ev en t h e w or d ‘gr apes’ in Ar abic is

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 iden t ical t o gen er osit y in bot h pr on u n ciat ion an d spellin g. Gam blin g w as also an ot h er
pr act ice of t h eir s closely associat ed w it h gen er osit y sin ce t h e pr oceeds w ou ld alw ay s g o t o
ch ar it y . Ev en t h e Noble Qu r ’ân does n ot play dow n t h e ben ef it s t h at der iv e f r om w in e
dr in k in g an d gam blin g, bu t also say s,

“ An d t h e sin of t h em is gr eat er t h an t h eir ben efit . ” [ 2 : 2 1 9 ]

3. Keepin g a cov en an t : For t h e Ar ab, t o m ak e a pr om ise w as t o r u n in t o d eb t . He w ou ld n ev er

gr u dge t h e deat h of h is ch ildr en or dest r u ct ion of h is h ou seh old j u st t o u ph old t h e deep-
r oot ed t r adit ion of cov en an t -k eepin g. Th e lit er at u r e of t h at per iod is r ich in st or ies
highlight ing t his m er it .
4. Sen se of h on ou r and r epudiat ion of inj ust ice: This at t r ibut e st em m ed m ainly fr om ex cess
cou r ag e, k een sen se of self -est eem an d im pet u osit y . Th e Ar ab w as alw ay s in r ev olt again st
t h e least allu sion t o h u m iliat ion or slack n ess. He w ou ld n ev er h esit at e t o sacr ifice h im self t o
m ain t ain h is ev er aler t sen se of self -r espect .
5. Fir m w ill an d det er m in at ion : An Ar ab w ou ld n ev er desist an av en u e con du civ e t o an obj ect
of pr ide or a st an din g of h on ou r , ev en if it w er e at t h e ex pen se of h is lif e.
6. For bear an ce, per sev er an ce an d m ildn ess: Th e Ar ab r eg ar d ed t h ese t r ait s w it h g r eat
adm ir at ion , n o w on der , h is im pet u osit y an d cou r age-based lif e w as sadly w an t in g in t h em .
7. Pu r e an d sim ple bedou in lif e, st ill u n t ar n ish ed w it h accessor ies of decept iv e u r ban
ap p ear an ces, w as a d r iv in g r eason t o h is n at u r e of t r u t h f u ln ess an d h on est y , an d
det achm ent fr om int r igue and t r eacher y .

Su ch pr iceless et h ics cou pled w it h a f av ou r able geogr aph ical posit ion of Ar abia w er e in f act t h e
f act or s t h at lay beh in d select in g t h e Ar abs t o u n der t ak e t h e bu r den of co m m u n icat in g t h e Message
( of I slam ) an d leadin g m an k in d dow n a n ew cou r se of life.
I n t h is r egar d, t h ese et h ics per se, t h ou gh det r im en t al in som e ar eas, an d in n eed of r ect if icat ion in
cer t ain aspect s, w er e gr eat ly in v alu able t o t h e u lt im at e w elf ar e of t h e hum an com m unit y and I slam
has did it com plet ely .
Th e m ost pr iceless et h ics, n ex t t o cov en an t -k eep in g , w er e n o d ou b t t h eir sen se of self -est eem an d
st r on g det er m in at ion , t w o h u m an t r ait s in dispen sable in com bat t in g ev il an d elim in at in g m or al
cor r upt ion o n t h e on e h an d , an d est ab lish in g a g ood an d j u st ice -or ien t at ed societ y , on t h e ot h er .
Act ually , t he life of t he Ar abs in t he pr e -I slam ic per iod w as r ich in ot h er cou n t less v ir t u es w e do n ot
n eed t o en u m er at e f or t h e t im e bein g.

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 TH E LI N EAGE AN D TH E FAM I LY OF M UH AM M AD ( Pea ce be upon him )

Wit h r espect t o t h e lin eage of Pr oph et Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) , t h er e ar e t h r ee v er sion s:

The fir st w as aut hent icat ed by biogr apher s and genealogist s and st at es t hat Muham m ad’s genealogy
h as been t r aced t o ‘Adn an . T h e secon d is su bj ect t o con t r ov er sies an d dou bt , an d t r aces h is lin eage
bey ond ‘Adnan back t o Abr aham . The t hir d v er sion, w it h som e par t s definit ely incor r ect , t r aces his
lin eage bey on d Abr ah am back t o Adam ( Peace be u pon h im )

Aft er t h is r apid r ev iew , n ow am ple det ails ar e believ ed t o be n ecessar y .

The fir st par t : Muham m ad bin ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdul-Mut t alib ( w ho w as called Shaiba) bin Hashim ,
( nam ed ‘Am r ) bin ‘Abd Munaf ( called Al-Mugheer a) bin Qusai ( also called Zaid) bin Kilab bin Mur r a
bin Ka‘b bin Lo’i bin Gh alib bin Fah r ( w h o w as called Qu r aish an d w h ose t r ibe w as called af t er h im )
bin Malik bin An -Nadr ( so called Qais) bin Kin an a bin Kh u zaim an bin Mu dr ik ah ( w h o w as called
‘Am ir ) bin Elias bin Mudar bin Nizar bin Ma‘ad bin ‘Adnan.

The second par t : ‘Ad nan bin Add bin Hum aisi‘ bin Salam an bin Aw s bin Buz bin Qam w al bin Obai bin
‘Aw w am bin Nashid bin Haza bin Bildas bin Yadlaf bin Tabik h bin Jahim bin Nahish bin Mak hi bin Aid
bin ‘Abqar bin ‘Ubaid bin Ad -Da‘a bin Ham dan bin Sanbir bin Yat hr abi bin Yahzin bin Yalhan bin
Ar ‘aw i bin Aid bin Deshan bin Aisar bin Afnad bin Aiham bin Muk sar bin Nahit h bin Zar ih bin Sam i
bin Mazzi bin ‘Aw da bin Ar am bin Qaidar bin I sh m ael son of Abr ah am ( Peace be u pon t h em ) .

The t hir d par t : bey ond Abr aham ( Peace be upon him ) , I bn Tar ih ( Azar ) bin Nahur bin Sar u‘ bin Ra‘u
bin Falik h bin Abir bin Shalik h bin Ar fak hshad bin Sam bin Noah ( Peace be upon him ) , bin Lam ik bin
Mu t w ash lack bin Ak h n u k h [ w h o w as said t o be Pr oph et I dr is ( En och ) ( Peace be u pon h im ) bin
Yar id bin Mahla’il bin Qabin Anusha bin Shit h bin Adam ( Peace be upon him )

TH E PROPH ETI C FAM I LY:

The fam ily of Pr ophet Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) is called t he Hashim it e fam ily aft er his
gr an df at h er Hash im bin ‘Abd Mu n af . Let u s n ow speak a lit t le abou t Hash im an d h is d escen d an t s:

1. Hash im : As w e h av e pr ev iou sly m en t ion ed, h e w as t h e on e r espon sible f or giv in g f ood an d

w at er t o t h e pilgr im s. Th is h ad been h is ch ar ge w h en t h e son s of ‘Abd Mu n af an d t h ose of
‘Abd Ad -Dar com pr om ised on div idin g t h e ch ar ges bet w een t h em . Hash im w as w ealt h y an d
h on est . He w as t h e f ir st t o of f er t h e pilgr im s sopped br ead in br ot h . His f ir st n am e w as ‘Am r
bu t h e w as called Hash im becau se h e h ad been in t h e pr act ice of cr u m blin g br ead ( f or t h e
pilgr im s) . He w as also t h e fir st m an w h o st ar t ed Qu r a ish ’s t w o j ou r n ey s of su m m er an d
w in t er . I t w as r epor t ed t h at h e w en t t o Sy r ia as a m er ch an t . I n Madin ah , h e m ar r ied Salm a
— t he daught er of ‘Am r fr om Bani ‘Adi bin An -Naj j ar . He spen t som e t im e w it h h er in
Madin ah t h en h e lef t f or Sy r ia again w h ile sh e w as p r eg n an t . He d ied in Gh azza in Palest in e
in 4 9 7 A. D. Lat er , his w ife gav e bir t h t o ‘Abdul-Mu t t alib an d n am ed h im Sh aiba for t h e w h it e
h air in h is h ead , an d br ou gh t h im u p in h er fat h er ’s h ou se in Madin ah . Non e of h is fam ily in
Mak k ah lear n ed of h is bir t h. Hashim had four sons; Asad, Abu Saifi, Nadla and ‘Abdul-
Mu t t alib, an d fiv e dau gh t er s Ash -Shifa, Khalida, Da‘ifa, Ruqy ah and Jannah.
2. ‘Abdu l-Mu t t alib: We h av e alr eady k n ow n t h at af t er t h e deat h of Hash im , t h e ch ar ge of
pilgr im s’ f ood an d w at er w en t t o h is br ot h er Al-Mu t t alib bin ‘Abd Mu n af ( w h o w as h on est ,
g en er ou s an d t r u st w or t h y ) . Wh en ‘Ab d u l-Mu t t alib r each ed t h e age of boy h ood, h is u n cle Al-
Mu t t alib h ear d of h im an d w en t t o Madin ah t o f et ch h im . Wh en h e saw h im , t ear s f illed h is
ey es an d r olled d ow n h is cheek s, he em br aced him and t ook him on his cam el. The boy ,
h ow ev er abst ain ed fr om goin g w it h h im t o Mak k ah u n t il h e t ook h is m ot h er ’s con sen t . Al-
Mu t t alib ask ed h er t o sen d t h e boy w it h h im t o Mak k ah , bu t sh e r ef u sed. He m an aged t o
conv ince her say ing: “ You r son is goin g t o Mak k ah t o r est or e h is f at h er ’s au t h or it y , an d t o
liv e in t h e v icin it y of t h e Sacr ed Hou se. ” Th er e in Mak k ah , people w on der ed at seein g Abdu l-
Mut t alib, and t hey consider ed him t he slav e of Mut t alib. Al-Mu t t alib said: “ He is m y n eph ew ,
t h e son of m y br ot h er Hash im . ” Th e boy w as br ou gh t u p in Al-Mu t t alib’s h ou se, bu t lat er on
Al-Mut t alib died in Bar dm an in Yem en so ‘Abdul-Mut t alib t ook ov er and m anaged t o m aint ain
h is p eop le’s p r est ig e an d ou t d o h is g r an d f at h er s in h is h on ou r ab le b eh av iou r w h ich gain ed
h im Mak k ah ’s deep lov e an d h igh est eem .

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3. Wh en Al-Mu t t alib died, Naw f al u su r ped ‘Abdu l-Mut t alib of his char ges, so t he lat t er ask ed for
h elp f r om Qu r aish bu t t h ey abst ain ed f r om ex t en din g an y sor t of su ppor t t o eit h er of t h em .
Con sequ en t ly , h e w r ot e t o h is u n cles of Ban i An -Naj j ar ( his m ot her ’s br ot her s) t o com e t o
his aid. His uncle, Abu Sa‘d bin ‘Adi ( his m ot her ’s br ot her ) m ar ched t o Mak k ah at t he head
of eigh t y h or sem en an d cam ped in Abt ah in Mak k ah . ‘Abdu l-Mu t t alib r eceiv ed t h e m en an d
in vit ed t h em t o go t o h is h ou se bu t Abu Sa‘d said: “ Not bef or e I m eet Naw f al. ” He f ou n d
Naw f al sit t in g w it h som e old m en of Qu r aish in t h e sh ade of Al-Ka‘bah . Abu Sa‘d dr ew h is
sw or d an d said : “ I sw ear b y Allâh t h at if y ou d on ’t r est or e t o m y n ep h ew w h at y ou h av e
t ak en , I w ill k ill y ou w it h t h is sw or d. ” Naw f al w as t h u s f or ced t o giv e u p w h at h e h ad
u su r p ed , an d t h e n ot ab les of Qu r aish w er e m ad e t o w it n ess t o h is w or d s. Ab u Sa‘d t h en
w en t t o ‘Ab d u l-Mu t t alib’s h ou se w h er e h e st ay ed f or t h r ee n igh t s, m ade ‘Um r a a nd left back
for Madin ah . Lat er on , Naw fal en t er ed in t o allian ce w it h Ban i ‘Abd Sh am s bin ‘Abd Mu n af
again st Ban i Hash im . Wh en Kh u za‘a, a t r ibe, saw Ban i An -Naj j ar ’s su ppor t t o ‘Abdu l-Muttalib
t h ey said : “ He is ou r son as h e is y ou r s. We h av e m or e r eason s t o su ppor t h im t h an y ou . ”
‘Abd Mu n af’s m ot h er w as on e of t h em . Th ey w en t in t o An -Nad w a Hou se an d en t er ed in t o
allian ce w it h Ban i Hash im again st Ban i ‘Abd Sh am s an d Naw f al. I t w as an allian ce t h at w as
lat er t o con st it u t e t h e m ain r eason f or t h e con qu est of Mak k ah. ‘Abdul-Mu t t alib w it n essed
t w o im por t ant ev ent s in his lifet im e, nam ely digging Zam zam w ell and t he Elephant r aid.

I n br ief, ‘Abdul-Mut t alib r eceiv ed an or der in his dr eam t o dig Zam zam w ell in a par t icular
place. He did t h at an d f ou n d t h e t h in gs t hat Jur hum m en had bur ied t her ein w hen t hey w er e
f or ced t o ev acu at e Mak k ah . He f ou n d t h e sw or ds, ar m ou r s an d t h e t w o deer of gold. Th e
gat e of Al-Ka‘b ah w as st am p ed f r om t h e g old sw or d s an d t h e t w o d eer an d t h en t h e
t r adit ion of pr ov iding Zam zam w at er t o p ilgr im s w as est ablish ed.

Wh en t h e w ell of Z am zam gu sh ed w at er f or t h , Qu r aish m ade a claim t o par t n er sh ip in t h e

en t er pr ise, bu t ‘Abdu l-Mut t alib r efused t heir dem ands on gr ounds t hat Allâh had singled only
h im ou t for t h is h on ou r able j ob. To set t le t h e dis pu t e, t h ey agr eed t o con su lt Ban i Sa‘d’s
div iner . On t heir w ay , Allâh show ed t hem His Signs t hat confir m ed ‘Abdul-Mut t alib’s
pr er ogat iv e as r egar ds t h e sacr ed spr in g. On ly t h en did ‘Abdu l-Mu t t alib m ak e a solem n v ow
t o sacr ifice one of his adult childr en t o Al-Ka‘bah if h e h ad t en .

Th e secon d ev en t w as t h at of Ab r ah a As -Sabah Al-Habash i, t h e Aby ssin ian ( Et h iopian )

v icer oy in Yem en . He h ad seen t h at t h e Ar abs m ade t h eir pilgr im age t o Al-Ka‘bah so h e bu ilt
a lar ge ch u r ch in San ‘a in or der t o at t r act t h e Ar ab pilgr im s t o it t o t he ex clusion of Mak k ah.
A m an fr om Kinana t r ibe under st ood t his m ov e, t her efor e he ent er ed t he chur ch st ealt hily at
n igh t an d besm ear ed it s f r on t w all w it h ex cr em en t . Wh en Abr ah a k n ew of t h at , h e got v er y
an gr y an d led a gr eat ar m y – of six t y t h ou san d w ar r ior s – t o dem olish Al-Ka‘bah . He ch ose
t h e biggest eleph an t for h im self. His ar m y in clu ded n in e or t h ir t een eleph an t s. He con t in u ed
m ar ching unt il he r eached a place called Al-Magm as. Ther e, he m obilized his ar m y , pr epar ed
h is elep h an t s an d g ot r ead y t o en t er Mak k ah . Wh en h e r each ed Mu h assar Valley , b et w een
Mu zd alif ah an d Min a, t h e elep h an t k n elt d ow n an d r ef u sed t o g o f or w ar d . Wh en ev er t h ey
d ir ect ed it n or t h w ar d s, sou t h w ar d s or east w ar d s, t h e elep h an t m ov ed q u ick ly b u t w h en
d ir ect ed w est w ar d s t ow ar d s Al-Ka‘bah , it k n elt dow n . Mean w h ile, Allâh loosed u pon t h em
bir ds in f ligh t s, h u r lin g again st t h em st on es of bak ed clay an d m ade t h em lik e gr een blades
dev ou r ed. Th ese bir ds w er e v er y m u ch lik e sw allow s an d spar r ow s, each car r y in g t h r ee
st o n es; on e in it s peak an d t w o in it s claw s. Th e st on es h it Abr ah a’s m en an d cu t t h eir lim bs
an d k illed t h em . A lar ge n u m ber of Abr ah a’s soldier s w er e k illed in t h is w ay an d t h e ot h er s
f led at r an dom an d died ev er y w h er e. Abr ah a h im self h ad an in f ect ion t h at h ad his finger t ips
am p u t at ed . Wh en h e r each ed San ‘a h e w as in a m iser ab le st at e an d d ied soon af t er .

Th e Qu r aish it es on t h eir par t h ad fled for t h eir liv es t o t h e h illock s an d m ou n t ain t ops. Wh en
t h e en em y h ad been t h u s r ou t ed, t h ey r et u r n ed h om e saf ely .

Th e Ev en t of t h e Eleph an t t ook place in t h e m on t h of Al-Muhar r am , fift y or fift y five days

bef or e t h e bir t h of Pr oph et Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) w h ich cor r espon ded t o lat e
Febr uar y or ear ly Mar ch 5 7 1 A. D. I t w as a gift fr om Allâh t o His Pr ophet and his fam ily. I t
cou ld act u ally be r egar ded as a Div in e au spiciou s pr ecu r sor of t h e ligh t t o com e an d
accom pan y t h e adv en t of t h e Pr oph et an d h is fam ily . By con t r ast , Jer u salem h ad su ffer ed
u n der t h e y ok e of t h e at r ocit ies of Allâh ’s en em ies. Her e w e can r ecall B u k h t an assar in B. C.

24
 587 and t he Rom ans in 70 A. D. Al-Ka‘bah, by Div ine Gr ace, nev er cam e under t he hold of
t h e Ch r ist ian s – t he Muslim s of t hat t im e – alt h ou gh Mak k ah w as popu lat ed by poly t h eist s.

New s of t h e Elep h an t Ev en t r each ed t h e m ost d ist an t cor n ers of t h e t hen civ ilized w or ld.
Aby ssinia ( Et hiopia) m aint ained st r ong t ies w it h t he Rom ans, w hile t he Per sians on t he ot her
h an d, w er e on t h e v igil w it h r espect t o an y st r at egic ch an ges t h at w er e loom in g on t h e
socio -polit ical h or izon , an d soon cam e t o occupy Yem en. I ncident ally , t he Rom an and
Per sian Em pir es st ood f or t h e pow er f u l civ ilized w or ld at t h at t im e. Th e Eleph an t Raid Ev en t
r iv et ed t h e w or ld’s at t en t ion t o t h e sacr edn ess of Allâh ’s Hou se, an d sh ow ed t h at t h is Hou se
h ad been ch osen by Allâh for it s h o. I t follow ed t h en if an y of it s people claim ed
Pr op h et h ood , it w ou ld b e con g r u ou s w it h t h e ou t com e of t h e Elep h an t Ev en t , an d w ou ld
pr ov ide a j u st ifiable ex plan at ion for t h e u lt er ior Div in e Wisdom t h at lay beh in d back in g
poly t h eist s again st Ch r ist ian s in a m an n er t h at t r an scen d ed t h e cau se-an d -effect for m ula.

‘Abdu l-Mu t t alib h ad t en son s, Al-Harit h, Az -Zubair , Abu Talib, ‘Abdullah, Ham zah, Abu
Lahab, Ghidaq, Maqw am , Safar and Al-‘Abbas. He also h ad six dau gh t er s, w h o w er e Um m
Al-Hakim – t h e on ly w h it e one, Bar r ah, ‘At ik ah, Safiy a, Ar w a and Om aim a.

4. ‘Abdullah: The fat her of Pr ophet Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) . His m ot her w as Fat im ah,
daught er of ‘Am r bin ‘A’idh bin ‘I m r an bin Mak hzum bin Yaqdha bin Mur r a. ‘Abdullah w as t he
sm ar t est of ‘Abdu l-Mut t alib’s son s, t h e ch ast est an d t h e m ost lov ed . He w as also t h e son
w h om t h e div in at ion ar r ow s poin t ed at t o be slau gh t er ed as a sacr if ice t o Al-Ka‘b ah . Wh en
‘Abdu l-Mu t t alib h ad t en son s an d t h ey r each ed m at u r it y , h e div u lged t o t h em h is secr et v ow
in w h ich t h ey silen t ly an d obedien t ly acqu iesced. Th eir n am es w er e w r it t en on div in at ion
ar r ow s an d g iv en t o t h e g u ar d ian of t h eir m ost b elov ed g od d ess, Hu b al. Th e ar r ow s w er e
sh u f f led an d dr aw n . An ar r ow sh ow ed t h at it w as ‘Abdu llah t o be sacr if iced. ‘Abdu l-Mut t alib
t h en t ook t h e boy t o Al-Ka‘bah w it h a r azor t o slau gh t er t h e boy . Qu r aish , h is u n cles f r om
Mak hzum t r ibe and his br ot her Abu Talib, how ev er , t r ied t o dissuade him fr om
consum m at ing his pur pose. He t hen sought t heir adv ice as r egar ds his v ow . They suggest ed
t h at h e su m m on a sh e-div in er t o j u dge w h er eabou t . Sh e or der ed t h at t h e div in at ion ar r ow s
sh ou ld be dr aw n w it h r espect t o ‘Abdu llah as w ell as t en cam els. Sh e added t h at dr aw in g t h e
lot s sh ou ld b e r ep eat ed w it h t en m or e cam els ev er y t im e t h e ar r ow sh ow ed ‘Ab d ullah. The
oper at ion w as t h u s r epeat ed u n t il t h e n u m ber of t h e cam els am ou n t ed t o on e h u n dr ed. At
t h is p oin t t h e ar r ow sh ow ed t h e cam els, con seq u en t ly t h ey w er e all slau g h t er ed ( t o t h e
sat isf act ion of Hu bal) in st ead of h is son . Th e slau gh t er ed cam els w er e left for any one t o eat
fr om , hum an or anim al.

• Th is in ciden t pr odu ced a ch an ge in t h e am ou n t of blood-m on ey u su ally accept ed in

Ar abia. I t h ad been t en cam els, bu t af t er t h is ev en t it w as in cr eased t o a h u n dr ed. I slam ,
lat er on , appr ov ed of t h is. An ot h er t h in g closely r elev an t t o t h e abov e issu e goes t o t h e
ef f ect t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) on ce said:

“ I am t h e of f spr in g of t h e slau gh t er ed t w o, ” m ean in g I sh m ael an d ‘Abdu llah .

‘Abdu l-Mu t t alib ch ose Am in a, dau gh t er of Wah ab bin ‘Abd Mu n af bin Zah r a bin Kilab, as a w ife for
his son, ‘Abdulla h . Sh e t h u s, in t h e ligh t of t h is an cest r al lin eage, st ood em in en t in r espect of
n obilit y of posit ion an d descen t . Her f at h er w as t h e ch ief of Ban i Z ah r a t o w h om gr eat h on ou r w as
at t r ibu t ed. Th ey w er e m ar r ied in Mak k ah , an d soon af t er ‘Abdu llah w as sen t by h is f at h er t o bu y
dat es in Madin ah w h er e h e died. I n an ot h er v er sion , ‘Abdu llah w en t t o Sy r ia on a t r ade j ou r n ey an d
died in Madin ah on h is w ay back . He w as bu r ied in t h e h ou se of An -Nabigha Al-Ju‘di. He w as t w ent y -
f iv e y ear s old w h en h e died. Most h ist orian s st at e t h at h is deat h w as t w o m on t h s bef or e t h e bir t h of
Mu h am m ad Õáì Çááå Úáíå æ Óáã . Som e ot h er s said t h at h is d eat h w as t w o m on t h s af t er t h e
Pr oph et ’s bir t h . Wh en Am in a w as in f or m ed of h er h u sban d’s deat h , sh e celebr at ed h is m em or y in a
m ost h ear t -t ouching elegy .
‘Abdullah left v er y lit t le w ealt h —fiv e cam els, a sm all num ber of goat s, a she-ser v ant , called
Bar ak ah – Um m Aim an – w h o w ou ld lat er ser v e as t h e Pr op h et ’s n u r sem aid .

25
 M UH AM M AD 'S BI RTH AN D FORTY YEARS PRI OR TO PROPH ETH OOD

H I S BI RTH :

Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) , t h e Mast er of Pr oph et s, w as bor n in Ban i Hash im lan e in Mak k ah

on Monday m or ning, t he nint h of Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al, t h e sam e y ear of t h e Eleph an t Ev en t , an d f or t y
y ear s of t h e r eign of Kisr a ( Kh osr u Nu sh ir w an ) , i. e. t h e t w en t iet h or t w en t y -second of Apr il, 571
A.D., accor ding t o t he scholar Muham m ad Sulaim ân Al-Man sou r pu r i, an d t h e ast r ologer Mah m û d
Pash a.

I bn Sa‘d r epor t ed t h at Mu h am m ad’s m ot h er said: “ Wh en h e w as bor n , t h er e w as a ligh t t h at issu ed

ou t of m y pu den du m an d lit t h e palaces of Sy r ia. ” Ah m ad r epor t ed on t h e au t h or it y of ‘Ar badh bin
Sar iy a som et hing sim ilar t o t his.

I t w as bu t con t r ov er sially r epor t ed t h at sign ifican t pr ecu r sor s accom pan ied h is bir t h : fou r t een
galler ies of Kisr a’s palace cr ack ed an d r olled dow n , t h e Magian s’ sacr ed f ir e d ied d ow n an d som e
ch u r ch es on Lak e Saw a san k d ow n an d collap sed .

His m ot her im m ediat ely sent som eone t o infor m his gr andfat her ‘Abdul-Mut t alib of t he happy ev ent .
Happily he cam e t o her , car r ied him t o Al-Ka‘bah , pr ay ed t o Allâh an d t h an k ed Him . ‘Abdul-Mut t alib
called t he baby Muham m ad, a nam e not t hen com m on am ong t he Ar abs. He cir cum cised him on his
sev en t h d ay as w as t h e cu st om of t h e Ar ab s.

Th e fir st w om an w h o su ck led h im aft er h is m ot h er w as Th u y ebah , t h e con cu bin e of Abu Lah ab, w it h

h er son , Masr ou h . Sh e h ad su ck led Ham zah bin ‘Abdu l-Mu t t alib befor e an d lat er Abu Salam ah bin
‘Abd Al-Asad Al-Makhzum i.

BABYH OOD :

I t w as t h e gen er al cu st om of t h e Ar abs liv in g in t ow n s t o sen d t h eir ch ildr en aw ay t o bedou in w et

n u r ses so t h at t h ey m igh t gr ow u p in t h e f r ee an d h ealt h y su r r ou n din gs of t h e deser t w h er eby t h ey
w ou ld dev elop a r obu st f r am e an d acqu ir e t h e pu r e speech an d m an n er s of t h e bedou in s, w h o w er e
n ot ed bot h f or ch ast it y of t h eir lan gu age an d f or bein g f r ee f r om t h ose v ices w h ich u su ally dev elop
in seden t ar y societ ies.

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as lat er en t r u st ed t o Haleem ah bin t Abi Dh u aib f r om Ban i Sa‘d
bin Bak r . Her h u sban d w as Al-Har it h bin ‘Abdul ‘Uzza called Abi Kabshah, fr om t he sam e t r ibe.

Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) h ad sev er al f ost er br ot h er s an d sist er s, ‘Abdu llah bin Al-Har it h,
An eesah bin t Al-Har it h, Hudhafah or Judham ah bint Al-Har it h ( k n ow n as Ash -Shay m a’) , and she
u sed t o n u r se t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d Abu Su f y an bin Al-Har it h bin ‘Abdul-Mut t alib,
t h e Pr oph et ’s cou sin . Ham zah bin ‘Abdu l-Mut t alib, t he Pr ophet ’s uncle, w as suck led by t he sam e t w o
w et n u r ses, Th u y eba an d Haleem ah As -Sa‘diy ah , w h o su ck led t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) .

Tr adit ion s deligh t f u lly r elat e h ow Haleem ah an d t h e w h ole of h er h ou seh old w er e f av ou r ed b y

su ccessiv e st r ok es of good f or t u n e w h ile t h e baby Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) liv ed u n der h er
car e. I bn I shaq st at es t hat Haleem ah nar r at ed t hat she along w it h her husband and a suck ling babe,
set out fr om her v illage in t he com p an y of som e w om en of h er clan in qu est of ch ildr en t o su ck le.
Sh e said:

I t w as a y ear of d r ou g h t an d f am in e an d w e h ad n ot h in g t o eat . I r od e on a b r ow n sh e-ass. We also

h ad w it h u s an old sh e-cam el. By Allâh w e could not get ev en a dr op of m ilk . We could n ot h av e a
w in k of sleep du r in g t h e n igh t f or t h e ch ild k ept cr y in g on accou n t of h u n ger . Th er e w as n ot en ou gh
m ilk in m y br east an d ev en t h e sh e-cam el h ad n ot h in g t o f eed h im . We u sed t o con st an t ly pr ay f or
r ain an d im m ediat e r elief. At len gt h w e r each ed Mak k ah look ing for childr en t o suck le. Not ev en a
sin gle w om an am on gst u s accept ed t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) of f er ed t o h er . As
soon as t h ey w er e t old t h at h e w as an or p h an , t h ey r ef u sed h im . We h ad f ix ed ou r ey es on t h e
r ew ar d t h at w e w o u ld get f r om t h e ch ild’s f at h er . An or ph an ! Wh at ar e h is gr an df at h er an d m ot h er
lik ely t o do? So w e spu r n ed h im becau se of t h at . Ev er y w om an w h o cam e w it h m e got a su ck lin g
26
an d w h en w e w er e abou t t o depar t , I said t o m y h u sban d: “ By Allâh , I do n ot lik e t o go back alon g
w it h t h e ot h er w om en w it h ou t an y baby . I sh ou ld go t o t h at or ph an an d I m u st t ak e h im . ” He said,
“ Th er e is n o h ar m in doin g so an d per h aps Allâh m igh t bless u s t h r ou gh h im . ” So I w en t an d t ook
h im becau se t h er e w as sim ply n o ot h er alt er n at iv e left for m e but t o t ak e him . When I lift ed him in
m y ar m s an d r et u r n ed t o m y place I pu t h im on m y br east an d t o m y gr eat su r pr ise, I fou n d en ou gh
m ilk in it . He dr an k t o h is h ear t ’s con t en t , an d so did h is f ost er br ot h er an d t h en bot h of t h em w en t
t o sleep alt h ou g h m y b ab y h ad n ot b een ab le t o sleep t h e p r ev iou s n ig h t . My h u sb an d t h en w en t t o
t h e sh e-cam el t o m ilk it and, t o his ast onishm ent , he found plent y of m ilk in it . He m ilk ed it and w e
dr an k t o ou r f ill, an d en j oy ed a sou n d sleep du r in g t h e n igh t . The nex t m or ning, m y husband said:
“ By Allâh Haleem ah , y ou m u st u n der st an d t h at y ou h av e been able t o get a blessed ch ild. ” An d I
r eplied: “ By t he gr ace of Allâh, I hope so. ”

Th e t r adit ion is ex plicit on t h e poin t t h at Haleem ah ’s r et u r n j ou r n ey an d h er s ubsequent life, as long

as t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) st ay ed w it h h er , w as en cir cled w it h a h alo of good f or t u n e. Th e
don k ey t h at sh e r ode w h en sh e cam e t o Mak k ah w as lean an d alm ost fou n der ed; it r ecov er ed speed
m u ch t o t h e am azem en t of Haleem ah ’s f ellow t r av eller s. By t h e t im e t h ey r each ed t h e
en cam pm en t s in t h e cou n t r y of t h e clan of Sa‘d, t h ey fou n d t h e scales of for t u n e t u r n ed in t h eir
f av ou r . Th e bar r en lan d spr ou t ed f or t h lu x u r ian t gr ass an d beast s cam e back t o t h em sat isf ied an d
full of m ilk. Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) st ay ed w it h Haleem ah f or t w o y ear s u n t il h e w as
w ean ed as Haleem ah said :

We t h en t ook h im back t o h is m ot h er r equ est in g h er ear n est ly t o h av e h im st ay w it h u s an d ben ef it

b y t h e g ood f or t u n e an d b lessin g s h e h ad b r ou g h t u s. We p er sist ed in ou r r eq u est w h ich w e
subst ant iat ed by our anx iet y ov er t he child cat ching a cer t ain infect ion peculiar t o Mak k ah. At last ,
w e w er e g r an t ed ou r w ish an d t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) st ay ed w it h u s u n t il h e w as f ou r or
fiv e y ear s of age.

W h en , as r elat ed by An as in Sahih Muslim , Gabr iel cam e dow n an d r ipped h is ch est open an d t ook
ou t t h e h ear t . He t h en ex t r act ed a b lood -clot out of it and said: “ That w as t he par t of Sat an in t hee. ”
An d t h en h e w ash ed it w it h t h e w at er of Z am zam in a g old b asin . Af t er t h at t h e h ear t w as j oin ed
t oget h er an d r est or ed t o it s place. Th e boy s an d play m at es cam e r u n n in g t o h is m ot h er , i. e. h is
n u r se, an d said: “ Ver ily , Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) h as been m u r der ed. ” Th ey all r u sh ed
t ow ar ds him and found him all r ight on ly h is f ace w as w h it e.

BACK TO H I S COM PASSI ON ATE M OTH ER:

Af t er t h is ev en t , Haleem ah w as w or r ied abou t t h e boy an d r et u r n ed h im t o h is m ot h er w it h w h om

h e st ay ed u n t il h e w as six .

I n r espect of t he m em or y of her lat e husband, Am ina decided t o v isit h is gr av e in Yat hr ib ( Madinah) .

Sh e set ou t t o cov er a j ou r n ey of 5 0 0 k ilom et er s w it h h er or ph an boy , w om an ser v an t Um m Ay m an
an d h er f at h er-in -law ‘Abdu l-Mu t t alib. Sh e spen t a m on t h t h er e an d t h en t ook h er w ay back t o
Mak k ah . On t h e w ay , sh e h ad a sev er e illn ess an d d ied in Ab w a on t h e r oad b et w een Mak k ah an d
Madinah.

BACK TO H I S COM PASSI ON ATE GRAN D FATH ER:

‘Abdu l-Mu t t alib br ou gh t t h e boy t o Mak k ah . He h ad w ar m passion s t ow ar ds t h e boy , h is or ph an

g r an d son , w h ose r ecen t d isast er ( h is m ot h er ’s d eat h ) ad d ed m or e t o t h e pain s of t h e past . ‘Abdu l-
Mu t t alib w as m or e passion at e w it h h is gr an dson t h an w it h h is ow n ch ildr en . He n ev er lef t t h e boy a
pr ey t o lon elin ess, bu t alw ay s pr ef er r ed h im t o h is ow n k ids. I bn Hish am r epor t ed: A m at t r ess w as
p u t in t h e sh ad e of Al-Ka‘bah for ‘Abdul-Mu t t alib. His ch ildr en u sed t o sit ar ou n d t h at m at t r ess in
h on ou r t o t h eir f at h er , bu t Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) u sed t o sit on it . His u n cles w ou ld t ak e
him back , but if ‘Abdul-Mu t t alib w as p r esen t , h e w ou ld say : “ Leav e m y g r an d son . I sw ear by Allâh
t h at t h is boy w ill h old a sign if ican t posit ion . ” He u sed t o seat t h e boy on h is m at t r ess, pat h is back
an d w as alw ay s p leased w it h w h at t h e b oy d id .

Wh en Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as eigh t y ear s, t w o m on t h s an d t en day s old, h is

g r an df at h er ‘Abdu l-Mut t alib passed aw ay in Mak k ah. The char ge of t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him )
w as n ow p assed on t o h is u n cle Ab u Talib , w h o w as t h e b r ot h er of t h e Pr op h et ’s f at h er .

27
Abu Talib t ook t h e ch ar ge of h is n eph ew in t h e best w ay . He pu t h im w it h h is ch ildr en an d pr efer r ed
h im t o t h em . He sin gled t h e boy ou t w it h gr eat r espect an d h igh est eem . Abu Talib r em ain ed f or
f or t y y ear s ch er ish in g h is n eph ew an d ex t en din g all possible pr ot ect ion an d su ppor t t o h im . His
r elat ion s w it h t h e ot h er s w er e d et er m in ed in t h e ligh t of t h e t r eat m en t t h ey sh ow ed t o t h e Pr oph et
( Peace be upon him ) .

I bn ‘Asak ir r epor t ed on t h e au t h or it y of Jalh am ah bin ‘Ar fu t a w h o said: “ I cam e t o Mak k ah w h en it

w as a r ain less y ear , so Qu r aish said ‘O Abu Talib, t h e v alley h as becom e leaf less an d t h e ch ild r en
hungr y , let us go and pr ay for r ain -fall.’ Abu Talib w ent t o Al-Ka‘b ah w it h a y ou n g b oy w h o w as as
beau t if u l as t h e su n , an d a black clou d w as ov er h is h ead. Abu Talib an d t h e boy st ood by t h e w all of
Al-Ka‘bah and pr ay ed for r ain. I m m ediat ely clouds fr om all dir ect ions gat her ed and r ain fell heav ily
an d cau sed t h e f low of sp r in g s an d g r ow t h of p lan t s in t h e t ow n an d t h e cou n t r y .

BAH I RA, TH E M ON K:

Wh en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as t w elv e y ear s old, h e w en t w it h h is u ncle Abu
Talib on a bu sin ess j ou r n ey t o Sy r ia. Wh en t h ey r each ed Bu sr a ( w h ich w as a par t of Sy r ia, in t h e
v icinit y of How r an under t he Rom an dom ain) t hey m et a m onk called Bahir a ( his r eal nam e w as
Geor g es) , w h o sh ow ed g r eat k in d n ess, an d en t er t ain ed t h em lav ish ly . He h ad n ev er been in t h e
h abit of r eceiv in g or en t er t ain in g t h em bef or e. He r eadily en ou gh r ecogn ized t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
upon him ) and said w hile t ak ing his hand: “ This is t he m ast er of all hum ans. Allâh w ill send him w it h
a Messag e w h ich w ill be a m er cy t o all bein gs. ” Abu Talib ask ed: “ How do y ou k n ow t h at ?” He
r eplied: “ Wh en y ou appear ed f r om t h e dir ect ion of ‘Aqabah , all st on es an d t r ees pr ost r at ed
t h em selv es, w h ich t h ey n ev er do ex cept f or a Pr oph et . I can r ecogn ize h im also by t h e seal of
Pr oph et h ood w h ich is below h is sh ou lder , lik e an apple. We h av e got t o lear n t h is f r om ou r book s. ”
He also ask ed Abu Talib t o sen d t h e boy back t o Mak k ah an d n ot t o t ak e h im t o Sy r ia f or f ear of t h e
Jew s. Abu Talib obey ed an d sen t h im back t o Mak k ah w it h som e of h is m en ser v an t s.

TH E ‘SACRI LI GI OUS' W ARS:

Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as h ar dly f if t een w h en t h e ‘sacr ilegiou s’ w ar s — w hich cont inued

w it h v ar y in g f or t u n es an d con sider able loss of h u m an lif e f or a n u m ber of y ear s — b r ok e ou t
b et w een Qu r aish an d Ban u Kin an a on t h e on e sid e an d Qais ‘Ailan t r ib e on t h e ot h er . I t w as t h u s
called becau se t h e in v iolables w er e m ade v iolable, t h e pr oh ibit ed m on t h s bein g in clu ded. Har b bin
Om aiy ah , on accou n t of h is ou t st an din g posit ion an d h on ou r able descen t , u sed t o b e t h e lead er of
Qu r aish an d t h eir allies. I n on e of t h ose bat t les, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) at t en ded on h is
u n cles bu t did n ot r aise ar m s again st t h eir oppon en t s. His ef f or t s w er e con f in ed t o pick in g u p t h e
ar r ow s of t h e en em y as t h ey f ell, an d h an din g t h em ov er t o h is u n cles.

ALFU D OU L CON FED ERACY:

At t h e con clu sion of t h ese w ar s, w h en p eace w as r est or ed , p eop le f elt t h e n eed f or f or m in g

confeder acy at Mak k ah for suppr essing v iolence and inj ust ice, and v indicat ing t he r ight s of t he w eak
an d t h e dest it u t e. Repr esen t at iv es of Ban u Hash im , Ban u Al-Mut t alib, Asad bin ‘Abd Al-‘Uzza,
Zah r ah bin Kilab an d Taim bin Mu r r a w er e called t o m eet in t h e h abit at ion of an h on ou r able elder ly
m an called ‘Abdullah bin Jada‘an At -Taim y t o en t er in t o a con feder acy t h at w ou ld pr ov ide f or t h e
abov e -m en t ion ed it em s. Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) sh or t ly af t er h e h ad been
h on ou r ed w it h t h e m in ist r y of Pr oph et h ood, w it n essed t h is leagu e an d com m en t ed on it , w it h v er y
p osit iv e w or d s: “ I w it n essed a con f ed er acy in t h e h ou se of ‘Abdu llah bin Jada‘an . I t w as m or e
appealin g t o m e t h an h er ds of cat t le. Ev en n ow in t h e per iod of I slam I w ou ld r espon d posit iv ely t o
at t en din g su ch a m eet in g if I w er e in v it ed. "

I n fact , t h e spir it of t h is con feder acy an d t h e cou r se of deliber at ion s t h er ein m ar k ed a com plet e
depar t u r e fr om t h e pr e -I slam ic t r ibal-pr ide. Th e st or y t h at led t o it s con v en t ion say s t h at a m an
fr om Zu baid clan cam e as a m er ch an t t o Mak k ah w h er e h e sold som e com m odit ies t o Al-‘As bin Wail
As-Sahm y . The lat t er by h ook or by cr ook t r ied t o ev ade pay in g f or t h e goods. Th e salesm an sou gh t
h elp f r om t h e dif f er en t clan s in Qu r aish bu t t h ey paid n o h eed t o h is ear n est pleas. He t h en r esor t ed
t o a m ou n t ain t op an d began , at t h e t op of h is v oice, t o r ecit e v er ses of com plaint giv ing account of
t h e in j u st ices h e su st ain ed. Az -Zubair bin ‘Abdul-Mu t t alib h ear d of h im an d m ade in qu ir ies in t o t h e

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m at t er . Con sequ en t ly , t h e par t ies t o t h e af or esaid con f eder acy con v en ed t h eir m eet in g an d
m an aged t o for ce Az -Zubaidy ’s m oney out of Al-‘As bin Wa’il.

M UH AM M AD 'S EARLY JOB:

Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) , h ad n o par t icu lar j ob at h is ear ly y ou t h , bu t it w as r epor t ed t h at

h e w or k ed as a sh eph er d f or Ban i Sa‘d an d in Mak k ah . At t h e age of 2 5 , h e w en t t o Sy r ia as a
m er chant for Khadij ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) I bn I sh aq r epor t ed t h at Kh adij ah , dau gh t er
of Kh w ailid w as a b u sin ess-w om an of gr eat h on ou r an d f or t u n e. Sh e u sed t o em ploy m en t o do h er
bu sin ess f or a cer t ain per cen t age of t h e pr of it s. Qu r aish people w er e m ost ly t r adespeop le, so when
Kh adij ah w as in f or m ed of Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) , h is t r u t h f u l w or ds, gr eat h on est y an d
k in d m an n er s, sh e sen t f or h im . Sh e of f er ed h im m on ey t o go t o Sy r ia an d do h er bu sin ess, an d sh e
w ou ld giv e h im a h igh er r at e t h an t h e ot h er s. Sh e w ou ld also send her hir eling, Maisar ah, w it h him .
He agr eed an d w en t w it h h er ser v an t t o Sy r ia f or t r ade.

H I S M ARRI EAGE TO KH ADI JAH :

Wh en h e r et u r n ed t o Mak k ah , Kh adij ah n ot iced, in h er m on ey , m or e pr of it s an d blessin gs t h an sh e

u sed t o. Her h ir elin g also t old h er of Mu h am m ad’s good m an n er s, h on est y , deep t h ou gh t , sin cer it y
an d f ait h . Sh e r ealized t h at sh e h om ed at h er t ar get . Man y pr om in en t m en h ad ask ed f or h er h an d
in m ar r iage bu t sh e alw ay s spu r n ed t h eir adv an ces. Sh e disclosed h er w ish t o h er f r ien d Nafisa,
dau gh t er of Man iy a, w h o im m ediat ely w en t t o Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d br ok e t h e good
n ew s t o h im . He agr eed an d r equ est ed h is u n cles t o go t o Kh adij ah ’s u n cle an d t alk on t h is issu e.
Su bsequ en t ly , t h ey w er e m ar r ied. Th e m ar r iage con t r act w as w it n essed by Ban i Hash im an d t h e
h eads of Mu dar . Th is t ook place aft er t h e Pr oph et ’s r et u r n fr om Sy r ia. He gav e h er t w en t y cam els as
dow r y . Sh e w as, t h en , f or t y y ear s old an d w as con sider ed as t h e best w om an of h er f olk in lin eage,
f or t u n e an d w isd om . Sh e w as t h e f ir st w om an w h om t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
m ar r ied. He did n ot get m ar r ied t o an y ot h er u n t il sh e h ad died.

Khadij ah bor e all his childr en, ex cept I br ahim : Al-Qasim , Zainab, Ruqaiy ah, Um m Kult hum , Fat im ah
an d ‘Abdu llah w h o w as calle d Taiy ib and Tahir . All his sons died in t heir childhood and all t he
daught er s ex cept Fat im ah died dur ing his lifet im e. Fat im ah died six m ont hs aft er his deat h. All his
dau gh t er s w it n essed I slam , em br aced it , an d em igr at ed t o Madin ah .

REBUI LDI N G AL- KA'BAH AN D TH E ARBI TRATI ON I SSUE:

Wh en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as t h ir t y f iv e, Qu r aish st ar t ed r ebu ildin g Al-

Ka‘bah . Th at w as becau se it w as a low bu ildin g of w h it e st on es n o m or e t h an 6 . 3 0 m et r es h igh , fr om
t h e day s of I sh m ael. I t w as also r oof less an d t h at g av e t h e t h iev es easy access t o it s t r easu r es
in sid e. I t w as also ex p osed t o t h e w ear in g f act or s of n at u r e — b ecau se it w as b u ilt a lon g t im e ag o
— t h at w eak en ed an d cr ack ed it s w alls. Fiv e y ear s b ef or e Pr op h et h ood , t h er e w as a g r eat f lood in
Mak k ah t h at sw ep t t ow ar d s Al-Ka‘bah and alm ost dem olished it . Qur aish w as obliged t o r ebuild it t o
saf egu ar d it s h olin ess an d posit ion . Th e ch ief s of Qu r aish decided t o u se on ly licit m on ey in
r ebuilding Al-Ka‘bah, so all m oney t hat der iv ed fr om har lo t r y , u su r y or u n j u st pr act ices w as
ex clu ded. Th ey w er e, at f ir st , t oo aw ed t o k n ock dow n t h e w all, bu t Al-Waleed bin Al-Mu gh eer ah Al-
Mu k h zu m i st ar t ed t h e w or k . Seein g t h at n o h ar m h ad h appen ed t o h im , t h e ot h er s par t icipat ed in
dem olish in g t h e w alls u n t il t hey r eached t he basis laid by Abr aham . When t hey st ar t ed r ebuilding it s
w alls, t h ey div ided t h e w or k am on g t h e t r ibes. Each t r ibe w as r espon sible f or r ebu ildin g a par t of it .
Th e t r ib es collect ed st on es an d st ar t w or k . Th e m an w h o laid t h e st on es w as a Roman m ason called
Baqum . The w or k w ent on in har m ony t ill t he t im e cam e t o put t he sacr ed Black St one in it s pr oper
place. Th en st r ife br ok e ou t am on g t h e ch iefs, an d last ed for fou r or fiv e day s, each con t est in g for
t h e h on ou r of placin g t h e st on e in it s posit ion . Dag g er s w er e on t h e p oin t of b ein g d r aw n an d g r eat
bloodsh ed seem ed im m in en t . Lu ck ily , t h e oldest am on g t h e ch iefs Abu Om aiy ah bin Mu gh eer ah Al-
Mak h zu m i m ade a pr oposal w h ich w as accept ed by all. He said: “ Let h im , w h o en t er s t h e San ct u ar y
fir st of all, decide on t h e poin t . ” I t w as t h en Allâh ’s Will t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon
h im ) sh ou ld be t h e f ir st t o en t er t h e Mosqu e. On seein g h im , all t h e people on t h e scen e, cr ied w it h
one v oice: “ Al-Am een ( t h e t r u st w or t h y ) h as com e. We ar e con t en t t o abide by h is decision . ” Calm
an d self -possessed, Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) r eceiv ed t he com m ission and at once r esolv ed
u pon an ex pedien t w h ich w as t o con ciliat e t h em all. He ask ed f or a m an t le w h ich h e spr ead on t h e
g r ou n d an d p laced t h e st on e in it s cen t r e. He t h en ask ed t h e r epr esen t at iv es of t h e dif f er en t clan s
am on g t h em , t o lif t t h e st on e all t oget h er . Wh en it h ad r each ed t h e pr oper place, Mu h am m ad
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( Peace be u pon h im ) laid it in t h e pr oper posit ion w it h h is ow n h an ds. Th is is h ow a v er y t en se
sit u at ion w as eased an d a gr av e dan ger av er t ed by t h e w isdom of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) .

Qu r aish r an sh or t of t h e licit m on ey , t h ey collect ed, so t h ey elim in at ed six y ar ds ar ea on t h e

n or t h er n side of Al-Ka‘bah w hich is called Al-Hij r or Al-Ha teem . Th ey r aised it s door t w o m et r es fr om
t h e lev el gr ou n d t o let in on ly t h e people w h om t h ey desir ed. Wh en t h e st r u ct u r e w as f if t een y ar ds
h igh t h ey er ect ed t h e r oof w h ich r est ed on six colu m n s.

Wh en t h e bu ildin g of Al-Ka‘bah h ad f in ish ed, it assu m ed a squ ar e for m fift een m et r es h igh . Th e side
w it h t h e Black St on e an d t h e on e opposit e w er e t en m et r es lon g each . Th e Black St on e w as 1 . 5 0
m et r e fr om t h e cir cu m am bu lat ion lev el gr ou n d. Th e t w o ot h er sides w er e t w elv e m et r es lon g each .
Th e d oor w as t w o m et r es high fr om t he lev el gr ound. A building st r uct ur e of 0 . 2 5 m et r e high and
0 . 3 0 m et r e w ide on t h e av er age su r r ou n ded Al-Ka‘bah . I t w as called Ash -Shadher w an, or iginally an
int egr al par t of t he Sacr ed Sanct uar y , but Qur aish left it out .

A RAPI D REVI EW OF M UH AM M AD 'S BI OGRAPH Y BEFORE COM M I SSI ON I N G OF TH E

PROPH ETH OOD :

Pr oph et Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as, in h is y ou t h , a com bin at ion of t h e best social

at t r ibu t es. He w as an ex em plar y m an of w eigh t y m in d an d f au lt less in sigh t . He w as f av ou r ed w it h
int elligence, or igin alit y of t h ou gh t an d accu r at e ch oice of t h e m ean s leadin g t o accu r at e goals. His
lon g silen ce h elped f av ou r ably in h is h abit of m edit at ion an d deep in v est igat ion in t o t h e t r u t h . His
v iv id m ind and pur e nat ur e w er e helpfully inst r um ent al in assim ilat in g an d com pr eh en din g w ay s of
life and people, indiv idual and com m unit y -w ise. He sh u n n ed su p er st it iou s p r act ices b u t t ook an
act iv e par t in con st r u ct iv e an d u sef u l dealin gs, ot h er w ise, h e w ou ld h av e r ecou r se t o h is self -
con secr at ed solit u de. He k ept h im s elf aloof f r om dr in k in g w in e, eat in g m eat slau gh t er ed on st on e
alt ar s, or at t ending idolat r ous fest iv als. He held t he idols in ex t r em e av er sion and m ost abhor r ence.
He cou ld n ev er t oler at e som eon e sw ear in g by Al-Lat an d Al-‘Uzza. Allâh ’s pr ov iden ce, n o doubt s,
det ach ed h im fr om all abom in able or ev il pr act ices. Ev en w h en h e t r ied t o obey h is in st in ct t o en j oy
som e life pleasur es or follow som e ir r espect able t r adit ions, Allâh’s pr ov idence int er v ened t o cur b any
lapse in t his cour se. I bn Al-At h eer r epor t ed Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) as say in g: “ I h av e
n ev er t r ied t o do w h at m y people do ex cept f or t w o t im es. Ev er y t im e Allâh in t er v en ed an d ch eck ed
m e fr om doin g so an d I n ev er did t h at again . On ce I t old m y fellow -sh eph er d t o t ak e car e of m y
sh e e p w h e n w e w e re in t h e u p p er p ar t of Mak k ah . I w an t ed t o g o d ow n t o Mak k ah an d en t er t ain
m y self as t h e y ou n g m en did. I w en t dow n t o t h e f ir st h ou se of Mak k ah w h er e I h ear d m u sic. I
en t er ed an d ask ed : ‘Wh at is t h is?’ Som eon e an sw er ed : ‘I t is a w ed d in g p ar t y . ’ I sat d ow n an d
list en ed b u t soon w en t in t o d eep sleep . I w as aw ak en ed b y t h e h eat of t h e su n . I w en t b ack t o m y
f ellow -sh eph er d an d t old h im of w h at h ad h appen ed t o m e. I h av e n ev er t r ied it again . ”

Al-Bu k h ar i r epor t ed on t h e au t h or it y of Jabir bin ‘Abdu llah t h at he said : “ Wh ile t h e p eop le w er e

r ebuilding Al-Ka‘bah , t h e Pr oph et Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) w en t w it h ‘Abbas t o car r y som e
st on es. ‘Abbas said: ‘Pu t y ou r loin clot h r ou n d y ou r n eck t o pr ot ect y ou fr om t h e st on es. ’ ( As h e did
t h at ) t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) f ell t o t h e gr ou n d an d h is ey es t u r n ed sk y w ar d. Lat er on h e
w ok e up and shout ed: ‘My loinclot h. . . m y loinclot h. ’ He w r apped him self in his loinclot h. ” I n anot her
r epor t : “ His loin s w er e n ev er seen af t er w ar ds. ”

Th e au t h or it ies agr ee in ascr ibin g t o t h e y ou t h of Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) m odest y of

depor t m en t , v ir t u ou s beh av iou r an d gr acefu l m an n er s. He pr ov ed h im self t o be t h e ideal of
m an h ood, an d t o possess a spot less ch ar act er . He w as t h e m ost obligin g t o h is com pat r iot s, t h e
m ost h on est in h is t alk an d t h e m ildest in t em per . He w as t h e m ost gen t le -h ear t ed, ch ast e,
h osp it ab le an d alw ay s im p r essed p eop le b y h is p iet y -in spir in g cou n t en an ce. He w as t h e m ost
t r u t h f u l an d t h e best t o k eep cov en an t . His f ellow -cit izens, by com m on consent , gav e him t he t it le of
Al-‘Am een ( t r u st w or t h y ) . Th e Mot h er of believ er s, Kh adij ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) on ce
said : He u n it es u t er in e r elat ion s, h e h elp s t h e p oor an d t h e n eed y , h e en t er t ain s t h e g u est s an d
en d u r es h ar d sh ip s in t h e p at h of t r u t h f u ln ess.

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 I N TH E SH AD E OF TH E M ESSAGE AN D PROPH ETH OOD

I N THE CAVE HI RA:

Wh en Pr op h et Mu h am m ad ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w as n ear ly f or t y , h e h ad b een w on t t o p ass lon g

h ou r s in r et ir em en t m edit at in g an d specu lat in g ov er all aspect s of cr eat ion ar ou n d h im . Th is
m edit at iv e t e m per am en t h elped t o w iden t h e m en t al gap bet w een h im an d h is com pat r iot s. He u sed
t o pr ov ide him self w it h Sawiq ( bar ley por r idge) an d w at er an d t h en dir ect ly h ead f or t h e h ills an d
r av in es in t h e n eigh bou r h ood of Mak k ah . On e of t h ese in par t icu lar w as h is fav ou r it e r esor t — a
cav e nam ed Hir a’, in t he Mount An -Nour . I t w as only t w o m iles fr om Mak k ah, a sm all cav e 4 y ar ds
lon g an d 1 . 7 5 y ar d w ide. He w ou ld alw ay s go t h er e an d in v it e w ay f ar er s t o sh ar e h im h is m odest
pr ov ision . He u sed t o dev ot e m ost of h is t im e, and Ram adan in par t icular , t o w or ship and m edit at ion
on t h e u n iv er se ar ou n d h im . His h ear t w as r est less abou t t h e m or al ev ils an d idolat r y t h at w er e
r am pan t am on g h is people; h e w as as y et h elpless becau se n o def in it e cou r se, or specif ic appr oach
h ad b een av ailable for him t o follow and r ect ify t he ill pr act ices ar ound him . This solit ude at t ended
w it h t h is sor t of con t em plat iv e appr oach m u st be u n der st ood in it s Div in e per spect iv e. I t w as a
pr elim in ar y st age t o t h e per iod of gr av e r espon sibilit ies t h at h e w as t o sh ou ld er v er y soon .

Pr iv acy an d det ach m en t f r om t h e im pu r it ies of lif e w er e t w o in dispen sable pr er equ isit es f or t h e

Pr oph et ’s sou l t o com e in t o close com m u n ion w it h t h e Un seen Pow er t h at lies beh in d all aspect s of
ex ist ence in t his infinit e univ e r se. I t w as a r ich per iod of pr iv acy w h ich last ed f or t h r ee y ear s an d
u sh er ed in a n ew er a, of in d issolu b le con t act w it h t h at Pow er .

GAGRI EL BRI N GS D OW N TH E REVELATI ON :

Wh en h e w as f or t y , t h e ag e of com p let e p er f ect ion at w h ich Pr op h et s w er e alw ay s or d ered t o

d isclose t h eir Messag e, sig n s of h is Pr op h et h ood st ar t ed t o ap p ear an d t w in k le on t h e h or izon s of
life; t h ey w er e t h e t r u e v ision s h e u sed t o ex per ien ce for six m on t h s. Th e per iod of Pr oph et h ood w as
2 3 y ear s; so t h e per iod of t h ese six m on t h s of t r u e v ision s con st it u t ed an in t egr al par t of t h e f or t y -
six par t s of Pr ophet hood. I n Ram adan, in his t hir d y ear of solit ude in t he cav e of Hir a’, Allâh’s Will
desir ed His m er cy t o f low on ear t h an d Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as h on ou r ed w it h
Pr op h et h ood , an d t h e ligh t of Rev elat ion bu r st u pon h im w it h som e v er ses of t h e Noble Qu r ’ân .

As for t h e ex act dat e, car efu l in v est igat ion in t o cir cu m st an t ial ev iden ce an d r elev an t clu es poin t
dir ect ly t o Monday , 21st . Ram adan at night , i. e. Au, 10, 610 A. D. w it h Pr ophet Mu h am m ad ( Peace
be u pon h im ) ex act ly 4 0 y ear s, 6 m on t h s an d 1 2 day s of age, i. e. 3 9 Gr egor ian y ear s, 3 m on t h s an d
2 2 day s.

‘Aish ah , t h e v er aciou s, gav e t h e f ollow in g n ar r at ion of t h at m ost sign if ican t ev en t t h at br ou gh t t h e

Div in e ligh t w h ich w ou ld dispel t he dar k ness of disbelief and ignor ance. I t led life dow n a new cour se
an d br ou gh t abou t t h e m ost ser iou s am en dm en t t o t h e lin e of t h e h ist or y of m an k in d:

For er u n n er s of t h e Rev elat ion assu m ed t h e for m of t r u e v ision s t h at w ou ld st r ik in gly com e t r u e all
t h e t im e. Af t er t h at , solit u de becam e dear t o h im an d h e w ou ld go t o t h e cav e, Hir a’, t o en gage in
Tahannut h ( dev ot ion ) t h er e for a cer t ain num ber of night s befor e r et ur nin g t o h is fam ily , an d t h en
he w ould r et ur n for pr ov isions for a sim ilar st ay . At lengt h, unex pect edly , t he Tr ut h ( t he angel)
cam e t o him and said, “ Recit e. ” “ I cannot r ecit e, ” he [ Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] said. The
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) descr ibed: “ Th en h e t ook m e an d squ eezed m e v eh em en t ly an d t h en
let m e g o an d r ep eat ed t h e o r der ‘Recit e. ’ ‘I can n ot r ecit e’ said I , an d on ce again h e squ eezed m e
an d let m e t ill I w as ex h au st ed. Th en h e said: ‘Recit e. ’ I said ‘I can n ot r ecit e. ’ He squ eezed m e for a
t h ir d t im e an d t h en let m e go an d said:

• “ Read! I n t h e Nam e of y ou r Lor d, Wh o h as cr eat ed ( all t h at ex ist s) , h as cr eat ed m an f r om

a clot ( a piece of t h ick coagu lat ed blood) . Read! an d y ou r Lor d is t h e Most Gen er ou s. ’”
[ 96: 1 -3]

Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) r ep eat ed t h ese v er ses. He w as t r embling w it h fear . At t his st age,

h e cam e back t o h is w if e Kh adij ah , an d said, “ Cov er m e, ... cov er m e.” They cov er ed him unt il he
r est or ed secu r it y . He appr ised Kh adij ah of t h e in ciden t of t h e cav e an d added t h at h e w as h or r if ied.
His w if e t r ied t o soot h e h im and r eassur ed him say ing, “ Allâh w ill nev er disgr ace y ou. You unit e

31
u t er in e r elat ion s; y ou bear t h e bu r den of t h e w eak ; y ou h elp t h e poor an d t h e n eedy , y ou en t er t ain
t h e g u est s an d en d u r e h ar d sh ip s in t h e p at h of t r u t h f u ln ess. ”

Sh e set ou t w it h t h e Proph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o h er cou sin War aqa bin Naw f al bin Asad bin
‘Abd Al-‘Uzza, w h o h ad em br aced Ch r ist ian it y in t h e pr e -I slam ic per iod, an d u sed t o w r it e t h e Bible
in Hebr ew . He w as a blin d old m an . Kh adij ah said: “ My cou sin ! List en t o y ou r n eph ew ! ” War aq a
said: “ O m y n eph ew ! Wh at did y ou see?” Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t old h im w h at
h ad h appen ed t o h im . War aqa r eplied: “ Th is is ‘ Nam u s’ i. e. ( t h e an gel w h o is en t r u st ed w it h Div in e
Secr et s) t h at Allâh sen t t o Moses. I w ish I w er e y ou n ger . I w ish I cou ld liv e u p t o t h e t im e w h en
y ou r people w ou ld t u r n y ou ou t . ” Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ask ed: “ Will t h ey dr iv e m e ou t ?”
War aqa an sw er ed in t h e af f ir m at iv e an d said: “ An y on e w h o cam e w it h som et h in g sim ilar t o w h at
y ou h av e b r ou g h t w as t r eat ed w it h h ost ilit y ; an d if I sh ou ld be aliv e t ill t h at day , t h en I w ou ld
su p p or t y ou st r on g ly . ” A f ew d ay s lat er War aq a d ied an d t h e r ev elat ion also su b sid ed .

At -Tabar i an d I bn Hish am r epor t ed t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) lef t t h e cave of
Hir a’ af t er bein g su r pr ised by t h e Rev elat ion , bu t lat er on , r et u r n ed t o t h e cav e an d con t in u ed h is
solit ude. Aft er w ar ds, he cam e back t o Mak k ah. At -Tabar i r epor t ed on t his incident , say ing:

Aft er m en t ion in g t h e com in g of t h e Rev elat ion , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) said: “ I
h av e n ev er abh or r ed an y on e m or e t h an a poet or a m ad m an . I can n ot st an d look in g at eit h er of
t hem . I w ill nev er t ell any one of Qur aish of m y Rev elat ion. I w ill clim b a m ount ain and t hr ow m y self
d ow n an d d ie. Th at w ill r eliev e m e. I w en t t o do t h at bu t h alfw ay u p t h e m ou n t ain , I h ear d a v oice
fr om t h e sk y say in g ‘O Mu h am m ad! You ar e t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d I am
Gabr iel. ’ I look ed u pw ar ds an d saw Gabr iel in t h e for m of a m an pu t t in g h is legs on t h e h or izon . He
said: ‘O Muham m ad You ar e t he Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) and I am Gabr iel. ’ I
st opped an d look ed at h im . His sigh t dist r act ed m y at t en t ion f r om w h at I h ad in t en ded t o do. I
st ood in m y place t r ansfix ed. I t r ied t o shift m y ey es aw ay fr om him . He w as in ev er y dir ect ion I
look ed at . I st opped in m y place w it h ou t an y m ov em en t u n t il Kh adij ah sen t som eon e t o look for m e.
He w en t dow n t o Mak k ah an d cam e back w h ile I w as st an din g in t h e sam e place. Gabr iel t h en lef t ,
an d I w en t b ack h ome. I f ou n d Kh adij ah at h om e, so I sat v er y close t o h er . Sh e ask ed: ‘Fat h er of
Al-Qasim ! Wh er e h av e y ou b een ? I sen t som eon e t o look f or y ou . He w en t t o Mak k ah an d r et u r n ed
t o m e. ’ I t old h er of w h at I h ad seen . Sh e r eplied: ‘I t is a pr opit iou s sign , O m y h u sban d. Pu ll
y ou r self t oget h er , I sw ear by Allâh t h at y ou ar e a Messen ger f or t h is n at ion . ’ Th en sh e st ood u p an d
w en t t o War aqa an d in f or m ed h im . War aqa said: ‘I sw ear by Allâh t h at h e h as r eceiv ed t h e sam e
Nam us, i. e. an gel t h at w as sen t t o Moses. He is t h e Pr oph et of t h is n at ion . Tell h im t o be pat ien t . ’
Sh e cam e back t o h im an d t old h im of War aqa’s w or ds. Wh en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be
u pon h im ) f in ish ed h is solit ar y st ay an d w en t dow n t o Mak k ah , h e w en t t o War aqa, w h o t old h im :
‘You ar e t h e Pr o ph et of t h is n at ion . I sw ear by Allâh t h at y ou h av e r eceiv ed t h e sam e an gel t h at w as
sen t t o Moses. ’”

I N TERRUPI ON OF REVELATI ON :

I bn Sa‘d r epor t ed on t h e au t h or it y of I bn ‘Abbas t h at t h e Rev elat ion pau sed f or a f ew day s. Af t er

car efu l st u dy , t h is seem s t o be t h e m ost possible. To say t h at it last ed f or t h r ee an d a h alf y ear s, as
som e sch olar s allege, is n ot cor r ect , bu t h er e t h er e is n o r oom t o go in t o m or e det ails.

Mean w h ile, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w as cau gh t in a sor t of depr ession cou pled w it h
ast onishm ent and per plex it y . Al-Buk har i r epor t ed:

Th e Div in e in spir at ion pau sed f or a w h ile an d t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) becam e so sad, as
w e h av e h ear d, t h at h e in t en ded sev er al t im es t o t h r ow h im self f r om t h e t ops of h igh m ou n t ain s,
an d ev er y tim e h e w en t u p t h e t op of a m ou n t ain in or der t o t h r ow h im self dow n , Gabr iel w ou ld
appear bef or e h im an d say : “ O Mu h am m ad! You ar e in deed Allâh ’s Messen ger in t r u t h , ” w h er eu pon
h is h ear t w ou ld becom e qu iet an d h e w ou ld calm dow n an d r et u r n h om e. Wh en ev er t h e per iod of
t h e com in g of t h e Rev elat ion u sed t o becom e lon g, h e w ou ld do as bef or e, bu t Gabr iel w ou ld appear
again bef or e h im an d say t o h im w h at h e h ad said bef or e.

ON CE, GABRI EL BRI N GS ALLAH 'S REVELATI ON :

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I bn Haj ar said: ‘That ( t he pause of Allâh’s r ev elat ion f or a f ew day s) w as t o r eliev e t h e Messen ger of
Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) of t h e fear h e ex per ien ced an d t o m ak e h im lon g for t h e Rev elat ion .
Wh en t h e sh ades of pu zzle r eceded, t h e f lags of t r u t h w er e r aised, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be
u p on h im ) k n ew f or su r e t h at h e h ad becom e t h e Messen ger of t h e Gr eat Lor d. He w as also cer t ain
t h at w h at h ad com e t o h im w as n o m or e t h an t h e am bassador of in spir at ion . His w ait in g an d lon gin g
f or t h e com in g of t h e r ev elat ion con st it u t ed a good r eason f or h is st ead f ast n ess an d self -possession
on t he ar r iv al of Allâh’s inspir at ion, Al-Buk har i r epor t ed on t he aut hor it y of Jabir bin ‘Abdullah t hat
h e h ad h ear d t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on h im ) sp eak ab ou t t h e p er iod of p au se as
follow s:

“ Wh i l e I w as w alk in g, I h ear d a v oice f r om t h e sk y . I look ed u p, an d su r ely en ou gh , it w as t h e sam e

an gel w h o h ad v isit ed m e in t h e cav e of Hir a’. He w as sit t in g on a ch air bet w een t h e ear t h an d t h e
sk y . I w as v er y af r aid of h im an d k n elt on t h e gr ou n d. I w en t h om e say in g: ‘Cov er m e …, Cov er m e
…’. Allâh r ev ealed t o m e t h e v er ses:

• ‘O y ou [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] en v eloped ( in gar m en t s) ! Ar ise an d w ar n ! An d

y our Lor d ( Allâh) m agnify ! And y our gar m ent s pur ify ! And k eep aw ay fr om Ar-Ruj z ( t he
idols) ! ’” [ 74: 1 -5]

Aft er t h at t h e r ev elat ion st ar t ed com in g st r on gly , fr equ en t ly an d r egular ly .

SOM E D ETAI LS PERTI N EN T TO TH E SUCCESSI VE STAGES OF REVELATI ON :

Bef or e w e g o in t o t h e d et ails of t h e p er iod of com m u n icat in g t h e Messag e an d Pr op h et h ood , w e

w ou ld lik e t o get acqu ain t ed w it h t h e st ages of t h e Rev elat ion w h ich con st it u t ed t h e m ain sour ce of
t h e Messag e an d t h e su b j ect -m at t er of t he Call. I bn Al-Qay y im , m en t ion in g t h e st ages of t h e
Rev elat ion, said:

• Th e Fir st : Th e per iod of t r u e v ision . I t w as t h e st ar t in g poin t of t h e Rev elat ion t o t h e Men

of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) .

Th e Secon d: Wh at t h e an gel in v isibly cast in t h e Pr oph et ’s m in d an d h ear t . Th e Messen ger

of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ Th e Noble Spir it r ev ealed t o m e ‘No soul w ill per ish unt il
it ex h au st s it s du e cou r se, so f ear Allâh an d gen t ly r equ est Him . Nev er get so im pat ien t t o
t h e v er ge of disobedien ce of Allâh . Wh at Allâh h as can n ev er be acqu ir ed bu t t h r ou gh
obedience t o Him . ’”

Th e Th ir d: Th e an gel u sed t o v isit t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) in t h e for m of

a h u m an bein g an d w ou ld speak t o h im dir ect ly . Th is w ou ld en able h im t o fu lly u n der st an d
w h at t h e an g el said . Th e an g el w as som et im es seen in t h is f or m b y t h e Pr op h et ’s
Com pan ion s.

The Four t h: The angel cam e t o him lik e t he t oll of a bell and t his w as t he m ost difficult for m
becau se t h e an gel u sed t o seize h im t igh t ly an d sw eat w ou ld st r eam f r om h is f or eh ead ev en
on t h e coldest day . I f t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as on h is cam el, t h e cam el w ou ld
n ot w it h st an d t h e w eigh t , so it w ou ld im m ediat ely k n eel dow n on t h e gr ou n d. On ce t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on h im ) h ad su ch a r ev elat ion w h en h e w as sit t in g an d h is
t h igh w as on Z aid’s, Z aid f elt t h e pr essu r e h ad alm ost inj ur ed his t high.

The Fift h: The Pr ophet ( Peace be u pon h im ) saw t h e an gel in h is act u al f or m . Th e an gel
w ould r ev eal t o him w hat Allâh had or der ed him t o r ev eal. This, as m ent ioned in ( Qur ’ân) , in
Sûrah An -Naj m ( Ch apt er 5 3 - Th e St ar ) , h appen ed t w ice.

Th e Six t h : Wh at Allâh Him self r ev ealed t o h im in h eav en i. e. w h en h e ascen ded t o h eav en

an d r eceiv ed Allâh ’s beh est of Salât ( prayer) .

Th e Sev en t h : Allâh ’s Wor ds t o His Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) at f ir st h an d w it h ou t t h e

m ediat ion of an an gel. I t w as a p r iv ileg e g r an t ed t o Moses ( Peace be upon him ) and clear ly

33
 at t est ed in t h e Qu r ’ân , as it is at t est ed t o ou r Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in t h e Sûrah Al-
I srâ’ ( Ch apt er 1 7 - The Jour ney by Night ) of t he Noble Qur ’ân.

Som e r eligious scholar s a dded a con t r ov er sial eigh t h st age in w h ich t h ey st at e t h at Allâh spok e t o
t h e Pr op h et ( Peace be upon him ) dir ect ly w it hout a cur t ain in bet w een. This issue r em ains how ev er
unconfir m ed.

PROCLAI M I N G ALLAH , TH E ALL- H I GH ; AN D TH E I M M ED I ATE CON STI TUEN TS

Th e fir st Rev elat ion sen t t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) im plied sev er al in j u n ct ion s, sim ple in
for m but highly effect iv e and of ser ious far-r eaching r am ificat ions. The angel com m unicat ed t o him
a m an if est Message say in g:

• “ O y ou [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon him ) ] env eloped ( in gar m ent s) ! Ar ise and w ar n! And
y our Lor d ( Allâh) m agnify ! And y our gar m ent s pur ify ! And k eep aw ay fr om Ar-Ruj z ( t he
idols) . An d giv e n ot a t h in g in or der t o h av e m or e ( or con sider n ot y ou r deeds of Allâh ’s
ob ed ien ce as a f av ou r t o Allâh) . And be pat ient for t he sak e of y our Lor d ( i. e. per for m y our
dut y t o Allâh) ! ” [ 74: 1 -7]

For con v en ien ce an d ease of u n d er st an d in g , w e ar e g oin g t o seg m en t t h e Messag e in t o it s

im m ediat e const it uent s:

1. The ult im at e obj ect iv e of w ar ning is t o m ak e sur e t h at n o on e b r each in g t h e p leasu r es of

Allâh in t h e w h ole u n iv er se is ign or an t of t h e ser iou s con sequ en ces t h at h is beh av iou r
en t ails, an d t o cr eat e a sor t of u n pr eceden t ed sh ock w it h in h is m in d an d h ear t .
2. ‘Magnify ing t he Lor d’ dict at es ex plicit ly t hat t h e on ly pr ide allow ed t o n ou r ish on t h e ear t h is
ex clusiv ely Allâh’s t o t he ex clusion of all t he ot her s’.
3. ‘Clean sin g t h e gar m en t s an d sh u n n in g all aspect s of abom in at ion ’ poin t dir ect ly t o t h e
in d isp en sab le n eed t o r en d er b ot h t h e ex t er ior an d in t er ior except ionally chast e and pure, in
addit ion t o t he pr er equisit e of sanct ify ing t he soul and est ablishing it highly im m une against
t h e differ en t sor t s of im pu r it ies an d t h e v ar iou s k in ds of pollu t an t s. On ly t h r ou gh t h is
av en u e can t h e sou l of t h e Pr op h et ( Peace be u pon h im ) r each an ideal st at u s an d becom e
eligible t o en j oy t h e sh ady m er cy of Allâh an d His pr ot ect ion , secu r it y , gu idan ce an d ev er-
sh in in g ligh t ; an d w ill con sequ en t ly set t h e h igh est ex am ple t o t h e h u m an com m u n it y ,
at t r act t h e sou n d h ear t s an d i n sp ir e aw e an d r ev er en ce in t h e st r ay on es in su ch a m an n er
t h at all t h e w or ld, in agr eem en t or disagr eem en t , w ill h ead f or it an d t ak e it as t h e r ock -b ed
in all facet s of t heir w elfar e.
4. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) m u st n ot r egar d h is st r if e in t h e w ay of Allâh as a deed of
gr ace t h at en t it les h im t o a gr eat r ew ar d. On t h e con t r ar y , h e h as t o ex er t h im self t o t h e
u t m ost , dedicat e h is w h ole effor t s an d be r eady t o offer all sacr ifices in a spir it of self-
f og et f u ln ess en v elop ed b y an ev er-p r esen t aw ar en ess of Allâh , w it h ou t t h e least sen se of
pr ide in h is deeds or sacr ifices.
5. Th e last v er se of t h e Qu r ’ân r ev ealed t o t h e Pr op h et ( Peace be u pon h im ) allu des t o t h e
h ost ile at t it u de of t h e obdu r at e disbeliev er s, w h o w ill j eer at h im an d h is f ollow er s. Th ey are
ex pect ed t o dispar age h im an d st ep u p t h eir m alice t o t h e poin t of sch em in g again st h is lif e
an d liv es of all t h e believ er s ar ou n d h im . I n t h is case h e h as got t o be pat ien t an d is
su p p osed t o p er sev er e an d d isp lay t h e h ig h est d eg r ee of st am in a f or t h e sole p u r p ose of
at t ain in g t h e pleasu r e of Allâh .

Th ese w er e t h e basic pr elim in ar ies t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad t o obser v e, v er y

sim ple inj unct ions in appear ance, gr eat ly fascinat ing in t heir calm r hy t hm , but highly effect iv e in
pract ice. Th ey con st it u t ed t h e t r ig g er t h at ar ou sed a f ar-r an gin g t em pest in all t h e cor n er s of t h e
w or ld.
Th e v er ses com pr ise t h e con st it u en t s of t h e n ew call an d pr opagat ion of t h e n ew f ait h . A w ar n in g
logically im plies t hat t her e ar e m alpr act ices w it h painful conseq u en ces t o b e su st ain ed b y t h e
per pet r at or s, an d sin ce t h e pr esen t lif e is n ot n ecessar ily t h e on ly r oom t o br in g people t o accou n t
for t h eir m isdeeds or som e of t h em , t h en t h e w ar n in g w ou ld n ecessar ily im ply callin g people t o
accou n t on an ot h er day , i. e. t h e Day of Resu r r ect ion , an d t h is per se su ggest s t h e ex ist en ce of a lif e
ot h er t h an t h is on e w e ar e liv in g. All t h e v er ses of t h e Noble Qu r ’ân call people t o t est ify ex plicit ly t o
t h e On en ess of Allâh , t o delegat e all t h eir affair s t o Allâh , t h e All-High, an d t o su b or d in at e t h e
desir es of t h e self an d t h e desir es of Allâh ’s ser v an t s t o t h e at t ain m en t of His Pleasu r es.
34
The const it u en t s of t h e call t o I slam could, br iefly speak ing, go as follow s:

1. Test im on y t o t h e On en ess of Allâh .

2. Belief in t h e Her eaf t er.
3. San ct if y in g on e’s sou l an d elev at in g it h igh abov e ev ils an d abom in at ion s t h at con du ce t o
t er r ible con sequ en ces, besides t h is, t h er e is t h e dir e n eed f or v ir t u es an d per f ect m an n er s
cou p led w it h h ab it u at in g on eself t o r ig h t eou s d eed s.
4. Com m it t ing one’s all affair s t o Allâh, t he All-High.
5. All t h e for egoin g sh ou ld r u n as a n at u r al cor ollar y t o u n w av er in g belief in Mu h am m ad’s
Messag e, an d ab id an ce b y h is n ob le lead er sh ip an d r ig h t eou s g u id an ce.

Th e v er ses h av e been pr ef aced, in t h e v oice of t h e Most High , by a h eav en ly call m an dat in g t h e

Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o u n der t ak e t h is dau n t in g r espon sibilit y ( callin g people u n t o Allâh ) .
The v er ses m eant t o ex t r act him for cibly out of his sleep, div est him of his m ant le and det ach him
fr om t he w ar m t h and quie t of lif e, an d t h en dr iv e h im dow n a n ew cou r se at t en ded w it h cou n t less
h ar dsh ips, an d r equ ir in g a gr eat deal of st r if e in t h e w ay of Allâh :
• “ O y ou [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] en v eloped ( in gar m en t s) ! Ar ise an d w ar n . ”
[ 74: 1 -2]
Su ggest in g t h at t o liv e t o on eself is q u it e easy , b u t it h as b een d ecid ed t h at y ou h av e t o sh ou ld er
t h is h eav y bu r den ; con sequ en t ly sleep, com f or t , or w ar m bed ar e it em s decr eed t o be alien in y ou r
lex icon of life. O Muham m ad, ar ise quick ly for t he st r ife and t oil aw ait ing y o u; no t im e is t her e for
sleep an d su ch am en it ies; gr av e r espon sibilit ies h av e been Div in ely det er m in ed t o fall t o y ou r lot ,
an d dr iv e y ou in t o t h e t u r m oil of life t o dev elop a n ew sor t of pr ecar iou s affin it y w it h t h e con scien ce
of p eop le an d t h e r ealit y of life.
Th e Pr op h et ( Peace be u pon h im ) m an aged qu it e su ccessf u lly t o r ise t o h is f eet an d m easu r e u p t o
t h e n ew t ask , h e w en t ah ead in a spir it of com plet e self lessn ess, r elen t lessly st r iv in g an d n ev er
abat in g in car r y in g t h e bu r den of t h e gr eat Tr u st , th e bu r den of en ligh t en in g m an k in d, an d t h e
heav y w eight of t he new fait h and st r ife for ov er t w ent y y ear s, not hing dist r act ing his at t ent ion fr om
t he aw com m ission. May Allâh r ew ar d him , for us and all hum anit y , t he best ending. The follow ing
r esear ch at h an d giv es an accou n t in m in iat u r e of h is lon g st r iv e an d u n in t er r u pt ed st r u ggle h e
m ade aft er r eceiv in g t h e m in ist r y of Messen ger sh ip.

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 PH ASES AN S STAGES OF TH E CALL:

Th e Mu h am m adan Call cou ld be div ided in t o t w o ph ases dist in ct iv ely dem ar cat ed:

1. Th e Makk an ph ase: n ear ly t h ir t een y ear s.

2. Th e Madin ese ph ase: f u lly t en y ear s.

Each of t he t w o phases included dist inct iv e feat ur es easily discer nible t hr ough accur at e scr ut iny int o
t h e cir cu m st an ces t h at ch ar act er ized each of t h em .
Th e Mak k an ph ase can be div id ed in t o t h r ee st ag es:

1. Th e st age of t h e secr et Call: t h r ee y ear s.

2. Th e st age of t h e pr oclam at ion of t h e Call in Mak k ah : fr om t h e begin n in g of t h e fou r t h y ear
of Pr op h et h ood t o alm ost t h e en d of t h e t en t h y ear .
3. Th e st age of t h e call t o I slam an d pr opagat in g it bey on d Mak k ah : it last ed fr om t h e en d of
t en t h y ear of t h e Pr oph et h ood u n t il Mu h am m ad’s ( Peace be u pon h im ) em igr at ion t o
Madinah.

Th e Mad in ese p h ase w ill b e con sid er ed lat er in it s d u e cou r se.

36
 TH E FI RST STAGE

STRI FE I N TH E W AY OF TH E CALLTH REE YEARS OF SECRETE CALL:

I t is w ell-k n ow n t h at Mak k ah w as t h e cen t r e f or t h e Ar ab s, an d h ou sed t h e cu st od ian s of Al-Ka‘bah.

Pr ot ect ion an d gu ar dian sh ip of t h e idols an d st on e gr av en im ages t h at r eceiv ed v en er at ion on t h e
par t of all t h e Ar abs lay in t h e h an ds of t he Mak k ans. Hence t he difficult y of hit t ing t he t ar get of
r ef or m an d r ect it u de in a place con sider ed t h e den of idolat r y . Wor k in g in su ch an at m osph er e n o
dou bt r equ ir es u n sh ak able w ill an d det er m in at ion , t h at is w h y t h e call u n t o I slam assu m ed a
clan d est in e f or m so t h at t h e Mak k an s sh ou ld n ot b e en r ag ed b y t h e u n ex p ect ed su r p r ise.

TH E EARLY CON V ERTS:

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) n at u r ally in it iat ed h is sacr ed m ission r igh t fr om h om e an d t h en

m ov ed t o t h e people closely associat ed w it h h im . He called u n t o I slam w h om soev er h e t h ou gh t
w ou ld at t est t h e t r u t h w h ich h ad com e f r om h is Lor d. I n f act , a h ost of people w h o n u r sed n ot t h e
least seed of d ou b t as r eg ar d s t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) , im m ed iat ely r esp on d ed an d q u it e
r eadily em br aced t he t r u e fait h . Th ey ar e k n ow n in t h e I slam ic lit er at u r e as t h e ear ly con v er t s.

Kh adij ah , t h e Pr oph et ’s spou se, t h e m ot h er of believ er s, w as t h e f ir st t o en t er t h e f old of I slam

follow ed by his fr eed slav e Zaid bin Har it hah, his cousin, ‘Ali bin Abi Talib, w ho h ad been liv in g w it h
him since his ear ly childhood, and nex t cam e his int im at e fr iend Abu Bak r As -Siddiq ( Abu Bak r t he
t r ut h v er ifier ) . All of t hose pr ofessed I slam on t he v er y fir st day of t he call. Abu Bak r , and fr om t he
fir st day he em br aced I slam , pr oved t o b e an en er g et ic an d m ost zealou s act iv ist . He w as w ealt h y ,
obligin g, m ild an d u pr igh t . People u sed t o f r equ en t h is h ou se an d dr aw n igh t o h im f or h is
k n ow ledge, am it y , pleasan t com pan y an d bu sin ess. He in v it ed w h om ev er h e h ad con f iden ce in t o
I slam an d t h r ou gh h is per son al ef f or t s a good n u m ber of people con v er t ed t o I slam , su ch as
‘Ut hm an bin ‘Affan Al-Um awi, Az -Zubair bin ‘Aw w am Al-Asadi, ‘Abdur Rahm an bin ‘Aw f, Sa‘d bin Abi
Waq q as, Az -Zuhr i and Talhah bin ‘Ubaidullah At -Tam im y . Those eight m en const it u t ed t h e
for er unner s and m or e specifically t he v anguar d of t he new fait h in Ar abia. Am ong t he ear ly Muslim
w er e Bilal bin Rabah ( t he Aby ssinian) , Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jar r ah fr om Bani Har it h bin Fahr ( t he
m ost t r ust w or t hy of t he Muslim Nat ion) , Abu Salamah bin ‘Abd Al-Asad, Al-Arqam bin Abi Al-Arqam
fr om t h e t r ibe of Mak h zu m , ‘Ut h m an bin Maz‘ou n an d h is t w o br ot h er s Qu dam a an d ‘Abdu llah ,
‘Ubaidah bin Al-Har it h bin Al-Mut t alib bin ‘Abd Munaf, Sa‘id bin Zaid Al-‘Adaw i an d h is w if e Fat im ah -
dau gh t er of Al-Khat t ab ( t he sist er of ‘Um ar bin Al-Khat t ab) , Khabbab bin Al-Ar at t , ‘Abdullâh bin
Mas‘ud Al-Hadhali and m any ot her s. These w er e t he Muslim pr edecessor s. They belonged t o v ar ious
sept s of Qu r aish . I bn Hish am , a biogr aph er , cou n t ed t h em t o be m or e t h an for t y .

I bn I sh aq said: “ Th en people en t er ed t h e f old of I slam in h ost s, m en or w om en an d t h e n ew f ait h

cou ld n o lon ger be k ept secr et . ”

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) u sed t o m eet an d t each , t h e n ew con v er t s, t h e r eligion in pr iv acy

becau se t h e call t o I slam w as st ill r u n n in g on an in div idu al an d secr et basis. Rev elat ion acceler at ed
an d con t in u ed aft er t h e fir st v er ses of “ O you wrapped in garm ent s. ” Th e v er ses an d pieces of Sûrah
( ch ap t er s) r ev ealed at t h is t im e w er e sh or t on es w it h w on d er f u l st r on g p au ses an d quite fascinating
r hy t hm s in full har m ony w it h t hat delicat e w hisper ing set t ing. The cent r al t opic r unning t hr ough
t h em focu sed on san ct ify in g t h e sou l, an d det er r in g t h e Mu slim s fr om fallin g pr ey t o t h e decept iv e
glam our of life. The ear ly v er ses used a s w ell t o giv e a h igh ly accu r at e accou n t of t h e Hell an d t h e
Gar den ( Par adise) , leadin g t h e believ er s dow n a n ew cou r se diam et r ically opposed t o t h e ill
pr act ices r am pant am ongst t heir com pat r iot s.

AS- SALAT ( t h e Pr a ye r ) :

Muqat il bin Sulaim an said: “ Salât ( prayer) was est ablished as an obligat ory rit ual at an early st age
of t he I slam ic Call, a t wo rak‘ ah ( unit of prayer) Salât in t he m orning and t he sam e in t he evening;

“ An d glor ify t h e pr aises of y ou r Lor d in t h e ‘Ash i ( i. e. t he t im e per iod aft er t he m id -n oon t ill su n set )
an d in t h e I bkar ( i.e. t he t im e per iod fr om ear ly m or ning or sunr ise t ill befor e m id -noon) .” [ 40: 55]

37
I bn Hij r said: “ Definit ely t he Pr ophet ( Peace be u pon h im ) u sed t o pr ay befor e ‘Th e Nigh t Jou r n ey ’
but it st ill r em ains a m at t er of co n t r ov er sy w h et h er or n ot t h e p r ay er w as est ab lish ed as an
obligat or y r it u al befor e im posin g t h e r u les of t h e u su al fiv e pr ay er s a day . I t is r elat ed t h at
obligat or y pr ay er w as est ablish ed t w ice a day , in t h e m or n in g bef or e su n r ise an d af t er su n set . I t is
rep or t ed t h r ou g h a ch ain of n ar r at or s t h at w h en t h e Pr op h et ( Peace be upon him ) received t he first
Rev elat ion, Gabr iel - t h e an g el, p r oceed ed an d t au g h t h im h ow t o ob ser v e Wudu ( ablut ion) . When
t h e Pr o p h et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad f in ish ed, h e t ook a h an df u l of w at er an d spr in k led it on h is
loins.

I bn Hish am r epor t ed t h at w h en it w as t im e f or pr ay er s, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him )

and his Com panions w ent int o a m ount ain v alley t o pr ay secr et ly . Abu Talib once saw t he Messenger
of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d Ali pr ay in g, h e ask ed t h em w h at t h ey w er e u p t o. Wh en h e got
t o k n ow t h at it w as obligat or y pr ay er , h e t old t h em t o st ay con st an t in t h eir pr act ice.

TH E QURAI SH I TES LEARN ABOUT TH E CALL:

Th is st age of t h e Call, ev en t h ou gh con du ct ed in a clandest ine m anner and on an indiv idual basis, it s
n ew s leak ed ou t an d assu m ed a pu blic in t er est all ov er Mak k ah . I n t h e begin n in g, t h e Mak k an
leader s did n ot car e m u ch abou t Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d t ook n o h eed of h is
t each in gs. At fir st , th ey t h ou gh t t h at Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as m er ely a r eligiou s
philosophist lik e Om aiy ah bin Abi As -Salt , Quss bin Sa‘idah, ‘Am r bin Nufail and t heir ilk w ho used t o
ph ilosoph ize on godsh ip an d r eligiou s obligat ion s. Bu t t h is at t it u de of in dif f er en ce soon changed int o
r eal appr eh en sion . Th e poly t h eist s of Qu r aish began t o w at ch Mu h am m ad’s m ov em en t s closely an d
an x iou sly for fear of spr eadin g h is Call an d pr odu cin g a ch an ge in t h e pr ev alen t m en t alit y .

For t h r ee u n der gr ou n d y ear s of act iv ism , a gr ou p of believ er s em er ged st am ped by a spir it of

f r at er n it y an d cooper at ion w it h on e def in it e obj ect iv e in t h eir m in d: pr opagat in g an d deeply
est ablishing t he call unt o I slam . For full t hr ee y ear s Muham m ad ( Peace b e u p on h im ) h ad b een
con t en t t o t each w it h in a r at h er n ar r ow cir cle. Th e t im e h ad, h ow ev er , com e t o pr each t h e fait h of
t h e Lor d open ly . Th e an gel Gabr iel h ad br ou gh t h im dow n a fu r t h er Rev elat ion of Allâh ’s Will t o
con f r on t h is people, in v alidat e t h eir f alseh ood an d cr u sh dow n t h eir idolat r ou s pr act ices.

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 TH E SECON D PH ASE OPEN PREACH I N G

FI RST REVELATI ON REGARDI N G REVELATI ON TH E PREACH I N G:

" And w ar n y our t r ibe [ O Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] of near k indr ed. " [ 26: 214] .

Th is w as t h e fir st v er se t o be r ev ealed in t h is con cer n . I t is in clu ded in Sûrah Ash -Shu'arâ ( Ch apt er
2 6 - Th e Poet s) w h ich r elat es t h e st or y of Moses ( Peace be u pon h im ) f r om h is ear ly day s of
Pr oph et h ood goin g t h r ou gh h is m igr at ion w it h t h e Ch ildr en of I sr ael, t h eir escape f r om t h e Ph ar aoh
an d h is f olk , an d t h e dr ow n in g Ph ar aoh an d h is h ost s. Th is Ch apt er in f act n ar r at es t h e dif f er en t
st ages t h at Moses ( Peace be u pon h im ) passed t h r ou gh in h is st r u ggle w it h Ph ar aoh an d t h e m ission
of callin g h is people u n t o Allâh . Mor eov er , it in clu des st or ies t h at speak abou t t h e t er r ible en d in
st or e for t h ose w h o belied t h e Messen ger s su ch as t h e people of Noah , ' Ad, Th am u d, Abr ah am , Lou t
an d Ahlul-Aikah ( Com p an ion s of t h e Wood ) . ( A g r ou p of p eop le w h o u sed t o w or sh ip a t r ee called
Aikah )

Ch r on ologically , t h is Ch apt er belon gs t o t h e m iddle Mak k an per iod, w h en t h e con t act of t h e ligh t of
Pr oph ecy w it h t h e cu lt u r al m ilieu of pagan Mak k ah w as t est in g t h e Mak k an s in t h eir m ost ar r ogan t
m ood. The Message t hat t his Chapt er com m unicat es is in br ief: " The Tr ut h is insur m ount able. When
t h e spir it of Pr oph ecy cam e t o Mak k ah, it w as r esist ed by t he v ot ar ies of ev il; but Tr ut h, unlik e
f alseh ood , is b ou n d t o st ay , w h er eas f alseh ood is su r ely p er ish ab le. "

CALLI N G TH E CLOSET KI N SPEOPLE:

I n obedien ce t o Allâh ' s Com m an ds, Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) r allied h is kinsm en of Bani
Hashim w it h a gr oup of Bani Al-Mut t alib bin 'Abd Munaf. The audience count ed for t y -five m en.

Abu Lah ab im m ediat ely t ook t h e in it iat iv e an d addr essed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) : " Th ese
ar e y ou r u n cles an d cou sin s, sp eak on t o t h e p oin t , bu t f ir st of all y ou h av e got t o k n ow t h at y ou r
k in speople ar e n ot in a posit ion t o w it h st an d all t h e Ar abs. An ot h er poin t y ou h av e got t o bear in
m ind is t hat y our r elat iv es ar e sufficient unt o y ou. I f y ou follow t heir t r adit ion, it w ill be easier for
t h em t h an t o f ace t h e ot h er clan s of Qu r aish su ppor t ed by t h e ot h er Ar abs. Ver ily , I h av e n ev er
h ear d of an y on e w h o h as in cu r r ed m or e h ar m on h is k in speople t h an y ou . " Th e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace be u pon h im ) k ept silen t an d said n ot h in g 7 in t h at m eet in g.

He in v it ed t h em t o an ot h er m eet in g an d m an ag ed t o secu r e au d ien ce. He t h en st ood u p an d

deliv er ed a sh or t speech ex plain in g qu it e cogen t ly w h at w as at st ak e. He said: " I celebr at e Allâh ' s
pr aise, I seek His help, I believ e in Him , I put m y t r ust in Him , I b ear w it n ess t h at t h er e is n o g od t o
be w or sh ipped bu t Allâh w it h n o associat e. A gu ide can n ev er lie t o h is people. I sw ear by Allâh ,
t h er e is n o g od b u t He, t h at I h av e b een sen t as a Messen g er t o y ou , in p ar t icu lar an d t o all t h e
people, in gen er al. I sw ear by Allâh y ou w ill die j u st as y ou sleep, y ou w ill be r esu r r ect ed j u st as y ou
w ak e u p. You w ill be called t o accou n t f or y ou r deeds. I t is t h en eit h er Hell f or ev er or t h e Gar den
( Par adise) for ev er . "

Abu Talib r eplied: " We lov e t o h elp y ou , accept y ou r adv ice an d believ e in y ou r w or ds. Th ese ar e
y ou r k in speople w h om y ou h av e collect ed an d I am on e of t h em bu t I am t h e f ast est t o do w h at y ou
lik e. Do w h at y ou h av e been or der ed. I sh all pr ot ect an d def en d y ou , bu t I can ' t qu it t h e r eligion of
' Abdu l-Mut t alib."

Abu Lah ab t h en said t o Abu Talib: " I sw ear by Allâh t h at t h is is a bad t h in g. You m u st st op h im
bef or e t h e ot h er s do. " Abu Talib, h ow ev er , an sw er ed: " I sw ear by Allâh t o pr ot ect h im as lon g as I
am aliv e."

ON M OUN T AS - SAFA: Af t er t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) becam e su r e of Abu

Talib' s com m it m en t t o h is pr ot ect ion w h ile h e called t h e people u n t o Allâh , h e st ood u p on Mou n t
As-Saf a on e day an d called ou t lou dly : " O Sabahah! * " Sept s of Qur aish cam e t o him . He called
t h em t o t est ify t o t h e On en ess of Allâh an d b eliev e in h is Messen g er sh ip an d t h e Day of
Resur r ect ion. Al-Bu k h ar i r epor t ed par t of t h is st or y on t h e au t h or it y of I bn ' Abbas 9 May Allah be
pleased w it h h im ) . He said: " Wh en t h e f ollow in g v er ses w er e r ev ealed:

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 " An d w ar n y ou r t r ibe [ O Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] of near k indr ed. " [ 2 6 : 2 1 4 ]

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) ascen ded Mou n t As -Safa an d st ar t ed t o call: " O Ban i
Fah r ! O Ban i ' Adi ( t w o sept s of Qu r aish ) . " Man y people gat h er ed an d t h ose w h o cou ldn ' t , sen t
so m ebody t o r epor t t o t h em . Abu Lah ab w as also pr esen t . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said:
" You see, if I w er e t o t ell y ou t h at t h er e w er e som e h or sem en in t h e v alley plan n in g t o r aid y ou , w ill
y ou believ e m e?" Th ey said: " Yes, w e h av e n ev er ex per ien ced an y lie fr om y ou. " He said: " I am a
w ar n er t o y ou bef or e a sev er e t or m en t . " Abu Lah ab pr om pt ly r eplied: " Per ish y ou all t h e day ! Hav e
y ou su m m on ed u s f or su ch a t h in g?" Th e v er ses w er e im m ediat ely r ev ealed on t h at occasion :

" Per ish t h e t w o h an d s of Ab i Lah ab..." [ 111: 1] .

Mu slim r epor t ed an ot h er par t of t h is st or y on t h e au t h or it y of Abu Hu r air ah ( May Alah be pleased

w it h him ) — He said : " Wh en t h e f ollow in g v er ses w er e r ev ealed :

" And w ar n y our t r ibe [ O Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] of near k indr ed. " [ 2 6 : 2 1 4 ]

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) called all t h e people of Qu r aish ; so t h ey gat h er ed an d
h e gav e t h em a gen er al w ar n in g. Th en h e m ade a par t icu lar r efer en ce t o cer t ain t r ibes, an d said: " O
Qu r aish , r escu e y ou r selv es fr om t h e Fir e; O people of Ba ni Ka'b, r escue y our selv es fr om Fir e; O
Fat im ah, daught er of Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) , r escue y our self fr om t he Fir e, for I hav e no
pow er t o pr ot ect y ou f r om Allâh in an y t h in g ex cept t h at I w ou ld su st ain r elat ion sh ip w it h y ou . "

I t w as v er ily a lou d su ggest iv e Call st at in g u n equ iv ocally t o t h e closest people t h at belief in h is

Messag e con st it u t ed t h e cor n er-st on e of an y f u t u r e r elat ion bet w een h im an d t h em , an d t h at t h e
b lood -r elat ion on w h ich t h e w h ole Ar ab ian lif e w as b ased , h ad ceased t o ex ist in t h e ligh t of t h at
Divine ult im at um .

SH OUTI N G TH E TRUTH AN D TH E POLYTH EI STS' REACTI ON :

Th e Pr oph et ' s v oice k ept r ev er ber at in g in Mak k ah u n t il t h e f ollow in g v er se w as r ev ealed:

" Ther efor e pr oclaim openly ( Allâh' s Message — I slam ic Monot heism ) , t hat w hich y o u ar e
com m anded, and t ur n aw ay fr om Al-Mushr ik ûn ( poly t heist s) . " [ 15: 94]

He t h en com m en ced discr edit in g t h e su per st it iou s pr act ices of idolat r y , r ev ealin g it s w or t h less
r ealit y an d u t t er im pot en ce, an d giv in g con cr et e pr oofs t h at idolat r y per se or t ak in g it as t h e m edia
t hr ough w hich an idolat er could com e in cont act w it h Allâh, is m anifest falsehood.

Th e Mak k an s, on t h eir par t , bu r st in t o ou t r age an d disappr ov al. Mu h am m ad' s ( Peace be u pon h im )

w or ds cr eat ed a t h u n der bolt t h at t u r n ed t h e Mak k an t im e -h on ou r ed ideological lif e u pside dow n .
Th ey cou ld ill af f or d t o h ear som eon e at t ach in g t o poly t h eist s an d idolat er s, t h e descr ipt ion of
st r ay in g people. Th ey st ar t ed t o r ally t h eir r esou r ces t o set t le dow n t h e af f air , qu ell t h e on w ar d
m ar ch in g r ev olu t ion an d deal a pr e -em pt iv e st r ik e t o it s v ot ar ies befor e it dev our s and cr ushes dow n
t h eir con secr at ed t r adit ion s an d lon g st an din g h er it age. Th e Mak k an s h ad t h e deep con v ict ion t h at
den y in g godsh ip t o an y on e sav e Allâh an d t h at belief in t h e Div in e Message an d t h e Her eaf t er ar e
in t er pr et ed in t er m s of com plet e com plian ce an d absolu t e com m it m en t , an d t h is in t u r n leav es n o
ar ea at all for t h em t o claim au t h or it y ov er t h em selv es an d ov er t h eir w ealt h , let alon e t h eir
su bor din at es. I n sh or t , t h eir ar r ogat ed r eligiou sly -based su pr em acy an d h igh h an dedn ess w ou ld n o
lon ger be in ef f ect ; t h eir pleasu r es w ou ld be su bor din at ed t o t h e pleasu r es of Allâh an d His
Messen ger an d last ly t h ey w ou ld h av e t o abst ain f r om in cu r r in g in j u st ices on t h ose w h om t h ey
f alsely d eem ed t o b e w eak, an d per pet r at in g dr eadfu l sin s in t h eir ev er y day life. Th ey h ad alr eady
been f u lly aw ar e of t h ese m ean in gs, t h at is w h y t h eir sou ls w ou ld n ot con descen d t o accept t h is
' disgr acef u l' posit ion n ot ou t of m ot iv es based on dign it y an d h on ou r bu t r at h er becau se:

" Nay ! ( Man denies Resur r ect ion and Reck oning. So) he desir es t o cont inue com m it t ing sins. "
[ 75: 5]

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Th ey h ad been aw ar e of all t h ese con sequ en ces bu t t h ey cou ld affor d t o do n ot h in g befor e an h on est
t r u t h f u l m an w h o w as t h e h igh est ex am ple of good m an n er s an d h u m an v alu es. Th ey h ad n ev er
k n ow n su ch an ex am ple in t h e h ist or y of t h eif olk s or gr an df at h er s. Wh at w ou ld t h ey do? Th ey w er e
baf f led, an d t h ey h ad t h e r igh t t o be so.

Follow in g car ef u l deliber at ion s, t h ey h it u pon t h e on ly t ar get av ailable, i. e. to con t act t h e

Messen ger ' s u n cle, Abu Talib an d r equ est h im t o in t er v en e an d adv ise h is n eph ew t o st op h is
act iv it ies. I n or der t o at t ach a ser iou s an d ear n est st am p t o t h eir dem an d, t h ey ch ose t o t ou ch t h e
m ost sensit iv e ar ea in Ar abian life, v iz. , ancest r al pr ide. Th ey addr essed Abu Talib in t h e follow in g
m an n er : " O Abu Talib! You r n eph ew cu r ses ou r gods; fin ds fau lt s w it h ou r w ay of life, m ock s at ou r
r eligion an d degr ades ou r for efat h er s; eit h er y ou m u st st op h im , or y ou m u st let u s get at h im . For
y ou a r e in t h e sam e opposit ion as w e ar e in opposit ion t o h im ; an d w e w ill r id y ou of h im . " Abu Talib
t r ied t o appease t h eir w r at h by giv in g t h em a polit e r eply . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ,
h ow ev er , con t in u ed on h is w ay pr each in g Allâh ' s r eligion an d callin g m en h it h er t o, h eedless of all
t h eir desper at e at t em pt s an d m aliciou s in t en t ion s

AN AD V I SORY COUN CI L TO D EBAR PI LGRI M S FROM M UH AM M AD 'S CALl: Du r in g t h ose day s,

Qu r aish h ad an ot h er ser iou s con cer n ; t h e pr oclam at ion of t h e Call h ad on ly been a f ew m on t h s old
w h en t h e season of p ilg r im ag e w as soon t o com e. Qu r aish k n ew t h at t h e Ar ab d eleg at es w er e
com in g w it h in a sh or t t im e. Th ey agr eed t h at it w as n ecessar y t o con t em plat e a dev ice t h at w as
bou n d t o alien at e t h e Ar ab pilgr im s f r om t h e n ew f ait h pr each ed by Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon
him ) . They w ent t o see Al-Waleed bin Al-Mu gh eer ah t o deliber at e on t h is issu e. Al-Waleed in v it ed
t h em t o agr ee on a u n an im ou s r esolu t ion t h at cou ld en j oy t h e appr obat ion of t h em all. How ev er ,
t h ey w er e at v ar ian ce. Som e su g g est ed t h at t h ey descr ibe h im as Kahin , i. e. , soot hsay er ; but t his
su g g est ion w as t u r n ed d ow n on g r ou n d s t h at h is w or d s w er e n ot so r h y m ed . Ot h er s p r op osed
Maj nun, i. e. , possessed by j in n ; t h is w as also r ej ect ed becau se n o in sin u at ion s pecu liar t o t h at st at e
of m in d w ar e det ect ed, t h ey claim ed. " Wh y n ot say h e is a poet ?" Som e said. Her e again t h ey cou ld
n ot r each a com m on con sen t , allegin g t h at h is w or ds w er e t ot ally ou t side t h e lex icon of poet r y . " OK
t h en ; let u s accu se h im of pr act isin g w it ch cr aft , " w as a fou r t h su ggest ion . Her e also Al-Wal eed
sh ow ed som e r elu ct an ce say in g t h at t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w as k n ow n t o h av e n ev er
in v olv ed h im self in t h e pr act ice of blow in g on t h e k n ot s, an d adm it t ed t h at h is speech w as sw eet
t ast in g r oot an d b r an ch . He, h ow ev er, f ou n d t h at t h e m ost plau sible ch ar ge t o be lev elled again st
Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as w it ch cr af t . Th e u n godly com pan y adopt ed t h is opin ion an d
agr eed t o pr opagat e on e u n if or m f or m u la t o t h e ef f ect t h at h e w as a m agician so pow er f u l an d
com m anding in h is ar t t h at h e w ou ld su ccessfu lly alien at e son fr om fat h er , m an fr om h is br ot h er ,
w ife fr om her husband and m an fr om his clan.

I t is n ot ew or t h y in t h is r egar d t o say t h at Allâh r ev ealed six t een v er ses as r egar ds Al-Wal eed an d
t h e cu n n in g m et h od h e con t em plat ed t o m an ipu lat e t h e people ex pect ed t o ar r iv e in Mak k ah f or
pilgr im age. Allâh say s:

" Ver ily , h e t h ou gh t an d plot t ed; so let h im be cu r sed! How h e plot t ed! An d on ce m or e let
h im b e cu r sed , h ow h e p lot t ed ! Th en h e t h ou g h t ; t h en h e f r ow n ed an d h e look ed in a b ad
t em per ed w ay ; t h en h e t u r n ed back an d w as pr ou d; t h en h e said: ' Th is is n ot h in g bu t m agic
fr om t h at of old; t h is is n ot h in g bu t t h e w or d of a h u m an bein g! ' " [ 74: 18-2 5 ]

Th e m ost w ick ed of t h em w as t h e sw or n en em y of I slam an d Mu h am m ad ( Peace b e upon him ) , Abu

Lah ab, w h o w ou ld sh adow t h e Pr oph et ' s st eps cr y in g alou d, " O m en , do n ot list en t o h im f or h e is a
liar ; h e is an apost at e. " Nev er t h eless, Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) m an aged t o cr eat e a st ir in
t h e w h ole ar ea, an d ev en t o con v in ce a f ew people t o accept h is Call.

TH E FI RST M I GRATI ON TO ABYSSI N I A ( ETH I OPI A) : Th e ser ies of per secu t ion s st ar t ed lat e in
t h e f ou r t h y ear of Pr oph et h ood, slow ly at f ir st , bu t st eadily acceler at ed an d w or sen ed day by day
an d m on t h by m on t h u n t il t h e sit u at ion got so ex t r em ely gr av e and no longer t oler able in t he m iddle
of t h e fift h y ear , t h at t h e Mu slim s began t o ser iou sly t h in k of feasible w ay s liable t o av er t t h e pain fu l
t or t u r es m et ed ou t t o t h em . I t w as at t h at gloom y an d desper at e t im e t h at Sûrah Al-Kahf ( Ch apt er
1 8 — Th e Cav e) w as r ev ealed com p r isin g d ef in it e an sw er s t o t h e q u est ion s w it h w h ich t h e
poly t h eist s of Mak k ah con st an t ly pest er ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . I t com pr ises t h r ee
st or ies t h at in clu de h igh ly su ggest iv e par ables f or t h e t r u e believ ers t o assim ilat e. Th e st or y of t h e
Com pan ion s of t h e Cav e im plies im plicit gu idan ce f or t h e believ er s t o ev acu at e t h e h ot spot s of
disbelief an d aggr ession pr egn an t w it h t h e per il of en t icem en t aw ay f r om t h e t r u e r eligion :

41
 Th e y ou n g m en said t o on e an ot h er) : An d w h en y ou w it h dr aw fr om t h em , an d t h at w h ich
t h ey w or sh ip, ex cept Allâh , t h en seek r ef u ge in t h e Cav e, y ou r Lor d w ill open a w ay f or y ou
fr om His Mer cy and w ill m ak e easy for y ou y our affair ( i. e. w ill giv e y ou w hat y ou w ill need
of pr ov ision, dw elling, et c.) 18: 16] .

Nex t , t her e is t he st or y of Al-Kh idr ( Th e Teach er of Ar abia) an d Moses ( Peace be u pon h im ) in a

clear and delicat e r efer ence t o t he v icissit udes of life. Fut ur e cir cum st ances of life ar e not
n ecessar ily t h e pr odu ct s of t h e pr ev alen t con dit ion s, t h ey m igh t be cat egor ically t h e opposit e. I n
ot h er w or ds, t h e w ar w aged again st t h e Mu slim s w ou ld in t h e f u t u r e assu m e a dif f er en t t u r n , an d
t h e t y r an n ou s op p r essor s w ou ld on e d ay com e t o su f f er an d b e su b j ect ed t o t h e sam e t or t u r es t o
w h ich t h e Mu slim s w er e t h en pu t . Fu r t h er m or e, t h er e is t h e st or y of Dh u l-Qar n ain ( Th e Tw o Hor n ed
On e) , t h e pow er f u l r u ler of w est an d east . Th is st or y say s ex plicit ly t h at Allâh t ak es His r igh t eou s
ser v an t s t o in h er it t h e ear t h an d w h at ev er in it . I t also speak s t h at Allâh r aises a r igh t eou s m an
ev er y n ow an d t h en t o p r ot ect t h e w eak ag ain st t h e st r on g .

Sûrah Az-Zum ar ( Ch apt er 3 9 — Th e Cr ow ds) w as t h en r ev ealed poin t in g dir ect ly t o m igr at ion an d
st at in g t h at t h e ear t h is spaciou s en ou gh an d t h e believ er s m u st n ot con sid er t h em selv es
con st r ain ed by t h e for ces of t y r an n y an d ev il:

" Good is ( t h e r ew ar d) f or t h ose w h o do good in t h is w or ld, an d Allâh ' s ear t h is spaciou s ( so

if y ou can n ot w or sh ip Allâh at a place, t h en go t o an ot h er ) ! On ly t h ose w h o ar e pat ien t sh all
r eceiv e t heir r ew ar ds in full w it hout r eck oning. " [ 39: 10] .

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad alr eady k n ow n t h at Ash am ah Negu s, k in g of Aby ssin ia

( Et h iopia) , w as a f air r u ler w h o w ou ld n ot w r on g an y of h is su bor din at es, so h e per m it t ed som e of
h is f ollow er s t o s eek asy lum t her e in Aby ssinia ( Et hiopia) .

I n Raj ab of t h e f if t h y ear of Pr oph et h ood, a gr ou p of t w elv e m en an d f ou r w om en lef t f or Aby ssin ia

( Et h iopia) . Am on g t h e em igr an t s w er e ' Ut h m an bin ' Affan an d h is w ife Ru qaiy ah [ t h e dau gh t er of
t h e Pr op h et ( Peace be upon him ) ] . Wit h r espect t o t hese t w o em igr ant s, t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon
him ) said:

" Th ey ar e t h e f ir st people t o m igr at e in t h e cau se of Allâh af t er Abr ah am an d Lot ( Peace be

upon t hem ) ."

Th ey sn eak ed ou t of Mak k ah u n der t h e h eav y cu r t ain of a dark n ig h t an d h ead ed f or t h e sea w h er e

t w o boat s h appen ed t o be sailin g f or Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) , t h eir dest in at ion . New s of t h eir in t en ded
d ep ar t u r e r each ed t h e ear s of Qu r aish , so som e m en w er e d esp at ch ed in t h eir p u r su it , b u t t h e
believ er s h ad alr eady left Sh u aib ah Por t t ow ar d s t h eir secu r e h av en w h er e t h ey w er e r eceiv ed
w ar m ly an d accor ded du e h ospit alit y .

I n Ram adan of t h e sam e y ear , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w en t in t o t h e Holy San ct u ar y w h er e

t h er e w as a lar ge h ost of Qu r aish poly t h eist s, in clu din g som e n ot ables an d celebr it ies. Su dden ly h e
began r ecit in g Sûrah An -Naj m ( Ch apt er 4 1 — Th e St ar ) . Th e aw e-inspir ing Wor ds of Allâh
descended unaw ar es upon t hem and t hey im m ediat ely got st unned by t hem . I t w as t he fir st t im e for
t h em t o b e sh ock ed b y t h e t r ut hful Rev elat ion. I t had for m er ly been t he fav our it e t r ick of t hose
people w h o w ish ed t o dish on ou r Rev elat ion , n ot on ly n ot t o list en t o it t h em selv es bu t also t o t alk
lou dly an d in solen t ly w h en it w as bein g r ead, so t h at ev en t h e t r u e list en er s m ay n ot b e ab le t o
h ear . Th ey u sed t o t h in k t h at t h ey w er e dr ow n in g t h e Voice of Allâh ; in fact , t h ey w er e pilin g u p
m iser y for t h em selv es, for Allâh ' s Voice can n ev er be silen ced, " An d t h ose w h o disbeliev e say :

" List en n ot t o t h is Qu r ' ân , an d m ak e n oise in t h e m idst of it s ( r ecit at ion) t hat y ou m ay

ov er com e." [ 41: 26] .

Wh en t h e u n speak ably f ascin at in g Wor ds of Allâh cam e in t o dir ect con t act w it h t h eir h ear t s, t h ey
w er e en t r an ced an d got obliv iou s of t h e m at er ialist ic w or ld ar ou n d t h em an d w er e cau gh t in a st at e
o f f u ll at t en t iv en ess t o t h e Div in e Wor d s t o su ch an ex t en t t h at w h en t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
him ) r eached t he st or m y hear t -beat in g en din g:

" So fall y ou dow n in pr ost r at ion t o Allâh and w or ship Him ( Alone) . " [ 5 3 : 6 2 ]
42
Th e idolat er s, u n con sciou sly an d w it h full com pliance, pr ost r at ed t hem selv es in absolut e god-fearing
an d st ain less dev ot ion . I t w as in f act t h e w on der f u l m om en t of t h e Tr u t h t h at cleav ed t h r ou gh t h e
ob d u r at e sou ls of t h e h au g h t y an d t h e at t it u d e of t h e scof f er s. Th ey st ood ag h ast w h en t h ey
p er ceiv ed t h at Allâh ' s Wor d s h ad con q u er ed t h eir h ear t s an d d on e t h e sam e t h in g t h at t h ey h ad
been t r y in g h ar d t o an n ih ilat e an d ex t er m in at e. Th eir co -p oly t h eist s w h o h ad n ot b een p r esen t on
t h e scen e r epr oach ed an d blam ed t h em sev er ely ; con sequ en t ly t h ey began t o f abr icat e lies an d
calu m n iat e t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) allegin g t h at h e h ad at t ach ed t o t h eir idols gr eat
v en er at ion an d ascr ib ed t o t h em t h e p ow er of d esir ab le in t er cession . All of t h ese w er e d esp er at e
at t em pt s m ade t o est ablish an ex cu sable j u st ificat ion for t h eir pr ost r at in g t h em selv es w it h t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) on t h at day . Of cou r se, t h is f oolish an d in iqu it ou s slan der ou s
behav iour w as in line w it h t heir life -con secr at ed pr act ice of t ellin g lies an d plot h at ch in g.

New s of t h is incident w as m isr epor t ed t o t he Muslim em igr ant s in Aby ssinia ( Et hiopia) . They w er e
in f or m ed t h at t h e w h ole of Qu r aish h ad em br aced I slam so t h ey m ade t h eir w ay back h om e. Th ey
ar r iv ed in Mak k ah in Sh aw w al of t h e sam e y ear . Wh en t h ey w er e on ly an h ou r ' s t r avel from Makkah,
t h e r ealit y of t h e sit u at ion w as discov er ed. Som e of t h em r et u r n ed t o Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) , ot h er s
sn eak ed secr et ly in t o t h e cit y or w en t in pu blicly bu t u n der t h e t u t elage of a local n ot able. How ev er ,
d u e t o t h e n ew s t h at t r an sp ir ed t o t h e Mak k an s abou t t h e good h ospit alit y an d w ar m w elcom e t h at
t he Muslim s w er e accor ded in Aby ssinia ( Et hiopia) , t he poly t heist s got t er r ibly indignant and st ar t ed
t o m et e ou t sev er er an d m or e h or r ible m alt r eat m en t an dt or t u r es t o t h e Mu slim s. Th er eu pon t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) deem ed it im per at iv e t o per m it t h e h elpless cr eat u r es t o
seek asy lu m in Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) for t h e secon d t im e. Migr at ion t h is t im e w as n ot as easy as it
w as t h e p r ev iou s t im e, f or Qu r aish w as on t h e aler t t o t h e least suspicious m ov es of t he Muslim s. I n
du e cou r se, h ow ev er , t h e Mu slim s m an aged t h eir af f air s t oo f ast f or t h e Qu r aish it es t o t h w ar t t h eir
at t em pt of escape. The gr oup of em igr ant s t his t im e com pr ised eight y t hr ee m en and ninet een or , in
som e v er sions, eig h t een w om en . Wh et h er or n ot ' Am m ar w as in clu ded is st ill a m at t er of dou bt .

QURAI SH 'S M ACH I N ATI ON AGAI N STN TH E EM I GRAN TS: Qu r aish cou ld n ot t oler at e t h e
pr ospect of a secur e hav en av ailable for t he Muslim s in Aby ssinia ( Et hiopia) , so t hey despat ched t w o
st aunch env oy s t o dem and t heir ex t r adit ion. They w er e 'Am r bin Al-'As and 'Abdullah bin Abi Rabi'a
— befor e em br acin g I slam . Th ey h ad t ak en w it h t h em v alu able gift s t o t h e k in g an d h is cler gy , an d
h ad been able t o w in som e of t h e cou r t ier s ov er t o t h eir sid e. Th e pagan en v oy s claim ed t h at t h e
Mu slim r efu gees sh ou ld be ex pelled fr om Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) an d m ade ov er t o t h em , on t h e
gr ou n d t h at t h ey h ad aban don ed t h e r eligion of t h eir f or ef at h er s, an d t h eir leader w as pr each in g a
r eligion differ ent fr om t heir s an d fr om t h at of t h e k in g.

Th e k in g su m m on ed t h e Mu slim s t o t h e cou r t an d ask ed t h em t o ex plain t h e t each in gs of t h eir

r eligion. The Muslim em igr ant s had decided t o t ell t he w hole t r ut h w hat ev er t he consequences w er e.
Ja' f ar bin Abi Talib st ood u p an d ad d r essed t h e k in g in t h e f ollow in g w or d s: " O k in g ! w e w er e
plu n ged in t h e dept h of ign or an ce an d bar bar ism ; w e ador ed idols, w e liv ed in u n ch ast it y , w e at e
t h e d ead b od ies, an d w e sp ok e ab om in at ion s, w e d isr eg ar d ed ev er y f eelin g of h u m an it y , an d t h e
d u t ies of h osp it alit y an d n eig h b ou r h ood w er e n eg lect ed ; w e k n ew n o law b u t t h at of t h e st r on g ,
w h en Allâh r aised am on g u s a m an , of w h ose bir t h , t r u t h f u ln ess, h on est y , an d pu r it y w e w er e
aw ar e; an d h e called t o t h e On en ess of Allâh , an d t au g h t u s n ot t o associate any t hing w it h Him . He
f or bade u s t h e w or sh ip of idols; an d h e en j oin ed u s t o speak t h e t r u t h , t o be f ait h f u l t o ou r t r u st s, t o
be m er cif u l an d t o r egar d t h e r igh t s of t h e n eigh bou r s an d k it h an d k in ; h e f or bade u s t o speak ev il
of w om en , or t o eat t h e su bst an ce of or ph an s; h e or der ed u s t o f ly f r om t h e v ices, an d t o abst ain
fr om ev il; t o offer pr ay er s, t o r en der alm s, an d t o obser v e fast . We h av e believ ed in h im , w e h av e
accept ed h is t each in gs an d h is in j u n ct ion s t o w or sh ip Allâh , an d n ot t o associat e an yt hing wit h Him ,
an d w e h av e allow ed w h at He h as allow ed , an d p r oh ib it ed w h at He h as p r oh ib it ed . For t h is r eason ,
ou r p eop le h av e r isen ag ain st u s, h av e p er secu t ed u s in or d er t o m ak e u s f or sak e t h e w or sh ip of
Allâh an d r et u r n t o t h e w or sh ip of idols an d ot h er abom in at ion s. Th ey h av e t or t u r ed an d in j u r ed u s,
u n t il fin din g n o safet y am on g t h em , w e h av e com e t o y ou r cou n t r y , an d h ope y ou w ill pr ot ect u s
fr om oppr ession . "

Th e k in g w as v er y m u ch im pr essed by t h ese w or ds an d ask ed t h e Mu slim s t o r ecit e som e of A llâh's

Rev elat ion . Ja' far r ecit ed t h e open in g v er ses of Sûrah Maryam ( Ch apt er 1 9 — Mar y ) w her ein is t old
t h e st or y of t h e bir t h of bot h Joh n an d Jesu s Ch r ist , dow n t o t h e accou n t of Mar y h av in g been f ed
w it h t h e food m ir acu lou sly . Th er eu pon t h e k in g, alon g w it h t h e bish ops of h is r ealm , w as m ov ed t o
t ear s t h at r olled dow n h is ch eek s an d ev en w et h is bear d. Her e, t h e Negu s ex claim ed: " I t seem s as
if t h ese w or ds an d t h ose w h ich w er e r ev ealed t o Jesu s ar e t h e r ay s of t h e ligh t w h ich h av e r adiat ed

43
fr om t he sam e sou r ce. " Tu r n in g t o t h e cr est -fallen env oy s of Qur aish, he said, " I am afr aid, I cannot
giv e y ou back t h ese r ef u gees. Th ey ar e f r ee t o liv e an d w or sh ip in m y r ealm as t h ey please. "

On t h e m or r ow , t h e t w o en v oy s again w en t t o t h e k in g an d said t h at Mu h am m ad ( Peace b e u p on

him ) and his follow er s blasphem ed Jesus Chr ist . Again t he Muslim s w er e sum m oned and ask ed w hat
t h ey t h ou g h t of Jesu s. Ja' f ar ag ain st ood u p an d r ep lied : " We sp eak ab ou t Jesu s as w e h av e b een
t au gh t by ou r Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , t h at is, h e is t h e ser v an t of Allâh , His Messen ger , His
spir it an d His Wor d br eat h ed in t o Vir gin Mar y . " Th e k in g at on ce r em ar k ed, " Ev en so do w e believ e.
Blessed be y ou , an d blessed be y ou r m ast er . " Th en t u r n in g t o t h e f r ow n in g en v oy s an d t o h is
b ish op s w h o got an gr y , h e said: " You m ay fr et an d fu m e as y ou lik e bu t Jesu s is n ot h in g m or e t h an
w h at Ja' f ar h as said abou t h im . " He t h en assu r ed t h e Mu slim s of f u ll pr ot ect ion . He r et u r n ed t o t h e
en v oy s of Qu r aish , t h e gif t s t h ey h ad br ou gh t w it h t h em an d sen t t h em aw ay . The Muslim s liv ed in
Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) u n m olest ed for a n u m ber of y ear s t ill t h ey r et u r n ed t o Madin ah .

I n t h is w ay Qu r aish ' s m aliciou s in t en t ion s r ecoiled on t h em an d t h eir m ach in at ion m et w it h u t t er

failur e. They cam e t o fully r ealize t hat t he g r udge t hey nur sed against he Muslim s w ould not oper at e
bu t w it h in t h eir r ealm of Mak k ah . Th ey con sequ en t ly began t o en t er t ain a h or r ible idea of silen cin g
t h e adv ocat e of t h e n ew Call on ce an d for all, t h r ou gh v ar iou s ch an n els of br u t alit y , or else k illin g
him . An obst inat e difficult y , how ev er , used t o cur t ail any m ov e in t his dir ect ion em bodied by t he
Pr oph et ' s u n cle Abu Talib an d t h e pow er f u l social st an din g h e u sed t o en j oy as w ell as t h e f u ll
p r ot ect ion an d su p p or t h e u sed t o len d t o h is n ep h ew . Th e p ag an s of Mak k ah t h er ef or e decided t o
appr oach Abu Talib f or t h e secon d t im e an d in sist ed t h at h e pu t a st op t o h is n eph ew ' s act iv it ies,
w h ich if allow ed u n ch eck ed, t h ey said, w ou ld in v olv e h im in t o sev er e h ost ilit y . Abu Talib w as deeply
d ist r essed at t h is op en t h r eat an d t h e br each w it h h is people an d t h eir en m it y , bu t h e cou ld n ot
af f or d t o d eser t t h e Messen g er t oo. He sen t f or h is n ep h ew an d t old h im w h at t h e p eop le h ad said ,
" Spar e m e an d y ou r self an d pu t n ot bu r den on m e t h at I can ' t bear . " Upon t h is t h e Pr op h et ( Peace
be u pon h im ) t h ou gh t t h at h is u n cle w ou ld let h im dow n an d w ou ld n o lon ger su ppor t h im , so h e
r eplied:

" O m y uncle! by Allâh if t hey put t he sun in m y r ight hand and t he m oon in m y left on
condit ion t hat I abandon t his cour se, unt il Allâh h as m ade m e v ict or ious, or I per ish t her ein,
I w ou ld n ot ab an d on it . " Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) g ot u p , an d as h e t u r n ed aw ay ,
h is u n cle called h im an d said, " Com e back , m y n eph ew , " an d w h en h e cam e back , h e said,
" Go an d pr each w h at y ou please, f or b y Allâh I w ill nev er for sak e y ou. "

He t h en r ecit ed t w o lin es of v er se pr egn an t w it h m ean in gs of f u ll su ppor t t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be

u pon h im ) an d absolu t e gr at if icat ion by t h e cou r se t h at h is n eph ew h ad ch alk ed ou t in Ar abia.

ON ECE M ORE QURAI SH APPROACH ES ABU TALI B: Qu r aish , seein g t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace be u pon h im ) w as st ill in t en t on h is Call, r ealized t h at Abu Talib w ou ld n ev er f or sak e h is
n eph ew ev en if t h is in cu r r ed t h eir en m it y . Som e of t h em t h en w en t t o see h im on ce m or e t ak in g
w it h t hem a y out h called 'Am ar ah bin Al-Waleed bin Al-Mu gh eer ah , an d said, " O Abu Talib! w e h av e
br ou gh t y ou a sm ar t boy st ill in t h e bloom of h is y ou t h , t o m ak e u se of h is m in d an d st r en gt h an d
t ak e h im as y ou r son in ex ch an ge f or y ou r n eph ew , w h o h as r u n cou n t er t o y our r eligion, br ought
abou t social discor d, fou n d fau lt w it h y ou r w ay of life, so t h at w e k ill h im an d r id y ou of h is en dless
t r oubles; j ust m an for m an. " Abu Talib's r eply w as, " I t is r eally an unfair bar gain. You giv e m e y our
son t o br in g h im u p and I giv e y ou m y son t o k ill him ! By Allâh, it is som et hing incr edible! ! " Al-
Mu t ' im bin ' Adi, a m em ber of t h e delegat ion , in t er r u pt ed say in g t h at Qu r aish h ad been fair in t h at
bar gain becau se " t h ey m ean t on ly t o r id y ou of t h at sou r ce of h at ef u l t r ou ble, b u t as I see y ou ar e
det er m ined t o r efuse t heir fav our s. " Abu Talib, of cour se, t ur ned dow n all t heir offer s and challenged
t h em t o d o w h at ev er t h ey p leased . Hist or ical r esou r ces d o n ot g iv e t h e ex act d at e of t h ese t w o
m eet in gs w it h Abu Talib. Th ey , h ow ev er, seem m or e lik ely t o h av e t ak en place in t h e six t h y ear of
Pr op h et h ood w it h a b r ief lap se of t im e in b et w een .

TH E TYRAN TS' D ECI SI ON TO KI LL TH E PROPH ET: Now t h at all t h e sch em es an d con spir acof
Qu r aish h ad f ailed, t h ey r esor t ed t o t h eir old pr act ices of per secu t ion an d in flict in g t or t u r es on t h e
Mu slim s in a m or e ser iou s an d br u t al m an n er t h an ev er bef or e. Th ey also began t o n u r se t h e idea of
k illing t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) . I n fact , cont r ar y t o t heir ex pect at ions, t his new m et hod and
t his ver y id ea ser v ed in dir ect ly t o con solidat e t h e Call t o I slam an d su ppor t it w it h t h e con v er sion of
t w o st au n ch an d m igh t y h er oes of Mak k ah , i. e. Ham zah bin ' Abdu l-Mut t alib and 'Um ar bin Al-
Khat t ab ( May Allah be pleased w it h him ) .

44
' Ut aibah bin Abi Lah ab on ce approach ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d m ost def ian t ly an d
br azen ly sh ou t ed at h im , " I disbeliev e in : " By t h e st ar w h en it goes dow n . " [ 5 3 : 1 ] an d in " Th en h e
( Gabr iel) appr oach ed an d cam e closer . " [ 5 3 : 8 ] I n ot h er w or ds: " I do n ot believ e in an y of t h e
Qur 'ân. " He t hen st ar t ed t o deal highhandedly w it h Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) and laid v iolent
h an d on h im , t or e h is sh ir t an d spat in t o h is f ace bu t h is saliv a m issed t h e Holy f ace of t h e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th er eu pon , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon him ) inv ok ed Allâh's w r at h on
' Ut aibah an d su pplicat ed:

" O Allâh! Set one of Your dogs on him . "

Allâh r espon ded posit iv ely t o Mu h am m ad' s su pplicat ion , an d it h appen ed in t h e follow in g m an n er :
On ce ' Ut aibah w it h som e of h is com pat r iot s f r om Qu r aish set ou t for Sy r ia and t ook accom m odat ion
in Az - Z ar qa' . Th er e a lion appr oach ed t h e gr ou p t o t h e gr eat f ear of ' Ut bah , w h o at on ce r ecalled
Mu h am m ad' s w or ds in su pplicat ion , an d said: " Woe t o m y br ot h er ! Th is lion w ill su r ely dev ou r m e
j u st as Mu h am m ad ( Peace b e upon him ) supplicat ed. He has r eally k illed m e in Sy r ia w hile he is in
Mak k ah. " The lion did r eally r ush lik e light ning, snat ched ' Ut bah fr om am ongst his people and
cr u sh ed h is h ead.

I t is also r epor t ed t h at a w r et ch ed idolat er f r om Qu r aish , n am ed ' Uqbah bin 'Abi Mu'ait once t r od on
t h e Pr oph et ' s n eck w h ile h e w as pr ost r at in g h im self in pr ay er u n t il h is ey es pr ot r u ded.

Mor e det ails r epor t ed by I bn I sh aq t est if y t o t h e t y r an t s' deeply -est ablished int ent ions of k illing t he
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Abu Jah l, t h e ar ch en em y of I slam , on ce addr essed som e of h is
accom plices: " O people of Qu r aish ! I t seem s t h at Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) is det er m in ed t o
go on fin din g fau lt w it h ou r r eligion , degr adin g ou r for efat h er s, discr edit in g ou r w ay of life an d
ab u sin g ou r gods. I bear w it n ess t o ou r god t h at I w ill car r y a t oo h eav y r ock an d dr op it on
Muham m ad' s head w hile he is in pr ost r at ion t o r id y ou of him , once and for all. I am not afr aid of
w h at ev er h is sept , Ban u ' Abd Mu n af, m igh t do. " Th e t er r ible u n for t u nat e audience endor sed his plan
an d en cou r aged h im t o t r an slat e it in t o a decisiv e deed.

I n t h e m or n in g of t h e follow in g day , Abu Jah l lay w ait in g for t h e ar r iv al of t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace be u pon h im ) t o of f er pr ay er . Th e people of Qu r aish w er e in t heir assem bly r oom s w ait ing for
n ew s. Wh en t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) pr ost r at ed h im self , Abu Jah l pr oceeded car r y in g t h e
big r ock t o f u lf ill h is w ick ed in t en t ion . No soon er h ad h e appr oach ed closer t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) t h an h e w it h dr a w p ale -faced, sh u dder in g w it h h is h an ds st r ain ed t h e r ock fallin g off.
Ther eupon, t he people w at ching hur r ied for w ar d ask ing him w hat t he m at t er w as. He r eplied: " When
I appr oach ed, a m ale -cam el u n u su al in figu r e w it h fear fu l can in es in t er cept ed an d alm ost d ev ou r ed
m e. " I bn I sh aq r epor t ed t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , in t h e con t ex t of h is com m en t on
t h e in ciden t , said " I t w as Gabr iel ( Peace be u pon h im ) , if Abu Jah l h ad appr oach ed closer , h e w ou ld
h av e k illed h im . " Ev en so t h e t y r an t s of Qu r aish w ou ld n ot be adm on ish ed, con t r ar iw ise, t h e idea of
k illin g t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as st ill bein g n ou r ish ed in t h eir in iqu it ou s h ear t s. On t h e
aut hor it y of 'Abdullah bin 'Am r bin Al-' As, som e people of Qu r aish w er e in a place called Al-Hij r
com pla in in g t h at t h ey h ad b een t oo p at ien t w it h t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) , w h o su d d en ly
appear ed an d began h is u su al cir cu m am bu lat ion . Th ey st ar t ed t o w in k at h im an d u t t er sar cast ic
r em ar k s bu t h e r em ain ed silen t f or t w o t im es, t h en on t h e t h ir d, h e st opped an d ad d r essed t h e
infidels say ing:

" O people of Qu r aish ! Hear k en , I sw ear by Allâh in Wh ose Han d is m y sou l, t h at y ou w ill on e
day be slau gh t er ed t o pieces. " As soon as t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) u t t er ed h is w or d
of slau g h t er , t h ey all st ood ag h ast an d sw it ch ed of f t o a n ew st y le of lan gu age sm ack in g of
fear an d ev en h or r or t r y in g t o soot h e h is an ger an d com for t h im say in g: " You can leav e Abu l
Qasim , for y ou h av e n ev er been foolish . "

'Ur w a bin Az -Zubair nar r at ed: I ask ed Abdullah bin 'Am r bin Al-'As t o t ell m e of t h e w or st t h in g t h at
t h e p ag an s d id t o t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) . He said : " Wh ile t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
him ) w as pr ay ing in Al-Hij r of Al-Ka'bah, 'Uqbah bin Al-Mu ' ait cam e an d pu t h is gar m en t ar ou n d t h e
Pr oph et ' s n eck an d t h r ot t led him v iolent ly . Abu Bak r cam e and caught him by his shoulder and
pu sh ed h im aw ay f r om t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d said: " Do y ou w an t t o k ill a m an j u st
becau se h e say s, My Lor d is Allâh ?"

45
TH E CON VERSI ON OF H AM ZAH BI N 'ABD UL- M UTTALI B: I n a gloom y at m osp h er e in f est ed w it h
dar k clou ds of in iqu it y an d t y r an n y , t h er e sh on e on t h e h or izon a pr om isin g ligh t f or t h e oppr essed,
i. e. t he conv er sion of Ham zah bin ' Abdul-Mut t alib in Dhul Hij j ah, t he six t h y ear of Pr ophet hood. I t is
r ecor d ed t h at t h e Pr op h et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as on e day seat ed on t h e h illock of Saf a w h en Abu
Jah l h appen ed t o pass by an d accu sed t h e r eligion pr each ed by h im . Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon
h im ) , h ow ev er , k ept silen t an d did n ot u t t er a sin gle w or d. Abu Jah l w en t on u n ch eck ed, t ook a
st on e an d cr ack ed t h e Pr op h et ' s h ead w h ich b eg an t o b leed . Th e ag g r essor t h en w en t t o j oin t h e
Qu r aish it es in t h eir assem bly place. I t so h appen ed t h at sh or t ly aft er t h at , Ham zah , w h ile r et u r n in g
f r om a h u n t in g ex pedit ion , passed by t h e sam e w ay , h is bow h an gin g by h is sh ou lder . A slav e -girl
belon gin g t o ' Abdu llah bin Jada' an , w h o h ad n ot ed t h e im per t in en ce of Abu Jah l, t old h im t h e w h ole
st or y of t h e at t ack on t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . On h ear in g t h at , Ham zah w as deeply
of f en ded an d h u r r ied t o Al-Ka' bah and t her e, in t he cour t y ar d of t he Holy Sanct uar y , found Abu Jahl
sit t in g w it h a com pan y of Qu r aish it es. Ham zah r u sh ed u pon h im an d st r u ck h is bow u pon h is h ead
v iolen t ly an d said: " Ah ! You h av e been abu sin g Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ; I t oo follo w h is
r eligion an d pr of ess w h at h e pr each es. " Th e m en of Ban i Mak h zu m cam e t o h is h elp, an d m en of
Bani Hashim w ant ed t o r ender help, but Abu Jahl sent t hem aw ay say ing: " Let Abu ' Um m ar ah alone,
by Allâh I did r ev ile his nephew sham elessly . " I n fact , Ham zah's conv er sion der iv ed init ially fr om t he
pr ide of a m an w h o w ou ld n ot accept t h e n ot ion of ot h er s h u m iliat in g h is r elat iv e. Lat er on ,
h ow ev er , Allâh pu r if ied h is n at u r e an d h e m an aged t o gr asp t h e m ost t r u st w or t h y h an d-hold ( Fait h
in Allâh) . He pr ov ed t o be a sou r ce of gr eat st r en gt h t o t h e I slam ic Fait h an d it s f ollow er s.

TH E CON VERSI ON OF 'UM AR BI N AL - KH ATTAB: An ot h er sign if ican t addit ion t o t h e st r en gt h of

I slam w as t he conv er sion of 'Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab in Dh u l-Hij j ah , t h e six t h y ear of Pr oph et h ood,
t h r ee day s f ollow in g t h e con v er sion of Ham zah . ] He w as a m an of dau n t less cou r age an d
r esolu t ion , f ear ed an d r espect ed in Mak k ah , an d h it h er t o a bit t er oppon en t of t h e n ew r eligion . Th e
t r adit ion al accou n t r ev eals t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) on ce r aised h is h an ds in pr ay er
an d said:

" O Allâh! Giv e st r engt h t o I slam especially t hr ough eit her of t w o m en y ou lov e m or e: 'Um ar
bin Al-Khat t ab or Abu Jahl bin Hisham . "

' Um ar , obv iou sly , w as t h e on e w h o m er it ed t h at pr iv ilege.

Wh en w e scr u t in ize t h e sev eral v er sion s t h at speak of ' Um ar ' s con v er sion , w e can saf ely con clu de
t h at v ar iou s con t r adict or y em ot ion s u sed t o con f lict w it h on e an ot h er w it h in h is sou l. On t h e on e
h an d , h e u sed t o h ig h ly r eg ar d t h e t r ad it ion s of h is p eop le, an d w as h ab it u at ed t o t h e p ract ice of
in du lgen ce in w in e or gies; on t h e ot h er h an d, h e gr eat ly adm ir ed t h e st am in a of t h e Mu slim s an d
t h eir r elen t less dedicat ion t o t h eir f ait h . Th ese t w o ex t r em e v iew s cr eat ed a sor t of sk ept icism in
h im in d an d m ade h im at t im es t en d t o believ e t h at t h e doct r in es of I slam cou ld bear bet t er an d
m or e sacr ed seeds of life, t hat is w hy he w ould alw ay s ex per ience fit s of out r age dir ect ly follow ed by
u n ex pect ed en er v at ion . On t h e w h ole, t h e accou n t of h is con v er sion is v er y in t er est in g an d r equ ir es
u s t o g o in t o som e det ails.

One day , 'Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab set ou t f r om h is h ou se, an d h eaded f or t h e Holy San ct u ar y w h er e h e
saw t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) of f er in g pr ay er an d ov er h ear d h im r ecit in g t h e Sûrah Al-
Hâqqah ( Ch apt er 6 9 — The Realit y ) of t he Noble Qu r ' ân . Th e Wor ds of Allâh appealed t o h im an d
t ou ch ed t h e in n er m ost cells of h is h ear t . He felt t h at t h ey der iv ed fr om u n u su al com posit ion , an d h e
b eg an t o q u est ion h is p eop le' s alleg at ion s as r eg ar d s t h e m an -com p osed p oet r y or w or d s of a
soot h say er t h at t h ey u sed t o at t ach t o t h e Noble Qu r ' ân . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w en t on
t o r ecit e:

" Th at t h is is v er ily t h e w or d of an h on ou r ed Messenger ( i. e. Gabr iel or Mu h am m ad ( Peace be

u pon h im ) w h ich h e h as br ou gh t fr om Allâh ) . I t is n ot t h e w or d of a poet , lit t le is t hat y ou
believ e! Nor is it t h e w or d of a soot h say er ( or a for et eller ) , lit t le is t h at y ou r em em ber ! Th is
is t h e Rev elat ion sen t d ow n f r om t h e Lor d of t h e 'Alam in ( m ank ind, j inns and all t hat
ex ist s) ." [ 69: 40-4 3 ]

At t hat v er y m om ent , I slam perm eat ed h is h ear t . How ev er , t h e dar k lay er of pr e -I slam ic t endencies,
t h e d eep -seat ed t r ad it ion al b ig ot r y as w ell as t h e b lin d p r id e in h is f or ef at h er s ov er sh ad ow ed t h e
essen ce of t h e gr eat Tr u t h t h at began t o f eel it s w ay r elu ct an t ly in t o h is h ear t . He, t h er efor e,
per sist ed in h is at r ocit ies again st I slam an d it s adh er en t s u n m in df u l of t h e pu r e an d t r u e-t o-m an's
46
n at u r e feelin g t h at lay beh in d t h at fr agile cov er of pr e -I slam ic ignor ance and m ent alit y . His shar p
t em p er an d ex cessiv e en m it y t ow ar d s t h e Pr op h et ( Peace be upon him ) led him one day t o leav e his
h ou se, sw or d in h an d, w it h t h e in t en t ion of k illin g t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . He w as in a f it
of anger and w as fr et t ing and fum ing. Nu'aim bin 'Abdullah, a fr iend of 'Um ar 's, m et him
accident ally half w ay . Wh at h ad cau sed so m u ch ex cit em en t in h im an d on w h om w as t h e f u r y t o
bur st , he inquir ed casually . ' Um ar said fur iously : " To dest r oy t he m an Muham m ad ( Peace be upon
h im ) t h is apost at e, w h o h as sh at t er ed t h e u n it y of Qu r aish , pick ed h oles in t h eir r eligion, found folly
w it h t h eir w ise m en an d blasph em ed t h eir gods. " " ' Um ar , I am su r e, y ou r sou l h as deceiv ed y ou , do
y ou t h in k t h at Ban u ' Abd Mu n af w ou ld let y ou w alk on ear t h if y ou slain Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon
h im ) ? Wh y don ' t y ou t ak e car e of y ou r ow n fam ily fir st and set t hem r ight ?"

" Wh ich of t h e folk of m y h ou se?" ask ed ' Um ar an gr ily . " You r br ot h er-in -law an d y ou r sist er h av e
apost at ized [ m ean in g t o say : Th ey h av e becom e follow er s of Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] an d
aban don ed y ou r r eligion . "

'Um a r d ir ect ed h is f oot st ep s t o h is sist er ' s h ou se. As h e d r ew n ear , h e h ear d t h e v oice of Kh ab b ab

bin Ar at t , w h o w as r eadin g t h e Qu r ' ân ic Ch apt er Tâ-Hâ ( m y st ic let t er s, T. H.) t o bot h of t hem .
Kh abbab, per ceiv in g t h e n oise of h is f oot st eps r et ir ed t o a closet. Fat im ah, 'Um ar 's sist er , t ook hold
of t h e leaf an d h id it . Bu t ' Um ar h ad alr eady h ear d t h e v oice. " Wh at sou n d w as t h at I h av e h ear d
j u st n ow ?" sh ou t ed t h e son of Kh at t ab, en t er in g an gr ily . Bot h h is sist er an d h er h u sban d r eplied,
" You h ear d n ot h in g. " " Na y , " said h e sw ear in g fier cely , " I h av e h ear d t h at y ou h av e apost at ized. " He
p lu n g ed f or w ar d t ow ar d s h is b r ot h er-in -law an d beat h im sev er ely , bu t Fat im ah r u sh ed t o t h e
r escu e of h er h u sban d. Th er eu pon , ' Um ar f ell u pon h is sist er an d st r u ck u pon h er h ead. Th e
h u sban d an d w ife cou ld n ot con t ain t h em selv es an d cr ied alou d: " Yes, w e ar e Mu slim s, w e believ e in
Allâh an d His Messen ger Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) so do w h at y ou w ill. " Wh en ' Um ar saw
t h e f ace of h is d ear sist er b esm ear ed w it h b lood , h e w as sof t en ed an d said : " Let m e see w h at y ou
w er e r eadin g, so t h at I m ay see w h at Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) h as br ou gh t . " Fat im ah w as
sat isfied w it h t h e assu r an ce, bu t said: " O br ot h er , y ou ar e u n clean on accou n t of y ou r idolat r y , n on e
but t he pur e m ay t ouch it . So go an d w ash f ir st . " He did so, an d t ook t h e page an d r ead t h e open in g
v er ses of t h e Ch ap t er Tâ-Hâ u n t il h e r each ed:

" Ver ily! I am Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Ana ( n on e h as t h e r ig h t t o b e w or sh ip p ed b u t I ) , so w or sh ip

Me and offer pr ay er s per fect ly ( I qâm at -as-Salât ) , for My Rem em brance." [ 20: 14] .

' Um ar r ead t h e v er ses w it h gr eat in t er est an d w as m u ch en t r an ced w it h t h em . " How ex cellen t it is,
an d h ow gr acef u l! Please gu ide m e t o Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) . " said h e. An d w h en h e
h ear d t h at , Kh ab b ab cam e ou t of con cealm en t an d said, " O ' Um ar , I h ope t h at Allâh h as an sw er ed
t h e pr ay er of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , for I h ear d h im say : ' O Allâh ! St r en gt h en I slam
t hr ough eit her 'Um ar bin Al-Khat t ab or Abu Jahl bin Hisham . '" 'Um ar t hen left for a house in Safa
w h er e Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad been h oldin g secr et m eet in gs alon g w it h h is
Com pan ion s. ' Um ar r each ed t h at place w it h t h e sw or d sw in gin g by h is ar m . He k n ock ed at t h e door .
Th e Com p an ion s of t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) t u r n ed t o see w h o t h e in t r u d er w as. On e of
t h em peeped t h r ou gh a ch in k in t h e door an d r eeled back ex claim in g: " I t is ' Um ar w it h h is sw or d. "
Ham zah, dispelling t he fear s of his fr iends, said: " Let him in. As a fr iend he is w elcom e. As a foe, he
w ill h av e h is h ead cu t off w it h h is ow n sw or d . " Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) ask ed h is
Com pan ion s t o open t h e door . I n cam e t h e son of Kh at t ab. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
adv an ced t o r eceiv e t h e dr eadfu l v isit or , cau gh t h im by h is gar m en t an d scabbar d, an d ask ed h im
t h e r eason of h is v isit . At t hat 'Um ar r eplied: " O Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) , I com e t o
y ou in or der t o believ e in Allâh an d h is Messen ger an d t h at w h ich h e h as br ou gh t f r om h is Lor d. "
Filled w it h deligh t , Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) t oget h er w it h h is Com pan ions, cr ied aloud:
'Allâhu Akbar' ( Allâh is Great ) .

Th e con v er sion of ' Um ar w as a r eal t r iu m ph f or t h e cau se of I slam . So gr eat an d in st an t w as t h e

effect of h is con v er sion on t h e sit u at ion t h at t h e believ er s w h o h ad h it h er t o w or sh ipped Allâh w it h in
t heir f ou r w alls in secr et n ow assem bled an d per f or m ed t h eir r it es of w or sh ip open ly in t h e Holy
San ct u ar y it self . Th is r aised t h eir spir it s, an d dr ead an d u n easin ess began t o seize Qu r aish .

I bn I sh aq n ar r at ed on t h e au t h or it y of ' Um ar ( May Allah be pleased) , " Wh en I em br aced I slam , I

r em em ber ed t he ar chenem y of Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) , i. e. Abu Jahl. I set out , and
k n ock ed at h is door . Wh en h e cam e ou t t o see m e, I t old h im dir ect ly t h at I h ad em br aced I slam . He
im m ediat ely slam m ed t he door r epulsiv ely denouncing m y m ov e as infam ous and m y face as ugly . "

47
I n f act , ' Um ar ' s con v er sion cr eat ed a gr eat deal of st ir in Mak k ah t h at som e people den ou n ced h im
as an ap ost at e, y et h e w ou ld n ev er w av er in Fait h , on t h e con t r ar y , h e p er sist ed in h is st an ce ev en
at t h e per il of h is lif e. Th e poly t h eist s of Qu r aish m ar ch ed t ow ar ds h is h ou se w it h t h e in t en t ion of
k illing him . 'Abdullah bin 'Um ar ( May Allah be pleased w it h him ) nar r at ed: While 'Um ar w as at hom e
in a st at e of fear , t h er e cam e Al-'As bin Wa'il As -Sahm y Abu 'Am r , w ear in g an em br oider ed cloak
an d a sh ir t h av in g silk h em s. He w as f r om t h e t r ibe of Ban i Sah m w h o w er e ou r allies du r in g t h e
pr e -I slam ic per iod of ignor ance. Al-' As said t o ' Um ar : Wh at ' s w r on g w it h y ou ? He said: You r people
claim t hat t hey will kill m e if I becom e a Muslim . Al-'As said: Nobody w ill har m y ou aft er I hav e
giv en pr ot ect ion t o y ou. So Al-' As w en t ou t an d m et t h e people st r eam in g in t h e w h ole v alley . He
said: Wh er e ar e y ou goin g? Th ey r eplied: We w an t son of Al-Kh at t ab w h o h as em b r aced I slam. Al-
' As said: Th er e is n o w ay f or an y body t o t ou ch h im . So t h e people r et r eat ed.

Wit h r espect t o t he Muslim s in Mak k ah, ' Um ar ' s conv er sion had a differ ent t r em endous im pact .
Muj ahid, on t he aut hor it y of I bn Al-' Abbas ( May Allah be pleased w it h h im ) r elated t h at h e h ad
ask ed 'Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab w h y h e h ad b een g iv en t h e ep it h et of Al-Far ouque ( he w ho dist inguishes
t r u t h f r om f alseh ood) , h e r eplied: Af t er I h ad em br aced I slam , I ask ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) : ' Ar en ' t w e on t h e r igh t pat h h er e an dHe r eaf t er ?' Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an sw er ed:
' Of cou r se y ou ar e! I sw ear by Allâh in Wh ose Han d m y sou l is, t h at y ou ar e r igh t in t h is w or ld an d
in t h e h er eaf t er . ' I , t h er ef or e, ask ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ' Wh y w e t h en h ad t o con du ct
clandest in e act iv ism . I sw ear by Allâh Wh o h as sen t y ou w it h t h e Tr u t h , t h at w e w ill leav e ou r
con cealm en t an d pr oclaim ou r n oble cau se pu blicly . ' We t h en w en t ou t in t w o gr ou ps, Ham zah
lead in g on e an d I t h e ot h er . We h ead ed f or t h e Mosq u e in b r oad d ay lig h t w h en t h e poly t h eist s of
Qu r aish saw u s, t h eir f aces w en t pale an d got in cr edibly depr essed an d r esen t f u l. On t h at v er y
occasion , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) at t ach ed t o m e t h e epit h et of Al-Far ou qu e. I bn Mas' u d
( May Allah be pleased w it h h im ) r elat ed t h at t h ey ( t h e Mu slim s) h ad n ev er been able t o obser v e
t heir r eligious r it es inside t he Holy Sanct uar y ex cept w hen 'Um ar em br aced I slam .

Su h aib bin Sin an ( May Allah be pleased w it h h im ) , in t h e sam e con t ex t , said t h at it w as on ly aft er
'Um ar 's conv er sion, t hat w e st ar t ed t o pr oclaim ou r Call, assem ble ar ou n d an d cir cu m am bu lat e t h e
Sacr ed Hou se fr eely . We ev en dar ed r et aliat e again st som e of t h e in j u st ices don e t o h ar m u s. I n t h e
sam e con t ex t , I bn Mas' u d said: We h av e been st r en gt h en ed a lot sin ce ' Um ar em br ace d I slam .

QURAI SH 'S REPRESEN TATI VE N EGOTI ATES W I TH TH E M ESSEN GER OF ALLAH : Shor t ly aft er
t h e con v er sion of t h ese t w o pow er f u l h er oes, Ham zah bin ' Abdu l-Mut t alib and 'Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab
( May Allah be pleased w it h h im ) , t h e clou ds of t y r an n y an d oppr ession st ar t ed t o clear aw ay and t he
poly t h eist s r ealized t h at it w as n o u se m et in g ou t t or t u r e t o t h e Mu slim s. Th ey con sequ en t ly began
t o dir ect t h eir cam paign t o a differ en t cou r se. Th e au t h en t ic r ecor ds of t h e biogr aph y of t h e Pr oph et
( Peace b e u p on h im ) sh ow t h at it h ad occu r r ed t o t h e Mak k an leader s t o cr edit Mu h am m ad ( Peace
be upon him ) w it h am bit ion. They , t her efor e, t im e and again plied him w it h t em pt at ion. One day
som e of t h e im por t an t m en of Mak k ah gat h er ed in t h e en closu r e of Al-Ka'bah, and 'Ut bah bin Rabi'a,
a ch ief am on g t h em , of f er ed t o appr oach t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d con t r act a bar gain
w it h h im w h er eby t h ey giv e h im w h at ev er w or ldly w ealt h h e ask s f or , on con dit ion t h at h e k eep
silen t an d n o lon ger pr oclaim h is n ew f ait h . Th e people of Qu r aish en d or sed h is p r op osal an d
r equ est ed h im t o u n der t ak e t h at t ask . ' Ut bah cam e closer t o Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d
addr essed h im in t h e f ollow in g w or ds:

We h av e seen n o ot h er m an of Ar ab ia, w h o h as b r ou g h t so g r eat a calam it y t o a n at ion , as y o u have

don e. You h av e ou t r aged ou r gods an d r eligion an d t ax ed ou r for efat h er s an d w ise m en w it h im piet y
an d er r or an d cr eat ed st r if e am on g st u s. You h av e lef t n o st on e u n t u r n ed t o est r an g e t h e r elat ion s
w it h u s. I f y ou ar e doin g all t h is w it h a v iew t o get t in g w ealt h , w e w ill j oin t oget h er t o giv e y ou
gr eat er r ich es t h an an y Qu r aish it e h as possessed. I f am bit ion m ov es y ou , w e w ill m ak e y ou ou r
ch ief. I f y ou desir e k in gsh ip w e w ill r eadily offer y ou t h at . I f y ou ar e u n der t h e pow er of an ev il spir it
w hich s eem s t o h au n t an d dom in at e y ou so t h at y ou can n ot sh ak e of f it s y ok e, t h en w e sh all call in
sk ilful phy sicians t o cur e y ou.

" Hav e y ou said all?" ask ed Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ; an d t h en h ear in g t h at all h ad been
said, h e spok e f or t h , an d said:

" I n t h e Nam e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful. Hâ-Mîm . [ Th ese let t er s ar e
on e of t h e m ir acles of t h e Qu r ' ân , an d n on e bu t Allâh ( Alon e) k n ow s t h eir m ean in gs] . A
r ev elat ion fr om Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful. A Book w her eof t he v erses ar e

48
 ex plained in det ail; — a Qur ' ân in Ar abic for people w ho k now . Giv ing glad t idings [ of
Par adise t o t he one w ho believ es in t he Oneness of Allâh ( i. e. I slam ic Monot heism ) and fear s
Allâh m uch ( abst ains fr om all k inds of sins and ev il deeds. ) and loves Allâh m uch
( per for m ing all k inds of good deeds w hich He has or dained) ] , and w ar ning ( of punishm ent in
t he Hell-f ir e t o t h e on e w h o disbeliev es in t h e On en ess of Allâh ) , bu t m ost of t h em t u r n
aw ay , so t h ey list en n ot . An d t h ey say : Ou r h ear t s ar e u n der c ov er ings ( scr eened) fr om t hat
t o w hich y ou inv it e us …" [ 41: 1 -5 ]

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w en t on r ecit in g t h e Ch apt er w h ile ' Ut bah sit t in g an d
list en in g at t en t iv ely w it h h is h an d beh in d h is back t o su ppor t h im . Wh en t h e Messen ger r each ed the
v er se t h at r equ ir ed pr ost r at ion , h e im m ediat ely pr ost r at ed h im self. Aft er t h at , h e t u r n ed t o ' Ut bah
say ing: " Well Abu Al-Waleed ! You h av e h ear d m y r ep ly , y ou ar e n ow f r ee t o d o w h at ev er y ou
please. " ' Ut bah t h en r et ir ed t o h is com pan y t o appr ise t h em of t h e Pr op h et ' s at t it u d e. Wh en h is
com pat r iot s saw h im , t h ey sw or e t h at h e h ad r et u r n ed t o t h em w it h a cou n t en an ce u n lik e t h e on e
h e h ad befor e m eet in g t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . He im m ediat ely com m u n icat ed t o t h em
t h e det ails of t h e t alk h e gav e a n d t h e r eply h e r eceiv ed, an d appen ded say in g: " I h av e n ev er h ear d
w or ds sim ilar t o t h ose on es h e r ecit ed. Th ey def in it ely r elat e n eit h er t o poet r y n or t o w it ch cr af t n or
do t h ey der iv e f r om soot h say in g. O people of Qu r aish ! I r equ est y ou t o h eed m y adv ice an d g r an t
t h e m an fu ll fr eedom t o pu r su e h is goals, in w h ich case y ou cou ld safely det ach y ou r selv es fr om
h im . I sw ear t h at h is w or ds bear a su pr em e Message. Sh ou ld t h e ot h er Ar abs r id y ou of h im , t h ey
w ill t h en spar e y ou t h e t r ou ble, on t h e ot h er h an d if h e acced es t o p ow er ov er t h e Ar ab s, t h en y ou
w ill bask in h is k in gsh ip an d sh ar e h im h is m igh t . " Th ese w or ds of cou r se f ell on deaf ear s, an d did
n ot appeal t o t h e in f idels, w h o j eer ed at ' Ut bah an d claim ed t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
h ad b ew it ch ed him .

I n an ot h er v er sion of t h e sam e ev en t , it is r elat ed t h at ' Ut bah w en t on at t en t iv ely list en in g t o t h e

Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) u n t il t h e lat t er began t o r ecit e Allâh ' s Wor ds:

" But if t hey t ur n aw ay , t hey say [ O Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] : " I h av e w ar n ed y ou
of a Sa'iqa ( a dest r uct iv e aw ful cr y , t or m ent , hit , a t hunder-bolt ) lik e t he Sa'iqa w h ich
ov er t ook 'Ad and Tham ûd ( people) . " [ 4 1 : 1 3 ]

Her e ' Ut b ah st ood u p p an ick ed an d st u n n ed p u t t in g h is h an d on t h e Pr op h et ' s m ou t h b eseech in g

him : " I beg you in t h e Nam e of Allâh an d u t er in e t ies t o st op lest t h e calam it y sh ou ld bef all t h e
people of Qu r aish . " He t h en h u r r iedly r et u r n ed t o h is com pat r iot s an d in for m ed t h em of w h at h e h ad
h ear d.

ABU TALI B ASSEM BLES BAN I H ASH I M N D BAN I AL- M UTTALI B: Th e n ew an d w elcom e
ch an ges n ot w it h st an din g, Abu Talib st ill h ad a deep sen sat ion of f ear ov er h is n eph ew . He
deliber at ed on t h e pr ev iou s ser ies of in ciden t s in clu din g t h e bar t er affair of ' Am ar ah bin Al-Waleed ,
Abu Jah l' s r ock , ' Uqbah ' s at t em pt t o ch ok e t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be upon him ) , and finally 'Um ar 's
( befor e conv er sion) int ent ion t o k ill Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) . The w ise m an under st ood t hat
all of t h ese u n equ iv ocally sm ack ed of a ser iou s plot bein g h at ch ed t o disr egar d h is st at u s as a
cu st od ian of t h e Pr op het ( Peace be upon him ) , and k ill t he lat t er publicly . I n t he ev ent of such a
t hing, Abu Talib deeply believ ed, neit her ' Um ar nor Ham zah w ould be of any av ail, socially pow er ful
t h ou g h t h ey w er e.

Abu Talib w as r ight . The poly t heist s had laid a car efully -st u died plan t o k ill t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) , an d ban ded t oget h er t o pu t t h eir plan in t o effect . He, t h er efor e, assem bled h is k in sfolk
of Bani Hashim and Bani Al-Mu t t alib, son s of ' Abd Mu n af an d ex h or t ed t h em t o im m u n ize an d
def en d h is n eph ew . All o f t h em , w h et h er believ er s or disbeliev er s, r espon ded posit iv ely ex cept h is
b r ot h er Ab u Lah ab , w h o sid ed w it h t h e id olat er s.

ATTEM PTS M AD E TO CH ECK TH E ON W ARD M ARCH OF I SLAM :

Hav in g fu lly per ceiv ed t h at Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) cou ld n ev er be desist ed fr om his Call,
Qu r aish , in a desper at e at t em pt t o qu ell t h e t idal w av e of t h e Call, r esor t ed t o ot h er ch eap m ean s
act ing fr om base m ot iv es:

49
 1. Scoffing, degr ading, r idiculing, bely ing and laught er-in st igat in g ch eap m an n er s, all of w h ich
lev elled at t h e n ew c on v er t s in gen er al, an d t h e per son of Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im )
in par t icular , w it h t he aim of dr agging t he spir it of despair int o t heir m or ale, and slack ening
t h eir ar den t zealot r y . Th ey u sed t o den ou n ce t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) as a m an
p o sse ssed by a j in n , or an in san e per son :

An d t h ey say : O y ou [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] t o w h om t h e Dhikr ( t he Qur 'an)

h as been sen t dow n ! Ver ily , y ou ar e a m ad m an . [ 1 5 : 6 ]
or a liar pr act ising w it chcr aft ,
An d t h ey ( Ar ab pagan s) w on der t h at a w ar n er [ Pr o phet Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ]
h as com e t o t h em fr om am on g t h em selv es! An d t h e disbeliev er s say : Th is [ Pr oph et
Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] is a sor cer er , a liar . [ 38: 4] .
Th eir ey es w ou ld also look at t h e good m an as if t h ey w ou ld eat h im u p ' , or t r ip him up, or dist ur b
him fr om t he posit ion of st abilit y or fir m ness. They used all sor t s of t er m s of abuse m adm an' or one
possessed by an ev il spir it ' , an d so on :
An d v er ily , t h ose w h o disbeliev e w ou ld alm ost m ak e y ou slip w it h t h eir ey es t h r ou gh h at r eds
w h en t h ey h ear t h e Rem in der ( t h e Qu r ' an ) , an d t h ey say : Ver ily , h e [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be
upon him ) ] is a m adm an! [ 68: 51]
Am on gst t h e ear ly con v er t s, t h er e w as a gr ou p w h o h ad u n f or t u n at ely n o st r on g clan at t h eir back
t o su ppor t t h em . Th ese in n ocen t sou ls w er e r id icu led an d j eer ed in season an d ou t of season .
Ref er r in g t o su ch people, t h e h igh br ow Qu r aish ar ist ocr at s u sed r epeat edly t o ask t h e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) , w it h j est an d scor n :
Allah h as fav ou r ed fr om am on gst u s? [ 6 : 5 3 ]
And Allah said:
Does n ot Allah k n ow b est t h ose w h o ar e g r at ef u l? [ 6 : 5 3 ]
Th e w ick ed u sed t o lau g h at t h e r ig h t eou s in m an y w ay s:

1. Th ey w ou ld in w ar dly lau gh at t h eir Fait h , becau se t h ey f elt t h em selv es so su per ior .

2. I n pu blic places, w h en t h e r igh t eou s passed, t h ey u sed t o in su lt an d w in k at t h em ,
3. I n t h eir ow n h ou ses, t h ey w ou ld r u n t h em d ow n .
4. Wh en ev er an d w h er ev er t h ey saw t h em , t h ey r epr oach ed an d called t h em fools w h o h ad lost
t h eir w ay . I n t h e Her eaf t er , all t h ese t r ick s an d f alseh oods w ill be sh ow n f or w h at t h ey ar e,
an d t h e t ables w ill be r ev er sed. Allâh h ad said:

Ver ily ! ( Dur ing t he w or ldly life) t hose w ho com m it t ed cr im es used t o laugh at t hose
w h o b eliev ed ; an d w h en ev er t h ey p assed b y t h em , u sed t o w in k on e t o an ot h er ( in
m ock er y ) ; an d w h en t h ey r et u r n ed t o t h eir ow n people, t h ey w ou ld r et u r n j est in g;
an d w h en t h ey saw t h em , t h ey said: Ver ily ! Th ese h av e in deed gon e ast r y ! ' Bu t t h ey
( disbeliev er s, sin n er s) h ad n ot been sen t as w at ch er s ov er t h em ( t h e believ er s) .
[ 83: 29-3 3 ]

2. Dist or t ing Muham m ad's t eachings, ev ok ing am b iguit ies, cir culat ing false pr opaganda;
f or gin g gr ou n dless allegat ion s con cer n in g h is doct r in es, per son an d ch ar act er , an d goin g t o
ex cess in su ch a m an n er in or der t o scr een of f an y scope of sou n d con t em plat ion f r om t h e
pu blic. Wit h r espect t o t h e Qu r ' an , t h ey u sed t o alleg e t h at it w as:

Tales of t h e an cien t s, w h ich h e [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] h as w r it t en

dow n , an d t h ey ar e dict at ed t o h im m or n in g an d af t er n oon . [ 2 5 : 5 ]
Th e in iqu it ou s w en t on ceaselessly in cu lcat in g in people' s ear s t h at t h e Qu r ' an w a s n o t a
t r ue Rev elat ion:
Th is ( t h e Qu r ' an ) is n ot h in g bu t a lie t h at h e [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] h as
in v en t ed, an d ot h er s h av e h elped h im at it . [ 2 5 : 4 ]
Th e w ick ed w ou ld also at t r ibu t e t o m en of Allâh j u st su ch m ot iv es an d spr in gs of act ion as t h ey
t h em selv es w ou ld be gu ilt y of in su ch cir cu m st an ces. Th e pagan s an d t h ose w h o w er e h ost ile t o t h e
r ev elat ion of Allâh an d I slam , cou ld n ot u n der st an d h ow su ch w on der f u l v er ses cou ld f low f r om t h e
t on gu e of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w it h ou t h av in g s om eon e t o t each , an d claim ed:
I t is on ly a h u m an bein g w h o t each es h im . [ 1 6 : 1 0 3 ]
Th ey also r aised an ot h er baseless an d su per f icial obj ect ion :
Wh y does t h is Messen ger [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] eat f ood an d w alk
about in t he m ar k et s ( lik e our selv es) ? [ 25: 7]

50
Th ey w er e sadly ign or an t an d pain f u lly at f au lt f or t h ey cou ld n ot per ceiv e t h at a t each er f or
m an k in d is on e w h o sh ar es t h eir n at u r e, m in gles in t h eir life, is acqu ain t ed w it h t h eir doin gs, an d
sy m pat h ises w it h t h eir j oy s an d sor r ow s.
Th e Noble Qu r ' an h as v eh em en t ly r ef u t ed t h eir ch ar ges an d allegat ion s an d h as ex plain ed t h at t h e
u t t er an ces of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ar e t h e Rev elat ion s of t h e Lor d an d t h eir n at u r e an d
con t en t s pr ov ide a bold ch allen ge t o t h ose w h o at t r ibu t e h is Pr oph et ic e x p r ession s t o som e b ase
or igin , at t im es t o t h e m en t al t h r oes of a dr eam in g r ef or m er , at ot h er s t o t h e ef f u sion of a f r en zied
poet or t h e in coh er en t dr iv ellin g of an in san e m an .

3. Con t r ast in g t h e Qu r ' an w it h t h e m y t h ology of t h e an cien t s in or der t o dist r act p eop le' s
int er est s fr om Allâh's Wor ds. Once An -Nadr bin Har it h addr essed t h e Qu r aish it es in t h e
follow in g m an n er : O Qu r aish ! You h av e ex per ien ced an u n pr eceden t ed ph en om en on befor e
w h ich y ou h av e so f ar been desper at ely h elpless. Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) gr ew up
h er e am on g y ou an d alw ay s pr ov ed t o be h igh ly obligin g, t h e m ost t r u t h f u l an d t r u st w or t h y
y ou n g m an . How ev er , lat er on w h en h e r each ed m an h ood , h e b eg an t o p r each a n ew f ait h
alien t o y ou r societ y , an d opposed t o y ou r lik in g so y ou began t o den ou n ce h im at a t im e as
a sor cer er , at an ot h er as a soot h say er , a p oet , or ev en an in san e m an . I sw ear b y Allâh h e
is n ot an y on e of t h ose. He is n ot in t er est ed in blow in g on k n ot s as m agician s ar e, n or do h is
w or d s b elon g t o t h e w or ld of soot h say in g ; h e is n ot a poet eit h er , for h is m en t alit y is n ot
t h at of a r am bler , n or is h e in san e becau se h e h as n ev er been w it n essed t o dev elop an y sor t
of hallucinat ions or insinuat ions peculiar t o m adm en. O people of Qur aish, it is r eally a
ser iou s issu e an d I r ecom m en d t h at y ou r econ sider y ou r at t it u de.

I t is n ar r at ed t h at An -Nad r , at a lat er st ag e, h ead ed f or Heer ah w h er e h e g ot con v er san t

w it h t h e t r adit ion s of t h e k in gs of Per sia an d t h e accou n t s of people lik e Ru st u m an d
Asph an diar , an d t h en r et u r n ed t o Mak k ah . Her e h e w ou ld alw ay s sh ad ow t h e Messen g er ' s
st ep s in w h at ev er au d ien ces t h e lat er h eld t o p r each t h e n ew f ait h an d t o cau t ion p eop le
against Allâh's w r at h. An -Nadr w ou ld dir ect ly f ollow t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d
n ar r at e t o t h e sam e au dien ce lon g t ale s abou t t h ose people of Per sia. He w ou ld t h en alw ay s
appen d h is t alk w it h a qu est ion cu n n in gly in qu ir in g if h e did n ot ou t do Mu h am m ad ( Peace be
upon him ) . I bn Abbas ( May Allah be pleased w it h him ) r elat ed t hat An -Nad r u sed t o
p u r ch ase son g st r esses w h o w ou ld t hr ough t heir bodily char m s and songs ent ice aw ay fr om
I slam an y on e dev elopin g t h e least at t ach m en t t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ; in t h is
r egar d, Allâh say s:
And of m ank ind is he w ho pur chases idle t alk s ( i. e. m usic, singing, et c. ) t o m islead
(me n) fr om t he Pat h of Allâh. [ 31: 6]

4. I n a fr esh at t em pt t o dissu ade Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) fr om h is pr in cipled st an d,

Qur aish inv it ed him t o com pr om ise on his t eachings and com e t o t er m s w it h t heir pr e -
I slam ic pr act ices in su ch a w ay t h at h e qu it s som e of h is r eligion an d t h e poly t h eist s do t h e
sam e. Allâh, t he All-High say s:

They w ish t hat y ou should com pr om ise ( in r eligion out of cour t esy ) w it h t hem , so
t hey ( t oo) w ould com pr om ise w it h y ou. [ 68: 9] .
On t h e au t h or it y of I bn Jar eer an d At -Tabar ani, t he i dolat er s offer ed t hat Muham m ad ( Peace
be u pon h im ) w or sh ip t h eir gods f or a y ear , an d t h ey w or sh ip h is Lor d f or a y ear . I n an ot h er
v er sion , t h ey said: I f y ou accept ou r gods, w e w ou ld w or sh ip y ou r s. I bn I sh aq r elat ed t h at
Al-Asw ad bin Al-Mut t alib, Al-W a l eed bin Al-Mugheer ah, Om aiy ah bin Khalaf and Al-As bin
Wa'il As -Sah m y , a con st ellat ion of in flu en t ial poly t h eist s, in t er cept ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
upon him ) w hile he w as cir cum am bulat ing in t he Holy Sanct uar y , and offer ed him t o w or ship
t h at t h ey w or sh ip p ed, and t hey w or ship t hat he w or shipped so t hat , accor ding t o t hem , bot h
par t ies w ould r each a com m on denom inat or . They added Should t he Lor d y ou w or ship pr ov e
t o be bet t er t h an ou r s, t h en it w ill be so m u ch bet t er f or u s, bu t if ou r gods pr ov ed t o be
bet t e r t h an y ou r s, t h en y ou w ou ld h av e ben efit fr om it . Allâh , t h e Ex alt ed, w as decisiv e on
t h e sp ot an d r ev ealed t h e f ollow in g Ch ap t er :
Say : O Al-Kâfirûn ( disbeliev er s in Allâh, in His Oneness, in His Angels, in His Book s,
in His Messen ger s, in t h e Day of Resur r ect ion, in Al-Qadar, et c. ) ! I w or sh ip n ot t h at
w h ich y ou w or sh ip, n or w ill y ou w or sh ip t h at w h ich I w or sh ip. An d I sh all n ot
w or sh ip t h at w h ich y ou ar e w or sh ippin g, n or w ill y ou w or sh ip t h at w h ich I w or sh ip.
To y ou be y our r eligion, and t o m e m y r eligio n ( I slam ic Monot heism ) . [ 109]

PERSECUTI ON S:
51
At t h e begin n in g of t h e f ou r t h y ear of t h e Call, an d f or a per iod of som e m on t h s, t h e poly t h eist s
con f in ed t h eir h ar assm en t t act ics t o t h e abov e -m ent ioned ones. But on r ealizing t he fut ilit y of t hese
p r oced u r es, t h ey decided t o or gan ize a f u ll-scale opposit ion cam paign . Th ey called for a gen er al
m eet in g an d elect ed a com m it t ee of t w en t y -f iv e m en of Qu r aish n ot ables w it h Abu Lah ab, t h e
Pr oph et ' s u n cle, as a ch air m an . Follow in g som e len gt h y deliber at ion s, t h ey r each ed a decisiv e
decision t o t ak e m easu r es deem ed t o st op t h e t idal w av e of I slam t h r ou gh dif f er en t ch an n els. Th ey
w er e det er m in ed t o spar e n o ef f or t , in com bat t in g t h e n ew f ait h . Th ey decided t o m align t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d pu t t h e n ew con v er t s t o differ en t sor t s of t or t u r e u sin g
all av ailab le r esou r ces. I t w as easy t o p u t t h e r esolu t ion s r elat in g t o t h e n ew con v er t s w h o w er e
deem ed w eak in t o ef f ect . As f or t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , it w as n ot easy t o m align h im
becau se h e h ad such gr av it y , m agnanim it y and m at chless per fect ion of char act er t hat det er r ed ev en
his enem ies fr om com m it t ing any act of folly against him . He had, as w ell, Abu Talib, his uncle, w ho
cam e f r om a n ob le d escen t an d h ad an aw e-in spir in g clan t o su ppor t h im . Th is sit u at ion w as a
sou r ce of gr eat w or r y t o t h e in f idels, bu t t h ey f elt t h at t h ey cou ld n o lon ger ex er cise pat ien ce or
sh ow an y t oler an ce bef or e a f or m idable pow er m ar ch in g st eadily t o an n u l t h eir r eligiou s of f ice an d
t em por al aut hor it y .
Abu Lahab him self t ook t h e in it iat iv e in t h e n ew ser ies of per secu t ion s, an d st ar t ed t o m et e ou t
cou n t less aspect s of h ar m f u l deeds, h at r ed an d spit e again st Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) .
St ar t in g w it h flin gin g st on es at h im , for cin g h is t w o son s t o div or ce t h eir w iv es Ruqaiy a and Um m
Ku lt h u m , t h e Pr oph et ' s dau gh t er s, gloat in g ov er h im on h is secon d son ' s deat h callin g h im t h e m an
cu t of f w it h of f spr in g' , an d t h en sh adow in g h is st ep du r in g t h e pilgr im age an d f or u m s season s t o
belie h im an d en t ice t h e bedou in s again st h im and his Call. His w ife, Um m Jam eel bint Har b, t he
sist er of Abu Su f y an h ad also h er sh ar e in t h is r u t h less cam paign . Sh e pr ov ed t h at sh e w as n ot less
t h an h er h u sban d in t h e en m it y an d h at r ed sh e h ar bou r ed for t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Sh e
u sed t o t ie bu n dles of t h or n s w it h r opes of t w ist ed palm -leaf fibr e and st r ew t hem about in t he pat hs
w h ich t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as ex pect ed t o t ak e, in or der t o cau se h im bodily in j u r y .
Sh e w as a r eal sh r ew , b ad -t em per ed w it h abu siv e lan gu age, h igh ly sk illed in t he ar t of hat ching
in t r igu es, an d en k in dlin g t h e f ir e of discor d an d sedit ion . Sh e w as deser v edly st ain ed as t he carrier
of firewood' in t h e Noble Qu r ' an . On r eceiv in g t h is n ew s, sh e dir ect ly pr oceeded t o t h e Mosqu e w it h
a h an d f u l of p eb b les t o h u r l at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Allâh , t h e Gr eat , t ook aw ay h er
sig h t an d sh e saw on ly Ab u Bak r w h o w as sit t in g im m ed iat ely n ex t t o t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
h im ) . Sh e t h en addr essed Abu Bak r m ost au daciou sly t h r eat en in g t o br eak h is Com pan ion 's m ou t h
w it h h er h an df u l of pebbles, an d r ecit ed a lin e of v er se pr egn an t w it h im pu den t def ian ce: We h av e
disobey ed t h e dispr aised on e, r ej ect ed h is Call, an d alien at ed ou r selv es fr om h is r eligion . Wh en sh e
h ad lef t , Abu Bak r t u r n ed t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace b e u pon h im ) an d in qu ir ed abou t t h e m at t er . Th e
Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) assu r ed h im t h at sh e d id n ot see h im b ecau se Allâh h ad t ak en aw ay
her sight .
Abu Lah ab an d h is h ou seh old u sed t o in f lict t h ose sh am ef u l ex am ples of t or t u r e an d h ar assm en t in
sp it e of t h e blood r elat ion t h at t ied t h em f or h e w as t h e Pr oph et ' s u n cle an d bot h liv ed in t w o
con t igu ou s h ou ses. Act u ally , few of t h e Pr oph et ' s n eigh babst ain ed fr om m align in g h im . Th ey ev en
t h r ew t h e en t r ails of a goat on h is back w h ile h e w as per f or m in g h is p r ay er s. He alw ay s u sed t o
com plain abou t t h at u n becom in g n eigh bou r lin ess bu t t o n o av ail f or t h ey w er e deeply in du lged in
er r or .
Al-Bu k h ar i, on t h e au t h or it y of I bn Masu d, n ar r at ed t h at on ce w h en t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) w as pr ost r at in g h im self w h ile pr ay ing in Al-Kabah , Abu Jah l ask ed h is com pan ion s t o br in g t h e
dir t y f oet u s of a sh e-cam el an d place it on h is back . Uqbah bin Abi Mu ait w as t h e u n f or t u n at e m an
w h o h ast en ed t o do t h is ign oble act . A peal of lau gh t er r ose am on gst t h e in f idels. I n t h e m eanwhile,
Fat im ah , t h e d au g h t er of t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) , h ap p en ed t o p ass t h at w ay . Sh e
r em ov ed t h e filt h fr om h er fat h er ' s back . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in v ok ed t h e w r at h of
Allâh upon t hem , especially upon Abu Jahl, Ut bah bin Rabia, Sh aibah bin Rabia, Al-Waleed b in
Ut bah , Om aiy ah bin Kh alaf an d Uqbah bin Mu ait . I t is r ecor ded t h at all of t h em w er e k illed in t h e
bat t le of Badr .
Scan dal-m on ger in g an d back bit in g w er e also am on gst t h e m ean s of oppr ession t h at t h e ch ief s of
Mak k ah , in gen eral, and Om aiy ah bin Khalaf, in par t icular , r esor t ed t o in t heir ov er all pr ocess of
evil-doing. I n t his r egar d, Allâh say s:
Woe t o ev er y slan der er an d back bit er . [ 1 0 4 : 1 ]
Uqbah bin Al-Mu ait on ce at t en ded an au dien ce of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d list en ed t o
him pr eaching I slam . A close fr iend of his, Ubai bin Khalaf, hear d of t his. He could not t oler at e any
act of t h is sor t , so h e r epr oach ed Uqbah an d or der ed h im t o spit in t h e Pr oph et ' s h oly f ace, an d h e
sh am elessly did it . Ubai did n ot spar e an y th in k ab le w ay t o m alig n t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
h im ) ; h e ev en gr ou n d old decom posed bon es an d blew t h e pow der on h im . Al-Akhnas bin Shuraique
At h-Th aqaf i u sed t o det r act f r om t h e ch ar act er of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in season an d

52
ou t of season . Th e Noble Qu r ' an , in dir ect r ef er en ce t o t h is m an ' s ign om in iou s deeds, at t ach ed t o
him nine abom inable t r ait s:
An d ob ey n ot ev er y on e w h o sw ear s m u ch , — an d is con sid er ed w or t h less, a
slan der er , goin g abou t w it h calu m n ies, h in der er of t h e good, t r an sgr essor, sinful,
cr uel — af t er all t h at b ase-bor n ( of illegit im at e bir t h) . [ 68: 10-1 3 ]
Abu Jahl' s ar r ogance and haught iness block ed all av enues t hat could pr oduce t he least light of belief
in his hear t :
So he ( t he disbeliev er ) neit her believ ed [ in t his Qur 'an, in t h e Messag e of
Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] nor pr ay ed! [ 7 5 : 3 1 ]
He, m or eov er , w an t ed t o debar t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) f r om t h e Noble San ct u ar y . I t
h appen ed on ce t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as pr ay in g w it h in t h e pr ecin ct of t h e Sacr ed
Hou se, w h en Abu Jah l pr oceeded t h r eat en in gly an d u t t er in g abu siv e lan gu age. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace
be u pon h im ) ch ided h im sev er ely t o w h ich Abu Jah l an sw er ed back defian t ly claim in g t h at h e w as
t he m ight iest in Mak k ah; Allâh t hen r ev ealed:
Then, let him call upon his council ( of helper s) . [ 96: 17]
I n an ot h er v er sion of t h e sam e in ciden t , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t ook Abu Jah l by h is n eck ,
r ock ed him sev er ely say ing:
Woe t o y ou [ O m an ( disbeliev er ) ] ! An d t h en ( again ) w oe t o y ou ! Again , w oe t o y ou
[ O m an ( disbeliev er ) ] ! And t hen ( again) w oe t o y ou! [ 75: 34, 35] .
Not w it h st an din g t h is r epr oach , Abu Jah l w ou ld n ev er w ak e u p t o h im self n or did h e r ealize h is
f oolish pr act ices. On t h e con t r ar y , h e w as det er m in ed t o go t o ex t r em es, an d sw or e h e w ou ld du st
t h e Messen ger ' s f ace an d t r ead on h is n eck . No soon er h ad h e pr oceeded t o f u lf ill h is w ick ed
in t en t ion t h an h e w as seen t u r n in g back sh ieldin g h im self w it h h is h an ds ( as if som et h in g h or r ible in
h is pu r su it ) . His com pan ion s ask ed h im w h at t h e m at t er w as. He said: I per ceiv ed a dit ch of bur ning
f ir e an d som e w in gs f ly in g. Lat er on , t h e Messen ger com m en t ed say in g, I f h e h ad pr oceeded
f u r t h er , t h e an gels w ou ld h av e plu ck ed of f h is lim bs on e af t er an ot h er .
Su ch w as t h e disgr acef u l t r eat m en t m et ed ou t t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , t h e gr eat m an ,
r espect ed as h e w as by h is com pat r iot s, w it h an in flu en t ial m an , h is u n cle Abu Talib, at h is back t o
su ppor t h im . I f t h e m at t er s w er e so w it h t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h at abou t t h ose people
d eem ed w eak w it h n o clan t o suppor t t hem ? Let us consider t heir sit uat ion in som e det ail. Whenev er
Abu Jah l h ear d of t h e con v er sion of a m an of h igh bir t h w it h pow er f u l f r ien ds, h e w ou ld degr ade h is
pr u den ce an d in t ellect , u n der m in e h is j u dgem en t ; an d t h r eat en h im w it h dir e con seq u en ces if h e
w as a m er ch an t . I f t h e n ew con v er t w as socially w eak , h e w ou ld beat h im r u t h lessly an d pu t h im t o
u n sp eak ab le t or t u r es.
Th e u n cle of Ut h m an bin Affan u sed t o w r ap Ut h m an in a m at of palm leav es, an d set fir e u n der
him . When Um m Musab bin U m air h ear d of h er son ' s con v er sion , sh e pu t h im t o st ar v at ion an d t h en
ex pelled h im fr om h er h ou se. He u sed t o en j oy fu ll lu x u r iou s easy life, bu t in t h e aft er m at h of t h e
t or t u r es h e su st ain ed , h is sk in g ot w izen ed , an d h e assu m ed a h or r ib le p h y sical ap p ear ance.
Bilal, t h e slav e of Om aiy ah bin Kh alaf , w as sev er ely beat en by h is m ast er w h en t h e lat t er cam e t o
k n ow of h is con v er sion t o I slam . Som et im es a r ope w as pu t ar ou n d h is n eck an d st r eet boy s w er e
m ad e t o d r ag h im t h r ou g h t h e st r eet s an d ev en acr oss t h e hillock s of Mak k ah. At t im es he w as
su bj ect ed t o pr olon ged depr iv at ion of f ood an d dr in k ; at ot h er s h e w as bou n d u p, m ade t o lie dow n
on t h e bu r n in g san d an d u n der t h e cr u sh in g bu r den of h eav y st on es. Sim ilar ot h er m easu r es w er e
r esor t ed t o in or der t o f or ce him t o r ecant . All t his pr ov ed in v ain. He per sist ed in his belief in t he
On en ess of Allâh . On on e su ch occasion , Abu Bak r w as passin g by ; m ov ed by pit y , h e pu r ch ased
and em ancipat ed him fr om slav er y .
An ot h er v ict im of t h e h igh h an dedn ess of Qu r aish was Am m ar bin Yasir , a fr eed slav e of Bani
Mak h zou m . He, alon g w it h h is m ot h er an d fat h er , em br aced I slam in it s ear ly ph ase. Th ey w er e
r ep eat ed ly m ad e t o lie on t h e b u r n in g san d an d w er e b eat en sev er ely . Am m ar w as at t im es t ossed
u p on em ber s. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as gr eat ly m ov ed by t h e at r ocit ies w h ich w er e
bein g per pet r at ed u pon Am m ar an d h is fam ily . He alw ay s com for t ed t h em an d r aised h is h an d in
pr ay er an d said: Be pat ien t , y ou w ill v er ily fin d y ou r abode in t h e Par adise. Yasir , t h e fat h er , d ied
becau se of r epeat ed t or t u r es. Su m aiy ah , Am m ar ' s m ot h er w as bay on et ed t o deat h by Abu Jah l
him self, and t hus m er it ed t he t it le of t he fir st w om an m ar t y r in I slam . Am m ar him self w as subj ect ed
t o v ar iou s m od es of t or t u r e an d w as alw ay s t h r eat en ed t o su st ain severe suffering unless he abused
Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d r ecan t ed t o Al-Lat an d Uzza. I n a w eak m om en t , h e u t t er ed a
w or d con st r u ed as r ecan t at ion t h ou g h h is h ear t n ev er w av er ed an d h e cam e b ack on ce t o t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h o consoled him for his pain and confir m ed his fait h. I m m ediat ely
af t er w ar d s t h e f ollow in g v er se w as r ev ealed :
Wh oev er disbeliev ed in Allâh af t er h is belief , ex cept h im w h o is f or ced t h er et o an d
w h ose h ear t is at r est w it h Fait h —. [ 16: 106]
Abu Fak eeh, Aflah, a fr eed slav e of Bani Abd Ad -Dar w as t h e t h ir d of t h ose h elpless v ict im s. Th e
op p r essor s u sed t o f ast en h is f eet w it h a r op e an d d r ag h im in t h e st r eet s of Mak k ah .
53
Kh abbab bin Al-Ar at t w as also an easy v ict im t o sim ilar ou t r ages on ev er y possible occasio n. He
ex per ien ced ex em plar y t or t u r e an d m alt r eat m en t . Th e Mak k an poly t h eist s u sed t o pu ll h is h air an d
t w ist his neck , and m ade him lie on bur ning coal w it h a big r ock on his chest t o pr ev ent him fr om
escapin g. Som e Mu slim s of r an k an d posit ion w er e w r apped in t h e r aw sk in s of cam els an d t h r ow n
aw ay , an d ot h er s w er e pu t in ar m ou r s an d cast on bu r n in g san d in t h e scor ch in g su n of Ar abia.
Ev en t h e w om en con v er t s w er e n ot spar ed, an d t h e list is t oo lon g t o in clu de all of t h em . Z an ir ah ,
An -Nah d iy ah an d h er d au gh t er , Um m Ubais an d m an y ot h er s h ad t h eir fu ll sh ar e of per secu t ion at
t h e h an d of t h e oppr essor s Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab in clu ded of cou r se befor e h is con v er sion t o I slam .
Abu Bak r , a w ealt h y believ er , pu r ch ased an d f r eed som e of t h ose sh e-slav es, j u st as h e d id w it h
r egar d t o Bilal and Am ir bin Fuheir ah.

TH E H OUSE OF AL - ARQAM:
I n t h ligh t of t h ese in h u m an per secu t ion s, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) deem ed it w ise t o adv ise
h is f ollow er s t o con ceal t h eir con v er sion , in bot h w or d an d deed. He t ook t h e decision t o m eet t hem
secr et ly lest Qu r aish sh ou ld get t o k n ow of h is design s, an d so t ak e m easu r es t h at m igh t f oil h is
goals. He also h ad in m in d t o av oid an y sor t of open con fr on t at ion w it h t h e poly t h eist s becau se su ch
a t h in g at t h is ear ly st ag e w ou ld n ot b e in t h e in t er est of t h e n ew ly -bor n Call, st ill v ulner able and
n ot f u lly f ledged. On ce, in t h e f ou r t h y ear of Pr oph et h ood, t h e Mu slim s w er e on t h eir w ay t o t h e
h illock s of Mak k ah t o h old a clan dest in e m eet in g w it h t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h en a
gr oup of poly t heist s did obser v e t heir suspicious m ov em ent and began t o abuse and fight t hem . Sad
b in Ab i Waq q as b eat a p oly t h eist an d sh ed h is b lood an d t h u s r ecor d ed t h e f ir st in st an ce of
bloodsh ed in t h e h ist or y of I slam .
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , on t h e ot h er h an d, u sed t o pr oclaim t h e I slam ic Fait h an d pr each
it open ly w it h deep dev ot ion an d st u diou s pu r su it , bu t f or t h e gen er al w elf ar e of t h e n ew con v er t s
an d in con sider at ion of t h e st r at egic in t er est of I slam , h e t ook Dar Al-Arqam , in As -Safa m ount ain,
in t h e fift h y ear of h is m ission , as a t em por ar y cen t r e t o m eet h is follow er s secr et ly an d in st r u ct
t hem in t he Qur 'an and in t he I slam ic w isdom .

54
 GEN ERAL SOCI AL BOYCOTT:

Fou r ev en t s of special sign if ican ce occu r r ed w it h in less t h an f ou r w eek s — t h e con v er sion of

Ham zah , t h e con v er sion of ‘Um ar , Mu h am m ad’s ( Peace be u pon h im ) r efu sal t o n egot iat e an y sor t
of com pr om ise an d t h en t h e pact dr aw n u p bet w een Ban u Mu t t alib an d Ban u Hash im t o im m u n ize
Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d sh ield h im again st any t r eacher ous at t em pt t o k ill him . The
p oly t h eist s w er e b af f led an d at a loss as t o w h at cou r se t h ey w ou ld f ollow t o r id t h em selv es of t h is
obst in at e an d r elen t less obst acle t h at h ad appear ed t o sh at t er t o pieces t h eir w h ole t r adit ion of lif e.
Th ey h ad alr eady been aw ar e t h at if t h ey k illed Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h eblood w ou ld
sur ely flow pr ofusely in t he v alley s of Mak k ah and t hey w ould cer t ainly be ex t er m inat ed. Tak ing t his
dr eadf u l pr ospect in t o con sider at ion , t h ey gr u dgin gly r esor t ed t o a dif fer en t in iqu it ou s cou r se t h at
w ould not im ply m ur der .

A PACT OF I N JUSTI CE AN D AGGRESSI ON :

Th e pagan s of Mak k ah h eld a m eet in g in a place called Wadi Al-Mu h assab, an d f or m ed a

con feder at ion h ost ile t o bot h Ban i Hash im an d Ban i Al-Mut t alib. They decided not t o h av e an y
bu sin ess dealin gs w it h t h em n or an y sor t of in t er-m ar r iage. Social r elat ions, v isit s and ev en v er bal
con t act s w it h Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is su ppor t er s w ou ld discon t in u e u n t il t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as giv en u p t o t h em t o be k illed. The ar t icles of t heir pr oclam at ion,
w h ich h ad pr ov ided for m er ciless m easu r es again st Ban i Hash im , w er e com m it t ed t o w r it in g by an
idolat er , Bagh eed bin ‘Am ir bin Hash im an d t h en su spen ded in Al-Ka‘bah . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be
upon him ) inv ok ed Allâh ’s im p r ecat ion s u p on Bag h eed , w h ose h an d w as lat er p ar aly sed .

Abu Talib w isely an d qu iet ly t ook st ock of t h e sit u at ion an d decided t o w it h dr aw t o a v alley on t h e
east er n ou t sk ir t s of Mak k ah . Ban u Hash im an d Ban u Al-Mu t t alib, w h o f ollow ed su it , w er e t h u s
confined w it hin a nar r ow pass ( Shi‘b of Abu Talib) , fr om t he beginning of Muhar r am , t he sev ent h
y ear of Muham m ad’s m ission t ill t he t ent h y ear , v iz. , a per iod of t hr ee y ear s. I t w as a st ifling siege.
Th e su p p ly of f ood w as alm ost st op p ed an d t h e p eop le in con f in em en t f aced gr eat h ar dsh ips. Th e
idolat er s u sed t o bu y w h at ev er f ood com m odit ies en t er ed Mak k ah lest t h ey sh ou ld leak t o t h e
people in Ash -Sh i‘b , w h o w er e so ov er st r ain ed t h at t h ey h ad t o eat leav es of t r ees an d sk in s of
anim als. Cr ies of lit t le ch ildr en su ffer in g fr om h u n ger u sed t o be h ear d clear ly . Not h in g t o eat
r each ed t h em ex cept , on f ew occasion s, som e m eagr e qu an t it ies of f ood w er e sm u ggled by som e
com passion at e Mak k an s. Du r in g ‘t h e pr oh ibit ed m on t h s’ — w hen host ilit ies t r adit ionally ceased, they
w ou ld leav e t h eir con fin em en t an d bu y food com in g fr om ou t side Mak k ah . Ev en t h en , t h e food st u ff
w as u n j u st ly ov er pr iced so t h at t h eir fin an cial sit u at ion w ou ld fall sh or t of fin din g access t o it .

Hak eem bin Hizam w as on ce on h is w ay t o sm u ggle som e w h eat t o h is au n t Kh adij ah ( May Allah be
pleased w it h h er ) w h en Abu Jah l in t er cept ed an d w an t ed t o debar h im . On ly w h en Al-Buk ht ar i
in t er v en ed, did Hak eem m an age t o r each h is dest in at ion . Abu Talib w as so m u ch con cer n ed abou t
t h e p er son al saf et y of h is n ep h ew . Wh en ev er p eop le r et ir ed t o sleep , h e w ou ld ask t h e Pr op h et
( Peace be u pon h im ) t o lie in h is place, bu t w h en all t h e ot h er s f ell asleep, h e w ou ld or der h im t o
ch an ge h is place an d t ak e an ot h er , all of w h ich in an at t em pt t o t r ick a pot en t ial assassin .

Despit e all odds, Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) per sist ed in h is lin e an d h is det er m in at ion an d
cou r ag e n ev er w eak en ed . He con t in u ed t o g o t o Al-Ka‘bah an d t o pr ay pu blicly . He u sed ev er y
oppor t u n it y t o pr each t o ou t sider s w h o v isit ed Mak k ah f or bu sin ess or on pilgr im age dur ing t he
sacr ed m on t h s an d sp ecial season s of assem b lies.

Th is sit u at ion u lt im at ely cr eat ed dissen sion am on gst t h e v ar iou s Mak k an f act ion s, w h o w er e t ied
w it h t h e besieged people by blood r elat ion s. Af t er t h r ee y ear s of block ade an d in Muhar r am , t he
t en t h y ear of Mu h am m ad’s m ission , t h e pact w as br ok en . Hish am bin ‘Am r , w h o u sed t o sm u ggle
som e food t o Ban i Hash im secr et ly at n igh t , w en t t o see Zu h air bin Abi Om aiy ah Al-Mak h zou m y an d
r epr oach ed h im f or r esign in g t o t h at in t oler able t r eat m en t m et ed ou t t o h is u n cles in ex ile. Th e
lat t er pleaded im pot en ce, bu t agr eed t o w or k w it h Hish am an d f or m a pr essu r e gr ou p t h at w ou ld
secur e t he ex t r icat ion of t he ex iles. On t he gr ound of m ot iv at ion by ut er ine r elat ions, t her e em er ged
a gr ou p of fiv e p eop le w h o set ou t t o ab r og at e t h e p act an d d eclar e all r elev an t clau ses n u ll an d
v oid. They w er e Hisham bin ‘Am r , Zuhair bin Abi Om aiy a, Al-Mut ‘im bin ‘Adi, Abu Al-Buk ht ar i and
Zam ‘a bin Al-Asw ad. Th ey decided t o m eet in t h eir assem bly place an d st ar t t h eir self-ch ar ged

55
m ission fr om t he v er y pr ecinct of t he Sacr ed House. Zuhair , aft er cir cum am bulat ing sev en t im es,
alon g w it h h is colleagu es appr oach ed t h e h ost s of people t h er e an d r ebu k ed t h em f or in du lgin g in
t h e am en it ies of life w h er eas t h eir k it h an d k in of Ban i Hash im w er e per ish in g on accou n t of
st ar v at ion and econom ic boy cot t . They sw or e t hey w ould nev er r elent unt il t he par chm ent of boy cot t
w as t or n t o piece an d t h e pact br ok en at on ce. Abu Jah l, st an din g n ear by , r et or t ed t h at it w ou ld
n ev er b e t or n . Z am ‘a w as in f u r iat ed an d accu sed Abu Jah l of t ellin g lies, addin g t h at t h e pact w as
est ablish ed an d t h e par ch m en t w as w r it t en w it h ou t seek in g t h eir appr ov al. Al-Buk ht ar i int er v ened
and back ed Zam ‘a. Al-Mut ‘im bin ‘Adi and Hisham bin ‘Am r at t est ed t o t he t r u t h f u ln ess of t h eir t w o
com pan ion s. Abu Jah l, w it h a cu n n in g at t em pt t o liqu idat e t h e h ot ar gu m en t t h at w as r u n n in g
cou n t er t o h is m aliciou s goals, an sw er ed t h at t h e issu e h ad alr eady been r esolv ed som et im e an d
som ew h er e b ef or e.

Abu Talib m eanw hile w as s it t in g in a cor n er of t h e Mosqu e. He cam e t o com m u n icat e t o t h em t h at a

Rev elat ion h ad b een sen t t o h is n ep h ew , t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) t o t h e ef f ect t h at an t s
h ad eat en aw ay all t h eir pr oclam at ion t h at sm ack ed of in j u st ice an d aggr ession ex cept t h ose p ar t s
t h at bor e t h e Nam e of Allâh . He con t en ded t h at h e w ou ld be r eady t o giv e Mu h am m ad ( Peace be
u pon h im ) u p t o t h em if h is w or ds pr ov ed u n t r u e, ot h er w ise, t h ey w ou ld h av e t o r ecan t an d r epeal
t h eir boy cot t . Th e Mak k an s agr eed t o t h e sou n dn ess of h is pr oposit ion. Al-Mu t ‘im w en t t o see t h e
p ar ch m en t an d t h er e h e d id d iscov er t h at it w as eat en aw ay b y an t s an d n ot h in g w as lef t sav e t h e
par t bear ing ( in t he Nam e of Allâh) .

Th e pr oclam at ion w as t h u s abr ogat ed, an d Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d t h e ot h er p eop le

w er e per m it t ed t o leav e Ash -Sh‘ib and r et ur n hom e. I n t he cont ex t of t his t r ial t o w hich t he Muslim s
w er e su bj ect ed, t h e poly t h eist s h ad a golden oppor t u n it y t o ex per ien ce a st r ik in g sign of
Mu h am m ad ’s Pr op h et h ood ( t h e w h it e an t s eat in g aw ay t h e par chm ent ) but t o t heir m iser able lot
t h ey desist ed an d au gm en t ed in disbelief :

56
 TH E FI N AL PH ASE OF TH E D I PLOM ACY OF N EGOTI ATI ON :

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) left h is con fin em en t an d w en t on pr each in g h is Fait h as
u su al. Qu r aish , lik ew ise, r ep ealed t h e b oy cot t b u t w en t on in t h eir at r ocit ies an d op p r ession on t h e
Mu slim s. Abu Talib, t h e oct ogen ar ian n ot able, w as st ill k een on sh ieldin g h is n eph ew bu t by t h at
t im e, an d on accou n t of t h e ser ies of t r em en dou s ev en t s an d con t in u al pain s, h e began t o d ev elop
cer t ain f it s of w eak n ess. No soon er h ad h e em er ged v ict or iou s f r om t h e in h u m an boy cot t , t h an h e
w as cau gh t in a per sist en t illn ess an d ph y sical en er v at ion . Th e poly t h eist s of Mak k ah , seein g t h is
ser iou s sit u at ion an d f ear in g t h at t h e st ain of in fam y t h at t h e ot h er Ar abs cou ld at t r ibu t e t o t h em in
case t h ey t ook an y aggr essiv e act ion again st t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) af t er h e h ad lost h is
m ain su ppor t , Abu Talib, t ook a decision t o n egot iat e w it h t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) on ce
m or e and subm it som e concessions w it hheld pr ev iously . They t hen delegat ed som e r epr esent at iv es
t o see Ab u Talib an d d iscu ss t h e issu e w it h h im . I b n I sh aq an d ot h er s r elat ed : “ Wh en a ser iou s
illn ess cau gh t Abu Talib, t h e people of Qu r aish began t o deliber at e on t he sit uat ion and reviewed t he
m ain f eat u r es t h at ch ar act er ized t h at per iod an d w h ich in clu ded t h e con v er sion of ‘Um ar an d
Ham zah t o I slam , cou pled w it h t h e t r em en dou s st ir t h at Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad
cr eat ed am on gst all t h e t r ibes of Qu r aish . Th ey t h en deem ed it im per at iv e t o see Abu Talib bef or e
h e d ied t o p r essu r e h is n ep h ew t o n eg ot iat e a com p r om ise on t h e v ar iou s d isp u t ed p oin t s. Th ey
w er e af r aid t h at t h e ot h er Ar abs m igh t at t r ibu t e t o t h em t h e ch ar ge of oppor t u n ism . ”

Th e d eleg at ion of Qu r aish com pr ised 2 5 m en including not ables lik e ‘Ut bah bin Rabi‘a, Shaibah bin
Rabi‘a, Abu Jahl bin Hisham , Om aiy ah bin Khalaf, Abu Sufy an bin Har b. They fir st paid t r ibut e t o him
an d con f ir m ed t h eir h igh est eem of h is per son an d posit ion am on g t h em . Th ey t h en sh if t ed t o t h e
n ew giv e -an d -t ak e policy t h at t h ey claim ed t h ey w an t ed t o f ollow . To su bst an t iat e t h eir ar gu m en t
t h ey alleged t h at t h ey w ou ld r efr ain fr om in t er v en in g in h is r eligion if h e did t h e sam e.

Abu Talib su m m on ed h is n eph ew an d appr ised h im of t h e m in u t es of h is m eet in g w it h t h em , an d

said: “ Well, m y n eph ew , h er e ar e t h e celebr it ies of y ou r people. Th ey h av e pr oposed t h is m eet in g t o
su bm it a policy of m u t u al con cession s an d peacef u l coex ist en ce. ” Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be
upon him ) t ur ned t o t hem say ing:

• “ I w ill gu ide y ou t o t h e m ean s by w h ich y ou w ill gain sov er eign t y ov er bot h t h e Ar abs an d
n on -Ar abs. ”

I n an ot h er v er sion , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) addr essed Abu Talib in t h e follow in g w or ds: “ O
u n cle! Wh y don ’t y ou call t h em u n t o som et h in g bet t er ?” Abu Talib ask ed h im , “ Wh at is it t h at y ou
in v it e t h em t o?” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) r eplied, “ I in v it e t h em t o h old f ast t o a Message
t h at is bou n d t o giv e t h em access t o k in gsh ip ov er t h e Ar abs an d n on -Ar abs. ” Accor ding t o I bn
I sh aq’s v er sion , “ I t is j u st on e w or d t h at w ill giv e y ou su pr em acy ov er t h e Ar abs an d n on -Ar abs. ”
Th e Mak k an depu t ies w er e t ak en by in cr edible su r pr ise an d began t o w on der w h at sor t of w or d w as
t h at w h ich w ou ld ben ef it t h em t o t h at ex t en t . Abu Jah l ask ed, “ W h at is t h at w or d ? I sw ear b y y ou r
f at h er t h at w e w ill su r ely gr an t y ou y ou r w ish f ollow ed by t en t im es as m u ch . ” He said, “ I w an t y ou
t o t est if y t h at t h er e is n o god w or t h y t o be w or sh ipped bu t Allâh , an d t h en div est y ou r selv es of an y
sor t of w or ship y ou h ar bou r for an y deit ies ot h er t h an Allâh . ” Th ey im m ediat ely clapped t h eir h an ds
in r idicu le, an d said “ How can y ou ex pect u s t o com bin e all t h e deit ies in on e God. I t is r eally
som et h in g in cr edible. ” On t h eir w ay ou t leav in g, t h ey said t o on e an ot h er , “ By god t h is m an
[ Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] w ill nev er r elent , nor w ill he offer any concessions. Let us hold
f ast t o t h e r eligion of ou r f or ef at h er s, an d Allâ h w ill in du e cou r se adj u dicat e an d set t le t h e dispu t e
bet w een u s an d h im . ” As r egar ds t h is in cid en t , Allâh r ev ealed t h e f ollow in g v er ses:

• “ Sâd: [ These let t ers ( Sâd, et c.) are one of t he m iracles of t he Qur’ân and none but Allâh
( Alone) knows t heir m eanings] . By t he Qur’ân full of rem inding. Nay, t hose who disbelieve
are in false pride and Apposit ion . How m any a generat ion We have dest royed before t hem ,
and t hey cried out when t here was no longer t im e for escape! And t hey ( Arab pagans) wonder
t hat a warner [ Prophet Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] has com e t o t hem from am ong
t hem selves! And t he disbelievers say, ‘This [ Prophet Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] is a
sorcerer, a liar. Has he m ade t he gods ( all) int o One God ( Allâh) . Verily, t his is a curious
t hing! ’ And t he leaders am ong t hem went about ( saying) : ‘Go on, and rem ain const ant t o
your gods! Verily, t his is a t hing designed ( against you) ! We have not heard ( t he like) of t his
am ong t he people of t hese lat er days. This is not hing but an invent ion.’” [ 38: 1 -7]

57
 TH E YEAR OF GRI EF

ABU TALI B'S D EATH :

I n Raj ab, t h e t en t h y ear of t h e Pr oph et h ood, Abu Talib fell ill an d passed aw ay , six m on t h s aft er
leav in g t h e con fin em en t at Ash -Sh‘ib. I n anot her v er sion, Abu Talib br eat hed his last in Ram adan,
t h r ee day s pr ior t o t h e deat h of Kh adij ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) . On t h e au t h or it y of Al-
Mu saiy ab , w h en Abu Talib w as on t h e deat h bed, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) en t er ed t h e r oom
w h er e h e saw Abu Jah l an d ‘Abdu llah bin Abi Om aiy ah . He r equ est ed h is u n cle:

• “ My u n cle, y ou j u st m ak e a pr of ession t h at t h er e is n o t r u e god bu t Allâh , an d I w ill bear

t e st im ony befor e Allâh ( of y our being a believ er ) ” .

Abu Jah l an d ‘Abdu llah bin Abi Om aiy ah addr essin g h im said: “ Abu Talib, w ou ld y ou aban don t h e
r eligion of ‘Abdul-Mu t t alib?” Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) con st an t ly r equ est ed h im
( t o accept h is of f er ) , an d ( on t h e ot h er h an d) w as r epeat ed t h e sam e st at em en t ( of Abu Jah l an d
‘Abdullah bin Abi Om aiy ah) — t ill Abu Talib gav e his final decision and he st uck t o t he r eligion of
‘Abdu l-Mu t t alib an d r ef u sed t o pr of ess t h at t h er e is n o t r u e god bu t Allâ h . Up on t h is t h e Messen g er
of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) r em ar k ed:

• “ By Allâh, I w ill per sist ent ly beg par don for y ou t ill I am for bidden t o do so ( by Allâh) ” .

I t w as t h en t h at Allâh , t h e Magn if icen t an d Glor iou s r ev ealed t h is v er se:

• “ I t is not ( pr o per ) f or t h e Pr oph et an d t h ose w h o believ e t o ask Allâh ’s f or giv en ess f or t h e

Mushr ik ûn ( poly t heist s, idolat er s, pagans, disbeliev er s in t he Oneness of Allâh) ev en t hough
t h ey be of k in , af t er it h as becom e clear t o t h em t h at t h ey ar e t h e dw eller s of t h e Fir e
( becau se t h ey died in a st at e of disbelief) . ” [ 9 : 1 1 3 ]

An d it w as said t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) :

• “ Ver ily ! You [ O Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] guide not w hom y ou lik e. ” [ 28: 56]

I t goes w it h ou t say in g t h at Abu Talib w as v er y m u ch at t ach ed t o Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) .

For for t y y ear s, Abu Talib had been t he fait hful fr iend — t he pr op of his ch ildh ood, t h e gu ar dian of
h is y ou t h an d in lat er life a v er y t ow er of defen ce. Th e sacr ifices t o w h ich Abu Talib ex posed h im self
an d h is fam ily for t h e sak e of h is n eph ew , w h ile y et in cr edu lou s of h is m ission , st am p h is ch ar act er
as sin gu lar ly n oble an d u n self ish . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) did h is best t o per su ade h is
oct ogen ar ian u n cle t o m ak e pr of ession of t h e t r u e f ait h , bu t h e r em ain ed obdu r at e an d st u ck t o t h e
pagan ism of h is for efat h er s, an d t h u s cou ld n ot ach iev e com plet e su ccess. Al-‘Abbas bin ‘Abdu l-
Mu t t alib n ar r at ed t h at h e said t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) “ You h av e n ot been of an y av ail
t o y ou r u n cle ( Abu Talib) ( t h ou gh ) by Allâh , h e u sed t o pr ot ect y ou an d get an gr y on y ou r beh alf. ”
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ He is in a sh allow f ir e, an d h ad it n ot been f or m e, h e w ou ld
h av e been at t h e bot t om of t h e ( Hell) Fir e. ”

Abu Sa‘id Al-Kh u dr i n ar r at ed t h at h e h ear d t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) say , w h en t h e m en t ion

of h is u n cle w as m ade, “ I h ope t h at m y in t er cession m ay av ail h im , an d h e be placed in a sh allow
f ir e t h at r ises u p on ly t o h is h eels. ”

KH AD I JAH PASSES AW AY TO TH E M ERCY OF ALLAH :

On ly t w o m on t h s af t er t h e deat h of h is u n cle, did t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )

ex per ien ce an ot h er gr eat per son al loss v iz. , t h e Mot h er of believ er s, h is w ife Kh adij ah passed aw ay
in Ram ad an of t h e t en t h y ear of h is Pr op h et h ood , w h en sh e w as six t y -f iv e y ear s old , an d h e w as
fift y . Kh adij ah w as in fact a blessin g of Allâh for t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Sh e, for t w en t y -
five y ear s, shar ed w it h him t he t oils and t r ials of life, especially in t he fir st t en y ear s of his m inist r y
of Pr op h et h ood . He d eep ly m ou r n ed ov er h er d eat h , an d on ce h e r ep lied in an h on est b u r st of
t en der em ot ion s:

58
 • “ Sh e believ ed in m e w h en n on e else did. Sh e em br aced I slam w h en people disbeliev ed
m e. An d sh e h elp ed an d com f or t ed m e in h er p er son an d w ealt h w h en t h er e w as n on e else
t o lend m e a helping hand. I had childr en fr om her only . ”

Abu Hu r air ah r epor t ed t h at Gabr iel cam e t o Allâh ’s Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d said:
“ Allâh ’s Messen ger , lo, Kh adij ah is com in g t o y ou w it h a v essel of season ed f ood or dr in k . Wh en sh e
com es t o y ou , of f er h er gr eet in gs f r om h er Lor d, an d giv e h er glad t idin gs of a palace of j ew els in
Par ad ise w h er e t h er e is n o n oise an d n o t oil. ”

Th ese t w o pain f u l ev en t s t ook place w it h in a sh or t lapse of t im e an d added a lot t o h is gr ief an d

su ffer in g. Th e Mak k an s n ow open ly declar ed t h eir cam paign of t or t u r e an d oppr ession . Th e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) lost all h ope of br in gin g t h em back t o t h e r igh t pat h , so h e set ou t f or Al-Ta’if
seek in g a su ppor t iv e at m osph er e. Bu t t h er e t oo, h e w as disappoin t ed an d h e su st ain ed u n bear able
t or t u r es an d m alt r eat m en t t h at f ar ou t w eigh ed h is m iser able sit u at ion in h is n at iv e t ow n .

His Com pan ion s w er e on equ al foot in g su bj ect ed t o u n speak able t or t u r e an d u n bear able oppr ession
t o su ch an ex t en t t h at h is closest f r ien d, Abu Bak r , t o escape pr essu r e, f led ou t of Mak k ah an d
w an t ed t o leav e for Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) if it w er e n ot for I bn Ad -Dagh an ah w ho m et him at Bar k Al-
Gham ad and m anaged t o dissuade him fr om com plet ing his j our ney of escape and br ought him back
u n der h is pr ot ect ion .

Tdeat h of Abu Talib r en der ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) v u ln er able, an d t h e poly t h eist s
av ailed t h em of t h at oppor t u n it y t o giv e f r ee r ein t o t h eir h at r ed an d h igh h an dedn ess an d t o
t r anslat e t hem in t er m s of oppr ession and phy sical t or t ur es. Once an insolent Qur aishit e int er cept ed
h im an d sp r in k led san d on h is h ead . Wh en h e ar r iv ed h om e, a d au g h t er of h is w ash ed t h e san d
aw ay an d w ept . “ Do n ot w eep, m y dau gh t er . Allâh w ill v er ily pr ot ect y ou r f at h er . ” Th e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) said.

Rapid su ccession of m isf or t u n es, led t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o call t h at per iod, ‘t h e y ear
of gr ief and m our ning’. Thencef or t h , t h at y ear bor e t h at appellat ion .

H I S M ARRI AGE TO SAW D A I N SH AW W AL, TH E TEN TH YEAR OF PROPH ETH OOD :

Th e deat h of Kh adij ah lef t t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) lon ely . Th e n am e of Saw dah w as
su ggest ed t o h im f or m ar r iage w h ich h e accept ed. Th is lady h ad su f f er ed m an y h ar dsh ips f or t h e
sak e of I slam . Sh e w as an ear ly con v er t t o t h e I slam ic Fait h an d it w as by h er per su asion t h at h er
h u sban d h ad em br aced I slam . On t h e secon d em igr at ion t o Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) , Saw dah h ad
accom pan ied h er h u sban d As -Sakr an bin ‘Am r . He died on t heir w ay back t o Mak k ah leav ing her in a
t er r ible st at e of dest it u t ion . Sh e w as t h e f ir st w om an f or t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o m ar r y
af t er t h e deat h of Kh adij ah . Som e y ear s lat er sh e gr an t ed h er t u r n w it h t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be upon
him ) t o her co -w ife, ‘Aishah.

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 FACTORS I N SPI RI N G PATI EN CE AN D PERSERVAN CE

I t is nat ur al for sensible and m ild -t em per ed people t o m edit at e deeply on t h e f act or s t h at in spir ed
t hose ear ly Muslim s t hat m ir aculous const ancy and per sev er ance. I t is n or m al t o w on der h ow t h ose
people m an aged t o t oler at e u n speak able per secu t ion s, an d st an d f ast in t h e f ace of t y r an n ical
t or t u r es. Wit h r esp ect t o t h ese q u est ion s, w e d eem it w ise j u st t o t ou ch on t h ose u n d er ly in g
r eason s:

1. Unshak able Belief in Allâh. The fir st an d for em ost fact or is n o dou bt , u n sh ak able Belief in
Allâh Alon e cou pled w it h a w on der fu l degr ee of per cept ion of His At t r ibu t es. A m an w it h t h is
Belief deeply av er r ed in h is h ear t w ill look at t h ose for eseen difficu lt ies as t r iflin gs an d can
under n o cir cu m st an ce com par e w it h t h e sw eet n ess of Belief :

• “ Th en , as f or t h e f oam , it passes aw ay as scu m u pon t h e ban k s, w h ile t h at w h ich is f or

t he good of m ank ind r em ains in t he ear t h. ” [ 1 3 : 1 7 ]

Ot h er su b -fact or s t h at br an ch ou t fr om t h at Belief an d assis t in st r en gt h en in g it an d

pr om ot ing long am it y ar e:

2. Wh oleh ear t ed ly -lov ed leader sh ip. Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h e gr eat leader of t h e

Muslim com m unit y , and m ank ind at lar ge, w as an ex em plar y m an in his per fect m anner s
an d n ob le at t r ib u t es; n o on e cou ld m easu r e u p t o h is en dow m en t s of n obilit y , h on est y ,
t r u st w or t h in ess an d abst in en ce; u n an im ou sly an d u n con t est edly ack n ow ledged ev en by h is
en em ies. Abu Jah l h im self, t h e gr eat en em y of I slam , u sed r epeat edly t o say : “ O
Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w e ar e in n o posit ion t o belie y ou , w e r at h er disbeliev e
w h at y ou h av e br ou gh t u s ( I slam ) . ” I t is n ar r at ed t h at t h r ee people of Qu r aish each
separ at ely an d secr et ly list en ed t o som e v er ses of t h e Noble Qu r ’ân . Lat er , t h is secr et w as
u n cov er ed an d on e of t h em asked Ab u Jah l ( on e of t h e t h r ee) w h at h e t h ou g h t of w h at h e
h ear d f r om Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) . He an sw er ed: We con t est ed t h e h on ou r of
leader sh ip an d gen er osit y w it h Ban u ‘Abd Mu n af an d sh ar ed equ al pr iv ileges com pet it iv ely .
Th ey t h en b eg an t o b oast say in g t h at a Pr oph et r ose am on g t h em w h om Rev elat ion cam e
dow n u pon f r om h eav en s. I sw ear w e w ill n ev er believ e in h im .

• So Allâh said:
“ … I t is n ot y ou t h at t h ey den y , bu t it is t h e Ver ses ( t h e Qu r ’ân ) of Allâh t h at t h e Zâlim ûn
( poly t h eist s an d w r on g-d oer s) deny . ” [ 6: 33]
One day , t he disbeliev er s of Qur aish lev eled t o him a cy nical r em ar k t hr ee t im es. He
r em ain ed silen t bu t for t h e t h ir d on e h e r em ar k ed, “ O Qu r aish ! Slau gh t er is in st or e for
y ou . ” Th ey w er e t ak en aback an d u lt er ior fear filled t h eir h ear t s t o su ch an ex t en t t h at t h e
m ost h ost ile am on g t h em began t o m ak e u p for t h eir in su lt by t h e best fr ien dly t er m s t h ey
cou ld affor d. Wh en t h ey slu n g t h e en t r ails of a cam el on h im w h ile pr ost r at in g h im self in
pr ay er , h e in v ok ed Allâh ’s w r at h on t h em , an d t h ey im m ediat ely w er e cau gh t in an
in ex pr essible st at e of w or r y an d w er e alm ost con v in ced t h at t h ey w ou ld be dest r oy ed. Ubai
bin Kh alaf u sed alw ay s t o t h r eat en h e w ou ld k ill Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) . On e day
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) r et or t ed t hat he w ould k ill him by Allâh’s Will. When Ubai
r eceiv ed a scr at ch in h is n eck , on t h e day of Uh u d, h e, u n der t h e sen se of h or r or ,
r em em ber ed t h e Pr oph et ’s w or ds an d r em ar k ed, “ I am con v in ced h e w ou ld be able t o k ill
m e ev en if h e spat on m e. ” Sa‘d bin M u ‘adh said t o Om aiy ah bin Kh alaf in Mak k ah , “ I h ear d
t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) on e day say t h at t h e Mu slim s w ou ld su r ely k ill
y ou . ” Om aiy ah w as ex t r em ely pan ick ed an d sw or e h e w ou ld n ev er st ep ou t of Mak k ah . Ev en
w h en Abu Jah l obliged h im t o m ar ch w it h t h em t o f igh t t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) on
t h e day of Badr , h e bou gh t t h e best an d sw if t cam els in Mak k ah in or der t h at t h ey h ast en
h is escape. Ev en h is w if e w ar n ed h im again st goin g ou t r em in din g h im of Sa‘d’s w or ds, h is
r eply w as “ By Allâh , I h av e n o in t en t ion of goin g ou t w it h Qu r aish , I w ill disen gage fr om
t h em aft er a sh or t dist an ce. ”
Th at w as t h e clear sen se of h or r or an d t er r or h au n t in g h is en em ies w h er ev er t h ey w er e. His
f r ien ds an d com pan ion s, on t h e ot h er h an d, h eld h im dear est t o t h em , an d h e occu pied t h e
in n er m ost cells of t h eir h ear t s. Th ey w er e alw ay s r eady t o def en d h im an d secu r e h is w ell-
bein g ev en at t h e r isk of t h eir liv es. On e day , Abu Bak r bin Abi Qu h af a w as sev er ely beat en
by ‘Ut bah bin Rabi‘a, a t er r ible poly t heist . His w h ole b od y w as alm ost b leed in g an d h e w as
on t h e v er ge of deat h , y et w h en h is people t ook h im back h om e ex t r em ely in dign an t at h is

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 m isfor t u n e, h e sw or e h e w ou ld n ev er eat or dr in k an y t h in g u n t il t h ey h ad t old h im abou t t h e
w ell-b ein g of h is n ob le Compan ion , Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th at w as t h e spir it of
self lessn ess an d sacr if ice t h at ch ar act er ized t h e beh av iou r of t h ose ear ly Com pan ion s.

3. Th e sen se of r espon sibilit y . Th e ear ly Com pan ion s w er e f u lly aw ar e of t h e dau n t in g

r espon sibilit y t h ey w er e ex pect ed t o sh ou lder . Th ey w er e also con v in ced t h at t h ose ch ar ges
w er e in escap ab le ev en t h ou g h t h ey w er e b ein g p er secu t ed f or f ear of t h e f ar-r each in g
r am ificat ions, and t he hor r ible im pact t hat hum anit y w ould suffer in case t hey shir k ed t heir
obligat ion s.

4. Un w av er in g Belief in t h e t r u t h of t h e Her eaf t er . Th is w as t h e cor n er-st one t hat st r engt hened

t h eir sen se of r espon sibilit y . Th er e w as a deep cer t ain t y est ablish ed t h r ou gh t h e ligh t of
t h eir r eligion t h at on e day t h ey w ou ld h av e t o r ise on t h e Day of Resu r r ect ion an d accou n t
f or all w or ldly deeds, sm all or big. Th ey w er e su r e t h at t h eir f u t u r e in t h e ot h er w or ld w ou ld
depen d w h olly on t h eir act s in t h eir pr ov ision al lif e on ear t h , eit h er t o ev er last in g Gar den
( Par adise) or per pet u al ch ast isem en t in Hell. Th eir w h ole lif e w as d iv id ed b et w een h op e f or
Allâh’s m er cy and fear of His punishm ent .

• “ … Wh o giv e t h at ( t h eir ch ar it y ) w h ich t h ey giv e ( an d also do ot h er good deeds) w it h t h eir

h ear t s fu ll of fear ( w h et h er t h eir alm s an d ch ar it ies, et c. , h av e been accept ed or n ot ) ,
becau se t h ey ar e su r e t o r et u r n t o t h eir Lor d. ” [ 2 3 : 6 0 ]
Th ey h ad alr ead y k n ow n t h at lif e w it h all it s am en it ies an d p ain s w as w or t h less w h en
com par ed w it h t h e Her eaf t er . Su ch deep con v ict ion s br ou gh t abou t in t h em a sen se of
in dif f er en ce t o all t r ou bles an d h ar dsh ips t h at at t en ded t h eir lif e.

5. Th e Qu r ’ân . Th e v er ses an d ch apt e r s of t he Noble Qur ’ân w er e at t r act iv ely , for cefully and
su ccessiv ely r ev ealed at t h at gloom y an d cr it ical st age, su ppor t in g an d adv an cin g
ar gu m en t s on t h e t r u t h an d sou n dn ess of t h e pr in ciples of I slam , r ou n d w h ose ax is t h e
w h ole Call of Mu h am m ad Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã w as r ev olv in g. Th ey con st it u t ed t h e im m u n e
b asis u p on w h ich t h e b est an d m ost w on d er f u l Div in ely d ecr eed societ y w as t o b e
est ablish ed. Th e Qu r ’ân ic v er ses ser v ed also t o ex cit e t h e f eelin gs of t h e believ er s,
st r en gt h en t h eir selv es on t h eir cou r se of pat ience and endur ance and int r oduce t hem t o t he
m ost pu r posef u l ex am ples an d su ggest iv e in st r u ct ion s:

• “ Or t h in k y ou t h at y ou w ill en t er Par adise w it h ou t su ch ( t r ials) as cam e t o t h ose w h o

passed aw ay bef or e y ou ? Th ey w er e af f lict ed w it h sev er e pov er t y an d ailm en t s an d w er e so
sh ak en t h at ev en t h e Messen g er an d t h ose w h o b eliev ed alon g w it h h im said , ‘When ( w ill
com e) t he Help of Allâh?’ Yes! Cer t ainly , t he Help of Allâh is near ! ” [ 2: 214]
“ Alif-Lam -Mim . Do people t h in k t h at t h ey w ill be lef t alon e becau se t h ey say : ‘We believ e’,
an d w ill n ot b e t est ed . An d We in d eed t est ed t h ose w h o w er e b ef or e t h em . An d Allâh w ill
cer t ainly m ak e ( it ) k now n ( t he t r ut h of) t hose w ho ar e t r ue, and w ill cer t ainly m ak e ( it )
k n ow n ( t h e f alseh ood of ) t h ose w h o ar e liar s, ( alt h ou gh Allâh k n ow s all t h at bef or e pu t t in g
t hem t o t est ) .” [ 29: 1 -3]
Mer e lip pr of ession of Fait h is n ot en ou gh . I t m u st be t r ied an d t est ed in t h e r eal t u r m oil of
life. The t est w ill be applied in all k inds of cir cum st ances, in indiv idual life and in r elat ion t o
t h e en v ir on m en t ar ou n d u s t o see w h et h er w e can st r iv e con st an t ly an d pu t t h e Lor d abov e
self. Mu ch pain , sor r ow an d self -sacr if ice m ay be n ecessar y , n ot becau se t h ey ar e good in
t hem selv es, but because t hey w ill pur ify us, lik e fir e applied t o a goldsm it h’s cr ucible t o bur n
ou t t h e d r oss.
Th ese v er ses also con st it u t ed an ir r ef u t ab le an sw er t o t h e fa lse alleg at ion s of t h e
disbeliev er s, an d a clear u lt im at u m t h at sm ack ed of t h e h or r ible con sequ et h at w ou ld en su e
in case t h ey per sist ed in t h eir disbelief. On t h e ot h er h an d, t h e Noble Qu r ’ân w as leadin g t h e
Mu slim s t o a n ew w or ld an d en ligh t en in g t h em as t o it s feat ur es, t he beaut y of Lor dship, t he
per fect ion of Godsh ip, t h e im pact of k in dn ess an d m er cy an d t h e m an ifest at ion s of t h e
y ear ned for Allâh’s pleasur e. They im plicit ly connot ed m eaningful m essages car r y ing glad
t idin gs of defin it ely appr oach in g Div ine Mer cy leading t o et er nal bliss in a blissful Gar den
( Par adise) . Th ey , at t h e sam e t im e, en v isaged t h e en d of t h e t y r an t s an d disbeliev er s w h o
w ou ld b e b r ou g h t t o Div in e Ju st ice an d t h en d r ag g ed t h r ou g h t h e Fir e w h er e t h ey w ou ld
t ast e t h e t ou ch of Hell.

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6. Glad t idin gs of su ccess. Ev er sin ce t h e t im e t h ey ex per ien ced t h e adv er sit ies of life, t h e
Mu slim s h ad been cer t ain t h at en t r an ce in t o t h e fold of I slam did n ot en t ail in v olv em en t in t o
h ar d sh ip s or d ig g in g on e’s ow n g r av e. Th ey h ad b een aw ar e t h at t h e I slam ic Call had one
goal, v iz ex t er m inat ion of pr e -I slam ic t r adit ion and dest r oy ing it s iniquit ous sy st em , t o go on
par allel lines w it h ex t ending it s influence allov er t he ear t h and holding in fir m cont r ol t he
polit ical sit u at ion w or ldw ide t o lead h u m an it y alon g a cou r se con du civ e t o Allâh ’s Pleasu r e,
an d per f ect en ou gh t o r id people of w or sh ippin g Allâh ’s ser v an t t o w or sh ippin g Allâh ,
Him self. Glad t idin gs of t h is sor t w er e bein g r ev ealed som et im es ex plicit ly an d at ot h er
t im es im plicit ly , in a m anner r elev an t t o t h e sit u at ion . Wh en t h e Mu slim s w er e f or ced t o
u n der go con st r ain t s, or w h en t h eir lif e w as k ept u n der con t in u al r est r ain t , t h er e w ou ld be
r ev ealed v er ses t ellin g iden t ical st or ies of past Pr oph et s w it h t h eir people an d t h e su ffer in gs
an d p ain s t h ey h ad ex per ien ced. Th e v er ses w ou ld also in clu de su ggest iv e clu es t o t h e f in al
t r agic en d of t h e Mak k an disbeliev er s en v isagin g t h eir f in al per dit ion , y et an d at t h e sam e
t im e, bear in g glad t idin gs t o t h e believ er s an d pr om isin g t h e t r u e ser v an t s of v icegerency on
ear t h t o go w it h absolu t e su ccess, an d v ict or y t o at t en d t h e I slam ic Call an d it s pr opon en t s.

• Her e w e cou ld addu ce som e of t h e v er ses of t h is cat egor y pr egn an t w it h glad t idin gs
r ef er r in g t o t h e f in al v ict or y t h at w ou ld cr ow n t h e per sev er an ce and pat ience of t he Muslim s:
• “ An d, v er ily , Ou r Wor d h as gon e for t h of old for Ou r slav es, — t h e Messen g er s,
t h at t h ey v er ily w ou ld be m ade t r iu m ph an t . An d t h at Ou r h ost s, t h ey v er ily w ou ld be
t he v ict or s. So t ur n aw ay [ O Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] fr om t hem for a
w h ile, an d w at ch t h em an d t h ey sh all see ( t h e pu n ish m en t ) ! Do t h ey seek t o h ast en
on Our t or m ent ? Then, w hen it descends int o t heir cour t y ar d ( i. e. near t o t hem ) , ev il
w ill be t h e m or n in g f or t h ose w h o h ad been w ar n ed. ” [ 3 7 : 1 7 1 -177]
I n t h e sam e con t ex t , Allâh t old His Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) :
• “ Their m ult it ude w ill be put t o flight , and t hey w ill show t heir back s. ” [ 54: 45]
He also said:
• “ Th ey w ill be a def eat ed h ost lik e t h e con f eder at es of t h e old t im es. ” [ 3 8 : 1 1 ]
The Muslim s w ho m igr at ed t o Aby ssinia ( Et hiopia) had t he follow ing:
• “ An d as for t h ose w h o em igr at ed for t h e cau se of Allâh , aft er su ffer in g oppr ession ,
We w ill cer t ain ly giv e t h em goodly r esiden ce in t h is w or ld, bu t in deed t h e r ew ar d of
t h e Her eaft er w ill be gr eat er , if t h ey bu t k n ew . ” [ 1 6 : 4 1 ]
I n t h e con t ex t of t h e st or y o f Joseph , t h er e w as:
• “ Ver ily , in Joseph an d h is br et h r en t h er e w er e Ayât ( pr oofs, ev iden ces, v er ses,
lesson s, sign s, r ev elat ion s, et c. ) for t h ose w h o ask . ” [ 1 2 : 7 ]
i. e. , t h e Mak k an s w ill r eceiv e t h e sam e fat e t h at befell Joseph ’s br ot h er s, v iz, failu r e an d
su r r en der . I n an ot h er in st an ce, Allâh sp eak s ab ou t t h e Messen g er s:
• “ An d t h ose w h o disbeliev ed, said t o t h eir Messen ger s: ‘Su r ely , w e sh all dr iv e y ou
out of our land, or y ou shall r et ur n t o our r eligion! ’ So t heir Lor d inspir ed t hem :
‘Tr u ly , We sh all dest r oy t h e Zâlim ûn ( poly t h eist s, disbeliev er s an d w r on g-doer s) .
An d in deed, We sh all m ak e y ou dw ell in t h e lan d aft er t h em . Th is is for h im w h o
f ear s st an din g bef or e Me ( on t h e Day of Resu r r ect ion or f ear s My pu n ish m en t ) an d
also fear s My t hr eat . ” [ 14: 13, 14]
Du r in g t h e w ar b et w een t h e Per sian s an d t h e Rom an s, t h e d isb eliev er s h ad a sin cer e w ish
t h at v ict or y be t h e f or m er ’s lot , becau se bot h par t ies pr of essed poly t h eism , w h er eas t h e
Mu slim s pr ay ed for a Rom an v ict or y becau se bot h gr ou ps believ ed in Allâh , His Messen ger s,
Book s, t h e Rev elat ion an d t h e Her eaf t er .
Th e w ar r esu lt ed in t h e ov er t h r ow of Rom e by Per sia. Th ey w er e pr o -Per sian , as w e h av e
said, an d in t h eir h ear t s t h ey h oped t h at t h e n ascen t m ov em en t of I slam , w h ich at t h at t im e
w as, fr om a w or ldly poin t of v iew , v ery w eak an d h elp less, w ou ld collap se u n d er t h eir
per secu t ion . Bu t t h ey m isr ead t h e t r u e sign s of t h e t im es. Th ey w er e t old t h at t h ey w ou ld
soon be disillu sion ed in bot h t h eir calcu lat ion s, an d it act u ally so h appen ed w h en Her acliu s
car r ied his cam paign int o t h e h ear t of Per sia an d t h e Mak k an Qu r aish w er e b eat en of f at
Badr :
• “ And on t hat Day , t he believ er s ( i. e. Muslim s) w ill r ej oice ( at t he v ict or y giv en by
Allâh t o t h e Rom an s again st t h e Per sian s) w it h t h e h elp of Allâh . ” [ 3 0 : 4 , 5 ]
Du r in g t h e season of ‘Uk az f or u m , an d ot h er su ch occasion s, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace
be u pon h im ) h im self w ou ld com m u n icat e n ot on ly glad t idin gs per t in en t t o t h e Gar den
( Par adise) bu t also n ew s of pr om isin g pr ospect s f or t h e t r u e believ er s in t h e Call of I slam .
He w ou ld open ly t ell t h em t h at t h ey w ou ld su r ely pr osper , r u le t h e w h ole of Ar abia an d
su bdu e Per sia if t h ey pr of essed t h e m ost ser iou s pillar of I slam , i. e. t h e On en ess of Allâh .

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Kh abbab bin Al-Ar at t on ce u r ged t h e Messen ger t o call u pon Allâh t o sh ield h im again st t h e
adv er sit ies h e w as su ffer in g at t h e h an d of t h e poly t h eist s. Th e Pr oph et ’s face r edden ed an d
h e r em ar k ed t h at t h e t r u e believ er m u st n ot pr ecipit at e t h in gs, it w as in cu m ben t u pon a
believ er t o u n der go all t h e odds of life as m u ch as h e cou ld, fear in g n obody ex cept Allâh
u n t il t h e r eligion w as est ablish ed, w h ich w ou ld su r ely h appen . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) in t h is r egar d, r ef er r ed t o t h e per sev er an ce t h at t h e Mu slim s h ad t o sh ow an d t h e
h ar d sh ip s t h ey h ad t o u n d er g o in or d er t o est ab lish t h e lan d of I slam w h er e p eace an d
secur it y w ould pr ev ail all ov er it .
Glad t idin gs of bet t er pr ospect s f or I slam an d t h e Mu slim s w er e n ot con f in ed t o
Mu h am m ad’s f ollow er s, in f act t h ey w er e bein g disclosed t im e an d again t o bot h believ er s
an d d isb eliev er s. Wh en ev er t h e t w o par t ies m et , t h e lat t er w ou ld j eer at t h e f or m er an d
m ock in gly say “ Her e ar e t h e sov er eign s of ear t h w h o w ill def eat Ch osr oes an d Caesar . ” Bu t
t h e believ er s, in an t icipat ion of t h at sh in in g an d Godly -or ien t at ed f u t u r e, w ou ld alw ay s
p er sev er e an d t oler at e all sor t s of per secu t ion an d h u m iliat ion r egar din g t h em as su m m er
clou d s t h at w ou ld soon clear aw ay .
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , on h is par t , w ou ld alw ay s m ain t ain an d su st ain h is
follow er s’ souls w it h t he light of belief, sanct ify t hem t hr ough inculcat ing t he Qur ’ânic
w isdom in t h eir h ear t s an d cu lt iv at e t h eir m in ds deeply w it h t h e spir it of I slam t h at w ou ld
elev at e t h em t o a st at e of n ob le sp ir it u alit y , p u r e h ear t ed n ess an d an ab solu t e d eg r ee of
fr eedom fr om t he y ok e of m at er ialism , a h igh m or ale pow er f u l en ou gh t o r esist w or ldly lu st s
an d con sequ en t ly lead t h em f r om dar k n ess t o ligh t . He w ou ld con st an t ly t each t h em t o be
t oler an t , f or giv in g an d ov er pow er in g ov er t h eir selv es in or der t o get w ell est ablish ed in
t heir r eligion, disdain lu st , an d dev ot e t h em selv es t o at t ain in g t h e Pleasu r e of Allâh ,
y ear ning for t he Gar den ( Par adise) , ent husiasm in sciences r elat ing t o t heir fait h, calling
t hem selv es t o account , subor dinat ing fleeing w him s, holding under fir m cont r ol all r age-
pr ov ok ing inciden t s an d fin ally obser v in g sobr iet y , pat ien ce an d gr av it y .

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 TH E TH I RD PH ASE CALLI N G UN TO I SLAM BEYON D M AKKAH

I n Shaw w al ( in t he last of May or in t he beginning of June 6 1 9 A. D. ) , t en y ear s aft er r eceiv ing his
m ission f r om h is Lor d, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) set ou t t ow ar ds At -Ta’if, about 60
k ilom et r es fr om Mak k ah, in t he com pany of his fr eed slav e Zaid bin Har it ha inv it ing people t o I slam .
Bu t con t r ar y t o h is ex pect at ion s, t h e gen er al at m osph er e w as t er r ibly h ost ile. He appr oach ed t h e
fam ily of ‘Um air , w h o w er e r eck on ed am on gst t h e n obilit y of t h e t ow n . Bu t , t o h is disappoin t m en t ,
all of t h em t u r n ed d eaf ear t o h is m essag e an d u sed ab u siv e lan g u ag e as r eg ar d s t h e n ob le cau se
h e h ad been st r iv in g for . Th r ee br ot h er s fr om t h e ch ieft ain s of Th aqeef —‘Abd Yaleel, Mas‘u d an d
Hab eeb — sons of ‘Am r bin ‘Um air At h-Th aqaf y m et t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h o in v it ed
t h em t o em br ace I slam an d w or sh ip Allâh , bu t t h ey im pu den t ly j eer ed at h im an d r efu sed h is
inv it at ion. “ He is t ear ing t he clot hs of Al-Ka‘b ah ; is it t r u e t h at Allâh h as sen t y ou as a Messen g er ?”
said on e of t h em . “ Has n ot Allâh f ou n d som eon e else t o en t r u st h im w it h His Message?” said t h e
secon d. “ I sw ear by Allâh t h at I w ill n ev er h av e an y con t act w it h y ou . I f y ou ar e r eally t h e
Messen g er o f Allâh , t h en y ou ar e t oo ser iou s t o r et or t back ; an d if y ou ar e bely in g Allâh , t h en I feel
it is im per at iv e n ot t o speak t o. ” said t h e t h ir d. Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) ,
f in d in g t h at t h ey w er e h op eless cases, st ood u p an d lef t t h em say in g : “ Sh ou ld y ou in du lge in t h ese
pr act ices of y our s, nev er div ulge t hem t o m e. ”

For t en day s h e st ay ed t h er e deliv er in g h is m essage t o sev er al people, on e af t er an ot h er , bu t all t o

n o pu r pose. St ir r ed u p t o h ast en t h e depar t u r e of t h e u n w elcom e v isit or , t h e p eop le h oot ed h im
t h r ou g h t h e alley-w ay s, pelt ed h im w it h st on es an d obliged h im t o f lee f r om t h e cit y pu r su ed by a
r elen t less r abble. Blood f low ed dow n bot h h is legs; an d Z aid, en deav ou r in g t o sh ield h im , w as
w ou n d ed in t h e h ead . Th e m ob d id n ot d esist u n t il t h ey h ad ch ased h im t w o or t h r ee m iles acr oss
t h e san dy plain s t o t h e f oot of t h e su r r ou n din g h ills. Th er e, w ear ied an d ex h au st ed, h e t ook r ef u ge
in on e of t h e n u m er ou s or ch ar ds, an d r est ed again st t h e w all of a v in ey ar d. At a t im e w h en t h e
w h ole w or ld seem ed t o h av e t u r n ed again st h im , Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) t u r n ed t o h is
Lor d an d bet ook h im self t o pr ay er an d t h e f ollow in g t ou ch in g w or ds ar e st ill pr eser v ed as t h ose
t h r ou g h w h ich h is op p r essed sou l g av e v en t t o it s d ist r ess. He w as w ear y an d w ou n d ed b u t
con fiden t of t h e h elp of h is Lor d:

• “ O Allâh! To You alone I m ak e com plaint of m y helplessness, t he paucit y of m y r esour ces

and m y insignificance befor e m ank ind. You ar e t he m ost Mer ciful of t he m er cifuls. You ar e
t h e Lor d of t h e h elp less an d th e w eak , O Lor d of m in e! I n t o w h ose h an d s w ou ld You
aban don m e: in t o t h e h an ds of an u n sy m pat h et ic dist an t r elat iv e w h o w ou ld su llen ly f r ow n
at m e, or t o t h e en em y w h o h as been giv en con t r ol ov er m y af f air s? Bu t if You r w r at h does
not fall on m e, t her e is n ot h in g f or m e t o w or r y abou t . ”

“ I seek pr ot ect ion in t h e ligh t of You r Cou n t en an ce, w h ich illu m in at es t h e h eav en s an d
dispels dar k n ess, an d w h ich con t r ols all af f air s in t h is w or ld as w ell as in t h e Her eaf t er . May
it n ev er be t h at I sh ou ld in cu r You r w r a t h , or t h at You sh ou ld be w r at h f u l t o m e. An d t h er e
is n o pow er n or r esou r ce, bu t You r s alon e. ”

Seein g h im in t h is h elpless sit u at ion , Rabi‘a’s t w o son s, w ealt h y Mak k an s, w er e m ov ed on gr ou n ds

of k in sh ip an d com passion , an d sen t t o h im on e of t h eir Ch r ist ian ser v an t s w it h a t r ay of gr apes.
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) accept ed t h e f r u it w it h piou s in v ocat ion : “ I n t h e Nam e of t h e
Allâh . ” Th e Ch r ist ian ser v an t ‘Addas w as gr eat ly im pr essed by t h ese w or ds an d said: “ Th ese ar e
w or d s w h ich p eop le in t h is lan d do n ot gen er ally u se. ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in qu ir ed of
h im w h en ce h e cam e an d w h at r eligion h e pr of essed. ‘Addas r eplied: “ I am a Ch r ist ian by f ait h an d
com e fr om Nin ev eh . ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h en said: “ You belon g t o t h e cit y of t h e
r igh t eou s Jon ah , son of Mat t a. ” ‘Addas ask ed h im an x iou sly if h e k n ew an y t h in g abou t Jon ah . Th e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) sign if ican t ly r em ar k ed: “ He is m y br ot h er . He w as a Pr oph et an d so
am I . ” Th er eu pon ‘Addas paid h om age t o Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon him ) and k issed his hands. His
m ast er s adm on ish ed h im at t h is act bu t h e r eplied: “ Non e on t h e ear t h is bet t er t h an h e is. He h as
r ev ealed t o m e a t r u t h w h ich on ly a Pr oph et can do. ” Th ey again r epr im an ded h im an d said: “ We
f or ew ar n y ou ag ain st t h e con sequ en ces of aban don in g t h e f ait h of y ou r f or ef at h er s. Th e r eligion
w h ich y ou pr of ess is f ar bet t er t h an t h e on e y ou f eel in clin ed t o. ”

Hear t -br ok en an d depr essed, Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) set ou t on t h e w ay back t o Mak k ah .

Wh en h e r each ed Qar n Al-Man azil, Allâh, t he Alm ight y sent him Gabr iel t oget her w it h t he angel of
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m ou n t ain s. Th e lat t er ask ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) f or per m ission t o bu r y Mak k ah
b et w een Al– Ak h sh abain —Abu Qu bais an d Qu ‘ay qa‘an m ou n t ain s. Fu ll n ar r at ion of t h is ev en t w as
giv en by ‘Aish ah ( May be pleased w it h h er ) ( t h e Pr oph et ’s spou se) . Sh e said: “ I ask ed t h e Pr oph et
( Peace b e u p on h im ) if h e h ad ev er ex p er ien ced a w or se d ay t h an Uh u d . He an sw er ed t h at h e h ad
su f f er ed a lot f r om t h ose people ( t h e idolat er s) bu t t h e m ost pain f u l w as on t h e d ay of ‘Aq ab ah . I
w en t seek in g su ppor t f r om I bn ‘Abd Yalil bin ‘Abd Kalal, bu t h e spu r n ed m e. I set ou t w ear ied an d
gr iev ed h eedless of an y t h in g ar ou n d m e u n t il I su dden ly r ealized I w as in Qar n At h -Tha‘alib, called
Qar n Al-Manazil. Ther e, I lo ok ed u p an d saw a clou d cast in g it s sh ad e on m e, an d Gab r iel
addr essin g m e: Allâh h as h ear d y ou r people’s w or ds an d sen t y ou t h e an gel of m ou n t ain s t o y ou r
aid. Th e lat t er called an d gav e m e h is gr eet in gs an d ask ed for m y per m ission t o bu r y Mak k ah
b et w een Al-Ak hshabain, t he t w o m ount ains flank ing Mak k ah. I said in r eply t hat I w ould r at her hav e
som eone fr om t heir loins w ho w ill w or ship Allâh, t he All– Migh t y w it h n o associat e. ” A con cise
m ean in gfu l an sw er fu lly in dicat iv e of t h e Pr oph et ’s m at ch less ch ar act er an d t h e f at h om less
m agnanim ous m anner s.

Th e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on h im ) t h en cam e b ack t o w ak ef u ln ess an d h is h ear t w as set

at r est in t h e ligh t of t h at in v isible Div in ely pr ov ided aid. He pr oceeded t o Wadi Nak h lah w h er e h e
st ay ed f or a f ew d ays.

Dur ing his st ay t her e, Allâh sent him a com pany of j inns w ho list ened t o him r ecit ing t he Noble
Qur ’ân:

• “ An d ( r em em ber ) w h en We sen t t ow ar ds y ou [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] Nafran

( t h r ee t o t en per son s) of t h e j in n s, ( qu iet ly ) list en in g t o t h e Qu r ’ân , w h en t h ey st ood in t h e
pr esen ce t h er eof , t h ey said: ‘List en in silen ce! ’ An d w h en it w as f in ish ed, t h ey r et u r n ed t o
t h eir people, as w ar n er s. Th ey said: ‘O ou r people! Ver ily ! We h av e h ear d a Book ( t h is
Qu r ’ân ) sen t dow n af t er Moses, con f ir m in g w hat cam e befor e it , it guides t o t he Tr ut h and t o
a St r aight Pat h ( i. e. I slam ) . O our people! Respond ( w it h obedience) t o Allâh’s Caller [ i. e.
Allâh’s Messenger Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] , and believ e in him ( i. e. believ e in t hat
w hich Muham m ad ( Peace b e upon him ) has br ought fr om Allâh and follow him ) . He ( Allâh)
w ill for giv e y ou of y our sins, and w ill sav e y ou fr om a painful t or m ent ( i. e. Hell-fire) .’”
[ 46: 29-31]

Th e sam e in ciden t is r efer r ed t o in Sûrah Al-Jinn:

• “ Say [ O Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] : “ I t h as been r ev ealed t o m e t h at a gr ou p

( fr om t hr ee t o t en in num ber ) of j inns list ened ( t o t his Qur ’ân) . They said: ‘Ver ily ! We hav e
h ear d a w on der f u l Recit al ( t h is Qu r ’ân ) ! I t gu ides t o t h e Righ t Pat h , an d w e h av e believ ed
t h er ein , an d w e sh all n ev er j oin ( in w or ship) any t hing w it h our Lor d ( Allâh) .’” [ 72: 1,2] … Till
t h e en d of t h e 1 5 t h v er se.

Fr om t he cont ex t of t hese v er ses and t heir r elev ant int er pr et at ion, w e can safely est ablish it t hat t he
Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w as n ot aw ar e of t h e p r e sence of t hat gr oup of j inns. I t w as only w hen
Allâh r ev ealed t h ose v er ses t h at h e cam e t o k n ow of it . Th e v er ses also con f ir m t h at it w as t h e f ir st
t im e t h ey cam e. How ev er , t h e con t ex t of t h e dif f er en t v er sion s su ggest s t h at t h e j in n s r epeat ed
t heir visit s lat er on . Th e pr esen ce of t h at com pan y of j in n s com es in t h e con t ex t of t h e Div in e
su ppor t giv t o His Messen ger , an d con st it u t es a pr opit iou s sign of u lt im at e v ict or y an d su ccess f or
t h e Call of I slam . I t p r ov id es an u n sh ak ab le p r oof t h at n o p ow er h ow ev er m ight y could alt er w hat is
w r ought by Allâh:

• “ An d w h osoev er d oes n ot r esp on d t o Allâh ’s Caller , h e can n ot escap e on ear t h , an d t h er e

w ill be n o Auliyâ ( pr ot ect or s) fr om him besides Allâh ( fr om Allâh’s punishm ent ) . Those ar e in
m anifest er r or . ” [ 46: 32]

“ An d w e t h in k t h at w e can n ot escape ( f r om t h e pu n ish m en t of ) Allâ h in t h e ear t h , n or can

w e escape ( fr om t he punishm ent ) by flight . ” [ 72: 12]

Giv en t h is su ppor t an d au spiciou s st ar t , depr ession , dism ay an d sadn ess t h at u sed t o beset h im
sin ce h e w as d r iv en ou t of At -Ta’if , h e t u r n ed h is f ace t ow ar ds Mak k ah w it h f r esh det er m in at ion t o

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r esu m e h is ear lier plan t o ex pose people t o I slam an d com m u n icat e h is Message in a gr eat spir it of
zeal an d m at ch less en t h u siasm .

Zaid bin Har it h ah , h is com pan ion , addr essin g t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said, “ How dar e y ou
st ep in t o Mak k ah af t er t h ey ( Qu r aish ) h av e ex pat r iat ed y ou ?” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
answ er ed: “ Hear k en Zaid, Allâh w ill sur ely pr ov ide r elief and He w ill v er ily suppor t His r eligion and
Pr op h et .”

Wh en h e w as a sh or t dist an ce f r om Mak k ah , h e r et ir ed t o Hir a’ Cav e. Wh en ce h e despat ch ed a m an

fr om Khuza‘ah t r ibe t o Al-Ak h n as bin Sh u r aiq seek in g h is pr ot ect ion . Th e lat t er an sw er ed t h at h e
w as Qu r aish ’s ally an d in n o posit ion t o of f er pr ot ect ion . He despat ch ed t h e m essen ger t o Su h ail bin
‘Am r , but t o no av ail, eit her . Al-Mut ‘im bin ‘Adi, a not able in Mak k ah, how ev er , v olunt eer ed t o
r espon d t o t h e Pr oph et ’s appeal f or sh elt er . He ask ed h is people t o pr epar e t h em selv es f u lly ar m ed
an d t h en ask ed Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o en t er in t o t h e t ow n an d dir ect ly in t o t h e Holy
San ct u ar y . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) obser v ed a t w o-Rak‘a pr ay er an d lef t f or h is h ou se
gu ar ded by t h e h eav ily -ar m ed v igilant ‘Adi’s.

I t h as b een r ep or t ed t h at lat er Ab u Jah l, t he ar chenem y of I slam , ask ed Mut ‘im if his behav iour
su ggest ed pr ot ect ion or con v er sion , t h e lat t er r eplied it w as m er ely pr ot ect ion . Abu Jah l w as
r eliev ed an d said t h at h e w ou ld giv e Mu h am m ad pr ot ect ion f or h is sak e.

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon him ) nev er for got Mut ‘im ’s fav our . At t he conclusion of t he
bat t le of Badr , h e declar ed pu blicly t h at if Mu t ‘im h ad been st ill aliv e an d ask ed for t h e r elease of t h e
Qu r aish it e capt iv es, h e w ou ld n ot den y h im h is r equ est .

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 I SLAM BEI N G I N TROD UCED TO ARABI AN TRI BES AN D I N DI VI DUALS

I n Dh u l Qa‘dah , t h e t en t h y ear of Pr oph et h ood, i. e. Ju ly 6 1 9 , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ,

r et u r n ed t o Mak k ah t o r esu m e h is act iv it ies. Th e t im e for pilgr im age t o Mak k ah w as appr oach in g so
h e h ast en ed t o in t r od u ce p eop le b ot h t r ibes and indiv iduals t o I slam and call upon t hem t o em br ace
it , j u st as it w as h is pr act ice sin ce t h e f ou r t h y ear of h is Pr oph et h ood.

On t he aut hor it y of Az -Z u h r i, of t h e t r ibes t h at I slam w as in t r odu ced t o, w e cou ld speak of Ban u

‘Am ir bin Sa‘sa‘ah, Muhar ib bin Khasfa, Fazar ah, Ghassan, Mur r ah, Haneefah, Saleem , ‘Abs, Banu
Nasr , Banu Al-Buka’, Kindah, Kalb, Al-Har it h bin Ka‘b, Udh r ah an d people of Hadr m ou t . I slam w as
n ot in t r odu ced t o t h em in on e sin gle y ear bu t r at h er r epeat edly f r om t h e f ou r t h y ear t ill t he last pr e-
m igr at ion season of pilgr im age. Th ey h ow ev er , r em ain ed obdu r at e an d n on e of t h em r espon ded
posit iv ely .

Th e f ollow in g is a r esu m e of asp ect s r elat in g t o t h e Pr op h et ’s ap p eals as r eg ar d s t h e n ew f ait h h e

w as pr each in g:

1. He v isit ed a sep t of Ban u Kalb k n ow n as Ban u ‘Abdu llah . He called t h em t o Allâh ’s Message
an d en t r eat ed t h em t o accept it f or t h e sak e of Allâh Wh o h ad ch osen a beau t if u l n am e f or
t heir fat her , but w it hout av ail.
2. He called on Ban i Han eefah in t h eir h abit at ion , bu t r eceiv e d v er y r epu gn an t t r eat m en t .
3. He addr essed Bani ‘Am ir bin Sa‘sa‘ah in t heir encam pm ent , calling t hem t o abandon idolat r y
and j oin him . One of t hem called Buhair ah bin Fir r as, answ er ed him back : “ Should w e giv e
y ou allegian ce an d Allâh giv e y ou pow er ov er y o u r oppon en t s, w ill y ou giv e u s r igh t t o
in h er it an ce an d su cceed y ou in pow er ?” Th e Pr oph et r eplied: “ Th e w h ole affair lies in Allâh ’s
Han ds. He giv es t h e pow er t o w h om ev er He desir es. ” Th e m an com m en t ed: “ Do y ou ex pect
u s t o in cu r t h e w r at h an d v en gean ce o f t h e Ar ab s w it h ou t t h e least h op e of lead er sh ip ? We
can in fact r eadily dispen se w it h y ou r offer s. ”

Wh en Ban u ‘Am ir r et u r n ed t o t h eir h abit at ion s, t h ey n ar r at ed t h e st or y t o an elder ly m an w h o h ad

lin ger ed beh in d becau se h e w as t oo old. Th ey t old h im , “ A y oung m an of Qur aish of Bani ‘Abdul
Mu t t alib, claim in g t h at h e is a Pr oph et , con t act ed u s, ask ed f or su ppor t an d in v it ed u s t o em br ace
h is r eligion . ” Th e old sh eik h w as st r u ck by t h e n ew s, an d w on der ed if t h er e w as n o w ay of m ak in g
am en ds f or t h e loss of t h at oppor t u n it y an d sw or e, “ He is r eally I sh m aelit e ( h e descen ds f r om
I sh m ael) . He is t h e Tr u t h ( h e is a r eal Pr oph et ) . How did it h appen t h at y ou m isj u dged h is w or ds?”
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as n ot dism ay ed at all. He per sist ed in h is m ission f or t h e
fu lfillm en t of w h ich h e h ad been com m ission ed t o st r iv e despit e all odds. He did n ot con fin e h is
ef f or t s t o t h e t r ibes bu t also con du ct ed con t act s w it h in div idu als f r om som e of w h om h e w as able t o
r eceiv e a fav ou r able r espon se. Mor eov er , lat er in t h e sam e season , som e of t h em did believ e in h is
Pr oph et h ood an d en t er ed t h e fold of I slam . Th e follow in g list in clu ded som e of t h ose ear ly con v er t s:

1. Sw aid bin Sam it . He w as an int elligent discr eet poet fr om Yat hr ib ( Madinah) . Dur ing his
st ay in Mak k ah fo r pilgr im age ( or lesser pilgr im age) , h e en cou n t er ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
upon him ) w ho inv it ed him t o em br ace I slam . At t his inv it at ion, Sw aid im par t ed t o t he
Pr oph et som e sou n d w or ds f r om Lu qm an ’s w isdom . Th e Pr oph et appr ov ed of t h at w isdom
bu t t old t h e m an t h at h e h ad som et h in g f ar bet t er . He r ecit ed som e v er ses f r om t h e Qu r ’ân ,
t h e m an list en ed m edit at iv ely an d t h e w or ds appealed t o h is or igin ally pu r e n at u r e an d
accept ed I slam as h is f ait h at on ce. He w as k illed in t h e bat t le of Bu ‘at h . Th at w as in t h e
elev en t h y ear of t h e Pr op h et h ood .
2. Ey as bin Mu ‘adh . He w as st ill a y ou t h fr om Aw s t r ibe. He cam e as a m em ber of delegat ion
seek in g allian ce w it h Qu r aish again st an ot h er r iv al t r ibe dw ellin g in Madin ah , Al-Khazraj. The
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) m et t h em and adv ised t hem t o follow a bet t er cour se t han t hat
t hey had in m ind. He int r oduced him self and I slam t o t hem , appr ised t hem of his m ission
an d n ar r at ed som e v er ses f r om t h e Noble Qu r ’ân . Ey as’s h ear t im m ediat ely absor bed t h e
Div in e Messag e an d ag r eed w it h t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Abu l Haisar An as bin
Rafi‘, a m em ber of t h e delegat ion disappr ov ed of t h e boy ’s beh av iou r an d silen ced h im by
h u r lin g som e du st in t o h is face. Th e people t h en left Madin ah aft er h av in g failed in
est ablishing alliance w it h Qur aish. Shor t ly aft er ar r iv al in Madinah, t he boy br eat hed his last
acclaim ing Allâh’s Nam e and celebr at ing His Glor y .
3. Abu Dhar Al-Gh ifar i. He u sed t o liv e in t h e su bu r bs of Yat h r ib. New s of t h e I slam izat ion of
Sw aid bin Sam it and Ey as bin Mu‘adh r each ed h im an d con st it u t ed a t u r n in g poin t in h is life

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 per se. He sen t h is br ot h er t o Mak k ah f or m or e det ails abou t t h e Pr oph et ’s in t en t ion s. Th e
m an cam e back an d r epor t ed t o Abu Dh ar t h at t h e ‘said m an ’ en j oin ed good an d f or bade
ev il. Abu Dh ar w as n ot sat isfied an d d ecid ed t h at h e h im self sh ou ld g o ou t an d p r ob e t h e
r eal sit uat ion. Aft er som e at t em pt s t o ident ify t he per son of t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him )
, h e m an aged t o m eet h im t h ou gh n ot w it h ou t som e dif f icu lt ies du e t o t h e an t agon ist ic
at m osph er e w it h in w h ich t h e pr opon en t s of t h e n ew f ait h w er e t r y in g t o w or k t h eir w ay . No
soon er t h an Abu Dh ar w as ex posed t o t h e r eal n at u r e of I slam , h e em br aced it . Despit e t h e
Pr oph et ’s ear n est plea n ot t o div u lge h is n ew m ov e, Abu Dh ar w en t dir ect ly t o t h e Holy
Sanct uar y w h er e h e pu blicly declar ed t h at h e h ad t est if ied t o t h e On en ess of Allâh an d
Pr oph et h ood of Mu h am m ad. Th e h eat h en s all ar ou n d h u r r ied an d began beat in g h im . He
alm ost died w h en Al-‘Abbas in t er v en ed w ar n in g again st k illin g som eon e w h ose t r ibe w as in
fu ll com m and of t he st r at egic com m er cial car av an r out es leading t o Mak k ah. Thev ent
r ecu r r ed in t h e follow in g m or n in g w it h t h e sam e m an t o com e t o t h e scen e an d r escu e h im .
4. Tufail bin ‘Am r Ad -Dau si. He w as an h on est poet an d ch ief of Ad -Dau s t r ibe in h abit in g an
ar ea close t o Yem en in Sou t h Ar abia. He ar r iv ed in Mak k ah in t h e elev en t h y ear of
Pr ophet hood. Gr eat r ecept ion cer em onies w er e accor ded t o him on his adv ent . The Mak k ans
soon st ar t ed t o in cu lcat e in h is ear s all sor t s of an t ipat h y again st t h e Pr oph et ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) . Th ey ev en alleged t h at h e h ad cau sed t h e m ost h or r ible societ al sch ism ,
div idin g all sor t s of social life ev en t h e fam ily t ies w er e su bj ect t o h is sch em es an d plan s of
dissen sion . Th ey ev en w ar n ed h im again st speak in g or ev en list en in g t o him . The m an
ov er pow er ed by t h ese pleas, com plied by t h eir r equ est s. He ev en st u f f ed h is ear s w it h a
piece of cot t on in or der n ot t o h ear an y w or d of h is. How ev er , w h en t h is t r ibesm an en t er ed
t h e m osqu e, h e saw Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) obser v in g h is pr ay er an d ou t of
cu r iosit y , h e appr oach ed h im f or it w as a Div in e Will t o h ear t h e Pr oph et ’s sou n d an d
ap p ealin g w or d s. Th e t em p t at ion t o h ear m or e w as ir r esist ib le so h e f ollow ed t h e Pr op h et
( Peace be u pon h im ) in t o h is h ou se, br ief ed h im on h is adv en t an d all t h e st or y of t h e
people of Qu r aish . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) r ecit ed som e v er ses of t h e
Noble Qu r ’ân an d t h e m an m an aged t o t ast e som et h in g ex cept ion ally beau t if u l an d discer n
t h e t r u t h lat en t w it h in . He em br aced I slam an d t est ified t h at t h er e w as n o god bu t Allâh an d
t h at Mu h am m ad w as His Messen ger . He t h en said t h at h e w as an in f lu en t ial m an am on g h is
p eop le an d t h at h e w ou ld call t h em t o p r of ess I slam , y et h e w an t ed t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) t o equ ip h im w it h a su ppor t iv e sign t h at w ou ld ease h is f u t u r e t ask . I t w as in f act
a Div in ely best ow ed ligh t in h is w h ip. He called h is f at h er an d w if e t o em br ace I slam an d
t h ey did r espon d. His people lagged a lit t le bu t h e ex h or t ed t h em f er v en t ly an d w as f u lly
su ccessf u l. He an d sev e n t y or eigh t y of h is follow er s em igr at ed t o Madin ah aft er t h e Tr en ch
Bat t le. He w as a per f ect f igh t er in t h e cau se of Allâh an d w as m ar t y r ed in Al-Yam am a
ev en t s.
5. Dhum ad Al-Azdi. He cam e fr om Azd Shanu’a in Yem en, specialist in incant at ion. He ar r iv ed
in Mak k ah t o h ear t h e f ools t h er e say t h at Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as ou t of h is
m in d. He decided t o pr act ise h is cr af t on t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h o on seein g
h im said: “ Pr aise is t o Allâh , w e en t er t ain His pr aise an d seek His h elp. Wh om soev e r Allâh
gu ides, n on e w ill lead ast r ay , an d w h om soev er Allâh leads ast r ay , n on e w ill gu ide. I t est if y
t h er e is n o god bu t Allâh an d Mu h am m ad is His ser v an t an d Messen ger . ” Dh u m ad h ear d t h e
w or d s an d r eq u est ed t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) t o ech o t h em ag ain , an d h e w as
g r an t ed h is w ish t h r ice. Her e h e said : “ I h av e h ear d t h e soot h say er s, sor cer er s an d p oet s,
b u t n ev er h av e I ex p er ien ced t h e sw eet n ess of y ou r w or d s. ” He t h en g av e a p led g e of a
sincer e conv er t .

H OPE I N SPI RI N G BREEZES FROM TH E M AD I N ESE:

I t w as du r in g t h e pilgr im age season , in t h e elev en t h y ear of Pr oph et h ood, t h at t h e I slam ic Call
f ou n d t h e r ig h t eou s seed s t h r ou g h w h ich it w ou ld g r ow u p t o con st it u t e t all t r ees w h ose leav es
w ou ld f ost er t h e n ew f ait h an d sh elt er t h e n ew v u ln er able con v er t s f r om t he blow s of inj ust ices and
high-h an d n ess of Qu r aish . I t w as t h e Pr op h et ’s w ise p r act ice t o m eet t h e d eleg at es of t h e Ar ab ian
t r ibes by n igh t so t h at t h e h ost ile Mak k an s w ou ld n ot debar h im fr om ach iev in g h is obj ect iv es. I n
t h e com pan y of h is t w o t r u t h fu l Com pan ion s ‘Ali an d Abu Bak r , h e h ad an in t er est in g t alk r egar din g
I slam izat ion w it h Ban i Dh u h al, bu t t h e lat t er su spen ded t h eir con v er sion . I n pu r su it of t h e sam e
obj ect iv e, t h e Pr oph et an d h is Com pan ion s passed by ‘Aqabat Min a w h er e t h ey h ear d people talking.
They w ent at t heir heels unt il t hey encount er ed six m en fr om Yat hr ib, all of w hom fr om Khazr aj
t r ibe: As‘ad bin Zur ar ah, ‘Aw f bin Har it h, Rafi‘ bin Malik , Qut bah bin ‘Am ir , ‘Uqbah bin ‘Am ir and
Jabir bin ‘Abdu llah . Th e last t w o bein g fr om Aw s an d t he for m er four fr om Khazr aj .

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Th e Mad in ese alw ay s h ear d t h e Jew s say t h at a Pr op h et w as ab ou t t o r ise, f or t h e t im e f or a n ew
dispen sat ion h ad ar r iv ed. Him t h ey w ou ld f ollow an d t h en sm it e t h eir en em ies as t h e ch ildr en of ‘Ad
an d I r am h ad been sm it t en .
“ Of w h at t r ibe ar e y ou ?” ask ed t h e Pr oph et . “ Of t h e t r ibe of Kh azr aj , ” t h ey r eplied. “ Ar e y ou t h e
allies of t h e Jew s?” Th e Pr oph et en qu ir ed. Th ey said: “ Yes. ” “ Th en w h y n ot sit dow n f or a lit t le an d I
w ill speak t o y ou . ” Th e of f er w as r eadily accept ed f or t h e fam e of Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im )
h ad sp r ead t o Mad in ah an d t h e st r an g er s w er e cu r iou s t o see m or e of t h e m an w h o h ad cr eat ed a
st ir in t h e w h ole ar ea. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) pr esen t ed t o t h em an ex pose of I slam ,
ex plained it s im plicat ions, an d t h e r espon sibilit ies t h at f ell u pon t h e m en w h o accept ed it . Wh en t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) con clu ded h is t alk , t h ey ex ch an ged am on g t h em selv es ideas t o t h e
f ollow in g ef f ect : “ Kn ow su r ely , t h is is t h e Pr oph et w it h w h om t h e Jew s ar e ev er t h r eat en ing us;
w h er ef or e let u s m ak e h ast e an d be t h e f ir st t o j oin h im . ”
Th ey , t h er efor e, em br aced I slam , an d said t o t h e Pr oph et , “ We h av e left ou r com m u n it y for n o t r ibe
is so div ided by h at r ed an d r an cou r as t h ey ar e. Allâh m ay cem en t ou r t ies t h r ou gh y ou . S o let u s go
and inv it e t hem t o t his r eligion of y our s; and if Allâh unit es t hem in it , no m an w ill be dear er t han
y ou. ”
Th e h an df u l of Madin ese con v er t s r em ain ed st eady t o t h e cau se an d t h ey pr each ed t h e I slam w it h
f u ll zeal an d dev ot ion w it h t h e r esu lt th at t h ey su cceeded in w in n in g adh er en t s f or I slam f r om
am on gst t h eir f ellow cit izen s an d h ar dly w as t h er e a h ou se in Madin ah n ot t alk in g cu r iou sly an d
en t h u siast ically abou t t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) .

M ARRI AGE OF TH E PROPH ET ( Pe a ce be upon him ) t o ‘Aishah ( M ay Allah be pleased her) :

I n Sh aw w al of t h e sam e y ear , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) con clu ded a m ar r iage con t r act w it h
‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) ‘t he t rut h verifier’, w h en sh e w as six of ag e an d
consum m at ed his m ar r iag e w it h h er in Sh aw w al, t h e y ear 1 A. H. in Mad in ah w h en sh e w as n in e.

AL- I SRA’ AN D Al- MI ‘RAJ ( The Mir aculous Night Jour ney fr om Mak k ah t o t he Far t hest Mosque in
Jer u salem , an d t h e Ascen t t h r ou gh t h e Sph er es of Heav en s)

Th e last d ay s of t h e Mak k an p h ase of t h e Pr oph et ’s lif e ar e n ot ed f or alt er n at e f or t u n es r an gin g

bet w een t w o ex t r em es: gr adual success and cont inual per secut ion. How ev er , glim pses of pr opit ious
ligh t s w er e loom in g on t h e dist an t h or izon , t o u lt im at ely m at er ialize in t h e ev en t of t h e Pr oph et’s
Nigh t Jou r n ey t o Jer u salem an d t h en Ascen sion t h r ou gh t h e sph er es of t h e h eav en s.

As for it s ex act dat e, it is st ill cont r ov er sial and no com m on consent has been r eached. How ev er , t he
m aj or it y of j u r ist s is in f av ou r of a dat e bet w een 1 6 -12 m ont hs pr io r t o m igr at ion t o Madinah. The
f ollow in g is a epit om e of t h e det ails of t h at m ir acu lou s ev en t n ar r at ed on t h e au t h or it y of I bn Al-
Qayyim .

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as car r ied in body fr om t h e Sacr ed Mosqu e in Mak k ah
t o t h e Dist an t Mosq u e in Jer u salem on a h or se called Al-Bur aq in t he com pany of Gabr iel, t he
ar ch an g el. Th er e h e alig h t ed , t et h er ed t h e h or se t o a r in g in t h e g at e of t h e Mosq u e an d led t h e
Pr oph et s in pr ay er . Af t er t h at Gabr iel t ook h im t o t h e h eav en s on t h e sam e h or se. Wh en t h ey
r each ed t h e f ir st h eav en Gab r iel ask ed t h e g u ar d ian an g el t o op en t h e d oor of h eav en . I t w as
open ed an d h e saw Adam , t h e pr ogen it or of m an k in d. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) salu t ed h im
an d t h e ot h er w elcom ed h im an d ex pr essed h is f ait h in Mu h am m ad’s Pr ophet hood. He saw t he souls
of m ar t y r s on h is r igh t an d t h ose of t h e w r et ch ed on h is lef t .

Gabr iel t h en ascen ded w it h t h e Pr oph et t o t h e secon d h eav en , ask ed f or open in g t h e gat e an d t h er e
h e saw an d salu t ed Joh n , son of Z ach ar iy a ( Yah y a bin Z ak ar iy a) an d Jesu s, son of Mar y . Th ey
r et u r n ed t h e salu t at ion , w elcom ed h im an d ex pr essed t h eir f ait h in h is Pr oph et h ood. Th en t h ey
r each ed t h e t h ir d h eav en w h er e t h ey saw Joseph ( Yu su f ) an d salu t ed h im . Th e lat t er w elcom ed t h e
Pr op h et an d ex p r essed f ait h in h is Pr oph et h ood. Th e Pr oph et , in t h e com pan y of Gabr iel, t h en
r each ed t h e f ou r t h h eav en w h er e h e m et t h e Pr oph et ( I dr is) an d salu t ed h im . Pr oph et En och
r et u r n ed t h e salu t at ion an d ex pr essed f ait h in h is Pr oph et h ood. Th en h e w as car r ied t o t h e f if t h
h eav en w h er e he m et t he Pr ophet Aar on ( Har un) and salut ed him . The lat t er r et ur ned t he salut at ion
an d ex pr essed f ait h in h is Pr oph et h ood. I n t h e six t h h eav en h e m et Moses ( Mu sa) an d salu t ed h im .
Th e lat t er r et u r n ed t h e salu t at ion an d ex p r essed f ait h in h is Pr op h et h ood . Mu h am m ad ( Peace be
u pon h im ) on leav in g, saw t h at Moses began t o w eep. He ask ed abou t t h e r eason . Moses an sw er ed
t h at h e w as w eepin g becau se h e w it n essed a m an sen t af t er h im as a Messen ger ( Mu h am m ad) w h o
w as ab le t o lead m or e of h is p eop le t o t h e Par ad ise t h an h e h im self did. Th en Pr oph et Mu h am m ad

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( Peace be u pon h im ) r each ed t h e sev en t h h eav en an d m et Abr ah am ( I br ah im ) ( Peace be u pon h im )
an d salu t ed h im . Th e lat t er r et u r n ed t h e salu t at ion an d ex pr essed f ait h in h is Pr oph et h ood. Th en h e
w as car r ied t o Sidrat -al-Mu n t ah a ( t h e r em ot est lot e t r ee) an d w as sh ow n Al-Bait -al-Ma‘m ûr [ ( t he
m u ch f r equ en t ed h ou se) w h ich is lik e t h e Ka‘bah ( Sacr ed Hou se) en com passed daily by sev en t y
t h ou san d an g els, so t h at t h e an g els w h o on ce en com p assed it w ou ld n ot h av e t h eir t u r n again t ill
t h e Resu r r ect ion ] . He w as t h en pr esen t ed t o t h e Div in e Pr esen ce an d ex per ien ced t h e t h r ill of
w it n essin g t h e Div in e Glor y an d Man if est at ion at t h e closest possible pr opin qu it y . Th er e t h e Lor d
r ev ealed u n t o His ser v an t t h at w h ich He r ev ealed, an d or dained fift y daily pr ay er s for him . On his
r et u r n , h e spok e t o Moses t h at h is f ollow er s h ad been en j oin ed t o pr ay f if t y t im es a day . Moses
addr essin g t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ You r follow er s can n ot per for m so m an y pr ay er s.
Go back t o y our Lor d an d ask f or a r em ission in n u m ber . ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t u r n ed
t o Gabr iel as if h oldin g cou n sel w it h h im . Gabr iel n odded, “ Yes, if y ou desir e, ” an d ascen ded w it h
him t o t he Pr esence of Allâh. The All-Might y Allâh, Glory is t o Him , m ade a r edu ct ion of t en pr ay er s.
He t h en d escen d ed an d r ep or t ed t h at t o Moses, w h o ag ain u r g ed h im t o r eq u est f or a f u r t h er
r edu ct ion . Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) on ce m or e begged h is Lor d t o r edu ce t h e n u m ber st ill
f u r t h er . He w en t ag ain an d ag ain in t h e Pr esen ce of Allâh at t he suggest ion of Moses for r educt ion in
t h e n u m ber of pr ay er s t ill t h ese w er e r edu ced t o f iv e on ly . Moses again ask ed h im t o im plor e f or
m or e r edu ct ion , bu t h e said: “ I feel ash am ed n ow of r epeat edly ask in g m y Lor d for r edu ct ion . I
accept an d r esign t o His Will. ” Wh en Mu h am m ad( Peace be u pon h im ) w en t f ar t h er , a Caller w as
h ear d say in g: “ I h av e im posed My Or din an ce an d allev iat ed t h e bu r den of My ser v an t s. ”

Th er e is h ow ev er som e d if f er en ce as r eg ar d s t h e issu e w h et h er t h e Pr op h et saw Allâh w it h h is

ph y sical ey e or n ot . Som e in t er pr et er s say t h at seein g Allâh w it h h is n ak ed ey es w as n ot con fir m ed.
I b n ‘Ab b as, on t h e ot h er h an d , say s t h at t h e w or d Ru’ya as u sed in t h e Noble Qu r ’ân sign if ies t h e
ob ser v at ion w it h t h e h elp of t h e ey e.

I n Sûrah An – Naj m ( Ch apt er —Th e St ar ) w e r ead:

• “ Th en h e appr oach ed an d cam e closer . ” [ 5 3 : 8 ]

Her e ( he) r efer s t o ar changel Gabr iel, and t his cont ex t is com plet ely differ ent fr om t hat in t he
Pr oph et ic t r adit ion of I sra’ an d Mi‘raj , w h er e ‘t h e ap p r oach ’ r elat es t o t h at of t he Lor d, Glor y is t o
Him .

Som e significant suggest iv e incident s feat ur ed t he ‘Night Jour ney ’ of t he Pr ophet , of w hich w e could
m ent ion:

1. Th e Pr oph et ’s br east w as clef t by Gabr iel, h is h ear t ex t r act ed an d w ash ed w it h t h e w at er of

Zam zam —a sacr ed sp r ing in Mak k ah.
2. I n t h e sam e con t ex t , t h er e w er e br ou gh t t o h im t w o gold v essels. Th er e w as m ilk in on e,
w h ile t h e ot h er w as f u ll of w in e. He w as ask ed t o ch oose eit h er of t h em , so h e select ed t h e
v essel cont aining m ilk and dr ank it . He ( t he angel) said: “ You h av e b een g u id ed on Al-Fit rah
or y ou h av e at t ain ed Al-Fit rah . Had y ou select ed w ine, y our nat ion w ould hav e been m isled. ”
[ I t is a sy m bolic w ay of say in g t h at good an d ev il in t h e for m of m ilk an d w in e w er e br ou gh t
bef or e t h e Pr oph et an d h e in st in ct iv e ly m ade a choice for t he good. I t is v er y difficult t o
r ender t he Ar abic t er m ‘Fit r ah’ in t o En glish . I t den ot es t h e or igin al con st it u t ion or
disposit ion , w it h w h ich a ch ild com es in t o t h is w or ld, as con t r ast ed w it h qu alit ies or
inclinat ions acquir ed dur ing life; besides it r efer s t o t he spir it ual inclinat ion inher ent in m an
in h is u n spoilt st at e] .
3. Th e Pr op h et Õáì Çááå Úáíå æ Óáã t old t h at h e saw t w o m an if est r iv er s, — t h e Nile an d t h e
Eu p h r at es — an d t w o h id d en on es. I t ap p ear s t h at t h e t w o m an if est r iv er s, t he Nile and t he
Euphr at es, sy m bolically descr ibe t he ar ea in w hose fer t ile v alley s, Muham m ad’s Message w ill
set t le, an d t h e people w h er eof w ill alw ay s r em ain t h e adh er en t bear er s of I slam t h at w ill be
passed on f r om gen er at ion t o an ot h er . Th ey can by n o m ean s su g g est t h at t h ey w ell u p
fr om t he Gar den.
4. He h ad t h e oppor t u n it y t o see Malik , t h e gu ar dian of Hell, w it h a ch eer less f r ow n in g f ace.
Th er ein , h e saw t h e Hell d w eller s, of w h om w er e t h ose w h o u n j u st ly eat u p t h e p r op er t y of
t h e or ph an s. Th ey h av e f lew s sim ilar t o t h ose of cam els, sw allow in g r ed-hot st ones and t hen
issu in g ou t of t h eir back s. Th er e w er e also t h e people w h o t ak e u su r y w it h bellies t oo big t o
b e ab le t o m ov e ar ou n d ; t h ey ar e t r od d en b y t h e p eop le of Ph ar aoh w h en t h ese ar e
adm it t ed in t o Hell. I n t h e sam e abode, h e saw t h e adu lt er er s of f er ed t ast y f at t y m eat an d

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 r ot t en sm elly on e bu t t h ey m ak e opt ion f or t h e lat t er . Th e licen t iou s w om en w er e also t h er e
h an gin g fr om t h eir br east s.
5. Th e ‘Nigh t Jou r n ey ’ r aised a good deal of st ir am on g t h e people an d t h e scept ical au dien ce
plied Mu h am m ad w it h all sor t s of qu est ion s. He t old t h em t h at h e saw t h e cam els of Mak k an
m er ch an t s t o an d f r o. He also gu ided t h em t o som e of t h eir an im als t h at w en t ast r ay . He
in for m ed t h em t h at h e h ad dr u n k som e of t h eir w at er w h ile t h ey w er e f ast asleep an d lef t
t h e con t ain er cov er ed.

Th e disbeliev er s, h ow ev er , f ou n d it a su it able oppor t u n it y t o j eer at t h e Mu slim s an d t h eir cr eed.

Th ey p est er ed t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w it h q u est ion s as t o t h e d escr ip t ion of t h e Mosqu e
at Jer u salem , w h er e h e h ad n ev er gon e bef or e an d, t o t h e ast on ish m en t of m an y , t h e Pr oph et ’s
r eplies f u r n ish ed t h e m ost accu r at e in f or m at ion abou t t h at cit y . He su pplied t h em w it h all t h e n ew s
abou t t h eir car av an s an d t h e r ou t es of t h eir cam els. How ev er , all t his incr eased in t hem not hing but
flight fr om t he Tr ut h, and t hey accept ed not hing but disbelief.
For t h e t r u e Mu slim s, h ow ev er t h er e w as n ot h in g u n u su al abou t t h e Nigh t Jou r n ey . Th e All-Might y
Allâh , Wh o is Pow er f u l en ou g h t o h av e cr eat ed t h e h eav en s an d t h e ear t h by an act of His Will, is
su r ely Pow er f u l en ou gh t o t ak e His Messen ger bey on d t h e h eav en s an d sh ow h im t h ose sign s of His
at f ir st h an d w h ich ar e in accessible t o m an ot h er w ise. Th e disbeliev er s on t h eir par t w en t t o see Abu
Bak r on accou n t of t h is ev en t , an d h e r eadily said: “ Yes, I do v er if y it . ” I t w as on t h is occasion t h at
h e ear n ed t h e t it le of As-Siddiq ( t he v er ifier of t he t r ut h) .
Th e m ost eloqu en t an d m ost con cise j u st ificat ion of t h is ‘Jou r n ey ’ is ex pr essed in Allâh ’s Wor ds:
• “ . . . in or der t hat We m ight show him ( Muham m ad) of Our Ayât ( pr oofs, ev idences, signs,
et c.) ” [ 17: 1] .
Th e Div in e r u les as r eg ar d s t h e Pr op h et s g oes as f ollow s:
• “ Th u s d id We sh ow Ab r ah am t h e k in g d om of t h e h eav en s an d t h e ear t h t h at h e b e on e of
t h ose w h o h av e Fait h w it h cer t ain t y . ” [ 6 : 7 5 ]
To Moses, h is Lor d said:
• “ That We m ay show y ou ( som e) of Our Gr eat er Signs. ” [ 2 0 : 2 3 ]
I n or der t h at :
• “ He be of t h ose w h o h av e Fait h w it h cer t ain t y . ”
Th e Pr oph et s, aft er seein g Allâh ’s Sign s, w ill est ablish t heir Fait h on solid cer t aint y t oo im m une t o be
par t ed w it h . Th ey ar e in fact eligible for t h is Div in e pr iv ilege becau se t h ey ar e t h e on es w h o w ill bear
bu r den s t oo h eav y f or ot h er or din ar y people t o car r y , an d in t h e pr ocess of t h eir m ission , t h ey w ill
regar d all w or ldly or deals an d agon ies t oo sm all t o car e abou t .
Th er e ar e sim ple f act s t h at em an at e f r om t h is blessed Jou r n ey , an d f low alon g in t o t h e f low er y
gar den of t he Pr ophet ic biogr aphy ; peace and blessings of Allâh be upon it s aut hor , Muham m ad. The
st or y of ‘t h e Nigh t Jou r n ey ’ as w e see in t h e Noble Qu r ’ân is epit om ised in t h e f ir st v er se of t h e
Sûrah I sra’( Ch apt er 1 7 — The Jour by Night ) t hen t her e is a quick shift t o uncov er t he sham eful
deeds an d cr im es of t h e Jew s, f ollow ed by an adm on it ion say in g t h at t h e Qu r ’ân g u id es t o t h at
w h ich is m ost j u st an d r igh t . Th is ar r an gem en t is n ot in fact a m er e coin ciden ce. Jer u salem w as t h e
f ir st scen e of t h e Nigh t Jou r n ey , an d h er e lies t h e m essage dir ect ed t o t h e Jew s an d w h ich ex plicit ly
su g g est ed t h at t h ey w ou ld be disch ar ged of t h e of f ice of leader sh ip of m an k in d du e t o t h e cr im es
t h ey h ad per pet r at ed an d w h ich n o lon ger j u st if ied t h eir occu pat ion of t h at of f ice. Th e m essage
su ggest ed ex plicit ly t h at t h e of f ice of leader sh ip w ou ld be r ein st it u t ed by t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace be u pon h im ) t o h old in h is h an d bot h h eadqu ar t er s of t h e Abr ah am ic Fait h , t h e Holy
San ct u ar y in Mak k ah an d t h e Far t h est Mosqu e in Jer u salem . I t w as h igh t im e for t h e spir it u al
au t h or it y t o be t r an sf er r ed f r om a n at ion w h ose h ist or y got pr egn an t w it h t r each er y , cov en an t -
br each in g an d aggr ession t o an ot h er n at ion blessed w it h piet y , an d du t if u ln ess t o Allâh , w it h a
Messen ger w h o en j oy s t h e pr iv ilege of t h e Qu r ’ân ic Rev elat ion , w h ich leads t o t h at w h ich is best an d
right .
Th er e, h ow ev er, r em ain s a cr u cial qu est ion w ait in g t o be an sw er ed: How cou ld t h is f or eseen
t r an sit ion of au t h or it y be effect ed w h ile t h e ch am pion h im self ( Mu h am m ad) w as left deser t ed an d
f or sak en st u m blin g in t h e h illock s of Mak k ah ? Th is qu est ion per se u n cov er ed t h e secr et s of anot her
issu e w h ich r ef er r ed t o a p h ase of t h e I slam ic Call an d t h e ap p ear an ce of an ot h er r ole it w as ab ou t
t o t ak e u p, dif f er en t in it s cou r se an d n oble in it s appr oach es. Th e f or er u n n er s of t h at n ew t ask t ook
t h e sh ape of Qu r ’ân ic v er ses sm ack in g of dir ect an d u n equ iv ocal w ar n in g accom pan ied by a sev er e
u lt im at u m dir ect ed t o t h e poly t h eist s an d t h eir agen t s:
• “ An d w h en We decide t o dest r oy a t ow n ( popu lat ion ) , We ( f ir st ) sen d a def in it e or der ( t o
obey Allâh an d be r igh t eou s) t o t h ose am on g t h em [ or We ( f ir st ) in cr ease in n u m ber t h ose
of it s popu lat ion ] w h o ar e giv en t h e good t h in gs of t h is lif e. Th en , t h ey t r an sgr ess t h er ein ,
an d t h u s t h e w or d ( of t or m en t ) is j u st ified again st it ( t h em ) . Th en We dest r oy it w it h
com plet e dest r u ct ion . An d h ow m an y gen er at ion s ( past n at ion s) h av e We dest r oy ed af t er

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 Noah! And Sufficient is y our Lor d as an All-Kn ow er an d All-Beh older of t h e sin s of His
slav es. ” [ 17: 16, 17]
Toget h er w it h t h ese v er ses, t h er e w er e ot h er s r ev ealed t o sh ow t h e Mu slim s t h e r u les an d it em s of
t he civ ilizat ion upon w hich t hey could er ect t heir Muslim com m unit y , and for eshadow ing t heir
ow n er sh ip of a p iece of lan d, ex er cisin g fu ll fr eedom ov er it an d est ablish in g a coh er en t societ y
ar ou n d w h ose ax is t h e w h ole h u m an it y w ou ld r ot at e. Th ose v er ses in r ealit y im plied bet t er
pr ospect s f or t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) com pr isin g a secu r e sh elt er t o set t le in , an d
h eadqu ar t er s saf e en ou gh t o em pow er an d em bolden h im t o com m u n icat e h is Message t o all t h e
w or ld at lar ge; t h at w as in f act t h e in n er secr et of t h at blessed j ou r n ey . For t h is v er y w isdom an d
t h e lik e w e deem it appr opr iat e t o su ggest t h at ‘t h e Nigh t Jour ney ’ t ook place eit her befor e t he Fir st
Pled g e of ‘Aq ab ah or b et w een t h e t w o; af t er all, Allâh k n ow s b est .

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 TH E FI RST ‘AQABAH PLED GE

We h av e alr ead y sp ok en ab ou t six Mad in ese w h o em b r aced I slam in t h e p ilg r im ag e season in t h e

elev en t h y ear of Pr op h et h ood. Th ey pr om ised t o com m u n icat e t h e Message of I slam t o t h eir
t ow n sfolk .

Th e f ollow in g y ear , on t h e occasion of t h e pilgr im age, t h er e cam e a gr ou p of t w elv e disciples r eady

t o ack n ow ledge Mu h am m ad as t h eir Pr oph et . Th e gr ou p of m en com pr ised f iv e of t h e six w h o h ad
m et t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) t h e y ear b ef or e, t h e six t h w h o st ay ed aw ay w as Jab ir b in
‘Abdu llah bin Rey ab, t h e ot h er sev en w er e:

1. Mu‘adh bin Al-Har it h, I bn ‘Afr a, fr om Khazr aj .

2. Dhak w an bin ‘Abd Al-Qais, fr om Khazr aj .
3. ‘Ubadah bin As -Samit , from Khazraj .
4. Yazeed bin Tha‘labah, fr om Khazr aj .
5. ‘Al-‘Abbas bin ‘Ubadah bin Nadalah, fr om Khazr aj .
6. Abul Hait ham bin At -Taihan, fr om Aw s.
7. ‘Uw aim bin Sa‘idah, fr om Aw s.

Th ey av ow ed t h eir f ait h in Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) as a Pr oph et an d sw or e: “ We w ill n ot

w or sh ip an y on e bu t on e Allah ; w e w ill n ot st eal; n eit h er w ill w e com m it adu lt er y , n or k ill ou r
childr en; w e w ill not ut t er slander , int ent ionally for ging falsehood and w e w ill not disobey y ou in any
j u st m at t er . ” Wh en t h ey h ad t ak en t h e p led ge, Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ He w h o
car r ies it out , Allâh w ill r ew ar d him ; and w ho neglect s any t hing and is afflict ed in t his w or ld, it m ay
pr ov e r edem pt ion for h im in t h e Her eaft er ; an d if t h e sin r em ain s h idden fr om t h e ey es of t h e m en
an d n o gr ief com es t o him , t hen his affair is w it h Allâh. He m ay for giv e him or He m ay not . ”

TH E M USLI M EN VOY I N M AD I N AH :
Af t er t h e Pledge ( in t h e f or m of an oat h h ad been t ak en ) t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) sen t t o
Yat hr ib ( Madinah) Mus‘ab bin ‘Um air Al-‘Abdar i, ( May Allah be pleased w it h him ) t he fir st Muslim
‘am bassador ’ t o t each t h e people t h er e t h e doct r in es of I slam , giv e t h em pr act ical gu idan ce an d
m ak e at t em pt s at pr opagat in g t h e I slam am on g t h ose w h o st ill pr of essed poly t h eism . As‘ad bin
Z u r ar ah h ost ed h im in Mad in ah . So p r ep ar ed w as t h e g r ou n d , an d so zealou s t h e p r op ag at ion t h at
t h e I slam spr ead r apidly f r om h ou se t o h ou se an d f r om t r ibe t o t r ibe. Th er e w er e v ar iou s ch eer f u l
an d pr om isin g aspect s of su ccess t h at ch ar act er ized Mu s‘ab’s t ask . On e day Mus‘ab and As‘ad w er e
on t h eir w ay t o t h e h abit at ion s of Ban i ‘Abd Al-Ash h al an d Ban i Z af ar , w h en t h ey w en t in t o t h e
pr em ises of t h e lat t er clan . Th er e t h ey sat n ear a w ell con v er sin g w it h som e n ew con v er t s. Sa‘d bin
Mu‘adh and Usaid bin Hudair , chiefs o f t h e t w o clan s h ear d of t h is m eet in g, so Usaid appr oach ed t h e
Mu slim s ar m ed w it h h is lan ce w h ile t h e ot h er Sa‘d ex cu sed h im self on gr ou n ds t h at As‘ad w as h is
m at er n al cou sin . Usaid cam e closer cu r sin g an d sw ear in g an d accu sed t h e t w o m en of bef oolin g
p eo p le w eak of h ear t , an d or der ed t h at t h ey st op it alt oget h er . Mu s‘ab calm ly in v it ed h im t o sit
say in g, “ I f y ou ar e pleased w it h ou r t alk , y ou can accept it ; sh ou ld y ou h old it in abh or r en ce, y ou
cou ld fr eely im m u n ize y ou r self again st w h at y ou h at e. ” “ Th at ’s fair , ” said Usaid, pier ced his lance in
t h e san d , list en ed t o Mu s‘ab an d t h en h ear d som e v er ses of t h e Nob le Qu r ’ân . His f ace b esp ok e
sat isf act ion an d p leasu r e b ef or e u t t er in g an y w or d s of ap p r ov al. He ask ed t h e t w o m en ab ou t t h e
p r oced u r es p er t in en t t o embr acin g I slam . Th ey ask ed h im t o obser v e w ash in g, pu r ge h is gar m en t ,
b ear w it n ess t o t h e Tr u t h an d t h en p er f or m t w o Rak‘a. He r esp on d ed an d d id ex act ly w h at h e w as
ask ed t o do, an d t h en said t h er e w as a m an ( Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh ) w h ose people w ou ld n ev er h an g b ack
if h e f ollow ed t h e I slam . He t h en lef t t o see Sa‘d an d h is people. Sa‘d cou ld im m ediat ely u n der st an d
t h at Usaid h ad ch an g ed . To a q u est ion p osed b y Sa‘d , Usaid said t h at t w o m en w er e r ead y t o
com ply w it h w h at ev er or der s t h ey r eceiv ed. He t h en m an aged a cer t ain sit u at ion t h at pr ov ided t h e
t w o m en w it h a ch an ce t o t alk w it h Sa‘d pr iv at ely . Th e pr ev iou s scen e w it h Usaid r ecu r r ed an d Sa‘d
em br aced I slam , an d dir ect ly t u r n ed t o h is people sw ear in g t h at h e w ou ld n ev er t alk w it h t h em u n t il
t h ey h ad believ ed in Allâh , an d in His Messen ger . Har dly did t h e ev en in g of t h at day ar r iv e w h en all
t h e m en an d w om en of t h at sept of Ar abian s em br aced I slam w it h t h e ex cept ion of on e, Al-Usairim ,
w h o h u n g back u n t il t h e Day of Uh u d. On t h at day h e em br aced I slam an d f ou gh t t h e poly t h eist s
bu t w as ev en t u ally k illed befor e obser v in g an y pr ost r at ion in t h e w ay of pr ay er . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace
be u pon h im ) com m en t ed say in g: “ He h as don e a lit t le bu t h is r ew ar d is gr eat . ”
Mus‘ab st ay ed in Madinah car r y ing out his m ission diligent ly an d su ccessf u lly u n t il all t h e h ou ses of
Al-Ansar ( t h e fu t u r e Helper s) h ad Mu slim s elem en t s, m en an d w om en . On e fam ily on ly st ood

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obdu r at e t o t h e I slam ic Da‘wah ( Call) . Th ey w er e u n der t h e in flu en ce of t h e poet Qais bin Al-Aslat ,
w h o m an ag ed t o h old t h em at bay an d scr een off t h e Call of I slam fr om t h eir ear s u n t il t h e y ear 5
A.H.
Sh or t ly bef or e t h e appr oach of t h e f ollow in g pilgr im age season , i. e. t h e t h ir t een t h y ear of
Pr oph et h ood, Mu s‘ab bin ‘Um air r et u r n ed t o Mak k ah car r y in g t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon him )
glad t idin gs abou t t h e n ew fer t ile soil ofI slam in Madin ah , an d it s en v ir on m en t r ich in t h e pr ospect s
of good, an d t h e pow er an d im m u n it y t h at t h at cit y w as bou n d t o pr ov ide t o t h e cau se of I slam .

TH E SECON D ‘AQABAH PLED GE

The nex t y ear , t hir t e en t h of Pr oph et h ood, Ju n e 6 2 2 A. D. , du r in g t h e pilgr im age season , ov er
sev en t y con v er t s fr om Madin ah cam e in t h e t r ail of t h eir poly t h eist people t o per for m t h e r it u als of
pilgr im age in Mak k ah. The oft -r epeat ed qu est ion am on gst t h em w as “ I sn ’t it h igh t im e w e p r ot ect
Mu h am m ad in st ead of leav in g h im for sak en , deser t ed an d st u m blin g in t h e h illock s of Mak k ah ?”
Shor t ly aft er ar r iv al, t hey conduct ed clandest ine cont act s w it h t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) and
agr eed t o m eet him secr et ly at night in m id Tashreeq Day s ( t h e 1 1 t h , 1 2 t h an d 1 3 t h day s of Dh u l
Hij j a) in a hillock at Al-‘Aqabah , t h e last y ear ’s m eet in g place.
On e of t h e lead er s of t h e Ansâr ( Helper s) , Ka‘b bin Malik Al-Ansar i ( May Allah be pleased w it h him ) ,
gav e an accou n t of t h e h ist or ic m eet in g w hich ch an g ed t h e w h ole cou r se of t h e st r u g g le b et w een
I slam an d pagan ism , h e said:
We set ou t f or pilgr im age an d st r u ck a r en dezv ou s in m id Tashreeq Days . We w er e accom p an ied b y
a celebr it y an d a n ot able of ou r s called ‘Abdu llah bin ‘Am r bin Har am , w h o w as st ill a poly t h eist . We
disclosed t o h im ou r in t en t ion of m eet in g Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d ex h or t ed h im t o j oin
ou r r an k s an d giv e u p poly t h eism lest h e sh ou ld ser v e as w ood f or Hell in t h e Her eaf t er . He
pr om pt ly em br aced I slam an d w it n essed t h e ser ious m eet ing at Al-‘Aqabah .
Th at v er y n igh t w e slept w it h ou r people in ou r cam ps. Af t er a t h ir d of t h e n igh t h ad elapsed, w e
began t o leav e st ealt h ily an d m et in a h illock n ear by . We w er e sev en t y t h r ee m en an d t w o w om en
Nusaibah bint Ka‘b fr om t he Naj j a r s and Asm a’ bint ‘Am r fr om Bani Salam ah. We w ait ed for t he
Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) unt il he cam e in t he com pany of his uncle Al-‘Abbas bin
‘Abdu l Mu t t alib w h o ( t h ou gh h im self n ot a Mu slim ) , adj u r ed u s n ot t o dr aw h is n eph ew aw ay f r om
t h e p rot ect ion of h is ow n k in dr ed u n less w e w er e f u lly pr epar ed t o def en d h im ev en at t h e r isk of
ou r liv es. He w as t h e f ir st t o speak :
“ O y ou p eop le of t h e Kh azr aj — t h e Ar abs u sed t o call t h e Ansâr ( Helper s) Khazr aj , w het her fr om
Kh azr aj or Aw s — y ou all k n ow t h e posit ion t h at Mu h am m ad h olds am on g u s. We h av e pr ot ect ed
h im f r om ou r people as m u ch as w e cou ld. He is h on ou r ed an d r espect ed am on g h is people. He
r efu ses t o j oin an y par t y ex cept y ou . So if y ou t h in k y ou can car r y ou t w h at y ou pr om ise w h ile
invit ing h im t o y ou r t ow n , an d if y ou can def en d h im again st t h e en em ies, t h en assu m e t h e bu r den
t h at y ou h av e t ak en . Bu t if y ou ar e goin g t o su r r en der h im an d bet r ay h im aft er h av in g t ak en h im
aw ay w it h y ou , y ou h ad b et t er leav e h im n ow b ecau se h e is r esp ect ed an d w ell defended in his ow n
place. ”
Ka‘b r eplied: “ We h av e h ear d y ou r w or ds, an d n ow O Messen ger of Allâh , it is f or y ou t o speak an d
t ak e f r om u s an y pledge t h at y ou w an t r egar din g y ou r Lor d an d y ou r self . ”
I t w as a def in it e st an ce sh ow in g f u ll det er m in ation, cour age and deep fait h t o shoulder t he daunt ing
r espon sibilit y an d bear it s ser iou s con sequ en ces.
Th e Messen ger of Allâh t h en pr each ed t h e Fait h , an d t h e pledge w as t ak en . Al-I m am Ahm ad, on t he
aut hor it y of Jabir , gav e t he follow ing det ails:
Th e An sâr ( Helper s) ask ed t h e Messen ger of Allâh abou t t h e pr in ciples ov er w h ich t h ey w ou ld t ak e a
p led g e. Th e Pr op h et an sw er ed :

1. To list en an d obey in all set s of cir cu m st an ces.

2. To spen d in plen t y as w ell as in scar cit y .
3. To en j oin good an d for bid ev il.
4. I n Allâh ’s ser v ice, y ou w ill f ear t h e cen su r e of n on e.
5. To def en d m e in case I seek y ou r h elp, an d debar m e f r om an y t h in g y ou debar y ou r self ,
y ou r spou ses an d ch ildr en f r om . An d if y ou obser v e t h ose pr ecept s, Par adise is in st or e f or
y ou.

I n an ot h er v er sion n arr at ed by Ka‘b, h e said:

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) began t o speak , r ecit ed som e Qu r ’ân ic v er ses, called people u n t o
Allâh , ex h or t ed t h em t o en t er t h e fold of I slam an d con clu ded say in g: “ I giv e y ou m y pledge t h at
y ou debar m e f r om w h at ev er y ou debar y our w om en and childr en fr om . ” Her e Al-Bar a’ bin Ma‘r ur ,
cau gh t h im by h an d, an d said: “ Oh y es, w e sw ear by Allâh , Wh o sen t y ou as a Pr oph et in Tr u t h , t h at
w e w ill debar y ou f r om w h at ev er w e debar ou r w om en f r om . Hav e con f iden ce in u s, O Messen ger of

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Allâh. By Allâh , w e ar e gen u in e f igh t er s an d qu it e r eliable in w ar , it is a t r ait passed dow n t o u s f r om
ou r an cest or s. ”
Then ‘Abul Hait ham At -Taih an in t er r u pt ed an d said: “ O Pr oph et of Allâh ! Bet w een u s an d t h e Jew s,
t h er e ar e ag r eem en t s w h ich w e w ou ld t h en s ev er . I f Allâh gr an t s y ou pow er an d v ict or y , sh ou ld w e
ex pect t h at y ou w ou ld n ot leav e u s, an d j oin t h e r an k s of y ou r people ( m ean in g Qu r aish ) ?” Th e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) sm iled an d r eplied:
• “ Nay , it w ould nev er be; y our blood w ill be m y blood. I n lif e an d deat h I w ill be w it h y ou
an d y ou w it h m e. I w ill f igh t w h om y ou f igh t an d I w ill m ak e peace w it h t h ose w it h w h om
y ou m ak e peace. ”
Af t er t h e n egot iat ion s con cer n in g t h e con dit ion s of allegian ce h ad en ded, an d all of t h e au dien ce
w er e u n an im ou sly agr eed t o r at if y it , t w o m en of t h e ear ly gen er at ion of con v er t s w h o h ad
em br aced I slam in t h e elev en t h an d t w elf t h y ear s r ose t o t h eir f eet t o appr ise t h e ot h er s of t h e
ser iou s st ep t h ey w er e ab ou t t o t ak e so t h at t h ey cou ld g iv e t h eir p led g e f u lly aw ar e of t h e w h ole
af f air an d con sequ en t ly be r eady f or t h e sacr if ice t h ey w er e ex pect ed t o m ak e. Al ‘Abbas bin Ubada
bin Nadlah, in t his cont ex t , r em ar k ed: “ O y ou people of Khazr aj ! Do y ou k now t he significance of t he
pact t h at y ou ar e en t er in g in t o w it h t h is m an ? You ar e in fact av ow in g t h at y ou w ill figh t again st all
an d su n dr y . I f y ou f ear t h at y ou r pr oper t y w ill be at st ak e or t h e liv es of y ou r n obles w ill be
en dan ger ed, t h en leav e h im n ow , becau se if y ou do t h is aft er t h e pledge, it w ill be degr adin g for y ou
bot h in t h is w or ld an d t h e w or ld t o com e. Bu t if y ou t h in k t h at y ou can car r y ou t w h at y ou ar e called
u pon t o do in spit e of t h e loss of pr eciou s liv es an d pr oper t y , t h en u n der t ak e t h is h eav y
r espon sibilit y , an d I sw ear by Allâh , t h at h er ein lies t h e good of t h is w or ld an d t h at of t h e n ex t . ”
Th ey r eplied, “ We h av e alr eady con sider ed t h e loss of pr oper t y an d t h e m u r der of ou r n ot ables, y et
w e pay h im allegian ce. Bu t w h at is ou r r ew ar d if w e obser v e all t h e it em s of t h is pact ?” Th e Pr oph et
r eplied: “ Par adise is in st or e f or y ou . ” Th en t h ey ask ed h im t o st r et ch ou t h is h an d, an d t h ey all
st r et ch ed ou t t h eir h an ds an d t ook t h e pledge. On ly at t h at t im e did As‘ad bin Z u r ar ah com e t o
r ealize t h e people’s r eadin ess f or sacr if ice in t h e cau se of Allâh .
On t h e a u t h or it y of Jab ir , w h o said : “ Wh en w e st ar t ed t o p ay alleg ian ce t o t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) , As‘ad bin Z u r ar ah st ood u p an d gav e t h e f ollow in g sh or t addr ess: “ Tak e it easy people
of Yat h r ib ! We h av e n ot cov er ed t h at lon g d ist an ce ex cep t b ecau se w e hav e had deep belief t hat he
( Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ) is t h e Messen ger of Allâh . We ar e alr eady con v in ced t h at
follow in g h im en t ails depar t u r e fr om t h e pagan Ar abs ev en if it w er e at t h e r isk of ou r life. Sh ou ld
y ou pr eser v e in t h is cou r se, h oldf ast t o it , an d y ou r gr eat r ew ar d is placed in t h e Han d of Allâh , bu t
if y ou ar e cau gh t in f ear , I adm on ish y ou t o giv e it u p j u st n ow , an d t h en y ou w ou ld be m or e
ex cusable by Allâh. ”
Wit h r esp ect t o t h e t w o w om en , t h e p led g e w as t ak en or ally f or t h e Pr op h et ( Peace be u pon h im )
h ad n ev er sh ak en h an d s w it h a st r an g e lad y .
Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) t h en ask ed t h e g r ou p t o ap p oin t t w elv e d ep u t ies t o p r each I slam
t o t h eir people in Madin ah , t o sh ou lder t h e r espon sibilit y of im plem en t in g t h e ar t icles of t h is p led g e
an d t o gu ide t h e r espect iv e m en of t h eir ow n t r ibes in m at t er s r elat in g t o t h e pr opagat ion of I slam .
Th e depu t ies elect ed w er e n in e f r om Al-Khazr aj : As‘ad bin Zur ar ah bin ‘Ads, Sa‘d bin Ar -Rabi‘ bin
‘Am r , ‘Abdullah bin Raw ahah bin Tha‘labah, Rafi‘ bin Malik bin Al-‘Aj lan, Al-Bar a’ bin Ma‘r ur bin
Sak hr , ‘Abdullah bin ‘Am r bin Har am , ‘Ubadah bin As -Sam it bin Qais, Sa‘d bin ‘Ubadah bin Dulaim
and Al-Mundhir bin ‘Am r bin Khunais. Thr ee ot her s w er e fr om Al-Aw s: Usaid bin Hu dair bin
Sam m ak, Sa‘d bin Khait ham ah bin Al-Har it h and Rifa‘a bin ‘Abdul Mundhir bin Zubair . Once again,
t h ose t w elv em en w er e sw or n t o act as su r et y ov er t h e af f air s of t h eir p eop le j u st as t h e Ch r ist ’s
disciples did, an d t h e Pr oph et w ou ld act as su r et y ov er h is people, m ean in g all t h e Muslim s.
Som eh ow or ot h er , t h e n ew s of t h ese secr et d eser t m eet in g s w it h t h e Mad in ese leak ed ou t . Th e
Pr oph et im m ediat ely k n ew t h at it w as a cer t ain pu dgy u gly dev il, in h abit ed in Al-‘Aq ab ah , w h o
discov er ed t h eir m eet in g, an d h e t h r eat en ed t o set t le h is a ccou n t w it h h im as soon as possible.
On hear ing t his, Al-‘Abbas bin Nadlah said “ By Allâh , Wh o h as sen t y ou in Tr u t h , w e ar e pow er f u l
en ou gh t o pu t t h e people of Min a ( t h e Qu r aish it es) t o ou r sw or ds t om or r ow , if y ou desir e. ” Th e
Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) said “ We h av e n ot been com m an ded t o f ollow t h at cou r se. Now , back
t o y our cam ps. ” They w ent back t o sleep t ill m or ning.
No soon er did Qu r aish h ear of t h is t r eat y t h an a k in d of t r ou ble -pr ov ok in g t u m u lt began t o
m ushr oom in all dir ect ions. They r ealized qu it e f u lly t h at an allegian ce of t h is sor t is bou n d t o
p r od u ce f ar-r eaching r am ificat ions of dir ect im pact on t heir liv es and w ealt h. The follow ing day , a
lar ge delegat ion com pr isin g t h e leader s an d ar ch -cr im inals of Mak k ah set out for t he cam p of t he
Mad in ese t o p r ot est sev er ely ag ain st t h e t r eat y . Th ey ad d r essed t h e Mad in ese: “ O p eop le of
Kh azr aj , it t r an spir ed t o u s t h at y ou h av e com e h er e t o con clu de a t r eat y w it h t h is m an
( Muham m ad) and ev acuat e him out of Mak k ah. By Allâh, w e do r eally hold in abhor r en ce an y sor t of
f ig h t b et w een y ou an d u s. ”
Th e Madin ese poly t h eist s h av in g k n ow n n ot h in g abou t t h e secr et ly t ak en pledge, began t o sw ear by
Allâh an d an sw er ed in good f ait h t h at t h er e w as n o t r u t h in t h e r epor t . ‘Abdu llah bin Ubai bin Salu l,
75
a Mad in ese p oly t h eist , r efu t ed t h eir allegat ion s den ou n cin g t h em as n u ll an d v oid, claim in g t h at h is
people w ou ld n ev er in it iat e an y t h in g u n less h e gav e t h em clear or der s.
Th e Madin ese Mu slim s, h ow ev er , r em ain ed silen t n eit h er n egat in g n or con fir m in g. Th e Qu r aish it e
lead er s seem ed t o b e alm ost con v in ced b y t h e ar g u m en t s p r esen t ed b y t h e p oly t h eist s, an d w en t
back h om e fr u st r at ed. How ev er , t h ey did n ot fu lly acqu iesce in t h e w or ds t h ey h ear d. Th ey began t o
scr u t in ize t h e sm allest det ails, an d t r ace t h e m in u t est n ew s t ill it w as est ablish ed bey on d a sh adow
of dou bt t h at t h e pact did t ak e place, bu t t h at w as af t er t h e Madin ese pilgr im s h ad lef t Mak k ah . I n a
fit of r age, t h ey pu r su ed t h e pilgr im s bu t did n ot su cceed in cat ch in g h old of an y on e ex cept Sa‘d bin
‘Ubadah . Th ey su bj ect ed h im t o u n speak able t or t u r es, bu t h e w as lat er r escu ed by Al-Mut‘im bin ‘Adi
an d Har it h bin Har b bin Om aiy a w it h w h om h e h ad t r ade r elat ion s.
That is t he st or y of t he Second ‘Aqabah Pledge, lat er k now n as t he Gr eat ‘Aqabah Pledge, effect ed in
an at m osp h er e of lov e, alleg ian ce an d m u t u al su p p or t b et w een Mad in ese b eliev er s an d w eak
Mak k an Muslim s. This new spir it of affect ion, r appor t and cooper at ion could nev er be at t r ibut able t o
a fleeing w him , on t he cont r ar y , it t ot ally der iv ed fr om an alr eady d eeply -est ablish ed appr oach , v iz.
Belief in Allâh , His Messen ger an d His Book . I t w as a Belief so r oot ed in t h e selv es t h at it m an aged
t o st an d im m u n e t o all pow er s of in j u st ice an d aggr ession , an d cou ld be t r an slat ed in t o m ir acles in
t h e pr act ical aspect s of act ion an d ideology pu r su it . Th at sor t of Belief w as t h e r eal in st r u m en t for
t h e Mu slim s t o r ecor d in t h e an n als of h ist or y u n pr eceden t ed br eak t h r ou gh s. We ar e also su r e t h at
t h e f u t u r e w ill alw ay s r em ain w an t in g as r egar ds t h ose gr eat ach iev em en t s car r ied ou t b y t h ose
gr eat m en .

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 TH E VAN GUAD OF M I GRATI ON ( in t he Ca use of Allâ h)

Aft er t h e en dor sem en t of t h e Secon d ‘Aqabah Pledge an d t h e est ablish m en t of a pet it e Mu slim st at e
in a v ast deser t su r gin g w it h disbelief an d ign or an ce — t h e m ost ser iou s gain i n t er m s of I slam —,
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) gav e h is leav e f or t h e Mu slim s t o m igr at e t o Madin ah , t h e n ascen t
Muslim st at e.

Migr at ion t o Madin ah , in t er m s of per son al in t er est s, w as n o m or e t h an m at er ial w ast e an d sacr ifice
of w ealt h , all in r et u rn for per son al safet y on ly . Ev en h er e, t h e m igr an t cou ld n ot ex pect fu ll
secu r it y ; h e w as liable t o be r obbed or ev en k illed eit h er at t h e begin n in g or en d of h is depar t u r e.
Th e f u t u r e w as f oggy , pr egn an t w it h v ar iou s u n pr edict able sor t s of sor r ow s an d cr ises.

Bear in g all t h is in m in d, t h e Mu slim s began t o m igr at e, w h ile t h e poly t h eist s spar ed n o effor t in
h in der in g an d debar r in g t h em , k n ow in g befor eh an d t h at su ch a m ov e im plied u n im agin able t h r eat s
an d u n t h in k ab le d est r u ct iv e d an g er s t o t h eir w h ole society:

1. Th e f ir st on e t o m igr at e w as Abu Salam ah , a y ear bef or e t h e Gr eat ‘Aqabah Pledge. Wh en

h e h ad m ade u p h is m in d t o leav e Mak k ah , h is in -law s, in a d esp er at e at t em p t t o r aise
obst acles, det ain ed h is w if e an d sn at ch ed h is son an d dislocat ed h is h an d. Um m Salam ah,
af t er t h e d ep ar t u r e of h er h u sb an d an d t h e loss of h er son sp en t a y ear b y h er self w eep in g
an d lam en t in g. A r elat iv e of h er s ev en t u ally h ad pit y on h er an d ex h or t ed t h e ot h er s t o
r elease h er son an d let h er j oin h er h u sb an d . Sh e t h en set ou t on a j ou r n ey of 5 0 0
k ilom et r es w it h n o h elp w h at soev er . At a spot called At -Tan‘im , ‘Ut hm an bin Talhah cam e
acr oss h er an d of f er ed t o giv e h er a r ide t o Madin ah . Sh e, alon g w it h h er son , j oin ed Abu
Salam ah in t h e v illage of Qu ba’, a su bu r b of Madin ah .
2. An ot h er inst ance of t he at r ocit ies of t he poly t heist Mak k ans, as r egar ds m igr at ion, is Suhaib.
Th is m an ex pr essed h is w ish t o m igr at e an d of cou r se t h is w as a sou r ce of in dign at ion t o t h e
disbeliev er s. They began t o insult him claim ing t hat he had com e int o Mak k ah as a w or t hless
t r am p, bu t t h eir t ow n w as gr aciou s en ou gh an d t h an k s t o t h em h e m an aged t o m ak e a lot of
m on ey an d becom e w ealt h y . Th ey gav e or der s t h at h e w ou ld n ot leav e. Seein g t h is, h e
of f er ed t o giv e aw ay all h is w ealt h t o t h em . Th ey ev en t u ally agr eed t o r elease h im on t h at
con dit ion . Th e Pr oph et h ear d t h is st or y an d com m en t ed on it say in g:

• “ Su h aib is t h e w in n er , aft er all. ”

3. Th en , t h er e w as t h e st or y of ‘Um ar bin Al-Khat t ab, ‘Ay y ash bin Abi Rabi‘a and Hisham bin
Al-‘Asi, w h o agr eed t o m eet at a cer t ain place on e m or n in g in or der t o leav e for Madin ah ;
‘Um ar an d ‘Ay y ash cam e bu t Hish am w as det ain ed by t h e Mak k an s.

Shor t ly aft er w ar ds Abu Jahl, and his br ot her Al-Har it h cam e t o Madin ah t o see t h eir t h ir d br ot h er
‘Ay y ash. They cunningly t r ied t o t ouch t h e m ost sen sit iv e ar ea in m an , i. e. h is r elat ion w it h h is
m ot h er . Th ey addr essed h im claim in g t h at h is m ot h er h ad sw or n sh e w ou ld n ev er com b h er h air ,
n or sh ade h er self of f t h e su n u n less sh e h ad seen h im . ‘Ay y ash t ook pit y on h is m ot h er , bu t ‘Um ar
w a s in t elligen t en ou gh t o u n der st an d t h at t h ey w an t ed t o en t ice ‘Ay y ash aw ay f r om I slam so h e
cau t ion ed h im again st t h eir t r ick s, an d added “ y ou r m ot h er w ou ld com b h er h air if lice pest er ed h er ,
an d w ou ld sh ade h er self of f if t h e su n of Mak k ah got t oo h ot f or h er . ” These w or ds not w it hst anding,
‘Ay y ash w as det er m in ed t o go an d see h is m ot h er , so ‘Um ar gav e h im h is m an ageable docile cam el
adv isin g h im t o st ick t o it s back becau se it w ou ld pr ov ide r escu e for h im if h e per ceiv ed an y t h in g
suspicious on t heir par t . Th e par t y of t h r ee t h en set f or t h t ow ar ds Mak k ah . As soon as t h ey cov er ed
par t of t h e dist an ce, Abu Jah l com plain ed abou t h is cam el an d r equ est ed ‘Ay y ash t o allow h im t o
r ide beh in d h im on h is cam el. Wh en t h ey k n elt dow n t o t h e lev el of t h e gr ou n d, t h e t w o p oly t h eist s
fell u pon ‘Ay y ash an d t ied h im . Th ey r ode on in t o Mak k ah sh ou t in g at people t o follow t h eir ex am ple
w it h r espect t o ‘f ools’
Th ese ar e j u st t h r ee self -ex plan at or y m odels of t h e Mak k an s’ r eact ion t ow ar ds an y on e in t en din g t o
m igr at e. Nev er t h eless, t h e believ er s st ill m an aged t o escape in su ccessiv e gr ou ps an d so r apidly
t h at w it h in t w o m on t h s of t h e Secon d ‘Aqabah Pledge, en t ir e qu ar t er s of Mak k ah w er e deser t ed.
Alm ost all t h e follow er s of Mu h am m ad h ad m igr at ed t o t h eir n ew abode, ex cept Abu Bak r , ‘Ali, t he
Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) h im self , an d t h ose h elp less n ob le sou ls w h o h ad b een d et ain ed in
con f in em en t or w er e u n able t o escape. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , t oget h er w it h Abu Bak r

77
an d ‘Ali, h ad m ade all t h e n ecessar y pr epar at ion s for m igrat ion bu t w as w ait in g f or leav e f r om h is
Lor d.
I t is n ot ew or t h y t h at m ost of t h e Mw h o h ad m igr at ed t o Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) , cam e back t o Madin ah
t o j oin t h e r est of t h e Mu slim s t h er e.
Th e sit u at ion w as n o dou bt cr it ical in Mak k ah bu t Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as n ot at all
per t u r bed. Abu Bak r w as, h ow ev er , u r gin g t h e Pr oph et t o depar t f r om t h at t ow n . He w as also
eager ly w ait in g for an oppor t u n it y t o accom pan y Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) on t h is ev en t fu l
j our ney . But t he Pr ophet t old him t hat t he t im e h ad n ot y et com e; t h e Lor d h ad n ot giv en h im t h e
com m and t o m igr at e. I n ant icipat ion of t he Com m and of Allâh, Abu Bak r had m ade pr epar at ions for
t h e j ou r n ey . He h ad pu r ch ased t w o sw if t cam els an d h ad f ed t h em pr oper ly f or f ou r m on t h s so t h at
t h ey cou ld
su ccessiv ely st an d t h e or deals of t h e lon g deser t j ou r n ey .

I N AN - N AD W AH ( COU N CI L) H OU SE TH E PARLI AM EN T OF QURAI SH

Th e poly t h eist s w er e par aly sed by t h e car ef u lly plan n ed an d speedy m ov em en t of Mu h am m ad’s
f ollow er s t ow ar d s t h eir n ew ab od e in Mad in ah . Th ey w er e cau gh t in u n pr eceden t ed an x iet y an d got
deeply w or r ied ov er t h eir w h ole pagan an d econ om ic en t it y . Th ey alr eady ex per ien ced Mu h am m ad
( Peace be u pon h im ) as an in f lu en t ial leader ; an d h is f ollow er s as det er m in ed, decen t an d alw ay s
r eady t o sacr ifice all t h ey h ad f or t h e sak e of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Al-Aw s
and Al-Kh azr aj t r ibes, t h e w ou ld -b e-h ost s of t h e Mak k an Mu slim s, w er e also k n ow n in Ar abia f or
t h eir m igh t an d pow er in w ar , an d j u diciou s an d sen sible appr oach in peace. Th ey w er e also av er se
t o r an cou r an d pr ej u dice f or t h ey t h em selv es h ad h ad bit t er day s of in t er-t r ibal w ar far e. Madinah ,
it self , t h e pr ospect iv e h eadqu ar t er s of t h e ev er-gr ow in g I slam ic Call, en j oy ed t h e m ost ser iou s
st r at egic posit ion. I t com m anded t he com m ercial r ou t es lead in g t o Mak k ah w h ose p eop le u sed t o
deal in abou t a qu ar t er of a m illion gold din ar-w or t h com m odit ies ev er y y ear . Secur it y of t he
car av an r ou t es w as cr u cial for t h e per pet u it y of pr osper ou s econ om ic life. All t h ose fact or s bor n e in
m ind, t he poly t h eist s f elt t h ey w er e in t h e gr ip of a ser iou s t h r eat . Th ey , t h er ef or e, began t o seek
t h e m ost effect iv e m et h od t h at cou ld av er t t h is im m in en t dan ger . Th ey con v en ed a m eet in g on
Th u r sday , 2 6 t h Saf ar , t h e y ear f ou r t een of Pr oph et h ood / 1 2 t h Sept em ber 622 A. D. , i. e. t w o and a
h alf m on t h s af t er t h e Gr eat ‘Aqabah Pledge. On t h at day , “ t h e Par liam en t of Mak k ah ” h eld t h e m ost
ser iou s m eet in g ev er , w it h on e it em on t h e agen da: How t o t ak e ef f ect iv e m easu r es w it h a v iew t o
st op p in g t h at t id al w av e. Deleg at es r epr esent ing all t he Qur aishit e t r ibes at t ended t he m eet ing, t he
m ost sign ifican t of w h om w er e:

1. Abu Jahl bin Hisham , fr om Bani Mak hzum ;

2. Jubair bin Mut ‘im , Tuaim a bin ‘Adi, and Al-Har it h bin ‘Am ir r epr esent ing Bani Naufal bin ‘Abd
Munaf;
3. Rab i‘a’s t w o son s Sh aibah an d ‘Ut bah besides Abu Su fy an bin Har b fr om Ban i ‘Abd Sh am s
bin ‘Abd Munaf;
4. An -Nadr bin Al-Har it h ( w h o h ad besm ear ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w it h an im al
ent r ails) t o speak for Bani ‘Abd Ad -Dar;
5. Abul Buk ht ar y bin Hisham , Zam a‘a bin Al-Asw ad an d Hak eem bin Hizam t o r epr esen t Ban i
Asad bin ‘Abd Al-‘Uzza;
6. Al-Haj j aj ’s t w o sons Nabih and Munbih fr om Bani Sahm ;
7. Om aiy ah bin Khalaf fr om Bani Jum ah.

On t h eir w ay t o An -Nad w ah Hou se, I blis ( Sat an ) in t h e gu ise of a v en er able elder ly m an st an din g at
t h e door in t er r u pt ed t h eir t alk an d in t r odu ced h im self as a m an f r om Naj d cu r iou s en ou gh t o at t en d
t h e m eet in g , list en t o t h e d eb at e an d w ish t h em su ccess t o r each a sou n d op in ion . He w as r ead ily
adm it t ed in.
Th er e w as a len g t h y d eb at e an d sev er al p r op osals w er e pu t f or w ar d. Ex pu lsion f r om Mak k ah w as
p r op osed an d d eb at ed in t u r n b u t f in ally t u r n ed d ow n on g r ou n d s t h at h is sw eet an d h ear t -touching
w or ds cou ld en t ice t h e ot h er Ar abs t o at t ack t h em in t h eir ow n cit y . I m pr ison m en t for life w as also
d eb at ed bu t also r ef u sed f or f ear t h at h is f ollow er s m igh t in cr ease in n u m ber , ov er pow er t h em an d
r elease him by for ce. At t his point , t he ar ch -cr im inal of Mak k ah, Abu Jahl bin Hisham suggest ed t hat
t h ey assassin at e h im . Bu t assassin at ion by on e m an w ou ld h av e ex p osed him and his fam ily t o t he
v en gean ce of blood. Th e difficu lt y w as at last solv ed by Abu Jah l h im self, w h o su ggest ed t h at a ban d
of y ou n g m en , on e fr om each t r ibe, sh ou ld st r ik e Mu h am m ad sim u lt an eou sly w it h t h eir sw or ds so
t h at t h e b lood -m on ey w ou ld b e spr ead ov er t h em all an d t h er ef or e cou ld n ot be ex act ed, an d h is
p eop le w ou ld seek a m in d -based r ecou r se f or set t lem en t . Th e sin f u l pr oposal w as u n an im ou sly
accept ed, and t he r epr esent at iv es br ok e up t he m eet ing and w ent back hom e w it h full det er m inat ion
for im m ediat e im plem ent at ion.

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 M I GRATI ON OF TH E PROPH ET ( Pe a ce be upon him ) :

Wh en t h e in iqu it ou s decision h ad been m ade, Gabr iel w as sen t dow n t o Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon
him ) t o r ev eal t o him Qur aish’s plot and giv e him his Lor d’s Per m ission t o leav e Mak k ah . He fix ed t o
h im t h e t im e of m igr at ion an d ask ed h im n ot t o sleep t h at n igh t in h is u su al bed. At n oon , t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w en t t o see h is Com pan ion Abu Bak r an d ar r an ged w it h h im
ev er y t h in g for t h e in t en ded m igr at ion . Abu Bak r w as su r pr ised t o see t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
him ) m ask ed com ing t o v isit him at t hat unusual t im e, but he soon lear ned t hat Allâh’s Com m and
h ad ar r iv ed , an d h e p r op osed t h at t h ey sh ou ld m ig r at e t og et h er , t o w h ich t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) gav e h is con sen t .

To m ak e t h e n ecessar y pr epar at ion s for t h e im plem en t at ion of t h eir dev ilish plan , t h e ch iefs of
Mak k ah had chosen elev en m en: Abu Jahl, Hak am bin Abil Al-‘As, ‘Uqbah bin Abi Mu‘ait , An -Nadr bin
Har it h, Om aiy ah bin Khalaf, Zam a‘a bin Al-Asw ad, Tu‘aim a bin ‘Adi, Abu Lahab, Ubai bin Khalaf,
Nabih bin Al-Haj j aj and his br ot her Munbih bin Al-Haj j aj . All w er e on t h e aler t . As n igh t adv an ced,
t h ey post ed assassin s ar ou n d t h e Pr oph et ’s h ou se. Th u s t h ey k ept v igil all n igh t lon g, w ait in g t o k ill
him t he m om ent he left h is h ou se ear ly in t h e m or n in g, peepin g n ow an d t h en t h r ou gh a h ole in t h e
door t o m ak e su r e t h at h e w as st ill ly in g in h is bed. Abu Jah l, t h e gr eat en em y of I slam , u sed t o
w alk abou t h au gh t ily an d ar r ogan t ly j eer in g at Mu h am m ad’s w or ds, say in g t o t h e peop le ar ou n d
him : “ Muham m ad claim s t hat if y ou follow him , he w ill appoint y ou r uler s ov er t he Ar abs and non-
Ar abs an d in t h e Her eaft er y ou r r ew ar d w ill be Gar den s sim ilar t o t h ose in Jor dan , ot h er w ise, h e w ill
slau gh t er y ou an d af t er deat h y ou w ill be bu r n t in f ir e. ” He w as t oo con f iden t of t h e su ccess of h is
dev ilish plan. Allâh, t he All-Migh t y , h ow ev er , in Wh ose Han ds lie t h e sov er eign t y of t h e h eav en s an d
ear t h , d oes w h at He d esir es; He r en d er s su ccou r an d can n ev er b e ov er p ow er ed . He d id ex act ly
w h at He lat er said t o His Pr oph et :

• “ An d ( r em em ber ) w h en t h e disbeliev er s plot t ed again st y ou [ O Mu h am m ad ( Peace be

upon him ) ] t o im pr ison y ou, or t o k ill y ou, or t o get y ou out ( fr om y our hom e, i.e. Mak k ah) ;
t h ey w er e p lot t in g an d Allâh t oo w as p lan n in g , an d Allâh is t he Best of t he planner s. ” [ 8: 30]

At t h at cr it ical t im e t h e plan s of Qu r aish u t t er ly failed despit e t h e t igh t siege t h ey laid t o t h e

Pr op h et ’s h ou se, t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) an d ‘Ali w er e in sid e t h e h ou se. Th e Pr op h et
( Peace be u pon h im ) t old ‘Ali t o sleep in h is bed an d cov er h im self w it h h is gr een m an t le an d
assur ed him full secur it y under Allâh’s pr ot ect ion and t old him t hat no har m w ould com e t o him . The
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h en cam e ou t of t h e r oom an d cast a h an df u l of du st a t t h e assassin s
an d m an aged t o w or k h is w ay t h r ou gh t h em r ecit in g v er ses of t h e Noble Qu r ’ân :

• “ An d We h av e pu t a bar r ier bef or e t h em , an d a bar r ier beh in d t h em , an d We h av e

cov er ed t h em u p, so t h at t h ey can n ot see. ” [ 3 6 : 9 ]

He pr oceeded dir ect t o t h e h ou se of Abu Bak r w h o, im m ediat ely accom pan ied h im an d bot h set ou t
sou t h w ar ds, clam ber ed u p t h e lof t y peak of Mou n t ain Th aw r , an d decided t o t ak e r ef u ge in a cav e.

Th e assassin s w h o laid sieg e t o t h e h ou se w er e w ait in g f or t h e zer o h ou r w h en som eon e cam e and

in f or m ed t h em t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad alr eady lef t . Th ey r u sh ed in an d t o t h eir
u t t er su r pr ise, f ou n d t h at t h e per son ly in g in t h e Pr oph et ’s bed w as ‘Ali n ot Mu h am m ad ( Peace be
u pon h im ) . Th is cr eat ed a st ir in t h e w h ole t ow n . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad t h u s lef t h is
h ou se on Safar 2 7 t h , t h e fou r t een t h y ear of Pr oph et h ood, i. e. 1 2 / 1 3 Sept em ber 6 2 2 A. D.

Know ing alr eady t hat Qur aish w ould m obilize all it s pot ent ials t o find him , he play ed a clev er t r ick on
t h em an d in st ead of t a k in g t h e r oad t o Madin ah in n or t h side of Mak k ah as t h e poly t h iest w ou ld
ex pect , h e w alk ed alon g a r oad least ex pect ed ly in g sou t h of Mak k ah an d leadin g t o Yem en . He
w alk ed for 5 m iles u n t il h e r each ed a r ou gh r ock y m ou n t ain called Th aw r . Th er e h is sh oes w er e
w or n ou t , som e said h e u sed t o w alk t ipt oe in or der n ot t o leav e a t r ail beh in d h im . Abu Bak r ( May
Allah be pleased w it h h im ) car r ied h im u p t h e m ou n t ain t o a cav e called aft er t h e n am e of t h e
m ou n t ain , Cav e Th aw r . Abu Bak r fir st en t er ed t o ex plor e t h e cav e an d b e su r e t h at it w as saf e,
closed all h oles w it h pieces t or n of f f r om h is clot h es, clean ed it an d t h en ask ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace
be u pon h im ) t o st ep in . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w en t in an d im m ediat ely laid h is h ead in
Abu Bak r ’s lap and fe ll asleep. Su dden ly Abu Bak r ’s f oot w as st u n g by a poison ou s in sect . I t h u r t so

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m uch t hat his t ear s fell on t he Pr ophet ’s face. The Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) im m ediat ely applied
h is saliv a on Abu Bak r ’s f oot an d t h e pain w en t of f on t h e spot . Th ey con f in ed t h em selv es t o t h is
cav e for t h r ee n igh t s, Fr iday , Sat u r day an d Su n day . ‘Abdu llah , t h e son of Abu Bak r w ou ld go t o see
t h em aft er du sk , st ay t h e n igh t t h er e, appr ise t h em of t h e lat est sit u at ion in Mak k ah , an d t h en leav e
in t he ear ly m or ning t o m ix w it h t h e Mak k an s as u su al an d n ot t o d r aw t h e least at t en t ion t o h is
clandest ine act iv it ies. ‘Am ir bin Fuhair ah, w hile in t he com pany of ot her shepher ds of Mak k ah
t en din g h is m ast er Abu Bak r ’s f lock , u sed t o st ole aw ay u n obser v ed ev er y ev en in g w it h a f ew goat s
t o t he cav e and fur nished it s inm at es w it h a plent iful supply of m ilk .

Qu r aish , on t h e ot h er h an d, w er e qu it e baf f led an d ex asper at ed w h en t h e n ew s of t h e escape of t h e

t w o com panions w as confir m ed. They br ought ‘Ali t o Al-Ka‘bah, beat him br ut ally and co nfined him
t h er e for an h ou r at t em pt in g desper at ely t o m ak e h im div u lge t h e secr et of t h e disappear an ce of t h e
t w o ‘f u git iv es’, bu t t o n o av ail. Th ey t h en w en t t o see Asm a’, Abu Bak r ’s dau gh t er , bu t h er e also
t h eir at t em pt s w en t in v ain . Wh ile at h er door Abu Jah l slapped t h e gir l so sev er ely t h at h er ear r in g
br ok e u p.

Th e n ot ables of Mak k ah con v en ed an em er gen cy session t o det er m in e t h e f u t u r e cou r se of act ion

an d ex plor e all ar eas t h at cou ld h elp ar r est t h e t w o m en . Th ey decided t o block all av en u es leading
ou t of Mak k ah an d im posed h eav y ar m ed su r v eillan ce ov er all pot en t ial ex it s. A pr ice of 1 0 0 cam els
w as set u pon t h e h ead of each on e. Hor sem en , in f an t r y an d t r acer s of t r ack s scou r ed t h e cou n t r y .
On ce t h ey ev en r each ed t h e m ou t h of t h e cav e w h er e t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d Abu
Bak r w er e h idin g. Wh en h e saw t h e en em y at a v er y close dist an ce, Abu Bak r w h isper ed t o t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) : “ Wh at , if t h ey w er e t o look t h r ou gh t h e cr ev ice an d det ect u s?” Th e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in h is God-inspir ed calm r eplied:

• “ Silen ce Abu Bak r ! Wh at do y ou t h in k of t h ose t w o w it h w h om t h e Th ir d is Allâh . ”

I t w as r eally a Div in e m ir acle, t h e ch aser s w er e on ly a f ew st eps f r om t h e cav e.

For t h r ee day s Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d Abu Bak r liv ed in t h e cav e an d Qu r aish

cont inued t heir fr ant ic effor t s t o get hold of t hem .

Som eon e called ‘Abdu llah bin Ur aiqu it , w h o h ad as y et n ot em br aced I slam , bu t w as t r u st ed by Abu
Bak r , an d h ad been h ir ed by h im as a gu ide, r each ed t h e cav e af t er t h r ee n ig h t s accor din g t o a plan
br in gin g w it h h im Abu Bak r ’s t w o cam els. His r epor t sat isfied t h e n oble ‘fu git iv es’ t h at t h e sear ch
h ad slack en ed. Th e oppor t u n it y t o depar t w as com e. Her e Abu Bak r of f er ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
upon him ) t he sw ift anim al t o r ide on. Th e lat t er agr eed pr ov ided t h at h e w ou ld pay it s pr ice. Th ey
t ook w it h t h em t h e f ood pr ov ision s t h at Asm a’, dau gh t er of Abu Bak r , br ou gh t an d t ied in a bu n dle
of h er w aist ban d, af t er t ear in g it in t o t w o par t s, h en ce t h e appellat ion at t ach ed t o h er : “ Asm a ’ of the
t w o w aist ban ds. ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , Abu Bak r an d ‘Am ir bin Fu h air ah depar t ed, an d
t h eir gu ide ‘Abdu llah bin Ur aiqu it led t h em on h ar dly ev er t r odden w ay s alon g t h e coast al r ou t e.
That w as in Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al, 1 st y ear A. H. , i. e. Sept ember 622 A. D. The lit t le car av an t r av elled
t h r ou gh m an y v illages on t h eir w ay t o Qu ba’. I n t h is con t ex t , it is r elev an t t o in t r odu ce som e
in t er est in g in ciden t s t h at f eat u r ed t h eir w ear y in g j ou r n ey :

1. On e day t h ey cou ld f in d n o sh elt er f r om t h e scor ch in g h eat so Abu Bak r ( May Allah be

pleased w it h h im ) cast a glan ce an d f ou n d a lit t le sh ade beside a r ock . He clean ed t h e
gr ou n d, spr ead h is m an t le for t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o lie on an d h im self w en t off
in sear ch of f ood. He cam e acr oss a sh eph er d, a bed ou in b oy , w h o w as also seek in g a
sh elt er . Abu Bak r ask ed h im for som e m ilk an d t ook it t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ,
cooled it w it h som e w at er an d w ait ed t ill t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w ok e u p an d
qu en ch ed h is t h ir st .
2. Wh oev er ask ed Ab u Bak r ( May Allah be pleased w it h him ) abou t t h e iden t it y of h is
h on ou r able com pan ion , h e w ou ld r eply t h at h e w as a m an w h o gu ided h im on h is w ay . Th e
quest ioner w ould t hink t hat Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) w as a guide, in t er m s of r oads,
w h er eas Ab u Bak r u sed t o m ean g u id e t o t h e w ay of r ig h t eou sn ess.
3. Qu r aish , as w e h av e alr eady m en t ion ed, h ad declar ed t h at w h oev er w ou ld seize Mu h am m ad
( Peace be u pon h im ) w ou ld r eceiv e a h u n dr ed cam els as r ew ar d. Th is h ad spu r r ed m an y
per son s t o t r y t h eir lu ck . Am on g t h ose w ho w er e on t h e look ou t f or t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) an d h is com pan ion in or der t o w in t h e r ew ar d w as Su r aqah , t h e son of Malik . He,
on r eceiv in g in f or m at ion t h at a par t y of f ou r , h ad been spot t ed on a cer t ain r ou t e, decided
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 t o p u r su e it secr et ly so th at h e alon e sh ou ld b e t h e w in n er of t h e r ew ar d . He m ou n t ed a
sw if t h or se an d w en t in h ot pu r su it of t h em . On t h e w ay t h e h or se st u m bled an d h e f ell on
t h e gr ou n d. On dr aw in g a lot so as t o div in e w h et h er h e sh ou ld con t in u e t h e ch ase or n ot , as
t h e Ar abs u sed t o do in su ch cir cu m st an ces, h e f ou n d t h e om en s u n pr opit iou s. Bu t t h e lu st
f or m at er ial w ealt h blin ded h im alt oget h er an d h e r esu m ed t h e ch ase. On ce m or e h e m et
w it h t h e sam e f at e b u t p aid n o h eed t o it . Ag ain h e j u m p ed on t o t h e sad d le an d g allop ed at
a b r eak-n eck speed t ill h e cam e qu it e close t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Abu Bak r ’s
h ear t agit at ed an d h e k ept look in g back w h ile t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) r em ain ed
st eadf ast an d con t in u ed r ecit in g v er ses of t h e Qu r ’ân .

• Th e r ep eat ed st u m b lin g of Su r aqah ’s h or se an d h is f allin g of f aw ak en ed h im t o t h e

sit u at ion , an d h e r ealized t h at it w as a con st an t w ar n in g of Allâh f or h is ev il design w h ich h e
con t em plat ed again st t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . He appr oach ed t h e t r av ellin g gr ou p
w it h a p en it en t h ear t an d begged of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) f or giv en ess in all
h u m ilit y . He addr essed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is com pan ion , say in g: “ You r
people ( t he Qur aishit es) hav e pr om ised a gener ous r ew ar d t o any one w ho capt ur es y ou. ” He
added t h at h e of f er ed t h em pr ov ision bu t t h ey declin ed h is of f er . Th ey on ly ask ed h im t o
scr een of f t h eir depar t u r e an d blin d t h e poly t h eist s t o t h eir h idin g place. Th en t h e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) for gav e h im an d con fir m ed it w it h a t ok en w r it t en by ‘Am ir bin
Fu h air ah on a piece of par ch m en t . Su r aqah h u r r ied back t o Mak k ah an d t r ied t o foil t h e
at t em pt s of t h ose w h o w er e in pu r su it of Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is n oble
com pan ion s. Th e sw or n en em y w as con v er t ed in t o an h on est believ er .
I n a v ersion by Abu Bak r ( May Allah be pleased w it h h im ) , h e said: “ We em igr at ed w h ile t h e
Mak k an s w er e in pu r su it of u s. Non e cau gh t u p w it h u s ex cept Su r aqah bin Malik bin
Ju ‘sh am on a h or se. I said: ‘O Messen ger of Allâh , t h is on e h as cau gh t u p w it h u s. ’ Th e
Proph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) r eplied:
• ‘Don’t be cast dow n, v er ily , Allâh is w it h us. ’”

4. The par t y cont inued it s j our ney unt il it r eached t o solit ar y t ent s belonging t o a w om an called
Um m Ma‘bad Al-Kh u za‘iy ah . Sh e w as a g r aciou s lad y w h o sat at h er t en t -door w it h a m at
spr ead ou t f or an y ch an ce t r av eller t h at m igh t pass by t h e w ay . Fat igu ed an d t h ir st y , t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is com pan ion s w an t ed t o r ef r esh t h em selv es w it h f ood
an d som e m ilk . Th e lady t old t h em t h at t h e f lock w as ou t in t h e past u r e an d t h e goat
st an din g n ear by w as alm ost dr y . I t w as a r ain less y ear . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ,
w it h h er per m ission , t ou ch ed it s u dder s, r ecit in g ov er t h em t h e Nam e of Allâh , an d t o t h eir
gr eat j oy , t h er e flow ed plen t y of m ilk ou t of t h em . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) fir st
o ff er ed t h at t o t h e lad y of t h e h ou se, an d h e sh ar ed w h at w as lef t w it h t h e m em b er s of t h e
par t y . Befor e he left , he m ilk ed t he goat , filled t he cont ainer and gav e it t o Um m Ma‘bad.
Lat er on , h er h u sban d ar r iv ed w it h slen der goat s h ar dly h av in g an y m ilk in t h eir u dder s. He
w as ast on ish ed t o see m ilk in t h e h ou se. His w if e t old h im t h at a blessed m an passed by t h e
w ay , an d t h en sh e gav edet ails abou t h is ph y sical appear an ce an d m an n er of t alk . Her e Abu
Ma‘b ad r ealized on t h e sp ot t h at t h e m an w as t h e on e w h om Q ur aish w er e sear ching for and
ask ed h er t o giv e f u ll descr ipt ion of h im . Sh e gav e a w on der f u l accou n t of h is ph y siqu e an d
m an n er s, t o w h ich w e w ill go in det ail lat er in t h e pr ocess of t alk in g abou t h is at t r ibu t es an d
m erit s.

• Abu Ma‘bad, aft er list enin g t o h is w if e’s accou n t , ex pr essed a sin cer e w ish t o accom pan y
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w h en ev er t h at w as possible, an d r eit er at ed h is adm ir at ion
in v er ses of poet r y t h at ech oed all ov er Mak k ah t o su ch an ex t en t t h at t h e people t h er ein
t h ou g h t it w as a j inn inculcat ing w or ds in t heir ear s. Asm a’, daught er of Abu Bak r , on
h ear in g t h ose lin es, g ot t o k n ow t h at t h e t w o com p an ion s w er e h ead in g f or Mad in ah . Th e
sh or t poem open ed w it h t h an k s giv in g t o Allâh h av in g giv en t h em ( t h e Ma‘bads) t h e ch an ce
t o h ost t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) f or a w h ile. I t t h en gav e an accou n t of t h e bliss
t h at w ou ld set t le in t h e h ear t of t h e Pr op h et ’s com p an ion w h osoev er h e w as; it closed w it h
an in v it at ion t o all m an k in d t o com e an d see by t h em selv es Um m Ma‘bad, h er goat an d t h e
con t ain er of m ilk t h at w ou ld all t est if y t o t h e t r u t h f u ln ess of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
him ).

5. On h is w ay t o Madin ah , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) m et Abu Bu r aidah , on e of t h ose

dr iv en by t h eir lu st for t h e r ew ar d of Qu r aish . No soon er did h e f ace t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) an d t alk w it h h im , t h an h e em br aced I slam alon g w it h sev en t y of h is m en . He

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 t ook of f h is t u r ban , t ied it r ou n d h is lan ce an d t ook it as a ban n er bear in g w it n ess t h at t h e
an gel of secu r it y an d peace h ad com e t o im bu e t h e w h ole w or ld w it h j u st ice an d f air n ess.
6. Th e t w o Em igr an t s r esu m ed t h eir j ou r n ey . I t w as du r in g t h is t im e t h at t h ey m et Az -Zubair
at t h e h ead of a car av an r et u r n in g f r om Sy r ia. Th er e w as w ar m gr eet in g an d Az -Zubair
p r esen t ed t o t h em t w o w h it e g ar m en t s w hich t hey t hank fully accept ed.

On Monday , 8t h Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al, t h e f ou r t een t h y ear of Pr oph et h ood, i. e. Sept em ber 2 3 r d. 6 2 2 , t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ar r iv ed at Qu ba’.
As soon as t h e n ew s of Mu h am m ad’s ar r iv al began t o spr ead, cr ow ds cam e f lock in g ou t of Madinah .
Th ey w ou ld com e ev er y m or n in g an d w ait eager ly f or h is appear an ce u n t il f or ced by t h e u n bear able
h eat of t h e m id d ay su n t o r et u r n . On e d ay t h ey h ad g on e as u su al, an d af t er a lon g w ait an d w at ch
t h ey r et ir ed t o t h e cit y w h en a Jew , cat ch in g a glim pse of t h r ee t r av eller s clad in w h it e w in din g t h eir
w ay t o Madin ah , sh ou t ed f r om t h e t op of a h illock : “ O y ou people of Ar abia! You r gr an df at h er h as
com e! He, w h om y ou h av e been eager ly w ait in g for , h as com e! ” Th e Mu slim s im m ediat ely r u sh ed
h oldin g t h eir w eapon s, ( t o def en d h im ) . Th e j oy f u l n ew s soon spr ead t h r ou gh t h e cit y an d people
m ar ch ed f or w ar d t o gr eet t h eir n oble gu est .
I bn Al-Qay y im said: “ The shout s of ‘Allâhu Akbar’ ( Allâh is Gr eat ) r esounded in Banu ‘Am r bin ‘Auf.
Muham m ad’s ( Peace be upon him ) elat ion cor r espon din gly in cr eased, bu t w it h r ar e sen se of t im in g
an d pr opr iet y , called a h alt . Ser en it y en v eloped h im an d t h e ñ ev elat ion w as sen t dow n :
• “ . . . t hen v er ily , Allâh is his Maula ( Lor d, Mast er or Pr ot ect or ) , and Gabr iel, and t he
r ig h t eou s amon g t h e believ er s, - an d f u r t h er m or e, t h e an gels - ar e his helper s. ” [ 6 6 : 4 ]
‘Ur w ah bin Az -Z u bair said: Th ey r eceiv ed t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) , an d w en t
w it h t h em t o t h e r igh t . Th er e Ban u ‘Am r bin ‘Aw f h ost ed h im . Th at w as on Mon day , Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al.
He sat d ow n silen t , an d Al-Ansar ( t h e Helper s) , w h o h ad n ot h ad t h e oppor t u n it y t o see h im bef or e,
cam e in t o gr eet h im : I t is said t h at t h e su n becam e t oo h ot so Abu Bak r st ood u p t o sh ade h im
f r om t h e h ot su n r ay s. I t w as r eally an u n pr eceden t ed day in Madin ah . Th e Jew s cou ld per ceiv e
con cr et ely t h e v er acit y of t h eir Pr oph et Habqu q, w h o said: ‘God h as com e fr om At -Taim an, and t he
Qu du s on e fr om Far an Mou n t . ’
Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) st ay ed in Quba’ w it h Kult hum bin Al-Hadm , a h ospit able chief of
t h e t r ibe of ‘Am r bin ‘Aw f. Her e h e spen t fou r day s: Mon day , Tu esday , Wedn esday an d Th u r sday . I t
w as du r in g t h is per iod t h at t h e f ou n dat ion of Qu ba’ Mosqu e w as laid on t h e basis of pu r e piet y . ‘Ali
h u n g back in Mak k ah f or t h r ee day s t o r et u r n t h e t r u st s, on b eh alf of t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
him ) , t o t heir r espect iv e ow ner s. Aft er t hat he st ar t ed his em igr at ion j our ney t o cat ch up w it h him at
Qu ba’.
On Fr iday m or ning, t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) , sent for Bani An -Naj j ar , his m at er nal uncles,
t o com e an d escor t h im an d Abu Bak r t o Madin ah . He r ode t ow ar ds t h e n ew h eadqu ar t er s am idst
t h e cor dial gr eet in gs of h is Madin ese f ollow er s w h o h ad lin ed h is pat h . He h alt ed at a place in t h e
v ale of Banu Salim and t her e he per for m ed his Fr iday pr ay er w it h a h u n d r ed ot h er s. Mean w h ile t h e
t r ibes an d f am ilies of Madin ah , t h e n ew n am e f or Yat h r ib an d a sh or t f or m of ‘Th e Messen ger ’s
Madinah ( Cit y ) ’, cam e st r eam ing for t h, and v ied w it h one anot her in inv it ing t he noble v isit or t o
t h eir h om es. Th e gir ls of th e Madin ese u sed t o ch an t beau t if u l v er ses of w elcom e r ich in all
m ean in g s of ob ed ien ce an d d u t if u ln ess t o t h e n ew Messen g er .
Th ou gh n ot w ealt h y , ev er y Ansar ( Help er ) w as w h oleh ear t ed ly eag er an d an x iou s t o r eceiv e t h e
Messen g er in h is h ou se. I t w as in d eed a t r ium phal pr ocession. Ar ound t he cam el of Muham m ad
( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is im m ediat e follow er s, r ode t h e ch iefs of t h e cit y in t h eir best r aim en t
an d in glit t er in g ar m ou r , ev er y on e say in g: “ Aligh t h er e O Messen ger of Allâh , abide by u s. ”
Muham m ad (Peace be u pon h im ) u sed t o an sw er ev er y on e cou r t eou sly an d k in dly : “ Th is cam el is
com m an ded by Allâh , w h er ev er it st ops, t h at w ill be m y abode. ”
Th e cam el m ov ed on w ar d w it h slack en ed r ein , r each ed t h e sit e of t h e Pr oph et ic Mosqu e an d k n elt
d ow n . He d id n ot dism ount unt il it r ose up again, w ent on for w ar d, t ur ned back and t hen r et ur ned t o
k n eel dow n in t h e v er y for m er spot . Her e, h e aligh t ed in a qu ar t er in h abit ed by Ban u Naj j ar , a t r ibe
r elat ed t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) f r om t h e m at er n al side. I n f act , it w as h is w ish t o
honour his m at er nal uncles and liv e am ong t hem . The for t unat e host , Abu Ay y ub Al-An sar i, st epped
for w ar d w it h u n bou n ded j oy for t h e Div in e blessin g appr opr iat ed t o h im , w elcom ed t h e Noble Gu est
an d solicit ed h im t o en t er h is h ou se.
A f ew day s lat er , t h er e ar r iv ed t h e Pr oph et ’s spou se Saw dah , h is t w o dau gh t er s Fat im ah an d Um m
Kult hum , Usam a bin Zaid, Um m Aim an, ‘Abdullah — son of Abu Bak r w it h Abu Bak r ’s h ou se-h old
including ‘Aishah ( May Allah be pleased w it h her ) . Z ain ab w as n ot a ble t o em igr at e an d st ay ed w it h
h er h u sban d Abi Al-‘As t ill Badr Bat t le.
‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) said: “ Wh en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
ar r iv ed in Madin ah , bot h Abu Bak r an d Bilal fell ill. I u sed t o at t en d t o t h eir n eeds. Wh en t h e f ev er
t ook fir m gr ip of Abu Bak r h e u sed t o r ecit e v er ses of poet r y t h at sm ack ed of n ear deat h ; Bilal,

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w h en t h e f it of f ev er allev iat ed, w ou ld also r ecit e v er ses of poet r y t h at poin t ed t o clear
h om esick n ess. ” ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) added:
“ I br ief ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) on t h eir gr av e sit u at ion , an d h e r eplied: O Allâh , w e
en t r eat You t o est ab lish in ou r h ear t s a st r on g lov e f or Mad in ah eq u al t o t h at w e u sed t o h av e f or
Mak k ah , or ev en m or e. O Allâh , bless an d in cr ease t h e w ealt h of Mad in ah an d w e b eseech You t o
t r an sm u t e it s r ot t en m u d in t o w h olesom e edible f at . ”

LI FE I N M ADI N AH :
Th e Madin ese er a cou ld be div ided in t o t h r ee ph ases:

1. Th e f ir st ph ase w as ch ar act er ized by t oo m u ch t r ou ble an d discor d, an d t oo m an y obst acles

fr om w it h in cou pled by a h ost ile w av e fr om w it h ou t aim in g at t ot al ex t er m in at ion of t h e
r ising fait h. I t ended w it h Al-Hudaibiy ah Peace Tr eat y in Dhul Qa‘da 6 A. H.
2. Th e secon d p h ase f eat u r ed a t r u ce w it h t h e p ag an lead er sh ip an d en d ed in t h e con q u est of
Mak k ah in Ram adan 8 A. H. I t also w it n essed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in v it in g k in gs
bey on d Ar abia t o en t er t h e fold of I slam .
3. I n t h e t h ir d ph ase, people cam e t o em br ace I slam in h ost s. Tr ibes an d ot h er folk s ar r iv ed in
Mad in ah t o p ay h om ag e t o t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) . I t en d ed at t h e d eat h of t h e
Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) in Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al 11 A. H.

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 TH E FI RST PH ASE TH E STATUS QUO I N M AD I N AH AT TH E TI M E OF EM I GRATI ON

Em igr at ion t o Madin ah cou ld n ev er be at t r ibu t able t o at t em pt s t o escape fr om j eer s and oppr ession
on ly , bu t it also con st it u t ed a sor t of cooper at ion w it h t h e aim of er ect in g t h e pillar s of a n ew societ y
in a secu r e place. Hen ce it w as in cu m ben t u pon ev er y capable Mu slim t o con t r ibu t e t o bu ildin g t h is
new hom eland, im m unizin g it an d h oldin g u p it s pr op. As a leader an d spir it u al gu ide, t h er e w as n o
dou bt t h e Noble Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) , in w h ose h an ds ex clu siv ely all af f air s w ou ld be
r esolv ed.

I n Madin ah , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad t o deal w it h t h r ee dist in ct ively different cat egories
of people w it h differ en t r espect iv e pr oblem s:

1. His Com pan ion s, t h e n oble an d Allâh fear in g elit e ( May Allah be pleased w it h t h em ) .
2. Poly t h eist s st ill det ach ed f r om t h e I slam an d w er e pu r ely Madin ese t r ibes.
3. Th e Jew s.

1 . As for h is Com pan ion s, t h e con dit ion s of life in Madin ah w er e t ot ally differ en t fr om t h ose
t h ey ex per ien ced in Mak k ah . Th er e, in Mak k ah , t h ey u sed t o st r iv e for on e cor por at e t ar get ,
bu t ph y sically , t h ey w er e scat t er ed, ov er pow er ed an d f or sak en . Th ey w er e h elple ss in terms
of pur suing t heir new cour se of or ient at ion. Their m eans, socially and m at er ially , fell shor t of
est ablish in g a n ew Mu slim com m u n it y . I n par allel lin es, t h e Mak k an Ch apt er s of t h e Noble
Qu r ’ân w er e con f in ed t o delin eat in g t h e I slam ic pr ecept s, enact ing legislat ions per t aining t o
t h e believ er s in div idu ally an d en j oin in g good an d piet y an d for biddin g ev ils an d v ices.
I n Madin ah , t h in gs w er e ot h er w ise; h er e all t h e af f air s of t h eir lif e r est ed in t h eir h an ds.
Now , t h ey w er e at ease an d cou ld q u it e confident ly handle t he challenges of civ ilizat ion,
const r uct ion, m eans of liv ing, econom ics, polit ics, gov er nm ent adm inist r at ion, w ar and
peace, codificat ion of t he quest ions of t he allow ed and pr ohibit ed, w or ship, et hics and all t he
r elev an t issu es. I n a n u t sh ell, t h ey w er e in Madin ah at fu ll liber t y t o er ect t h e pillar s of a
new Muslim com m unit y not only ut t er ly differ ent fr om t hat pr e -I slam ic code of life, but also
dist in ct iv e in it s f eat u r es in t h e w or ld at lar ge. I t w as a societ y t h at cou ld st an d f or t h e
I slam ic Call f or w h ose sak e t h e Mu slim s h ad been pu t t o u n speak able t or t u r es f or 1 0 y ear s.
No dou bt , t h e con st r u ct ion of a societ y t h at r u n s in lin e w it h t h is t y pe of et h ics can n ot be
accom plish ed ov er n igh t , w it h in a m on t h or a y ear . I t r equ ir es a lon g t im e t o build dur ing
w hich legislat ion and legalizat ion w ill r un gr adually in a com plem ent ar y pr ocess w it h m ind
cult iv at ion, t r aining and educat ion. Allâh, t he All-Kn ow in g, of cou r se u n der t ook legislat ion
and His Pr ophet Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) , im p lem en t at ion an d or ien t at ion :
• “ He it is Wh o sen t am on g t h e u n let t er ed on es a Messen ger [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be
upon him ) fr om am ong t hem selv es, r ecit ing t o t hem His Ver ses, pur ify ing t hem
( fr om t h e filt h of disbelief an d poly t h eism ) , an d t each in g t h em t h e Book ( t his
Qur ’ân, I slam ic law s and I slam ic Jur ispr udence) and Al-Hikm ah [ As-Su n n a: legal
w ay s, or der s, act s of w or sh ip, et c. of t h e Pr oph et Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon
him ) ] .” [ 62: 2]
Th e Pr oph et ’s Com pan ion ( May Allah be pleased w it h ) , r u sh ed en t h u siast ically t o assim ilat e
t hese Qur ’ânic r ules and fill t heir hear t s j oy fully w it h t hem :
• “ An d w h en His Ver ses ( t h is Qu r ’ân ) ar e r ecit ed u n t o t h em , t h ey ( i. e. t h e Ver ses)
incr ease t heir Fait h. ” [ 8: 2]
Wit h r espect t o t h e Mu slim s, t h is t ask con st it u t ed t h e gr eat est ch allen ge f or t h e Messen ger
of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) . I n fact , t his v er y p u r pose lay at t h e h ear t of t h e I slam ic Call
an d t h e Mu h am m adan m ission ; it w as n ev er an in ciden t al issu e t h ou gh t h er e w er e t h e
m at t er s t h at r equ ir ed u r gen t addr essin g.
The Muslim s in Madinah consist ed v ir t ually of t w o par t ies: The fir st one alr eady set t le d down
in t h eir abode, lan d an d w ealt h , f u lly at ease, bu t seeds of discor d am on gst t h em w er e
deeply seat ed an d ch r on ic en m it y con t in u ally ev ok ed; t h ey w er e Al-Ansar ( t he Helpers) . The
secon d p ar t y w er e Al-Muhaj ir un ( t h e Em igr an t s) , h om eless, j obless an d penniless. Their
n u m ber w as n ot sm all, on t h e con t r ar y , it w as in cr easin g day by day af t er t h e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad giv en t h em t h e gr een ligh t t o leav e f or Madin ah w h ose econ om ic
st r u ct u r e, or igin ally n ot t h at pr osper ou s on e, began t o sh ow sign s of im balance aggr av at ed
by t h e econ om ic boy cot t t h at t h e an t i-I slam ic gr ou ps im posed an d con sequ en t ly im por t s
dim in ish ed an d liv in g con dit ion s w or sen ed.

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 2. Th e pu r ely Madin ese poly t h eist s con st it u t ed t h e secon d sect or w it h w h om t h e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad t o deal. Th ose people h ad n o con t r ol at all ov er t h e Mu slim . Som e
of t h em n u r sed n o gr u dge again st t h e Mu slim s, bu t w er e r at h er sk ept ical of t h eir an cest or s’
r eligiou s pr act ices, an d dev eloped t en t at iv e in clin at ion t ow ar ds I slam an d bef or e lon g t h ey
em br aced t h e n ew f ait h an d w er e t r u ly dev ot ed t o Allâh . How ev er , som e ot h er s h ar bou r ed
ev il in t en t ion s again st t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is f ollow er s bu t w er e t oo
cow ar dly t o r esist t h em pu blicly , t h ey w er e r at h er , u n der t h ose I slam ically fav ou rab le
condit ions, obliged t o fak e am icabilit y and fr iendliness. ‘Abdullah bin Ubai, w ho had alm ost
been giv en pr esiden cy ov er Al-Kh azr aj an d Al-Aw s t r ibes in t h e w ak e of Bu ‘at h War bet w een
t h e t w o t r ibes, cam e at t h e h ead of t h at gr ou p of h y pocr it es. Th e Prop h et ’s ad v en t an d t h e
v igor ou s r ise of t h e n ew spir it of I slam f oiled t h at or ien t at ion an d t h e idea soon w en t in t o
obliv ion. He, seeing anot her one, Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) , com ing t o depr iv e him
an d h is agen t s of t h e pr ospect iv e t em por al pr iv ileges, cou ld n ot b e p leased , an d f or
ov er r idin g r eason s h e sh ow ed pr et en sion t o I slam bu t w it h h or r ible disbelief deeply -r oot ed
in h is h ear t . He also u sed t o ex p loit som e ev en t s an d w eak-h ear t ed n ew con v er t s in
sch em in g m alev olen t ly again st t h e t r u e believ er s.

3. Th e Jew s ( t h e Hebr ew s) , w h o h ad m igr at ed t o Al-Hij az fr om Sy r ia follow ing t he By zant ine

an d Assy r ian per secu t ion cam paign s, w er e t h e t h ir d cat egor y ex ist en t on t h e dem ogr aph ic
scen e in Madin ah . I n t h eir n ew abode t h ey assu m ed t h e Ar abian st am p in dr ess, la n g u ag e
an d m an n er of lif e an d t h er e w er e in st an ces of in t er m ar r iage w it h t h e local Ar abs, h ow ev er
t h ey r et ain ed t h eir et h n ic par t icu lar ism an d det ach ed t h em selv es fr om am algam at ion w it h
t h e im m ediat e en v ir on m en t . Th ey ev en u sed t o pr ide in t h eir Jew ish -I sraeli or igin, and
spu r n t h e Ar abs ar ou n d design at in g t h em as illit er at e m ean in g br u t al, n aïv e an d back w ar d.
Th ey desir ed t h e w ealt h of t h eir n eigh bou r s t o be m ade law f u l t o t h em an d t h ey cou ld t h u s
appr opr iat e it t h e w ay t h ey lik ed.

• “ … b ecau se t h ey say : “ Th er e is n o b lam e on u s t o b et r ay an d t ak e t h e p r op er t ies of t h e

illit er at es ( Ar abs) ” [ 3: 75]
Religiou sly , t h ey sh ow ed n o zeal; t h eir m ost obv iou s r eligiou s com m odit y w as for t u n et ellin g,
w it ch cr af t an d t h e secr et ar t s ( blow in g on kn ot s) , f or w h ich t h ey u sed t o at t ach t o t h em selv es
adv an t ages of scien ce an d spir it u al pr eceden ce.
Th ey ex celled at t h e ar t s of ear n in g m on ey an d t r adin g. Th ey in fact m on opolized t r adin g in cer eals,
dat es, w in e, clot h es, ex por t an d im por t . For t h e ser v ices t h ey of f er ed t o t h e Ar abs, t h e lat t er paid
h eav ily . Usu r y w as a com m on pr act ice am on gst t h em , len din g t h e Ar ab n ot ables gr eat su m s t o be
squander ed on m er cenar y poet s, and in v anit y av enues, and in r et ur n seizing t heir fer t ile land giv en
as su r et y .
Th ey w er e v er y g ood at cor r u p t in g an d sch em in g . Th ey u sed t o sow seed s of d iscor d b et w een
adj acen t t r ibes an d en t ice each on e t o h at ch plot s again st t h e ot h er w it h t h e n at u r al cor ollar y of
con t in u al ex h au st iv e bloody figh t in g. Wh en ev er t h ey felt t h at fir e of h at r ed w as ab ou t t o su b sid e,
t h ey w ou ld n ou r ish it w it h n ew m ean s of per pet u it y so t h at t h ey cou ld alw ay s h av e t h e u pper h an d,
an d at t h e sam e t im e g ain h eav y in t er est r at es on loan s sp en t on in t er-t r ibal w ar far e.
Th r ee f am ou s t r ibes of Jew s con st it u t ed t h e dem ogr aph ic pr esen ce in Yat h r ib ( n ow Madin ah ) : Ban u
Qainuqua‘, allies of Al-Khazr aj t r ibe, Banu An -Nadir an d Ban u Qu r aizah w h o allied Al-Aw s an d
in h abit ed t h e su bu r bs of Madin ah .
Nat u r ally t h ey h eld t h e n ew ch an g es w it h ab h or r en ce an d w er e t er r ib ly h ateful t o t hem , sim ply
becau se t h e Messen ger of Allâh w as of a dif f er en t r ace, an d t h is poin t w as in it self t oo r epu gn an t f or
t h em t o r econ cile w it h . Secon d, I slam cam e t o br abou t a spir it of r appor t , t o t er m in at e t h e st at e of
en m it y an d h at r ed , an d t o est ab lish a social r egim e based on den u n ciat ion of t h e pr oh ibit ed an d
pr om ot ion of t h e allow ed. Adh er en ce t o t h ese can on s of lif e im plied pav in g t h e w ay f or an Ar ab
u n it y t h at cou ld w or k t o t h e pr ej u dice of t h e Jew s an d t h eir in t er est s at bot h t h e social an d
e con om ic lev els; t h e Ar ab t r ibes w ou ld t h en t r y t o r est or e t h eir w ealt h an d lan d m isappr opr iat ed by
t h e Jew s t h r ou gh u su r iou s pr act ices.
Th e Jew s of cou r se deeply con sider ed all t h ese t h in gs ev er sin ce t h ey h ad k n ow n t h at t h e I slam ic
Call w ou ld t r y t o set t le in Yat h r ib, an d it w as n o su r pr ise t o discov er t h at t h ey h ar bou r ed t h e m ost
en m it y an d h at r ed t o I slam an d t h e Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) ev en t h ou gh t h ey did n ot h av e
t h e cou r age t o u n cov er t h eir f eelin gs in t h e begin n in g.
The follow ing incident could at t est clear ly t o t h at abom in able an t ipat h y t h at t h e Jew s h ar bou r ed
t ow ar ds t h e n ew polit ical an d r eligiou s ch an ges t h at cam e t o st am p t h e lif e of Madin ah . I bn I sh aq,
on t h e au t h or it y of t h e Mot h er of believ er s Safiy ah ( May Allah be pleased h er ) n ar r ated: Safiy ah,
daught er of Huy ay i bin Ak ht ab said: I w as t he closest child t o m y fat her and m y uncle Abi Yasir ’s
h ear t . Wh en ev er t h ey saw m e w it h a ch ild of t h eir s, t h ey sh ou ld pam per m e so t en der ly t o t h e

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ex clu sion of an y on e else. How ev er , w it h t h e adv en t o f t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
and set t ing in Quba’ w it h Bani ‘Am r bin ‘Aw f, m y fat her , Huy ay i bin Ak ht ab and m y uncle Abu Yasir
bin Ak h t ab w en t t o see h im an d did n ot r et u r n u n t il su n set w h en t h ey cam e back w alk in g lazily an d
fully dej ect ed. I , as usually , hur r ied t o m eet t hem sm iling, but t hey w ould not t ur n t o m e for t he
gr ief t hat caught t hem . I hear d m y uncle Abu Yasir say t o Ubai and Huy ay i: “ I s it r eally he [ i. e.
Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] ?” The for m er said: “ I t is he, I sw ear by Allâh! ” “ Did y ou r eally
r ecogn ize h im ?” t h ey ask ed. He an sw er ed: “ Yes, an d m y h ear t is bu r n in g w it h en m it y t ow ar ds h im ”
An in t er est in g st or y t h at t ook place on t h e f ir st day , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) st epped in
Madin ah , cou ld be qu ot ed t o illu st r at e t he m ent al dist ur bance and deep anx iet y t hat beset t he Jew s.
‘Abdu llah bin Salam , t h e m ost lear n ed r abbi am on g t h e Jew s cam e t o see t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) w h en h e ar r iv ed, an d ask ed h im cer t ain qu est ion s t o ascer t ain h is r eal Pr oph et h ood. No
so o n er d id h e h ear t h e Pr op h et ’s an sw er s t h an h e em b r aced I slam , b u t ad d ed t h at if h is p eop le
k n ew of h is I slam izat ion t h ey w ou ld adv an ce f alse ar gu m en t s again st m e. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) sen t f or som e Jew s an d ask ed t h em abou t ‘Abdu llah bin Salam , t h ey t est ified t o h is
sch olar ly apt it u de an d v ir t u ou s st an din g. Her e it w as div u lged t o t h em t h at h e h ad em br aced I slam
an d on t h e spot , t h ey im par t ed cat egor ically opposit e t est im on ies an d descr ibed h im as t h e m ost
ev il of all ev ils. I n anot her nar r at ion ‘Ab dullah bin Salam said, “ O Jew s! Be Allâh fear ing. By Allâh,
t h e on ly On e, y ou k n ow t h at h e is t h e Messen ger of Allâh sen t t o people w it h t h e Tr u t h . ” Th ey
r eplied, “ You ar e ly in g. ” . . . Th at w as t h e Pr oph et ’s fir st ex per ien ce w it h t h e Jew s.
Th at w as t h e d emo -polit ical pict ur e w it hin Madinah. Fiv e hundr ed k ilom et r es aw ay in Mak k ah, t her e
st ill lay anot her sour ce of det r im ent al t hr eat , t he ar chenem y of I slam , Qur aish. For t en y ear s, w hile
at t h e m er cy of Qu r aish , t h e Mu slim s w er e su bj ect ed t o all sor t s of t er r or ism , boy cot t , har assm ent
an d st ar v at ion cou pled by a lar ge scale pain st ak in g psy ch ological w ar an d aggr essiv e or gan ized
p r op ag an d a. Wh en t h ey h ad em ig r at ed t o Mad in ah , t h eir lan d , w ealt h an d p r op er t y w er e seized ,
w iv es det ain ed an d t h e socially h u m ble in r an k br u t ally t or t u r ed. Qu r aish also sch em ed an d m ade
at t em pt s on t he life of t he fir st figur e of t he Call, Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) . Due t o t heir
ack n ow ledged t em por al leader sh ip an d r eligiou s su pr em acy am on g t h e pagan Ar abs, giv en t h e
cu st odian sh ip of t h e Sacr ed San ct u ar y , t h e Qu r aish it es spar ed n o ef f or t in en t icin g t h e Ar abian s
again st Madin ah an d boy cot t in g t h e Madin ese socially an d econ om ically . To qu ot e Mu h am m ad Al-
Gh azali: “ A st at e of w ar v ir t u ally ex ist ed bet w een t h e Mak k an t y r an t s an d t h e Mu slim s in t heir
abode. I t is f oolish t o blam e t h e Mu slim s f or t h e h or r ible con sequ en ces t h at w er e bou n d t o en su e in
t h e ligh t of t h at lon g-st an din g f eu d. ”
Th e Mu slim s in Madin ah w er e com plet ely eligible t h en t o con f iscat e t h e w ealt h of t h ose t y r an t s,
m et e ou t f or t h em ex em plar y pu n ish m en t an d br in g t w ofold r et aliat ion on t h em in or der t o det er
t hem fr om com m it t ing any folly against t he Muslim s and t heir sanct it ies.
Th at w as a r esu m e of t h e m aj or pr oblem s t h at t h e Pr oph et Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad t o
f ace, an d t h e com p licat ed issu es h e w as su p p osed t o r esolv e.
I n full ack now ledgm ent , w e could safely say t hat he quit e honest ly shoulder ed t he r esponsibilit ies of
Messen ger sh ip, an d clev er ly disch ar ged t h e liabilit ies of bot h t em por al an d r eligiou s leader ship in
Madinah. He accor ded t o ev er y one his due por t ion w het her of m er cy or punishm ent , w it h t he for m er
u su ally season in g t h e lat t er in t h e ov er all pr ocess of est ablish in g I slam on f ir m gr ou n ds am on g it s
f ait h f u l adh er en t s.

A N EW SOCI ETY BEI N G BUI LT

W e h av e alr eady m en t ion ed t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) ar r iv ed in Madin ah on

Fr iday , 12t h Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al 1 A. H. , i. e. Sept em ber 2 7 t h. 6 2 2 A. D. and t ook t he dow nst air s of Abi
Ay y u b’s h ou se as a t em por ar y r esiden ce.

The fir st t ask t o w hich t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) at t en ded on h is ar r iv al in Madin ah w as t h e

con st r u ct ion of a Mosqu e, in t h e v er y sit e w h er e h is cam el k n elt dow n . Th e lan d, w h ich belon ged t o
t w o or ph an s, w as pu r ch ased. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h im self con t r ibu t ed t o bu ildin g t h e
Mosqu e by car r y in g adobe br ick s an d st on es w h ile r ecit in g v er ses:

• “ O Allâh ! n o bliss is t h er e bu t t h at of t h e Her eaf t er , I beseech y ou t o f or giv e t h e

Em igr an t s an d Helper s. ”

Th e g r ou n d w as clear ed , of w eed s an d sh r u b s, p alm t r ees an d r u b b ish, t he graves of t he polyt heist s

d u g u p an d t h en lev elled an d t h e t r ees p lan t ed ar ou n d . Th e Qiblah ( t he dir ect ion in w hich t he
Muslim s t ur n t heir faces in pr ay er ) w as const r uct ed t o face Jer usalem ; t w o beam s w er e also er ect ed
t o hold t he ceiling up. I t w as squ ar e in for m , each side m easu r in g appr ox im at ely 1 0 0 y ar ds, facin g

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t ow ar ds t h e n or t h an d h av in g t h r ee gat es on each of t h e r em ain in g sides. Near by , r oom s r eser v ed
f or t h e Pr oph et ’s h ou seh old w er e bu ilt of st on es an d adobe br ick s w it h ceilin gs of palm l eav es. To
t h e n or t h of t h e Mosqu e a place w as r eser v ed f or t h e Mu slim s w h o h ad n eit h er f am ily n or h om e. Th e
Adhân ( su m m on in g t h e Mu slim s t o t h e Mosqu e by t h e Call for pr ay er ) w as in it iat ed at t h is ear ly
st ag e of p ost -m igr at ion er a. Th e Mosqu e w as n ot m er ely a locu s t o per for m pr ay er s, bu t r at h er an
I slam ic leagu e w h er e t h e Mu slim ’s w er e in st r u ct ed in I slam an d it s doct r in es. I t ser v ed as an
assem bly place w h er e t h e con flict in g pr e -I slam ic t r en ds u sed t o com e t o t er m s; it w as t h e
h ead q u ar t er w h er ein all t h e af f air s of t h e Mu slim s w er e adm in ist er ed, an d con su lt at iv e an d
ex ecut iv e councils held.

Th e Mosqu e bein g t h u s con st r u ct ed, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) n ex t t u r n ed h is at t en t ion t o

cem en t in g t h e t ies of m u t u al br ot h er h ood am on gst t h e Mu slim s of Madin ah , Al-Ansar ( t he Helper s)
an d Al-Muhaj ir un ( t h e Em igr an t s) . I t w as in deed u n iqu e in t h e h ist or y of t h e w or ld. A gat h er in g of
9 0 m en , h alf of w h om Em igr an t s an d t h e ot h er s Helper s assem bled in t h e h ou se of An as bin Malik
w h er e t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) gav e t h e spir it of br ot h er h ood h is of f icial blessin g. Wh en
eit h er of t h e t w o per son s w h o h ad been pair ed as br ot h er s, passed aw ay , h is pr oper t y w as in h er it ed
b y h is b r ot h er-in -fait h . Th is pr act ice con t in u ed t ill t h e follow in g v er se w as r ev ealed at t h e t im e of
t h e bat t le of Badr , an d t h e r egu lar r u le of in h er it an ce w as allow ed t o t ak e it s u su al cou r se:

• “ Bu t k in dr ed by blood ar e n ear er t o on e an ot h er r egar din g in h er it an ce. ” [ 8 : 7 5 ]

“ Br ot h er h ood-in -fait h” t o quot e Muham m ad Al-Gh azali again , “ w as h oldin g su bor din at e ev er y
dist in ct ion of r ace an d k in dr ed an d su ppor t in g t h e I slam ic pr ecept : n on e is su per io r t o t h e ot h er
ex cep t on t h e b asis of p iet y an d God -fear ing. ”

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) at t ach ed t o t h at br ot h er h ood a v alid con t r act ; it w as n ot j u st

m ean in gless w or ds bu t r at h er a v alid pr act ice r elat in g t o blood an d w ealt h r at h er t h an a passin g
w him t ak ing t he for m of accident al gr eet ing.

Th e at m osp h er e of b r ot h er h ood an d f ellow -f eelin g cr eat ed a spir it of self lessn ess in f u sed deeply in
t h e h ear t s of h is follow er s, an d pr odu ced v er y h ealt h y r esu lt s. For ex am ple, Sa‘d bin Ar -Rabi‘, a
Helper , said t o his fellow br ot her ‘Abdur Rahm an bin ‘Aw f, “ I am t he r ichest m an am ongst t he
Helper s. I am glad t o sh ar e m y pr oper t y h alf an d h alf w it h y ou . I h av e t w o w iv es, I am r eady t o
div or ce on e an d aft er t h e ex pir y of h er ‘I ddah , ( t h e pr escr ibed per iod f or a w oman div or cee t o st ay
w it h in h er h ou se u n m ar r ied) y ou m ay m ar r y h er . ” Bu t ‘Abdu r Rah m an bin ‘Aw f w as n ot pr epar ed t o
accept an y t h in g: n eit h er pr oper t y n or h om e. So h e blessed h is br ot h er an d said: “ Kin dly dir ect m e
t o t he m ar k et so t hat I m ay m ak e m y for t une w it h m y ow n h an d s. ” An d h e d id p r osp er an d g ot
m ar r ied v er y shor t ly by his ow n labour .

Th e Helper s w er e ex t r em ely gen er ou s t o t h eir br et h r en -in -fait h . Abu Hu r air ah r epor t ed t h at t h ey

on ce ap p r oach ed t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w it h t h e r eq u est t h at t heir orchards of palm t rees
sh ou ld be dist r ibu t ed equ ally bet w een t h e Mu slim s of Madin ah an d t h eir br et h r en fr om Mak k ah . Bu t
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as r elu ct an t t o pu t t h is h eav y bu r den u pon t h em . I t w as,
h ow ev er , decided t h at t h e Em igr an t s w ou ld w or k in t he or char ds alongw it h t he Helper s and t he y ield
w ou ld be div ided equ ally am on gst t h em .

Such ex am ples point dir ect ly t o t he spir it of sacr ifice, alt r uism and cor dialit y on t he par t of t he
Helper s, an d also t o t h e f eelin g of appr eciat ion , gr at it u de an d self -r espect t h at t h e Em igr an t s h eld
dear t o t h eir h ear t s. Th ey t ook on ly w h at h elped t h em ek e a r eason able liv in g. I n sh or t , t h is policy
of m u t u al br ot h er h ood w as so w ise an d t im ely t h at m an y obst in at e pr oblem s w er e r esolv ed
w on d er f u lly an d r eason ab ly.

A CH ARTER OF I SLAM I C ALLI AN CE:

Ju st as t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) h ad est ab lish ed a cod e of b r ot h er h ood am on g st t h e

b eliev er s, so t oo h e w as k een on est ab lish in g f r ien d ly r elat ion s b et w een t h e Mu slim s an d n on -
Muslim t r ibes of Ar abia. He est ablis hed a sor t of t r eat y aim ing at r uling out all pr e -I slam ic r ancour
an d in t er-t r ibal f eu ds. He w as so m et icu lou s n ot t o leav e an y ar ea in t h e ch ar t er t h at w ou ld allow
pr e -I slam ic t r adit ion s t o sn eak in or v iolat e t h e n ew en v ir on m en t h e w an t ed t o est ablish . H erein, we
look ov er som e of it s pr ov ision s.

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 • I n t he Nam e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful.

This is a docum ent fr om Muham m ad, t he Messenger of Allâh, concer ning Em igr ant s and
Help er s an d t h ose w h o f ollow ed an d st r ov e w it h t h em .

1. They ar e on e n at ion t o t h e ex clu sion of ot h er people.

2. Th e Em igr an t s of Qu r aish u n it e t oget h er an d sh all pay blood m on ey am on g t h em selv es, an d
sh all r an som h on ou r ably t h eir pr ison er s. Ev er y t r ibe of t h e Helper s u n it e t oget h er , as t h ey
w er e at f ir st , an d ev er y sect ion am ong t hem w ill pay a r ansom for acquit t ing it s r elat iv e
pr ison er s.
3 . Believ er s shall not leav e any one dest it ut e am ong t hem by not pay ing his r edem pt ion m oney
or blood m oney in k ind.
4 . Wh oev er is r eb elliou s or w h oev er seek s t o sp r ead en m it y an d sed it ion , t h e h an d of ev er y
God-fear ing Muslim shall be against him , ev en if he be his son.
5 . A believ er sh all n ot k ill an ot h er believ er , n or sh all su ppor t a disbeliev er again st a believ er .
6 . Th e pr ot ect ion of Allâh is on e ( an d is equ ally ) ex t en ded t o t h e h u m blest of t h e believ er s.
7 . Th e believ er s ar e su ppor t ed by each ot h er .
8 . Wh osoev er of t h e Jew s f ollow s u s sh all h av e aid an d su ccou r ; t h ey sh all n ot be in j u r ed, n or
an y en em y be aided again st t h em .
9 . Th e peace of t h e believ er s is in div isible. No separ at e peace sh all be m ad e w h en b eliev er s
ar e figh t in g in t h e w ay of Allâh . Con dit ion s m u st be fair an d equ it able t o all.
1 0 . I t sh all n ot be law f u l f or a believ er , w h o h olds by w h at is in t h is docu m en t an d believ es in
Allâh and t he Day of Judgem ent , t o help a cr im inal nor giv e h im r efuge. Those w ho giv e him
r ef u ge an d r en der h im h elp sh all h av e t h e cu r se an d an ger of Allâh on t h e Day of
Resur r ect ion. Their indem nit y is not accept ed.
1 1 . Wh en ev er y ou differ abou t a m at t er , it m u st be r efer r ed t o Allâh an d t o Mu h am m ad.
1 2 . Killing a believ er deliber at ely w it h n o good r eason en t ails k illin g t h e k iller u n less t h e spon sor
deem s it ot h er w ise.

I t w as solely by h is w isdom an d dex t er it y , t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) er ect ed t h e pillar s

of t h e n ew societ y . Th is ph en om en on n o dou bt lef t it s m ar k on t h e v ir t u ou s Mu slim s. He u sed t o
br in g t h em u p in t h e ligh t of t h e I slam ic edu cat ion , h e san ct ified t h eir selv es, en j oin ed t h em t o
obser v e r igh t eou sn ess an d pr aisew or t h y m an n er s an d w as k een on in f u sin g in t o t h em t h e et h ics of
am it y , glor y , honou r , w or sh ip an d f ir st an d f or em ost obedien ce t o Allâh an d His Messen ger .
Th e follow in g is a clu st er of t h e v ir t u es h e u sed t o in cu lcat e in t h e m in ds of h is follow er s:
• A m an ask ed t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w h ich of t h e m er it s is su per ior
in I slam . He [ t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) ] r em ar k ed:
• “ Th at y ou p r ov id e f ood an d ex t en d g r eet in g s t o on e w h om y ou k n ow or d o n ot
k n ow . ”
‘Abdu bin Salâm said: Wh en t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ar r iv ed in Madin ah , I w en t t o
see him and I im m edia t ely r ecogn ized t h r ou gh h is f eat u r es t h at h e w ou ld n ev er be a liar .
Th e f ir st t h in gs h e ( t h e Pr oph et [ Peace be u pon h im ) ] said w as:
• “ Ex t en d peace gr eet in gs am on gst y ou r selv es, pr ov ide food t o t h e n eedy , m ain t ain
u t er in e r elat ion s, obser v e pr ay er at n ig h t w h ile p eop le ar e asleep , t h en y ou w ill
peacef u lly en t er t h e Gar den ( Par adise) . ”
An d h e said:
• “ Th e Mu slim is t h at on e f r om w h ose t on gu e an d h an d t h e Mu slim s ar e saf e. ”
And said:
• “ None am ongst y ou believ es ( t r uly ) t ill one lik es for his br ot her t h at w h ich h e lov es f or
him self.”
And said:
• “ He w ill n ot en t er Par adise, h e w h ose n eigh bou r is n ot secu r e f r om h is w r on gf u l con du ct . ”
And said:
• “ A Muslim is t he br ot her of a Muslim ; he neit her oppr esses him nor does he fail him .
Wh osoev er r em ov es a w or ldly gr ief fr om a believ er , Allâh w ill r em ov e fr om him one of t he
gr iefs of t he Day of Judgem ent . Whosoev er shields a Muslim , Allâh w ill shield him on t he
Day of Resur r ect ion. ”
And said:
• “ Abu sin g a Mu slim is an ou t r age an d figh t in g again st h im is disbelief. ”
And said:
• “ To r em ov e som et hing har m ful fr om t he r oad, is char it y . ”
And said:
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 • “ Ch ar it y er ases sin s j u st as w at er ex t in gu ish es f ir e. ”
And said:
• “ He is n ot a per f ect believ er , w h o goes t o bed f u ll an d k n ow s t h at h is n eigh bou r is
h ungr y . ”
And said:
• “ Sh ow m er cy t o people on ear t h so t h at Allâh w ill h av e m er cy on y ou in h eav en . ”
And said:
• “ Tr y t o av er t fir e ev en by h alf a dat e ( in ch ar it y ) if n ot by t en der in g a good w or d. ”
And said:
• “ Clot h in g an u n d er-clad Muslim , ent it les y ou t o a gar m en t f r om t h e Par adise; f eedin g a
hungr y Muslim w ill m ak e y ou eligible ( by Allâh’s Will) for t he fr uit of t he Par adise, and if y ou
pr ov ide w at er t o a t hir st y Muslim , Allâh w ill pr ov ide y ou w it h a dr ink fr om ‘t he Sealed
Nect ar ’.”
He u sed as w ell t o ex h or t t h e believ er s t o spen d in ch ar it y r em in din g t h em of r elev an t v ir t u es for
w h ich t h e h ear t s y ear n .
He said:
• “ Th e believ er s in t h eir m u t u al lov e, ar e lik e t h e h u m an body w h er e w h en t h e ey e is in
agon y , t h e en t ir e body f eels t h e pain ; w h en t h e h ead ach es, all t h e body w ill su f f er . ”
And said:
• “ Th e b on d s of b r ot h er h ood b et w een t w o Mu slim s ar e lik e p ar t s of a h ou se, on e p ar t
st r en g t h en s an d h old s t h e ot h er . ”
And said:
• “ Do n ot h av e m alice again st a Mu slim ; do n ot be en v iou s of ot h er Mu slim s; do n ot go
again st a Mu slim an d for sak e h im . O t h e slav es of Allâh ! Be lik e br ot h er s w it h each ot h er . I t
is not v iola ble f or a Mu slim t o deser t h is br ot h er f or ov er t h r ee day s. ”
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) u sed as w ell t o pr om ot e t h at h abit of abst en t ion f r om ask in g t h e
ot h er s f or h elp u n less on e is t ot ally h elpless. He u sed t o t alk t o h is com pan ion s a lot abou t t h e
m er it s, v ir t ues and Div ine r ew ar d im plied in obser v ing t he pr escr ibed w or ships and r it uals. He w ould
alw ay s br in g for t h cor r obor at ed pr oofs in or der t o lin k t h em ph y sically an d spir it u ally t o t h e
Rev elat ion sen t t o h im , h en ce h e w ou ld appr ise t h em of t h eir du t ies an d r espon sibilit ies in t er m s of
t h e con sequ en ces of t h e Call of I slam , an d at t h e sam e t im e em ph asize t h e ex igen cies of
com pr eh en sion an d con t em plat ion .
Th at w as h is pr act ice of m ax im izin g t h eir m or ale an d im bu in g t h em w it h t h e n oble v alu es an d ideals
so t h at t h ey cou ld becom e m odels of v ir t u e t o be copied by su bsequ en t gen er at ion s.
‘Abdu llah bin Mas‘u d ( May Allah be pleased w it h h im ) on ce said: I f y ou ar e w illin g t o follow a good
ex am ple, t h en y ou can h av e a r ecou r se in t h e t r adit ion of t h e deceased, because t he liv ing ar e lik ely
t o fall an easy v ict im t o oppr ession ( so t h ey m igh t w av er in fait h ) . Follow t h e st eps of Mu h am m ad’s
Com pan ion s. Th ey w er e t h e best in t h is n at ion , t h e m ost piou s, t h e m ost lear n ed an d t h e least
pr et en t iou s. Allâh ch ose t h em t o accom pan y t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d est ablish His
r eligion. Ther efor e, it is im per at iv e t o get t o k now t heir gr ace, follow t heir r ight eous w ay and adher e
as m u ch as y ou can t o t h eir m an n er s an d assim ilat e t h eir biogr aph y . Th ey w er e alw ay s on t h e
or t h odox pat h . Th er e is t h en t h e gr eat Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w h ose m or al v isible
at t r ibu t es, aspect s of per f ect ion , t alen t s, v ir t u es, n oble m an n er s an d pr aisew or t h y deeds, en t it le
him t o occupy t he inner m ost cells of our hear t s, and b ecom e t h e d ear est t ar g et t h at t h e self y ear n s
f or . Har dly did h e u t t er a w or d w h en h is Com pan ion s w ou ld r ace t o assim ilat e it an d w or k in it s
light .
Th ose w er e t h e at t r ibu t es an d qu alit ies on w h ose basis t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w an t ed t o
build a n ew societ y , t h e m ost w on der f u l an d t h e m ost h on ou r able societ y ev er k n ow n in h ist or y . On
t h ese gr ou n ds, h e st r ov e t o r esolv e t h e lon gst an din g pr oblem s, an d lat er gav e m an k in d t h e ch an ce
t o br eat h e a sigh of r elief af t er a lon g w ear y in g j ou r n ey in dar k a nd gloom y av enues. Such loft y
m or ale lay at t h e v er y basis of cr eat in g a n ew societ y w it h in t egr at ed com pon en t s im m u n e t o all
f lu ct u at ion s of t im e, an d pow er f u l en ou gh t o ch an ge t h e w h ole cou r se of h u m an it y .

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 A COOPEARATI ON AN D N ON- AGGRESSI ON

PACT W I TH TH E JEW S

Soon aft er em igr at ing t o Madinah and m ak ing sur e t hat t he pillar s of t he new I slam ic com m unit y
w er e w ell est ablish ed on st r on g bases of adm in ist r at iv e, polit ical an d ideological u n it y , t h e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) com m en ced t o est ablish r egu lar and clear ly -def in ed r elat ion s w it h n on -
Mu slim s. All of t h ese effor t s w er e ex er t ed solely t o pr ov ide peace, secu r it y , an d pr osper it y t o all
m an k in d at lar ge, an d t o br in g abou t a spir it of r appor t an d h ar m on y w it h in h is r egion , in par t icu lar .

Geogr aphically , t h e closest people t o Madin ah w er e t h e Jew s. Wh ilst h ar bou r in g ev il in t en t ion s, an d

n u r sin g bit t er gr u dge, t h ey sh ow ed n ot t h e least r esist an ce n or t h e sligh t est an im osit y . Th e Pr oph et
decided t o r at ify a t r eat y w it h t h em w it h clau ses t h at pr ov ided fu ll f r eedom in f ait h an d w ealt h . He
had no int ent ion w hat soev er of follow ing sev er e policies inv olv ing banishm ent , seizur e of w ealt h and
land or host ilit y .

Th e t r eat y cam e w it h in t h e con t ex t of an ot h er on e of a lar ger f r am ew or k r elat in g t o in t er-Muslim

r elat ion sh ips.

Th e m ost im por t an t pr ov ision s of t h e t r eat y ar e t h e follow in g:

1. Th e Jew s of Ban i ‘Aw f ar e on e com m u n it y w it h t h e believ er s. Th e Jew s w ill pr ofess t h eir

r eligion, and t he Muslim s t heir s.
2 . Th e Jew s sh all be r espon sible f or t h eir ex pen dit u r e, an d t h e Muslim s for t heir s.
3 . I f at t ack ed by a t h ir d par t y , each sh all com e t o t h e assist an ce of t h e ot h er .
4 . Each par t y sh all h old cou n sel w it h t h e ot h er . Mu t u al r elat ion sh all be f ou n ded on
r igh t eou sn ess; sin is t ot ally ex clu ded.
5 . Neit her shall com m it sins t o t he pr ej u dice of t h e ot h er .
6 . Th e w r on ged par t y sh all be aided.
7 . Th e Jew s sh all con t r ibu t e t o t h e cost of w ar so lon g as t h ey ar e f igh t in g alon gside t h e
believ er s.
8 . Madinah shall r em ain sacr ed and inv iolable for all t hat j oin t his t r eat y .
9 . Sh ou ld an y disagr eem en t ar ise bet w een t h e sign at or ies t o t h is t r eat y , t h en Allâh , t h e All-
High an d His Messen ger sh all set t le t h e dispu t e.
1 0 . Th e sign at or ies t o t h is t r eat y sh all boy cot t Qu r aish com m er cially ; t h ey sh all also abst ain
fr om ex t en din g an y su ppor t t o t h em .
1 1 . Each sh all con t r ibu t e t o defen din g Madin ah , in case of a for eign at t ack , in it s r espect iv e
ar ea.
1 2 . Th is t r eat y sh all n ot h in der eit h er par t y fr om seek in g law fu l r ev en ge.

Madin ah an d it s su bu r bs, aft er t h e r at ificat ion of t h is t r eat y , t u r n ed in t o a coalit ion st at e , w it h

Madinah pr oper as capit al and Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) as ‘pr esident ’; aut hor it ies lay m ainly
in t h e h an d of t h e Mu slim s, an d con sequ en t ly it w as a r eal capit al of I slam . To ex pan d t h e zon e of
peace an d secu r it y t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) s t ar t ed t o ent er int o sim ilar t r eat ies w it h ot her
t r ibes liv ing ar ound ‘his st at e’.

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 TH E PROPH ET ON TH E BATTLEFI ELD

Th e Qu r aish it es, m or t if ied at t h e escape of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) alon g w it h h is dev ot ed

com pan ion s, an d j ealou s of h is gr ow in g pow er in Madin ah , k ept a st r in gen t w at ch ov er t h e Mu slim s
left beh in d an d per secu t ed t h em in ev er y possible w ay . Th ey also in it iat ed clan dest in e con t act s w it h
‘Abdullah bin Uabi bin Salul, chief of Madinese poly t heist s, and pr esident designat e of t he t r ibes ‘Aws
an d Kh azr aj bef or e t h e Pr oph et ’s em igr at ion . Th ey sen t h im a st r on gly -w or ded u lt im at u m or der in g
h im t o f igh t or ex pel t h e Pr oph et , ot h er w ise t h ey w ou ld lau n ch a w idespr ead m ilit ar y cam paign t h at
w ou ld ex t er m in at e h is people an d pr oscr ibe h is w om en .

His pr ide w ou n ded an d k in gsh ip n o lon ger h is, ‘Abdu llah bin Uabi bin Salu l, a pr ior i r espon ded
posit iv ely t o his Qur aishit e co -poly t h eist s. He m obilized h is su ppor t er s t o cou n t er act t h e Mu slim s.
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) on h ear in g abou t t h is u n h oly alliance, sum m oned ‘Abdullah and
adm on ish ed h im t o be m or e sen sible an d t h ou gh t f u l an d cau t ion ed h is m en again st bein g sn ar ed in
m alicious t r ick s. The m en, on gr ounds of cow ar dice, or r eason, gav e up t he idea. Their chief,
h ow ev er , seem in gly com plied, bu t at h ear t , h e r em ain ed a w ick ed u n pr edict able accom plice w it h
Qu r aish an d t h e en v iou s Jew s. Sk ir m ish es an d pr ov ocat ion s st ar t ed t o pav e t h e w ay f or a m aj or
con f r on t at ion bet w een t h e Mu slim s an d poly t h eist s. Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh , an ou t st an din g Helper ,
an n ou n ced h is in t en t ion t o ob ser v e ‘Um rah ( lesser pilgr im age) an d h eaded for Mak k ah . Th er e
Om aiy a bin Khalaf pr ov ided t ut elage for him t o obser v e t he r it ual cir cum am bulat ion. Abu Jahl, an
ar ch en em y of I slam saw h im in t h e Sacr ed San ct u ar y an d t h r eat en ed h e w ou ld h av e killed him if he
h ad n ot been in t h e com pan y of Om aiy a. Sa‘d, fear lessly an d defian t ly , ch allen ged h im t o
com m it t ing any folly at t he r isk of cut t ing t heir car av ans off.

Pr ov ocat iv e act ion s con t in u ed an d Qu r aish sen t t h e Mu slim s a n ot e t h r eat en in g t o pu t them to death
in t h eir ow n h om elan d. Th ose w er e n ot m er e w or ds, f or t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) r eceiv ed
in for m at ion fr om r eliable sou r ces at t est in g t o r eal in t r igu es an d plot s bein g h at ch ed by t h e en em ies
of I slam . Pr ecau t ion ar y m easu r es w er e t ak en an d a st at e of aler t n ess w as called f or , in clu din g t h e
posit ion in g of secu r it y gu ar ds ar ou n d t h e h ou se of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d st r at egic
j u n ct u r es. ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) r epor t ed t h at Allâh ’s Messen ger ( Peace be u pon
him ) lay d ow n on b ed d u r in g on e n ig h t on h is ar r iv al in Mad in ah an d said : Wer e t h er e a p iou s
per son f r om am on gst m y Com pan ion s w h o sh ou ld k eep a w at ch f or m e du r in g t h e n igh t ? Sh e
[ ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) ] said: We w er e in t h is st at e w h en w e h ear d t h e clan gin g
n oise of ar m s. He [ t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] said: Wh o is it ? He said: Th is is Sa‘d bin Abi
Waqqas. Allâh ’s Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) said t o h im : Wh at br in gs y ou h er e? Th er eu pon h e
said: I h ar bou r ed fear ( lest an y h ar m sh ou ld com e t o) Allâh ’s Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) , so I
cam e t o ser v e as y ou r sen t in el. Allâh ’s Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) in v ok ed blessin gs u pon h im
an d t h en h e slep t .

Th is st at e of close v igilan ce con t in u ed ceaselessly u n t il t h e Wor ds of Allâh w er e r ev ealed say ing:

• “ Allâh w ill pr ot ect y ou fr om m ank ind.” [ 5: 67]

Her e, t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) p eep ed f r om t h e d om e of h is h ou se ask in g h is p eop le t o g o

aw ay , an d m ak in g it clear t h at Allâh w ou ld t ak e t h e ch ar ge of pr ot ect in g h im .

Th e Pr oph et ’s lif e w as n ot t h e o n ly t ar get of t h e w ick ed sch em es, bu t r at h er t h e liv es an d t h e w h ole

en t it y of t h e Mu slim s. Wh en t h e Madin ese pr ov ided t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is
Com p an ion s w it h saf e r ef u g e, t h e d eser t b ed ou in s b eg an t o look at t h em all in t h e sam e
per spect iv e, an d ou t law ed all t h e Mu slim s.

At t h is pr ecar iou s j u n ct u r e w it h Qu r aish , in t en t on pu r su in g t h eir aggr essiv e an d dev ilish plan s,

Allâh, t he All-High , gav e t h e Mu slim s t h e per m ission t o t ak e ar m s again st t h e disbeliev er s:

• “ Per m ission t o f igh t is giv en t o t h ose ( i. e. believ er s again st t h ose disbeliev er s) , w h o ar e

figh t in g t h em , ( an d) becau se t h ey ( believ er s) h av e been w r on ged, an d su r ely Allâh is Able
t o giv e t hem ( believ er s) v ict or y .” [ 22: 39]

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Th is v er se w as r ev ealed in a lar ger con t ex t of Div in e in st r u ct ion s t o er adicat e all aspect s of
f alseh ood, an d h old in h on ou r t h e sy m bols an d r it es of Allâh :

• “ Those ( Muslim r uler s) w ho, if We giv e t hem pow er in t he land, ( t hey ) or der for I qam at -
as-Salât : [ i.e. t o perform Salât (p r ay er ) — t he fiv e com pulsor y , congr egat ional pr ay er s ( t he
m ales in Mosqu es) ] , t o pay t h e Zakat ( obligat or y char it y ) , and t hey enj oin Al-Ma‘r uf ( i.e.
I slam ic Mon ot h eism an d all t h at I slam or der s on e t o do) , an d for bid Al-Munkar ( i.e. disbelief,
poly t heism a n d all t h at I slam h as for bidden ) [ i. e. t h ey m ak e t h e Qu r ’ân as t h e Law of t h eir
count r y in all t he spher es of life] . ” [ 22: 41] .

Dou bt lessly , t h e per m ission t o figh t w as r ev ealed in Madin ah aft er em igr at ion , n ot in Mak k ah , st ill
t h e ex act d at e w h er e of is in dou bt .

Th e per m ission t o f igh t w as alr eady t h er e, bu t in t h e ligh t of t h e st at u s qu o, it w as w ise f or t h e

Muslim s t o br ing t he com m er cial r out es leading t o Mak k ah under t heir cont r ol. To r ealize t his
st r at egic obj ect iv e, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad t o ch oose eit h er of t w o op t ion s:

1. En t er in g in t o n on -aggr ession pact s w it h t he t r ibes inhabit ing eit her t he ar eas adj acent t o t he
r ou t es or b et w een t h ese r ou t es an d Mad in ah . Wit h r esp ect t o t h is cou r se of act ion , t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad alr e ad y sig n ed , t og et h er w it h t h e Jew s an d ot h er
n eigh bou r in g t r ibes, t h e af or em en t ion ed pact of cooper at ion an d good n eigh bou r lin ess.
2. Despat ch in g su ccessiv e ar m ed m ission s for h ar assm en t alon g t h e st r at egic com m er cial
r out s.

PRE- BAD R M I SSI ON S AN D I N VASI ON S:

Wit h a v iew t o im plem ent ing t hese plans, t he Muslim s com m enced r eal m ilit ar y act iv it ies, w hich at
f ir st t ook t h e f or m of r econ n aissan ce pat r ols delegat ed t o ex plor e t h e geopolit ical f eat u r es of t h e
r oads su r r ou n din g Madin ah an d ot h er s leadin g t o Mak k ah , an d bu ildin g allian ces w it h t h e t r ibes
n ear b y . Th e Pr op h et w an t ed t o im p r ess u p on t h e p oly t h eist s an d Jew s of Mad in ah as w ell as t h e
bedou in s in it s v icin it y , t h at t h e Mu slim s h ad sm ash ed t h eir old f ear s, an d h ad been t oo st r on g t o be
at t ack ed w it h im punit y . He also w an t ed t o d isp lay t h e p ow er of h is f ollow er s in or d er t o d et er
Qur aish fr om com m it t ing any m ilit ar y folly against him w hich m ight j eopar dize t heir econom ic life
an d m ean s of liv in g, an d t o st op t h em f r om per secu t in g t h e h elpless Mu slim s det ain ed in Mak k ah,
con sequ en t ly h e w ou ld av ail h im self of t h is oppor t u n it y an d r esu m e h is j ob of pr opagat in g t h e
Div ine Call fr eely .
Th e f ollow in g is a r esu m e of t h ese m ission s an d er r an ds:

1. Saif Al-Bahr Plat oon sent in Ram adan 1 A. H. , i. e. 623 A. D. led by Ham zah bin ‘Abdul
Mu t t alib an d com pr isin g 3 0 Em igr an t s w it h a defin it e t ask of in t er cept in g a car av an
belon gin g t o Qu r aish . I t w as a car av an of 3 0 0 people in clu din g Abu Jah l bin Hish am . Th e
t w o par t ies en cou n t er ed each ot h er an d align ed in pr epar at ion f or f igh t ing. Maj di bin ‘Am r,
on good t er m s w it h bot h sides, h appen ed t o be t h er e an d m an aged t o pr ev en t an im m in en t
clash.

• On t h at occasion , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) accr edit ed t h e f ir st f lag in t h e h ist or y

of Mu slim s. I t w as w h it e in colou r an d w as en t r u st ed t o Kin az bin Hu sain Al-Gh an aw i, t o
carry.

2. I n Shaw w al, 1 A. H. , i. e. Apr il 623 A. D. The Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him )
despat ch ed ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Har it h bin Al-Mu t t alib at t h e h ead of 6 0 h or sem en of Em igr an t s
t o a sp ot called Bat n Rab eg h w h ere t h ey en cou n t er ed Ab u Su f y an at t h e h ead of a car av an
of 2 0 0 m en . Th er e w as ar r ow sh oot in g bu t n o act u al f igh t in g.

• I t is in t er est in g t o n ot e t h at t w o Mu slim s, Al-Miqdad bin ‘Am r Al-Bah r an i an d ‘Ut bah bin

Gh azw an Al-Mazin i, defect ed fr om t h e car av an of Qu r aish an d j oin ed t h e r an k s of ‘Ubaidah .
The Muslim s had a w hit e flag car r ied by Mist ah bin At hat ha bin Al-Mut t alib bin ‘Abd Munaf.

3. I n Dhul Qa‘dah 1 A. H. , i. e. May 6 2 3 A. D. t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) despat ched Sa‘d
bin Abi Waqqas at t h e h ead of 2 0 h or sem en , an d in st r u ct ed t h em n ot t o go bey on d Al-

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 Khar r ar . Aft er a five -day m ar ch t h ey r each ed t h e spot t o discov er t hat t he cam els of Qur aish
h ad lef t t h e day bef or e; t h eir f lag, as u su al, w as w h it e an d car r ied by Al-Miqdad bin ‘Am r.
4. Gh azw a Al-Abw a’ or Waddan. I t w as in Safar 2 A. H. , i. e. 6 2 3 A. D. The Messenger of Allâh
( Peace be u pon h im ) set ou t h im self at t h e h ead of 70 m en, m ost ly Em igr ant s, t o int er cept a
cam el car av an belon gin g t o Qu r aish , leav in g beh in d Sa‘d bin ‘Ubadah t o dispose t h e af f air s
in Mad in ah . Wh en h e r each ed Wad d an , a p lace b et w een Mak k ah an d Mad in ah , h e f ou n d
n on e.

• I n t h e pr ocess of t h is cam paig n , h e con t r act ed a n on -aggr essiopact w it h ‘Am r bin Mak hshi
Ad -Dam ar i. Th e pr ov ision s of t h e pact go as follow s:
• “ This is a docum ent fr om Muham m ad, t he Messenger of Allâh concer ning Bani
Dam r ah in w h ich h e est ablish ed t h em saf e an d secu r e in t h eir w ealt h and lives. They
can ex pect su ppor t fr om t h e Mu slim s u n less t h ey oppose t h e r eligion of Allâh . Th ey
ar e also ex p ect ed t o r esp on d p osit iv ely in case t h e Pr op h et sou g h t t h eir h elp . ”
Th is w as t h e f ir st in v asion u n der t h e leader sh ip of t h e Messen ger of Allâh . I t t ook fift een
day s, w it h a w hit e flag car r ied by Ham zah bin ‘Abdul Mut t alib.

5. Buw at I nv asion. I t t ook place in Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al 2 A. H. , i. e. 6 2 3 A. D. The Pr ophet ( Peace be

u pon h im ) , at t h e h ead of 2 0 0 com pan ion s, m ar ch ed for Bu w at t o in t er cept a car av an
belonging t o Qur aish com pr ising 1 0 0 Qur aishit es, Om aiy a bin Khalaf am ong t hem , and 2 5 0 0
cam els. Wh en h e r each ed Bu w at , t h e car av an h ad lef t . Bef or e leav in g Madin ah , h e
m an dat ed Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh t o dispose t h e af f air s u n t il h is r et u r n .
6. Saf w an I n v asion . I n Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al 2 A. H. , i. e. 623 A. D. Kar z bin Jabir at t he head of a
sm all gr ou p of poly t h eist s r aided t h e past u r es of Madin ah an d loot ed som e an im als. Th e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) at t h e h ead of 7 0 m en lef t Madin ah t o f igh t t h e aggr essor s. He
w en t in t h eir pu r su it t ill h e r each ed a place called Saf w an n ear Badr bu t cou ld n ot cat ch u p
w it h t hem . This inv asion cam e t o be k now n as t he pr elim inar y Badr I nv asion. Dur ing his
absen ce, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) en t r u st ed Z aid bin Har it h ah w it h t h e disposit ion
of t h e affair s in Madin ah . Th e st an dar d w as w h it e in colou r an d en t r u st ed t o ‘Ali bin Abi Talib
t o car r y .
7. Dhil ‘Ushair ah I nv asion. I t w as in Jum ada-a l-Ula an d Ju m ada-a l-Ak hir ah t he fir st or second 2
A.H., i.e. Novem ber-Decem ber 6 2 3 A. D. The Pr ophet (Peace b e u p on h im ) at t h e h ead of
1 5 0 -2 0 0 Mu slim v olu n t eer s, w it h 3 0 cam els w h ich t h ey r ode t u r n by t u r n , set ou t t o
int er cept a Qur aishit e car av an. He r eached Dhil ‘Ushair ah but t he cam els had left som e day s
b ef or e. Th ese cam els w er e t h e sam e t h at h e w en t out t o int er cept on t heir r et ur n fr om
Sy r ia, an d w er e t h e dir ect r eason f or t h e br eak ou t of t h e bat t le of Badr . I n t h e pr ocess of
t h is cam paign , t h e Pr oph et Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã con t r act ed a n on -aggr ession pact w it h Bani
Madlij and t heir allies Bani Dhum r a h. Abu Salam a bin ‘Abd Al-Asad Al-Mak h zu m i w as
m an dat ed t o r u le Madin ah in h is absen ce.
8. The Plat oon of Nak hlah. I t t ook place in Raj ab 2 A. H. , i. e. Januar y 6 2 4 A. H. The Messenger
of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) despat ch ed ‘Abdu llah bin Jah sh Asadi t o Nak h lah at t h e h ead
of 1 2 Em igr an t s w it h six cam els. ‘Abdu llah w as giv en a let t er by t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) bu t w as in st r u ct ed t o r ead it on ly af t er t w o day s. He f ollow ed t h e in st r u ct ion s an d
d iscov er ed t h at h e w as ask ed t o g o on t o a p lace called Nak h la h st an d in g b et w een Mak k ah
an d At -Ta’if, in t er cept a car av an for Qu r aish an d collect n ew s abou t t h eir in t en t ion s. He
disclosed t h e con t en t s of t h e let t er s t o h is f ellow s w h o blin dly obey ed t h e or der s. At
Nak h lah , t h e car av an passed car r y in g loads of r aisin s ( dr ied gr apes) , f ood st u f f an d ot h er
com m odit ies. Not able poly t h eist s w er e also t h er e su ch as ‘Am r bin Al-Hadr am i, ‘Ut hm an and
Naufal, sons of ‘Abdullah bin Al-Mu gh eer ah an d ot h er s. . . Th e Mu slim s h eld con su lt at ion s
am on g t h em selv es w it h r espect t o figh t in g t h em t ak in g in t o accou n t Raj ab w h ich w as a
sacr ed m ont h ( dur ing w hich, along w it h Dhul Hij j a, Dhul Qa‘da and Muhar r am , w ar act iv it ies
w er e su spen ded as w as t h e cu st om in Ar abia t h en ) . At last t h ey agr eed t o en gage w it h t h em
in fight ing. ‘Am r bin Al-Hadr a m i w as sh ot dead by an ar r ow , ‘Ut h m an an d Al-Hak am w er e
cap t u r ed w h er eas Nau f al escap ed . Th ey cam e b ack w it h t h e b oot y an d t h e t w o p r ison er s.
Th ey set asid e on e-fift h of t he boot y assigned t o Allâh and His Messenger , and t ook t he r est .
Th e Messen g er d isap p r ov ed of t hat act and suspended any act ion as r egar ds t he cam els and
t h e t w o capt iv es on accou n t of t h e pr oh ibit ed m on t h s alr eady m en t ion ed. Th e poly t h eist s,
on t h eir par t , ex ploit ed t h is golden oppor t u n it y t o calu m n iat e t h e Mu slim s an d accu se t h em
of v iolat in g w h at is Div in ely in v iolable. Th is idle t alk br ou gh t abou t a pain fu l h eadach e t o
Mu h am m ad’s Com pan ion s, u n t il at last t h ey w er e r eliev ed w h en t h e Rev elat ion cam e dow n
giv in g a decisiv e an sw er an d st at in g qu it e ex plicit ly t h at t h e beh av iou r of t h e poly t h eist s in

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 t h e w h ole p r ocess w as m u ch m or e h ein ou s an d f ar m or e ser iou s t h an t h e act of t h e
Muslim s:

• “ They ask y ou concer ning fight ing in t he sacr ed m ont hs ( i. e. 1 st , 7 t h, 1 1 t h and 1 2 t h

m ont hs of t he I slam ic calendar ) . Say , ‘Fight ing t her ein is a gr eat ( t r an sgr ession ) bu t a
gr eat er ( t r an sgr ession ) w it h Allâh is t o pr ev en t m an k in d fr om follow in g t h e w ay of Allâh , t o
disbeliev e in Him , t o pr ev en t access t o Al-Masj id-Al-Harâm ( at Mak k ah) , and t o dr iv e out it s
in h abit an t s, an d Al-Fit nah is w or se t han k illin g.” [ 2: 217]
Th e Wor ds of Allâh w er e qu it e clear an d said t h at t h e t u m u lt cr eat ed by t h e poly t h eist s w as
gr ou n dless. Th e sacr ed in v iolable san ct it ies h ad been r epeat edly v iolat ed in t h e lon g pr ocess of
f igh t in g I slam an d per secu t in g it s adh er en t s. Th e w ealt h of t h e Mu slim s as w ell as t h eir h om es h ad
alr ead y b een v iolat ed an d t h eir Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) h ad b een t h e t ar g et of r ep eat ed
at t em pt s on h is lif e. I n sh or t , t h at sor t of pr opagan da cou ld deser v edly be descr ibed as im pu den ce
and pr ost it ut ion. Th is h as b een a r esu m e of p r e -Badr plat oon s an d in v asion s. Non e of t h em
w it n essed an y sor t of loot in g pr oper t y or k illin g people ex cept w h en t h e poly t h eist s h ad com m it t ed
such cr im es under t he leader ship of Kar z bin Jabir Al-Fahr i. I t w as, in fact , t he poly t h eist s w h o h ad
init iat ed such act s. No w onder , for such ill-behav iour is im m anent in t heir nat ur al disposit ion.
Sh or t ly af t er w ar ds, t h e t w o capt iv es w er e r eleased an d blood m on ey w as giv en t o t h e k illed m an ’s
fat her .
Af t er t h is ev en t , Qu r aish began t o r e alize t h e r eal dan ger t h at Madin ah cou ld pr esen t w it h . Th ey
cam e t o k n ow t h at Madin ah h ad alw ay s been on t h e aler t , w at ch in g closely t h eir com m er cial
car av an s. I t w as t h en com m on k n ow ledge t o t h em t h at t h e Mu slim s in t h eir n ew abode cou ld span
a n d e x t e n d their m ilit ar y act iv it ies ov er an ar ea of 300 m iles. and br ing it under full cont r ol.
How ev er , t h e n ew sit u at ion b or n e in m in d , t h e Mak k an s cou ld n ot b e d et er r ed an d w er e t oo
obst in at e t o com e t o t er m s w it h t h e n ew r isin g pow er of I slam . Th ey w er e det er m in ed t o br ing t heir
f all by t h eir ow n h an ds an d w it h t h is r eck lessn ess t h ey pr ecipit at ed t h e gr eat bat t le of Badr .
Th e Mu slim s, on t h e ot h er h an d, an d at t h e beh est of t h eir Lor d, w er e or der ed t o go t o w ar in
Sha‘ban 2 A.H:
• “ And fight , in t he w ay of Allâh t hose w ho fight y ou; but t r ansgr ess not t he lim it s. Tr uly ,
Allâh lik es n ot t h e t r an sgr essor s. An d k ill t h em w h er ev er y ou fin d t h em , an d t u r n t h em ou t
f r om w h er e t h ey h av e t u r n ed y ou ou t . An d Al-Fit nah ( poly t heism or calamit y ) is w or se t h an
k illing. And fight not w it h t hem at Al-Masj id-Al-Harâm ( t he Sanct uar y at Mak k ah) , unless
t hey ( fir st ) fight y ou t her e. But if t hey at t ack y ou, t hen k ill t hem . Such is t he r ecom pense of
t he disbeliev er s. But if t hey cease, t hen Allâh is O ft -For giv ing, Most Mer ciful. And fight t hem
u n t il t h er e is n o m or e Fit nah ( disbelief an d w or sh ippin g of ot h er s alon g w it h Allâh ) an d ( all
and ev er y k ind of ) w or ship is for Allâh ( Alone) . But if t hey cease, let t her e be no
t r an sg r ession ex cep t ag ain st Az-Zalim ûn ( poly t h eist s, an d w r on g-doer s, et c. ) ” [ 2: 190-193]
Bef or e lon g, Allâh again sen t t h e Mu slim s a dif f er en t sor t of v er ses w h er eby t each in g t h em w ay s of
f igh t in g, u r gin g t h em t o go t o w ar an d dem on st r at in g r elev an t r u les:
• “ So, w hen y ou m eet ( in fig h t - Jihâd in Allâh ’s cau se) , t h ose w h o disbeliev e sm it e at t h eir
n eck s t ill w h en y ou h av e k illed an d w ou n ded m an y of t h em , t h en bin d a bon d fir m ly ( on
t hem , i. e. t ak e t hem as capt iv es) . Ther eaft er ( is t he t im e) eit her for gener osit y ( i. e. fr ee
t h em w it h ou t r ansom ) , or r ansom ( accor ding t o w hat benefit s I slam ) , unt il t he w ar lay s
dow n it s bu r den . Th u s [ y ou ar e or der ed by Allâh t o con t in u e in car r y in g ou t Jihâd ag ain st
t he disbeliev er s t ill t hey em br ace I slam ( i. e. ar e sav ed fr om t he punishm ent in t he Hell-fire)
or at least com e under y our pr ot ect ion] , but if it had been Allâh’s Will, He Him self could
cer t ainly hav e punished t hem ( w it hout y ou) . But ( He let s y ou fight ) , in or der t o t est y ou,
som e w it h ot h er s. Bu t t h ose w h o ar e k illed in t h e w ay of Allâh , He w ill n ev er let t h eir deeds
be lost . He w ill gu ide t h em an d set r igh t t h eir st at e. An d adm it t h em t o Par adise w h ich He
h as m ade k n ow n t o t h em ( i. e. t h ey w ill k n ow t h eir places in Par adise m or e t h an t h ey u sed
t o k n ow t h eir h ou ses in t h e w or ld) . O y ou w h o belie v e! I f y ou help ( in t he cause of) Allâh,
He w ill help y ou, and m ak e y our foot hold fir m . ” [ 47: 4 -7]
Sh or t ly af t er w ar ds, Allâh began t o dispr aise t h e h y pocr it es, t h e w eak at h ear t an d cow ar dly
elem en t s:
• “ Bu t w h en a decisiv e Sûrah ( ex plain in g an d or der in g t h in gs) is sen t dow n , an d f igh t in g
(Jihâd — t h e h oly figh t in g) is m en t ion ed ( i. e. or dain ed) t h er ein , y ou w ill see t h ose in w h ose
h ear t s is a disease ( of h y pocr isy ) look in g at y ou w it h a look of on e f ain t in g t o deat h . ”
[ 47: 20]
Th e pr ev alen t ex igen cies r e qu ir ed as a t op pr ior it y ex h or t in g t h e Mu slim s t o figh t . An y leader w it h a
deep in sigh t w ou ld or der h is soldier s t o get r eady f or an y sor t of em er gen cy , let alon e t h e All-
Kn ow in g Ex alt ed Lor d, Wh o is at all t im es om n iscien t of t h e m in u t est det ails of affair s. Th e ev en t of

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t h at sk ir m ish w it h t h e poly t h eist s dealt a h eav y blow t o t h e pr ide of Qu r aish an d cr eat ed a sor t of
h or r ible r est lessn ess am on gst t h em .
Th e afor em en t ion ed Qu r ’ân ic v er ses, en j oin in g t h e Mu slim s t o st r iv e in t h e cau se of Allâh , bet r ay ed
t h e pr ox im it y of blood clash es t h at w ou ld be cr ow n ed by a decisiv e v ict or y for t h e Mu slim s, an d fin al
ex pu lsion of poly t h eist s ou t of t h e Sacr ed Cit y , Mak k ah . Th ey r efer r ed t o r u les per t in en t t o t h e
t r eat m en t of cap t iv es an d slau g h t er in g t h e p ag an sold ier s till t h e w ar en d ed an d laid d ow n it s
bu r den s. All of t h ese cou ld act as clu es t o a f in al t r iu m ph t h at w ou ld en v elop t h e st r if e of t h e
Mu slim s t ow ar ds t h eir n oble obj ect iv es.
An ot h er ev en t of gr eat sign ifican ce feat u r ed t h e sam e m on t h Sh a‘ban 2 A. H. , i. e. Febr u ar y 6 2 4
A. D. , w hich w as a Div ine inj unct ion or der ing t hat Al-Qiblah be ch an ged f r om Jer u salem t o t h e
Sacr ed Mosqu e in Mak k ah . Th at w as of a gr eat adv an t age t o t h e Mu slim s at t w o lev els. Fir st , it
br ou gh t abou t a k in d of social sif t in g, so t o speak , in t er m s of t h e h y pocr it es of t h e Jew s an d ot h er s
w eak at h ear t , an d r ev ealed t h eir t r u e n at u r e an d in clin at ion s; t h e r an k s of t h e Mu slim s w er e
t h er eby pu r ged fr om t h ose discor d -pr on e elem en t s. Secon d, f acin g a n ew Qiblah , t he Sacr ed
Mosqu e in Mak k ah , r efer s gen t ly t o a n ew r ole aw ait in g t h e Mu slim s t o t ak e u p, an d w ou ld st ar t on ly
aft er t he r epat r iat ion of t he Muslim s t o t heir Sacr ed Cit y , Mak k ah for it is not logical for t he Muslim s
t o leav e t h eir Qiblah at t h e m er cy of n on -Muslim s.
The Muslim s, t her efor e, at t h e beh est of Allâh an d on accou n t of t h ose Div in e clu es, au gm en t ed
t h eir act iv it ies an d t h eir t en den cy t ow ar ds st r iv in g in t h e cau se of Allâh an d en cou n t er in g His
en em ies in a decisiv e bat t le w er e gr eat ly in t en sif ied.

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 TH E BATTLE OF BAD R TH E FI RST D ECI SI VE BATTLE I N TH E H I STORY OF I SLAM

REASON OF TH E BATTLE:

We h av e alr ead y sp ok en ab ou t Al-‘Ush air ah I n v asion w h en a car av an b elon g in g t o Qu r aish h ad

escaped an im m in en t m ilit ar y en cou n t er w it h t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is m en . Wh en
t heir r et ur n f r om Sy r ia appr oach ed, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) despat ch ed Talh ah bin
‘Ubaidu llâh an d Sa‘id bin Z aid n or t h w ar d t o scou t ar ou n d f or an y m ov em en t s of t h is sor t . Th e t w o
scou t s st ay ed at Al-Haw r a’ for som e day s u n t il Abu Su fy an , t h e leader of t h e car a v an , p assed b y
t h em . Th e t w o m en h u r r ied back t o Madin ah an d r epor t ed t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h eir
fin din gs. Gr eat w ealt h am ou n t in g t o 5 0 t h ou san d gold Din ar s gu ar ded by 4 0 m en m ov in g r elat iv ely
close t o Madin ah con st it u t ed a t em pt in g t ar get f o r t he Muslim m ilit ar y , and pr ov ided a pot ent ially
h eav y econ om ic, polit ical an d m ilit ar y st r ik e t h at w as bou n d t o sh ak e t h e en t ir e st r u ct u r e of t h e
Mak k an poly t h eist s.

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) im m ediat ely ex h or t ed t h e Mu slim s t o r u sh ou t an d w ay lay t h e

car av an t o m ak e u p f or t h eir pr oper t y an d w ealt h t h ey w er e f or ced t o giv e u p in Mak k ah . He did n ot
giv e or der s bin din g t o ev er y on e, bu t r at h er gav e t h em fu ll liber t y t o go ou t or st ay back , t h in k in g
t h at it w ou ld be j u st an er r an d on a sm all scale.

Th e Mu slim ar m y w as m ade u p of 3 0 0 -317 m en, 82-86 Em igr ant s, 61 fr om Aw s and 170 fr om

Kh azr aj . Th ey w er e n ot w ell-equipped nor adequat ely pr epar ed. They had only t w o hor ses belonging
t o Az -Zubair bin Al-‘Aw w am an d Al-Miqdad bin Al-Asw ad Al-Kindi, 70 cam els, on e f or t w o or t h r ee
m en t o r ide alt er nat iv ely . The Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) him self, ‘Ali and Mur t hid bin
Abi Murt hid Al-Gh an aw i h ad on ly on e cam el. Disposit ion of t h e af f air s of Madin ah w as en t r u st ed t o
I bn Um m Mak t um but lat er t o Abu Lubabah bin ‘Abdu l Mu n dh ir . Th e gen er al leader sh ip w as giv en t o
Mus‘ab bin ‘Um air Al-Qur ashi Al-‘Abdar i, an d t h eir st an dar d w as w h it e in colou r . Th e lit t le ar m y w as
div ided in t o t w o bat t alion s, t h e Em igr an t s w it h a st an dar d r aised by ‘Ali bin Abi Talib, an d t h e
Helper s w h ose st an dar d w as in t h e h an d of Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh . Az -Zubair bin Al-‘Aw w am w as
appoin t ed t o t h e leader sh ip of t h e r igh t f lan k , Al-Miqdad bin ‘Am r t o lead t he left flank , and t he r ear
of t h e ar m y w as at t h e com m an d of Qais bin Abi Sa‘sa‘ah . Th e Ge n er al Com m an der-in -Chief w as t he
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , of cou r se.

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , at t h e h ead of h is ar m y , m ar ch ed ou t alon g t h e m ain r oad

leadin g t o Mak k ah . He t h en t u r n ed lef t t ow ar ds Badr an d w h en h e r each ed As -Safr â’, he despatched
t w o m en t o scou t abou t f or t h e cam els of Qu r aish .

Ab u Su f y an , on t h e ot h er h an d , w as on t h e u t m ost aler t . He h ad alr ead y b een aw ar e t h at t h e r ou t e

h e w as f ollow in g w as at t en ded w it h dan ger s. He w as also an x iou s t o k n ow abou t t h e m ov em en t s of
Muham m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) . His scou t in g m en su bm it t ed t o h im r epor t s t o t h e effect t h at t h e
Muslim s w er e ly ing in am bush for his car av an. To be on t he safe side, he hir ed Dam dam bin ‘Am r Al-
Ghifar i t o com m unicat e a m essage ask ing for help fr om t he Qur aishit es. Th e m essen g er r od e f ast
and r eached Mak k ah in fr enzy . Felling him self fr om his cam el, he st ood dr am at ically befor e Al-
Ka‘bah , cu t of f t h e n ose an d t h e ear s of t h e cam el, t u r n ed it s saddle u pside dow n , t or e of f h is ow n
shir t fr om fr ont and behind, and cr ied: “ O Qur aish! Your m er chandise! I t is w it h Abu Sufy an. The
car av an is bein g in t er cept ed by Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is com pan ion s. I can n ot say
w h at w ou ld h av e h ap p en ed t o t h em . Help ! Help ! ”

Th e ef f ect of t h is h u e an d cr y w as in st an t an eou s an d t h e n ew s st u n n ed Qu r aish an d t h ey

im m ediat ely r em em ber ed t h eir pr ide t h at w as w ou n ded w h en t h e Mu slim s h ad in t er cept ed Al-
Hadr am i car av an . Th ey t h er efor e sw ift ly m u st er ed alm ost all of t h eir for ces an d n on e st ay ed beh in d
ex cep t Ab u Lah ab , w h o d eleg at ed som eon e w h o ow ed h im som e m on ey . Th ey also m obilized som e
Ar ab t r ibes t o con t r ibu t e t o t h e w ar again st t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . All t h e clan s of
Qu r aish gav e t h eir con sen t ex cept Ban u ‘Adi. Soon an ex cit ed t h r on g of 1 3 0 0 soldier s in clu din g 1 0 0
h or sem en an d 6 0 0 m ailed soldier s w it h a lar ge n u m ber of cam els, w as clam ou r in g t o pr oceed t o
f igh t t h e Mu slim s. For f ood su pplies, t h ey u sed t o slau gh t er an alt er n at e n u m ber of cam els of t en
an d n in e ev er y day . Th ey w er e h ow ev er af r aid t h at Ban u Bak r , on accou n t of old lon g d eep -sea t ed
anim osit y , w ould at t ack t heir r ear . At t hat cr it ical m om ent , I blis ( Sat an ) appear ed t o t h em in t h e

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guise of Sur aqa bin Malik bin Ju‘sham Al-Mudlaj i — chief of Bani Kinana — say ing t o t hem : “ I
gu ar an t ee t h at n o h ar m w ill h appen f r om behind. ”

They set out bur ning w it h indignat ion, m ot iv at ed by a hor r ible desir e for r ev enge and ex t er m inat ing
an y on e t h at m igh t j eopar dize t h e r ou t es of t h eir car av an s:

• “ …boast fully and t o be seen of m en, and hinder ( m en) fr om t he pat h of Allâh. ” [ 8 : 4 7 ]

Or as t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said:

• “ O Allâh t h ese ar e t h e h au gh t y an d con ceit ed; t h ey h av e com e def y in g Allâh an d def y in g

His Messen ger . ”

Th ey m ov ed sw ift ly nor t hw ar d t o Badr . On t he w ay t hey r eceiv ed anot her m essage fr om Abu Sufy an
ask in g t h em t o go back h om e becau se t h e car av an h ad escaped t h e Mu slim s. I n ciden t ally , Abu
Sufy an, on lear ning t he int ent ion of t he Muslim s, led his car av an off t he m ain r out e , and inclined it
t ow ar d s t h e Red Sea. By t h is m an oeu v r e, h e w as ab le t o slip p ast t h e Mad in ese am b u sh an d w as
out of t heir r each.

On r eceiv in g Abu Su f y an ’s m essage, t h e Mak k an ar m y sh ow ed a desir e t o r et u r n h om e. Th e t y r an t

Abu Jah l, h ow ev er h au gh t ily an d ar r ogan t ly in sist ed t h at t h ey pr oceed t o Badr , st ay t h r ee n igh t s
t h er e for m ak in g fest iv it ies. Now t h ey w an t ed t o pu n ish t h e Mu slim s an d pr ev en t t h em fr om
in t er cept in g t h eir car av an s, an d im pr ess on t h e Ar abs t h at Qu r aish st ill h ad t h e u pper h an d an d
en joy ed su pr em acy in t h at ar ea.

Abu Jah l’s t h r eat s an d in sist en ce n ot w it h st an din g, Ban u Z ah r ah , act in g on t h e adv ice of Al-Ak h n as
bin Sh u r aiq, br ok e aw ay an d r et u r n ed t o Mak k ah . Th en cefor t h Al-Ak h n as r em ain ed ‘t h e w ell-rubbed
palm t r ee’ for Bani Zahr ah and w as blin dly obey ed in all r elev an t m at t er s.

Ban u Hash im w er e also in clin ed t o br eak aw ay , bu t Abu Jah l’s t h r eat s m ade t h em desist f r om t h at
idea.

The r est of t he ar m y , now 1 0 0 0 soldier s, appr oached Badr and encam ped t hem selv es bey ond a sand
du n e at Al-‘Udw at Al-Qu sw a.

‘Th e in t elligen ce cor ps’ of t h e Madin ese ar m y r epor t ed t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h at a
b lood y en cou n t er w it h t h e Mak k an s w as in escap ab le, an d t h at a d ar in g st ep in t h is con t ex t h ad t o
be t ak en , or else t h e f or ces of ev il w ou ld v iolat e t h e in v iolab le an d w ou ld con seq u en t ly m an ag e t o
u n der m in e t h e n oble cau se of t h e I slam an d t r ead u pon it s f ait h f u l adh er en t s. Th e Mu slim s w er e
af r aid t h at t h e pagan Mak k an s w ou ld m ar ch on an d st ar t t h e w ar act iv it ies w it h in t h e h eadqu ar t er s
of I slam , Madin ah . A m ov e of su ch n at u r e w ou ld cer t ain ly dam age an d pr odu ce an in fam ou s im pact
on t h e dign it y an d st an ce of t h e Mu slim s.

On accou n t of t h e n ew gr av e dev elopm en t s, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h eld an adv isor y

m ilit ar y em er gency m eet ing t o r ev iew t h e on goin g sit u at ion an d ex ch an ge v iew poin t s w it h t h e ar m y
leader s. Adm it t edly , som e Muslim s fear ed t he hor r ible encount er and t heir cour age began t o w av er ;
in t his r egar d, Allâh say s:

• “ As y ou r Lor d cau sed y ou ( O Mu h am m ad [ Peace be u pon h im ) ] t o go ou t fr om y our hom e

w it h t he Tr ut h, and v er ily , a par t y am ong t he believ er s dislik ed it , disput ing w it h y ou
con cer n in g t h e Tr u t h af t er it w as m ade m an if est , as if t h ey w er e bein g dr iv en t o deat h w h ile
t hey w er e look ing ( at it ) . ” [ 8: 5, 6]

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace b e upon him ) appr ised his m en of t he gr av it y of t he sit uat ion and ask ed for t heir
ad v ice. Ab u Bak r w as t h e f ir st w h o sp ok e on t h e occasion an d assu r ed t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
h im ) of t h e u n r eser v ed obedien ce t o h is com m an d. ‘Um ar w as t h e n ex t t o st an d u p an d su p p or t ed
t h e v iew s ex pr essed by h is n oble f r ien d. Th en Al-Miqdad bin ‘Am r got u p an d said: “ O Messen ger of
Allâh ! Pr oceed w h er e Allâh dir ect s y ou t o, f or w e ar e w it h y ou . We w ill n ot say as t h e Ch ildr en of
I sr ael said t o Moses ( Peace be u pon h im ) :

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 • “ Go y ou an d y ou r Lor d an d f igh t an d w e w ill st ay h er e; ”

Rat h er w e sh all say :

• “ Go y ou an d y ou r Lor d an d f igh t an d w e w ill f igh t alon g w it h y ou . ”

By Allâh! I f y ou w er e t o t ak e us t o Bar k Al-Ghim ad, w e w ill st ill fight r esolut ely w it h y ou against it s
d ef en der s u n t il y ou gain ed it . ”

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h an k ed h im an d blessed h im .

Th e t h r ee leader s w h o spok e w er e f r om t h e Em igr an t s, w h o on ly con st it u t ed a m in or sect ion of t h e

ar m y . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w an t ed, an d for t h e m or e r e ason , t o h ear t h e Helper s’ v iew
b ecau se t h ey w er e t h e m aj or it y of t h e sold ier s an d w er e ex p ect ed t o sh ou ld er t h e b r u n t of t h e w ar
act iv it ies. Mor eov er , t he clauses of Al-‘Aqabah Pledge did n ot com m it t h em t o figh t in g bey on d t h eir
t er r it or ies.

Th e Pr op h et ( Peace be upon him ) t hen said: “ Adv ise m e m y m en! ”

by w h ich h e m ean t t h e Helper s, in par t icu lar . Upon t h is Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh st ood u p an d said: “ By
Allâh , I feel y ou w an t u s ( t h e Helper s) t o speak . ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) dir ect ly said:
“ Oh , y es! ” Sa‘d said : “ O Pr op h et of Allâh ! We b eliev e in y ou an d w e b ear w it n ess t o w h at y ou h av e
v ou ch saf ed t o u s an d w e declar e in u n equ iv ocal t er m s t h at w h at y ou h av e br ou gh t is t h e Tr u t h . We
giv e y ou our fir m pledge of obedience and sacr ifice. We w ill obey y ou m o st w illin gly in w h at ev er y ou
com m an d u s, an d by Allâh , Wh o h as sen t y ou w it h t h e Tr u t h , if y ou w er e t o ask u s t o plu n ge in t o
t h e sea, w e w ill d o t h at m ost r ead ily an d n ot a m an of u s w ill st ay b eh in d . We d o n ot g r u d g e t h e
idea of en cou n t er w it h t h e en em y . We ar e ex per ienced in w ar and w e ar e t r ust w or t hy in com bat . We
h ope t h at Allâh w ill sh ow y ou t h r ou gh ou r h an ds t h ose deeds of v alou r w h ich w ill please y ou r ey es.
Kindly lead us t o t he bat t lefield in t he Nam e of Allâh. ”

Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w as im pr essed w it h t he fidelit y and t he spir it of sacr ifice w hich his

com pan ion s sh ow ed at t h is cr it ical j u n ct u r e. Th en h e said t o t h em : “ For w ar d an d be of ch eer , f or
Allâh h as pr om ised m e on e of t h e t w o ( t h e lu cr at iv e cou r se t h r ou gh capt u r in g t h e boot y or st r ife in
t h e cau se of Allâh again st t h e poly t h eist s) , an d by Allâh it is as if I n ow saw t h e en em y ly in g
pr ost r at e. ”

I n t he im m ediat e v icinit y of Badr , t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) and his cav em at e Abu Bak r
con du ct ed a scou t in g oper at ion du r in g w h ich t h ey m an aged t o locat e t h e cam p of Qu r aish . Th ey
cam e acr oss an old bedou in n ear by w h om t h ey m an ipu lat ed an d m an aged t o ex t r act f r om h im t h e
ex act locat ion of t h e ar m y of t h e poly t h eist s. I n t h e ev en in g of t h e sam e day , h e despat ch ed t h r ee
Em igr an t leader s, ‘Ali bin Abi Talib, Az -Zubair bin Al-‘Aw w am an d Sa‘d b in Ab i Waq q as t o scou t
abou t f or n ew s abou t t h e en em y . Th ey saw t w o m en dr aw in g w at er f or t h e Mak k an ar m y . On
in t er r ogat ion , t h ey adm it t ed t h at t h ey w er e w at er car r ier s w or k in g f or Qu r aish . Bu t t h at an sw er did
n ot please som e Mu slim s an d t h ey beat t h e t w o boy s sev er ely in or der t o ex act f r om t h em an
an sw er , ev en if it isn ’t t r u e, allu din g t o t h e car av an laden w it h w ealt h . Th e t w o boy s t h u s lied, an d
so t h ey w er e r eleased. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as an g r y w it h t h ose m en an d cen su r ed
t h em say in g: “ On t ellin g t h e t r u t h , y ou beat t h em , an d on t ellin g a lie, y ou r eleased t h em ! ” He t h en
addr essed t h e t w o boy s an d af t er a lit t le con v er sat ion w it h t h em h e lear n ed a lot abou t t h e en em y :
n u m ber of soldier s, t h eir ex act locat ion an d n am es of som e of t h eir n ot ables. He t h en t u r n ed t o t h e
Mu slim s an d said: “ Hear k en , Qu r aish h as sen t y ou t h eir m ost pr eciou s liv es. ”

Th e sam e n igh t it r ain ed on bot h sides. For t h e poly t h eist s it obst r u ct ed f u r t h er pr ogr ess, w h ereas it
w as a blessin g for t h e Mu slim s. I t clean ed t h em an d r em ov ed fr om t h em t h e st ain of Sat an . Allâh
sen t r ain t o st r en gt h en t h eir h ear t s an d t o plan t t h eir feet fir m ly t h er ew it h . Th ey m ar ch ed a lit t le
f or w ar d an d en cam ped at t h e f ar t h er ban k of t h e v alley . Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) st opped
at t h e n ear est spr in g of Badr . Al-Hu bab bin Mu n dh ir ask ed h im , “ Has Allâh in spir ed y ou t o ch oose
t h is v er y spot or is it st r at agem of w ar an d t h e pr odu ct of con su lt at ion ?” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be
upon him ) r eplied “ I t is st r at agem of w ar an d con su lt at ion . ” Al-Hu bab said: “ Th is place is n o good;
let u s g o an d en cam p on t h e n ear est w at er w ell an d m ak e a b asin or r eser v oir f u ll of w at er , t h en

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dest r oy all t h e ot h er w ells so t h at t h ey w ill be depr iv ed of t h e w at er . ” Th e Pr o p h et ( Peace b e u p on
him ) appr ov ed of his plan and agr eed t o car r y it out , w hich t hey act ually did at m idnight .

Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh su ggest ed t h at a t r ellis be bu ilt f or t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o f u n ct ion as
h eadqu ar t er s f or t h e Mu slim ar m y an d a place pr ov idin g r eason able pr ot ect ion f or t h e leader . Sa‘d
began t o j u st if y h is pr oposal an d said t h at if t h ey h ad been v ict or iou s, t h en ev er y t h in g w ou ld be
sat isf act or y . I n case of def eat , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w ou ld n ot be h ar m ed an d h e cou ld
g o b ack t o Mad in ah w h er e t h er e w er e m or e p eop le w h o lov ed h im an d w h o w ou ld h av e com e f or
h elp if t h ey h ad k n ow n t h at h e w as in t h at dif f icu lt sit u at ion , so t h at h e w ou ld r esu m e h is j ob, h old
cou n sel w it h t h em an d t h ey w ou ld st r iv e in t h e cau se of Allâh w it h h im again an d again .

A sq u ad of g u ar d s w as also ch osen f r om am on g st t h e Help er s u n d er t h e lead er sh ip of t h e sam e

m an , Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh , in or der t o def en d t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in h is h eadqu ar t er s.

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) spen t t h e w h ole n igh t pr ecedin g t h e day of t h e bat t le in pr ay er

an d su pplicat ion . Th e Mu slim ar m y , w ear ied w it h t h eir lon g m ar ch , en j oy ed sou n d an d r efr esh in g
sleep, a m ar k of t h e Div in e fav ou r an d of t h e st at e of t h eir u n dist u r bed m in ds.

• “ ( Rem em ber ) w hen He cov er ed y o u w it h a slum ber as a secur it y fr om Him , and He

cau sed r ain t o descen d on y ou f r om t h e sk y , t o clean y ou t h er eby an d t o r em ov e f r om y ou
t h e Rij z ( w h isper in g, ev il su ggest ion s, et c. ) of Sat an , an d t o st r en gt h en y ou r h ear t s, an d
m ak e y our feet fir m t her eby .” [ 8: 11]

That w as Fr iday night , Ram adan 1 7 t h. , t he y ear 2 A. H.

I n t h e m or n in g, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) called h is m en t o of f er t h e pr ay er s an d t h en u r ged

t h em t o f igh t in t h e w ay of Allâh . As t h e su n r ose ov er t h e deser t , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon him )
dr ew u p h is lit t le ar m y , an d poin t in g w it h an ar r ow w h ich h e h eld in h is h an d, ar r an ged t h e r an k s.

Qu r aish , on t h e ot h er h an d, posit ion ed t h eir f or ces in Al-‘Udw at Al-Qusw a opposit e t he Muslim lines.
A f ew of t h em appr oach ed, in a pr ov ocat iv e deed, t o dr aw w at er f r om t h e w ells of Badr , bu t w er e all
sh ot dead ex cept on e, Hak eem bin Hizam , w h o lat er becam e a dev ot ed Mu slim . ‘Um air bin Wah ab
Al-Ju m ah i, in an at t em pt t o r econ n oit er t h e pow er of t h e Mu slim s, m ade a scou t in g er r an d an d
su bm it t ed a r epor t s ay in g t h at t h e Mu slim ar m y n u m ber ed as m an y as 3 0 0 m en k een on figh t in g t o
t h e last m an . On an ot h er r econ n aissan ce m ission h e cam e t o t h e con clu sion t h at n eit h er
r ein f or cem en t s w er e com in g n or am bu sh es laid. He u n der st ood t h at t h ey w er e t oo br av e t o
su r r en der and t oo int ent on car r y ing out t heir m ilit ar y dut ies t o w it hdr aw w it hout slay ing t he lar gest
n u m ber possible of t h e poly t h eist s. Th is r epor t as w ell as k in dr ed r elat ion s bin din g t h e t w o
belliger en t par t ies t oget h er , slack en ed t h e desir e t o f igh t am on g som e of t h e Qu r aish it es. To
cou n t er act t h is r eason -based opposit ion adv ocat ed by a r iv al of h is, ‘Ut bah bin Rabi‘a an d ot h er s,
Abu Jah l st ar t ed an an t i-cam paign seek ing v engeance on Muham m ad’s follow er s for t he Qur aishit es
k illed at Nak hlah. I n t his w ay , h e m an ag ed t o t h w ar t t h e op p osit e or ien t at ion , an d m an ip u lat ed t h e
people t o see h is ev il v iew s on ly .

Wh en t h e t w o par t ies appr oach ed closer an d w er e v isible t o each ot h er , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
him ) began supplicat ing Allâh “ O Allâh! The conceit ed and h au g h t y Qu r aish it es ar e alr ead y h er e
defy ing You and bely ing Your Messenger . O Allâh! I am w ait ing for Your v ict or y w hich You hav e
pr om ised m e. I beseech You Allâh t o defeat t h em ( t h e en em ies) . ” He also gav e st r ict or der s t h at h is
m en w ou ld n ot st ar t fig h t in g u n t il h e gav e t h em h is fin al w or d. He r ecom m en ded t h at t h ey u se t h eir
ar r ow s sp ar in g ly an d n ev er r esor t t o sw or d u n less t h e en em ies cam e t oo close.

Abu Jah l also pr ay ed f or v ict or y , say in g: “ Ou r Lor d, w h ich ev er of t h e t w o par t ies w as less k in d t o h is
r elat iv es, an d br ou gh t u s w h at w e do n ot k n ow , t h en dest r oy h im t om or r ow . ” . Th ey w er e con f iden t
t h t h eir su per ior n u m ber , equ ipm en t an d ex per ien ce w ou ld be decisiv e. Th e Noble Qu r ’ân , w it h a
play on t h e w or d, t old t h em t h at t h e decision h ad com e, an d t h e vict ory — b u t n ot in t h e sen se t h ey
h ad h oped f or :

• “ ( O disbeliev er s) if y ou ask f or a j u dgem en t , n ow h as t h e j u dgem en t com e u n t o y ou an d if

y ou cease ( t o do w r on g) , it w ill be bet t er for y ou , an d if y ou r et u r n ( t o t h e at t ack ) , so sh all

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 w e r et u r n , an d y ou r f or ces w ill be of n o av ail t o y ou , h ow ev er n u m erous it be, and v er ily ,
Allâh is w it h t he believ er s. ” [ 8: 19]

The fir st disbeliev er t o t r igger t he fir e of t he bat t le and be it s fir st v ict im w as Al-Asw ad bin ‘Abdu l
Asad Al-Mak hzum i, a fier ce bad-t em per ed idolat er . He st epped ou t sw ear in g h e w ou ld dr in k f r om
t h e w at er basin of t h e Mu slim s, ot h er w ise, dest r oy it or die f or it . He en gaged w it h Ham zah bin
‘Abdu l Mu t t alib, w h o st r u ck h is leg w it h h is sw or d an d dealt h im an ot h er blow t h at fin ish ed h im off
in side t h e basin .

Th e bat t le h ad act u ally st ar t ed. Pr ot e ct ed by ar m ou r an d sh ields, ‘Ut bah bin Rabi‘a st epped f or t h
b et w een h is b r ot h er Sh aib ah an d h is son Al-Waleed bin ‘Ut bah f r om t h e lin es of Qu r aish an d h u r led
m aledict ion s at t h e Mu slim s. Th r ee y ou n g m en of t h e Helper s cam e ou t again st t h em : ‘Aw f an d
Mu ‘w w ad h — t h e son s of Har it h , an d ‘Abdu llah bin Raw ah a. Bu t t h e Mak k an s y elled t h at t h ey h ad
n ot h in g t o d o w it h t h em . Th ey w an t ed t h e h ead s of t h eir cou sin s. Up on t h is t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
upon him ) ask ed ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Har it h, Ham zah — h is u n cle, an d h is cou sin ‘Ali ( May Allah be
pleased w it h h im ) t o go for w ar d for t h e com bat . Th e t h r ee du els w er e r apid. Ham zah k illed Sh aibah ,
while ‘Ali killed Al-Waleed. ‘Ubaidah w as ser iou sly w ou n ded bu t , bef or e h e f ell, Ham zah f ell u pon
‘Ut b ah an d w it h a sw eep of h is sw or d , cut off his head. ‘Ali and Ham zah car r ied ‘Ubaidah back w it h
h is leg cu t off. He died fou r or fiv e day s lat er of a disease in t h e bile du ct .

‘Ali w as p ossessed of a d eep con v ict ion t h at Allâh ’s Wor d s w er e r ev ealed :

• “ Th ese t w o op p on en t s ( b eliev er s an d d isb eliev er s) d isp u t e w it h each ot h er ab ou t t h eir

Lor d.” [ 22: 19]

Th ese v er ses w er e r ev ealed in con n ect ion w it h m en of Fait h w h o con f ess t h eir Lor d an d seek t o
car r y out His Will ( i. e. Muham m ad ’s follow er s at Badr Ba t t le) , an d m en w h o den y t h eir Lor d an d
defy Him ( t he people of Qur aish) .

Th e du el w as f ollow ed by a f ew m or e du els bu t t h e Mak k an s su f f er ed t er r ible def eat s in all t h e

com bat s an d lost som e of t h eir m ost pr eciou s liv es. Th ey w er e t oo m u ch ex asper at ed an d en r ag ed
and fell upon t he Muslim s t o ex t er m inat e t hem once and for all. The Muslim s, how ev er , aft er
su pplicat in g t h eir Lor d, callin g u pon Him for assist an ce, w er e m ade t o h old t o t h eir posit ion an d
con d u ct a d ef en siv e w ar p lan t h at w as su ccessf u l en ou g h t o in flict h eav y losses on t h e at t ack er s.
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) u sed t o pr ay t o h is Lor d ceaselessly per sist en t ly an d day an d n igh t
t o com e t o t heir succour . When t he fier ce engagem ent gr ew t oo hot he again began t o supplicat e his
Lor d say in g:

• “ O Allâh ! Sh ou ld t h is gr ou p ( of Mu slim s) be defeat ed t oday , You w ill n o lon ger be

w or sh ip p ed . ”

He con t in u ed t o call ou t t o h is Lor d, st r et ch in g f or t h h is h an ds an d f acin g Al-Qiblah , unt il his cloak

fell off his shoulder s. Then Abu Bak r cam e, pick ed up t he cloak , an d pu t it back on h is sh ou lder s an d
said: “ O Pr oph et of Allâh , y ou h av e cr ied ou t en ou gh t o y ou r Lor d. He w ill su r ely fu lfill w h at He h as
pr om ised y ou. ”

I m m ed iat e w as t h e r esp on se f r om Allâh , Wh o sen t d ow n an g els f r om t h e h eav en s f or t h e h elp an d

assist an ce of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is com pan ion s. Th e Noble Qu r ’ân obser v es:

• “ Ver ily , I am w it h y ou , so k eep fir m t h ose w h o h av e believ ed. I w ill cast t er r or in t o t h e

h ear t s of t h ose w h o h av e disbeliev ed. ” [ 8 : 1 2 ]

Allâh, t he All-Might y , also in spir ed an ot h er m essage t o His Messen ger , say in g:

• “ I w ill h elp y ou w it h a t h ou san d of t h e an gels each beh in d t h e ot h er ( f ollow in g on e

anot her ) in succession. ” [ 8: 9]

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , in h is t r ellis, dozed off a lit t le an d t h en r aised h is h ead j oy fu lly
crying:

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 • “ O Abu Bak r , glad t idings ar e t her e for y ou: Allâh’s v ict or y has appr oached, by Allâh, I can
see Gabr iel on h is m ar e in t h e t h ick of a san dst or m . ”

He t hen j um ped out cr y ing:

• “ Their m ult it ude w ill be put t o flight , a nd t hey w ill show t heir back s. ” [ 5 4 : 4 5 ]

At t h e in st an ce of Gabr iel, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t ook a h an df u l of gr av el, cast it at t h e

en em y an d said: “ Con f u sion seize t h eir f aces! ” As h e f lu n g t h e du st , a v iolen t san dst or m blew lik e
fu r n ace blast in t o t h e ey es of t h e en em ies. Wit h r espect t o t h is, Allâh say s:

• “ An d y ou [ i. e. Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] t h r ew n ot w h en y ou did t h r ow bu t Allâh

t hr ew . ” [ 8: 17]

On ly t h en did h e giv e clear or der s t o lau n ch a cou n t er-at t ack . He w as com m anding t he ar m y ,
inspir ing confidence am ong his m en and ex hor t ing t hem t o fight m anfully for t he sak e of t heir Lor d,
r ecit ing t he Wor ds of Allâh:

• “ An d be qu ick f or f or giv en ess f r om y ou r Lor d, an d f or Par adise as w ide as ar e t h e h eav en s

an d t h e ear t h . ” [ 3 : 1 3 3 ]

Th e spir it h e in f u sed in t o h is m en w as clear ly w it n essed by t h e v alou r of ‘Um air , a lad of six t een,
w h o f lu n g aw ay som e dat es h e w as eat in g cr y in g ou t : “ Th ese ( t h e dat es) ar e h oldin g m e back f r om
Par adise. ” So say in g h e plu n ged in t o t h e t h ick of t h e bat t le an d died f igh t in g br av ely . Un iqu e deeds
of v alou r , deep dev ot ion an d f u ll obedien ce t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w er e ex h ibit ed in
t h e pr ocess of t h e bat t le. Th e ar m y of t h e f ait h f u ls w as bor n e f or w ar d by t h e pow er of en t h u siasm
w h ich t h e h alf-h ear t ed w ar r ior s of Mak k ah m iser ably lack ed. A lar ge n u m ber of t h e poly t h eist s w er e
k illed an d t h e ot h er s b eg an t o w av er . No w on d er ! Th e st an d ar d -bear er s of Tr u t h w er e giv en
im m ediat e h elp, an d su per n at u r al agen cies ( t h e an gels) , w er e sen t t o t h eir assist an ce by t h eir Lor d
t o h elp t h em defeat t h e for ces of ev il.

Th e r ecor ds of Hadit h speak eloqu en t ly of t h e f act t h at t h e an gels did appear on t h at day an d f ou gh t

on t h e side of t h e Mu slim s. I bn ‘Abbas said: “ Wh ile on t h at day a Mu slim w as ch asin g a disbeliev er
an d h e h ear d ov er h im t h e sw ash in g of a w h ip an d t h e v oice of t h e r id er say ing: ‘Go ahead Haizum ’.
He glan ced at t h e poly t h eist w h o h ad ( n ow ) f allen dow n on h is back . Th e Helper cam e t o t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d r elat ed t h at ev en t t o h im . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
him ) r eplied: ‘You hav e t old t he t r ut h. Th is w as t h e h elp f r om t h e t h ir d h eav en . ”

On e of t h e Helper s capt u r ed ‘Abbas bin ‘Abdu l Mu t t alib, w h o said: “ O Messen ger of Allâh , by Allâh
t h is m an d id n ot cap t u r e m e. I w as cap t u r ed b y a m an w h o w as b ald an d h ad t h e m ost h an d som e
f ace, an d w h o w as r idin g a piebald h or se, I can n ot see h im h er e am on g t h e people. ” Th e Helper
in t er r u pt ed: “ I capt u r ed h im , O Messen ger of Allâh . ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) r eplied:

• “ Be quiet , Allâh t he All-Migh t y st r en gt h en ed y ou w it h t h e h elp of a n oble an gel. ”

I blîs, t he ar chsat an, in t he guise of Sur aqah bin Malik bin Ju‘sham Al-Mu dlaj i, on seein g an gels
w or k in g in fav ou r of t h e Mu slim s, an d Qu r aish r apidly losin g gr ou n d on t h e bat t lefield, m ade a qu ick
r et r eat despit e t h e poly t h eist s’ pleas t o st ay on . He r an of f an d p lu n g ed in t o t h e sea.

Th e r an k s of Qu r aish began t o giv e w ay an d t h eir n u m ber s added n ot h in g bu t con f u sion . Th e

Mu slim s follow ed eager ly t h eir r et r eat in g st eps, slay in g or t ak in g capt iv e all t h at fell w it h in t h eir
r each . Ret r eat soon t u r n ed in t o ign omin iou s r ou t ; an d t h ey f lied in h ast e, cast in g aw ay t h eir
ar m ou r , ab an d on ed b east s of b u r d en , cam p an d eq u ip ag e.

Th e gr eat t y r an t Abu Jah l, h ow ev er , on seein g t h e adv er se cou r se of t h e bat t le, t r ied t o st op t h e

t idal w av e of t he I slam ic v ict or y by ner v ing t h e poly t h eist s an d en cou r agin g t h em by all m ean s
av ailable and adj ur ing t hem by Al-Lat an d ‘Uzza an d all sy m bols of pagan ism t o st an d f ir m in place
and r et aliat e against t he Muslim s, but t o no av ail. Their m or ale had alr eady been dr ast ically r educed
t o zer o, an d t h eir lin es br ok en dow n . He t h en began t o r ealize t h e r ealit y of h is ar r ogan ce an d

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haught iness. None r em ained ar ound him ex cept a gang of doom ed poly t heist s w hose r esist ance w as
also qu elled by an I slam ic ir r esist ible st or m of t r u e dev ot ion-b a se d valou r an d I slam-or ien t at ed
pu r su it of m ar t y r dom . Jah l w as deser t ed an d lef t by h im self on h is h or se w ait in g f or deat h at t h e
h an d of t w o cou r ag eou s lad s of t h e Help er s.

‘Abdu r-Rah m an bin ‘Aw f r elat ed t h e follow in g in t er est in g st or y in t h is r egar d: I w as in t he t hick of

t h e bat t le w h en t w o y ou t h s, st ill seem in gly in ex per ien ced in t h e ar t of f igh t in g, on e on t h e r igh t an d
t h e secon d on t h e lef t . On e of t h em spok e in a secr et v oice ask in g m e t o sh ow h im Abu Jah l. I ask ed
abou t h is in t en t ion , t o w h ich h e r eplied, t h at h e h ad a st r on g desir e t o en gage w it h h im in a com bat
u n t il eit h er of t h em w as k illed. I t w as som et h in g in cr edible t o m e. I t u r n ed left an d t h e ot h er said
som et h in g t o t h e sam e ef f ect an d sh ow ed a sim ilar desir e. I acceded t o t h eir ear n est pleas a n d
poin t ed dir ect ly at t h eir t ar get . Th ey bot h r u sh ed sw if t ly t ow ar ds t h e spot , an d w it h ou t a m om en t ’s
h esit at ion st r u ck h im sim u lt an eou sly w it h t h eir sw or ds an d fin ish ed h im off. Th ey w en t back t o t h e
Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) , each claim ing t h at h e h ad k illed Abu Jah l t o t h e ex clu sion
of t h e ot h er . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ask ed if t h ey h ad w iped t h e blood of f t h eir sw or ds
an d t h ey an sw er ed t h at t h ey h ad n ot . He t h en ex am in ed b ot h sw or d s an d assu r ed t h em t h at t h ey
bot h had k illed him . W h en t h e bat t le con clu ded, Abu Jah l’s spoils w er e giv en t o Mu ‘adh bin ‘Am r bin
Al-Ju m u h , becau se t h e ot h er Mu ‘aw w adh bin Al-‘Afr â’ w as lat er k illed in t h e cou r se of t h e sam e
bat t le. At t h e t er m in at ion of t h e bat t le, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w an t ed t o look for t his
ar chenem y of I slam , Abu Jahl. ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ud found him on t he v er ge of deat h br eat hing his
last . He st epped on h is n eck addr essin g h im : “ Hav e y ou seen h ow Allâh h as disgr aced y ou ?” Th e
enem y of I slam st ill defiant ly answ er ed: “ I am not disgr aced. I am no m or e t han a m an k illed by his
ow n p eop le on t h e b at t lef ield . ” An d t h en in q u ir ed “ Wh o h as w on t h e b at t le?” I b n Mas‘u d r ep lied
“ Allâh an d His Messen ger . ” Abu Jah l t h en said w it h a h ear t fu ll of gr u dge “ You h av e follow ed difficu lt
w ay s, y o u sh ep h er d ! ” I b n Mas‘u d u sed t o b e a sh ep h er d w or k in g f or t h e Mak k an ar ist ocr at s.

I bn Mas‘u d t h en cu t of f h is h ead an d t ook it t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w h o, on

seein g it , began t o en t er t ain Allâh ’s pr aise:

• “ Allâh is Gr eat , pr aise is t o Allâh , Wh o h as fu lfilled His Pr om ise, assist ed His ser v an t an d
d ef eat ed t h e con f ed er at es alon e. ”

He t h en set ou t t o h av e a look at t h e cor pse. Th er e h e said: “ Th is is t h e Ph ar aoh of t h is n at ion . ”

SOM E SI GN I FI CAN T I N STAN CES OF D EV OTI ON :

1. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) adv ised h is com pan ion s t o pr eser v e t h e liv es of Ban u
Hash im w h o h ad gon e ou t t o Badr w it h t h e poly t h eist s u n w illin gly becau se t h ey h ad f ear ed
t h e cen su r e of t h eir people. Am on g t h em , h e n am ed Al-‘Abbas bin ‘Abdu l Mu t t alib an d Abu
Buk ht ar i bin Hisham . He or der ed t he Muslim s t o capt ur e, but not t o k ill t hem . Abu Hudhaifah
bin ‘Ut bah sh ow ed gr eat su r pr ise an d com m en t ed say in g: “ We k ill ou r f at h er s, ch ildr en ,
br ot h er s an d m em ber s of ou r clan , an d t h en com e t o spare Al-‘Abbas? By Allâh! I f I see him
I w ill su r ely st r ik e h im w it h m y sw or d. ” On h ear in g t h ese w or ds, t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace be upon him ) , addr essing ‘Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab, said “ I s it f air t h at t h e f ace of t h e
Messen g er ’s u n cle b e st r u ck w it h sw or d ?” ‘Um ar got in dign an t an d t h r eat en ed t o k ill Abu
Hu dh aifah ; t h e lat t er lat er said t h at ex t r em e fear h ad t ak en fir m gr ip of h im an d felt t h at
not hing ex cept m ar t y r dom could ex piat e for his m ist ak e. He w as act ually k illed lat er on
dur ing Al-Yam am ah ev ent s.
2. Abu Al-Bu k h t ar i bin Hish am h ad alr eady don e h is best t o r est r ain h is people, t h e Mak k an s,
fr om com m it t ing any act of folly against t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) w hile t he lat t er
w as st ill in Mak k ah . He also n eit h er h u r t n or w as r epor t ed t o h av e u t t er ed an y t hing
r epu gn an t w it h r egar d t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . He h ad as w ell been am on g t h e
people w h o t r ied t o in v alidat e t h e boy cot t allian ce t ak en again st Ban u Hash im an d Ban u
‘Abdul Mut t alib.

• Her e, h ow ev er , in t h e bat t le of Badr h e in sist ed on f igh t in g u n less h is com pat r iot w as

spar ed. Al-Muj dhir bin Ziyad Al-Balw i, w it h w h om h e w as en gaged in com bat , r eplied t h at
t h e ot h er w as n ot in clu ded in t h e Pr oph et ’s r ecom m en dat ion . Th e com bat w en t o n t o end in
Al-Buk ht ar i’s deat h.

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 3. ‘Abdu r-Rah m an bin ‘Aw f an d Om aiy ah bin Kh alaf h ad been close fr ien ds du r in g t h e pr e -
I slam ic er a. Wh en t h e bat t le of Badr en ded, ‘Abdu r-Rah m an saw Om aiy ah an d h is son
am on g t h e cap t iv es. He t h r ew aw ay t h e ar m ou r h e h ad as s poils, an d w alk ed w it h t h em
bot h . Bilal, t h e Pr oph et ’s caller f or pr ay er , saw Om aiy ah an d soon all t h e t or t u r e h e h ad
been pu t t o at t h e h an d of t h is m an daw n ed u pon h im , an d sw or e h e w ou ld h av e r ev en ge on
Om aiy ah. ‘Abdur-Rah m an t r ied t o ease t h e t en sion an d ad d r ess em b ar r assin g sit u at ion
am icably bu t w it h n o su ccess. Th e Mu slim s gat h er ed ar ou n d an d st r u ck Om aiy ah ’s son w it h
sw or ds. At t h is poin t , ‘Abdu r-Rah m an called u pon h is old fr ien d t o r u n for h is life bu t h e w as
pu t t o sw or ds f r om dif f er en t people an d lay d ow n d ead . ‘Ab d u r-Rahm an, com plet ely helpless
and r esigned said: May Allâh hav e m er cy on Bilal, for he depr iv ed m e of t he spoils, and I
h av e been st r ick en by t h e deat h of m y t w o capt iv es.
4. On t h e m or al lev el, t h e bat t le of Badr w as an in escapable con flict bet w een t h e f or ces of
good and t hose of ev il. I n t his cont ex t , ‘Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab did n ot spar e t h e lif e of an y
poly t h eist ev en h is u n cle on t h e m at er n al side Al-‘As bin Hisham bin Al-Mu gh eer ah .
5. Abu Bak r sh ou t ed at h is son ‘Abdu r-Rahm an, st ill a poly t heist and fight ing w it h t hem ,
“ Wh er e is m y w ealt h , y ou w ick ed b oy ?” Th e son an sw er ed t h at it w as g on e w it h t h e w in d .
6. Wh en t h e bat t le en ded, t h e Mu slim s began t o h old som e poly t h eist s in capt iv it y . Th e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) look ed in t o t h e f ace of Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh , t h e Head of t h e
Pr op h et ’s g u ar d s, an d u n d er st ood t h at h e w as h at ef u l t o t ak in g t h e en em y elem en t s as
p r ison er s. Sa‘d ag r eed t o w h at t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) said an d ad d ed t h at it w as
t he fir st v ict or y for t he Muslim s ov er t he for ces of poly t heism , and he had m or e lik ing for
slay ing t hem t han spar ing t heir liv es.
7. On t h e day of Badr , t h e sw or d of ‘Uk ash ah bin Mih san Al-Asd i b r ok e d ow n so t h e Pr op h et
( Peace be u pon h im ) gav e h im a log of w ood w h ich h e sh ook an d it im m ediat ely t u r n ed in t o
a lon g st r on g w h it e sw or d. ‘Uk ash ah w en t on u sin g t h at sam e sw or d in m ost of t h e I slam ic
con q u est s u n t il h e d ied in t h e p r ocess of t h e ap ost asy w ar s.
8. Wh en t h e w ar act iv it ies h ad been con clu ded, Mu s‘ab bin ‘Um air Al-‘Abdar i saw h is br ot h er ,
st ill a poly t heist , being handcuffed by a Ansar i. Mus‘ab r ecom m ended t hat t he Helper t ight en
t h e k n ot f or t h e pr ison er ’s m ot h er w as w ealt h y en ou gh t o r an som h er son . ‘Abu ‘Aziz,
Mu s‘ab’s br ot h er , t r ied t o appeal t o h is br ot h er t h r ou gh t h e f am ily t ies, bu t t h e lat t er firm ly
r eplied t h at t h e Helper w as m or e eligible f or br ot h er h ood t h an h im .
9. Wh en t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) or d er ed t h at t h e cor p ses of t h e p oly t h eist s b e
dr opped in t o an em pt y w ell, Abu Hu dh aif ah bin ‘Ut bah look ed sadly at h is dead f at h er , w h o
f ou gh t on t h e side of t h e poly t h eist s. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) n ot iced t h at an d
ask ed h im abou t it . Hu dh aif ah said t h at h e h ad n ev er h eld t h e least dou bt t h at h is f at h er
m et h is f at e d eser v ed ly , b u t ad d ed t h at h e w ish ed h e h ad b een g u id ed t o t h e p at h of I slam ,
an d t h at is w h y h e f elt sad . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w h isp er ed in h is ear s som e
com for t ing w or ds.

Th e ou t com e of t h e bat t le w as as af or em en t ion ed an ign om in iou s r ou t f or t h e poly t h eist s an d a

m anifest v ict or y for t he Muslim s. Four t een Muslim s w er e k illed, of w hom six w er e fr om t he
Em igr an t s an d eigh t f r om t h e Helper s. Th e poly t h eist s su st ain ed h eav y casu alt ies, sev en t y w er e
k illed and a lik e num ber t ak en pr isoner s. Many of t he pr incipal m en of Mak k ah, and som e of
Mu h am m ad ’s bit t er est oppon en t s, w er e am on g t h e slain . Ch ief of t h ese w as Abu Jah l.
On t h e t h ir d day , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w en t ou t t o look at t h e slain
poly t h eist s, an d said:
• “ Wh at an ev il t r ib e y ou w er e as r eg ar d s y ou r Pr op h et , y ou b elied m e b u t t h e ot h er s h av e
believ ed; y ou let m e dow n w h ile t h e ot h er s h av e su ppor t ed m e; y ou ex pelled m , w h er eas
t h e ot h er s h av e sh elt er ed m e. ”
He st ood ov er t h e b od ies of t w en t y -f ou r lead er s of Qu r aish w h o h ad b een t h r ow n in t o on e of t h e
w ells, an d st ar t ed t o call t h em by n am e an d by t h e n am es of t h eir f at h er s, say in g: “ Wou ld it n ot
h av e been m u ch bet t er f or y ou if y ou h ad obey ed Allâh an d His Messen ger ? Beh old, w e h av e f ou n d
t h at ou r Lor d’s pr om ise do com e t r u e; did y ou ( also) fin d t h at t h e pr om ises of y ou r Lor d cam e
t r u e?” Ther eupon, ‘Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab said : “ O Messen g er of Allâh ! Wh y y ou sp eak t o b od ies t h at
h av e n o sou ls in t h em ?” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an sw er ed: “ By Him in Wh ose h an d is
Mu h am m ad ’s sou l! You do n ot h ear bet t er w h at I am say in g t h an t h ey do. ”
REACTI ON I N M AKKAH :
Th e poly t h eist s h av in g r eceiv ed a lar ge dose of disciplin in g an d h eav y def eat , f led aw ay in gr eat
disor der in t he v ales and hillock s heading for Mak k ah panick ed and t oo asham ed t o see t heir people.
I bn I sh aq r elat ed t h at t h e f ir st h er ald of bad t idin gs w as Al-Haisam an bin ‘Abdullah Al-Khuza‘i. He
n ar r at ed t o t h em h ow t h eir n ot ables w er e k illed. People t h er e did n ot believ e h im at f ir st an d
t h ou g h t t h at h e h ad g on e m ad , b u t soon t h e n ew s w as con f ir m ed an d a st at e of in cr ed ib le

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b ew ild erm en t ov er w h elm ed t h e w h ole Mak k an scen e. Abu Su fy an bin Al-Har it h gav e Abu Lah ab a
f u ll accou n t of t h e m assacr e an d t h e disgr acef u l r ou t t h ey su st ain ed, w it h em ph asis on t h e r ole t h at
t h e an gels play ed in br in gin g abou t t h eir t r agic en d. Abu Lah ab cou ld n ot con t ain h im self an d gav e
v en t t o h is feelin gs of r esen t m en t in beat in g, abu sin g an d slappin g Abu Rafi‘, a Mu slim , bu t r et icen t
on his conv er sion, for r eit er at ing t he r ole of t he angels. Um m Al-Fadl, anot her Muslim w om an,
g r eat ly ex asp er at ed b y Ab u Lah ab ’s t h ou gh t less beh av iou r , st r u ck h im w it h a log an d cr ack ed h is
h ead. Sev en day s lat er , h e died of an om in ou s u lcer an d w as lef t f or t h r ee day s u n bu r ied. His son s,
h ow ev er , for fear of sh am efu l r u m ou r s, dr ov e h im t o a pit an d k eepin g t h eir dist an ce, h u r led st o n es
an d du st at h im .
Th e def eat w as a m at t er of gr eat sh am e an d gr ief f or t h e Mak k an s. I n alm ost ev er y h ou se t h er e
w er e silen t t ear s f or t h e dead an d t h e capt iv es. Th ey w er e bu r n in g w it h h u m iliat ion an d w er e
t hir st ing for r ev enge. Wailing, lam ent ing and cr y ing how ev er w er e decr eed st r ict ly for bidden lest t he
Muslim s should r ej oice at t heir afflict ion.
M AD I N AH RECEI VES TH E N EW S OF VI CTORY:
Tw o h er alds, ‘Abdu llah bin Raw ah ah an d Z aid bin Har it h ah w er e despat ch ed t o Madin ah , t o con v ey
t h e g lad t id in g s of v ict or y t o t he Muslim s t her e.
The m ult i-et h n ic an d ideological st r u ct u r e of Madin ah feat u r ed differ en t r espect iv e r eact ion s.
Rum our-m on g er s am on g st t h e Jew s an d h y p ocr it es sp r ead n ew s t o t h e ef f ect t h at t h e Pr op h et
( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad been k illed, an d t r ied t o im pr ess t h eir f alse assu m pt ion on t h e f act t h at
Zaid bin Har it hah w as r iding Al-Qasw â’, t h e Pr op h et ’s sh e-cam el. Hav in g r each ed, t h e t w o
m essen ger s im par t ed t o t h e Mu slim s t h e h appy n ew s of v ict or y , an d fu r n ish ed accu r at e in for m at ion
abou t t h e c ou r se of ev en t s in or d er t o est ab lish t h e sen se of r eassu r an ce d eep in t h e h ear t s of t h e
anx ious, but now , j oy ous Muslim s. They im m ediat ely st ar t ed acclaim ing Allâh’s Nam e and
en t er t ain in g His pr aise at t h e t op of t h eir v oices. Th eir ch ief s w en t ou t of t h e cit y t o w ait and r eceiv e
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) on t h e r oad leadin g t o Badr .
Usam ah bin Zaid r elat ed t h at t h ey r eceiv ed t h e n ew s of t h e m an ifest v ict or y sh or t ly aft er Ru qaiy ah ,
t h e Pr oph et ’s dau gh t er , an d t h e w if e of ‘Ut h m an bin ‘Af f an h ad been com m it t ed t o ear t h. She had
been t er m in ally ill an d t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad ask ed ‘Ut h m an t o st ay in Madin ah an d
look aft er her .
Befor e leav in g t h e scen e of t h e bat t le, dispu t e con cer n in g t h e spoils of w ar ar ose am on g t h e Mu slim
w ar r ior s, as t h e r u le r elat in g t o t h eir dist r ibu t ion h ad n ot y et been legislat ed. Wh en t h e dif f er en ce
gr ew w ider , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) su spen ded an y solu t ion w h er eof u n t il t h e
Rev elat ion w as sen t d ow n .
‘Ubadah bin As -Sam it said: “ We w en t ou t w it h t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d I
w it n essed Badr w it h h im . Th e bat t le st ar t ed an d Allâh , t h e Ex alt ed, def eat ed t h e en em y . Som e of
t h e Mu slim s sou gh t an d pu r su ed t h e en em y , som e w er e in t en t on collect in g t h e spoils f r om t h e
enem y cam p, and o t h er s w er e g u ar d in g t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on h im ) an d w er e on
t h e aler t f or an y em er gen cy or su r pr ise at t ack . Wh en n igh t cam e an d t h e Mu slim s gat h er ed
t og et h er , t h ose w h o h ad collect ed t h e b oot y said : “ We collect ed it , so n o on e else h as an y r igh t t o
it . ” Th ose w h o h ad p u r su ed t h e en em y said : “ You d o n ot h av e m or e r ig h t t o it t h an w e d o; w e h eld
t h e en em y at b ay an d t h en d ef eat ed t h em . ” As f or t h e m en w h o h ad b een g u ar d in g t h e Pr op h et
( Peace be upon him ) , t hey also m ade sim ilar claim s t o t he spoils.
At t h at v er y t im e, a Qu r ’ân ic v er se w as r ev ealed say in g:
• “ Th ey ask y ou [ O Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] abou t t h e spoils of w ar . Say : ‘Th e
spoils ar e for Allâh an d t h e Messen ger . ’ So fear Allâh an d adj u st all m at t er s of differ en ce
am on g y ou , an d obey Allâh an d His Messen ger [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] , if y ou
ar e believ er s. ” [ 8: 1]
On t h eir w ay back t o Madin ah , at a lar ge san d h ill, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) div ided t h e
spoils equ ally am on g t h e f igh t er s af t er h e h ad t ak en Al-Kh u m s ( on e-fift h) . When t hey r eached As -
Saf r a’, h e or der ed t h at t w o of t h e pr ison er s sh ou ld be k illed. Th ey w er e An -Nadr bin Al-Har it h an d
‘Uqbah bin Abi Mu ait , becau se t h ey h ad per secu t ed t h e Mu slim s in Mak k ah , an d h ar bou r ed deep
h at r ed t ow ar ds Allâh an d His Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) . I n a n u t sh ell, t h ey w er e cr im in als of
w a r in m oder n t er m in ology , an d t h eir ex ecu t ion w as an aw esom e lesson t o oppr essor s. ‘Uqbah
for got h is pr ide an d cr ied ou t , “ Wh o w ill look aft er m y ch ildr en O Messen ger of Allâh ?” Th e Pr oph et
( Peace be upon him ) answ er ed, “ The fir e ( of Hell) . ” Did ‘Uqbah not r em em b er t h e d ay w h en h e h ad
t h r ow n t h e en t r ails of a sh eep on t o t h e h ead of t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w h ile h e w as
pr ost r at in g h im self in pr ay er , an d Fat im ah h ad com e an d w ash ed it of f h im ? He h ad also st r an gled
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w it h h is cloak if it h ad n ot been for Abu Bak r t o in t er v en e an d
r elease t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th e h eads of bot h cr im in als w er e st r u ck off by ‘Ali bin Abi
Talib.
At Ar-Raw h â’, a su bu r b of Madin ah , t h e Mu slim ar m y w as r eceiv ed by t h e j oy ou s Madin ese w h o h a d
com e t o con gr at u lat e t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) on t h e m an if est v ict or y t h at Allâh h ad
gr ant ed him . Usaid bin Hudair , act ing as a m out hpiece of t he ot her t r ue believ er s, aft er ent er t aining
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Allâh’s pr aise, he ex cused him self for not hav ing j oin ed t h em on g r ou n d s t h at t h e Pr op h et ’s
in t en t ion w as pr esu m ably , an er r an d aim in g t o in t er cept a car av an of cam els on ly , h e added t h at if
it h ad occu r r ed t o h im t h at it w ou ld be r eal w ar , h e w ou ld h av e n ev er t ar r ied. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) assu r ed Usaid t h at h e h ad believ ed h im .
Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) n ow en t er ed Mad in ah as a m an t o b e cou n t ed f or in a n ew
dim ension — t h e m ilit ar y field. I n con sequ en ce, a lar ge n u m ber of t h e people of Madin ah em br aced
I slam , w h ich added a lot t o t h e st r en gt h , pow er an d m or al st an din g of t h e t r u e r eligion .
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ex h or t ed t h e Mu slim s t o t r eat t h e pr ison er s so w ell t o su ch an
ex t en t t h at t h e capt or s u sed t o giv e t h e capt iv es t h eir br ead ( t h e m or e v alu ed par t of t h e m eal) an d
k eep t h e dat es f or t h em selv es.
Pr ison er s of w ar con st it u t ed a pr oblem aw ait in g r esolu t ion becau se it w as a n ew ph en om en on in t h e
hist or y of I slam . The Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) consult ed Abu Bak r and ‘Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab as
t o w h at h e sh ou ld d o w it h t h e p r ison er s. Abu Bak r su ggest ed t h at h e sh ou ld r an som t h em ,
ex plain in g t h is by say in g: “ Th ey ar e aft er all ou r r elat iv es, an d t h is m on ey w ou ld giv e u s st r en gt h
against t he disbeliev er s, m or eov er , Allâh could guide t hem t o I slam . ” ‘Um ar adv ised k illing t hem ,
say in g, “ Th ey ar e t h e leader s of Kufr ( disbelief) . ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) pr efer r ed Abu
Bak r ’s su ggest ion t o t h at of ‘Um ar ’s. Th e follow in g day , ‘Um ar called on t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) an d Abu Bak r t o see t h em w eepin g. He sh ex t r em e ast on ish m en t an d in q u ir ed ab ou t t h e
sit u at ion so t h at h e m ig h t w eep if it w as w or t h w eep in g f or , or else h e w ou ld f eig n w eep in g .
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said t h at a Qu r ’ân ic v er se h ad been r ev ealed r ebu k in g t h em f or
t ak in g r an som fr om t h e capt iv es r at h er t h an slay ing t hem :
• “ I t is n ot f or a Pr oph et t h at h e sh ou ld h av e pr ison er s of w ar ( an d f r ee t h em w it h r an som )
u n t il h e h ad m ade a gr eat slau gh t er ( am on g h is en em ies) in t h e lan d. You desir e t h e good of
t his w or ld ( i. e. t he m oney of r ansom for fr eeing t he capt iv es) , but Allâh desir es ( f or y ou ) t h e
Her eaft er . And Allâh is All-Might y, All-Wise. Wer e it n ot a pr ev iou s or dain m en t fr om Allâh , a
sev er e t or m en t w ou ld h av e t ou ch ed y ou f or w h at y ou t ook . ” [ 8 : 6 7 , 6 8 ]
Th e pr ev iou s Div in e or dain m en t w en t as f ollow s,
• “ Ther eaft er ( is t he t im e) eit her for gener osit y ( i. e. fr ee t hem w it hout r ansom ) or r ansom . ”
[ 47: 4]
Wh ich in clu ded an ar ea pr ov idin g per m ission t o t ak e r an som , t h at is w h y n o pen alt y w as im posed.
Th ey w er e r ebu k ed on ly f or t ak in g pr ison er s bef or e su bdu in g all t h e lan d of disbelief. Apar t fr om
t h is, t h e poly t h eist s t ak en t o Madin ah w er e n ot on ly pr ison er s of w ar bu t r at h er ar ch cr im in als of w ar
w h om m oder n w ar pen al law br in gs t o j u st ice t o r eceiv e t h eir du e sen t en ce of deat h or pr ison f or
life.
Th e r an som for t h e pr ison er s r an ged bet w een 4 0 0 0 an d 1 0 0 0 Dir h am s in accor dan ce w it h t h e
capt iv e’s financial sit uat ion. Anot her for m of r ansom assum ed an educat ional dim ension; m ost of
t h e Mak k an s, u n lik e t h e Madin ese, w er e lit er at e an d so each pr ison er w h o cou ld n ot af f or d t h e
r an som w as en t r u st ed w it h t en ch ildr en t o t each t h em t h e ar t of w r it in g an d r eadin g. On ce t h e ch ild
h ad been pr of icien t en ou gh , t h e in st r u ct or w ou ld be set f r ee. An ot h er clan of pr ison er s w er e
r eleased u n r an som ed on g r ou n d s of b ein g h ar d u p . Z ain ab , t h e d au g h t e r of t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) , paid t h e r an som of h er h u sban d Abu l-‘As w it h a n eck lace. Th e Mu slim s r eleased h er
pr ison er an d r et u r n ed t h e n eck lace in def er en ce t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) bu t on
con dit ion t h at Abu l-‘As allow Z ain ab t o m igr ate t o Madin ah , w h ich h e act u ally did.
I n capt iv it y , t her e w as also an eloquent or at or called Suhail bin ‘Am r . ‘Um ar suggest ed t hat t hey pull
ou t h is f r on t t eet h t o disable h im f r om speak in g, bu t t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t u r n ed dow n
h is su ggest ion f o r f ear Qu r aish sh ou ld r et aliat e in t h e sam e m an n er on on e h an d, an d on t h e ot h er
for fear of Allâh’s w r at h on t he Day of Resur r ect ion.
Sa‘d bin An -Nu ‘m an , a lesser pilgr im det ain ed in Mak k ah , w as r eleased in r et u r n for set t in g Abu
Su fy an ’s son , a capt iv e, fr ee.
TH E BATTLE OF BAD R I N I TS QUR'AN I C CON TEXT:
Th e Ch apt er of Al-Anfal ( spoils of w ar ) w as r ev ealed on t h e occasion of t h e bat t le of Badr , Ram adan
17t h 2 A. H. I t const it ut ed a unique Div ine com m ent ar y on t his bat t le.
Allâh, t he All-High, in t he cont ex t of t h is Ch ap t er d r aw s on m aj or issu es r elat in g t o t h e w h ole
pr ocess of I slam izat ion . Allâh , h er e dr aw s t h e at t en t ion of t h e Mu slim s t o t h e st ill lin ger in g m or al
shor t com ings in t heir char act er . He w ant s t hem t o build an int egr at ed, pur ified societ y . He sp eak s
ab ou t t h e in v isib le assist an ce h e sen t d ow n t o His ob ed ien t ser v an t s t o en ab le t h em t o accom p lish
t h eir n oble obj ect iv es. He w an t s t h e Mu slim s t o r id t h em selv es of an y t r ait of h au gh t in ess or
ar r ogan ce t h at m igh t sn eak in . He w an t s t h em t o t u r n t o Him for help, obey Him and His Messenger
( Peace be upon him ) .
Aft er t hat He delineat ed t he noble obj ect iv es for w hich t he Messenger ( Peace be upon him ) launched
t h at bloody bat t le, an d dir ect ed t h em t o t h e m er it s an d qu alit ies t h at br ou gh t abou t t h e gr eat
v ict or y . Th e poly t h eist s, h y pocr it es, t h e Jew s an d pr ison er s of w ar w er e also m en t ion ed, bein g

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ad m on ish ed t o su r r en d er t o t h e Tr u t h an d ad h er e t o it on ly . Th e q u est ion of t h e sp oils of w ar w as
r esolv ed an d t h e pr in ciples an d basics r elev an t t o t h is issu e w er e clear ly defined.
Th e law s an d r u les per t in en t t o w ar an d peace w er e legalized an d codif ied, especially at t h is
adv an ced st age of t h e I slam ic act ion . Allâh w an t ed t h e Mu slim s t o follow w ar et h ics dissim ilar t o
t h ose of pr e -I slam ic pr act ices. The Muslim s ar e d eem ed t o ou t d o t h e ot h er s in et h ics, v alu es an d
fin e ideals. He w an t s t o im pr ess on t h e w or ld t h at I slam is n ot m er ely a t h eor et ical code of life, it is
r at her m ind cult iv at ion-or ient at ed pr act ical pr inciples. I n t his cont ex t , He est ablished int er a nd intra-
st at e r elat ion s.
Th e f ast of Ram adan w as est ablish ed as an obligat or y obser v an ce in t h e y ear 2 A. H. , appen ded by
t h e du t y im posed u pon Mu slim s of pay in g Zakat ( alm s t ax , poor-du e) in or der t o allev iat e t h e
bu r den of t h e n eedy Em igr an t s.
A w o n d erf u l an d st r ik in g coin ciden ce w as t h e est ablish m en t of Sh aw w al ‘Eid ( t h e Fest iv al of t h e
Fast -Br eak ing) dir ect ly aft er t he m anifest v ict or y of Badr . I t w as act ually t he finest spect acle ev er
w it nessed of Muslim s leav ing t heir houses pr ay ing, acclaim ing Allâ h ’s Nam e an d en t er t ain in g His
pr aise at t h e t op of t h eir v oices in r ecogn it ion of His f av ou r an d gr ace, an d last bu t n ot least , t h e
su ppor t He r en der ed t h em an d t h r ou gh w h ich t h e f or ces of t h e Tr u t h ov er pow er ed t h ose of ev il.
• “ An d r em em b er w h en y ou w ere f ew an d w er e r eck on ed w eak in t h e lan d , an d w er e af r aid
t h at m en m igh t k idn ap y ou , bu t He pr ov ided a saf e place f or y ou , st r en gt h en ed y ou w it h His
h elp, an d pr ov ided y ou w it h good t h in gs so t h at y ou m igh t be gr at ef u l. ” [ 8 : 2 6 ]

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 TH E M I LI TARY ACTI VI TI ES BETW EEN BAD R AN D UH UD

Th e bat t le of Badr w as t h e f ir st ar m ed en cou n t er bet w een t h e Mu slim s an d Qu r aish . I t w as in f act a

decisiv e bat t le t h at gain ed t h e Mu slim s a h ist or ic v ict or y ack n ow ledged by all t h e Ar abs, an d dealt a
h eav y blow t o t h e r eligiou s an d eco nom ic int er est s of t he poly t heist s. Ther e w er e also t he Jew s w ho
also u sed t o r egar d each . I slam ic v ict or y as a h eav y blow t o t h eir r eligioecon om ic en t it y . Bot h
par t ies w er e bu r n in g w it h r age an d f u r y sin ce t h e Mu slim s h ad ach iev ed t h at gr eat v ict or y :

• “ Ver ily , y ou w ill find t he st r ongest am ong m en in enm it y t o t he believ er s ( Muslim s) t he

Jew s an d Al-Mushr ik ûn ( poly t heist s, pagans, idolat or s and disbeliev er s, et c. ) . ” [ 5 : 8 2 ]

Bot h r esen t fu l par t ies h ad t h eir m u ch m or e in dign an t su it e in t h e for m of h y pocr it es w h o f ak ed

I slam j u st t o sav e t h eir f aces; at t h e h ead of w h om cam e ‘Abdu llah bin Ubai an d h is r et in u e. Th e
deser t bedou in s liv in g in t en t s pit ch ed in t h e v icin it y of Madin ah , w h o depen ded on plu n der in g an d
loot in g as a m ean s of liv in g, w er e t ot ally in differ en t t o t h is ax ial qu est ion of belief an d disbelief.
Th eir w or r y der iv ed f r om f ear of losin g t h eir per v er t ed av en u es of su bsist en ce in case a pow er f u l
n ascen t Mu slim st at e sh ou ld r ise u p an d pu t an en d t o su ch ill-pr act ices, h en ce t h e gr u dge t h ey
n u rsed again st I slam an d t h e Mu slim s, in gen er al, an d t h e per son of Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon
him ) in par t icular .

Th e w h ole cau se of Fait h w as t h u s at st ak e w it h f ou r f u r iou s p ar t ies lay in g am b u sh es ag ain st t h e

n ew r eligion , each in it s st y le: Pr et en sion t o I slam em bedded w it h con spir acy plot s an d pr ov ocat iv e
deeds w it h in Madin ah , ex plicit ly u n cov er ed an im osit y pr egn an t w it h in dign at ion an d fir e of r age on
t h e par t of t h e Jew s, an d t h er e in Mak k ah open an d per sist en t calls f or v en gean ce cou pled w it h
op en in t en t ion s t o m obilize all pot en t ial r esou r ces av ailable t o silen ce t h e v oice of I slam on ce an d
for all. This w as lat er t r anslat ed int o m ilit ar y act ion, Uhud I nv asion, w hich left a v er y bad im pr ession
on t h e g ood n am e an d est eem t h at t h e Mu slim s w er e p ain st ak in gly w or k in g t o m er it an d pr eser v e.

Th e Mu slim s w er e alw ay s obliged t o be on t h e look ou t f or an y h ost ile m ov em en t s, an d it w as

im per at iv e on t hem t o launch pr e -em pt iv e st r ik es in all dir ect ion s in or der t o en j oy a r eason able
degr ee of secu r it y in t h is gr eat inst abilit y -pr ov ok in g ocean of u n r est . Th e follow in g is a list of
m ilit ar y act iv it ies conduct ed in t he post -Badr er a:

ALKUD R I N VASI ON

Th e scou t in g body of Madin ah r epor t ed t h at Ban u Saleem of Gh at af an w er e en gaged in m u st er in g

t r oop s t o in v ad e t h e Mu slim s. The Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) t ook t he init iat iv e him self and
m ou n t ed a su r pr ise at t ack on t h em in t h eir ow n h om elan d at a w at er in g place called Al-Kudr . Banu
Saleem , on r eceiv in g t h e n ew s, h ad f led bef or e h e ar r iv ed. He st ay ed t h er e f or t h r ee day s, t ook
t h eir 5 0 0 cam els as boot y an d dist r ibu t ed t h em t o t h e f igh t er s af t er h e h ad set aside t h e u su al on e-
fift h ; each on e gain ed t w o cam els.

Th is in v asion t ook place in Sh aw w al in t h e y ear 2 A. H. , sev en day s af t er t h e ev en t of Badr .

AN ATTEM P ON TH E LI FE OF TH E PROPH ET ( Pe a ce be upon him )

Th e im p act of d ef eat at Bad r w as so g r eat t h at t h e Mak k an s b eg an t o b u r n w it h in d ig n at ion an d

r esen t m en t ov er t h eir h or r ible losses. To r esolv e t h is sit u at ion t w o poly t h eist s v olu n t eer ed t o
quench t heir t hir st and m uffle t h e sou r ce of t h at h u m iliat ion i. e. t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) .

‘Um air bin Wahab Al-Ju m ah i, a t er r ible poly t h eist , an d an ar ch en em y Safw an bin Om aiy ah sat
t oget h er pr iv at ely lam en t in g t h eir loss an d r em em ber in g t h eir dead an d capt iv es. ‘Um air ex pr e ssed
a f er v en t desir e t o k ill t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d r elease h is capt u r ed son in Madin ah , if
it w as n ot f or t h e y ok e of d eb t s h e w as u n d er an d t h e lar g e f am ily h e h ad t o su p p or t . Saf w an , also
h ad h is g ood r eason s t o see t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u pon him ) k illed, so he offer ed t o dischar ge
‘Um air ’s debt s an d su ppor t h is fam ily if h e w en t on w it h h is plan .

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‘Um air agr eed an d ask ed Saf w an t o be r et icen t on t h e w h ole sch em e. He lef t f or Madin ah , h av in g
w it h h im a sw or d t o w h ich h e applied som e k in d of let hal poison. ‘Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab saw h im at
t h e door of t h e Mosqu e an d u n der st ood t h at h e h ad com e w it h ev il in t en t ion s. He im m ediat ely w en t
in t o t h e Mosqu e an d in f or m ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . He w as let in looped by t h e slin g of
h is sw or d an d in gr eet ing he said “ good m or ning” , t o w hich t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) r eplied
t h at Allâh h ad b een Gr aciou s an d t au g h t t h em t h e g r eet in g of t h e d w eller s of t h e Par ad ise: “ p eace
be u pon y ou ! ” To a qu est ion r aised by t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , about his obj ect , ‘Um air
said t h at h e h ad com e t o see t h at h is cap t u r ed son w as w ell t r eat ed . As f or t h e sw or d , w h ich t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ask ed h im abou t , h e cu r sed it an d said t h at it gain ed t h em n ot h in g.
On ex h or t in g h im t o t ell h is r eal goal, h e r em ain ed obdu r at e an d did n ot div u lge t h e secr et m eet in g
w it h Safw an. Her e t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) got im pat ient and he him self r ev ealed t o ‘Um air
h is secr et m ission . ‘Um air w as t ak en by su r pr ise, an d in cr edible ast on ish m en t seized h im , an d
imm ediat ely bor e w it n ess t o t h e Messen ger sh ip of Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) He t h en began
t o en t er t ain Allâh ’s pr aise for h av in g been gu ided t o t h e ‘St r aigh t Pat h ’. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) w as pleased an d ask ed h is Com pan ion s t o t each ‘Um air t h e principles of I slam , r ecit e t o him
t h e Noble Qu r ’ân an d r elease h is son fr om capt iv it y .

Saf w an , m ean w h ile, w as st ill en t er t ain in g f alse illu sion s as t o t h e appr oach in g r edem pt ion of
honour , and bur y ing t he m em or y of Badr int o obliv ion. He w as im pat ient ly aw ait ing ‘Um air ’s new s
bu t t o h is gr eat su r pr ise, h e w as t old t h at t h e m an h ad em br aced I slam an d ch an ged in t o a dev ot ed
believ er . ‘Um air lat er cam e back t o Mak k ah w h er e h e st ar t ed t o call people u n t o I slam an d h e did
act u ally m an age t o con v er t a lot of Mak k ans int o I slam .

I N V ASI ON OF BAN I QAYN UQA:

We h av e alr ead y sp ok en ab ou t t h e t r eat y t h at t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) sig n ed w it h t h e

Jew s. He w as v er y car ef u l t o abide by it t o t h e let t er an d t h e Mu slim s did n ot sh ow t h e least
v iolat ion of any of it s p r ov ision s. Th e Jew s, h ow ev er , w h ose n at u r al disposit ion is closely lin k ed t o
t r each er y , bet r ay al an d cov en an t -br each in g, cou ld n ot r id t h em selv es of t h e t r adit ion of t h eir s, an d
st ar t ed a pr ocess of in t r igu es an d t r ou blem ak in g w it h t h e aim of pr odu cin g sch ism in t h e gr ow in g
solid Muslim r ank s. Her e is a r elev ant m odel of t heir behav iour : Shas bin Qais, an elder ly Jew , a
t er r ible disbeliev er an d a gr eat ly en v iou s m an of t h e Mu slim s, passed by a gr ou p of Mu h am m ad
( Peace be u pon h im ) f ollow er s of Aw s an d Kh azraj . He per ceiv ed a pr ev alent spir it of r econciliat ion
an d an at m osp h er e of r ap p or t an d am it y en v elop in g t h e w h ole g r ou p ; an u n u su al scen e
cat egor ically in conflict w it h t he anim osit y and hat r ed t hat char act er ized t heir pr e -I slam behav iour .
He, t her efor e, s en t a y ou t h of h is t o sit am on g t h em , r em in d t h em of Bu ‘at h w ar bet w een t h em an d
r ecit e som e of t h eir v er ses w h ich t h ey u sed t o com pose sat ir izin g each ot h er ; all of t h is w it h t h e
in t en t ion of sow in g t h e seeds of discor d an d disagr eem en t an d u n der m in in g t h e new I slam ically -
or ien t at ed in t er-t r ibal r elat ions. The y out h did in fact succeed and t he t w o par t ies at no t im e r ecalled
t h e old d ay s an d p r e -I slam t r ibal f an at icism spr an g t o t h e f r on t t o br in g abou t a st at e of w ar .

Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w as r epor t ed of t h is accou n t , an d im m ediat ely , at t h e h ead of

som e Em igr an t s, set ou t t o see t o t h e sit u at ion . He began t o r ebu k e t h em bu t in t h e m an n er of t h e
gr eat inst r uct or and t he t oler ant spir it of t he under st anding guide: “ O, Muslim s! Do y ou st ill adv ance
pr e -I slam ic ar gu m en t s af t er I h av e been sen t t o y ou ( as a Messen ger ) . Rem em ber t h at it is n ot
r igh t fu l for y ou t o t u r n back w ar d aft er Allâh h as gu ided y ou t o t h e St r aigh t Pat h , deliv er ed y ou fr om
disbelief an d cr eat ed am it y bet w een y ou . ” Th e Mu slim s r eadily r ealized t h at it w as a Sat an ic w h im
an d a plot h at ch ed by t h e en em ies. Th ey dir ect ly em br aced each ot h er an d w en t back h om e qu it e
sat isf ied an d in f u ll obedien ce t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) .

Su ch w er e t h e pr act ices of t h e , t r ou ble -m ak in g, dissen sion -sow in g , f alseh ood -fabr icat ion, fak ing
belief in t h e day , an d pr act isin g disbelief at n igh t . I n ev er y day life, t h ey u sed t o t igh t en t h e r opes of
f in an cial dealin gs on t h e Mu slim s. I f t h ey h appen ed t o ow e a Mu slim som et h in g, t h ey w ou ld sh irk
t h eir ob lig at ion s on g r ou n d s t h at h e h ad con v er t ed in t o a n ew r elig ion an d t h ey w ou ld alleg e t h e
b asis of ag r eem en t w as n o lon g er v alid . I f it w as t h e ot h er w ay , t h ey w ou ld n ev er cease t o h ar ass
h im day an d n igh t t o pay back t h e debt , all of w h ich in a d esp er at e at t em p t t o d em olish t h e g r eat
edif ice of t h e n ew r eligion t h at w as r apidly gain in g gr ou n d an d speedily t ow er in g u p sk y w ar d.

TH E QAI N UQA' JEW S BREACH TH E COVEN AN T:

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Seein g t h at Allâh sided w it h t h e believ er s an d gr an t ed t h em a m an if est v ict or y an d per ceiv in g t h e
Mu slim s’ aw esom e pr esen ce in Madin ah , t h e Jew s cou ld n o lon ger con t ain t h em selv es or con ceal
in dign at ion . Th ey st ar t ed a ser ies of pr ov ocat iv e an d h ar m fu l deeds pu blicly . Th e m ost w ick ed
am on gst t h em w er e t h e t r ibe of Ban u Qain u qa‘, w h o liv ed in qu ar t er s w it h in Madin ah n am ed af t er
t hem . As for j obs, t hey t ook up goldsm it her y , black sm it hing and cr aft s of m ak ing household
in st r u m en t s, t h at is w h y w ar w eapon r y w as av ailable in lar ge qu an t it ies in t h eir h ou ses. Th ey
cou n t ed 7 0 0 w ar r ior s, an d w er e t he m ost dar ing am ongst t he Jew ish com m unit y in Ar abia, and now
t h e f ir st t o br each t h e cov en an t of cooper at ion an d n on -ag g r ession w h ich t h ey h ad alr ead y
cou n t er sign ed w it h t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th eir beh av iou r gr ew t oo im polit e an d
u n b ear ab le. Th ey st ar t ed a pr ocess of t r ou ble -m ak in g, j eer in g at t h e Mu slim s, h u r t in g t h ose w h o
f r equ en t ed t h eir bazaar s, an d ev en in t im idat in g t h eir w om en . Su ch t h in gs began t o aggr av at e t h e
gen er al sit u at ion , so t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) gat h er ed t h em in assem blage, adm on ish ed
an d called t h em t o be r at ion al, sen sible an d gu ided an d cau t ion ed again st f u r t h er t r an sgr ession .
Nev er t h eless t h ey r em ain ed obdu r at e an d paid n o h eed t o h is w ar n in g, an d said: “ Don ’t be delu ded
on accou n t of def eat in g som e Qu r aish it es i n ex p er ien ced in t h e ar t of w ar . I f y ou w er e t o en g ag e u s
in f igh t , y ou w ill r ealize t h at w e ar e gen u in e w ar ex per t s. ”

I n t h is r egar d, t h e Wor ds of Allâh w er e r ev ealed say in g:

• “ Say [ O Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] t o t h ose w h o disbeliev e: ‘You w ill be d ef eat ed

an d g at h er ed t og et h er t o Hell, an d w or st in d eed is t h at p lace t o r est . ’ Th er e h as alr ead y
been a Sign for y ou ( O Jew s) in t h e t w o ar m ies t h at m et ( in com bat — i. e. t h e bat t le of
Badr ) : On e w as f igh t in g in t h e cau se of Allâh , an d as f or t h e ot h er ( t h ey ) w er e disbeliev er s.
Th ey ( t h e believ er s) saw t h em ( t h e disbeliev er s) w it h t h eir ow n ey es t w ice t h eir n u m ber
( alt hough t hey w er e t hr ice t heir num ber ) . And Allâh suppor t s w it h His Vict or y w hom He
pleases. Ver ily , in t h is is a lesson f or t h ose w h o u n derst and. ” [ 3: 12, 13]

Th e an sw er of Ban u Qain u q a‘ am ou n t ed , as seen , t o w ar d eclar at ion . Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on

h im ) su ppr essed h is an ger an d adv ised t h e Mu slim s t o be pat ien t an d f or bear in g an d w ait f or w h at
t im e m ight r ev eal.

Th e Jew s, w en t t oo f ar in t heir t r ansgr ession, pr esum pt uous behav iour and licent ious pr act ices. One
day a Jew ish goldsm it h pr ov ok ed a Mu slim w om an w h ose gen it als becom e u n cov er ed w h en h e h ad
t ied t h e edge of t h e gar m en t t o h er back . A Mu slim m an h appen ed t o be t h er e an d k illed t h e m an;
t he Jew s r et aliat ed by k illing t hat Muslim . The m an’s fam ily called t he Muslim s for help and w ar
st ar t ed.

On Sat ur day , Shaw w al 1 5 t h, 2 A. H. , t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) m ar ched out w it h his soldier s,
Ham zah bin ‘Abdul Mut t alib, car r y ing t he st andar d of t h e Mu slim s an d laid siege t o t h e Jew s’ f or t s
f or 1 5 day s. Allâh cast f ear in t o t h eir h ear t s, an d t h ey w er e obliged t o def er t o t h e Messen ger
( Peace be u pon h im ) j u dgem en t on t h eir liv es, w ealt h , w om en an d ch ildr en ; t h eir h an ds w er e t ied
b eh in d t h eir back s.

At t his point , ‘Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul st ar t ed his hy pocr it ical r ole and began t o int er cede for
t h em per sist en t ly on gr ou n ds of f or m er allian ce bet w een t h ose Jew s an d His t r ibe Kh azr aj .
Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) dealt w it h t h is m an as being a Muslim -- He h ad f ak ed con v er sion
int o I slam for only one m ont h, by t hat t im e -- an d so h e gr an t ed h im h is r equ est ; f or I slam accept s
people at t h eir face v alu e. Ban u Qain u qa‘ h an ded ov er all m at er ials, w ealt h an d w ar equ ipage t o t h e
Pr op h et ( Peace b e u pon h im ) , w h o set aside on e f if t h an d dist r ibu t ed t h e r est t o h is m en . Af t er t h at
t h ey w er e ban ish ed ou t of all Ar abia t o Azr u ‘a in Sy r ia w h er e t h ey st ay ed f or a w h ile an d soon
p er ish ed aw ay .

AS- SAW I Q I N VASI ON :

Tw o-pr on ged h ost ile act iv it ies w er e bein g in d ep en d en t ly con d u ct ed ag ain st t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) ; plot s an d in t r igu es bein g h at ch ed by Saf w an bin Om aiy ah , t h e h y pocr it es an d Jew s on
t h e on e h an d, goin g on an d on par allel lin es w it h m ilit ar y h ost ilit ies bein g pr epar ed by Abu Su f y an
aim in g at sav in g t h e f ace of h is people an d im pr essin g on t h e ot h er Ar abs t h at Qu r aish w as st ill a
m ilit ar y pow er t o be cou n t ed for . I n t h e aft er m at h of Badr , Abu Su fy an w as bu r n in g for r ev en ge an d
t ook a solem n v ow h e w ou ld n ev er bat h e of f im pu r it y u n less h e h ad av enged him self on Muham m ad

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( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is f ollow er s. He set ou t at t h e h ead of 2 0 0 m en t ow ar ds Madin ah bu t w as
n ot br av e en ou gh t o at t ack it in br oad day ligh t . He, in st ead r esor t ed t o act s of pir acy t h at ar e
per for m ed in t he dar k . He infilt r at ed in t o t h e Pr op h et ’s t ow n an d w en t t o see an old ally Hu y ai b in
Ak ht ab, w ho w as t oo cow ar dly t o let him in, so he left for Salam bin Mashk am , chief of Bani Nadeer ,
a t r ibe of Jew s. Th e Jew en t er t ain ed an d gav e h im a f u ll accou n t of t h e sit u at ion t h erein . Lat e at
n igh t h e despat ch ed a gr ou p of h is m en t o r aid Al-‘Ur aid, a subur b of Madinah. Ther e, t he m en felled
an d bu r n t t h e palm t r ees, k illed t w o Mu slim s an d t h en t ook sw if t ly t o t h eir h eels.

On h ear in g t h e n ew s, t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) g at h er ed his m en and set out at t heir heels,

bu t cou ld n ot cat ch t h em . Th e Mu slim s br ou gh t back t h e pr ov ision s (Sawiq, a k ind of bar ley
por r idge) w h ich t h e poly t h eist s h ad t h r ow n aside in or der t o ligh t en t h eir loads an d h ast en t h eir
escape; h en ce t h is cam paign w as called As -Saw iq I n v asion . I t t ook place in Dh u l-Hij j ah 2 A.H., t w o
m on t h s af t er t h e ev en t of Badr .

DH I AM R I N VASI ON , M UH ARRAM , 3 A.H :

Th e Pr oph et ’s in t elligen ce per son n el r epor t ed t h at Ban u Th a‘labah an d Ban u Mu h âr ib w er e

m u st er in g t r oops w it h t h e aim of r aidin g t h e ou t sk ir t s of Madin ah . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
at t h e h ead of 4 5 0 h or sem en an d f oot m en set ou t t o h an dle t h is n ew sit u at ion . ‘Ut h m an bin ‘Af f an
w as ask ed t o dispose t h e af f air s of t h e Mu slim s in Madin ah . On t h eir w ay , t h ey capt u r e d a m an w h o
em br aced I slam an d act ed as a gu ide f or t h e ar m y . Wh en t h e en em ies h ear d of t h e appr oach of t h e
Mu slim s, t h ey h u r r iedly disper sed in t h e m ou n t ain s an d disappear ed. Th e Mu slim s en cam ped at a
w at er in g place called “ Dh i Am r ” for t h e w h ole of Safar 3 A. H. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
aim ed t o im pr ess upon t he deser t bedouins in t he ar ea, t hat t he Muslim s w er e t hen pow er ful enough
t o cast f ear an d aw e in t o t h e h ear t s of t h eir en em ies.

KA'B BI N AL- ASH RAF, KI LLED :

Ka‘b bin Al-Ash r af w as t h e m ost r esen t fu l Jew at I slam an d t h e Mu slim s, t h e k een est on in flict in g
h ar m on t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d t h e m ost zealou s adv ocat e of w agin g w ar
again st h im . He belon ged t o Tai’ t r ibe bu t h is m ot h er t o Ban u Nadeer . He w as a w ealt h y m an k n ow n
f or h is h an dsom en ess, an d a poet liv in g in lu x u r y in h is f or t sou t h east of Madin ah at t h e r ear of
Ban u Nadeer ’s h abit at ion s.

On h ear in g t h e n ew s of Bad r , h e g ot t er r ib ly ex asp er at ed an d sw or e t h at h e w ou ld p r ef er d eat h t o

lif e if t h e n ew s w as t r u e. Wh en t h is w as con f ir m ed h e w r ot e poem s sat ir izin g Mu h am m ad ( Peace be
u pon h im ) , eu logizin g Qu r aish an d en t icin g t h em again st t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . He t h en
r ode t o Mak k ah w h er e h e st ar t ed t o t r igger t h e f ir e of w ar , an d k in dle r an cou r again st t h e Mu slim s
in Madin ah . Wh en Abu Su fy an ask ed h im w h ich r eligion h e w as m or e in clin ed t o, t h e r eligion of t h e
Mak k ans or t hat of Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) and his com panions, he r eplied t hat t he pagans
w er e bet t er gu ided. Wr espect t o t h is sit u at ion , Allâh r ev e aled His Wor ds:

• “ Hav e y ou n ot seen t h ose w h o w er e giv en a por t ion of t h e Scr ipt u r e? Th ey believ e in Jibt
an d Taghût , an d say t o t h e disbeliev er s t h at t h ey ar e bet t er gu ided as r egar ds t h e w ay t h an
t he believ er s ( Muslim s) .” [ 4: 51]

He t h en r et u r n ed t o Madin ah t o st ar t a fr esh cam paign of slander ous pr opaganda t hat t ook t he for m
of obscen e son gs an d am at or y son n et s w it h a v iew t o def am in g t h e Mu slim w om en .

At t h is st age, t h e sit u at ion becam e u n bear able an d cou ld n o lon ger be pu t u p w it h . Th e Pr oph et
( Peace be upon him ) g at her ed his m en and said: “ Who w ill k ill Ka‘b bin Al-Ash r af? He h ad m align ed
Allâh, and His Messenger . ” Ther eupon, Muham m ad bin Maslam ah, ‘Abbad bin Bishr , Al-Har it h bin
Aw s, Abu ‘Abs bin Hibr and Salk an bin Salam ah, Ka‘b’s fost er br ot her , v olunt eer ed t o d o t h e j ob.

Mu h am m ad bin Maslam ah said: “ O Messen ger of Allâh , do y ou w ish t h at I sh ou ld k ill h im ?” He said:

“ Yes. ” He said: “ Per m it m e t o t alk ( t o him in t he w ay I deem fit ) . ” He said: “ Talk ( as y ou lik e) . ” So,
Muham m ad bin Maslam ah cam e t o Ka‘b and t alk e d t o him , say ing: “ This m an ( i. e. t he Pr ophet
( Peace be u pon h im ) ) h as m ade u p h is m in d t o collect ch ar it y ( fr om u s) an d t h is h as pu t u s t o a
gr eat h ar dsh ip. ” Wh en h e h ear d t h is, Ka‘b said: “ By Allâh y ou w ill be pu t t o m or e t r ou ble by h im . ”
Muham m ad bin Ma slam ah an sw er ed : “ No d ou b t , n ow w e h av e b ecom e h is f ollow er s an d w e d o n ot
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lik e t o f or sak e h im u n t il w e see w h at t u r n h is af f air s w ill t ak e. I w an t t h at y ou sh ou ld giv e m e a
loan . ” He said: “ Wh at w ill y ou m or t gage?” Mu h am m ad an sw er ed: “ Wh at do y ou w an t ?” T he immoral
an d h ear t less Jew dem an ded w om en an d ch ildr en as ar t icles of secu r it y again st t h e debt .
Mu h am m ad said: “ Sh ou ld w e pledge ou r w om en w h er eas y ou ar e t h e m ost h an dsom e of t h e Ar abs;
an d t h e son of on e of u s m ay b e ab u sed b y say in g t h at h e w as p led g ed f or t w o w asq ( m easurem ent
u n it of w eigh t ) of dat es bu t w e can pledge y ou ( ou r ) w eapon s. ” Ka‘b agr eed. Salk an bin Salam ah ,
Abu Na’ilah , at an ot h er t im e, w en t t o see Ka‘b f or t h e sam e pu r pose an d t h er e w er e m or e or less
t h e sam e su bj ect s, on ly t h at Abu Na ’ilah w ou ld br in g h im som e com pan ion s. Th e plan w as
su ccessf u l an d pr ov ided f or t h e pr esen ce of bot h m en an d w eapon s. On Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al 1 4 t h , at
n igh t , t h e y ear 3 A. H. t h e people said good by e t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d set ou t in
t h e Nam e of Allâh t o im plem en t t h e car efu lly dr aw n plan . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) st ay ed
back pr ay ing for t hem and supplicat ing Allâh t o r ender t hem success. The m en w ent and called upon
h im at n igh t . He cam e dow n alt h ou gh h is w if e w ar n ed h im n ot t o m eet t h em allegin g t h at : “ I h ear a
v oice w hich sounds lik e t he v oice of m ur der . ” He said: “ I t is only Muham m ad bin Maslam ah and m y
f ost er br ot h er Abu Na’ilah . Wh en a gen t lem an is called at n igh t ev en if h e be pier ced w it h a spear ,
h e sh ou ld r espon d t o t h e call. ” Abu N a’ilah said t o his com panions: “ As he com es dow n, I w ill ex t end
m y h an d t ow ar ds h is h ead t o sm ell an d w h en I h old h im f ast , y ou sh ou ld do y ou r j ob. ” So w h en h e
cam e dow n , t h ey t alk ed t oget h er f or abou t an h ou r . Th ey t h en in v it ed h im t o go ou t an d spen d a
n ice t im e in t he m oonlight . On t he w ay out , Abu Na’ilah r em ar k ed: “ I sm ell t he nicest per fum e fr om
y ou . ” Ka‘b said: “ Yes, I h av e w it h m e a m ist r ess w h o is t h e m ost scen t ed of t h e w om en of Ar abia. ”
Abu Na’ilah again said: “ Allow m e t o sm ell ( t h e scen t on y ou r head) ” . He said: “ Yes, y ou m ay
sm ell. ” So h e cau gh t it an d sm elt . Th en h e said: “ Allow m e t o do so( on ce again ) . ” He t h en h eld h is
h ead fast an d said t o h is com pan ion s: “ Do y ou r j ob. ” An d t h ey k illed h im . Th e gr ou p of m en cam e
back aft er fulfilling t heir m ission. One of t hem Al-Har it h b in Aw s w as w ou n d ed b y m ist ak e w it h t h e
sw or d s of h is m en , an d w as b leed in g b ad ly . Wh en t h ey r each ed Baq ee‘ Al-Gh ar qad, t h ey sh ou t ed,
“ Allâh is Gr eat ” . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ear d t h em an d r ealized t h at t h ey h ad k illed t h e
enem y of Allâh. As t hey saw him , he said: “ Cheer ful faces ar e y our s. ” I n r eply , t hey said: “ And
y ou r s O Messen ger of Allâh . ” Th ey h an ded t h e h ead of t h e t y r an t ov er t o h im . He en t er t ain ed Allâh ’s
pr aise for t h eir su ccess. He t h en applied h is saliv a t o Al-Har it h ’s w ou n d an d it h ealed on t h e sp ot .

Wh en t h e Jew s lear n ed abou t t h e deat h of t h eir t y r an t , Ka‘b bin Al-Ash r af , t h ey w er e scar ed an d

ev en t h eir st on elik e h ear t s w er e in t h e gr ip of in ex pr essible pan ic. Th ey r ealized t h at t h e Messen ger
of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w ou ld t h en cef or t h n ev er h esit at e t o u se f or ce w h en g ood w or d s an d
adm on it ion f ailed. Th ey r em ain ed silen t an d r esign ed, an d f ak ed adh er en ce t o cov en an t s.

Now t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w as f r ee t o collect h is t h ou g h t s an d g iv e h im self up t o

r esolv in g f or eign af f air s, an d f acin g dan ger s t h at cou ld be car r ied w it h h ost ile w in d blow in g again
fr om Makkah.

TH E I N VASI ON OF BUH RAN :

I n Rabi‘ At h-Thani, t he y ear 3 A. H. t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) led a cam paign com pr ising 3 0 0
w ar r iors t o Bu h r an in t h e ar ea of Al-Fur u‘. He st ay ed t her e t ill Jum ada Al-Ula, 3 A.H. No fight ing
t ook place in t h e pr ocess of t h is pat r ollin g in v asion .

ZAI D BI N H ARI TH AH LEAD S A CAM PAI GN ON TH E TRAD E ROUTES OF QURAI SH :

Th is w as t h e m ost su ccessf u l cam paign prior t o Uhud Bat t le. I t t ook place in Jum ada At h-Thaniy ah,
t he y ear 3 A. H.

Su m m er appr oach ed an d it w as h igh t im e for t h e Mak k an t r ade car av an s t o leav e for Sy r ia. Th e
people of Qu r aish w h ose liv es depen ded m ain ly on a m er can t ile econ om y con sist in g of su m m er
car av an s t o Sy r ia an d w in t er car av an s t o Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) , w er e n ow at a loss as t o w h at r ou t e
t h ey w ou ld h av e t o follow in or der t o av oid t h e back br eak in g m ilit ar y st r ik es t h at t h e Mu slim s
successfully inflict ed on t he poly t heist s.

Th ey h eld a m eet in g t o discu ss t h e ch an ces of escapin g t h e econ om ic block ade an d decided t o go

alon g a t r ade r ou t e acr oss Naj d t o I r aq. Fu r at bin Haiy an w as appoin t ed as a gu ide f or t h e car av an .
Saf w an bin Om aiy ah led t h e car av an alon g t h e n ew r ou t e. New s of t h e m eet in g leak ed ou t t h r ou g h
Na‘im bin Mas‘ud Al-Ashj a‘i under t he effect of w ine, and it flew fast t o Madinah by Sulit bin An -

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Nu ‘m an . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) im m ediat ely m u st er ed 1 0 0 h or sem en u n der t h e
leader ship of Zaid bin Har it hah Al-Kalb i an d d esp at ch ed t h em t o in t er cept an d capt u r e t h e car av an .
Th ey cau gh t u p w it h t h e cam els at a place called Al-Qar dah . Th ey t ook t h e poly t h eist s by su r pr ise
an d ar r est ed t h eir g u id e an d t w o ot h er m en . Saf w an an d h is g u ar d s f led aw ay w it h ou t sh ow in g t h e
least r esist an ce. The car av an w as car r y ing silv er and w ar es w hose v alue am ount ed t o 1 0 0 t housand
dir h am s. Th e boot y w as dist r ibu t ed am on g t h e Mu slim w ar r ior s af t er on e-fift h had been set aside for
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Fu r at bin Haiy an em br aced I slam ou t of h is o w n sw eet f r ee w ill.

As a r esu lt of t h is episode, t h e Mu slim s f oiled Qu r aish ’s plan s t o f in d a n ew t r ade r ou t e. Th e

econ om ic siege laid t o Mak k ah w as t h u s con solidat ed an d h ad a gr eat im pact on t h e m er can t ile
econ om y of Mak k ah . Th e Mak k an s w er e t er r ibly an x iou s an d w or r ied abou t t h eir pr ospect s of lif e
n ow at st ak e w it h n o h ope w h at soev er f or an y possible r eh abilit at ion of com m er cial lif e or
r edem pt ion of for m er pr est ige at t h e socio -polit ical lev el ex cept t h r ou gh t w o av en u es cat egor ically
cont r ast ing: Relin qu ish in g all sy m bols of ar r ogan ce an d all at t it u des of h au gh t in ess t h r ou gh
r econciliat ion w it h t he new st at us quo, and peaceableness w it h t he Muslim s; or launching a decisiv e
ov er w helm ing w ar w it h t he aim of cr ushing dow n t he m ilit ar y for ces of Madinah. I t w as ap p ar en t
t h r ou g h t h e p r ocess of ev en t s t h at Qu r aish h ad op t ed f or t h e secon d alt er n at iv e. Lou d cr ies w er e
bein g h ear d ev er y w h er e in Mak k ah dem an din g im m ediat e v en gean ce an d qu ick r et aliat or y act ion .
Th ese m ov em en t s on all lev els con st it u t ed t h e dir ect pr elim in ar ies t o t h e bat t le of Uh u d.

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 TH E BATTLE OF UH UD

Th e def eat at Badr w as an ign om in y w h ich t h e Qu r aish it es pr ide cou ld n ot leav e u n av en ged.
Rev en ge w as, t h er efor e, t h e cat ch w or d all ov er Mak k ah . Th e Mak k an s ev en for bade lam en t in g ov er
t heir m ur dered people, or r ansom ing t heir capt iv es at Badr Bat t le lest t he Muslim s should r ealize t he
g r av e d eg r ee of sad n ess an d f eelin g of t r ag ed y t h ey w er e ex p er ien cin g .

I n t h e w ak e of Badr ev en t , Qu r aish w as in com m on con sen t an d st ar t ed f r esh pr epar at ion s t o lau nch
an ov er all w ar again st t h e Mu slim s in or der t o r est or e t h eir blem ish ed pr est ige an d w ou n ded pr ide.
The m ost ent husiast ic poly t heist s desir ing t o go int o a new bat t le w er e ‘I k r im ah bin Abi Jahl, Safw an
bin Om aiy ah, Abu Sufy an bin Har b, and ‘Abdullah bin Abi Rabi‘a. Th ey w er e det er m in ed t o cr u sh t h e
com m on w ealt h of I slam on ce an d for all. Em issar ies w er e sen t t o all t h e t r ibes t o m ak e com m on
cau se again st t h e r isin g Fait h . As a con sequ en ce of t h is, t h ey m an aged t o en list t h e su ppor t of t w o
w ell-k now n t r ib es Kin an a an d Tih am ah b esid es som e d eser t b ed ou in s Ahabish. I t w as also d ecid ed
t h at t h e pr of it s of t h e escaped car av an h eaded by Abu Su f y an , w h ich am ou n t ed t o 1 0 0 0 cam els an d
5 0 t h ou san d Din ar s, sh ou ld be dev ot ed for pr ov idin g equ ipm en t t o t h e ar m y . Th e N ob le Qu r ’ân h as
allu ded t o t h is decision of t h eir s in t h e f ollow in g w or ds:

• “ Ver ily , t h ose w h o disbeliev e spen d t h eir w ealt h t o h in der ( m en ) fr om t h e pat h of Allâh ,
an d so w ill t h ey con t in u e t o spen d it ; bu t in t h e en d it w ill becom e an an gu ish f or t h em.
Then t hey w ill be ov er com ed. ” [ 8: 36]

Th ey also dev ised ot h er w ay s of r ecr u it m en t in clu din g h ir in g poet s t o en t ice t h e t r ibes in t o figh t in g
t h e Mu slim s. Safw an bin Om aiy ah allu r ed Abu ‘Azza, t h e poet t o w or k in t h is con t ex t in r et u r n for
r ich es af t er t h e w ar or su ppor t in g h is dau gh t er s if k illed. I n ciden t ally , t h is poet w as pr ison er of w ar
( in t h e con t ex t of t h e Badr ev en t s) in t h e h an ds of t h e Mu slim s an d t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) w as gr aciou s en ou gh t o r elease h im u n r an som ed pr ov ided h e w ou ld n ot engage in fight against
him .

Abu Su f y an n u r sed t h e m ost gr u dge again st Mu slim s becau se h e h ad lost m ost of h is su pplies in As -
Saw iq in v asion , let alon e t h e h eav y econ om ic losses t h at Qu r aish h ad su st ain ed in t h e af t er m at h of
t h e ev en t s t h at f eat u r ed t h e p lat oon of Zaid bin Har it hah.

I n t he light of t hese successiv e failur es, Qur aish pr ecipit at ed and acceler at ed t heir pr epar at ions for a
decisiv e bat t le w it h t h e Mu slim s. At t h e t u r n of t h e y ear ev er y t h in g w as r eady for t h e m ov e. Th e
Mak k an s also d ecid ed t o t ak e t h eir w om en alon g w it h t h em f or t h ey m igh t ar ou se t h em t o f igh t
m an f u lly . Th u s a con t in gen t of t h r ee t h ou san d pit ch ed w ar r ior s, of w h om sev en h u n dr ed w er e
m ailed soldier s an d t w o h u n dr ed w ell-m ou n t ed cav alr y w it h t h r ee t h ou san d cam els an d f if t een
wom e n m ar ch ed t ow ar ds Madin ah . Th e gen er al leader w as Abu Su f y an bin Har b, t h e cav alr y u n der
t he leader ship of Khalid bin Al-Waleed assist ed by ‘I k r im ah bin Abi Jahl, and Bani ‘Abd Ad -Dar w er e
en t r u st ed w it h t h e f lag.

Old d eep -seat ed f eelin g s of h at r ed , w it h h ear t -b ased g r u d g e en v elop ed t h e w h ole p r ocess

f or esh adow in g bit t er , bloody r ev en ge-in st ig at ed f ig h t in g b et w een t h e t w o p ar t ies.

Mean w h ile Al-‘Abbas bin ‘Abdul Mut t alib, w as closely w at ching t he m ilit ar y m ov em ent s and
p r ep ar at ion s f or w ar , an d t h ese w er e all in clu ded in an u r gen t m essage sen t by h im t o Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) w h o r eceiv ed it w h ile h e w as in Qu bâ’ Mosqu e. Ubai bin Ka‘b r ead t h e let t er t o
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h o ask ed h im t o be r et icen t w it h r espect t o it s ser iou s con t en t s.
He h u r r ied back t o Madin ah , con v en ed a m eet in g w it h t h e Helper s an d Em igr an t s an d con du ct ed
w it h t h em ser iou s con su lt at ion s as r eg ar d s t h e m easu r es t o b e t ak en .

Th e w h ole of Madin ah w as pu t on t h e aler t an d all m en w er e h eav ily ar m ed ev en du r in g pr ay er in

an t icipat ion of an y em er gen cy . A gr ou p of Helper s v olu n t eer ed t o gu ar d t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) an d k ept w at ch f u l ey e all n igh t at h is door , am on gst w h om t h er e w er e Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh , Usaid
bin Hu dair an d Sa‘d bin ‘Ubadah . Lest t h ey sh ou ld be t ak en by su r pr ise, ar m ed gr ou ps of t h e
Madinese began t o police t he ent r ances and r oads leading t o t he cit y . To r econnoit r e t he m ov em ent s
of t h e poly t h eist s, Mu slim plat oon s began t o pat r ol t h e r ou t es f or an y pr obable en em y r aids.

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Th e Mak k an ar m y , on t h e ot h er h an d, con t in u ed t h e m ar ch alon g t h e u su al w est er n r oad. On
r eaching Al-Abw â’, Hin d bin t ‘Ut bah , Abu Su f y an ’s w if e, su ggest ed t h at t h ey dig u p t h e gr av e of t h e
Pr oph et ’s m ot h er , bu t t h e leader s of t h e ar m y r ef u sed t o do so f or f ear of t h e con sequ en t r esu lt s.
Th e ar m y t h en follow ed Wadi Al-‘Aqeeq an d t u r n ed r igh t t o en cam p t h em selv es at a place called
‘Ain ain n ear Uh u d Mou n t ain . Th at w as on Fr iday , 6 t h Sh aw w al, 3 A. H.

A CON SULTAN T ASSEM BLY FOR A D EFEN CE PLAN :

Th e scou t in g p ar t y of Mad in ah con v ey ed t h e n ew s of t h e Mak k an ar m y st ep by st ep. Th en t h e

Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) h eld a h ead m ilit ar y con su lt at ion assem bly t o ex ch an ge
v iew s abou t t h e sit u at ion . He t old t h em abou t a dr eam h e h ad. He said: “ By Allâh , I h av e dr eam t of
— I im plor e Allâh t o be a dr eam of bou n t y — cow s slau g h t er ed an d t h at t h er e w as a g r oov e at t h e
poin t ed t op of m y sw or d, an d t h at I h ad in ser t ed m y h an d in t o an im m u n e ar m ou r . ”

Th e in t er pr et at ion of ‘t h e cow s’ w as t h at som e of h is m en w er e k illed, an d ‘t h e gr oov e at t h e poin t ed

t op of h is sw or d’ w as t h at a m em ber of h is Hou se w ou ld be h u r t . As f or ‘t h e ar m ou r ’ it w as Madin ah .
Th en h e of f er ed a su g g est ion t h at h is Com p an ion s sh ou ld n ot g o ou t of Mad in ah an d t h at t h ey
sh ou ld en cam p t h em selv es w it h in t h e cit y . He w as of t h e opin ion t h at t h e en em ies sh ou ld be lef t in
t h e open t o ex h au st t h em selv es an d t h u s t h e Mu slim s w ou ld n ot r isk a bat t le. Bu t if t h ey t h ou gh t of
at t ack in g Madin ah , Mu slim m en w ou ld be r eady t o f igh t t h em at t h e m ou t h s of lan es; w h er eas
Muslim -w om en w ou ld h elp f r om ov er t h e h ou se r oofs. ” ‘Abdu llah bin Ubai bin Salu l — t h e h ead of
t h e h y pocr it es; w h o at t en ded t h e m eet in g as a ch ief of Al-Kh azr aj — su ppor t ed t h e Pr oph et ’s plan .

As a m at t er of f act h is ag r eem en t w as n ot b ased on t h e r ig h t eou sn ess of t h e p lan b u t r at h er on

per son al ben ef it . He did n ot w an t t o f igh t . On t h e con t r ar y h e secr et ly aim ed at bein g f ar aw ay f r om
f igh t . How ev er it w as Allâh ’s Will t h at h e sh ou ld be disclosed an d disgr aced in pu blic — for t he fir st
t im e. I t w as His Will t hat t he cur t ain w hich co n cealed t h eir disbelief beh in d sh ou ld be u n cov er ed an d
pu lled dow n . Allâh ’s Will en abled t h e Mu slim s t o r ecogn ize t h e r ealit y of t h ose sn ak es t h at w er e
cr eepin g w it h in t h eir gar m en t s an d in side t h e sleev es of t h eir clot h es. Th an k s t o Allâh t h ey
r ecogn ized t hem in one of t he m ost cr it ical t im es of t heir liv es.

Som e of t h e b est h on ou r ab le Com p an ion s, w h o h ad m issed Al-Jihâd in Badr in v asion , su ggest ed

t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) sh ou ld go ou t of Madin ah an d u r ged h im t o accept t h eir poin t
of v iew . O n e of t h em said: “ O, Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) , f or lon g t im e w e h av e been
look in g f or w ar d t o t h is day ; an d w e h av e im plor ed Allâh t o m ak e su ch a day dr aw n ear . Th an k s t o
Allâh it is t im e t o fight . So let us go out and fight our enem ies lest t h ey sh ou ld t h in k t h at w e h av e
lost h ear t an d do n ot dar e t o f igh t t h em . ” Ham za bin Abdu l Mu t t alib t h e pat er n al u n cle of t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h o h ad alr eady cov er ed t h e or n am en t s of h is sw or d w it h idolat er s’
b lood in Bad r Bat t le, w as ah ead of th ose en t h u siast ics w h o u r g ed h im t o g o ou t an d m eet t h e
disbeliev er s. He said t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) : “ By Allâh , Wh o h as sen t t h e Book dow n
u n t o y ou , I w ill n ot t ast e food t ill I figh t t h em w it h m y sw or d ou t side Madin ah . ”

Aft er w eighing car efu ll t h e p r os an d con s of t h e issu e, it w as d ecid ed t h at t h e en em y sh ou ld b e

r esist ed ou t side t h e cit y at Uh u d.

D I VI D I N G TH E I SLAM I C ARM Y I N TO PH ALAN XES D EPARTURE TO TH E BATTLE- FI ELD :

Ascen din g t h e pu lpit at t h e Fr iday con gr egat ion al pr ay er , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) u r ged
t h e people in h is ser m on t o f igh t cou r ageou sly . “ I f y ou r em ain st eadf ast , ” h e said “ y ou w ill be
h elped by t h e Pow er of t h e All- Migh t y . ” Th en h e com m an ded h is m en t o m ak e r eady for t h e bat t le.
Most of t hem r ej oiced gr eat ly .

He led t h e af t er n oon p r w it h cr ow d s of p eop le. Th en h e en t er ed h is h ou se accom p an ied b y h is t w o

fr ien ds Abu Bak r an d ‘Um ar . Th ey h elped h im dr ess an d w ear h is h eadclot h . He ar m ed h im self an d
w or e t w o ar m ou r s on e ov er t h e ot h er . He w or e h is sw or d an d w en t ou t t o m e et p eop le.

People w er e w ait in g for h im im pat ien t ly . Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh an d Usaid bin Hu dair blam ed people for
pr essin g on t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th ey said: “ You h av e f or ced t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace be u pon h im ) t o figh t t h e en em y ou t side Madin ah. ” Ther efor e t hey w er e det er m ined t o leav e
t h e w h ole m at t er t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , an d blam ed t h em selv es f or w h at t h ey h ad
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alr eady don e. Wh en t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) cam e ou t , t h ey said: “ O Messen ger of Allâh ,
w e sh ou ld h av e n ot d isagr eed w it h y ou . So, y ou ar e fr ee t o do w h at y ou desir e. I f y ou pr efer t o st ay
in side Madin ah w e w ill st ay w it h y ou . Upon t h is t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
r em ar k ed: “ I t does n ot becom e a Pr oph et t h at on ce h e h ad pu t on ar m ou r , h e sh ou ld t ak e it off,
u n t il Allâh h as decided bet w een h im an d t h e en em y . ”

TH E PROPH ET ( Pe a ce be upon him ) D I VI D ED H I S ARM Y I N TO TH REE BATTALI ON S:

1. Al-Muhaj ir een bat t alion, under t he com m and of Mus‘ab bin ‘Um air Al-‘Abdar i.
2. Al-Ansar i-Aw s b at t alion w as com m an d ed b y Usaid bin Hudair .
3. Al-Ansar i-Kh azr aj bat t alion w it h Al-Hubab bin Al-Mundhir t o lead it .

Th e ar m y con sist ed of a t h ou san d figh t er s; a h u n dr ed of t h em ar m ou r ed; an ot h er fift y h or sem en .

He appoin t ed I bn Um m Mak t u m t o lead t h e people in pr ay er in Madin ah . Depar t u r e w as an n ou n ced
an d t h e ar m y m ov ed n or t h w ar ds w it h t h e t w o Sa‘ds, w h o w er e ar m ou r ed, r u n n in g in f r on t of t h e
arm y.
Upon passin g alon g Al-Wad a‘ m ou n t ain t r ail h e saw a w ell-ar m ed bat t alion , w h ich w er e det ach ed
fr om t he m ain body of t he ar m y . The Pr ophet ( Peace b e u p on h im ) in q u ir ed w h o t h ey w er e an d h e
w as t old t h at t h ey w er e Jew s an d w er e allies of Al-Kh azr aj . Th ey t old h im t h at t h ey w an t ed t o
con t r ibu t e t o t h e f igh t again st t h e idolat er s. “ Hav e t h ey em br aced I slam ?” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) ask ed. “ No, ” t h ey said. So h e r ef u sed adm it t in g t h em an d said t h at h e w ou ld n ot seek
t h e assist an ce of disbeliev er s again st t h e idolat er s.
PARAD I N G TH E ARM Y:
As soon as h e r each ed a locat ion called Ash -Sh aik h an , h e par aded h is ar m y . He dism issed t h ose
w h om h e con sider ed t o be disabled or t oo y ou n g t o st an d t h e f igh t . Am on g t h em w er e ‘Abdu llah bin
‘Um ar bin Al-Khat t ab. Usam a bin Zaid; Usaid bin Zaheer , Zaid bin Thabit , Zaid bin Ar qam . ‘Ar aba
bin Aw s, ‘Am r bin Hazm , Abu Sa‘eed Al-Khudr i, Zaid bin Har it ha Al-An sari, Sa‘d bin Habba and Al-
Bar â’ bin ‘Azib, Sahih Al-Bu k h ar i poin t ed ou t t h at h e h ad sh ar ed in t h e f igh t t h at day .
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) allow ed bot h Rafi‘ bin Kh adaij an d Sam u r a bin Ju n du b
t o j oin t he ar m y — t h ou g h t h ey w er e t oo y ou n g . The for m er pr ov ed t o be sk illful at shoot ing ar r ow s;
t he lat t er w r est led t he for m er and beat him . The adm ission of Rafi‘ m ade Sam ur a say : “ I am
st r on ger t h an h im , I can ov er com e h im . ” Wh en t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ear d t h is say in g
h e or d er ed t h em t o w r est le. Th ey did. Sam u r a w on so h e w as also adm it t ed.
PASSI N G TH E N I GH T BETW EEN UH UD AN D M AD I N AH :
As n igh t f ell u pon t h em t h er e, t h ey per f or m ed bot h t h e su n set an d t h e ev en in g pr ay er s an d spen t
t h e n ig h t t h er e as w ell. Fif t y p eop le w er e ch osen t o g u ar d t he cam p and go r ound it . Muham m ad bin
Maslam a Al-An sar i, t h e h er o of t h e br igade of Ka‘b bin Al-Ash r af , w as in ch ar ge of t h e gu ar ds.
Wh er eas Dh ak w an b in ‘Ab d Qais u n d er t ook t h e r esp on sib ilit y of g u ar d in g t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
upon him ) , in par t icular .
TH E REBELLI ON OF 'ABD ALLAH BI N UBAI AN D H I S FOLLOW ERS:
At t h e en d of t h e n igh t an d j u st bef or e it w as day br eak , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) m ov ed
an d w h en h e g ot t o Ash -Sh aw t h e ob ser v ed t h e d aw n p r ay er . Th er e h e w as close en ou g h t o t h e
en em y t h at t h ey cou ld see on e an ot h er . I t w as t h er e t h at ‘Abdu llah bin Ubai — t h e h y pocr it e —
r ebelled again st t h e Mu slim s. On e-t hir d of t he ar m y w it hdr ew w it h him — t h at is t o say t h r ee
h u n dr ed figh t er s. He said, “ We do n ot k n ow w h y w e sh all k ill ou r selv es. ” He claim e d t h at h is
w it h dr aw al w as n o m or e t h an sh ow in g pr ot est again st t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
w h o h ad alr ead y r ef u sed h is op in ion an d accep t ed t h at of t h e ot h er s.
Un dou bt edly t h at w as n ot t h e r eal cau se of h is det ach m en t . I f it h ad been t h e r e fu sal of h is opin ion
— as t he hy pocr it e claim ed — t h er e w ou ld h av e n o sen se w h at soev er f or h is j oin in g t h e Pr op h et ic
ar m y . I f it h ad been so, h e w ou ld h av e r ef u sed t o go ou t w it h t h e ar m y f r om t h e v er y begin n in g of
t he m ar ch. As a m at t er of fact t he r eal p u r pose of t h is r ebellion , w it h dr aw al an d det ach m en t — at
t h is delicat e an d aw k w ar d posit ion an d t im e — w as t o pr oduce bew ilder m ent , confusion of m ind, and
disor der in t h e Mu slim s ar m y w h o w er e w it h in t h e sigh t an d h ear r an ge of t h e en em y w h o w er e also
lookin g f or w ar d t o seein g m or e an d m or e dissen sion on t h e side of t h e Mu slim s, lik e t h em selv es.
Th ey also aim ed at br eak in g t h e h igh m or ale of t h e believ er s. Th at w ou ld acceler at e — in t heir
opin ion — t h e br eak dow n an d con sequ en t ly t h e deat h of Mu h am m ad, h is f ait h f u l Com pan ion s an d
I slam as a w h ole. Th e w ay w ou ld t h en be clear f or t h e r eclaim of pr esiden cy , w h ich t h at h y pocr it e
h ad lost on t h e adv en t of I slam in t o Madin ah .
Sh or t of Allâh ’s Car e, t h e h y pocr it e’s plot w ou ld h av e been su ccessfu l. Ban u Har it h a of Al-Aw s an d
Banu Salam a of Al-Kh azr aj w er e par t ially im pr essed by t h e h y pocr it e’s beh av iou r . Bot h of t h em
w er e ov er w h elm ed b y con f u sion an d t h ey h ad alm ost st ar t ed t o w it h d r aw , b u t Allâh ’s Car e sav ed
t hem fr om t hat disgr ace. About t heir incident Allâh say s:
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 • “ Wh en t w o p ar t ies f r om am on g y ou w er e ab ou t t o lose t h eir h ear t , b u t Allâh w as t h eir
Wali ( Suppor t er and Pr ot ect or ) . And in Allâh should t he believ er s put t heir t r ust . ” [ 3 : 1 2 2 ]
‘Abdullah bin Har am — t he fat her of Jabir bin ‘Abdullah — at t em p t ed t o st op t h eir w it h dr aw al. He
r em in ded t h e h y pocr it es of t h eir du t y at t h is delicat e an d aw k w ar d con dit ion , bu t in v ain . He
f ollow ed t h em , r epr oach ed t h em an d u r ged t h em t o go back say in g: “ Com e an d f igh t in t h e w ay of
Allâh or at least be def en der s. ” Th ey said: “ I f w e h ad k n ow n t h at y ou w ou ld r eally f ig h t w e w ou ld
h av e n ot gon e back . ” Hav in g despair ed of t h em , h e addr essed t h em say in g: “ May Allâh cast y ou
aw ay , y ou en em ies of Allâh . Allâh w ill cer t ain ly su ffice His Pr oph et . ” Allâh say s abou t t h ose
hy pocr it es:
• “ An d t h at He m igh t t est t h e h y pocr it es, it w as said t o t h em : ‘Com e, figh t in t h e w ay of
Allâh or ( at least ) defend y our selv es. ’ They said: ‘Had w e k now n t hat fight ing w ill t ak e place,
w e w ou ld cer t ain ly h av e f ollow ed y ou . ’ Th ey w er e t h at day , n ear er t o disbelief t han t o Fait h,
say in g w it h t h eir m ou t h s w h at w as n ot in t h eir h ear t s. An d Allâh h as f u ll k n ow ledge of w h at
t hey conceal. ” [ 3: 167]
TH E REM I N D ER OF TH E I SLAM I C ARM Y ARE ON TH E M OVE TO UH UD :
Wit h t h e r em ain der of f igh t er s, t h e Messen ger of Allâh (Peace b e u p on h im ) m ov ed t ow ar d s t h e
en em y . Af t er t h e r ebellion an d w it h dr aw al of t h e h y pocr it es, t h e n u m ber of soldier s w as r edu ced t o
sev en h u n dr ed on ly .
Th e cam p of idolat er s w as sit u at ed in su ch a place t h at t h e m an y r oads leadin g t o Uh u d w er e alm ost
block ed by t h em . So t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said t o h is m en : “ Wh ich m an of
y ou can lead u s t o w h er e t h e p eop le ( i. e. t h e id olat er s) ar e, alon g a sh or t t r ack t h at d oes n ot p ass
by t h em ?” Abu Kh ait h am a said: “ O Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) , I am t he m an y ou
n eed. ” Th en h e ch ose a sh or t t r ack t h at led t o Uh u d passin g by Har r ah Ban i Har it h ah an d t h eir
far m s, leav in g t h e idolat er s’ ar m y w est w ar ds.
On t h eir w ay t h ey p assed b y Ha’it ( i. e. t he field) of Mar ba‘ bin Qaizi, w ho w as a blin d hy pocr it e.
Wh en Mar ba‘ f elt an d r ealized t h at t h ey w er e t h e Pr oph et ic ar m y , h e st ar t ed t h r ow in g ear t h at t h eir
faces, so t h ey r u sh ed t o k ill h im , bu t t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said:
• “ Do not k ill him . He is blind in hear t and ey es. ”
Th e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w en t alon g t ill clim bed dow n t h e h illock of Uh u d at t h e
slope of t he v alley . He cam ped t her e w it h his ar m y facing Madinah w hile t heir back s w er e t o t he hills
of Uh u d m ou n t ain . So t h e ar m y of t h e en em y st ood a bar r ier bet w een t h e Mu slim s an d Madin ah .
TH E D EFEN CE PLAN :
Th eMessen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) m obilized h is ar m y . He ar r an ged t h em in t o t w o r ow s t o
pr epar e t h em for figh t . He select ed fift y sk illfu l ar ch er s t h at for m ed a squ ad an d m ade t h em u n der
t he com m and of ‘Abdullah bin Jubair bin An -Nu‘m an Al-Ansar i Al-Aw si Al-Badr i. He issu ed h is or der s
t o t h em t o st ay w h er e t h ey w er e — on a m ou n t ain ( side) at t h e sou t h ban k of Qan at Al-Wadi ( i. e. a
can al of t h e v alley ) , sou t h east of Mu slim s cam p at abou t on e h u n dr ed an d f ift y m et r es fr om t he
I slam ic ar m y . Lat er on t his m ount ain w as called t he Mount ain of Ar cher s.
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) clar if ied t h e m ission of t h is squ ad in w or ds h e dir ect ed
t o t h em . He said t o t h eir leader : “ Dr iv e off t h e h or ses fr om u s by m ean s of ar r ow s, lest t h ey sh ou ld
at t ack u s f r om beh in d ( t h e r ear ) . Wh et h er w e w in t h e bat t le or lose it , st an d st eadily in y ou r
posit ion an d m in d t h at w e ar e n ot at t ack ed f r om y ou r side. ”
He ad d ed :
• “ Def en d ou r back s! I f y ou see u s slain . Do n ot com e t o assist u s; an d if y ou see gain in g
g r ou n d s, d o n ot sh ar e u s. ”
I n a v er sion by Al-Bu k h âr i t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said:
• “ I f y ou see u s sn at ch ed in t o pieces by bir ds, do n ot leav e t h is posit ion of y ou r s t ill I sen d
for y ou. And if y ou see t h at w e h av e def eat ed t h e en em y an d t r odden on t h em do n ot deser t
y our posit ion t ill I send for y ou. ”
Wit h t h e assig n m en t of t h is sq u ad an d locat in g it on t h e m ou n t ain sid e an d t h e issu an ce of t h ose
st r ict m ilit ar y or der s, t he Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) block ed t h e on ly gr oov e t h at
m igh t lead t h e idolat er s st ealt h ily t o t h e r ear of Mu slim r an k s an d m igh t ev en en able t h em t o
encir cle t hem in an encom passm ent pr ocedur e.
Th e assign m en t s of post s an d r espon sibilit ies f or t h e r est of t h e ar m y w er e per for m ed by t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) as f ollow s: On t h e r igh t w in g, h e appoin t ed Al-Mundhir bin ‘Am r. On
t h e lef t h e appoin t ed Az -Zubair bin Al-‘Aw w am , and m ade Al-Miqdad bin Al-Asw ad h is assist an t an d
suppor t er . Az -Z u bair ’s f u n ct ion w as t o st an dfast in t he face of Khalid bin Al-Waleed’s hor sem en. The
Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on h im ) select ed t h e t op an d t h e m ost cou r ag eou s g r ou p t o b e in
t h e v an gu ar d of t h e ar m y . Th ey w er e n ot able f or t h eir r eadin ess, aler t n ess an d br av er y an d
est im at ed t o b e eq u al t o t h ou san d s of m en .
I t w as a w ise an d car ef u lly -laid plan w h ich r ev ealed t h e gen iu s of m ilit ar y leader sh ip t h at t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) possessed. No ot h er leader cou ld h av e dr aw n a m or e accu r at e or w ise
plan . Alt h ou gh h e appr oach ed t h e s it e lat er t han t he enem y , he m anaged t o occupy bet t er posit ions.
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He m ade t h e r ock y m ou n t ain side t o fu n ct ion as sh ield for t h e ar m y ’s r ear an d r igh t flan k . He w as
able, by block ing t he only v ulner able gap on t he side, t o pr ov ide addit ional m ax im um pr ot ect io n for
t h e r ear as w ell as t h e lef t w in g. For f ear of possible def eat , an d t o det er t h e Mu slim s f r om f leein g,
in w h ich case t h ey w ou ld f all easy pr ison er s in t h e h an ds of t h e en em y , h e ch ose a h igh place f or
en cam pm en t . Mor eov er a st r at egic sit e of t h is sort w ou ld su r ely in f lict h eav y losses on t h e
poly t h eist s if t h ey t h ou gh t of appr oach in g or occu py in g h is posit ion s. I n a f u r t h er st ep, h e r edu ced
t h e en em y t o a n ar r ow scope of ch oice w h en t h ey w er e cor n er ed f or en cam pm en t in geogr aph ically
low p osit ion s t h at w ould av ail t hem not hing of t he benefit s of any possible v ict or y ; at t he sam e t im e
t h ey w ou ld n ot be able t o escape t h e pu r su it of t h e Mu slim s in case v ict or y sided w it h t h e lat t er . To
m ak e u p f or t h e qu an t it at iv e sh or t age in f igh t in g per son n el, h e ch ose a pick ed body of f igh t er s t o
st an d at t h e f r on t .
Th e ar m y of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as t h u s fu lly m obilized on Sh aw w al 7 t h , 3 A. H.
TH E M ESSEN GER OF ALLAH I M PLAN TS TH E SPI RI T OF BRAVERY AM ON G H I S ARM ED
FORCES:
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) for bade t h e Mu slim s t o st ar t t h e figh t w it h ou t h av in g
an or der fr om h im . He, t h en , w or e t w o ar m ou r s — a f r on t ar m ou r an d a back on e. He u r ged h is
Com p an ion s t o f ig h t an d sp u r r ed t h em t o sh ow st am in a an d st ead f ast n ess at f ig h t . He st ar t ed t o
im pla n t t h e spir it of boldn ess an d br av er y in t h em . To w age an d in f lam e h is Com pan ion s an d in
or der t o st an df ast in t h e f igh t , h e t ook a sh ar p sw or d, h eld it in h is h an d an d called ou t u n t o h is
Com pan ion s an d said: “ Wh o is r eady t o t ak e t h is sw or d an d giv e it i t s pr oper du e?” Man y a m an set
out t o t ak e it . Som e of t hem w er e ‘Ali bin Abi Talib, Az -Zubair bin Al-‘Aw w am and ‘Um ar bin Al-
Kh at t ab. Bu t it w as gr an t ed t o n on e. Abu Du j an a Sam m ak bin Kh ar sh a in qu ir ed: “ O Messen ger of
Allâh , w h at is it s pr ice?” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ I t is t o st r ik e t h e en em y ’s faces
w it h it t ill it w as ben t . ” So Abu Du j an a said: “ O Messen ger of Allâh I w ill t ak e it for t h at pr ice. ” an d
h e w as g iv en t h e sw or d .
Ab u Du j an a w as a m an of cou r ag e w h o u sed t o sw ag g er at w ar . He h ad a r ed b an d w h ich h e w or e
r ou n d h is h ead . Wh en ev er h e w as h ead -banded ev er y body k new t hat he w as det er m ined t o fight t o
deat h . Th er ef or e as soon as Abu Du j an a t ook t h e Pr oph et ’s sw or d, h e ban ded h is h ead an d st ar t ed
st r u t t in g am on gst t h e figh t er s.
W a t ching him doing t hat , t he Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) said: “ This is a sor t of w alk ing
t h at Allâh det est s ex cept in su ch a sit u at ion . ”
RECRUI TM EN T OF TH E M AKKAN ARM Y:
Th e idolat er s applied t h e r ow s sy st em in t h e m obilizat ion of t h eir ar m y . Th e gen er al leader sh ip of
t h e ar m y w as en t r u st ed t o Abu Su f y an Sak h r bin Har b, w h o w ou ld be in t h e cen t r e -posit ion of t h e
arm y. Khalid bin Al-Waleed w as on t h e r ig h t w in g ; w h er eas ‘I k r im a, t h e son of Ab u Jah l w as on t h e
lef t . Saf w an bin Om aiy a w as in ch ar ge of infant r y m en. The ar cher s w er e under t he com m and of
‘Abdullah bin Abi Rabi‘a.
As for t h e st an dar d, a squ ad of Ban i ‘Abd Ad -Dar w er e in ch ar ge t o bear it . Th u s w as t h e dist r ibu t ion
of t h e post s of t h e ar m y ev er sin ce ‘Abd Mu n af h ad alr eady assign ed t h em . Th is assign m en t h ad
been inher it ed fr om Qusai bin Kilab — as w e h av e p r ev iou sly allu d ed t o in an ear ly p h ase of t h is
book . No on e h ad t h e r igh t t o com pet e t h em w it h it . I t w as con sist en t w it h t h eir t r adit ion s t h at t h ey
h ad in h er it ed fr om t h eir an cest or s.
Abu Su fy an , t h e gen er al leader , r em in ded h is m en — t h e st an d ar d b ear er s — of w hat had happened
t o Qu r aish on Badr Day ( i. e. bat t le) w h en t h eir st an dar d bear er , An -Nadr bin Al-Har it h , w as
capt u r ed. I n an at t em pt t o w age t h eir an ger an d en m it y t o t h e Mu slim s he said: “ O Bani ‘Abd Ad -
Dar ! You h av e b een assig n ed b ear er s of ou r st an d ar d an d y ou k n ow t h at t h e st an d ar d is t h e f ir st
t h in g t h at t h e en em y at t ack s. Sh ou ld it f all, w e f all dow n t oo. Th er ef or e, I say eit h er y ou gu ar an t ee
it s safet y or leav e it for u s, an d w e w ill cer t ain ly su ffice y ou t h at t ask . ”
Abu Sufy an’s at t em pt seem ed t o be fr uit ful. For his speech m ade Bani ‘Abd Ad -Dar so ex t r em ely
an gr y t h at t h ey t h r eat en ed h im an d alm ost at t ack ed h im for t h at . Addr essin g h im , t h ey said: “ You
w an t u s t o d eliv er y ou t h e cu st odian sh ip of t h e st an dar d? Tom or r ow w h en w e f igh t t h em , y ou w ill
w it n ess ou r deeds. ” As a m at t er of f act , t h ey f ou gh t br av ely an d st oodf ast in def en ce of t h e
st andar d t ill t hey w er e all k illed.
POLI TI CAL M AN OEUV ERS OF QURAI SH :
A lit t le t im e b ef or e t h e b r eak ou t of t h e b at t le, Qu r aish m ad e som e en d eav ou r s t o sow t h e seed s of
discor d an d dispu t e am on g t h e Mu slim s. Fir st , Abu Su f y an sen t t o t h e Helper s a m essage say in g:
“ Leav e u s alon e t o f igh t ou r cou sin s an d do n ot in t er f er e. I f y ou st an d asid e, w e w ill not fight y ou;
f or f igh t in g y ou is n ot a t ar get of ou r s. ” Bu t t h at at t em pt pr ov ed t o be f r u it less. Wh at cou ld su ch a
w ick ed sch em e do t o t h ose w h ose Fait h w as as solid an d f ir m as m ou n t ain s?! Th e Helper s r eply w as
u n dou bt edly disappoin t in g an d con t r ar y t o Abu Su fy an ’s ex pect at ion s.
Th e zer o -h ou r w as du e. Th e t w o par t ies dr ew n ear er . Un despair ed by t h e fir st failu r e, Qu r aish m ade
an ot h er at t em pt , for t h e sam e pu r por t bu t n ow w it h t h e assist an ce of a t r ait or called Abu ‘Am ir Al-
Fasiq , w h ose n am e was ‘Abd ‘Am r bin Saifi. He w as called a m onk , but t he Messenger of Allâh
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( Peace be upon him ) nick nam ed him Al-Fâsiq ( i. e. per v er t ed t r an sgr essor ; dissolu t e) . As h e w as t h e
h ead of Aw s in Al-Jahiliya, h e cou ld n ot t oler at e I slam w h en it cam e. He an n ou n ced h is enm it y t o
t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) in pu blic. He left Madin ah for t h e Qu r aish it es in Mak k ah
t o r ally t h em again st t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d t o u r ge t h em t o st ar t t h e figh t
again st h im . He claim ed t h at h e w as obey ed an d est eem ed b y h is p eop le an d t h at as soon as t h ey
saw him com e t hey w ould j oin him im m ediat ely .
So h e w as t h e f ir st on e am on g t h e m ob an d slav es of Qu r aish t o sh ow r esist an ce. He called ou t u n t o
h is people, r ecogn ized t h em an d said: “ O k in f olk of Aw s! I am Abu ‘Am ir . ” Their r eply w as “ No ey es
of an y body sh all be con soled by v iew in g y ou , O Fâsiq. ” Hear in g t h em say so, h e said: “ My people
m u st h av e been af f lict ed by an ev il af t er m y depar t u r e. ” Th er ef or e w h en t h e f igh t br ok e ou t , h e
fought t hem fier cely a n d p elt ed h is p eop le w it h st on es, as w ell.
Th at w as h ow t h e secon d at t em p t of Qu r aish t o sow t h e seed s of d iscor d am on g p eop le of Fait h .
Th is, h ow ev er , r ev ealed t h e gr eat t er r or of t h e Qu r aish it es cast in t h eir h ear t s in spit e of t h eir
supr em acy in num ber an d equ ipm en t .
TH E EFFORT OF TH E QURAI SH I TE W OM EN AT W AGI N G TH E ZEAL OF M EN :
Qu r aish i-w om en par t icipat ed in t h e bat t le led by t h e w ife of Abu Su fy an , Hin d bin t ‘Ut bah . Th ey
w an d er ed am on g t h e r ow s of t h e id olat er s, t ap p ed on t am b ou r in es, en cou r ag ed m en t o fight ,
in f lam ed t h e em ot ion s of h er oes, lan cer s, sw or dsm en an d br av e f igh t er s. At on e t im e t h ey
ad d r essed t h e st an d ar d -bear er s:
• “ O Bani ‘Abd Ad -Dar !
O h om e def en der s,
St r ik e w it h y ou r sh ar p sw or ds …”
An d at an ot h er t im e t h ey w ou ld w ag e p eop le’s z eal by singing:
• “ I f y ou fight ( br av ely ) , w e w ill em br ace
an d u n f old m at s t o w elcom e y ou .
But if y ou flee fr om t he bat t lefield, w e leav e y ou,
Deser t y ou an d n o m or e lov e y ou . ”
TH E COM BAT:
Th e t w o p ar t ies ap p r oach ed an d g r ew v er y close t o each an ot h er . Th e ph ases of f igh t st ar t ed. Th e
f ir st com bat an t w as t h e st an dar d -bear er , Talha bin Abi Talha Al-‘Abdar i, w h o w as t h e m ost
dist in gu ish ed idolat er . He w as on e of t h e br av est m en of Qu r aish figh t er s. Mu slim s n ick n am ed h im
‘t h e r am of t h e bat t alion . ’ He cam e for t h r idin g a cam el an d ch allen ged t h e Mu slim s t o a sin gle
com bat . People r efr ained fr om fight ing him due t o his br av er y ; but Az -Zubair bin Al-‘Aw w am
adv anced for t he fight . He did not giv e t he ‘Ram ’ any chance t o fight but fell on him lik e a lion on h is
cam el’s back , pu lled h im dow n t o t h e gr ou n d an d slau gh t er ed h im w it h h is sw or d.
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w h o w as w at ch in g t h at w on der f u l in ciden t ex claim ed:
Allâhu Akbar t hat is ‘Allâh is t he Gr eat est ’ and t he Muslim s ex claim ed Allâh u Akbar t oo. He p r aised
Az-Z u bair w h en h e said:
• “ Ev er y Pr oph et h as a disciple an d Az -Zubair is a disciple of m ine. ”
Soon t he gener al engagem ent ensued and t he fight of t he t w o par t ies gr ew fier ce ev er y w her e on t he
bat t lef ield. Th e st r ain of t h e f igh t w as cen t r ed r ou n d t h e car r ier s of t h e st an dar d. A f t er t h e d eat h of
t heir leader Talha bin Abi Talha, Banu ‘Abd Ad -Dar alt er n at ed t h e m ission su ccessiv ely . Talh a’s
br ot h er , ‘Ut h m an , r an f or w ar d an d seized t h e st an dar d w h ich lay by t h e lif eless body of h is br ot h er ,
ch an t in g: “ Th e st an dar d -b ear er h as t h e r igh t t o dy e it s sh af t in blood, t ill it be beat en in h is h an d. ”
Ham zah bin ‘Abdu l Mu t t alib at t ack ed an d dealt h im a blow t h at cu t h is ar m an d sh ou lder an d w en t
dow n t o h is n av el t o u n cov er h is lu n g.
Th e st an dar d w as r aised u p again by Abu Sa‘d bin Abi Talh a; bu t Sa‘d bin Abi Waqqas sh ot h im w it h
a deadly ar r ow t h at h it h im at h is t h r oat an d m ade h is t on gu e h an g ou t br eat h in g h is last .
I n an ot h er v er sion it w as n ar r at ed t h at Abu Sa‘d lif t ed t h e st an dar d u p an d ch allen ged t h e Mu slim s
t o fight him . ‘Ali bin Abi Talib w ent for t h. They ex changed t w o blow s. Then ‘Ali gav e him a t er m inal
blow t hat finished him off.
Mu saf i‘ bin Talh a bin Abi Talh a t h en h oist ed t h e st an dar d, bu t w as soon sh ot w it h an ar r ow by ‘Asim
bin Thabit bin Abi Al-Aqlah. His br ot her Kilab bin Talha bin Abi Talha follow ed him pick ed t he banner
and lift ed it up; but Az -Zubair bin Al-‘Aw w am at t ack ed him and m anaged t o k ill him . Their br ot her
Al-Jallas bin Talha bin Abi Talha lift ed t he banner up but Talha bin ‘Ubaidu-Allâh st abbed h im t o
deat h . Th ey also said t h at it w as ‘Asim bin Th abit w h o m an aged t o deal a t er m in al blow t o h im .
All t h ose six people k illed r ou n d an d in defen ce of t h e st an dar d, belon ged t o on e h ou se, t h e h ou se of
Abi Talha ‘Abdullah bin ‘Ut hm an bin ‘Abd Ad -Dar . Anot her m an fr om Bani ‘Abd Ad -Dar , called Ar t at
bin Sh ar h abeel car r ied t h e st an dar d bu t h e also w as k illed by ‘Ali bin Abi Talib. Ot h er s said it w as
Ham zah w ho k illed him not ‘Ali.
Th en it w as Sh u r aih bin Qar iz w h o w as k illed by Qu zm an — h e w as a h y p ocr it e w h o f ou g h t f or
pr est ige only , not in defence of I slam . Abu Zaid ‘Am r bin ‘Abd Munaf Al-‘Abdar i lift ed t h e st an dar d

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u p bu t h e w as k illed by Qu zm an t oo. A son of Sh ar h abeel bin Hash im Al-‘Abdar i h oist ed it again an d
w as also k illed by Qu zm an .
So w e see t h at t en f ig h t er s o f Bani ‘Abd Ad -Dar — t h e st an d ar d -b ear er s — w er e annihilat ed. Seeing
t h at n on e of ‘Abd Ad -Dar s su r v iv ed t o car r y t h e st an dar d, a slav e of t h eir s — called Saw ab — cam e
t o r aise it . Th e slav e sh ow ed m or e adm ir able sor t s of br av er y an d st eadf ast n ess t h an h is form er
m ast er s. Saw ab, t h e slav e w en t on figh t in g t ill h is h an d w as cu t off. So h e k n elt dow n an d em br aced
t h e ban n er , lean t it again st h is ch est an d n eck lest it sh ou ld f all dow n t o t h e gr ou n d. He r em ain ed
figh t in g st eadily an d st eadfast ly t ill h e w as k illed. I n t he m eanw hile he did not st op say ing: “ O Allâh,
h av e I b een ex cu sed ?” Af t er t h e d eat h of t h e slav e Saw ab , t h e st an d ar d f ell d ow n t o t h e g r ou n d ,
an d r em ain ed t h er e as t h er e w as n o on e t o car r y it .
Wh ilst t h e br u n t of t h e bat t le cen t r ed ar ou n d t h e s t andar d, bit t er fight ing w as going on ev er y w her e
on t h e bat t lefield. Th e spir it of Fait h ov er w h elm ed t h e Mu slim s’ r an k s; so t h ey r u sh ed am on g t h e
id olat er s as if t h ey h ad b een an ou t b r eak of a d est r u ct iv e f lood t h at ov er f low ed an d k n ock ed d ow n
all dam s an d b ar r ier s st an d in g in it s w ay “ I seek d eat h , I seek d eat h . ” Th at w as t h eir an n ou n ced
m ot t o on Uhud Day .
Abu Du j an a, r ecogn ized by t h e r ed ban d w or n r ou n d h is h ead, cam e for t h , figh t in g w it h t h e sw or d of
t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) . He w as d et er m in ed t o pay it s pr ice at all cost s. He
k illed all t h e idolat er s t h at st ood on h is w ay split t in g an d disper sin g t h eir r an k s. Az -Zubair bin Al-
‘Aw w am said:
“ I f elt an gr y an d discou r aged w h en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) r ef u sed t o giv e m e
t h e sw or d bu t gav e it t o Abu Du j an a. I said t o m y self: ‘I am h is pat er n al cou sin — t h e cou sin of h is
aunt Safiy a — a Qu r aish it e, besides, I w as t h e f ir st w h o dem an ded it an d y et h e f av ou r ed h im t o
m e. By Allâh, I w ill w at ch how he w ill use it .’ So I follo w ed h im , I saw h im t ak e ou t h is r ed ban d an d
w ear it r ou n d h is h ead. Seein g h im lik e t h at , t h e Helper s said, ‘Abu Du j an a h ad w or n t h e ban d of
deat h . ’ Th en h e set ou t say in g lou dly :
• ‘I am t h e on e w h om m y in t im at e f r ien d m ade cov en an t w it h , w h en w e w er e u n der t h e
palm -t r ees on t h e m ou n t ain side.
Th e cov en an t t h at w e m ad e w as t h at I sh ou ld n ot f ig h t at t h e r ear .
Bu t figh t at t h e fr on t h er oically w it h t h e sw or d of Allâh an d His Messenger . ’
No on e st ood t h e w ay of Ab u Du j an a b u t w as k illed . Th er e w as a m an am on g t h e id olat er s w h ose
on ly t ar get w as t o fin ish off t h e w ou n ded Mu slim s. Du r in g t h e figh t Abu Du j an a dr ew n ear t h at m an ;
so I im plor ed Allâh t hat t hey m ight engage in com bat . Th ey in f act did an d ex ch an ged t w o sw or d -
st r ok es. Th e idolat er st r u ck Abu Du j an a, bu t h e escaped it an d it pier ced in t o h is leat h er sh ield. Th e
idolat er ’s sw or d n ow st u ck t o it , Abu Du j an a st r u ck h im w it h t h e sw or d an d k illed h im . I n t o t h e t h ick
of t h e b at t le, h e r u sh ed t o k ill a per son w h o w as in cit in g t h e en em y t o f igh t t h e Mu slim s. Upon t h is
t h e per son sh r iek ed an d lo! it w as a w om an . Abu Du j an a spar ed h er say in g: ‘I r espect t h e Pr oph et ’s
sw or d t oo m u ch t o u se it on a w om an . ’ Th e w om an w as Hin d bin t ‘Ut bah . ”
Descr ibing t he sam e incident , Az -Zubair bin Al-‘Aw w am said: “ I saw Abu Du j an a r aisin g a sw or d
ov er t he par t ing par t of Hind bint ‘Ut ba’s head t hen he m ov ed it off. I said t o m y self: ‘Allâh and His
Messen ger k n ow best . ’ ( i. e. k n ow w h y h e act ed lik e t h at ) .”
Ham zah bin ‘Abdu l Mu t t alib display ed w on der f u l f eat s of gallan t r y again st t h e ov er w h elm in g odds
w h ich st ood u n par alled an d cr eat ed con st er n at ion an d con f u sion in t h e disbeliev in g h ost s. Her oes
d isp er sed of f h is w ay as if t h ey h ad b een t r ee-leav es blo w n aw ay b y st r on g w in d . I n ad d it ion t o h is
ef f ect iv e con t r ibu t ion t o t h e an n ih ilat ion of t h e idolat er s w h o st ood in def en ce of t h e st an dar d, h e
w as ev en of m u ch gr eat er ef f ect at f igh t in g again st m en of br av er y an d dist in gu ish ed h or sem en . I t
w as Allâh ’s Will t h at h e b e m u r d er ed w h en h e w as at t h e t op . He w as n ot k illed in a f ace -t o-face
figh t on t h e bat t lefield — in t h e n or m al w ay by w h ich h er oes die — b u t r at h er assassin at ed in t h e
d ea d -dar k as w as t h e cu st om of k illin g gen er ou s an d n oble m en t h at w er e im p ossible t o k ill in an
h on ou r able figh t .
Assassinat ion of Asadullâh ( t he Lion of Allâh) Ham zah bin ‘Abdul Mut t alib:
Ham zah ’s assassin , Wah sh i bin Har b, descr ibed h ow h e k illed Ham zah . He said:
“ I w as a slav e w or k in g t o Ju bair bin Mu t ‘im , w h ose pat er n al u ncle Tu‘aim ah bin ‘Adi w as inj ur ed at
Badr Bat t le. So w hen Qur aish m ar ched t o Uhud, Jubair said t o m e: ‘I f y ou k ill Ham zah, t he uncle of
Muham m ad, st ealt hily y ou shall be m anum it t ed. ’ ”
“ So I m ar ch ed w it h t h e people t o Uh u d. ” He u sed t o descr ibe h im self a s, “ I am a picar o good at
spear in g. ” “ So w h en t h e t w o par t ies f ou gh t , I set ou t seek in g Ham zah . I saw h im am idst people
f igh t in g. He w as lik e a w h it e an d black st r iped cam el, st r ik in g sev er ely w it h h is sw or d an d n o on e
cou ld st an d on h is w ay . By Allâh ! Wh en I w as get t in g r eady an d t r y in g t o seize t h e f it oppor t u n it y t o
spear h im , h idin g som et im es beh in d a t r ee or a r ock h opin g t h at h e m igh t dr aw n ear er an d be
w it h in r an ge — at t hat m om ent I caught sight of Siba‘ bin ‘Abd Al-‘Uzza goin g closer t ow ar ds h im .
W h en Ham zah obser v ed h im , h e said: ‘Com e on ! O son of t h e ‘clit or is -cut t er .’ — f or h is m ot h er u sed
t o be a cir cu m ciser . Th en h e st r u ck on e st r on g st r ok e t h at cou ld h ar dly m iss h is h ead. ”

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Wah sh i said: “ Th en I balan ced m y spear an d sh ook it t ill I w as con t en t w it h it , t h en I spear ed h im
an d it w en t d ow n in t o h is st om ach an d issu ed ou t b et w een h is leg s. He at t em p t ed m ov in g t ow ar d s
m e bu t h e w as ov er com e by h is w ou n d. I lef t h im t h er e w it h t h e spear in h is en t r ails t ill h e died.
Then I cam e t o him , pulled out m y spear an d r et u r n ed t o t h e en cam pm en t place. I st ay ed t h er e an d
did n ot go ou t , f or h e w as t h e on ly on e I sou gh t . I on ly k illed h im t o f r ee m y self . So as soon as I got
back t o Mak k ah, I becam e a fr ee m an. ”
BRI N GI N G TH E SI TUATI ON UN D ER CON TROL:
Alt h ou gh t h e deat h of Asad ( Lion ) of Allâh an d His Messen ger — Ham zah bin ‘Abdul Mut t alib — w a s
a gr eat loss, t h e Mu slim s m ain t ain ed f u ll con t r ol ov er t h e w h ole sit u at ion on t h e bat t lef ield. On t h at
day, Abu Bakr , ‘Um ar bin Al-Khat t ab, ‘Ali bin Abi Talib, Az -Zubair bin Al-‘Aw w am , Mus‘ab bin ‘Um air ,
Talha bin ‘Ubaidullâh, ‘Abdullah bin Jahsh, Sa‘d bin Ar -Rabî‘ and Anas bin An -Nad r an d ot h er s — all
of t hem fought so fier cely , effect iv ely and efficient ly t hat t hey br ok e t he st r ong w ill of t he idolat er s
an d scat t er ed t h em .
FROM H I S W I FE' S LAP TO SW ORD - FI GH TS AN D SORROW S:
On e of t h e b r av e ad v en t u r er s of t h at d ay w as Han zala Al-Gh aseel — He w as Hanzala bin Abu ‘Am ir .
Abu ‘Am ir w as t he v er y m onk t hat w as nick nam ed ‘Al-Fâsiq’ ( i. e. t he dissolut e, ev ildoer ) . He is t he
v er y on e t h at w e h av e r ecen t ly m en t ion ed. Han zala, w h o w as n ew ly m ar r ied, lef t h is w if e’s bed f or
Al-Jihâd ( Figh t in t h e cau se of Allâh ) . He set ou t t h e m om en t h e h ear d of t h e call t o Al-Jihâd. Wh en
h e f aced t h e idolat er s on t h e bat t lef ield, h e m ade h is w ay t h rou gh t h eir r an k s t ill h e r each ed t h eir
leader Abu Su f y an Sak h r bin Har b an d h ad alm ost k illed h im , if h e h ad n ot been or dain ed t o be a
m ar t y r . For at t h at m om en t h e w as seen by Sh addad bin Al-Asw ad w h o st r u ck h im t o deat h .
TH E CON TRI BUTI ON OF TH E ARCH ERS SQUAD TO TH E BATTLE:
Th e ar ch er s squ ad w h om t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) locat ed on t h e Ar ch er s
Mount ain, had t he upper hand in adm inist er ing t he w ar act iv it ies t o go in fav our of t he Muslim ar m y .
Th e Mak k an h or sem en — com m anded by Khalid bin Al-Waleed, suppor t ed by Abu ‘Am ir Al-Fâsiq —
h ad for t h r ee t im es at t ack ed t h e left w in g of t h e Mu slim ar m y w it h t h e aim of cr u sh in g it an d t h en
in f ilt r at in g in t o t h e r ear t o cr eat e a sor t of con f u sion an d disor der in t h e r an k s of t h e Mu slim s an d
su b seq u en t ly in flict h eav y defeat on t h em . Bu t t h an k s t o t h e dex t er it y an d gr eat effor t s of t h e
ar ch er s, t h e t h r ee assau lt s w er e t h w ar t ed .
War act iv it ies w ent on and on fier ecly w it h t he Muslim s in full com m and of t he w hole m ilit ar y
dev elopm en t s u n t il t h e idolat e r s finally st agger ed and r et r eat ed, leav ing all m ot iv es of alleged pr ide,
and affect ed dignit y in obliv ion, and t heir st andar d t r odden by t he feet of t he fight er s w it h none ev er
cou r ag eou s en ou g h t o ap p r oach it . I t seem ed as if t h e t h r ee t h ou san d id olat er s h ad been f igh t in g
t h ir t y t h ou san d Mu slim s an d n ot m er ely sev er al h u n dr eds.
I bn I sh aq said: “ Th en Allâh sen t dow n His Help u n t o t h e Mu slim s an d v er ified His Pr om ise t o t h em .
Th ey ch ased t h e idolat er s an d ev acu at ed t h em f r om t h eir cam p. No dou bt it w as a c er t ain def eat . ”
I n a v er sion by ‘Abdullah bin Az -Z u bair t h at h is f at h er h ad said: “ By Allâh , I w as w at ch in g t h e
ser v an t s of Hin d bin t ‘Ut bah an d h er w om en fr ien ds fleein g w it h t h eir gar m en t s gat h er ed u p. No on e
w as t h er e t o pr ev en t u s fr om capt u r in g t h em . ”
I n an ot h er v er sion by Al-Bar â’ bin ‘Azib — m en t ion ed in Sahih Al-Bukhâri — h e said : “ Wh en w e
f ou gh t t h em , t h ey f led, an d t h eir w om en cou ld be seen f leein g in t h e m ou n t ain s w it h t h eir an k let s
an d legs r ev ealed. ” Th e Mu slim s pu r su ed t h e en em ies pu t t in g t h em t o sw or d an d collect in g t h e
spoils.
TH E ARCH ERS' FATAL M I STAKE:
Wh ile t h e sm all ar m y of I slam w er e r ecor din g t h e secon d absolu t e an d clear v ict or y ov er t h e
Mak k an s — w h ich w as n o less in sp len d ou r an d g lor y t h an t h e f ir st on e at Bad r — t he m aj or it y of
t h e ar ch er s on t h e m ou n t ain side com m it t ed a f at al m ist ak e t h at t u r n ed t h e w h ole sit u at ion u pside
dow n , an d con st it u t ed a sou r ce of h eav y losses am on gst t h e Mu slim s. I t h as alm ost br ou gh t abou t
t h e m u r der of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , an d lef t a v er y bad im pr ession on t h e f am e an d
dign it y t h ey deser v edly ear n ed at Badr Bat t le.
We h av e alr ead y sp ok en ab ou t t h e p osit iv e or d er s g iv en t o t h e ar ch er s t o h old on t o t h eir p osit ion
w h at ev er t h e cou r se of t h e m ain en gagem en t . I n spit e of t h ose st r ict or der s, a n d t h eir leader ’s —
‘Abdullah bin Jubair — w ar n in g, f or t y ar ch er s deser t ed t h eir post s, en t iced by t h e t oo soon r oar of
v ict or y as w ell as w or ldly av ar ice f or t h e spoils of w ar . Th e ot h er s, h ow ev er , n in e in n u m ber an d
‘Abdu llah , t h eir leader , decided t o abide by t h e Pr oph et ’s or der an d st ay w h er e t h ey w er e u n t il t h ey
w er e giv en leav e or k illed t o t h e last . Con sequ en t ly t h e clef t w as lef t in adequ at ely def en ded .
The shr ew d Khalid bin Al-Waleed seized t h is g old en op p or t u n it y t o t u r n sw if t ly r ou n d t o t h e r ear of
t he Muslim ar m y and encom pass t hem . Ex t er m inat ing I bn Jubair and his gr oup, t hey fell pr om pt ly
u pon t h e r ear of t h e Mu slim s an d h is h or sem en u t t er ed a sh ou t t h at sign alled t h e n ew m ilit ar y
dev elopm en t s. Th e poly t h eist s r et u r n ed on ce again t o cou n t er att ack t he Muslim s. An idolist w om an
— called ‘Um r a bint ‘Alqam a Al-Har it hiy ah — r u sh ed t o t h e ly in g-on -ear t h st an dar d, pick ed it u p an d
h oist ed it . Th e idolat er s gat h er ed t oget h er ar ou n d t h e st an dar d an d called ou t u n t o on e an ot h er t ill
t hey encir cled t he Mu slim s an d st oodf ast t o f igh t again .
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TH E M USLI M S CON SEQUEN TLY GOT EN TRAPPED BETW EEN TW O M I LLSTON ES.
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as t h en am on g a sm all gr ou p of f igh t er s — nine in
n u m ber at t h e r ear of t h e ar m y , w at ch in g t h e en gagem en t an d br av ing t he Muslim fight er s. Khalid
an d h is m en t ook h im by u t t er su r pr ise, an d obliged h im t o follow eit h er of t w o opt ion s:

1. To f lee f or h is lif e an d aban don h is ar m y t o it s doom ed en d, or

2. To t ak e act ion at t he r isk of his life, r ally t he r ank s of t he Mu slim s again an d w or k t h eir w ay
t h r ou gh t h e h ills of Uh u d t ow ar ds t h e en com passed ar m y .

Th e gen iu s of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) , h is peer less an d m at ch less cou r age
m ade h im opt f or t h e secon d cou r se. He r aised h is v oice callin g ou t u n t o h is Com pan ion s: “ Slav es of
Allâh . ” He did t h at t h ou gh h e k n ew t h at h islou d v oice w ou ld be h ear d by t h e idolat er s bef or e it w as
hear d by t he Muslim s. He called out unt o t hem r isk ing his life in t his delicat e sit uat ion.
The idolat er s, indeed, r ecognized him a n d r each ed h is posit ion ev en befor e t h e ot h er Mu slim s cou ld
d o so.
Th e en com passm en t of t h e Mu slim s r ev ealed t h r ee cat egor ies of people: Th e fir st gr ou p w er e t h ose
w h o w er e on ly in t er est ed in t h em selv es an d t h ey w en t so m ad t h at t h ey f led. Th ey lef t t h e
b at t lef ield an d d id n ot k n ow w h at h ap p en ed t o t h e ot h er s. Som e of t h is g r ou p f led as f ar as
Madin ah . Som e ot h er s w en t u p t h e m ou n t ain .
Th e secon d Mu slim gr ou p w er e t h ose w h o r et u r n ed t o t h e bat t le, bu t m ix ed w it h t h e idolat er s in
su ch a w ay t h at t h ey cou ld n ot r ecogn ize on e an ot h er . Con sequ en t ly som e of t h em w er e k illed by
m ist ak e. On t he aut hor it y of Al-Bu k h ar i, h e st at es t h at ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) said:
“ Wh en it w as Uh u d Bat t le, t h e id olat er s w er e u t t er ly d ef eat ed . Sat an t h en called ou t : ‘O slav es of
Allâh . Bew ar e t h e r ear ( i. e. t h e en em y is appr oach in g fr om beh in d) ’. So t h ose w h o w er e at t h e fr on t
t u r n ed b ack an d f ou g h t t h e on es w h o w er e b eh in d . ”
Then Hudhaifah caught sight of his fat her ‘Al-Yam an’ about t o be k illed by ot her Muslim s. So h e
said: “ O ser v ant s of Allâh! Bew ar e! This is m y fat her . This is m y fat her . ” ‘Aishah ( May Allah be
pleased w it h h er ) said: “ Bu t t h ey did n ot par t w it h h im t ill h e w as k illed. ” Hu dh aifah t h en said: “ May
Allâh for giv e y ou. ” And ‘Ur w a said: “ By Allâh, fr om t h at t im e on Hu d h aif ah h as alw ay s b een b lessed
an d w ealt h y t ill h e d ied . ” Th at w as b ecau se h e f or g av e t h em an d r ef u sed t o t ak e an y b lood -m oney
for his fat her ’s m ur der but r ecom m ended t hat it be spent in char it y .
Th is Mu slim gr ou p su ffer ed fr om gr eat bew ilder m ent , and disor der pr ev ailed am ong t hem . A lot of
t h em got lost an d did n ot k n ow w h er e t o go. At t h is aw k w ar d t im e t h ey h ear d som eon e callin g:
“ Mu h am m ad is k illed. ” Th is n ew s m ade t h em ev en m or e bew ilder ed an d alm ost ou t of sen se. Th eir
m or ale br ok e dow n, or alm ost did in a gr eat num ber of indiv iduals. Som e of t hem st opped fight ing,
slack en ed, an d cast dow n t h eir w eapon s. Ot h er s t h ou gh t of get t in g in t ou ch w it h ‘Abdu llah bin Ubai
— t h e h ead of t h e h y p ocr it es — an d seek in g h is assist an ce t o f et ch t h em a secur it y pledge fr om Abu
Sufy an.
Anas bin An -Nad r p assed b y t h ose p eop le w h o w er e sh u d d er in g of f ear an d p an ic, an d in q u ir ed :
“ Wh at ar e y ou w ait in g f or ?” Th ey said: “ Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) h as been
k illed. ” “ What do y ou liv e for aft er Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ? Com e on an d die f or w h at t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) h as died f or . ” Th en h e said: “ O Allâh I apologize f or w h at
t h ese p eop le ( i. e. t h e Mu slim s) h av e d on e; an d I sw ear d isav ow al of w h at t h e id olat er s h av e
per pet r at ed. ” Then he m ov ed on t ill he w as encount er ed by Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh w ho ask ed him : “ Wher e
t o, Abu ‘Um ar ?” An as r eplied: “ Ah , h ow fin e t h e scen t of t h e Par adise is! I sm ell it h er e in Uh u d. ” He
w en t on an d f ou gh t again st t h e idolat er s t ill h e w as k illed. Nobody bu t h is sist er cou ld r ecogn ize h is
d ead b od y . I t h ad b een cu t an d st ab b ed b y ov er eig h t y sw or d s, ar r ow s or sp ear s. I t w as b y t h e t ip
of h is f in ger t h at sh e — af t er t h e bat t le — r ecognized him .
Thabit bin Ad -Dah dah called u n t o h is people say in g:
“ O k infolk of Helper s, if Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) w er e k illed, Allâh is Ev er last ing and He
nev er dies. Fight in defence of y our Fait h. Allâh w ill help y ou and so y ou w ill be v ict or ious. ” A gr oup
of Helper s j oin ed h im an d all set ou t an d at t ack ed a bat t alio n of Kh alid’s h or sem en . He k ept on
fight ing t ill he and his fr iends w er e k illed.
An Em ig r an t p assed b y a Help er w h o w as b esm ear ed b y b lood . He said : “ O f ellow ! Hav e y ou h ear d
of Mu h am m ad ’s m u r der ?” Th e Helper an sw er ed: “ I f Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) w er e killed,
t h en h e m u st h av e com plet ed t h e deliv er y of t h e Message. So f igh t in def en ce of y ou r r eligion ! ”
Wit h su ch boldn ess an d en cou r agem en t , t h e Mu slim s soon r ecov er ed t h eir spir it s, cam e r ou n d t o
sen ses an d d esist ed t h e id ea of su r r en d er or con t act in g t he hy pocr it e ‘Abdullah bin Ubai. They t ook
u p ar m s an d r esu m ed t h e f igh t at t em pt in g t o m ak e w ay t o t h e h eadqu ar t er s, par t icu lar ly af t er t h e
n ew s of t h e Pr oph et ’s deat h h ad been f alsif ied. Th e glad t idin gs n er v ed t h em , an d h elped t h em t o
m an ag e q u it e su ccessfully t he br eak of t he m ilit ar y block ade, and concent r at e t heir for ces in an
im m u n e place t o r esu m e a r elen t less an d f ier ce f igh t again st t h e poly t h eist s.

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Th e t h ir d gr ou p of Mu slim s w er e t h ose w h o car ed f or n ot h in g ex cept t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) . At t he head of t hem w er e not able Com panions lik e Abu Bak r , ‘Um ar bin Al-Khat t ab, ‘Ali bin Abi
Talib an d ot h er s ( May Allah be pleased w it h t h em ) , w h o h ast en ed t o pr ot ect t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
upon him ) t hr ough unr iv alled dev ot ion.
As t h ose g r ou p s of Mu slim s w er e r eceiv in g t h e blow s of t h e idolat er s an d r esist in g in st an t ly , t h e
f igh t f lar ed u p ar ou n d t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h o h ad on ly n in e people
ar ou n d h im . We h av e alr eady m en t ion ed t h at w h en t h e idolat er s st ar t ed t h eir en com passment there
w er e on ly n in e per son s ar ou n d t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) ; an d t h at as soon as h e
called ou t u n t o t h e Mu slim s: “ Com e on ! I am t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) , ” t h e
idolat er s h ear d h is v oice an d r ecogn ized h im . So t h ey t u r n ed back an d at t ack ed h im w it h all t h eir
pow er bef or e an y of h is Com pan ion s r an t o h is aid.
A v iolen t r agin g st r u ggle br ok e ou t bet w een t h e n in e Mu slim s an d t h e idolat er s du r in g w h ich
peer less sor t of lov e, self -sacr ifice, br av er y an d h er oism w er e r ev ealed.
Muslim , on t he aut hor it y of Anas bin Malik nar r at ed t hat t he Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him )
alon g w it h sev en Help er s an d t w o Em ig r an t s, w as con f in ed t o a t r ap w h en t h e id olat er s at t ack ed
h im . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h en said : “ He w h o p u sh es b ack t h ose id olat er s,
w ill be h ou sed in Par adise. ” or “ He w ill be m y Com pan ion in Par adise. ” On e of t h e Helper s st epped
f or w ar d an d f ou gh t t h e idolat er s in def en ce of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t ill h e w as k illed.
Th en t h ey at t ack ed t h e Messen g er ( Peace b e u p on h im ) ag ain . Th e sam e p r ocess w as r ep eat ed
again an d again t ill all t h e sev en Helper s w er e k illed. Th en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon
h im ) said t o h is t w o Qu r aish it e Com pan ion s: “ We h av e n ot don e j u st ice t o ou r Com pan io n s. ”
Th e last of t h ose sev en Helper s w as ‘Am ar a bin Yazeed bin As -Sak an, w ho k ept on fight ing t ill his
w ou n ds n eu t r alized h im an d h e f ell dead.
TH E M OST AW KW ARD H OUR I N TH E M ESSEN GER'S LI FE:
Af t er t h e f all of I bn Sak an , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) r em ain ed alon e w it h on ly
t h ose t w o Qu r aish it es. I n a v er sion by Abu ‘Ut h m an — au t h or ized in As-Sahihain — h e said: “ At t h at
t im e, t h er e w er e n on e w it h t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ex cept Talh a bin ‘Ubaidu llâh an d Sa‘d
b in Ab i Waq q as. Th at w as t h e m ost aw k w ar d an d d an g er ou s h ou r f or t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
h im ) , bu t it w as a golden oppor t u n it y f or t h e idolat er s w h o pr om pt ly t ook adv an t age of it . Th ey
con cen t r at ed t h eir at t ack on t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d look ed f or w ar d t o k illin g h im .
‘Ut bah bin Abi Waqqas pelt ed h im w it h st on es. On e of t h e st on es f ell on h is f ace. His low er r igh t
incisor Ruba‘iya ( i. e. t h e t oot h t h at is bet w een a can in e an d a f r on t t oot h ) w as in j u r ed. His low er lip
w as w ou n d ed . He w as also at t ack ed b y ‘Ab d u llah b in Shihab Az -Z u h r i w h o cleav ed h is f or eh ead.
‘Abdullah bin Qam i’a ( Qam i’a m ean s ‘a h u m iliat ed w om an ’) , w h o w as an obst in at e st r on g h or sem an ,
st r u ck h im v iolen t ly on h is sh ou lder w it h h is sw or d; an d t h at st r ok e h u r t t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace be upon him ) f or ov er a m on t h — t h ou gh it w as n ot st r on g en ou gh t o br eak h is t w o ar m ou r s.
He d ealt a h eav y b low on h is ch eek . I t w as so st r on g t h at t w o r in g s of h is ir on -r inged helm et
penet r at ed int o his holy cheek . “ Tak e t his st r ok e fr om m e, I am I bn Qam i’a. ” He said w hile st r ik ing
t h e Messen ger w it h h is sw or d. Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) r eplied — w h i l e h e w as
w iping t he blood flow ing on his face: “ I im plor e Allâh t o hum iliat e y ou. ” ( i. e. Aqm a’aka Allâh ) . I n Al-
Bukhâri it is st at ed his incisor br ok e, his h ead w as cleav ed , an d t h at h e st ar t ed w ip in g t h e b lood of f
it an d say in g: “ ( I w on der ) h ow can peopw h o cu t t h e f ace of t h eir Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d
br eak t h e in cisor of h is — h e w h o calls t h em t o w or sh ip Allâh . How can su ch people t h r iv e or be
su ccessful?” About t hat incident , Allâh, Glor y is t o Him , sent dow n a Qur ’ânic v er se say ing:
• “ Not for y ou [ O Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) but for Allâh] is t he decision; w het her
He t ur ns in m er cy t o ( par dons) t hem or punishes t hem ; v er ily , t hey ar e t he Zâlim ûn
( poly t h eist s, disobedien t s, an d w r on g-doer s) .” [ 3: 128]
At -Tabar an i st at es t h at t h e P r oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ Allâh ’s Wr at h is gr eat on t h ose w h o
besm ear t h e f ace of His Messen ger , ” obser v ed silen ce f or a sh or t w h ile an d t h en r esu m ed say in g:
• “ O Allâh , for giv e m y people for t h ey h av e n o k n ow ledge. ”
I n Sahih Muslim it is st at ed t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said:
• “ My Lor d, f or giv e m y people f or t h ey h av e n o k n ow ledge. ”
I n Ash -Shifa — a book by ‘Ay ad Al-Qadi — it is r elat ed t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said:
• “ O Allâh , gu ide m y people for t h ey h av e n o k n ow led g e. ”
I t is qu it e cer t ain t h at k illin g t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as t h eir pr im ar y aim , bu t t h e t w o
Qu r aish it es — Sa‘d b in Ab i Waq q as an d Talh a b in ‘Ub aid u llâh , w h o sh ow ed g r eat an d r ar e cou r ag e
an d f ou gh t so f ier cely an d boldly t h at — t h ou g h t h ey w er e on ly t w o — w er e ab le t o st op t h e
idolat er s sh or t of r ealizin g t h eir aim . Th ey w er e of t h e best sk illfu l Ar ab ar ch er s an d k ept on
m ilit at in g in def en ce of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t ill t h e w h ole squ ad of idolat er s
w as dr iv e n off him ( Peace be upon him ) .
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) em pt ied h is qu iv er of ar r ow s an d said t o Sa‘d bin Abi
Waqqas: “ Sh oot , an ar r ow Sa‘d. May m y f at h er an d m ot h er be sacr if ied f or y ou . ” Th e Pr oph et

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( Peace b e u p on h im ) h ad n ev er g at h ered h is par en t s ex cept in t h e case of Sa‘d — a pr iv ilege
gr ant ed t o him for his efficiency .
I n a v er sion by Jabir — aut hor ized by An -Nasa’i — con cer n in g t h e at t it u de of Talh a bin ‘Ubaidu llâh
t ow ar d s t h e g at h er in g of id olat er s ar ou n d t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) — w h en
t h er e w er e on ly som e Helper s w it h h im — Jabir said: “ Wh en t h e idolat er s r each ed h im , t h e
Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) said: ‘Who w ill suffice us t heir ev ils ( i. e. fight t hem back ) ?’
Talha said: ‘I w ill.’” Then Jabir m ent ion ed t h e ad v an ce of t h e Help er s t o f ig h t an d h ow t h ey w er e
k illed one aft er t he ot her in a sim ilar w ay t o Muslim ’s nar r at ion — “ Wh en all t h e Helper s w er e k illed,
Talh a pr oceeded f or w ar d t o f igh t as m u ch as t h e ot h er elev en on es did t ill h is h an d w as h u r t and his
fin ger s w er e cu t off. So h e said: ‘Be t h ey cu t off! ’ Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: ‘I f y ou h ad
said: I n t h e Nam e of Allâh , t h e an gels w ou ld h av e r aised y ou u p bef or e t h e people’s v er y ey es. ’”
Th en h e said: “ Allâh dr ov e t h e idolat er s of f t h em .” I n Al-I kleel — a book by Hak im — it is st at ed t h at
Talh a h ad su st ain ed t h ir t y -nine or t hir t y -fiv e w ounds, and his finger s ( i. e. t he for efinger and t he one
n ex t t o it — got par aly zed.
I n a v er sion by Qais bin Abi Hâzim — au t h or ized by Al-Buk har i, he s aid : “ I saw t h e h an d of Talh a
par aly zed. Th at w as becau se h e pr ot ect ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w it h it in Uh u d Bat t le. ”
At -Tir m idh i st at ed t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h en said abou t Talh a: “ He w h o desir es t o
see a m ar t y r w alk in g on t h e g r ound, let him look at Talha bin ‘Ubaidullâh. ”
Abu Da’ûd At -Tay alisi on t h e au t h or it y of ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) , said: “ Wh en ev er
Uhud Day ( i. e. bat t le) w as m ent ioned, Abu Bak r used t o say : ‘That w as Talha’s day ( i. e. bat t le) ’.
Abu Bakr r e cit ed a v er se of poet r y abou t h im : ‘O Talh a bin ‘Ubaidu llâh ! Par adise is du e t o y ou as
w a t e r-spr in gs ar e du e t o deer t o dr in k ou t of . ’ At t h e aw k w ar d an d m ost delicat e cir cu m st an ces,
Allâh, Glor y is t o Him , sent dow n His inv isible Help. I n a v er sion by Sa‘d — clear ed an d au t h or ized in
Sahih Al-Bukhari an d Muslim — h e said: “ I saw t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) on
Uh u d Day w it h t w o m en — dr essed in w h it e defen din g h im fier cely — I h av e n ev er seen sim ilar t o
t hem neit her befor e Uhud nor aft er it . ” I n an ot h er v er sion : “ He m ean s t o say t h at t h ey w er e Gabr iel
and Michael” .
All t h ose ev en t s h appen ed in n o t im e. I f t h e Pr oph et ’s elit e Com pan ion s h ad r ealized t h e gr av e
sit u at ion im m ediat ely , t h ey w ou ld h av e r u sh ed on t h e spot an d w ou ld n ot h av e lef t h im su st ain
t h ese w ou n ds. Un f or t u n at ely , t h ey got t h er e af t er t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad
been w ou n ded an d six of t h e Helper s k illed, t h e sev en t h w as st agger in g u n der t h e br u n t of w ou n ds
an d desper at ely m ilit at in g in def en ce of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . How ev er as soon as t h ey
ar r iv ed t h ey en cir cled t h e Messen g er w it h t h eir b od ies an d w eap on s an d w er e aler t en ou g h t o
pr ev en t t h e en em ies f r om r each in g h im . Th e f ir st on e w h o r et u r n ed t o giv e h elp, w as h is cav em at e
Abu Bakr As -Siddiq ( May Allah be pleased w it h him ) .
I n a v er sion by ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) r ecor ded in I bn Hibban ’s Sahih , she nar r at ed
t h at Abu Bak r h ad said:
“ Wh en it w as Uh u d Day an d at t h e t im e t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as lef t beh in d, I w as
t he fir st t o go back and see him . Befor e him I saw a m an fight ing t o shield him fr om t he enem ies. I
said t o m y self: ‘I w ish he w er e Talha. Let m y fat her and m ot her be sacr ificed for y ou. ( O Allâh) Let
him be Talha! Let m y par ent s be sacr ificed for y ou! ’ O n t h e w ay , I w as ov er t ak en b y Ab u ‘Ub aid ah
bin Al-Jar r ah , w h o w as t h en m ov in g as sw if t ly as a b ir d . We b ot h r u sh ed t o d r ess t h e Pr op h et ’s
w ou n ds. Th er e w e f ou n d Talh a su f f er in g f r om ser iou s w ou n ds bef or e t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace
be upon him ) . The Pr o ph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: ‘See t o y ou r br ot h er . His deed en t it led h im for
an abode in Par adise. ’ I n ot iced t h at t w o r in gs of t h e ir on -r in ged h elm et h ad pen et r at ed h is ch eek .
So I set out t o t ak e t hem out ; but Abu ‘Ubaidah dem anded: ‘By Allâh, O Abu Ba kr — I beseech y ou ,
let m e do it m y self . ’ Fear in g t o h u r t t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h e st ar t ed pu llin g on e of t h e
t w o r in gs ou t v er y slow ly an d car efu lly w it h h is m ou t h . Th en h e pu lled t h e ar r ow ou t by h is m ou t h ,
t oo. Con sequ en t ly , h is f r on t t oot h f e ll. Th en I pr oceeded t o pu ll t h e secon d ou t ; bu t Abu ‘Ubaidah
besou gh t m e t o leav e it : ‘O, Abu Bak r , I adj u r e y ou by Allâh t o let m e do it . ’ He pu lled t h e secon d
r ing v er y slow ly and car efully w it h his m out h — t ill it cam e out . The Messenger of Allâh ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) said: ‘See t o y ou r br ot h er . He h as pr ov ed t o be w or t h y of bein g h ou sed in Par adise. ’ We
ap p r oach ed Talh a t o cu r e h im b u t f ou n d ou t t h at h e h ad h ad som e t en sw or d -st r ok es in h is body .
( Th is sh ow ed h ow ef f icien t ly Talh a h ad f ou gh t an d st r u ggle d on t h at day ) . ”
At t h ose aw k w ar d m om en t s of t h at d ay , a g r ou p of Mu slim h er oes g at h er ed ar ou n d t h e Pr op h et
( Peace be upon him ) for m ing a shield t o pr ot ect him fr om t he idolat er s. Som e of t hem w er e Abu
Duj ana, Mus‘ab bin ‘Um air , ‘Ali bin Abi Talib, Sahl bin Haneef, Malik bin — Sin an t h e fat h er of Abu
Sa‘îd Al-Khudr i, Um m ‘Am ar a, Nusaiba bint Ka‘b Al-Mâziniy a, Qat ada bin An -Nu‘m an, ‘Um ar bin Al-
Khat t ab, Hat ib bin Abi Balt a‘a and Abu Talha.
Th e n u m ber of idolat er s w as st eadily in cr easin g; an d t h eir at t ack s, nat ur ally , got sev er er . Their
pr ess h ad in cr eased t o an ex t en t t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) f ell in t o on e of
t h e h oles du g an d design ed by Abu ‘Am ir Al-Fasiq t o be u sed as t r aps. His k n ee scr at ch ed an d ‘Ali
h elped h im by gr aspin g h is h an d up. Talha bin ‘Ubaidullâh t ook him in his lap t ill he could st and
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u pr igh t . Naf i‘ bin Ju bair said: I h ear d an Em igr an t say : “ I h av e w it n essed Uh u d Bat t le an d w at ch ed
h ow ar r ow s h ad been h u r led f r om all dir ect ion s at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Non e o f t hem
how ev er hit him . ‘Abdullah, bin Shihab Az -Zuhr i said: ‘Guide m e t o Muham m ad ( Peace be upon
him ) ! By Allâh, I f I didn’t k ill him , I w ould not hope t o liv e. ’ Alt hough t he Messenger of Allâh ( Peace
be u pon h im ) w as n ex t t o h im , alon e — bu t h e did n ot o bser v e him . Safw an, a co -poly t heist of his,
blam ed h im ( f or n ot t r an slat in g h is w or ds in t o deeds) , bu t ‘Abdu llah sw or e t h at h e did n ot see h im
[ t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] an d added t h at h e m igh t be im m u n e t o ou r at t em pt s on h is lif e.
He also said t h at four of t hem pledged t o m aa fr esh at t em pt and k ill him , but also t o no av ail.
Th e Mu slim s sh ow ed u n pr eceden t ed r ar e h er oism an d m ar v ellou s sacr ifices. Abu Talh a — for
in st an ce — sh ielded t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) by h is body an d u sed h is ch est t o
pr ot ect h im again st t h e en em y ar r ow s. An as r elat ed t h at on Uh u d Day w h en people disper sed of f
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , Abu Talh ah w as a sk illf u l sor t of ar ch er w h o w ou ld pu ll ar r ow s so
m u ch t h at h e b r ok e t w o or t h r ee b ow s t h at d ay . Wh en a m an passed alon g w it h a qu iv er f u ll of
ar r ow s, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w ou ld say : “ Spr ead t h e ar r ow s t o Abu Talh ah ! ” Th en w h en
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w at ch ed people sh oot in g, Abu Talh ah w ou ld say : “ I sacr if ice m y
fat her and m ot her for y o u r saf et y . Do n ot go t oo close lest an ar r ow of t h eir s sh ou ld h it y ou . I w ou ld
r at h er die t h an see y ou h u r t . ”
Abu Du j an a st ood bef or e t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d u sed t o pr ot ect h im f r om
t h e ar r ow s by h is back . Hat ib bin Balt a‘a f ollow ed ‘Ut b ah b in Ab i Waq q as — w h o b r ok e t h e
h on ou r able in cisor [ of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] — st r uck him w it h t he sw or d, cr ack ed his
h ead an d t ook h is m ar e an d sw or d. Sa‘d bin Abi Waqqas w as so k een t o k ill h is br ot h er ‘Ut bah , bu t
h e cou ld n ot ; h ow ev er, Hat ib could.
Sah l bin Han eef — a h er o ar ch er — w h o h ad p led g ed t o d ie in t h e cau se of Allâh , also p lay ed a
pr om inent par t in Uhud host ilit ies.
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) h im self w as in v olv ed in sh oot in g ar r ow s. I n a v er sion
b y Qat ad ah b in An -Nu ‘m an t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) sh ot so m an y ar r ow s
t h at t h e t w o en d s of h is b ow w er e f lat t en ed . So Qat ad ah b in An -Nu‘m an t ook it t o r em ain w it h him
f or good. On t h at day h is ey e w as so h u r t t h at it f ell dow n on t o h is ch eek ; bu t t h e Messen g er of
Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) r epu t it in it s sock et w it h h is h an d an d it becam e t h e bet t er an d t h e m or e
shar p -sig h t ed of t h e t w o.
On t h at day ‘Abdu r Rah m an bin ‘Aw f k ept on figh t in g t ill h is m ou t h w as h u r t an d got br ok en . He
su st ain ed ov er t w en t y w ou n ds, som e in h is leg, an d t h at lam ed h im .
Malik bin Sinan, t he fat her of Abi Sa‘eed Al-Kh u dr i su ck ed t h e blood ou t of t h e Pr oph et ’s ch eek t ill
he cleaned it . The Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) said: “ Spit it ! ” . But Malik said: “ By Allâh, I w ill
n ev er spit it ” . Th en h e set ou t t o f igh t . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h en said: “ He w h o w an t s
t o see a m an of t h e people of Par adise, let h im look at t h is on e. ” No soon er h ad h e r esu m ed f igh t in g
t h an h e w as m ar t y r ed in t h e t h ick of t h e bat t le.
Um m ‘Am ar ah par t icipat ed in t h e f igh t t oo. Sh e en cou n t er ed I bn Qam i’a in com bat , an d su st ain ed a
sligh t w ou n d on h er sh ou lder , bu t sh e h er self also st r u ck h im w it h h er sw or d sev er al t im es bu t h e
su r v iv ed b ecau se h e w as w ear in g t w o ar m ou r s. Sh e, h ow ev er , w en t on s t r ik in g u n t il h er w ou n ds
cou n t ed t w elv e.
Mu s‘ab bin ‘Um air , in h is t u r n , fou gh t fier cely an d v iolen t ly defen din g t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) again st t h e at t ack s of I bn Qam i’a an d h is f ellow s. He w as car r y in g t h e st an dar d w it h h is r igh t
h an d . I n t h e p rocess of f igh t in g, it w as cu t of f , so h e gr abbed t h e st an dar d in h is lef t h an d t ill t h is
w as also am pu t at ed so h e k n elt dow n an d sh ielded it w it h h is ch est an d n eck . I bn Qam i’a t h en k illed
him , m ist ak ing him for t he Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) o n accou n t of r esem blan ce in
appear an ce. On ly t h en did I bn Qam i’a sh ou t ‘Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) h as been k illed. ’
No soon er h ad I b n Qam i’a u t t er ed t h at om in ou s sen t en ce t h an con st er n at ion sp r ead am on g
Mu h am m ad’s f ollow er s, an d t h eir m or ale w as dr ast ically r edu ced. Con sequ en t ly , con f u sion an d a
m iser able st at e of disor der pr ev ailed am on gst t h em . Wh ilst t h e r u m ou r s m an aged t o adv er sely act
am on gst t h e Mu slim s, it allev iat ed t h e sh ar p im pact of t h e assau lt s of t h e poly t h eist s w h o cam e t o
b eliev e t h at t h ey did r eally ach iev e t h eir fin al obj ect iv e an d so t h ey t u r n ed t ow ar ds m u t ilat in g t h e
d ead b od ies.
Wh en Mu s‘ab w as k illed, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) deliv er ed t h e st an dar d t o ‘Ali
bin Abi Talib. ‘Ali, in conj unct ion w it h t he ot her Com panio n s, w en t on f igh t in g br av ely an d set
m ar v ellou s ex am ples of h er oism , cou r age an d en du r an ce in bot h def en ce an d at t ack .
Th en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) m ade h is w ay t o h is en cir cled ar m y . Ka‘b bin
Malik , w h o w as t h e f ir st on e t o r ecogn ize t h e appr oach in g Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , sh ou t ed as
lou dly as h e cou ld: “ O folk s of Mu slim s, be ch er ish ed! Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
is h er e. ” Bu t t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) sign ed t o h im t o st op lest h is posit ion
should be locat ed by t h e idolat er s. Upon h ear in g t h e sh ou t , t h e Mu slim s im m ediat ely r aced t ow ar ds
t he sour ce of t he shout w hich br ought about t hir t y Com panions t o gat her ar ound t he Pr ophet ( Peace

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be u pon h im ) . Wit h t h is assem bled n u m ber of h is Com pan ion s, t h e Me ssen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) st ar t ed dr aw in g a plan n ed w it h dr aw al t o t h e h illock s n ear by .
Host ilit ies of t h e en em y gr ew f ier cer t h an ev er w it h t h e aim of f oilin g t h e plan of w it h dr aw al of t h e
Mu slim s. Th eir at t em pt s h ow ev er pr ov ed t o be fr u it less d u e t o t h e h er oic st ead f ast n ess of t h e lion s
of I slam .
‘Ut hm an bin ‘Abdullah bin Al-Mu g h eer ah — on e of t h e en em y h or sem en — p r og r essed t ow ar d s t h e
Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) w hile say ing: “ Eit her I k ill him [ i. e. Muham m ad ( Peace be
upon him ) ] or I w ill be k illed. ” The Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) m ov ed t o encount er him
bu t h is m ar e t r ipped in t o som e h oles. So Al-Har it h bin As -Sim m a com bat ed w it h t he enem y , and
st r u ck h im on h is leg so h e w en t lam e, t h en h e fin ish ed h im off, t ook h is ar m an d ov er t ook t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) .
But lat er on anot her Mak k an hor sem an, called ‘Abdullah bin Jabir , at t ack ed Al-Har it h bin As -Sim m a,
an d st r u ck h im on t h e sh ou lder w it h h is sw or d an d h e w as car r ied t o t h e cam p of t h e Mu slim s
suffer in g f r om ser iou s w ou n ds. An y w ay t h at v er y idolat er did n ot escape deat h , f or Abu Du j an a —
t h e r ed h ead -b an d ed h er o an d ad v en t u r er — st r uck him heav ily and cut his head off.
Du r in g t h is bit t er figh t , a desir e t o sleep ov er w h elm ed t h e Mu slim s — t h at w as a secu r it y an d
t r an qu illit y t o h elp His slav e Mu slim s as t h e Qu r ’ân spok e in t h is con t ex t . Abu Talh ah said: “ I w as
on e of t h ose w h o w er e p ossessed b y a d esir e t o sleep on Uh u d Day . On t h at d ay m y sw or d f ell of f
m y hand sev er al t im es. Again and again it fell dow n an d again an d again I pick ed it u p. ”
I n a r egu lar w it h dr aw al an d w it h gr eat br av er y an d boldn ess, t h e Mu slim s f in ally r et r eat ed t o t h e
cov er of Mou n t ain Uh u d. Th en , t h e r est of t h e ar m y follow ed t h em t o t h at safe posit ion . I n t h is
m an n er , t h e gen iu s of Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) foiled t hat of Khalid bin Al-Waleed .
I bn I sh aq r elat ed t h at : “ Wh en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as goin g u p t h e h illock ,
h e w as f ollow ed by Ubai bin Kh alaf w h o w as say in g: ‘Wh er e is Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ?
Eit her I k ill him or I w ill be k illed. ’ The Com panions of Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) said: ‘O
Messen ger of Allâh , do y ou m in d if on e of u s com bat s w it h h im ?’ Bu t t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace
be u pon h im ) said: ‘Leav e h im ! ’ So w h en h e dr ew n ear er , t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on
him ) t ook t he spear fr om Al-Har it h bin As -Sim m a. He shiv er ed v iolent ly in such a w ay t hat m ade all
of t hem scat t er in all dir ect ions v iolent ly and im pulsiv ely . Then he faced him , obser v ed his clav icle
t h r ou g h a g ap b et w een t h e w ide open in g of t h e ar m ou r an d t h e par t of h is n eck en closed by . He
spear ed h im in t h at spot . Th e ef f ect of t h e st r ok e w as so st r on g t h at it m ade h im r oll of f h is h or se
ov er an d ov er . Wh en h e r et u r n ed t o Qu r aish , t h ey f ou n d t h at h e h ad on ly h ad a s m all scr at ch in his
neck . So w hen blood becam e congest ed he said: ‘By Allâh, Muham m ad has k illed m e. ’ Hear ing him
say so, t h ey said: ‘By Allâh y ou ar e afr aid t o deat h . By Allâh , y ou ar e possessed by a dev il. ’ He
r ep lied : ‘He h ad alr ead y t old m e w h en w e w ere in Mak k ah: ‘I w ill k ill y ou. ’ By Allâh, had he spat e on
m e, h e w ou ld h av e k illed m e. ’ Ev en t u ally , t h e en em y of Allâh br eat h ed h is last at a place called
Sar if, w hile t hey w er e t ak ing him back t o Mak k ah. ” I n a v er sion by Abul-Asw ad, on t h e au t h or it y of
‘Ur w a: He w as low in glik e a bu ll an d say in g: “ By t h e On e in Wh ose Han d is m y sou l, if ( t h e pain ) I
am su f f er in g f r om n ow w er e dist r ibu t ed am on g t h e people of Al-Maj az, it w ou ld cau se t h em t o die. ”
Du r in g t h e w it h dr aw al of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon him ) up t o t he cov er of t he
m ou n t ain , a big r ock block ed h is w ay . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t r ied t o m ou n t it , bu t
h av in g w or n a sh or t h eav y ar m ou r , an d bein g ser iou sly w ou n ded — h e cou ld n ot ascen d it . Readily
en ou gh Talh a sat in a posit ion t h at e n abled t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o st an d on h is back .
Th en h e lift ed h im u p t ill h e st ood on it . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h en said: “ Talh a, aft er
t his j ob, is eligible for t he Gar den ( Par adise) . ”
Wh en t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on h im ) set t led dow n in h is h ead qu ar t er s in t h e h illock ,
t h e idolat er s st ar t ed t h eir last at t ack u pon t h e Mu slim s. I bn I sh aq r elat ed t h at : “ Wh ile t h e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) w as on t h e w ay t o t h e h illock , a gr ou p of Qu r aish it e elit e ascen ded t h e
m ou n t ain . They w er e led by Khalid bin Al-Waleed an d Abu Su f y an . So t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace
be upon him ) im plor ed his Lor d say ing: ‘O Allâh, t hey ( i. e. t he idolat er s) should not be higher ( i. e. in
posit ion or in pow er ) t han us ( i. e. t he Muslim s) . Ther efor e ‘Umar bin Al-Kh at t ab an d som e of t h e
Em igr an t s fou gh t t h e idolat er s t ill t h ey dr ov e t h em dow n t h e m ou n t ain .
I n Al-Maghazi — a book by Al-Um aw i — it is st at ed t h at t h e idolat er s w en t u p t h e m ou n t ain . So t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said t o Sa‘d: “ Dr iv e t hem off. ” “ How can I dr iv e t hem off by
m y self ( i. e. w it h ou t an y on e t o assist ) . ” Bu t t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) r epeat ed
t h e ph r ase t h r ee t im es. Sa‘d t h en t ook an ar r ow ou t of h is qu iv er , sh ot it at on e of t h em an d k illed
him . He said: “ Th en I t ook an ot h er on e I k n ow ( t o be good) an d I sh ot w it h it an ot h er m an . Th en I
t ook a t h ir d I k n ow an d k illed a t h ir d on e. Con sequ en t ly t h ey clim bed dow n t h e m ou n t ain . I said t o
m y self, ‘t his m ust be a blessed ar r ow . ’ I put it in m y quiv er . ” He k e pt it w it h him t ill he died. His
childr en k ept it w it h t hem ev er aft er .
M UTI LATI ON OF TH E M ARTYRS:
Th at w as t h e last at t ack m ade by t h e idolat er s again st t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Bein g
alm ost cer t ain of h is deat h , t h e idolat er s r et u r n ed t o t h eir cam p and st ar t ed pr epar at ions t o go back
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t o Mak k ah. Som e of t hem inv olv ed t hem selv es in m ut ilat ing t he k illed Muslim s, and so did t heir
w om en . Wom en an d m en cu t of f t h e ear s, t h e n oses, t h e gen it als of t h e m ar t y r s. Th ey ev en cu t
open t h eir bellies. Hin d bin ‘Ut bah — for in st an ce — r ipped open t h e liv er of Ham zah an d ch ew ed it ;
bu t f in din g it u n pleasan t , sh e spat it ou t . Sh e ev en m ade t h e ear s an d n oses of Mu slim s in t o an k let s
an d n eck laces.
Tw o in ciden t s occu r r ed du r in g t h e last h ou r s of t h e figh t . Wh ich r ev ealed f or cer t ain h ow f ar t h e
Muslim s w er e r eady t o fight and sacr ifice in t he w ay of Allâh:

1. Ka‘b bin Malik said: I w as on e of t h ose Mu slim s w h o f ou gh t in Uh u d an d w it n essed t h e

poly t h eist s’ act of bar bar it y in m u t ilat in g t h e dead bodies, bu t I passed th em b ecau se I
cou ldn ’t st an d it . Th en I saw an ar m ed st ou t idolat er pass t h r ou gh t h e Mu slim s an d say :
“ Gat h er t h em u p an d com b in e t h em in t h e w ay t h at sh eep ar e g at h er ed an d slau g h t er ed . ”
Sim ilar ly I saw an ar m ed Muslim w ait ing for him . I w alk ed t ow ar ds t hem t ill I st ood behind
h im . Com par in g bot h of t h em , I fou n d t h at t h e disbeliev er w as bet t er t h an t h e ot h er in ar m s
an d figu r e. I k ept on w at ch in g t h em t ill t h ey w er e en gaged in sin gle com bat . Th e Mu slim
t h r u st at t h e d isb eliev er w it h h is sw or d t h at w en t d ow n h is h ip an d split it in t o t w o. Wh en
t h e Mu slim u n v eiled h is face, h e said: “ Wh at abou t t h at , Ka‘b. I am Abu Du j an a. "
2. Som e Mu slim w om en cam e t o t h e bat t lef ield w h en t h e f igh t w as ov er . An as said: I saw
‘Aish ah bin t Abu Bak r ( May Allah be pleased w it h h im ) w it h Um m Sulaim . Their garm ent s
w er e g at h er ed u p so I cou ld see t h eir an k let s. Th ey car r ied w at er b ag s on t h eir sh ou ld er s
an d em pt ied t h em in t o t h e m ou t h s of people. Th en t h ey w ou ld go back t o f ill t h em an d
com e back t o do t he sam e. ‘Um ar said: “ Um m Saleet u sed t o car r y w at er b ag s t o u s on
Uhud Day . ”

Wh en Um m Aim an , w h o w as on e of t h ose Mu slim w om en w h o saw t h e def eat ed Mu slim f igh t er s

en t er in g Madin ah , sh e st ar t ed t h r ow in g du st at t h eir f aces r ebu k in gly say in g: “ Her e is a spin n in g
w h eel, t ak e it ! an d g iv e u p car r y in g sw or ds. ” Th en sh e r aced t o t h e bat t lef ield. Th er e sh e w at er ed
t h e w ou n ded. Hibban bin Al-‘Ar qa sh ot an ar r ow at h er , sh e f ell dow n an d h er clot h es w er e lif t ed u p.
Seein g t h at , t h e en em y of Allâh , bu r st in t o lau gh t er . Th at sigh t u pset t h e Me ssenger of Allâh ( Peace
be u pon h im ) , so h e gav e Sa‘d bin Abi Waqqas an ar r ow lack in g an ar r ow -h ead an d said “ Sh oot it ” .
Sa‘d sh ot it , it pier ced t h e idolat er ’s t h r oat . He f ell dow n an d som e par t s of h is body w er e r ev ealed.
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h en lau gh ed so m u ch t h at h is m olar s cou ld be seen .
Sa‘d av en ged h er an d Allâh r espon ded t o h er su pplicat ion .
As soon as t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) r each ed t h e def ile, ‘Ali bin Abu Talib w en t
ou t an d f illed h is w at er con t ain er wit h w at er fr om Al-Mihras. ‘Al-Mihras’ is said t o b e h ollow
( con cav ed) r ock con t ain in g plen t y of w at er . I t w as also said t h at it is a w at er spr in g in Uh u d
m ou n t ain . An y w ay , ‘Ali br ou gh t t h at w at er t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o dr in k .
Findin g t h at it sm elt bad h e r ef u sed t o dr in k it , bu t on ly w ash ed t h e blood of f h is f ace an d pou r ed
som e of it ov er h is h ead say in g : Allâh ’s Wr at h is gr eat on t h ose w h o b esm ear ed His Messen g er ’s
f ace w it h blood.
Sah l said: “ By Allâh , I k n ow w h o w ash ed t h e w ou n d of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
an d w h o pou r ed ou t w at er f or h im an d w h at ( su bst an ces) h is w ou n d w as t r eat ed w it h : His dau gh t er
Fat im ah w ash ed it , w h er eas ‘Ali pou r ed w at er ou t of t h e con t ain er . Wh en Fat im ah r ealized t h at
w at er in cr eased t h e f low of blood, sh e t ook a piece of st r aw m at , bu r n t it a lit t le an d st u ck it t o t h e
w ou n d so b lood ceased f low in g . ”
Muham m ad bin Maslam ah br ought him fr esh w at er t o dr ink . The Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) dr ank
an d su pplicat ed Allâh t o pr ov ide h im w it h good t h in gs. Ow in g t o t h e w ou n ds an d t h eir bad effect s on
h is body , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) led h is f ollow er s in pr ay er in a sit t in g post u r e
an d so did t h e Mu slim s.
Wh en t h e pr epar at ion s of t h e idolat er s f or depar t u r e cam e t o an en d, Ab u Su f y an w en t u p t h e
m ou n t ain an d called ou t : “ I s Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) am on g y ou ?” Th ey did n ot an sw er
h im . Th en h e ask ed “ I s I bn Abi Qu h afah ( i. e. Abu Bak r ) am on g y ou ?” Th ey did n ot an sw er . He ask ed
again: “ I s ‘Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab am on g y ou ?” Th ey did n ot an sw er h im ; f or t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) f or bade t h em an sw er in g h im . He on ly ask ed abou t t h ose t h r ee. Th at is becau se h e an d
h is p eop le k n ew q u it e w ell t h at t h e call t o I slam d ep en d ed t o a lar g e d eg r ee on t h ose m en . Ab u
Su f y an t h en said: “ As for t h ose t h r ee, w e h av e r eliev ed y ou of. ” ‘Um ar cou ld n ot h elp bu t t alk in g, so
h e said, “ O en em y of Allâh , t h ose w h om y ou h av e j u st m en t ion ed, I t ell y ou t h at t h ey ar e st ill aliv e.
Allâh h as m ain t ain ed w h at y ou h at e. ” Abu Su fy an an sw er ed: “ Th e m u t ilat io n of y our k illed is
som et h in g I did n ot or der it ; bu t it did n ot displease m e. ” Th en h e sh ou t ed: “ Hu bal ( an idol) , let it
be su blim e! ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ Wh y do y ou n ot r eply ?” “ Wh at sh all w e say ?”
They ask ed him . “ Say : Allâh is m or e Su blim e an d Ex alt ed an d Migh t ier as w ell. ”

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He said: “ Al-‘Uzza ( i. e. an idol) is ou r s bu t y ou h av e n o ‘Uzza. ” “ Wh y do y ou n ot r eply ?” Th e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) said. “ Wh at sh all w e say ?” Th ey in qu ir ed. He said: “ Say Allâh is ou r Pr ot ect or ,
bu t y ou h av e n o pr ot ect or . ”
Abu Su f y an said: “ Well deeds! Today is a v en gean ce f or Badr Day . Th is f or t h at . War is at t en ded
w it h alt er n at e su ccess. ” ‘Um ar ’s r eply w as: “ No. Th ey ar e n ot t h e sam e. Ou r k illed m en ar e h ou sed
in Par adise; bu t y ou r s ar e in Fir e. ”
Then Ab u Su fy an said: “ Com e on , ‘Um ar ! ” Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ Go
an d see w h at t h e m at t er is. ” He w en t t h er e. Abu Su f y an ask ed h im : “ I beseech y ou by Allâh ’s Nam e
t o t ell m e t he t r ut h: Hav e w e k illed Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ?” ‘Um ar said: “ O Allâh, ‘No’
an d n ow h e islist en in g t o y ou w or ds. ” He said: “ For m e, y ou ar e m or e t r u t h f u l t h an I bn Qam i’a, an d
ev en m or e r eliable. ”
I bn I shaq said: When Abu Sufy an and t hose w ho w er e w it h him w er e leav ing he called out not ify ing:
“ We w ill m eet a gain at Badr n ex t y ear . ” Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said t o on e of
his m en: “ Say : ‘Yes, it is an appoint m ent for bot h of us. ’”
Lat er on , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) dispat ch ed ‘Ali bin Abi Talib t o t r ace t h em ou t .
He said t o h im : “ Pu r su e t h em an d see w h at t h ey ar e goin g t o do, an d w h at t h ey aim at . I f t h ey
dism ou n t h or ses an d r ide on cam els’ back , t h is m ean s t h at t h ey ar e h eadin g f or Mak k ah ; bu t if t h ey
r ide h or ses an d lead cam els u n m ou n t ed, t h ey ar e leav in g for Madin ah . By t h e On e, in Wh ose Han d
m y soul is, if t hey at t ack ed Madinah I w ould m ar ch t o t hem t her e and I w ould fight t hem . ” ‘Ali said:
“ I w en t ou t an d t r aced t h em t o see w h at t h ey w er e u p t o. I saw t h em m ou n t in g cam els an d leav in g
t h e h or ses u n m ou n t ed . Th ey w er e h ead ing for Mak k ah. ”
Af t er t h e depar t u r e of t h e Qu r aish it es, people w en t ou t t o ch eck t h e iden t it y of t h e k illed an d t h e
w ou n ded. Z aid bin Th abit said: “ Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) sen t m e on Uh u d Day
t o seek Sa‘d bin Ar -Rabî‘ an d said: “ Wh en y o u see h im , say : ‘peace be u pon y ou fr om m e. ’ an d say
t o h im ‘t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) say s: How do y ou f eel?’” Z aid said: “ I st ar t ed
w an der in g abou t ch eck in g t h e k illed t ill I cam e acr oss Sa‘d w h en h e w as dy in g — wit h about sevent y
st r ok e s or st ab s of a sw or d , a sp ear an d an ar r ow in h is b od y . So I said : “ O Sa‘d , t h e Messen g er of
Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) sen ds y ou h is gr eet in gs. an d say s ‘peace be u pon y ou , t ell m e h ow do
y ou f eel?’” Sa‘d said: “ An d let peace be u pon t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) , t oo. Tell
h im , I sm ell t h e scen t of t h e Par adise. An d t ell t h e Helper s, m y people, ‘y ou sh all n ot be ex cu sed
befor e Allâh if t he Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) is hur t and y our ey es ar e blink ing’ ( i. e.
y ou ar e st ill aliv e an d n ot dead) . ” Th en h e died.
They cam e acr oss Al-Usairim — ‘Am r bin Thabit , w hom t hey had alr eady ur ged t o em br ace I slam
b u t r ef u sed . Th ey saw h im am on g t h e w ou n d ed on t h e v er g e of close d eat h . “ Wh at h as h e com e
h er e f or ? We h av e p ar t ed w it h h im an d h e w as s t ill t oo obdu r at e t o accept I slam as h is r eligion ” .
Th ey ask ed h im : “ Wh at m ade y ou com e h er e? I s it ou t of zeal t o def en d y ou r people or is it becau se
of an inclinat ion t o I slam ?” He said: “ I t is ( cer t ainly ) an inclinat ion t o I slam . I believ e in Allâh and in
His Messen ger . I h av e f ou gh t w it h t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t ill I h av e got w h at
y ou see, ” an d t h en h e im m ediat ely died. Th ey t old t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
abou t h im . Hear in g t h at , h e said: “ He is on e of t h e in h abit an t s of Par ad ise. ” “ Alt h ou g h h e h ad n ot
of f er ed on e sin gle pr ay er , ” n ar r at ed Abu Hu r air ah .
Qazm an , w h o w as f ou n d am on g t h e w ou n ded, f ou gh t h er oically , an d k illed sev en or eigh t idolat er s.
He w as w eak en ed b y t h e w ou n d s h e h ad su st ain ed , t h ey car r ied h im t o t h e habit at ion of Bani Zufr .
Th e Mu slim s gav e h im glad t idin gs of t h e Par adise. Bu t h e said: “ By Allâh I h av e fou gh t ou t of a zeal
t o m y p eop le. Had it n ot b een f or t h at I w ou ld h av e n ev er f ou g h t . ” Wh en h is w ou n d s w or sen ed h e
com m it t ed su icide. Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on h im ) h ad alr ead y said w h en ev er h e w as
m en t ion ed t o h im : “ He is an in h abit an t of Fir e. ” Th is is t h e en d of t h ose w h o f igh t f or a n at ion al
cau se or in a w ay ot h er t h an t h at of r aisin g u p t h e Wor d of Allâh , t h ou gh t h ey f ou gh t u n der t h e
ban n er of I slam or ev en in t h e ar m y of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) or of h is
Com pan ion s.
Con t r ar y t o Qazm an t h er e w as a Jew of Ban i Th a‘labah am on g t h e k illed. He said t o h is people, “ O
f olk people of Jew s! By Allâh y ou h av e alr eady k n ow n t hat it is im per at iv e t o suppor t Muham m ad
( Peace be u pon h im ) . ” Th ey said: “ Today is Sat u r day . ” He said: “ Th er e is n o Sat u r day for y ou . ” He
t ook h is sw or d an d t h e w ar equ ipm en t an d said: “ I f I w er e k illed, m y pr oper t y sh ou ld be pu t at
Muham m ad’s disposal” . Th en n ex t m or n in g h e k ept on figh t in g t ill h e w as k illed. Th e Messen ger of
Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said abou t h im , “ Mu k h air eeq is t h e best Jew . ”
BURI AL OF TH E M ARTYRS:
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) su per v ised t h e m ar t y r s’ bu r ial an d said : “ I bear wit ness
t h at an y on e w h o is w ou n ded in t h e w ay of Allâh , Allâh w ill r esu r r ect h im w it h h is w ou n d bleedin g a
liquid w hich is blood-lik e in colour but m usk-lik e in scent . ”
Som e of t h e Com pan ion s car r ied t h eir m en k illed in t h e w ar t o Madin ah , bu t t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace b e u p on h im ) or d er ed t h at t h ey sh ou ld b e sen t b ack in or d er t o b e b u r ied w h er e t h ey w er e
k illed. He or der ed t h at t h ey sh ou ld n ot be w ash ed bu t bu r ied as t h ey w er e af t er st r ippin g t h em of f
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t heir ar m our s and leat her clot hes. He u sed t o bur y ev er y t w o or t hr ee m ar t y r s t oget her in one gr av e
an d ev en j oin t w o m en in on e gar m en t w h ile say in g: “ Wh o is t h e m or e lear n ed of t h e Qu r ’ân ?” an d
h e w ou ld com m it h im t o ear t h f ir st . He w ou ld say : “ I bear w it n ess t o t h ose on t h e Day of
Resu r r ect ion. ” He bur ied bot h ‘Abdullah bin ‘Am r bin Har am and ‘Am r bin Al-Jam u h in on e gr av e du e
t o t h e af f ect ion t h ey u sed t o p ossess t o each ot h er .
Th ey m issed t h e cof f in of Han zalah , t h ey sou gh t it an d f ou n d t h at it w as on a spot n ear by w it h
w at er dr ippin g of f it . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t old h is Com pan ion s t h at t h e
an gels w er e w ash in g h im an d said: “ Ask h is w if e” . Th ey ask ed h er an d sh e con f ir m ed t h at h e h ad
been in a st at e of cer em on ial im pu r it y . Th at w as w h y Han zalah w as called ‘Ghaseel Al-Malâ’ikah ’
( i. e. t h e on e w ash ed by t h e an gels) .
Wh en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) saw h ow h is u n cle an d f ost er br ot h er , Ham zah ,
w as m u t ilat ed, h e w as ex t r em ely gr iev ed. Wh en h is au n t Saf iy ah cam e t o see h er br ot h er Ham zah ,
t h e Messen ger of A llâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) or der ed h er son Az -Zubair t o dism iss her in or der not t o
see w h at h ap p en ed t o h er b r ot h er . Sh e r ef u sed an d said , “ Bu t w h y sh ou ld I g o aw ay . I h av e b een
infor m ed t hat t hey hav e m ut ilat ed him . But so long as it is in t he w ay of Allâh, w h at ev er h ap p en s t o
him sat isfies us. I say : Allâh is Sufficient and I w ill be pat ient if Allâh w ills. ” She appr oached, look ed
at him and supplicat ed Allâh for him and said: “ To Allâh w e all belong and t o Him w e w ill v er ily
r et ur n. ” and she im plor ed Allâ h t o for giv e h im . Th en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
or der ed t h at h e sh ou ld be bu r ied w it h ‘Abdu llah bin Jah sh — w h o w as h i s n ep h ew as w el l as h i s
f ost er br ot h er .
I bn Mas‘u d said: We h av e n ev er seen t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) weeping so m uch
as h e w as f or Ham zah bin ‘Abdu l Mu t t alib. He dir ect ed h im t ow ar ds Al-Qiblah , t h en h e st ood at h is
f u n er al an d sob b ed h is h ear t ou t .
Th e sigh t of t h e m ar t y r s w as ex t r em ely h or r ible an d h ear t -br eak ing. Descr ibing Ham zah’s funer al,
Kh ab b ab said: “ No sh r ou d lon g en ou gh w as av ailable f or Ham zah ex cept a w h it e -dar k ish gar m ent .
Wh en t h ey cov er ed h is h ead w it h it , it w as t oo sh or t t o cov er h is feet . Sim ilar ly if t h ey cov er ed h is
f eet h is h ead w ou ld be r ev ealed. Fin ally t h ey cov er ed h is h ead w it h it an d pu t som e plan t called ‘ Al-
I dhkhir’ t o cov er his feet . ”
Al-I m am Ah m ad r epor t ed t h at w h en it w as Uh u d Day an d t h e t im e t h at t h e idolat er s r et u r n ed, t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said:
• “ I st awoo ( i.e. form rows as for prayer) so t hat I offer t hanks and praise t o m y Lord, t he
Great and t he All-Might y.”
So t h ey st ood in r ow s beh in d h im . Th en h e said:
• “ O Allâh , n o on e can w it h h old w h at You per m it or per m it w h at You w it h h old. No on e can
gu ide w h om You decr ee t o go ast r ay or m ak e go ast r a y t h e on e w h om You g u id e. No on e
can gr an t pr ov ision s y ou h av e w it h h eld an d n o on e can w it h h old w h at y ou gr an t . No on e can
n ear w h at You or dain ed t o be dist an t , or det ach w h at You decr ee t o be close. O Allâh ,
spr ead ont o all of us Your Mer cy , Your Gr ace, a n d Pr ov ision s. ”
“ O Allâh , I im plor e You t o gr an t m e per m an en t bliss t h at n eit h er ch an ges n or v an ish es. O
Allâh , You Alon e w e seek f or Help at h ar dsh ips. You Alon e w e r esor t t o f or secu r it y on a day
of t er r or . O Allâh, t o You Alone I r esor t t o pr ot ect us fr t he ev ils of Your gr ant s ( i. e. t he ev ils
t hey m ay lead us t o) and fr om t he ev ils of Your depr iv at ion. O Allâh, m ak e us lov e Fait h and
m ak e it pleasan t an d belov ed w h oleh ear t edly by u s! Mak e disbelief , u n godlin ess an d
d isob ed ien ce d et est ab le t o u s. Let u s be am ong t hose w ho ar e r ight ly guided. O Allâh, m ak e
u s liv e as Mu slim s an d cau se u s t o die as Mu slim s; an d m ak e u s j oin w it h t h e r igh t eou s bu t
n ot w it h t h e disgr aced an d m isled on es. O Allâh , m ak e You r en m it y befall t h e disbeliev er s,
w h o b elie You r Messen ger and div er t fr om Your r ight eous w ay . O Allâh, let Your w r at h, Your
ch ast isem en t an d You r en m it y bef all t h e disbeliev er s, an d t h ose on w h om You sen t dow n
t he Book . Let t hem be afflict ed w it h w ar decr eed by You. O Allâh, t he Aut hor of Tr ut h. ”
Aft er com m it t in g all t h e m ar t y r s t o ear t h , an d aft er offer in g pr aise an d su pplicat ion t o Allâh , t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w en t back t o Madin ah .
On h is w ay back , m at ch less ex am ples of lov e an d dev ot ion w er e r ev ealed by t h e t r u t h f u l w om en
believ er s; in n o w ay less gr eat t h an t h e m en ’s h er oic deeds in t h e f igh t .
Ham n ah bin t Jah sh m et t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) on t h e w ay back , an d h e
an n ou n ced t h e d eat h of h er b r ot h er — ‘Abdullah bin Jahsh — t o h er . Sh e said: “ To Allâh w e belon g
an d t o Him w e w ill v er ily r et u r n . I ask Allâh ’s for giv en ess. ” Th en h e an n ou n ced t h e deat h of h er
m at er nal uncle Ham zah bin ‘Abdul Mut t alib. She said: “ To Allâh w e belong and t o Him w e w ill v er ily
r et u r n . I ask Allâh ’s f or giv en ess. ” Bu t w h en h e an n ou n ced t h e deat h of h er h u sban d Mu s‘ab bin
‘Um air t o h er , sh e sh ou t ed an d w oed . Seein g h er d oin g so, t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on
h im ) said: “ Th e w om an ’s h u sban d is ex t r em ely dear t o h er . ”
He p assed b y a w om an of Ban i Din ar w h ose h u sb an d , f at h er an d b r ot h er w er e all k illed at Uhud.
Wh en t h eir deat h an n ou n ced, sh e said: “ How is t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) ?” Th ey
said: “ Well in deed. O m ot h er of so. . . Th an k s f or Allâh ; h e is w ell an d as good as y ou desir e. ” Sh e
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said: “ Let m e see h im . ” Th ey poin t ed at him . Seeing him she said: “ All m isfor t unes ar e not hing so
lon g as y ou ar e saf e. ”
Um m Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh cam e r u n n in g t o see t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . At t h at t im e h er son
w as h oldin g t h e r ein of h is m ar e. Seein g h is m ot h er , h e said t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be upon him ) : “ O
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th is is m y m ot h er . ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
said : “ Sh e is w elcom e” ; an d h e st op p ed an d w ait ed f or h er . Wh en sh e d r ew n ear , h e con soled h er ,
for her k illed son ‘Am r bin Mu‘adh. But she said : “ So lon g as I see y ou ar e safe, m y m isfor t u n e w ill
cer t ain ly go in t o obliv ion . ” Th en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) su pplicat ed Allâh for
t h e r elat iv es of t h ose w h o w er e k illed at Uh u d an d said: “ Ch eer u p! Um m Sa‘d an d bear good t idin gs
t o t h eir k in dr ed t h at all t h eir people k illed in t h e bat t le ar e com r ades in Par adise an d t h ey ar e
in t er cessor s f or all t h eir k in sf olk . ” Sh e r eplied, “ O Messen ger of Allâh , w e ar e sat isf ied. Wh o w ou ld
cr y on t h em af t er t h is ch eer f u l n ew s?” Th en sh e r esu m ed say in g: “ O Messen ger of Allâh , in v ok e
Allâh ( f or t h ose w h o st ay ed beh in d) ” He said: “ O Allâh k eep sor r ow of f t h eir h ear t s! An d con sole
t h em w it h t h eir m isf or t u n es. Com p en sat e t h ose w h o st ay ed b eh in d w it h g ood n ess an d w elf ar e. ”
I n t h e ev en in g of t h at day — i. e. Sat u r day , t h e sev en t h of Sh aw w al, 3 r d y ear A. H. — t h e Messen g er
ar r iv ed in Mad in ah . As soon as h e r each ed h is h ou se, h e h an d ed h is sw or d t o h is d au g h t er Fat im ah
an d said: “ O dau gh t er , w ash t h e blood of f t h is sw or d. By Allâh it h as been h elpf u l t o m e t oday.” ‘Ali
bin Abi Talib h an ded h er h is sw or d an d said: “ An d w ash t h e blood of t h is sw or d t oo. By Allâh , it h as
been h elpf u l t o m e t oday . ” So t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ Sah l bin Han eef
an d Ab u Du j an a h av e b een as cou r ag eou s as y ou ar e in t he fight . ”
Most of t h e n ar r at ion s con fir m ed t h at sev en t y Mu slim s w er e k illed an d m ost of t h em , six t y -five,
Helper s; for t y -on e of w h om w er e f r om Kh azr aj an d t w en t y -f ou r f r om Aw s. Th is, besides on e Jew
and four Em igr ant s.
As f or t h e poly t h eist s, t w en t y -t w o of t h em w er e k illed, bu t som e v er sion s speak of t h ir t y -sev en ;
aft er all, Allâh k n ow s best .
On Sat u r day n igh t , t h e eigh t h of Sh aw w al, an d aft er t h eir r et u r n fr om Uh u d, t h e Mu slim s spen t t h at
n igh t in an em er gen cy case — t h ou g h t h ey w er e d ead -beat , ex t r em ely ex h au st ed. Th ey st ay ed on
t h e aler t , an d spen t t h at n igh t gu ar din g t h e ou t let s an d in let s of Madin ah . Th ey w er e specially bu sy
gu ar din g t h eir gen er al leader , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) f or f ear t h at som e
suspect s could com m it an unex p ect ed folly .
HAMRA' AL- ASAD I N VASI ON :
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) on h is par t , spen t t h e n igh t pon der in g ov er t h e
sit u at ion . He fear ed t h at t h e idolat er s m igh t t h in k — w h ile t h ey w er e st ill on t h eir w ay t o Mak k ah —
of r ev er sing t heir w ay a nd div er t ing t o Madinah aft er t hey had r ealized t hat t hey had av ailed not hing
of t h at v ict or y . Th ey m igh t r egr et an d decide t o in v ade Madin ah as a com pen sat ion . Th er ef or e t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as det er m in ed t o go ou t in pu r su it of t h e Mak k an ar m y .
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) called ou t u n t o people an d or der ed t h em t o m ar ch t o en cou n t er
t h e en em y of I slam . Th at w as on Su n day m or n in g — n ex t d ay t o Uh u d — t h e eig h t h of Sh aw w al. He
said: “ Nobody w ill m ar ch t o t h e f igh t ex cept t h ose w ho h av e alr eady par t icipat ed in Uh u d figh t . ”
‘Abdu llah bin Ubai said: “ I w ill m ar ch ou t w it h y ou . ” “ No, ” said t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) .
Wh ilst t h e Mu slim s w er e su f f er in g a lot f r om pain f u l pain s an d deep an x iet y , t h ey r espon ded t o h is
call posit iv ely . Jabir bin ‘Abdullah im plor ed t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) t o allow him j oin t hem
in t h at f r esh in v asion on accou n t t h at h e alw ay s h ad a lik in g t o w it n ess all t h e bat t les t h at t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as in v olv ed in . He h ad n ot par t icipat ed in Uh u d b ecau se h is f at h er
ask ed h im t o st ay in Madin ah w it h h is sist er s . An d h e w as gr an t ed h is w ish .
The Muslim s m ar ched out unt il t hey r eached a place called Ham r a’ Al-Asad — about eight m iles fr om
Madin ah . He en cam ped t h er e. I n t h at place Ma‘bad bin Ab i Ma‘bad cam e t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace be u pon h im ) an d pr of essed I slam . Som e people said t h at h e r em ain ed an idolat er ; h e
sim ply desir ed t o giv e t h e Messen ger som e adv ice ou t of abidan ce by a cov en an t bet w een Kh u za‘ah
( his t r ibe) and Bani Hashim . He said “ O Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ! By Allâh , w e feel gr eat
sor r ow f or w h at h ad h ap p en ed t o y ou an d t o y ou r Com p an ion s. We r eally h op e y ou w ill n ot su f f er
again . ” So, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) su ggest ed t h at h e ov er t ak e Abu Su fy an an d
discour age him fr om pur suing his ev il int ent ions.
Th e Messen ger ’s f ear s of a possible r et u r n of t h e idolat er s pr ov ed t o be absolu t ely t r u e. For n o
soon er h ad t h e id olat er s d ism ou n t ed an d en cam p ed at Ar -Raw h â’ — a place t hir t y -six m iles from
Madin ah , t h an t h ey st ar t ed r epr oach in g on e an ot h er . A gr ou p of t h em said t o an ot h er on e: “ You did
n ot h in g. You br ok e dow n t h eir for ce bu t y ou left t h em . Th er e ar e st ill som e dist in gu ish ed m en
am on g t h em w h o w ill pr obably gat h er people u p t o f igh t y ou again . So let u s g o back an d an n ih ilat e
t h em an d cr u sh dow n t h eir f or ces. ”
I t w as in f act a h ast y decision t ak en by sh allow -m in d ed p eop le w h o m isj u d g ed t h e p ot en t ial p ow er
an d m or ale on bot h par t ies, t h at is w h y an em in en t leader of Qu r aish , Saf w an bin Om aiy ah , t r ied t o
d issu ade h is people f r om pu r su in g t h at v en t u r e, say in g: “ O people. Do n ot do su ch a t h in g! For I
f ear t h at h e w ill g at h er u p t h ose w h o h ad st ay ed b eh in d an d d id n ot sh ar e in Uh u d . Go b ack h om e
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as w in n er s. For I am n ot su r e of w h at t u r n w ill t h e con sequ en ces t ak e if y ou get in v olv ed in su ch a
figh t . I t m igh t be t o y ou r pr ej u dice in t h e fin al place. ” Not w it h st an din g t h at w eigh t y ar gu m en t , t h e
m aj or it y of t h e poly t h eist s w er e det er m in ed t o em bar k on t h at r isk y u n der t ak in g.
Ma‘bad bin Abu Ma‘bad m ean w h ile ar r iv e d on t he scene and t r ied t o ex agger at e t he danger aw ait ing
t h em in or der t o t h w ar t t h eir plan , h e said: “ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) h as m ar ch ed t o m eet
y ou w it h a lar ge h ost of f igh t er s, I h av e n ev er seen som et h in g sim ilar t o it bef or e. He h as m u st er ed
a ll t h e t r oops w h oh av e t ar r ied an d did n ot sh ar e in Uh u d. Th ey su r ely r egr et w h at t h ey h av e m issed
an d w an t t o com pen sat e f or it n ow . Th eir h ear t s ar e f illed w it h h at e an d r esen t m en t . ” Abu Su f y an
said: “ Woe t o y ou ! Wh at do y ou su ggest ?” He said: “ By Allâh , I see t h at y ou w ou ld n ot leav e t ill h e
com es an d y ou see t h e h eads of t h eir h or ses; or t ill t h e v an gu ar d of h is ar m y t u r n s u p t o y ou f r om
behind t hat hill. ”
Abu Su f y an said: “ By Allâh , w e h av e r each ed a com m on con sen t t o cr u sh dow n t h e Mu slim s an d
t heir p ow er . ” Th e m an , on ce m or e w it h an im plied w ar n in g, adv ised h im t o st op it .
I n t h e ligh t of t h is n ew s, t h e r esolu t ion an d det er m in at ion of t h e Mak k an ar m y f ailed an d pan ic an d
t er r or t ook fir m h old of t h em . Th ey con sequ en t ly deem ed it safest t o com plet e t h er e w it h d r aw al
back t o Mak k ah . Th ey , h ow ev er , as an alt er n at iv e, st ar t ed a h ost ile n er v e pr opagan da aim in g at
dissu adin g t h e Mu slim s ar m y fr om pu r su in g t h em . A car av an belon gin g t o ‘Abd Qais h appen ed t o
p ass b y t ow ar d s Mad in ah . Ab u Su f y an , in t h e con t ex t of h is p r op ag an d a, ask ed t h em t o
com m u n icat e a m essage t o Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o t h e ef f ect t h at t h e Mak k an s h ad
r allied t h eir r an k s t o an n ih ilat e t h e Messen ger an d h is Com pan ion s, in r et u r n Abu Su f y an pr om ised
t o g iv e t h e p eop le of t h e car av an loads of r aisin s at t h e for u m of ‘Uk az t h e follow in g y ear .
Th e people of t h e car av an con v ey ed t h e m essage t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) at
Ham râ’ Al-Asad, bu t t o n o effect , on t h e con t r ar y , Abu Su fy an ’s w or ds au gm en t ed t h em in Fait h .
Allâh says:
• “ … And t hey said: ‘Allâh ( Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is t he Best Disposer of affair s
( for us) . So t hey t ur ned w it h Gr ace and Bount y fr om Allâh. No har m t ouched t hem ; and
t h ey f ollow ed t h e g ood Pleasu r e of Allâh . An d Allâh is t h e Ow n er of Gr eat Bou n t y . ”
[ 3: 173,174]
Af t er t h e ar r iv al of t h e car av an on Su n day , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) st ay ed at
Ham râ’ Al-Asad f or t h r ee d ay s — Mon d ay , Tu esd ay an d Wed n esd ay — 9 -1 1 Sh aw w al, 3 A. H. an d
t h en r et u r n ed t o Madin ah . Befor e h is r et u r n , he t ook Abu ‘Azza Al-Ju m ah i as a pr ison er of w ar .
I n ciden t ally , t h is m an h ad also been capt u r ed at Badr bu t on accou n t of h is pov er t y , an d t h e lar ge
f am ily h e su ppor t ed, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad been gr aciou s en ou gh t o r elease h im on
condit ion t h at h e w ou ld n ot in v olv e h im self in w ar again st t h e Mu slim s again . Abu ‘Azza did n ot k eep
h is pr om ise an d t ook par t in Uh u d h ost ilit ies on t h e side of t h e poly t h eist s. Her e again h e im plor ed
Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) for par don bu t t h e lat t er t old h im t h at a believ er w ou ldn ’t be t ak en
t w ice in t h e sam e sn ar e. He t h en deser v edly m er it ed t h e sen t en ce of deat h w h ich w as ex ecu t ed by
Az-Zubair or , in anot her v er sion, by ‘Asim bin Thabit .
A Mak k an spy , called Mu‘aw iy ah bin Al-Mugheer ah bin Abi Al-‘As, w as s en t en ced t o d eat h t oo. Th is
spy w as t h e gr an df at h er of ‘Abdu l Malik bin Mar w an on h is m ot h er side. Wh en t h e idolat er s w en t
back aft er Uhud, Mu‘aw iy ah cam e t o his pat er nal cousin ‘Ut hm an bin ‘Affan ( May Allah be pleased
w it h him ) ‘Ut hm an gav e him shelt er — af t er secu r in g t h e Pr oph et ’s per m ission — on con dit ion t h at
if h e w as cau gh t t h er e af t er t h r ee day s, h e w ou ld be k illed. Bu t h e did n ot com ply w it h it , so w h en
t h e Mu slim ar m y left Madin ah , h e st ay ed t h er e for m or e t h an t h r ee day s du r in g w h ich h e w as spy ing
for Qu r aish . So w h en t h e ar m y r et u r n ed, Mu ‘aw iy ah fled ou t of Madin ah . Th e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace be upon him ) , on t his account , or der ed Zaid bin Har it hah and ‘Am m ar bin Yasir t o pur sue
him and k ill him . So he w as k illed.
Un dou bt edly , t h e in v asion o f Ham râ’ Al-Asad is n ot a separ at e in v asion , bu t r at h er a par t , or m or e
specifically , a sequel t o Uhud.
Th at w as Uh u d I n v asion w it h all it s st ages an d det ails. I t h as f or lon g been discu ssed by sch olar s
an d m en of r esear ch . Was it a def eat or n ot ? Dou bt le ssly , t he m ilit ar y super ior it y in t he second
ph ase of t h e bat t le w as in f av ou r of t h e poly t h eist s w h o cou ld su ccessf u lly dir ect t h e st eer in g
m echanism of host ilit ies and inflict heav y losses in liv es on t he Muslim s. Adm it t edly , a par t of t he
believ er s w er e clear ly defeat ed, bu t t h is cou ld n ev er be con sider ed a Mak k an v ict or y .
The Mak k an ar m y failed t o occupy t he cam p of t he Muslim s. The gr eat er bulk of t he Madinese ar m y ,
ch aos an d con f u sion n ot w it h st an d in g , d id n ot t ak e t o escap e, on t h e con t r ar y t h ey sh ow ed
m at ch less an d h er oic r esist an ce an d m an aged t o gat h er t h em selv es again ar ou n d t h eir
h eadqu ar t er s f igh t in g br av ely an d cou r ageou sly . Th ey , m or eov er , did n ot allow t h e Mak k an s t o r u n
af t er t h em in pu r su it . Neit h er Mu slim capt iv es w er e t ak en n or spoils w ere gain ed by t h e Mak k an s.
Th e en em ies of I slam w er e also t oo cow ar dly t o con du ct t h e t h ir d ph ase of w ar , an d im pr ess t h eir
su per ior it y on t h e bat t lef ield, on t h e con t r ar y , t h ey w er e in h ot h ast e t o ev acu at e t h e f ield ev en
befor e t he Muslim s did. Madinah it self, t h e capit al of t h e Mu slim s, w as on ly a st on e’s t h r ow fr om t h e

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lin es of t h e en em y , an d v u ln er ably ex posed, y et t h e poly t h eist s w er e n ot bold en ou gh t o st or m it t o
plu n der it s w ealt h or capt u r e t h e Mu slim w om en t h er ein .
Th ese su ggest iv e det ails in f act su p p or t ou r ar g u m en t t h at t h e ev en t of Uh u d w as j u st a p r eciou s
occasion on w h ich t h e Mak k an s m an aged on ly t o in f lict h eav y losses on t h e Mu slim s bu t f ailed t o
achiev e t heir ult im at e goals of annihilat ing t he Muslim ar m y in t he pr ocess of t heir encom passmen t
oper at ion . Af t er all, it is n ot u n u su al f or con qu er or s t o su st ain su ch casu alt ies an d losses, bu t t h ese
cou ld u n der n o cir cu m st an ces be r egar ded as v ict or y for t h e h ost ile par t y .
The incident of Ham r â’ Al-Asad is int er est ing in t his r egar d. I t is a cu r iou s sigh t in deed of a
v ict or iou s ar m y in r et r eat for fear of disgr ace an d defeat , an d t h e cr est fallen an d cr ippled gr ou p of
Muslim s in pur suit .
Uh u d Bat t le in t h e f in al j u dgem en t w as j u st on e ph ase of m ilit ar y act iv it ies in t h e w h ole pr ocess of
w ar b et w een t w o h ost ile par t ies each of w h om ear n ed t h eir legit im at e por t ion of bot h su ccess an d
failur e and t hen desist ed fur t her engagem ent but w it hout cow ar dly escape or r esigned sur r ender . I n
t h is sen se, t h is bat t le cou ld be r igh t ly r egar ded as an in separ able w ar .
I n t his cont ex t , Allâh say s:
• “ An d don ’t be w eak in t h e pu r su it of t h e en em y ; if y ou ar e su f f er in g ( h ar dsh ips) t h en
su r ely , t h ey ( t oo) ar e su ffer in g ( h ar dsh ips) as y ou ar e su ffer in g, bu t y ou h av e a h ope fr om
Allâh ( for t h e r ew ar d, i. e. Par adise) t h at for w h ich t h ey h ope n ot . ” [ 4 : 1 0 4 ]
Th e v er se ex plicit ly iden t if ies bot h at t it u des as r egar ds losses an d h ar dsh ips as iden t ical. Bot h
par t ies con clu ded t h e w ar oper at ion s an d w en t back n eit h er v ict or iou s n or v an qu ish ed.
TH E OBSERV ATI ON S OF TH E N OBLE QUR'AN ON TH E BATTLE OF UH UD :
Som e Qur ’ân ic v er ses w er e r ev ealed t o sh ed lig h t on t h e m ost d ecisiv e p h ases of t h e b at t le
successiv ely , adduce quit e clear ly t he cause t hat led t o t hat heav y loss, and illust r at e t he v ulner able
ar eas t h at w er e st ill per sist in g in t h e sou ls of som e believ er s as r egar ds t h eir du t ies in f or gin g a
decisiv e at t it u de w it h r espect t o t h e n oble obj ect iv es for w h ich t h e Mu slim Com m u n it y , w as cr eat ed
an d w as su p p osed t o accom p lish .
Th e Nob le Qu r ’ân also sp ok e ab ou t t h e at t it u d e of t h e p r et en d er s t o Fait h an d m ad e clear t h e
h ost ilit y an d h at r ed t h at t h ey h ar bou r ed again st Allâh an d His Messen ger . Th e Wor ds of Allâh
m an aged as w ell t o er ase all t r aces of am bigu it ies an d in sin u at ion s, r aised by t h e h y pocr it es an d
t h eir allies, t h e Jew s — t h e au t h or s of con spir acy an d in t r igu e h at ch in g — an d w h ich w er e st ill in
act iv e op er at ion in t h e h ear t s of som e w eak-o f-hear t Muslim s.
Th e lau dable j u dgem en t an d lon g-sou gh t obj ect iv es t h at w er e at t r ibu t able t o t h e bat t le of Uh u d,
w er e also an ot h er t op ic f or t h e Nob le Qu r ’ân t o d w ell on at len gt h . Six t y v er ses r elev an t t o t h e
bat t le w er e r ev ealed giv in g f u ll accou n t of t h e f ir st ph ase of t h e bat t le:
• “ An d ( r em em ber ) w h en y ou [ Mu h am m ad Peace be u pon h im ) ] left y ou r h ou seh old in t h e
m or n in g t o post t h e believ er s at t h eir st at ion s for t h e bat t le ( of Uh u d) . ” [ 3 : 1 2 1 ]
An d t o en d in a com pr eh en siv e com m en t ar y on it s r esu lt s an d m or alit ies:
• “ Allâh w ill n ot leav e t h e believ er s in t h e st at e in w h ich y ou ar e n ow , u n t il He dist in gu ish es
t h e w ick ed fr om t h e good. Nor w ill Allâh disclose t o y ou t h e of t h e Ghaib ( unseen) , but Allâh
ch ooses of His Messen g er s w h om He p leases. So b eliev e in Allâh an d His Messen g ers. And if
y ou believ e an d fear Allâh , t h en for y ou t h er e is a gr eat r ew ar d. ” [ 3 : 1 7 9 ]
LESSON AN D M ORALI TI ES:
I bn Al-Qaiy im h as m ade a poin t ed r ef er en ce t o t h e bat t le of Uh u d an d giv en f u ll elu cidat ion of t h e
Div in e ben efit s an d m or alit ies t h at r esu lt ed fr om it . Som e Muslim scholar s, on t he aut hor it y of I bn
Haj ar , said: Th e r ev er se in Uh u d r esu lt ed fr om t h e n eglect on t h e par t of t h e ar ch er s of t h e ex plicit
com m an d of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , an d leav in g t h e spot w h ich t h ey w er e or der ed t o
saf eg u ar d t o t h e en d . I n ot h er w or d s, t h e su ccess of t h e Mu slim s d ep en d s u p on t h eir ob ed ien ce t o
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . As lon g as t h ey car r y ou t h is beh est s, Allâh w ill h elp t h em in
facin g all k in ds of odds. Bu t w h en t h ey w ill set aside h is com m an ds in t heir pur suit of w or ldly r iches,
t h ey ar e bou n d t o com e t o gr ief . An ot h er r elev an t issu e of gr eat sign if ican ce say s t h at it is
cu st om ar y f or Pr oph et s t o be t r ied w it h dif f er en t adv er sit ies; n ev er t h eless, t h e f in al ou t com e is
posit iv ely in t heir fav our . Sh ou ld t h e Mu slim s be v ict or iou s all t h e t im e, gr eat m an y pr et en der s t o
Fait h w ill en t er t h e f old of I slam , an d con sequ en t ly t h e clear lin e of dem ar cat ion bet w een t r u e
believ er s an d h y pocr it es w ill becom e blu r r ed. Con t r ar ily , if t h e Mu slim s w er e t o be defeated all t h e
t im e, t h e fin al obj ect iv e of t h e m in ist r y of Pr oph et s w ill n ot be effect ed. I t is w ise t h en t o com bin e
bot h su ccess an d f ailu r e so t h at sif t in g bet w een t r u e Mu slim s an d h y pocr it es cou ld be r ealized.
I n t h e aft er m at h of t h e bat t le of Uh u d, t h e h y pocr it es disclosed t h eir r eal in t en t ion s in w or ds an d in
deeds, con sequ en t ly , t h e Mu slim s got t o r ealize t h e ex ist en ce of t h ose w ick ed elem en t s w or k in g
secr et ly in t h eir ow n h om elan d; an d of cou r se t h er e w ou ld be appr opr iat e m easu r es t o be t ak en in
due co ur se of t im e.
A t hir d point in t his cont ex t r efer s t o pur poseful defer m ent of v ict or y in som e ar eas in or der t o check
t he pr ide of t he soul and t each t he believ er s how t o obser v e full pat ience in t im es of adv er sit y . Tr ials
an d t est s ar e pr ov ided by Allâh in or der t h at t h e t r u e believ er s cou ld deser v edly occu py t h eir abode
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in t he blessed Her eaft er . Mar t y r dom , t he highest r ank s t hat t he t r ue fr iends of Allâh could occupy , is
pr ov ided by Allâh t o f u n ct ion as a passpor t , gr an t ed by t h e Lor d, leadin g t o Par adis e. I n br ief, fight
in t h e cau se of Allâh is a golden oppor t u n it y f or t h e t r u e believ er s t o h av e t h eir sin s ef f aced, an d a
Divinely-dev ised ev en t for t h e disbeliev er s an d en em ies of Allâh t o face dest r u ct ion an d an n ih ilat ion
in r ecom pense for t heir disbelie f , t y r an n y an d t r an sgr ession .

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 M I LI TARY PLATOON S AN D M I SSI ON S BETW EEN TH E BATTEL OF UH UD AN D TH E BATTLE
OF TH E CON FED ERATES

Uhud’s m isfor t une left a bad im pact on bot h t he cr edibilit y and m ilit ar y r eput at ion of t he Muslim s.
Th eir dign it y an d pow er in people’s ey es w er e im pair ed. Tr oubles and danger s spr ead ev er y w her e in
an d ou t of Madin ah . Th e Jew s, h y pocr it es an d bedou in s declar ed pu blicly t h eir en m it y t o t h e
Mu slim s an d each par t y w as k een on degr adin g an d, in t h e f in al place, ex t er m in at in g t h eir w h ole
e xist en ce.

Tw o m on t h s h ad alm ost p assed af t er t h is b at t le, w h en Ban u Asad m ad e p r ep ar at ion s t o r aid

Madin ah , ‘Udal an d Qar ah t r ibes con spir ed again st t h e Mu slim s in t h e m on t h of Safar , 4 A. H. an d
k illed t en of t he Pr ophet ’s Com panions. Sim ilar ly Banu ‘Am ir p lot t ed ag ain st t h em t oo, an d sev en t y
Com pan ion s w er e k illed in t h e bat t le of Ma‘u n a Well. Du r in g t h at per iod, Ban u Nadeer k ept on
an n ou n cin g t h eir en m it y an d w er e in v olv ed in a plot t o k ill t h e Pr oph et Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon
him ) in Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al in 4 A. H. Ban u Gh at fan w er e abou t t o at t ack Madin ah in Ju m ada Al-Ula in 4
A.H.

Th u s w e see t h at t h e Mu slim s t u r n ed in t o an at t r act iv e t ar get of sev er al pot en t ial dan ger s aft er t h ey
had lost t heir m ilit ar y cr edibilit y in t he bat t le of Uhud. Muham m ad ( Peace be u pon him ) m ost w isely
m an aged t o h old all t h ose h ost ile cu r r en t s at bay , an d ev en r edeem t h e lost dign it y of t h e Mu slim s
an d gain t h em an ew f r esh glor y an d n oble st an din g. Th e f ir st in it iat iv e h e t ook in t h is pr ocess w as
Ham ra’ Al-Asad p u r su it op er at ion , w her eby he could r et ain t he Muslim m ilit ar y r eput at ion. He
su cceeded in r ecov er in g h is f ollow er s’ dign it y an d aw e-in spir in g posit ion in su ch a m an n er t h at
ast on ish ed or ev en ast ou n ded bot h t h e Jew s an d h y pocr it es, alik e, t h en h e pr oceeded t o cr ow n h is
su ccessful at t em pt s by despat ching m ilit ar y er r ands and m issions:

ABI SALAM AH M I SSI ON :

Th e f ir st people t o t ak e u p ar m s again st t h e Mu slim s in t h e af t er m at h of Uh u d r ev er se w er e Ban u

Asad bin Kh u zaim ah . “ Th e I n t elligen ce Cor ps” of Madin ah r epor t ed t h at Talh ah and Salam ah, sons of
Kh u w ailid h av e m u st er ed som e v olu n t eer s t o f igh t t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace b u pon h im ) . Th e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) im m ediat ely despat ch ed a 1 5 0 -m an-plat oon of Helper s and Em igr ant s
h eaded by Abu Salam ah . Th e Mu slim leader t ook Ban i Asad bin Kh u zaim ah by su r pr ise in t h eir ow n
h om elan d, n eu t r alized t h eir at t em pt s, disper sed t h em an d capt u r ed t h eir cat t le. On h is r et u r n , Abu
Salam ah h ad an in f lam m at ion of a pr ev iou s w ou n d h e su st ain ed in Uh u d, an d cau sed h im t o die
soon af t er . Th is ex pedit ion t ook place on Muhar r am 1 st , 4 A. H.

AN ERRAN D LED BY 'ABD ALLAH BI N UN AI S:

On t he fift h day of t he sam e m ont h Muhar r am , 4 A. H. , it w as r epor t ed t hat Khalid bin Sufy an Al-
Hu dh ali w as gat h er in g som e m ob t o r aid t h e Mu slim posit ion s. ‘Abdu llah bin Un ais, at t h e b eh est of
t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) set ou t t o d est r oy t h e en em ies.

The Muslim m ilit ar y leader st ay ed aw ay for eight een day s dur ing w hich he successfully fulfilled his
t ask , k illed t h e h ead of t h e r ebels an d br ou gh t h is h ead back t o Madin ah on Sat u r day , sev en day s
bef or e t h e en d of Mu h ar r am . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , as a r ew ar d, gav e h im a st ick
say in g “ Th is w ill fu n ct ion as a sign of r ecogn it ion for y ou an d m e on t h e Day of Resu r r ect ion . ” On h is
d eat h b ed , ‘Ab d u llah r eq u est ed t h at t h e log be w it h h im in h is sh r ou d.

TH E EVEN T OF AR- RAJI :

I n Safar of t h e fou r t h y ear A. H. , a delegat ion fr om t h e t r ibes of ‘Udal an d Qar ah cam e t o Madin ah
an d ask ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o sen d a gr ou p of Com pan ion s t o in st r u ct t h em in
religion, claim ing t he ex ist ence of som e Muslim s am ong t hem . He sent six of his Com panions, in
an ot h er v er sion , t en h eaded by Mu r t h id bin Abi Mu r t h id Al-Ghanaw i, or , accor ding t o Al-Bukhari,
‘Asim bin Thabit , t he gr andfat her of ‘Asim bin ‘Um ar bin Al-Khat t a b . Wh en t h ey r each ed a sp ot
called Ar -Raj i‘ bet w een Rabigh an d Jeddah , a h u n dr ed ar ch er s of Ban u Lih y an clan su r r ou n ded t h e
place an d at t ack ed t h em . Th e delegat ion of Mu slim s t ook sh elt er on som e h igh gr ou n d, Fu df u d, an d
t h e b ed ou in s of f er ed t h em a p led g e t h at t h ey w ou ld n ot be k illed. ‘Asim r efu sed t o com e dow n ,
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in st ead h e f ou gh t t h em u n t il h e an d six of h is com pan ion s w er e k illed. Th r ee m en w er e lef t ,
Khubaib, Zaid bin Ad -Dat h n a an d an ot h er on e. On ce ag ain , t h e b ed ou in s of f er ed t h em a g u ar an t ee
of saf et y an d t h ey accep t ed . Wh en t h ey d escen d ed , t h e b ed ou in s t r each er ou sly b ou n d t h em . Th e
t hir d m an r ebuk ed t hem for t heir insincer it y and r esist ed t hem so t hey k illed him . The ot her t w o
m en w h o h ad k illed som e n ot ables of Qu r aish at Badr w er e t ak en an d sold in M ak k ah . Th e f ir st w as
Kh u baib w h o w as det ain ed f or som e t im e an d t h en it w as u n an im ou sly decided t o cr u cif y h im . He
w as t ak en fr om t h e Holy San ct u ar y t o At -Tan‘im for cr ucifix ion. He r equest ed a r espit e t o offer a
t w o -Rak‘a pr ay er . Aft er t he final gr eet ing, h e t u r n ed t o h is ex ecu t ion er s, an d said: “ Had I n ot been
af r aid t h at y ou w ou ld t h in k t h at I w as af r aid of deat h , I w ou ld h av e pr ay ed f or a lon g t im e. ” I t w as
t h en t h at Kh u baib f ir st set t h e t r adit ion of pr ay in g t w o Rak‘a b ef or e b ein g ex ecu t ed . He t h en said:

• O Lor d! Cou n t t h em on e by on e, ex t er m in at e t h em t o t h e last on e. ”

He t h en r ecit ed som e v er ses of poet r y w h ich speak eloqu en t ly of t h e at r ocit ies bor n e by h im , an d
t est ify t o his Fait h in Allâh at t his hour of suffer ing:

Th e con f ed er at es h av e g at h er ed t h eir t r ibes ar ou n d m e,

And sum m oned all of t hem w ho could com e.
Th ey h av e gat h er ed t h eir w om en an d ch ildr en ,
I am bound fast ly t o a loft y t r unk .
To Allâh alon e I com plain of m y h elplessn ess an d su ffer in gs,
An d of t h e d eat h , t h e con f ed er at es h av e p r ep ar ed for m e.
Lor d of t h e Th r on e! Giv e m e en du r an ce again st t h eir design ,
Th ey h av e cu t m y f lesh bit by bit , an d I h av e been depr iv ed of su st en an ce.
Th ey let m e ch oose in fidelit y bu t deat h is pr efer able,
Tear s r oll ou t of m y ey es, t h ou gh n ot of fear .
By Allâh! I fear not if I die a Muslim ,
On w h at side I fall for t h e sak e of Allâh .
I w ill n ot sh ow su bser v ien ce t o t h e en em y ,
I f Lor d so desir es, He w ill bless m y t or n lim bs an d br ok en j oin t s.

Abu Su fy an t h en addr essed h im say in g: “ I adj u r e y ou by Allâh , don ’t y ou w ish t h at Mu h am m ad

( Peace be u pon h im ) w er e h er e in y ou r place so t h at w e m igh t cu t of f h is h ead, an d t h at y ou w er e
w it h y ou r fam ily ?” Kh u baib an sw er ed, “ By Allâh , I do n ot w ish t h at Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im )
n ow w er e in t h e p lace I occu p y or t h at a t h or n cou ld h u r t h im , an d t h at I w er e sit t in g w it h m y
fam ily . ” Qur aish or der ed ‘Uqbah bin Al-Har it h , w h ose fat h er h ad been k illed by Kh u baib h im self, t o
cr ucify him . They also appoint ed som eone t o guar d his cor pse. ‘Am r bin Om aiy ah Ad -Dam ar i playe d
a cu n n in g t r ick an d car r ied t h e cor pse st ealt h ily at n igh t t o bu r y it som ew h er e. I t w as lat er r epor t ed
t h at sh or t ly bef or e h is cr u cif ix ion , h e w as seen eat in g a bu n ch of gr apes alt h ou gh t h er e w as n ot
ev en on e dat e av ailable in Mak k ah at t h at t im e. [ I n fa ct , it w as n ot h in g b u t su st en an ce b est ow ed
upon him by Allâh.

Safw an bin Om aiy ah pu r ch ased t h e secon d m an , Zaid bin Ad -Dat hna, and k illed him as an act of
v en gean ce for h is fat h er ’s m u r der .

Qu r aish , w h om ‘Asim h ad k illed on e of t h eir n ot ables, sen t som eon e t o f et ch a por t ion of h is body ,
bu t t o t h eir disappoin t m en t , h is cor pse w as in accessible becau se a lar ge sw ar m of h or n et s h ad been
shielding him against any m alicious t am per ing. ‘Asim had alr eady giv en his Lor d a pledge t o r em ain
im m une against any poly t h eist t am per in g w it h r espect t o h is body , an d also st ay det ach ed fr om an y
cont act w it h t he enem ies of Allâh. ‘Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab, w h en h ear in g t h is piece of n ew s ex claim ed,
“ Allâh v er ily pr ot ect s His believ in g slav e aft er deat h j u st as He does du r in g h is lifespan.

TH E TRAGED Y OF M A'UN A W ELL:

Ma‘u n a Well t r agedy , w h ich w as ev en m or e h or r ible t h an t h at of Ar -Raj i‘, t ook place in t he sam e
m ont h.

Abu Bar a’ — ‘Am ir bin Malik — nick nam ed ‘Spear Player’ cam e t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be
upon him ) in Ma dinah. The Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) called him t o em br ace I slam but
h e n eit h er agr eed n or r ef u sed. He said: “ O Messen ger of Allâh , if y ou dispat ch som e of y ou r

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Com pan ion s t o t h e people of Naj d t o call t h em t o I slam , I ex pect t h em t o accept . ” “ I am afr aid t he
people of Naj d w illk ill t hem . ” Said t he Messenger . But he r eplied, “ I w ill pr ot ect t hem . ” I bn I shaq
con fir m s t h at for t y m en w er e sen t t o t h em ; bu t As-Sahih st at es t h at t h ey w er e sev en t y — Al-
Mundhir bin ‘Am r , one of Bani Sa‘ida, nick nam ed ‘Freed t o die’ — com m an d ed t h at g r ou p , w h o w er e
t h e best an d m ost lear n ed in t h e Qu r ’ân an d j u r ispr u den ce.

On t h eir w ay t o Naj d t h ey u sed t o gat h er f ir ew ood t o bu y f ood f or t h e people of ‘ Ahl As-Suffah ’ as

ch ar it y by day an d st u dy , m edit at e on t h e m ean in gs of t h e Qu r ’ân by n igh t . Th ey k ept on doin g t h at
t ill t hey ar r iv ed at Ma‘una Well — w h ich w as a w ell in bet w een Ban i ‘Am ir , Har r ah an d Ban i Saleem .
Th ey st ay ed t h er e an d sen t t h e Message of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w it h Har am bin Milh an ,
t h e b r ot h er of Um m Sulaim t o t he enem y of Allâh ‘Am ir bin At -Tufail. ‘Am ir did not heed t he
Message bu t r at h er or der ed a m an t o spear Har am in t h e back . Wh en t h e spear pen et r at ed Har am ’s
b od y , h e saw t h e b lood an d said : “ Allâhu Akbar! ( i.e. Allâh is t he Great est ) By Lord of Al-Ka‘bah I
have w on! ”

Then t he enem y of Allâh, pr om pt ly , called out Bani ‘Am ir t o fight t he r est . Bani ‘Am ir r efused
becau se t h ey w er e u n der t h e pr ot ect ion of Abu Bar a’. Th er ef or e h e t u r n ed t o Ban i Saleem f or h elp.
The people of ‘Usaiy ah, Ri‘al an d Dh ak w an , w h o w er e f olk s of Ban i Saleem , r espon ded t o h is call.
Th e Com pan ion s of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h o w er e en com passed by idolat er s, k ept on
fight ing t ill t hey w er e all k illed. The only sur v iv or w as Ka‘b bin Zaid bin An -Naj j ar w h o w as car r ied
w ou n d ed f r om am on g t h e d ead . I t w as in Al-Khandaq ( t h e t r en ch ) Bat t le t h at h e w as k illed.

‘Am r bin Om aiyah Ad -Dam ar i and Al-Mu n dh ir bin ‘Uqbah bin ‘Am ir , w h o w er e en t r u st ed w it h t h e
Muslim s’ anim als far fr om t hem , saw t he bir ds cir cling in t he air ov er t h e bat t legr ou n d. Al-Mundhir
r ushed t o shar e in t he fight t ill he w as k illed. But ‘Am r bin Om aiy ah w as capt ur ed. ‘Am ir set him fr ee
w h en h e k n ew t h at h e w as of Mu dar t r ibe bu t t h at w as af t er h e h ad cu t h is h air . He did t h at t o f u lf il
a pledge of h is m ot h er ’s t o set a slav e f r ee.

Ret u r n in g t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ‘Am r bin Om aiy ah con v ey ed t h e n ew s of t h e pain f u l

disast er , w h ich r esu lt ed in t h e m u r der of sev en t y of t h e best believ er s, an d r ecalled t h e t r agedy of
Uh u d bu t w it h t h e differ en ce t h at t h ose of Uh u d w er e k illed in a clear w ar b u t t h ose of Ma‘u n a w er e
k illed in a disgr acefu l t r each er y . On h is w ay back t o Qar qar a, ‘Am r bin Om aiy ah r est ed in t h e sh ade
of a t r ee, and t her e t w o m en of Bani Kilab j oined him . When t hey slept , ‘Am r k illed t hem bot h,
t h in k in g t h at by doin g t h at h e w ou ld av en ge som e of h is k illed com pan ion s. Th en h e f ou n d ou t t h at
t h ey h ad been giv en a pledge of pr ot ect ion by t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . He t old t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w h at h e h ad don e. T h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon
him ) said t o ‘Am r : “ You hav e k illed t w o people; t heir blood-m on ey sh all b e a d eb t I h av e t o
disch ar ge. ” He t h en en gaged h im self collect in g t h eir blood-m oney fr om t he Muslim s and t heir allies,
t h e Jew s. Th is v er y act w as lat er t o t r igger t he inv asion of Bani An -Nadeer .

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as so deeply m ov ed by t h is t r agedy an d t h at of Ar -Raj i‘ t hat he

u sed t o in v ok e Allâh ’s w r at h again st t h ose people an d t r ibes w h o k illed h is Com pan ion s. An as
r epor t ed t h at f or t h ir t y day s t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) su pplicat ed Allâh again st t h ose w h o
k illed h is Com pan ion s at Ma‘u n a Well. Ev er y daw n pr ay er h e w ou ld in v ok e Allâh ’s w r at h again st Ri‘l,
Dh ak w an , Lih y an an d ‘Usaiy ah . He w ou ld say , “ ‘Usaiy ah disobey ed Allâh an d His Messen ger . ”
Th er ef or e Allâh ÚÒ æÌ á, sen t dow n u n t o His Messen ger a Qu r ’ân ic v er se t h at w e k ept on r ecit in g t ill
it w as abr ogat ed lat er on : ‘I n f or m ou r f olk t h at w e h av e en cou n t er ed ou r Lor d an d He is sat isf ied
w it h u s an d w e ar e sat isf ied w it h Him . ’ So t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) st opped h is
inv ocat ion.

BAN I AN - N ADEER I N VASI ON :

We h av e alr ead y sp ok en ab ou t t h e d isg r acef u l b eh av iou r of t h e Jew s an d h ow t h ey w er e alw ay s

t h ir st in g t o sh ed t h e blood of t h e Mu slim s an d u n der m in e t h e cau se of I slam despit e all t h e
cov en an t s an d pledges t h ey h ad giv en t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th eir beh av iou r
flu ct u at ed bet w een r esign at ion an d slack n ess aft er t h e Ban u Qain u qa‘ ev en t an d t h e m u r der of Ka‘b
bin Al-Ash r af, an d r ebellion cou pled w it h t r each er ou s clan d est in e con t act s w it h Qu r aish an d t h e
h y pocr it es in or der t o est ablish an allian ce again st t h e Mu slim s af t er t h e bat t le of Uh u d. Bein g
inex per ienced in w ar t act ics, t hey r esor t ed t o conspir acy and int r igue hat ching. They fir st of all
declar ed open h at r ed an d en m it y , an d ch ose t o play all sor t s of t r ick s t h at m igh t h ar m t h e Mu slim s,
bu t w er e v er y car efu l n ot t o in it iat e an y sor t of h ost ilit ies t h at m igh t in v olv e t h em in open w ar .
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Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , on h is par t , ex er cised t h e h igh est d eg r ee of p at ien ce w it h t h em
bu t t h ey w en t t oo f ar in t h eir pr ov ocat iv e deeds, especially af t er Ar -Raj i‘ an d Ma‘u n a Well ev en t s;
t h ey ev en m ade an at t em pt on h is lif e.

On ce t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w it h som e of h is Com p an ion s set ou t t o see Ban u Nad eer

an d seek t h eir h elp in r aisin g t h e blood-m on ey h e h ad t o pay t o Ban i Kalb for t h e t w o m en t h at ‘Am r
bin Om aiy ah Ad -Dam ar i h ad k illed by m ist ak e. All of t h at w as in accor dan ce w it h t h e clau ses of t h e
t r eat y t h at b ot h p ar t ies h ad alr ead y sig n ed . On h ear in g h is st or y t h ey said t h ey w ou ld sh ar e in
p ay in g t h e b lood -m oney and ask ed him and his Com panions Abu Bak r , ‘Um ar , ‘Ali and ot her s t o sit
u n der a w all of t h eir h ou ses an d w ait . Th e Jew s h eld a sh or t pr iv at e m eet in g an d con spir ed t o k ill
t h e Pr op h et (Peace be upon him ) . The m ost w ick ed am ong t hem , ‘Am r bin Jahsh, v olunt eer ed t o
clim b up t he w all and dr op a lar ge m illst one on his head. One of t hem , Salam bin Mashk am ,
cau t ion ed t h em again st per pet r at in g su ch a cr im e, pr edict in g t h at Allâh w ou ld div u lge t h eir plot t o
h im , an d added t h at su ch an act w ou ld con st it u t e a m an ifest v iolat ion of t h e pact con clu ded w it h t h e
Muslim s.

I n fact , Gabr iel did com e dow n t o r ev eal t o t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) t h eir w ick ed cr im in al
in t en t ion , so h e, w it h h is Com pan ion s, h u r r ied off back t o Madin ah . On t h eir w ay , h e t old h is
Com panions of t he Div ine Rev elat ion.

Soon af t er , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) delegat ed Mu h am m ad bin Maslam ah t o com m u n icat e

an u lt im at u m t o Ban i Nadeer t o t h e ef f ect t h at t h ey sh ou ld ev acu at e Madin ah w it h in t en day s,
ot h er w ise, t h eir h eads w ou ld be cu t off. Th e ch ief of t h e h y pocr it es, ‘Abdu llah bin Ubai, u r ged t h e
Jew s n ot t o pay h eed t o t h e Pr oph et ’s w or ds an d t o st ay in t h eir h abit at ion s, of f er in g t o r u n t o t h eir
su p p or t w it h t w o t h ou san d s of his follow er s, and assur ing t hem of help t o com e fr om Qur aizah t r ibe
and for m er allies Banu Ghat fan. I n t his r egar ds, Allâh say s:

• “ I f y ou ar e ex pelled, w e ( t oo) in deed w ill go ou t w it h y ou , an d w e sh all n ev er obey an y on e

again st y ou , an d if y ou ar e at t ack ed ( in figh t ) , w e sh all in deed h elp y ou . ” [ 5 9 : 1 1 ]

Th e Jew s r egain ed t h eir con f iden ce an d w er e det er m in ed t o f igh t . Th eir ch ief Huyai bin Akht ab relied
h opef u lly on w h at t h e ch ief of t h e h y pocr it es said. So h e sen t t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be
u pon h im ) say in g: “ We w ill n ot leav e ou r h ou ses. Do w h at ev er y ou lik e t o do. ”

Un dou bt edly t h e sit u at ion w as aw k w ar d f or t h e Mu slim s. Launching a w ar against t heir opponent s at

t his cr it ical st age could ent ail t er r ible far r eaching r am ificat ions in t he light of t he unfav our able
condit ions t hey w er e passing t hr ough, besides t he host ile env ir onm ent gr ow ing in pow er and hat r ed
ar ou n d t h em , t he har binger of w hich assum ed t he for m of k illing t he Muslim m issions, as it has been
alr eady in t r odu ced.

Th e Jew s of Ban i Nadeer w er e also a pow er t o cou n t f or , an d t h e pr ospect s of in f lict in g a m ilit ar y

def eat on t h em w as pr ecar iou s; con sequ en t ly f or cing t hem int o w ar engagem ent w ould be at t ended
w it h u n pr edict able r isk s. On t h e ot h er h an d, t h e con t in u al st at e of r epeat ed assassin at ion s an d act s
of t r each er y car r ied ou t again st t h e Mu slim s in div idu ally an d collect iv ely br ou gh t abou t u n bear able
h ead ach e t o Muham m ad ’s follow er s. Hav ing j udged all t he pr ev alent st at us quo in t his per spect iv e,
an d in t h e ligh t of t h e disgr acefu l at t em pt on t h life of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , t h e Mu slim s
m ade t h e decisiv e decision s of t ak in g u p ar m s w h at ev er t u r n t h e con seq u en ces cou ld assu m e.

Wh en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) r eceiv ed t h e r eply of Hu y ai bin Ak h t ab h e said:

“ Allâhu Akbar, Allâhu Akbar.” ( Allâh is t h e Gr eat est of all) an d h is Com pan ion s r epeat ed aft er h im .
Th en h e set ou t t o f igh t t h em a ft er appoin t in g I bn Um m Mak t u m t o dispose t h e affair s of Madin ah
du r in g h is absen ce. Th e st an dar d w as en t r u st ed t o ‘Ali bin Abi Talib. He laid siege t o t h eir f or t s f or
six night s — in anot her v er sion, fift een.

Ban u Nadeer r esor t ed t o t h eir cast les, m ou n t e d t h em an d st ar t ed sh oot in g ar r ow s an d p elt in g

st ones at t he Muslim s enj oy ing t he st r at egic adv ant age t hat t heir t hick fields of palm t r ees pr ov ided.
Th e Mu slim s w er e t h er efor e or der ed t o fell an d bu r n t h ose t r ees. I n t h is r espect , Allâh , t h e All-
Might y, s t at es in t h e Qu r ’ân :

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 • “ Wh at y ou ( O Mu slim s) cu t dow n of t h e palm -t r ees ( of t he enem y ) , or y ou left t hem
st anding on t heir st em s, it w as by leav e of Allâh. ” [ 5 9 : 5 ]

Qu r aizah t r ibe r em ain ed n eu t r al, an d t h e h y pocr it e ‘Abdu llah bin Ubai as w ell as Gh at f an failed t o
k eep t h eir pr om ises of su ppor t . I n t h is r egar d Allâh say s:

• “ ( Their allies deceiv ed t hem ) lik e Sat an, w hen he say s t o m an: ‘Disbeliev e in Allâh. ’ But
w hen ( m an) disbeliev es in Allâh, Sat an say s: ‘I am fr ee of y ou. ’” [ 59: 16]

Th e sieg e d id n ot last long for Allâh, t he All-Migh t y , cast h or r or in t o t h e h ear t s of t h e Jew s, an d t h ey

w illingly offer ed t o com ply w it h t he Pr ophet ’s or der and leav e Madinah. The Pr ophet ( Peace be upon
h im ) accept ed t h eir r equ est an d allow ed t h em t o car r y as m u ch lu ggage as t heir cam els could lift ,
ar m s w er e ex cept ed. Of cou r se, t h ey h ad n o ch oice bu t t o car r y ou t t h e or der s, so t h ey t ook w it h
t h em ev er y t h in g t h ey cou ld car r y ev en t h e pegs an d beam s of ceilin gs. Th eir car av an cou n t ed 6 0 0
loaded cam els including t heir chie fs, Huy ai bin Ak ht ab and Salam bin Abi Al-Hu qaiq, w h o left for
Kh aibar w h er eas an ot h er par t y sh ift ed t o Sy r ia. Tw o of t h em em br aced I slam , Yam een bin ‘Am r an d
Abu Sa‘d bin Wah ab, an d so t h ey r et ain ed t h eir per son al w ealt h .

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u p on h im ) seized t h eir w eap on s, lan d , h ou ses, an d w ealt h .
Am on gst t h e ot h er boot y h e m an aged t o capt u r e, t h er e w er e 5 0 ar m ou r s, 5 0 h elm et s, an d 3 4 0
sw or d s.

Th is boot y w as ex clu siv ely t h e Pr oph et ’s becau se n o f igh t in g w as in v olv ed in capt u r in g it . He

divided t h e boot y at h is ow n discr et ion am on g t h e ear ly Em igr an t s an d t w o poor Helper s, Abu
Du j an a an d Su h ail bin Han eef . An y w ay t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) spen t a por t ion
of t his w ealt h on his fam ily t o sust ain t heir liv ing t he y ear ar ound. T h e r est w as ex pen ded t o pr ov ide
t he Muslim ar m y w it h equipm ent for fur t her w ar s in t he w ay of Allâh.

The inv asion of Bani An -Nadeer t ook place in Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al, 4 A.H. i.e. in August 625 A.D. Alm ost
all t h e v er ses of Sûrah Al-Hash r ( Ch apt er 5 9 - Th e Gat h er in g) descr ibe t h e ban ish m en t of t h e Jew s
an d r ev eal t h e disgr acef u l m an n er s of t h e h y pocr it es. Th e v er ses m an if est t h e r u les r elev an t t o t h e
boot y . I n t his Chapt er , Allâh, t he All-Migh t y , pr aises t h e Em igr an t s an d Helper s. Th is Ch apt er also
sh ow s t h e l eg it im acy of cut t ing dow n and bur ning t he enem y ’s land and t r ees for m ilit ar y pur poses.
Su ch act s can n ot be r egar ded as ph en om en a of cor r u pt ion so lon g t h at t h ey ar e in t h e w ay of Allâh .

I n t h is v er y Ch apt er , Allâh r ecom m en ds t h e believ er s t o be piou s an d p r epar e t h em selv es f or t h e

w or ld t o com e an d He en ds it w it h a com plim en t u pon Him self an d a m an ifest at ion of His Holy
Nam es an d At t r ibu t es.

As t h is Ch apt er con cen t r at es on Ban i An -Nadeer an d t h eir ban ish m en t , I bn ‘Abbas u sed t o descr ibe
it as ‘An -Nadeer Chapt er ’.

TH E I N VASI ON OF N AJD :

Wit h t he peaceful v ict or y t hat t he Muslim s achiev ed at Bani An -Nadeer in v asion , t h eir con t r ol ov er
Madin ah w as u n dispu t edly est ablish ed, an d t h e h y pocr it es r eceded t o a st at e of silen ce an d st opped
t heir ar t ful m achinat ions pu blicly . Con sequ en t ly t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad am ple t im e t o
d ir ect all h is en er g ies an d h u m an r esou r ces t ow ar d s su p p r essin g t h e d eser t b ed ou in s an d cu r b in g
t heir har m ful pr ov ocat ions and w ick ed m alicious pr act ices of k illing his m issionar ies an d ev en
con t em plat in g an in v asion of Madin ah it self. Mean w h ile, t h e Mu slim scou t in g gr ou ps r epor t ed
bu ildin g u p of bedou in t r oops of Ban i Mu h ar ib an d Th a‘labah of Gh at f an ar ou n d Madin ah . Th e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w it h t h e Mu slim s, h u r r iedly set ou t t o d iscip lin e t h ose n ew ou t law s,
cast f ear in t o t h eir h ear t s an d det er t h em f r om per pet r at in g f u r t h er w ick ed pr act ices. Th ese
det er r in g oper at ion s w er e car r ied ou t r epeat edly an d did pr odu ce ef f ect iv e r esu lt s. Th e r ebelliou s
har d -h ear t ed d eser t b ed ou in s w ere t errorized int o t he m ount ains, and Madinah rem ained com plet ely
im m une against t heir r aids.

I n t h e con t ex t of t h ese in v asion s, it is in t er est in g t o dr aw som e pr om in en ce t o a sign if ican t on e ¾

Dhat Ar-Riqa‘ ( r ags) cam paign ¾ w hich som e scholar s claim , took place in Naj d ( a lar ge ar ea of
t ablelan d in t h e Ar abian Pen in su la) in Rabi‘ At h -Thani or Jum ada Al-Ula, 4 A. H. They subst ant iat e
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t h eir claim by say in g t h at it w as st r at egically n ecessar y t o car r y ou t t h is cam paign in or der t o qu ell
t h e r eb elliou s b ed ou in s in or d er t o m eet t h e ex ig en cies of t h e ag r eed u p on en cou n t er w it h t h e
poly t heist s, i. e. m inor Badr Bat t le in Sha‘ban, 4 A. H. The m ost aut hent ic opinion, how ev er , is t hat
Dhat Ar-Riqa‘ cam paign t ook place aft er t h e fall of Kh aibar . Th is is su ppor t ed by t h e f act t h at Abu
Hu r air ah an d Abu Mu sa Al-Ash ‘ar i ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) w it n essed t h e bat t le. Abu
Hu r air ah em br aced I slam on ly som e day s befor e Kh aibar , an d Abu Mu sa Al-Ash‘ar i cam e back fr om
Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) an d j oin ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace b e upon him ) at Khaibar . The r ules r elat ing t o
t h e pr ay er of f ear w h ich t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) obser v ed at Dhat Ar-Riqa‘ cam paign, w er e
r ev ealed at ‘Asf an I n v asion an d t h is b ey on d a sh ad ow of d ou b t t ook p lace af t er Al-Khandaq ( t he
t r ench) Bat t le in lat e 5 A.H.

TH E I N VASI ON OF BAD R, TH E SECON D :

Wh en t h e Mu slim s d est r oy ed t h e p ow er of t h e Ar ab -d eser t t r ib es an d g u ar d ed t h em selv es ag ain st

t h eir ev ils, t h ey st ar t ed pr epar at ion s t o en cou n t er t h eir gr eat en em y . A y ear elapsed sin ce t h ey
f ou gh t Qu r aish a t Uh u d. So it w as du e t im e t o m eet t h em an d st ar t w ar again in or der t o det er m in e
w h ich of t h e t w o par t ies w as w or t h y of su r v iv al.

I n Sha‘ban 4 A. H. , Januar y 6 2 6 A. D. , t he Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) set out t o Badr
accom p an ied b y on e t h ou san d an d f iv e h u n dr ed f igh t er s an d t en m ou n t ed h or sem en , an d w it h ‘Ali
bin Abi Talib as st an dar d bear er . ‘Abdu llah bin Raw ah ah w as giv en au t h or it y ov er Madin ah du r in g
t h e Pr oph et ’s absen ce. Reach in g Badr , t h e Mu slim s st ay ed t h er e w ait in g f or t h e idolat er s t o c om e.

Abu Su fy an ’s for ces com pr ised t w o t h ou san d foot m en an d fift y h or sem en . Th ey r each ed Mar Az -
Zahr an, som e dist ance for m Mak k ah, and cam ped at a w at er place called Mij annah. Being r eluct ant ,
discou r aged an d ex t r em ely t er r if ied of t h e con sequ en ces of t h e appr oaching fight , Abu Sufy an
t u r n ed t o h is people an d began t o in t r odu ce cow ar dice -based flim sy pr et ext s in or der t o dissuade his
m en fr om going t o w ar , say ing: “ O t r ibe of Qur aish! Not hing w ill im pr ov e t he condit ion y ou ar e in
but a fr uit ful y ear — a y e ar du r in g w h ich y ou r an im als f eed on plan t s an d bu sh es an d giv e y ou m ilk
t o dr in k . An d I see t h at t h is is a r ain less y ear , t h er efor e I am r et u r n in g n ow an d I r ecom m en d y ou
t o r et u r n w it h m e. ”

I t seem s t h at h is ar m y w er e also p ossessed of t h e sam e f ear s an d appr eh en sion s, f or t h ey r eadily

obey ed h im w it h ou t t h e least h esit at ion .

Th e Mu slim s, w h o w er e t h en at Badr , st ay ed f or eigh t day s w ait in g f or t h eir en em y . Th ey t ook

adv an t age of t h eir st ay by sellin g goods an d ear n in g dou ble as m u ch t h e pr ice ou t of it . Wh en t h e
idolat er s declin ed t o f igh t , t h e balan ce of pow er s sh if t ed t o r est in f av ou r of t h e Mu slim s, w h o t h u s
r egain ed t h eir m ilit ar y r epu t at ion , t h eir dign it y an d m an aged t o im pose t h eir aw e-inspiring presence
ov er t he w hole of Ar abia. I n br ief, t hey m ast er ed an d con t r olled t h e w h ole sit u at ion .

This inv asion had m any a nam e. I t is called ‘Badr t he Appoint m ent ’, ‘Badr , Second’, ‘Badr , t he
Lat t er ’, and ‘Badr Minor ’.

TH E I N VASI ON OF D OUM AT AL - JAN D AL:

Wit h t h e Messen ger ’s r et u r n f r om Badr , peace an d secu r it y pr ev ailed t h e w h ole ar ea; an d t h e

I slam ic h eadqu ar t er s, Madin ah , en j oy ed fu ll secu r it y . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h en
deem ed it f it an d appr opr iat e t o h ead f or t h e m ost dist an t ar eas of Ar abia in or der t o su bdu e all
h ost ile elem en t s in or der t o for ce u n dispu t ed r ecogn it ion ou t of fr ien d an d en em y alik e.

Aft er a six -m on t h lu ll of m ilit ar y act iv it ies, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as r epor t ed t h at som e
t r ibes, in t he v icinit y of Doum at Al-Jan dal, on t h e bor der s of Sy r ia, w er e in v olv ed in h igh w ay
r obber y an d plu n der in g, an d w er e on t h eir w ay t o m u st er t r oops an d r aid Madin ah it self . He
im m ediat ely appoint ed Siba‘ bin ‘Ar fat ah Al-Gh ifar i t o dispose t h e affair s of Madin ah du r in g h is
absen ce, an d set ou t at t h e h ead of 1 0 0 0 Mu slim s in lat e Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al, 5 A. H. t ak ing w it h him a
m an, nam ed Madhk ur , fr om Bani ‘Udhr ah, as a guide.

On t h eir w ay t o Dou m at Al-Jan dal, t h ey u sed t o m ar ch by n igh t an d h ide by day , so t h at t h ey m igh t

t ak e t h e en em y by su r pr ise. Wh en t h ey dr ew n ear t h eir dest in at ion , t h e Mu slim s discovered t hat t he
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h igh w ay m en h ad m ov ed t o an ot h er place, so t h ey capt u r ed t h eir cat t le an d sh eph er ds. Th e
inhabit ant s of Doum at Al-Jan dal h ad also fled in all dir ect ion s for t h eir liv es an d ev acu at ed t h eir
h abit at ion s. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) st ay ed t h er e f or 5 day s du r in g w h ich h e despat ch ed
ex pedit ion ar y f or ces t o h u n t f or t h e en em y per son n el bu t t h ey det ect ed n on e. He t h en r et u r n ed t o
Madin ah bu t en r ou t e h e en t er ed in t o a peace t r eat y w it h ‘Uy ain ah bin Hisn . Dou m at Al-Jan dal is
locat ed at about a dist ance of fift een day s m ar ch fr om Madinah and fiv e fr om Dam ascus.

Wit h t h is decisiv e an d st eady pr ogr ess an d w ise st r ict plan s, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
m an aged t o spr ead secu r it y , con t r ol t h e sit u at ion an d m ak e peace pr ev ail t h e w h ole ar ea. He also
su cceeded in sh if t in g t h e cou r se of ev en t s f or t h e w elf ar e of t h e Mu slim s by r edu cin g t h e in cessan t
int er nal and ex t er nal t r oubles. The hy pocr it es w er e silenced, a t r ibe of t he Jew s ev acuat ed w hile t he
ot h er con t in u ed t o f ak e good n eigh bou r lin ess an d seem in gly f ait h f u l adh er en ce t o t h e cov en an t s,
t h e deser t bedou in s su bdu ed an d f in ally t h e ar ch en em y Qu r aish n o lon ger k een on at t ack in g t h e
Muslim s. This secur e st r at egic at t it ude cr eat ed opt im um cir cum st ances for t he Muslim s t o r esum e
t heir logical cou r se in pr opagat in g I slam an d com m u n icat in g t h e Messages of t h e Lor d t o all w or lds.

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 AL- AH ZAB ( t he Confe de r a t e s) I N VASI ON

On ce ag ain , p eace an d secu r it y en v elop ed t h e Ar ab ian Pen in su la an d t h is t u r b u len t ar ea b eg an t o

ex per ien ce a per iod of lu ll aft er a w h ole y ear w ar Jew s, h ow ev er , w h ose t r each er y , in t r ig u es an d .
Th e disloy alt y m ade t h em t ast e all t y pes of h u m iliat ion an d disgr ace, w er e n ot adm on ish ed. Aft er
t h ey h ad been ex iled t o Kh aibar , t h ey r em ain ed w ait in g an x iou sly f or t h e r esu lt s of t h e sk ir m ishes
goin g on bet w een t h e Mu slim s an d t h e idolat er st h eir h opes, t h e ev en t s of t h e w ar w er e in f av ou r of
t h e Mu slim s, . Con t r ar y t o t h er ef or e t h ey st ar t ed a n ew st age of con spir acy an d pr epar ed
t h em selv es t o d eal a d ead ly b low ag ain st t h e Mu slim s, b u t w er e t oo cow ar dly t o m anoeuv r e dir ect ly
again st t h em , so t h ey laid a dr eadf u l plan in or der t o ach iev e t h eir obj ect iv esof t h e Jew s w it h som e
celebr it ies of Ban i Nadir w en t t o Mak k ah t o . Tw en t y ch ief s n egot iat e an u n h oly allian ce w it h
Qu r aish g oad t h e p eop le t h er e t o at t ack t h e Messen ger of . Th ey began t o Allu pon h im ) pr om isin g
t h em f u ll su ppor t an d back in g. People of Qu r aish , w h o h ad been âh ( Peace be lan gu id an d pr ov ed
t oo w eak t o ch allen ge t h e Mu slim s at Badr , seized t h is oppor t u n it y t o r edeem t h eir st ain ed h on ou r
an d blem ish ed r epu t at ion delegat ion set ou t f or Gh at f an , called t h em t o do t h e . Th e sam e sam e,
an d t h ey r espon ded posit iv ely . Th e Jew ish delegat ion t h en st ar t ed a f r esh ef f or t an d t ou r ed som e
par t s of Ar abia an d m an aged t o in cit e t h e con f eder at es of d isb elief ag ain st t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) , h is Message an d t h e believ er s in AllKin an ah an d ot h er allies fr om Tih am a, in t h e sou t h ;
r allied, âh . Qu r aish , r an k ed an d r ecr u it ed fou r t h ou san d m en u n der t h e leader sh ip of Abu Su fy an .
Fr om t h e east t h er e cam e t r ibes of Banu Saleem , Ghat fan, Bani Mur r ah, et c. They all headed for
Madin ah an d gat h er ed in it s v icin it y at a t im e alr eady agr eed u pon gr eat ar m y of t en t h ou san d
fight er s. They in fact out num ber ed all t he Muslim s in . I t w as a Madinah, w om en, lads an d eld er s
in clu dedt ell t h e t r u t h , if t h ey h ad lau n ch ed a su r pr ise at t ack again st . To Madin ah , t h ey cou ld h av e
ex t er m in at ed all t h e Mu slim st h e leader sh ip in side t h e cit y w as on t h e . How ev er , aler t an d t h e
in t elligen ce per son n el m an aged t o r econ n oit r e t h e ar ea of t h e en em ies, an d r ep or t ed t h eir
m ov em en t t o t h e people in ch ar ge in Madin ah . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
su m m on ed a h igh adv isor y boar d an d con du ct ed a car ef u l discu ssion of a plan t o def en d Madin ah .
Aft er a len gt h y t alk bet w een m ilit ar y lead er s an d p eop le p ossessed of sou n d ad v ice, it w as ag r eed ,
on t h e pr oposal of an h on ou r able Com pan ion , Salm an Al-Far isi, t o dig t r en ch es as def en siv e lin es.
Th e Mu slim s, w it h t h e Pr oph et ( en cou r agin g, h elpin g an d r em in din g t h em of t h e r ew ar d in t h e
Her eaft er , Peace be u pon h im ) at t h eir h ead, m ost act iv ely an d diligen t ly st ar t ed t o bu ild a t r en ch
ar ou n d Madin ah . Sev er e h u n ger , bor der in g on st ar v at ion , cou ld n ot dissu ade or discou r age t h em
fr om ach iev in g t h eir desper at ely sou gh t obj ect iv e. Salm an said: O Messen ger of Allâh ! Wh en siege
w as t o laid t o u s in Per sia, w e u sed t o d ig t r en ch es t o d ef en d ou r selv es. I t w as r eally an
u n pr eceden t ed w ise plan . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) h u r r iedly gav e or der s t o
im plem en t t h e plan each gr ou p of t en t o dig. Sah l bin Sa‘d said: We w er e in . For t y y ar ds w as
allocat ed t o t h e com pan y of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) , t h e m en u sed t o dig an d
w e ev acu at e t h e ear t h on ou r b ack s.

Som e pr et er n at u r al Pr oph et ic sign s appear ed in t h e pr ocess of t r e nching. Jabir bin ‘Abdullah, seeing
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) st ar v in g, slau gh t er ed a sh eep, cook ed som e bar ley an d r equ est ed
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d som e Com pan ion s t o accept h is in v it at ion , bu t t h e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) gat h er ed all t h e t h ou san d p eop le en g ag ed in d ig g in g t h e t r en ch an d t h ey
st ar t ed t o eat u n t il t h ey w er e all com plet ely f u ll an d y et t h e sh ou lder of m u t t on an d dou gh t h at w as
bein g bak ed r em ain ed as t h ey w er e u n dim in ish ed. A cer t ain w om an br ou gh t a h an df u l of dat es and
p assed b y t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) , w h o t ook t h e d at es, t h r ew t h em ov er h is cloak an d
in v it ed h is f ollow er s t o eat . Th e dat es began t o in cr ease in n u m ber u n t il t h ey dr opped ov er t h e t r im
of h is r obe. An ot h er illu st r iou s pr et er n at u r al ex am ple w en t t o t he effect t hat an obst inat e r ock st ood
ou t as an im m u n e obst acle in t h e dit ch . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t ook t h e spade an d
st r u ck , an d t h e r ock im m ediat ely t u r n ed in t o a loose san d du n e. I n an ot h er v er sion , Al-Bar a‘ said:
On Al-Khandaq ( t h e t r en ch ) Day t h er e st ood ou t a r ock t oo im m u n e f or ou r spades t o br eak u p. We
t h er ef or e w en t t o see t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) f or adv ice. He t ook t h e spade,
and st r uck t he r ock ut t er ing “ in t he Nam e of Allâh, Allâh is Gr eat , t he k ey s of Ash-Sh âm
( Geogr aph ical Sy r ia) ar e m in e, I sw ear by Allâh , I can see it s palaces at t h e m om en t ; ” on t h e
secon d st r ik e h e said: “ Allâh is Gr eat , Per sia is m in e, I sw ear by Allâh , I can n ow see t h e w h it e
palace of Madain; ” and for t he t hir d t im e he st r uck t he r ock , w hich t ur ned int o v er y sm all pieces, he
said: “ Allâh is Gr eat , I h av e been giv en t h e k ey s of Yem en , I sw ear by Allâh , I can see t h e gat es of
San ‘a w h ile I am in m y place. ” Th e sam e v er sion w as n ar r at ed by I sh aq. Th e n or t h er n par t of
Madin ah w as t h e m ost v u ln er able, all t h e ot h er sides bein g su r r ou n ded by m ou n t ain s an d palm t r ee
or ch ar ds, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) as a sk illfu l m ilit ar y ex per t , u n der st ood t h at t h e
Con f ed er at es w ou ld m ar ch in t h at d ir ect ion , so t h e t r en ch w as or d er ed t o b e on t h at sid e. Th e
Mu slim s w en t on diggin g t h e t r en ch f or sev er al day s; t h ey u sed t o w or k on it du r in g t h e day , an d go

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back hom e in t he ev ening unt il it had assum ed it s full dim ensions m ilit ar ily befor e t he huge ar m y of
t h e idolat er s; w h ich n u m ber ed, as m an y as t en t h ou sand fight er s, ar r iv ed and set t led in t he v icinit y
of Madinah in places called Al-Asy al an d Uh u d.

• “ An d w h en t h e b eliev er s saw ‘Al-Ahzab’ ( t h e con feder at es) , t h ey said: ‘Th is is w h at Allâh

an d His Messen ger [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] h ad pr om ised u s, an d Allâh an d His
Messen ger [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] h ad spok en t h e t r u t h , an d it on ly added t o
t heir Fait h and t o t heir subm issiv eness ( t o Allâh) . ” [ 33: 22]

Th r ee t h ou san d Mu slim s, w it h Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) at t h eir h ead, cam e ou t t o

encount er t he idolat er s, w it h Allâh’s Pr om ise of v ict or y deeply est ablished in t heir m inds. They
en t r en ched t hem selv es in Sila‘ Mount ain w it h t he t r ench st anding as a bar r ier bet w een t hem and t he
disbeliev er s.

On at t em pt in g t o at t ack t h e Mu slim s an d br eak in t o Madin ah , t h e idolat er s w er e su r pr ised t o see a

w ide t r en ch , a n ew st r at agem u n k n ow n in Ar abia bef o r e, st an din g as an obst in at e obst r u ct ion .
Con seq u en t ly t h ey d ecid ed t o lay sieg e t o Mad in ah an d b eg an t o m an oeu v r e ar ou n d t h e t r en ch
t r y in g h ar d t o fin d a v u ln er able spot t h r ou gh w h ich t h ey cou ld in filt r at e in t o Madin ah . To det er t h eir
en em ies f r om appr oach in g or br idgin g an y gap in t h eir defen ces, t h e Mu slim s h u r led ar r ow s, an d
en gaged in sk ir m ish es w it h t h em . Th e v et er an f igh t er s of Qu r aish w er e av er se t o t h is sit u at ion
w ait in g in v ain in an t icipat ion of w h at t h e siege m igh t r ev eal. Th er ef or e t h ey decided t hat a gr oup of
fight er s led by ‘Am r bin ‘Abd-e -Wudd, ‘I k r im a bin Abi Jahl and Dir ar bin Al-Kh at t ab, sh ou ld w or k it s
w ay t h r ou gh t h e t r en ch . Th ey , in f act , m an aged t o do t h at an d t h eir h or sem en capt u r ed a m ar sh y
ar ea b et w een t h e t r en ch an d Sila‘ Mou n t ain . ‘Am r challenged t he Muslim s t o a duel, and ‘Ali bin Abi
Talib w as depu t ed. Aft er a sh or t bu t fier ce en gagem en t , ‘Ali k illed ‘Am r an d obliged t h e ot h er s t o
ev acu at e in a st at e of pan ic an d con f u sion . How ev er , som e day s lat er , t h e poly t h eist s con du ct ed
f r esh desper at e at t em pt s bu t all of t h em f ailed du e t o Mu slim s’ st eadf ast n ess an d h er oic
confr ont at ion.

I n t h e con t ex t of t h e ev en t s of t h e Tr en ch Bat t le, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) f ailed

t o obser v e som e pr ay er s in t heir r ight t im e. Jabir ( Ma y Allah be pleased w it h h im ) n ar r at ed: On t h e
Day of Tr ench ‘Um ar bin Al-Khat t ab ( May Allah be pleased w it h him ) cam e, cur sing t he disbeliev er s
of Qu r aish an d said: “ O Allâh ’s Messen ger ! I h av e n ot of f er ed t h e af t er n oon pr ay er an d t h e su n h as
set . ” Th e Pr o ph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) r eplied: " By Allâh ! I , , h av e n ot offer ed t h e pr ay er y et . ” Th e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h en w en t t o Bu t h an , per f or m ed ablu t ion an d obser v ed t h e af t er n oon
p r ay er af t er t h e su n h ad set an d t h en of f er ed t h e su n set p r ay er af t er it .” He w as so in d ig n an t f or
t h is f ailu r e t h at h e in v ok ed Allâh ’s w r at h on h is en em ies an d besou gh t Allâh t o f ill t h eir h ou ses an d
gr av es w it h f ir e becau se t h ey dist r act ed h im f r om obser v in g t h e af t er n oon pr ay er . I t w as n ar r at ed
by Ah m ed an d Sh afa‘i t h at t h e ev en t s of t h at bat t le det ain ed h im fr om t h e n oon , aft er n oon , ev en in g
an d n igh t pr ay er s, bu t h e obser v ed t h em com bin ed. Th e dif f er en t n ar r at ion s poin t t o t h e f act t h at
t h e sit u at ion last ed f or a f ew d ay s.

I t is clear t h at , an d becau se of t h e t r en ch st an din g b et w een t h e t w o p ar t ies, n o d ir ect en g ag em en t

t ook place, but r at her t her e w er e m ilit ar y act iv it ies confined t o ar r ow hur ling, consequent ly t he fight
claim ed t he liv es of a sm all num ber of fight er s, six Muslim s and t en poly t heist s, one or t w o k illed by
sw or d.

Du r in g t h e pr ocess of f igh t in g, Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh w as sh ot by an ar r ow t h at pier ced h is ar t er y .

Per ceiv in g h is en d appr oach in g, h e in v ok ed Allâh say in g: “ Oh , Allâh , y ou k n ow n ot h in g is closer t o
m y h ear t t h an st r iv in g in You r w ay again st t h ose people ( disbeliev er s) w h o belied You r Messen ger
an d ban ish ed h im f r om h is t ow n . Oh , Allâh , I deeply believ e t h at You h av e decr eed t h at w e sh ou ld
fight t hem , so if t her e is st ill m or e fight ing t o go w it h t hem , let m e st ay aliv e in or der t o st r iv e m or e
ag ain st t h em. I f it h as set t led dow n , I beseech y ou t o ign it e it again so t h at I br eat h e m y last in it s
con t ex t . ” He con clu ded h is su pplicat ion beseech in g Allâh n ot t o let h im die u n t il h e h ad h ad fu ll
r ev enge on Banu Qur aiza. I n t he m idst of t hese difficult cir cum st ances, plot t er y an d in t r igu es w er e
in fer v ent act ion against t he Muslim s. The chief cr im inal of Bani Nadir , Huy ai, headed for t he
habit at ions of Banu Qur aiza t o incit e t heir chief Ka‘b bin Asad Al-Qu r azi, w h o h ad d r aw n a p act w it h
t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) t o r un t o his aid in t im es of w ar . Ka‘b, in t he beginning
r esist ed all Huy ai’s t em pt at ion, but Huy ai w as clev er enough t o m anipulat e him , speak ing of Qur aish
an d t h eir n ot ables in Al-Asy al, as w ell as Gh at f an an d t h eir ch ief t ain s en t r en ch ed in Uhud, all in one
m ind, det er m ined t o ex t er m inat e Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) and his follow er s. He, m or eov er ,

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pr om ised t o st ay in Ka‘b’s for t ex posing him self t o any pot ent ial danger in case Qur aish and Ghat fan
r ecan t ed. Th e w ick ed m an w en t on in t h is m an n er u n t il h e lat er m an aged t o w in Ka‘b t o h is side an d
per su ade h im t o br eak h is cov en an t w it h t h e Mu slim s. Ban u Qu r aiza t h en st ar t ed t o lau n ch w ar
op er at ion s ag ain st t h e Mu slim s esp ecially t h e seclu d ed g ar r ison s t h at h ou sed t h e w om en an d
ch ildr en of th e Mu slim s. On t h e au t h or it y of I bn I sh aq, Safiy ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er )
dau gh t er of ‘Abdu l Mu t t alib h appen ed t o be in a gar r ison w it h Hassan bin Th abit as w ell as som e
w om en an d ch ildr en . Saf iy ah said: “ A Jew w as spot t ed lu r k in g ar ou n d ou r sit e, which was vulnerable
t o an y en em y at t ack s b ecau se t h er e w er e n o m en t o d ef en d it . I in f or m ed Hassan t h at I w as
su spiciou s of t h at m an ’s pr esen ce n ear u s. He m igh t t ak e u s by su r pr ise n ow t h at t h e Messen ger of
Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d t h e Mu slim s ar e t oo bu sy t o com e t o ou r aid, w h y don ’t y ou get dow n
an d k ill h im ? Hassan an sw er ed t h at h e w ou ld n ot d o it , so I t ook a b ar of w ood , w en t d ow n an d
st r u ck t h e Jew t o d eat h . I r et u r n ed an d ask ed Hassan t o loot h im b u t ag ain Hassan r ef u sed t o d o
t hat . This ev e n t h ad a f ar r each in g ef f ect an d discou r aged t h e Jew s f r om con du ct in g f u r t h er at t ack s
t h in k in g t h at t h ose sit es w er e f or t if ied an d pr ot ect ed by Mu slim f igh t er s. Th ey , h ow ev er , w en t on
pr ov idin g t h e idolat er s w it h su pplies in t ok en of t h eir su ppor t again st t he Muslim s.

On h ear in g t h is bad n ew s, t h e Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) despat ch ed f ou r Mu slim pr om in en t

leader s Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh , Sa‘d bin ‘Ubada, ‘Abdu llah bin Raw ah a an d Kh aw at bin Ju bair for
in v est ig at ion b u t w ar n in g ag ain st an y sor t of sp r ead in g p an ic am on gst t h e Mu slim s an d adv isin g
t h at t h ey sh ou ld declar e in pu blic t h at t h e r u m ou r s ar e gr ou n dless if t h ey h appen t o be so.
Un f or t u n at ely t h e f ou r m en discov er ed t h at t h e n ew s w as t r u e an d t h at t h e Jew s an n ou n ced open ly
t h at n o pact of allian ce ex ist ed an y lon ger w it h Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th e Messen ger of
Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as br iefed on t h is sit u at ion , an d t h e Mu slim s u n der st ood t h eir cr it ical
posit ion w it h t h e h or r ible dan ger im plied t h er ein . Th eir back w as v u ln er able t o t h e at t ack s of Ban u
Qu r aiza, an d a h u ge ar m y w it h n o w ay t o con n iv e at in f r on t , w h ile t h eir w om en an d ch ildr en
u n pr ot ect ed st an din g in bet w een . I n t h is r egar d, Allâh say s:

• “ An d w h en t h e ey es g r ew w ild an d t h e h ear t s r each ed t o t h e t h r oat s, an d y ou w er e

h ar bou r in g dou bt s abou t Allâh . Th er e, t h e believ er s w er e t r ied an d sh ak en w it h a m igh t y
shak ing. ”
[ 33: 10, 11]

Now t h at t h e Mu slim s w er e sh u t in w it h in t h e Tr en ch on t h e def en siv e, t h e h y pocr it es t au n t ed t h em

w it h h av in g in du lged in delu siv e h opes of def eat in g Kisr a, em per or of Per sia, an d Caesar , em per or
of t h e Rom an s. Th ey b eg an t o sow t h e seed s of d ef eat ism , an d p r et en d ed t o w it h d r aw f or t h e
d ef en ce of t h eir h om es, t h ou g h t h ese w er e in n o w ay ex p osed t o d an g er . Her e, Allâh say s:

• “ An d w h en t h e h y p ocr it es an d t h ose in w h ose h ear t s is a d isease ( of d ou b t s) said , ‘Allâh

an d His Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) pr om ised u s n ot h in g bu t delu sion s! ’ An d w h en a
par t y of t hem said: ‘O people of Yat hr ib ( Al-Madin ah ) , t h er e is n o st an d ( possible) for y ou
( again st t h e en em y at t ack ! ) t h er ef or e go back ! ’ An d a ban d of t h em ask ed f or per m ission of
t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) say ing: ‘Tr uly , our hom es lie open ( t o t he enem y ) . ’ And
t h ey lay n ot open . Th ey bu t w ish ed t o flee. ” [ 3 3 : 1 2 , 1 3 ]

The Me ssen ger of Allâh , ( Peace be u pon h im ) w r apped h im self in h is r obe an d began t o m edit at e on
t h e per f idy of Ban u Qu r aiza. Th e spir it of h opef u ln ess pr ev ailed ov er h im an d h e r ose t o h is f eet
say ing:

• “ Allâh is Gr eat . Hear k en y ou Muslim s, t o Allâh’s good t idings of v ict or y and suppor t . ”

He t h en st ar t ed t o lay decisiv e plan s aim in g at pr ot ect in g t h e w om en an d ch ildr en , an d sen t som e

f igh t er s back t o Madin ah t o gu ar d t h em again st an y su r pr ise assau lt by t he enem y . The second st ep
w as t o t ak e act ion t h at cou ld lead t o u n der m in in g t h e r an k s of t h e disbeliev in g con feder at es. Th er e,
h e h ad in m in d t o con clu de a sor t of r econ ciliat ion w it h t h e ch ief s of Gh at f an on t h e basis of
donat ing t hem a t hir d of Madin ah ’s fr u it cr ops. He sou gh t t h e adv ice of h is ch ief Com pan ion s,
n am ely , Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh an d Sa‘d bin ‘Ubadah , w h ose r eply w en t as f ollow s:

“ O Messen ger of Allâh ! I f it is Allâh ’s in j u n ct ion , t h en w e h av e t o obey , bu t if it is a n ew cou r se y ou

w an t t o f ollow j u st t o p r ov id e secu r it y f or u s t h en w e d on ’t n eed it . We ex p er ien ced t h ose p eop le in
poly t h eism an d idolat r y an d w e can saf ely say t h at t h ey don ’t n eed t h e f r u it of ou r or ch ar ds, t h ey

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r at h er n eed t o ex t er m in at e u s com plet ely . Now t h at Allâh h as h on ou r e d us w it h I slam , I believ e t he
b est r ecou r se in t h is sit u at ion is t o p u t t h em t o t h e sw or d . ” Th er eu p on t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
him ) cor r ect ed t heir Belief say ing: “ My new policy is being for ged t o pr ov ide y our secur it y aft er all
t h e Ar ab s h av e u n it ed t o annihilat e y ou ( Muslim s) .”

Allâh , t h e Glor iou s, t h e Ex alt ed, pr aise is t o h im , cr eat ed som et h in g t h at led t o t h e dissen sion of t h e
enem ies of I slam and lat er on t o t heir full defeat . A m an fr om t he t r ibe of Ghat fan called Na‘im bin
Mas‘u d ask ed t o b e ad mit t ed in t h e au dien ce of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . He declar ed t h at
h e h ad em br aced I slam secr et ly an d ask ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o or der h im do
an y t h in g t h at m igh t ben efit t h e Mu slim s. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ask ed h im t o do
a n yt h in g t h at cou ld h elp t h e Mu slim s in t h e pr esen t dist r ess an d u se an y st r at egem of av ail. Th e
m an , in a sh u t t le m ov em en t , bet w een t h e Jew s, Qu r aish an d Gh at f an m an aged t o in cit e each par t y
t o let d ow n t h e ot h er . He w en t t o see t h e ch ief s of Ban u Qu r aiza an d w h isp er ed in t h eir ear s n ot t o
t r u st Qu r aish n or f igh t w it h t h em u n less t h e lat t er pledged som e h ost ages. He t r ied t o len d su ppor t
t o his counsel by claim int hat Qur aish w ould for sak e t hem if t hey per ceiv ed t hat v ict or y ov er
Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) w as far fet ched, and t he Muslim s t hen w ould hav e t er r ible r ev enge
on t h em . Na‘im , t h en h eaded for t h e cam p of Qu r aish an d m an aged t o pr act ise a sim ilar st r at egem
in it s fin al r esu lt bu t differ en t in con t en t . He claim ed t h at h e felt t h at t h e Jew s r egr et t ed b r each in g
t h eir cov en an t w it h Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is f ollow er s. He t old t h em t h at t h e Jew s
m ain t ain ed r egu lar cor r espon den ce w it h t h e Mu slim s t o t h e ef f ect t h at Qu r aish it e h ost ages be sen t
t o t he cam p of t he Muslim s w it h full Jew ish allegiance paid t o t h em as alr eady agr eed u pon . Na‘im
t h en ex h or t ed Qu r aish n ot t o sen d h ost ag es t o t h e Jew s. On a t h ir d er r an d , h e d id t h e sam e w it h
t h e people of Gh at f an .

On Sat u r day n igh t , Sh aw w al 5 A. H. , bot h Qu r aish an d Gh at f an despat ch ed en v oy s t o t h e Jew s

e xh or t in g t h em t o go in t o w ar again st Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th e Jew s sen t back
m essages t h at t h ey w ou ld n ot f igh t on Sat u r day . Th ey added t h at t h ey n eeded h ost ages f r om t h em
t o gu ar an t ee t h eir con sist en cy . On r eceiv in g t h e r eplies, Qu r aish an d Gh at f a n cam e t o believ e
Na‘im ’s w or ds f u lly . Th er ef or e, t h ey sen t a m essage t o t h e Jew s again in v it in g t h em t o w ar an d
ask in g t h em t o pr eclu de t h at con dit ion of h ost ages. Na‘im ’s sch em e pr ov ed su ccessf u l, an d a st at e
of dist r u st an d su spicion am on g t h e disbelievin g allies pr ev ailed an d r edu ced t h eir m or ale t o
d ep lor ab le d eg r ee.

Meanw hile, t he Muslim s w er e pr eoccupied supplicat ing t heir Lor d t o pr ot ect t heir hom es and pr ov ide
secur it y for t heir fam ilies. The Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) on his par t inv o k ed Allâh’s
w r at h on t h e Con f ed er at es su p p licat in g :

• “ Oh , Allâh ! You ar e qu ick in accou n t , You ar e t h e sen der of t h e Book , w e beseech You t o
d ef eat t h e con f ed er at es. ”

Allâh t h e Glor iou s, t h e Ex alt ed, r espon ded t o t h e call of t h e Mu slim s on t h e spot . Cou p led w it h t h e
dissen sion an d v ar ian ce t h at f ou n d t h eir w ay in t o t h e h ear t s of t h e disbeliev er s, f or ces of n at u r e —
w in d , r ain an d cold w ear ied t h em , t en t s w er e b low n d ow n , cook in g v essels an d ot h er eq u ip ag e
ov er t h r ow n .

Th at v er y cold n igh t t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) despat ch ed Hu dh aifa bin Al-Yam an
t o h u n t ar ou n d for n ew s abou t t h e en em y . He fou n d ou t t h at t h ey w er e pr epar in g t o leav e fr u st r at ed
for t heir inabilit y t o achiev e t heir t ar get . Allâh did r eally fulfill His Pr om ise, spar ed t he Muslim s
fight ing a for m idable ar m y , suppor t ed His slav e [ Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] and inflict ed a
h eav y b low on t h e Con f ed er at es.

Th e bat t le of t h e Tr en ch t ook place in t h e fift h y ear Hij r i. Th e siege of Madin ah st ar t ed in Sh aw w al

an d en d ed in Dh u l Qa‘dah , i. e. it last ed for ov er a m on t h . I t w as in fact a bat t le of n er v es r at h er
t h an of losses. No bit t er figh t in g w as r ecor ded; n ev er t h eless, it w as on e of t h e m ost decisiv e bat t les
in t h e ear ly h ist or y of I slam an d pr ov ed bey on d a sh adow of dou bt t h at n o f or ces, h ow ev er h u ge,
cou ld ev er ex t er m in at e t h e n ascen t I slam ic pow er gr ow in g st eadily in Madin ah . Wh en Allâh obliged
t h e Con f ed er at es t o ev acu at e, His Messen g er w as in a p osit ion t o con f id en t ly d eclar e t h at
t h en cef or t h h e w ou ld t ak e t h e in it iat iv e in w ar an d w ou ld n ot w ait f or t h e lan d of I slam t o be
in v aded.

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I N VADI N G BAN U QURAI ZA:

Ar ch an gel Gabr iel ( Peace be u pon h im ) on t h e v er y day t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
cam e back t o Madin ah af t er t h e pr ev iou s bat t le, an d w h ile h e w as w ash in g in Um m Salam a’s house,
v isit ed h im ask in g t h at h e sh ou ld u n sh eat h e h is sw or d an d h ead f or t h e h ab it at ion of t h e sed it iou s
Ban u Qu r aiza an d f ig h t t h em . Gab r iel n ot ed t h at h e w it h a p r ocession of an g els w ou ld g o ah ead t o
sh ak e t h eir f or t s an d cast f ear in t h eir h ear t s.

The Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) , im m ediat ely sum m oned t he pr ay er caller and or der ed
h im t o an n ou n ce fr esh h ost ilit ies again st Ban u Qu r aiza, in st it u ed I bn Um m Mak t u m as a r u ler of
Madin ah , an d en t r u st ed t h e ban n er of w ar t o ‘Ali bin Ab i Talib w h o m ar ch ed t ow ar ds t h e appoin t ed
t ar get an d cam e close en ou gh t o h ear t h e Jew s abu sin g t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
, w h o on h is par t set ou t at t h e h ead of t h r ee t h ou san d in f an t r y m en an d t h ir t y h or sem en of Ansar
( Helper s) an d Muhaj ireen ( Em igr an t s) . On t h eir w ay t o en cou n t er t h e en em y , t h e af t er n oon pr ay er
w as du e. Som e Mu slim s r ef u sed t o obser v e it u n t il t h ey h ad def eat ed t h e en em y , w h ile ot h er s
of f er ed it in it s pr oper t im e, as u su al. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) obj ect ed t o n eit h er . Wh en
t h ey r each ed t h e h abit at ion s of Ban u Qu r aiza, t h ey laid t igh t siege t o t h eir for t s. Seein g t h is t er r ible
sit u at ion t h ey w er e in , t h e ch ief of t h e Jew s Ka‘b bin Asad of f er ed t h em t h r ee alt er n at iv es: t o
em br ace I slam , and consequent ly t heir life, w ealt h , w om en an d ch ildr en w ou ld be in fu ll secu r it y ,
an d r em in ded t h em t h at su ch beh av iou r w ou ld n ot be in con gr u ou s w it h w h at t h ey h ad r ead in t h eir
book s abou t t h e v er acit y of Mu h am m ad’s Pr oph et h ood; t o k ill t h eir ch ildr en an d w om en an d t h en
challenge t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is f ollow er s t o t h e sw or d t o eit h er ex t er m in at e t h e
Mu slim s or be ex t er m in at ed, or as a t h ir d possibilit y t o t ak e Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d
h is people by su r pr ise on Sat u r day — a d ay m u t u ally u n d er st ood t o w it n ess no fight ing.

Non e of t h ose alt er n at iv es appealed t h em , so t h eir ch ief , an gr ily an d in dign an t ly , t u r n ed t o t h em

say in g: “ You h av e n ev er been decisiv e in decision -m ak in g sin ce y ou w er e bor n ” Th e gloom y fu t u r e
alr eady v isible, t h ey m ade con t act s w it h som e Mu slim s, w h o h ad m ain t ain ed good r elat ion w it h
t h em , in or der t o lear n abou t t h eir fat e in t h e ligh t of t h e cu r r en t cir cu m st an ces. Th ey r equ est ed
t h at Abu Lu baba be despat ch ed t o t h em f or adv ice. On h is ar r iv al, t h e m en began t o im plor e,
w om en an d ch ildr en t o cr y desper at ely . I n an sw er t o t h eir dem an d f or adv ice h e poin t ed t o h is
t hr oat say ing it w as hom icide aw ait ing t hem . He t hen im m ediat ely r ealized t hat he had bet r ay ed t he
Pr oph et ’s t r u st , so h e h eaded dir ect ly f or t h e m osqu e in Madin ah an d t ied h im self t o a w ood en t all
pole sw ear in g t h at n o on e w ou ld u n t ie h im sav e t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) , an d
ad d ed t h at h e w ou ld n ev er en t er t h e h ab it at ion of Ban u Qu r aiza in r ecom p en se f or t h e d ead ly
m ist ak e h e m ad e. Wh en t h e Messen g er ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w as infor m ed of t his incident , he said,
“ I w ou ld h av e begged Allâh t o f or giv e h im if h e h ad ask ed m e, bu t sin ce h e h ad t ied h im self ou t of
h is ow n f r ee w ill, t h en it w as Allâh Wh o w ou ld t u r n t o h im in f or giv en ess. ”

Th e Jew s of Ban u Qu r aiza cou ld h av e en d u r ed t h e sieg e m u ch lon g er b ecau se f ood an d w at er w er e

plen t if u lly av ailable an d t h eir st r on gh olds w er e gr eat ly f or t if ied, w h er eas t h e Mu slim s w er e in t h e
w ild bar e lan d su f f er in g a lot f r om cold an d h u n ger , let alon e t oo m u ch f at igu e con sequ en t on
en d less w ar f ar e oper at ion s t h at h ad st ar t ed ev en bef or e t h e bat t le of Con f eder at es. Nev er t h eless,
t h is w as a bat t le of n er v es, f or Allâh h ad cast f ear in t h e t h e Jew s’ h ear t s, an d t h eir m or ale h ad
alm ost collapsed especially w h en t w o Mu slim h er oes, ‘Ali bin Abi Talib and Az -Zubair bin ‘Aw w am
( May Allah be pleased w it h h im ) pr oceeded w it h ‘Ali sw ear in g t h at h e w ou ld n ev er st op u n t il h e h ad
eit her st or m ed t heir gar r isons or been m ar t y r ed lik e Ham za ( a for m er Muslim m ar t y r ) .

I n t h e ligh t of t h is r elu ct an ce, t h ey h ad n ot h in g ex cept t o com ply w it h t h e Messen ger ’s j u dgem en t .

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) or der ed t h at t h e m en sh ou ld h an dcu f f ed, an d t h is w as
don e u n der t h e su per v ision of Mu h am m ad bin Salam ah Al-An sar i w h ile t h e w om en an d ch ildr en
w er e isolat ed in confinem ent . Ther eupon Al-Aw s t r ib e in t er ced ed b eg g in g t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
upon him ) t o be lenient t ow ar ds t hem . He suggest ed t hat Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh, a for m er ally , be deput ed
t o giv e v er dict abou t t h em , an d t h ey agr eed.

Sa‘d m ean w h ile st ay ed b eh in d in Madin ah du e t o a ser iou s w ou n d h e su st ain ed in t h e Con f eder at es

Bat t le. He w as su m m on ed an d br ou gh t on a don k ey . On h is w ay t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
, t h e Jew s u sed t o ex h or t h im t o be len ien t in h is j u dgem en t on accou n t of f or m er f r ien dsh ip. Sa‘d
r em ain ed silen t bu t w h en t h ey per sist ed h e u t t er ed: “ I t is t im e for Sa‘d n ot t o be afr aid of t h e blam e
of t h e blam er s. ” On h ear in g t h is decisiv e at t it u de, som e of t h em r et u r n ed t o Madin ah w ait in g f a
d esp er at e d oom .

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On ar r iv al, h e aligh t ed w it h t h e h elp of som e m en . He w as in f or m ed t h at t h e Jew s h ad ag r eed t o
accept h is v er dict abou t t h em . He im m ediat ely w on der ed if h is j u dgem en t w ou ld pass on all t h e
people pr esen t , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in clu ded, t u r n in g h is f ace aw ay in h on ou r of h im .
Th e r eply w as posit iv e.

He decided t h at all t h e able -bodied m ale per sons belonging t o t he t r ibe should be k illed, w om en and
ch ildr en t ak en pr ison er s an d t h eir w ealt h div ided am on g t h e Mu slim figh t er s. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) accept ed h is j u dgem en t say ing t hat Sa‘d had adj udged by t he Com m and of Allâh. I n fact ,
t h e Jew s deser v ed t h at sev er e pu n it iv e act ion f or t h e u gly t r each er y t h ey h ad h ar bou r ed again st
I slam , an d t h e lar g e ar sen al t h ey h av e am assed an d w h ich con sist ed of on e t h ou san d an d f iv e
h u n dr ed sw or ds, t w o t housand spear s, t hr ee hundr ed ar m our s and fiv e hundr ed shields, all of w hich
w en t in t o t h e h an ds of t h e Mu slim s. Tr en ch es w er e du g in t h e bazaar of Madin ah an d a n u m ber of
Jew s b et w een six an d sev en h u n d r ed w er e b eh ead ed t h er ein . Hot b ed s of in t r igu e an d t r each er y
w er e t h u s ex t er m in at ed on ce an d f or all.

Huy ai, a chief cr im inal of w ar , a dev il of Bani Nadir and Safiy ah’s fat her , had j oined t he r ank s of
Ban u Qu r aiza w h en Qu r aish an d Gh at f an def ect ed, w as adm it t ed in t o t h e au dien ce of t h e P r op h et
( Peace be u pon h im ) w it h h is h an ds t ied t o h is n eck w it h a r ope. I n au daciou s def ian ce, h e declar ed
obst in at e en m it y t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) bu t adm it t ed t h at Allâh ’s Will w as t o be
f u lf illed an d added t h at h e w as r esign ed t o h is f at e. He w as or der ed t o sit dow n , an d w as beh eaded
on t h e sp ot .

On ly on e w om an of t h e Jew s w as k illed becau se sh e h ad k illed a Mu slim w ar r ior by f lin gin g a

gr in din g st on e u pon h im . A f ew elem en t s of t h e en em y em br aced I slam an d t h eir liv es, w ealt h an d
ch ildr en w er e spar ed. As f or t h e spoils of t h e w ar , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) div ided t h em ,
aft er put t ing a fift h aside, in accor dance w it h Allâh’s inj unct ions. Thr ee shar es w ent t o t he hor sem an
an d on e t o t h e in f an t r y f igh t er . Wom en capt iv es w er e sen t t o Naj d t o b e b ar t er ed w it h h or ses an d
w eapon r y . For h im self, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) select ed Reh an a bin t ‘Am r bin Kh an aqah ,
m anum it t ed and m ar r ied her in t he y ear 6 Hij r i. She died shor t ly aft er t he far ew ell pilgr im age and
w as bu r ied in Al-Baqi‘..

Af t er t h e w ar w it h Ban u Qu r aiza h ad b een set t led an d t h ey h ad b een d ef eat ed , Sa‘d b in Mu ‘ad h ’s

w ish w as gr at if ied an d h e gav e h is last br eat h . I n r espon se t o h is su pplicat ion ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be
p leased w it h h er ) n ar r at ed , Sa‘d ’s w ou n d s b eg an t o b leed f r om t h e f r on t par t of h is n eck w h ile h e
w as in h is t en t w h ich t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad pit ch ed f or h im in t h e m osqu e so t h at h e
w ou ld be in close pr ox im it y in or der t o in qu ir e abou t an d w at ch h is w ell-bein g closely . Th e people
w er e n ot scar ed ex cep t w h en t h e b lood f low ed t ow ar d s t h em , an d in t h e Mosq u e alon g w it h Sa‘d ’s
t en t , t h er e w as t h e t en t of Ban u Gh if ar . Th ey said: O people of t h e t en t , w h at is it t h at is com in g t o
u s f r om y ou ? Lo! it w as Sa‘d ’s w ou n d t h at w as b leed in g an d h e d ied t h er eon .

Jabir n ar r at ed t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad said: “ Th e Th r on e of t h e

Com passion at e sh ook f or t h e deat h of Sa‘d bin Mu ‘adh . ” Wh en h is bier w as car r ied, At -Tirm idhi
said: Th e h y pocr it es alleged it w as t oo ligh t . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) r et or t ed:

• “ The angels ar e car r y ing him . ”

I n t h e pr ocess of t h e sieze laid t o Ban u Qu r aiza, on e m an of t h e Mu slim s, Kh allad bin Su w aid w as

k illed w h en a w om en of t h e Jew s dr opped t h e gr in din g st on e on h im , an d an ot h er , Abu Sin an bin
Mih san , t h e br ot h er of ‘Uk ash a, died.

Abu Lu baba st ay ed t ied f or six n igh t s. His w if e u sed t o u n t ie h im at pr ay er t im es an d t h en h e t ied

him self again t o t he pole. One ear ly m or ning, Allâh t he All-For giv in g r ev ealed a v er se t o t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o t h e ef f ect t h at Allâh h ad t u r n ed t o Abu Lu baba w it h
f or giv en ess. Th e Mu slim s r u sh ed t o r elease h im bu t h e in sist ed t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace
be u pon h im ) h im self do it . An d t h is w as don e sh or t ly befor e t h e m or n in g pr ay er .

This Ghazwah t ook place in t h e m on t h of Dh u l Qa‘dah in t h e y ear fiv e Hij r i, an d t h e siege of Ban u
Qu r aiza’s f or t s last ed f or 2 5 day s. Th e Ch apt er of Con f eder at es w as r ev ealed con t ain in g Allâh ’s
Wor ds con cer n in g t h e basic issu es r elat in g t o t h e believ er s an d h y pocr it es d u r in g t h e b at t le of t h e
Con f ed er at es, an d t h e con seq u en ces of t h e t r each er y an d b r each in g of cov en an t s b y t h e Jew s.

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M I LI TARY ACTI VI TI ES CON TI N UED :

Salam bin Abi Al-Hu qaiq ( Abu Rafi‘) w as a t er r ible Jew cr im in al, w h o h ad m u st er ed t h e t r oops of t h e
Co n f ed er at es an d p r ov id ed t h em w it h a lot of w ealt h an d su p p lies, on t h e on e h an d , an d u sed t o
m align t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , on t h e ot h er . Wh en t h e Mu slim s h ad set t led t h eir af f air
w it h Banu Qur aiza; Al-Khazr aj t r ibe, a r iv al of Al-Aw s, ask ed for t h e Pr oph et ’s per m ission t o k ill t h at
cr im inal in or der t o m er it a v ir t ue equal t o t hat of Al-Aw s w h o h ad k illed an ot h er cr im in al of t h e
Jew s, Ka‘b bin Al-Ash r af . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) gav e t h em h is per m ission pr ov ided t h at
n o w om en or ch ildr en be killed.

A gr ou p of fiv e people w it h ‘Abdu llah bin ‘At eeq at t h eir h ead, h eaded for Kh aibar w h er e ‘Abu Rafi‘’s
f or t w as sit u at ed. Wh en t h ey appr oach ed t h e place, ‘Abdu llah adv ised h is m en t o st ay a lit t le
beh in d, w h ile h e w en t ah ead disgu ised h im self in h is cloak as if he had been r eliev ing him self. When
t h e p eop le of t h e f or t w en t in , t h e g at e -k eeper called h im t o en t er t h in k in g h e w as on e of t h em .
‘Abdu llah w en t in an d lu r k ed in side. He t h en began t o u n bolt t h e door s leadin g t o Salam ’s r oom .
Th er e it w as absolu t ely dar k bu t h e m an aged t o pu t h im t o t h e sw or d, an d t h en leav e in saf et y . On
h is w ay back , h is leg br ok e so h e w r apped it u p in a ban d, an d h id in a secr et place u n t il m or n in g
w h en som eon e st ood on t h e w all an d an n ou n ced t h e d eat h of Salam b in Ab i Al-Huqaiq officially . On
h ear in g t h e glad n ew s h e lef t an d w en t t o see t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h o list en ed t o t h e
w h ole st or y , an d t h en ask ed ‘Abdu llah t o st r et ch h is leg, w h ich h e w iped an d t h e f r act u r e h ealed on
t h e sp ot .

I n an ot h er v er sion , all t he gr oup of fiv e par t icipat ed in k illing t hat enem y of I slam . This incident t ook
place in Dhul Qa‘dah or Dhul Hij j ah in t he y ear fiv e Hij r i.

Sh or t ly af t er t h e con clu sion of t h e bat t le w it h t h e Con f eder at es an d Qu r aiza, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be

upon him ) began t o despat ch pu n it iv e ex pedit ion s t o f or ce t h e aggr essiv e t r ibes an d r ebelliou s
Ar abian s t o com e t o peacefu l t er m s w it h t h e r isin g st at e of I slam .

A plat oon of t h ir t y believ er s u n der t h e leader sh ip of Mu h am m ad bin Maslam ah w as despat ch ed on a

m ilita r y m ission in Muhar r am , t he six t h y ear Hij r i, follow ing t he t w o pr ev ious bat t les. I t headed for
t h e h abit at ion of Ban i Bak r sept . Th e Mu slim s at t ack ed t h at sept an d disper sed t h em in all
dir ect ion s. Plen t y of spoils fell t o t h e lot of t h e Mu slim s w h o r et u rn ed h om e w it h a t er r ible
disbeliev er , Thum am ah bin Ut hal Al-Han afi, ch ief of Ban i Han ifa, w h o h ad gon e ou t by or der of
Mu sailam a, t h e Liar , t o assassin at e t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th e Pr oph et ’s Com pan ion s
t ied h im t o a pole of t h e Pr oph et ic Mosqu e. To a q u est ion p osed b y t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
h im ) , Th u m am ah u sed t o say : “ I f y ou w er e t o k ill som eon e, t h en y ou w ou ld h av e t o ch oose on e of
n oble descen t , if y ou w er e t o be gr aciou s, t h en let it be t o a gr at ef u l m an an d if y ou w er e t o ask f or
m oney , y ou w ou ld h av e t o ask f or it f r om a gen er ou s m an . ” He r epeat ed t h at t h r ee t im es on t h r ee
dif f er en t occasion s. On t h e t h ir d t im e, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) or der ed t h at h e sh ou ld be
r eleased . He soon w en t n ear b y , w ash ed an d t h en cam e b ack t o p r of ess t he new fait h addressing t he
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) : “ No f ace h ad been m or e aw f u l t o m e t h an y ou r s bu t n ow it is t h e
closest t o m y h ear t , n o r eligion h ad ev er been m or e r epu gn an t t o m e t h an y ou r s, n ow it is t h e
dear est in m y h ear t . Now I w an t t o per f o r m t he ‘Um rah ( lesser pilgr im age) . ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) gav e h im good t idin gs an d ask ed h im t o do t h at . On h is ar r iv al in Mak k ah , t h e
Qu r aish it es accu sed h im of apost asy . He den ied it an d af f ir m ed t h at h e h ad em br aced I slam , t h en
sw or e t h at t h ey w ou ld n ev er get a gr ain fr om Yam am a, a su bu r ban ar ea ar ou n d Mak k ah , u n less t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w ou ld allow it . I n f act , h e did it an d r ef u sed t o sen d f ood su pplies t o
Mak k ah u n t il t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in t er ceded at t h e Mak k an s’ earn est p lea.

BAN I LI H YAN I N VASI ON :

Ban i Lih y an h ad act ed t r each er ou sly t ow ar d s t en of t h e Pr op h et ’s Com p an ion s an d h ad t h em

h an ged. Th eir h abit at ion bein g sit u at ed deep in t h e h ear t of Hij az on t h e bor der s of Mak k ah , an d
d u e t o d eep -seat ed b lood -r ev en g e b et w een t h e Mu slim s on t h e on e h an d , an d Qu r aish an d t h e
Ar ab ian s on t h e ot h er , t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) d eem ed it u n w ise t o p en et r at e d eep an d
com e close t o t h e g r eat est en em y , Qu r aish . How ev er , w h en t h e p ow er of t h e allied Con f ed er at es
collap sed an d t h ey began t o slack en an d r esign t o t h e cu r r en t u n f av ou r able balan ce of pow er , t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) seized t h is r ar e oppor t u n it y an d decided t h at it w as t im e t o
t ak e r ev en ge on Ban i Lih y an . He set ou t in Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al or Jum ada Al-Ula in t he y ear six Hij r i at
t h e h ead of t w o h u n dr ed Mu slim f igh t er s an d m ade a f ein t of h eadin g f or Sy r ia, t h en soon ch an ged
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r ou t e t ow ar ds Bat n Gh ar r an , t h e scen e of h is Com pan ion s’ t r agedy , an d in v ok ed Allâh ’s m er cy on
t h em . New s of h is m ar ch r each ed Ban i Lih y an , w h o im m ediat ely fled t o t h e m ou n t ain t ops n ear by
an d t h u s r em ain ed ou t of h is r each . On h is w ay back , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) despat ch ed
a gr ou p of t en h or sem en t o a place called Ku r a‘ Al-Gham im , in t he v icinit y of t he habit at ion of
Qur ais h in or der t o indir ect ly confir m his gr ow ing m ilit ar y pow er . All t hese sk ir m ishes t ook four t een
day s, aft er w hich he left back for hom e.

EXPED I TI ON S AN D D ELAGATI ON S CON TI N UED :

1. A plat oon led by ‘Uk ash a bin Al-Mih san w as d esp at ch ed t o a p lace called Al-Gh am ir
inhabit ed by Bani Asad in t he y ear six Hij r i. The enem y im m ediat ely fled leav ing behind
t h em t w o h u n dr ed cam els w h ich w er e t ak en t o Madin ah .

1. A plat oon led by Mu h am m ad bin Maslam ah set ou t t ow ar ds t h e h abit at ion of Ban i Th a‘labah
in Dhil Qassa. But a hu n dr ed m en of t h e en em ies am bu sh ed an d k illed all of t h em ex cept
Mu h am m ad b in Maslam ah w h o m an ag ed t o escap e b u t b ad ly w ou n d ed .

2. I n r et aliat ion against Bani Tha‘labah, Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jar r ah, at t he head of for t y m en,
w as d esp at ch ed t o Dh il Qassa. Th ey w alk ed t h at n igh t an d t ook t h e en em y by su r pr ise in
t h e m or n in g. Again , t h ey f led t o t h e m ou n t ain s ex cept on e w h o w as in j u r ed, an d lat er
em br aced I slam . A lot of boot y fell t o t heir lot in t hat par t icular incident .

3. A plat oon , u n der t h e leader sh ip of Z aid bin Har it h a, w as sen t t o Al-Jum um , t he habit at ion of
Ban i Saleem , in t h e sam e y ear . A w om an f r om Ban i Mu zain a sh ow ed t h em t h e w ay t o t h e
en em y ’s cam p. Th er e t h e Mu slim s t ook som e capt iv es an d gain ed a lot of boot y . Lat er on ,
t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) gr an t ed t h e w om an h er f r eedom an d m ar r ied
h er t o on e of h is f ollow er s.

4. Zaid bin Har it ha, in Jum ada Al-Ula 6 Hij r i, at t h e h ead of a h u n dr ed an d sev en t y h or sem en ,
set ou t t o a place called Al-‘Ais, in t er cept ed a car av an of Qu r aish led by Abu l-‘As, t he
Pr oph et ’s r elat iv e an d loot ed t h eir cam els. Abu l-‘As escaped and t ook r efuge in Zainab’s ( his
w if e an d t h e Pr op h et ’s d au g h t er ) h ou se. He b eg g ed h er t o ask t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
h im ) f or t h e r est it u t ion of h is w ealt h . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon him ) r ecom m ended, but
w it h ou t coer cion , t h at t h e people do t h at . Th ey im m ediat ely gav e t h e m an back all h is
w ealt h . He w en t back t o Mak k ah , gav e ov er t h e t r u st s t o t h ose en t it led t o t h em , em br aced
I slam an d em igr at ed t o Madin ah w h er e t h e Pr oph et ( Peace b e upon him ) r eunit ed him w it h
h is w ife, Zain ab, aft er t h r ee an d a h alf y ear s of t h eir fir st m ar r iage con t r act . Th e v er se
r elat in g t o pr oh ibit ion of m ar r iage bet w een w om en Mu slim s an d disbeliev er s h ad n ot been
r ev ealed t h en .

5. I n Jum ada At h-Th an ia, t h e sam e y ear , Zaid at t h e h ead of fift een m en r aided Ban i Th a‘labah
an d capt u r ed t w en t y of t h eir cam els bu t t h e people h ad f led.

6. I n Raj ab of t h e sam e y ear , Z aid, at t h e h ead of t w elv e m en , set ou t t o a place called Wadi
Al-Qu r a in a r econ n aissan ce m ission t o ex plor e t h e m ov em en t s of t h e en em y . Th e people
t her e at t ack ed t he Muslim s, k illed nine of t hem , w hile t he r est including Zaid bin Har it ha
m an ag ed t o escap e.

7. Th e in v asion of Al-Khabt ( dilut ed y oghur t ) t ook place in t he y ear eight Hij r i i. e. befor e Al-
Hudaibiy a h Tr eat y . Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jar r ah led t h r ee h u n d r ed h or sem en t o ob ser v e a
car av an belon gin g t o Qu r aish . Becau se of t h e in adequ acy of f ood su pplies, t h ey began t o
st ar v e so m u ch t h at t h ey h ad Khabt ( dilut ed y oghur t ) , hence t he appellat ion “ The Arm y of
Al-Khabt ” . On e of t h e m en slau gh t er ed n in e cam els at t h r ee t im es, t h r ee each t im e at
differ en t st ages of t h e m ission . Abu ‘Ubaidah , t h e leader of t h e cam paign pr oh ibit ed h im
f r om d oin g so. Th e sea w as g en er ou s an d p r esen t ed t h em w it h an an im al called Al-‘Anbar
( sper m-w h ale) so r ich in f at t h at t h ey su bsist ed on it f or h alf a m on t h . Wh en t h ey cam e
back h om e, t h ey n ar r at ed t h e st or y t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h o com m en t ed
t h at it w as pr ov ision gr an t ed by Allâh , an d ask ed t h em t o sh ar e h im som e of it s m eat .

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• This cam paign cam e chr onologically pr ior t o Al-Hu daibiy ah Tr eat y becau se of an d af t er
w h ich t h e Mu slim s st opped in t er cept in g Qu r aish i car av an s.

148
 BANI AL- M USTALI Q ( M ur a isi‘) GH AZW AH , SH A'BAN 6 H I JRI :

Though m ilit ar ily it did not assum e it s full dim en sion , t h is Gh azw ah h ad cer t ain im plicat ion s t h at
br ou gh t abou t a st at e of t u r bu len ce w it h in t h e I slam ic St at e, an d r esu lt ed in disgr acef u ln ess t o
clot h e in t h e h y pocr it es. Mor eov er , it en t ailed en act m en t of con solidat in g legislat ion s t h at at t ach ed
an im pr ession of nobilit y , dignit y and pur it y of souls t o t he I slam ic com m unit y .

New s r each ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) on Sh a‘ban 2 n d. t o t h e ef f ect t h at t h e ch ief of Ban i

Al-Must aliq, Al-Har it h bin Dir ar had m obilised his m en, along w it h som e Ar abs, t o at t ack Madin ah .
Bur aidah bin Al-Haseeb Al-Aslam i w as im m ediat ely despat ch ed t o v er if y t h e r epor t s. He h ad som e
w or ds w it h Abi Dir ar , w h o con f ir m ed h is in t en t ion of w ar . He lat er sen t a r econ n oit er er t o ex plor e
t h e posit ion s of t h e Mu slim s bu t h e w as cap t u r ed an d k illed. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
su m m on ed h is m en an d or der ed t h em t o pr epar e f or w ar . Bef or e leav in g, Z aid bin Har it h a w as
m an dat ed t o see t o t h e af f air s of Madin ah an d dispose t h em . On h ear in g t h e adv en t of t h e Mu slim s,
t h e disbeliev er s got f r igh t en ed an d t h e Ar abs goin g w it h t h em def ect ed an d r an aw ay t o t h eir liv es.
Abu Bak r w as en t r u st ed w it h t h e ban n er of t h e Em igr an t s, an d t h at of t h e Helper s w en t t o Sa‘d bin
‘Ubada. Th e t w o ar m ies w er e st at ion ed at a w ell called Mu r aisi. Ar r ow sh oot ing w ent on for an hour ,
an d t h en t h e Mu slim s r u sh ed an d en gaged w it h t h e en em y in a bat t le t h at en ded in f u ll v ict or y f or
t h e Mu slim s. Som e m en w er e k illed, w om en an d ch ildr en of t h e disbeliev er s t ak en as capt iv es, an d
a lot of boot y f ell t o t h e lot of t h e Muslim s. Only one Muslim w as k illed by m ist ak e by a Helper .
Am on gst t h e capt iv es w as Ju w air iy ah , dau gh t er of Al-Har it h , ch ief of t h e disbeliev er s. Th e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) m ar r ied h er an d, in com pen sat ion , t h e Mu slim s h ad t o m an u m it a h u n dr ed
ot h er s of t h e en em y pr ison er s w h o em br aced I slam , an d w er e t h en called t h e Pr oph et ’s in -law s.

TH E TREACH ROUS ROLE OF TH E H YPOCRI TES PRI OR TO TH E BAN I AL- M USTALI Q

GH AZW AH :

‘Abdu llah bin Ubai, a t er r ible h y pocr it e w as fu ll of r an cou r again st I slam an d t h e Mu slim s because he
believ ed t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad dispossessed h im of h is leader sh ip ov er Al-Aw s
and Al-Kh azr aj , t w o clan s alr eady agr eed on t h e Pr oph et h ood of Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im )
an d h is m ast er h ood ov er t h em .

‘Abdullah’s r ancour h ad appear ed bef or e h e f eign ed I slam . Follow in g t h e bat t le of Badr , h e m ade
pr et en sion s of bein g a Mu slim , bu t deep at h ear t , h e r em ain ed t h at t er r ible en em y of Allâh , His
Messen g er ; an d all t h e b eliev er s, in g en er al. His sole t ar g et h ad alw ay s b een t o sow t h e seed s of
dissen sion in t h e Mu slim com m u n it y , an d u n der m in e t h e cau se of t h e n ew h eav en ly r eligion it h as.
His t r each er ou s beh av iou r cou ld be w it n essed ev er y w h er e bu t w as st r ik in gly ev iden t in h is w ick ed
at t em pt s at cr eat in g a st at e of con f u sion an d dia m ongst t he Muslim s at Uhud Bat t le. His hy pocr isy
an d d eceit assu m ed ser iou s an d u g ly d im en sion s w h en h e u sed t o st an d u p am on g t h e Mu slim s
sh or t ly bef or e t h e Pr oph et ’s Fr iday speech , an d m ock in gly say t o t h em : “ Th is is t h e Messen ger of
Allâh , w h o h as h on ou r ed y ou w it h Allâh , so y ou h av e got t o su ppor t , obey an d list en t o h im , ” an d
t h en h e w ou ld sit d ow n .

He d id t h e sam e f ollow in g Uh u d Bat t le on Fr id ay . He w as so r u d e an d p r esu m p t u ou s t h at h is w or d s

sm ack ed unm ist ak ingly of deeply -r oot ed r an cou r , so t h at som e of t he Muslim s t ook him by his cloak
r epr oachingly and silenced him . He im m ediat ely left , ut t er ing r ude and m ock ing w or ds. A Helper
m et h im at t h e Mosqu e gat e an d or der ed h im t o r et u r n an d beg t h e Messen ger f or Allâh ’s
f or giv en ess, bu t h e r et or t ed t h at he had nev er w ant ed him t o ask for t hat . He, m or eov er , conduct ed
clandest ine cont act s w it h Bani Nadir , anot her t r ibe of Jew s, encour aging t hem t o m ak e alliance w it h
h im an d pr om isin g su ppor t for t h em ; all of t h is in h is ceaseless effor t s in a lon g pr ocess of
con spir acy an d in t r igu e h at ch ed again st t h e Mu slim s. Allâh ’s Wor ds as r egar ds h is t r each er ou s act s
a n d a w e -inspir ing at t em pt s dur ing t he Tr ench Bat t le cam e t o t est ify quit e clear ly t o t his m ode of
hy pocr isy :

• “ An d w h en t h e h y p ocr it es an d t h ose in w h ose h ear t s is a d isease ( of d ou b t s) said : ‘Allâh

an d His Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) pr om ised u s n ot h in g bu t delu sion s! ” [ 3 3 : 1 2 ]

Th e v er ses go on in t h e sam e con t ex t t o descr ibe t h e h y pocr it e as a cow ar d an d a d ef eat ist . He is a

liar an d h as n o r egar d f or pledges solem n ly m ade. He is t r each er ou s, disloy al an d per f idiou s. He is
n iggar dly an d gr eedy . I n sh or t , h e is t h e com plet e an t it h esis of a t r u e believ er :

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 • “ They t hink t hat Al-Ahzab ( t h e Con f ed er at es) h av e n ot y et w it h dr aw n , an d if Al-Ahzab
( t h e Con f eder at es) sh ou ld com e ( again ) , t h ey w ou ld w ish t h ey w er e in t h e deser t s
( w an der in g) am on g t h e bedou in s, seek in g n ew s abou t y ou ( f r om a f ar place) ; an d if t h ey
( h appen ) t o be am on g y ou , t h ey w ou ld n ot f igh t bu t lit t le.” [ 33: 20]

All en em ies of I slam f r om t h e Jew s, h y pocr it es an d poly t h eist s did ack n ow ledge t h at I slam h ad t h e
u pper h an d n ot becau se of m at er ial su per ior it y , m u lt it u des of t r oops or m u ch equ ipm en t ; bu t it w as
r at h er du e t o t h e n oble v alu es, r ef in ed et h ics and high at t r ibut es t hat im bued t he Muslim com m unit y
an d w h oev er w as at t ach ed t o it . Th e en em ies of I slam w er e alr ead y aw ar e of t h at f lood of lig h t
d er iv ed w h olly f r om t h e p er son of t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) , w h o alw ay s st ood as an
ex cellent ex em p lar for m en t o copy and follow .

Th e en em ies of I slam , af t er st eer in g t h e cou r se of f u t ile w ar f ar e again st t h e n ew r eligion f or f iv e

y ear s, cam e t o r ealize fu lly t h at ex t er m in at in g I slam is n ot accessible in t h e bat t lefields, so t h ey
r esor t ed t o ot h er t act ics. Th ey , bein g r epu t ed gossip -m on g er s, d ecid ed t o lau n ch a w id esp r ead
pr opagan da cam paign aim in g at slan der in g t h e per son of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in a m ost
sen sit iv e ar ea of t h e Ar abian life, n am ely et h ics an d t r adit ion s. Follow in g t h e bat t le of t h e
Con f eder at es, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) m ar r ied Z ain ab bin t Jah sh af t er h er m ar r iage w it h
Z aid bin Har it h a, h is adopt ed son , h ad br ok en u p. Th ey seized t h is oppor t u n it y an d began t o
cir cu lat e idle t alk again st t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) i n Ar abia depending on a t r adit ion am ong
t h e deser t Ar abs t h at pr oh ibit s con t r act in g a m ar r iage w it h an adopt ed son ’s div or cee. Th ey alleged
t hat his m ar r iage w ould be consider ed a heinous sin. They also based t heir m alicious pr opaganda on
t h e f act t h at Z ain ab w as h is fift h w ife w h er eas t h e n u m ber w as st r ict ly lim it ed t o a m ax im u m of fou r
in t h e Noble Qu r ’ân , h en ce t h e v alidit y of t h is m ar r iage w as in dou bt , accor din g t o t h em .

Th ese r u m ou r s an d g ossip s h ad a n eg at iv e im p act on t h e m or ale of som e w eak-h ear t e d Muslim s

u n t il t h e decisiv e v er ses w er e r ev ealed acqu it t in g t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d in v alidat in g
all t h ose ill design s an d obn ox iou s sch em es:

• “ O Pr oph et [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] ! Keep y ou r du t y t o Allâh , an d obey n ot t h e

disbeliev er s and t he hy pocr it es ( i. e. do not follow t heir adv ices) . Ver ily ! Allâh is Ev er All-
Know er , All-Wise. ” [ 33: 1]
TH E W I CKED ROLE TH EY PLAYED I N TH E COURSE OF TH E GH AZW AH OF BAN I AL -
M U STALI Q:

Dur ing t his Ghazwah , t h e h y pocr it es alm ost m an aged t o cr eat e a sor t of discor d am ong t he Muslim s
t h em selv es, cou pled w it h a ser iou s an d u gly slan der again st t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
h im self. I n sh or t , t h eir beh av iou r w as an au t h en t ic t r an slat ion of Allâh ’s Wor ds:

• “ Had t h ey m ar ch ed ou t w it h y ou , t h ey w ou ld h av e added t o y ou n ot h in g ex cept disor der ,

and t hey w ould hav e hur r ied about in y our m idst ( spr eading cor r upt ion) and sow ing sedit ion
am on g y ou …” [ 9: 47]

A q u ar r el w as ab ou t t o b r eak ou t b et w een t h e Em ig r an t s an d t h e Help er s on accou n t of p lot s an d

ev il int ent ions designed by t he hy pocr it es. The Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) t old t hem off descr ibing
t heir m isbehav iour as som et hing sm ack ing of pr e -I slam ic pr act ices. They , hy pocr it es w it h ‘Abdullah
bin ‘Ubai at t h eir h ead, w er e fu r iou s for t h e ch allen ge w h ich t h e Mu slim s sh ow ed t ow ar ds t h e h ost ile
plan s an d v iciou s in t r igu es w ov en beh in d closed door s, an d sw or e “ t h e m ost h on ou r able w ill ex pel
t h e m ean est ou t of Madin ah , ” an d added: “ Th ey ( t h e Mu slim s) h av e ou t n u m bered and shared us our
lan d. I f y ou f at t en y ou r dog, it w ill eat y ou . ” Wh en t h at t alk w as r epor t ed t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
upon him ) , ‘Um ar , a v ener able Com panion, ask ed for per m ission t o hav e I bn ‘Ubai k illed. The
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) n at u r ally t u r n ed d ow n h is p r op osal on t h e g r ou n d s t h at it d id n ot
becom e of a Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o be accu sed of k illin g h is people. He, on t h e con t r ar y in
an u n ex pect ed m ov e, ask ed ‘Um ar t o an n ou n ce depar t u r e. He m ar ch ed w it h h is m en f or t w o day s
u n t il t h e su n gr ew t oo h ot . Th ey st opped an d f ell asleep, a clev er at t em pt at div er t in g h is people’s
at t en t ion f r om t h e pr ev iou s ev en t . ‘Abdu llah ’s son h ear d of t h at v ile of h is f at h er an d as t h e par t y
r each ed Mad in ah , h e d r ew h is sw or d an d b ar r ed h is f at h er ’s en t r y in t o t h e t ow n u n t il h e h ad
con f essed an d declar ed t h at h e h im self w as t h e m ean est of t h e cit izen s of Madin ah an d t h e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) t h e m ost h on ou r able of t h em . Th u s t h e boast r ecoiled on h is h ead. I t w as also
r ep or t ed t h at t h e son w as r ead y t o k ill his fat her if t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) had w ant ed him
t o.
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TH E SLAN DER AFFAI R:

Th is ex t r em ely pain fu l in ciden t t ook place on t h e Pr oph et ’s r et u r n fr om t h e ex pedit ion again st Ban i
Must aliq. The Muslim ar m y had t o halt for a night at a place, a shor t dist ance fr om Madinah. I n t his
ex pedit ion , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as accom pan ied by h is n oble an d t alen t ed w if e,
‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) As it so h appen ed, ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased h er ) w en t
ou t som e dist an ce f r om t h e cam p t o at t en d t o t h e call of n at u r e. Wh en sh e r et u r n ed, sh e discov er ed
t h at sh e h ad dr opped h er n eck lace som ew h er e. Th e n eck lace it self w as of n o gr eat v alu e, bu t as it
w as a loan f r om a f r ien d, ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased h er ) w en t ou t again t o sear ch for it . On her
r et u r n , t o h er gr eat gr ief an d m or t ificat ion , t h e ar m y h ad alr eady m ar ch ed aw ay w it h t h e cam el sh e
w as r id in g , h er at t en d an t s t h in k in g t h at sh e w as in t h e lit t er as sh e w as t h en t h in , v er y y ou n g an d
ligh t of w eigh t . I n h er h elplessn ess sh e s at dow n an d cr ied t ill sleep ov er pow er ed h er . Saf w an bin
Mu ‘at t al, an Em igr an t , w h o w as com in g in t h e r ear r ecogn ized h er as h e h ad seen h er bef or e t h e
v er se en j oin in g t h e v eil w as r ev ealed, an d br ou gh t h er on h is cam el t o Madin ah w it h ou t say in g a
sin gle w or d t o her , him self w alk ing behind t he anim al. The hy pocr it es of Madinah led by ‘Abdullah
bin ‘Ubai bin Salu l, sou gh t t o m ak e capit al ou t of t h is in ciden t an d spr ead a m aliciou s scan dal
again st ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased h er ) an d u n f or t u n at ely som e of th e Mu slim s also becam e
in v olv ed in it . On ar r iv al in Madin ah , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h eld cou n sel w it h h is
Com pan ion s, w h o pr on ou n ced differ en t opin ion s r an gin g fr om div or ce t o r et en t ion . Th e in ciden t
alm ost r ou sed a f igh t bet w een t w o r iv al f act io ns, Al-Aw s an d Al-Kh azr aj , bu t t h e Pr oph et ’s
in t er v en t ion silen ced bot h par t ies on t h e spor t . ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) u n aw ar e of
t h e r u m ou r s bein g cir cu lat ed, fell ill an d w as con fin ed t o bed for a m on t h . On r ecov er in g, sh e h ear d
of t h e sla n d er an d t ook p er m ission t o g o an d see h er p ar en t s seek in g au t h en t ic n ew s. Sh e t h en
b u r st in t o t ear s an d st ay ed f or t w o d ay s an d on e sleep less n ig h t ceaselessly w eep in g t o su ch an
ex t en t t h at sh e f elt h er liv er w as ab ou t t o r ip op en . Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e upon him ) v isit ed her in
t hat sit uat ion, and aft er t est ify ing t o t he Oneness of Allâh he t old her , “ I f y ou ar e innocent , Allâh w ill
acq u it y ou , ot h er w ise, y ou h av e t o b eg f or His f or g iv en ess an d p ar d on . ” Sh e st op p ed w eep in g an d
ask ed h er p ar en t s t o sp eak f or h er , bu t t h ey h ad n ot h in g t o say , so sh e h er self t ook t h e in it iat iv e
an d said “ Sh ou ld I t ell y ou I am in n ocen t , an d Allâh k n ow s t h at I am su r ely in n ocen t , y ou w ill n ot
believ e m e; and if I w er e t o adm it som et hing of w hich, Allâh k now s, I am innocent , y o u w ill believ e
m e, t h en I w ill h av e n ot h in g t o m ak e r ecou r se t o ex cept t h e w or ds of t h e f at h er of Pr oph et Yu su f
( Joseph) :

• “ So ( for m e) pat ience is m ost fit t ing. And it is Allâh ( Alone) Whose Help can be sought
again st t h at w h ich y ou asser t . ” [ 1 2 : 1 8 ]

Sh e t h en t u r n ed aw ay an d lay dow n f or som e r est . At t h at decisiv e m om en t t h e Rev elat ion cam e

acquit t ing ‘Aishah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) of all t h e slan der ou s t alk f abr icat ed in t h is
con cer n . ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) of cou r se, w as w h oleh ear t edly j oy f u l an d pr aised
Allâh t h an k fu lly . Allâh ’s Wor ds in t h is r egar d w en t as follow s:

• “ Ver ily ! Th ose w h o br ou gh t f or t h t h e slan der ( again st ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h
her ) — t h e w if e of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ar e a gr ou p am on g y ou . ” [ 2 4 : 1 1 ]

Th e pr in cipal elem en t s in v olv ed in t h e slan der affair , Mist ah bin At h at h a, Hassan bin Th abit an d
Ham nah bin t Jah sh , w er e f logged w it h eigh t y st r ipes.

As f or t h e m an w h o t ook t h e pr in cipal par t , ‘Abdu llah bin Ubai, h e w as n ot f logged, eit h er becau se
t h e cor por al pu n ish m en t com m u t es t h e ch ast isem en t in st or e f or h im in t h e Her eaf t er , an d h e does
n ot deser v e t h is m er it , or for t he sam e public int er est for w hich he w as not k illed pr ev iously . He,
m or eov er , becam e t h e bu t t of r epr oach an d h u m iliat ion am on gst h is people aft er h is r eal in t en t ion s
h ad been u n equ iv ocally ex posed t o all t h e pu blic.

Alm ost a m ont h lat er , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d ‘Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab w er e
engaged in t he follow ing t alk : “ Don’t y ou see ‘Um ar if I had had him ( Abdullah bin Ubai) k illed, a
lar ge n u m ber of dign it ar ies w ou ld h av e fu r iou sly h ast en ed t o figh t for h im . Now , on t he cont r ar y , if I
ask t hem t o k ill him , t hey w ill do so out of t heir ow n fr ee w ill. ” ‘Um ar r eplied “ I sw ear by Allâh t hat
t h e Pr oph et ’s j u dgem en t is m u ch m or e sou n d t h an m in e. ”

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Delegat ions and Expedit ions follow ing Al- M ur a isi‘ Gha zw a h

1. A m ilit ary expedit ion led by ‘Abdu r Rah m an bin ‘Au f w as despat ch ed t o t h e h abit at ion of
Bani Kalb in Doum at Al-Jan dal in Sh a‘ban 6 Hij r i. Bef or e set t in g ou t , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) su m m on ed ‘Abdu r Rah m an , an d placed h is h an d on t h e lat t er ’s h an d in v ok in g
Allâh’s blessin gs an d giv in g h im com m an dm en t s t o act m agn an im ou sly du r in g t h e w ar . He
t old him t o m ar r y t he k ing’s daught er if t hey obey ed him . ‘Abdur Rahm an st ay ed am ong
t h ose people f or t h r ee day s, in v it ed t h em t o I slam an d t h ey r espon ded posit iv ely . He t h en
did m ar r y t he k ing’s daught er Tam adur bint Al-Asbagh .
2. I n t h e sam e m on t h an d y ear , ‘Ali bin Abi Talib w as despat ch ed at t h e h ead of a plat oon t o
t h e h abit at ion of Ban i Sa‘d bin Bak r in a place called Fadk . Pr oph et Mu h am m ad ( Peace be
u pon h im ) h ad been r epor t ed t h at t h ose h ad r allied r an k s t o su ppor t t h e Jew s. Th e Mu slim
f igh t er s u sed t o m ar ch in t h e day an d lu r k at n igh t . On t h eir w ay , t h ey capt u r ed an en em y
scou t w h o adm it t ed bein g sen t t o Kh aibar t r ibe, t o of f er t h em su ppor t in r et u r n f or t h eir
dat es. ‘Ali and h is com pan ion s r aided t h eir en cam pm en t , capt u r ed fiv e h u n dr ed cam els an d
t w o t h ou san d goat s, bu t Ban u Sa‘d, w it h t h eir ch ief t ain Wabr bin ‘Aleem h ad f led aw ay .
3. An ex pedit ion led by Abu Bak r As -Siddiq or Z aid bin Har it h a w as despat ch ed t o Wadi Al-Qura
in Ram adan 6 Hij r i af t er Fazar a sept h ad m ade an at t em pt at t h e Pr oph et ’s lif e. Follow in g
t h e m or n in g pr ay er , t h e det ach m en t w as giv en or der s t o r aid t h e en em y . Som e of t h em
w er e k illed an d ot h er s capt u r ed. Am on gst t h e capt iv es, w er e Um m Qir f a an d h er beau t if ul
d au g h t er , w h o w as sen t t o Mak k ah as a r an som f or t h e r elease of som e Mu slim p r ison er s
t h er e. Um m Qir fa’s at t em pt s at t h e Pr oph et ’s life r ecoiled on h er , an d t h e t h ir t y h or sem en
sh e h ad gat h er ed an d su st ain ed t o im plem en t h er ev il sch em e w er e all k illed.
4. An as bin Malik r epor t ed t h at som e people belon gin g t o t r ibe of ‘Ur ain a cam e t o Allâh ’s
Messenger ( Peace be upon him ) and m ade pr et ensions t o I slam . They st ay ed in Madinah but
f ou n d it s clim at e u n con gen ial, so t h ey w er e ask ed t o pit ch t h eir t en t s in t h e past u r es
n ear by . Th ey did so an d w er e all r igh t . Th ey t h en f ell on t h e Pr oph et ’s sh eph er d an d k illed
h im , t u r n ed apost at es f r om I slam an d dr ov e of f t h e cam els. Th is n ew s r each ed t h e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h o sen t a gr ou p of t w en t y Mu slim s led by Kar z bin Jabir Al-Fihr i on
t h eir t r ack . Th ey w er e br ou gh t an d h an ded ov er t o h im . He h ad t h eir h an ds an d f eet cu t of f ,
t h eir ey es gou ged ou t in r ecom pen se f or t h eir beh av iou r , an d t h en t h ey w er e t h r ow n on t h e
st on y gr ou n d u n t il t h ey died.

• Biogr aph er s also r epor t ed ‘Am r bin Om aiy a Ad -Dam ar i and Salam ah bin Abi Salam ah t o
h av e been sen t on an er r an d t o k ill Abu Su f y an , t h e ch ief of Qu r aish , w h o h ad alr eady sen t a
bedou in t o k ill t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th e t w o-m en m ission failed ex cept for
t h r ee poly t h eist s k illed on t h e w ay . I t is n ot ew or t h y t h at all t h e f or egon e in v asion s did n ot
im ply r eal bit t er fight ing, t hey w er e r at her sk ir m ishes or punit iv e m ilit ar y m anoeuv r es
car r ied ou t t o det er som e en em ies st ill u n su bdu ed. Deep m edit at ion on t h e dev elopm en t of
w ar cir cu m st an ces r ev eal t h e con t in u ou s collapse of t h e m or ale am on g t h e en em ies of
I slam , w h o h ad com e t o u n der st an d t h at t h ey w er e n o lon ger in a posit ion t o con t ain t h e
I slam ic call or w eak en it s act iv e dr iv e. This st at e of affair s r eached it s clim ax in Al-
Hudaibiy ah Tr eat y w hen t he t w o belliger ent par t ies, believ er s and disbeliev er s, ent er ed int o
a t r u ce agr eem en t t h at poin t ed m ar k edly t o t h e ev er-gr ow ing pow er of I slam , and r ecor ded
u n equ iv ocally t h e per pet u it y of t h is h eav en ly r eligion in pan -Ara bia.
Al- H UD AI BI YAH TREATY ( D hul Qa ‘da h 6 A.H .) :
Wh en Ar abia began t o w it n ess t h e lar ge im pr essiv e sw eep in fav ou r of t h e Mu slim s, t h e for er u n n er s
of t h e gr eat con qu est an d su ccess of t h e I slam ic Call st ar t ed gr adu ally t o loom on t h e dem ogr aph ic
hor izon, an d t h e t r u e b eliev er s r est or ed t h eir u n d isp u t ed r ig h t t o ob ser v e w or sh ip in t h e sacr ed
sanct uar y .
I t w as abou t t h e six t h y ear Hij r i w h en t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) saw in a dr eam , w h ile h e
w as st ill in Mad in ah , t h at h e h ad en t er ed t h e sacr ed san ct u ar y in Mak k ah in secur it y w it h his
f ollow er s, an d w as per f or m in g t h e cer em on ies of ‘Um rah ( lesser pilgr im age) . Their heads w er e being
sh av ed an d h air cu t of f . As soon as h e in f or m ed som e of h is Com pan ion s t h e con t en t s of h is dr eam ,
t h eir h ear t s leapt u p w it h j oy sin ce t h ey f ou n d in it t h e act u alizat ion of t h eir deep lon gin g t o t ak e
par t in pilgr im age an d it s h allow ed r it es aft er an ex ile of six y ear s.
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad h is clot h es w ash ed, m ou n t ed h is cam el an d m ar ch ed ou t
t ow ar d s Mak k ah at t he head of fift een hundr ed Muslim s including his w ife Um m Salam ah. Som e
deser t bedou in s w h ose Fait h w as lu k ew ar m h u n g back an d m ade ex cu ses. Th ey car r ied n o w eapon s
w it h t h em ex cept sh eat h ed sw or ds becau se t h ey h ad n o in t en t ion of f igh t in g. I bn Um m Mak t u m was
m an d at ed t o d isp ose t h e af f air s of Mad in ah d u r in g t h e Pr op h et ’s ab sen ce. As t h ey ap p r oach ed
Mak k ah , an d in a place called Dh i Hu laifa, h e or der ed t h at t h e sacr ificial an im als be gar lan ded, an d

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all believ er s don n ed Al-I hrâm , t he pilgr im ’s gar b. He despat ch ed a r econ n oit er er t o h u n t ar ou n d f or
n ew s of t h e en em y . Th e m an cam e back t o t ell t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h at a lar ge
n u m b er of slav es, as w ell as a h u g e ar m y , w er e g at h er ed t o op p ose h im , an d t h at t h e r oad t o
Mak k ah w as com plet ely block ed. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) con su lt ed h is Com pan ion s, w h o
w er e of t h e opin ion t h at t h ey w ou ld f igh t n on e u n less t h ey w er e debar r edf r om per f or m in g t h eir
pilgr im age.
Th e Qu r aish it es, on t h eir par t , h eld a m eet in g du r in g w h ich t h ey con sider ed t h e w h ole s it uat ion and
decided t o r esist t h e Pr oph et ’s m ission at all cost s. Tw o h u n dr ed h or sem en led by Kh alid bin Al-
Waleed w er e d esp at ch ed t o t ak e t h e Mu slim s b y su r p r ise d u r in g Z u h r ( t h e aft er n oon ) pr ay er .
How ev er , t h e r u les of pr ay er of f ear w er e r ev ealed m ean w h ile an d t h u s Kh alid an d h is m en m issed
t h e ch an ce. Th e Mu slim s av oided m ar ch in g on t h at w ay an d decided t o f ollow a r u gged r ock y on e.
Her e, Kh alid r an back t o Qu r aish t o br ief t h em on t h e lat est sit u at ion .
Wh en t h e Mu slim s r each ed a spot called Th an iy at Al-Mar ar , t h e Pr oph et ’s cam el st u m bled an d k n elt
dow n an d w as t oo st u bbor n t o m ov e. Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) sw or e h e w ou ld w illin gly
accede t o an y plan t h ey pu t for w ar d t h at w ou ld glor ify Allâh ’s san ct it ies. He t h en r epr ov in gly
spu r r ed h is cam el an d it leapt u p. Th ey r esu m ed t h eir m ar ch an d cam e t o pit ch t h eir t en t s at t h e
fur t hest par t of Al-Hu daibiy ah beside a w ell of scan t y w at er . Th e Mu slim s r epor t ed t h ir st t o t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h o t ook an ar r ow ou t of h is qu iv er , an d placed it in t h e dit ch . Wat er
im m ediat ely gu sh ed f or t h , an d h is f ollow er s dr an k t o t h eir f ill. Wh en t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
him ) had r est ed, Budail bin War qa’ Al-Kh u za‘i w it h som e celebr it ies of Kh u za‘ah t r ibe, t h e Pr oph et ’s
con f idan t s, cam e an d ask ed h im w h at h e h ad com e for . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) r eplied
t h at it w as n ot f or w ar t h at h e h ad com e f or t h : “ I h av e n o ot h er design , ” h e said, “ bu t t o per f or m
‘Um rah ( t he lesser pilgr im age) in t he Holy Sanct uar y . Should Qur aish em br ace t he new r eligion, as
som e p eop le h av e don e, t h ey ar e m ost w elcom e, bu t if t h ey st an d in m y w ay or debar t h e Mu slim s
fr om pilgr im age, I w ill sur ely fight t hem t o t he last m an, and Allâh’s Or der m ust be fulfilled. ” The
en v oy car r ied t h e m essage back t o Qu r aish , w h o sen t an ot h er on e calle d Mikraz bin Hafs. On seeing
h im , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said t h at t h at w as a t r each er ou s m an . He w as giv en t h e sam e
m essage t o com m u n icat e t o h is people. He w as f ollow ed by an ot h er am bassador k n ow n as Al-Hulais
bin ‘Alqam ah. He w as v er y m uch im pressed by t h e spir it of dev ot ion t h at t h e Mu slim s h ad f or t h e
Sacr ed Ka‘bah . He w en t back t o h is m en an d w ar n ed t h em again st debar r in g Mu h am m ad ( Peace be
u pon h im ) an d h is Com pan ion s f r om doin g h on ou r t o Allâh ’s h ou se on t h e per il of br eak in g h is
allian ce wit h t h em . Hu lais w as su cceeded by ‘Ur w a bin Mas‘u d At h -Th aqaf i t o n egot iat e w it h
Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) . I n t h e cou r se of discu ssion h e said t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) : “ Mu h am m ad! Hav e y ou gat h er ed ar ou n d y ou r self m ix ed people an d t h en br ou gh t t hem
again st y ou r k it h an d k in in or der t o dest r oy t h em . By Allâh I t h in k I see y ou deser t ed by t h ese
people t om or r ow . ” At t his point Abu Bak r st ood up and ex pr essed his r esent m ent at t his im put at ion.
Al-Mu g h eer ah b in Sh u ‘b ah ex p r essed t h e sam e at t it u d e and r epr ov ingly for bade him fr om t ouching
t h e Pr oph et ’s bear d. Her e, Qu r aish ’s en v oy r em ar k ed in dign an t ly an d allu ded t o t h e lat t er ’s
t r each er ou s act of k illin g h is com pan ion s an d loot in g t h em befor e h e em br aced I slam . Mean w h ile,
‘Ur w ah, dur ing his st ay in t h e Mu slim cam p, h ad been closely w at ch in g t h e u n f at h om able lov e an d
pr of ou n d r espect t h at t h e f ollow er s of Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) sh ow ed h im . He r et u r n ed
an d con v ey ed t o Qu r aish h is im p r ession t h at t h ose p eop le cou ld n ot f or sak e t h e Pr op h et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) u n der an y cir cu m st an ces. He ex pr essed h is f eelin gs in t h e f ollow in g w or ds: “ I h av e been
t o Ch osr oes, Caesar an d Negu s in t h eir k in gdom s, bu t n ev er h av e I seen a k in g am on g a people lik e
Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) am on g h is Com pan ion s. I f h e per for m s h is ablu t ion , t h ey w ou ld
n ot let t h e w at er t h er eof f all on t h e gr ou n d; if h e ex pect or at es, t h ey w ou ld h av e t h e m u cu s t o r u b
t h eir faces w it h ; if h e speak s, t h ey w ou ld low er t h eir v oices. Th ey w ill n ot aban don h im for an y t h in g
in an y case. He, n ow , of f er s y ou a r eason ab le p lan , so d o w h at y ou p lease. ”
Seein g an ov er w h elm in g t en den cy t ow ar ds r econ ciliat ion am on g t h eir ch iefs, som e r eck less, figh t -
pr on e y ou n gst er s of Qu r aish dev ised a w ick ed plan t h at cou ld h in der t h e peace t r eat y . Th ey decided
t o in filt r at e int o t he cam p of t he Muslim s and pr oduce int ent ional sk ir m ishes t hat m ight t r igger t he
fuse of w ar . Muham m ad bin Maslam ah, chief of t he Muslim guar ds, t ook t hem capt iv es, but in v iew
of t h e f ar-r each in g im m in en t r esu lt s abou t t o be ach iev ed, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) set
t hem fr ee. I n t his cont ex t Allâh say s:
• “ An d He it is Wh o h as w it h h eld t h eir h an ds f r om y ou an d y ou r h an ds f r om t h em in t h e
m idst of Mak k ah, aft er He had m ade y ou v ict or s ov er t hem . ” [ 48: 24]
Tim e passed. Negot iat ion s w en t on bu t w it h n o r esu lt s. Th en t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
desir ed ‘Um ar t o see t h e n obles of Qu r aish on h is beh alf . ‘Um ar ex cu sed h im self on accou n t of t h e
per sonal enm it y of Qur aish; he had, m or eov er , no influent ial r elat iv es in t he cit y w ho could shield
h im fr om dan ger ; an d h e poin t ed t o ‘Ut h m an bin ‘Affan , w h o belon ged t o on e of t h e m ost p ow er f u l
fam ilies in Mak k ah , as t h e su it able en v oy . ‘Ut h m an w en t t o Abu Su fy an an d ot h er ch iefs an d t old
t h em t h at t h e Mu slim s h ad com e on ly t o v isit an d pay t h eir h om age t o t h e Sacr ed Hou se, t o do
w or sh ip t h er e, an d t h at t h ey h ad n o in t en t ion t o f igh t . He w as also ask ed t o call t h em t o I slam , an d
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giv e glad t idin gs t o t h e believ er s in Mak k ah , w om en an d m en , t h at t h e con qu est w as appr oach in g
an d I slam w as su r ely t o pr ev ail becau se Allâh w ou ld v er ily est ablish His r eligion in Mak k ah . ‘Ut h man
also assu r ed t h em t h at aft er t h e per for m an ce of cer em on ies t h ey w ou ld soon depar t peacefu lly , bu t
t h e Qu r aish it es w er e adam an t an d n ot pr epar ed t o gr an t t h em t h e per m ission t o v isit Al-Ka‘bah.
Th ey , h ow ev er , offer ed ‘Ut h m an t h e per m ission t o per for m t h e pilgr im age, if he so desir ed in his
indiv idual capacit y , but ‘Ut hm an declined t he offer say ing: “ How is it possible t hat I av ail m y self of
t h is oppor t u n it y , w h en t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) is den ied of it ?” Th e Mu slim s an x iou sly
w ait ed for t h e ar r iv a l of ‘Ut hm an w it h m ingled feelings of fear and anx iet y . But his ar r iv al w as
con sider ably delay ed an d a f ou l play w as su spect ed on t h e par t of Qu r aish . Th e Mu slim s w er e
g r eat ly w or r ied an d t ook a solem n p led g e at t h e h an d of t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) t hat t hey
w ou ld sacr ifice t h eir liv es t o av en ge t h e deat h of t h eir Com pan ion an d st an d fir m ly by t h eir m ast er ,
Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) , u n der all con dit ion s. Th is pledge goes by t h e n am e of Bay‘at Ar-
Ridwan ( a cov enant of fealt y ) . The fir st m en t o t ake a pledge w er e Abu Sin an Al-Asadi an d Salam ah
bin Al-Ak w a‘, w h o gav e a solem n pr om ise t o die in t h e cau se of Tr u t h t h r ee t im es, at t h e f r on t of t h e
ar m y , in t h e m iddle an d in t h e r ear . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) cau gh t h is left h an d on beh alf
of ‘Ut hm an . Th is f ealt y w as sw or n u n der a t r ee, w it h ‘Um ar h oldin g t h e Pr oph et ’s h an d an d Ma‘qil
bin Yasar h oldin g a br an ch of t h e t r ee u p. Th e Noble Qu r ’ân h as r ef er r ed t o t h is pledge in t h e
f ollow in g w or ds:
• “ I n d eed , Allâh w as p leased w it h t h e b eliev er s w h en t h ey gav e t h eir Bai‘a ( pledge) t o y ou
[ O Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] under t he t r ee. ” [ 4 8 : 1 8 ]
Wh en Qu r aish saw t h e f ir m det er m in at ion of t h e Mu slim s t o sh ed t h e last dr op of blood f or t h e
def en ce of t h eir Fait h , t h ey cam e t o t h eir sen ses an d r ealized t h at Mu h am m ad’s follow er s cou ld n ot
b e cow ed d ow n b y t h ese t act ics. Af t er som e f u r t h er in t er ch an g e of m essag es t h ey ag r eed t o
con clu de a t r eat y of r econ ciliat ion an d peace w it h t h e Mu slim s. Th e clau ses of t h e said t r eat y go as
follow s:

1. The Muslim s shall r e t u r n t h is t im e an d com e back n ex t y ear , bu t t h ey sh all n ot st ay in

Mak k ah f or m or e t h an t h r ee day s.
2. Th ey sh all n ot com e back ar m ed bu t can br in g w it h t h em sw or ds on ly sh eat h ed in scabbar ds
an d t h ese sh all b e k ep t in b ag s.
3. War act iv it ies sh all b e su sp en d ed for t en y ear s, dur ing w hich bot h par t ies w ill liv e in full
secu r it y an d n eit h er w ill r aise sw or d again st t h e ot h er .
4. I f any one fr om Qur aish goes ov er t o Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) w it hout his guar dian’s
per m ission , h e sh ou ld be sen t back t o Qu r aish , bu t sh ou ld an y of Mu h am m ad’s follow er s
r et u r n t o Qu r aish , h e sh all n ot be sen t back .
5. Wh osoev er t o j oin Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) , or en t er in t o t r eat y w it h h im , sh ou ld
h av e t h e liber t y t o do so; an d lik ew ise w h osoev er w ish es t o j oin Qu r aish , or en t er in t o treaty
w it h t h em , sh ou ld b e allow ed t o d o so.

Som e d isp u t e ar ose w it h r eg ar d t o t h e p r eam b le. For ex am p le, w h en t h e ag r eem en t w as t o b e

com m it t ed t o w r it in g, ‘Ali bin Abi Talib, w h o act ed as a scr ibe began w it h t h e w or ds: Bism illâh ir-
Rahm an ir-Raheem , i. e. , “ I n t he Nam e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful” but t he
Mak k an plen ipot en t iar y , Su h ail bin ‘Am r declar ed t h at h e k n ew n ot h in g abou t Ar-Rahm an an d
in sist ed u pon t h e cu st om ar y for m u la Bi-ism ika Allâhum m a, i. e. , “ I n Your Nam e, O Allâh! ” Th e
Mu slim s gr u m bled w it h u n easin ess bu t t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) agr eed. He t h en w en t on t o
dict at e, “ Th is is w h at Mu h am m ad, t h e Messen ger of Allâh h as agr eed t o w it h Su h ail bin ‘Am r . ” Upon
t h is Su h ail ag ain p r ot est ed : “ Had w e ack n ow led g ed y ou as Prop h et , w e w ou ld n ot h av e d eb ar r ed
y ou f r om t h e Sacr ed Hou se, n or f ou gh t again st y ou . Wr it e y ou r ow n n am e an d t h e n am e of y ou r
f at h er . ” Th e Mu slim s gr u m bled as bef or e an d r ef u sed t o con sen t t o t h e ch an ge. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace
be u pon h im ) , h ow ev er , in t h e larger in t er est of I slam , at t ach ed n o im por t an ce t o su ch an
in sign ifican t det ail, er ased t h e w or ds h im self, an d dict at ed in st ead: “ Mu h am m ad, t h e son of
‘Abdullah. ” Soon aft er t his t r eat y , Khuza‘a clan, a for m er ally of Banu Hashim , j oined t he r ank s of
Muham m a d ( Peace be u pon h im ) , an d Ban u Bak r sided w it h Qu r aish .
I t w as dur ing t his t im e w hile t he t r eat y w as being w r it t en t hat Abu Jandal, Suhail’s son, appear ed on
t h e scen e. He w as br u t ally ch ain ed an d w as st agger in g w it h pr iv at ion an d f at igu e. Th e Pr oph et
(Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is Com pan ion s w er e m ov ed t o pit y an d t r ied t o secu r e h is r elease bu t
Su h ail w as adam an t an d said: “ To sign if y t h at y ou ar e f ait h f u l t o y ou r con t r act , an oppor t u n it y h as
j u st ar r iv ed. ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ Bu t t h e t r eat y w as n ot sig n ed w h en y ou r son
en t er ed t h e cam p. ” Upon t h is, h e bu r st f or t h an d said, “ bu t t h e t er m s of t h e t r eat y w er e agr eed
u pon . ” I t w as in deed an an x iou s m om en t . On t h e on e h an d, Abu Jan dal w as lam en t in g at t h e t op of
his v oice, “ Am I t o be r et ur ned t o t he poly t heist s t hat t hey m ight ent ice m e fr om m y r eligion, O
Mu slim s! ” bu t , on t h e ot h er h an d, t h e f ait h f u l en gagem en t w as also con sider ed t o be n ecessar y ,

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abov e all ot h er con sider at ion s. Th e Pr oph et ’s h ear t w elled u p w it h sy m pat h y , bu t h e w an t ed t o
h on ou r h is w or d at all cost s. He con soled Abu Jan dal an d said, “ Be pat ien t , r esign y ou r self t o t h e
Will of Allâh . Allâh is goin g t o pr ov ide for y ou an d y ou r h elpless com pan ion s r elief an d m ean s of
escape. We h av e con clu ded a t r eat y of peace w it h t h em an d w e h av e t ak en t h e pledge in t h e Nam e
of Allâh. We ar e, t her efor e, under no cir cum st ances pr epar ed t o br eak it . ” ‘Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab
cou ld n ot h elp giv in g v en t t o t h e deep-seat ed ag on y of h is h ear t . He r ose t o h is f eet u t t er in g w or d s
im ply in g deep h at r ed an d ex t r em e in dign at ion an d r equ est ed Abu Jan dal t o t ak e h is sw or d an d k ill
Suhail, but t he son spar ed his fat her . How ev er , in silent r esignat ion w as t her efor e, Abu Jandal bor ne
aw ay w it h h is ch ain s.
Wh en t h e p eace t r eat y h ad b een con clu d ed , t h e Pr op h et ( Peace be u pon h im ) or der ed h is
Com pan ion s t o slau gh t er t h eir sacr if icial an im als, bu t t h ey w er e t oo depr essed t o do t h at . Th e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) gav e in st r u ct ion s in t h is r egar d t h r ee t im es bu t w it h n egat iv e
r espon se. He t old h is w ife Um m Salam ah about t his at t it ude of his Com panions. She adv ised t hat he
him self t ak e t he init iat iv e, slaught er his anim al and hav e his head shav ed. Seeing t hat , t he Muslim s,
w it h r en ded h ear t s, st ar t ed t o slau gh t er t h eir an im als an d sh av e t h eir h eads. Th ey ev en alm ost
killed on e an ot h er becau se of t h eir dist r ess. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) pr ay ed t h r ee t im es
f or t h ose w h o sh av ed t h eir h eads an d on ce f or t h ose w h o cu t t h eir h air . A cam el w as sacr if iced on
beh alf of sev en m en an d a cow on beh alf of t h e sam e n u m ber of p eop le. Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) sacr if iced a cam el w h ich on ce belon ged t o Abu Jah l an d w h ich t h e Mu slim s h ad seized as
boot y at Badr , t h u s en r agin g t h e poly t h eist s. Du r in g Al-Hudaibiy ah cam paign, t he Pr ophet ( Peace be
upon him ) per m it t ed Ka‘b bin ‘Uj r ah , w h o w as in a st at e of I hram ( st at e of r it u al con secr at ion of t h e
pilgrim ) for ‘Um rah ( lesser pilgr im age) t o sh av e h is h ead du e t o illn ess, on t h e con dit ion t h at h e w ill
pay com pen sat ion by sacr if icin g a sh eep, f ast in g f or t h r ee day s or f eedin g six n eed y p er son s.
Con cer n in g t h is, t h e f ollow in g v er se w as r ev ealed:
• “ An d w h osoev er of y ou is ill or h as an ailm en t in h is scalp ( n ecessit at in g sh av in g) , h e
m u st pay a Fidyah ( r ansom ) of eit her fast ing ( t hr ee day s) or giv ing Sadaqa ( feedin g six poor
p er son s) or offer ing sacr ifice ( one sheep) . ” [ 2: 196]
Mean w h ile som e b eliev in g w om en em ig r at ed t o Mad in ah an d ask ed t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
h im ) f or r ef u ge w h ich t h ey w er e gr an t ed. Wh en t h eir f am ilies dem an ded t h eir r et u r n , h e w ou ld n ot
h an d t h em b ack b ecau se t h e f ollow in g v er se w as r ev ealed :
• “ O y ou w h o believ e! Wh en believ in g w om en com e t o y ou as em igr an t s, ex am in e t h em ,
Allâh k n ow s best as t o t h eir Fait h , t h en if y ou k n ow t h em f or t r u e believ er s, sen d t h em n ot
back t o t h e disbeliev er s, t h ey ar e n ot law f u l ( w iv es) f or t h e disbeliev er s n or ar e t h e
disbeliev er s law fu l ( h u sban ds) for t h em . Bu t giv e t h e disbeliev er s t h at ( am ou n t of m on ey )
w h ich t h ey h av e spen t [ as t h eir Mahr] t o t hem . And t her e w ill be no sin on y ou t o m ar r y
t hem if y ou hav e paid t heir Mahr t o t h em . Lik ew ise h old n ot t h e disbeliev in g w om en as
w iv es …” [ 60: 10]
Th e r eason w h y t h e b eliev in g w om en w er e n ot h an d ed b ack w as eit h er b ecau se t h ey w er e n ot
or igin ally in clu ded in t h e t er m s of t h e t r eat y , w h ich m en t ion ed on ly m en , or becau se t h e Qu r ’ân
ab r og at ed an y t er m s d ealin g w it h w om en in t h e v er se:
• “ O Pr oph et ! Wh en believ in g w om en com e t o y ou t o giv e y ou t h e Bai‘a ( Pledge) , t h at t h ey
w ill n ot associat e an y t h in g in w or sh ip w it h Allâh …” [ 6 0 : 1 2 ]
This is t he v er se w hich for bade Muslim w om en fr om m ar r y ing disbeliev ing m en. Lik ew ise, Muslim
m en w er e com m an ded t o t er m in at e t h eir m ar r iages t o disbeliev in g w om en . I n com plian ce w it h t h is
inj unct ion, ‘Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab div or ced t w o w iv es h e h ad m ar r ied bef or e h e em br aced I slam ;
Mu‘aw iy ah m ar r ied t he fir st w om an, and Safw an bin Om aiy ah m ar r ied t h e secon d .
ALH UD AI BI YAH TREATY: SOCI O - POLI TI CAL I M PACT:
A ser ies of ev en t s con f ir m ed t h e pr of ou n d w isdom an d splen did r esu lt s of t h e peace t r eat y w h ich
Allâh called “ a m an if est v ict or y ” . How cou ld it be ot h er w ise w h en Qu r aish h ad r ecogn ized t h e
leg it im at e Mu slim s’ ex ist en ce on t h e scen e of polit ical life in Ar abia, an d began t o deal w it h t h e
believ er s on equal t er m s. Qur aish in t he light of t he ar t icles of t he t r eat y , had indir ect ly r elinquished
it s claim t o r eligiou s leader sh ip, an d adm it t ed t h at t h ey w er e n o lon g er in t er est ed in p eop le ot h er
t h an Qu r aish , an d w ash ed t h eir h an ds of an y sor t of in t er v en t ion in t h e r eligiou s f u t u r e of t h e
Ar abian Pen in su la. Th e Mu slim s did n ot h av e in m in d t o seize people’s pr oper t y or k ill t h em t h r ou gh
b lood y w ar s, n or did t h ey ev er t h in k of pu r su in g an y coer civ e appr oach es in t h eir en deav ou r s t o
pr opagat e I slam , on t h e con t r ar y , t h eir sole t ar get w as t o pr ov ide an at m osph er e of f r eedom as
r egar ds ideology or r eligion :
• “ Th en w h osoev er w ills, let h im believ e, an d w hosoev er w ills, let him disbeliev e. ” [ 18: 29]
Th e Mu slim s, on t h e ot h er h an d, h ad t h e oppor t u n it y t o spr ead I slam ov er ar eas n ot t h en ex plor ed.
Wh en t h er e w as ar m ist ice, w ar w as ab olish ed , an d m en m et an d con su lt ed t og et h er , n on e t alk ed
about I slam int ellig en t ly w it h ou t en t er in g it ; w it h in t h e t w o y ear s f ollow in g t h e con clu sion of t h e
t r eat y dou ble as m an y en t er ed I slam as ev er bef or e. Th is is su ppor t ed by t h e f act t h at t h e Pr oph et

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( Peace be u pon h im ) w en t ou t t o Al-Hu daibiy ah w it h on ly 1 , 4 0 0 m en , bu t w h en h e set ou t t o
liber at e Mak k ah , t w o y ear s lat er , h e h ad 1 0 , 0 0 0 m en w it h h im .
Th e ar t icle of t h e t r eat y per t ain in g t o cessat ion of h ost ilit ies for t en y ear s poin t s dir ect ly t o t h e u t t er
failu r e of polit ical h au gh t in ess ex er cised by Qu r aish an d it s allies, an d f u n ct ion s as ev iden ce of t h e
collapse an d im pot en ce of t h e w ar in st igat or .
Qh ad b een ob lig ed t o lose t h ose ad v an t ag es in r et u r n f or on e seem in g ly in it s f av ou r b u t d oes n ot
act u ally bear an y h ar m again st t h e Mu slim s, i. e. , t h e ar t icle t h at speak s of h an ding ov er believ ing
m en w ho seek r efuge w it h t he Muslim s w it hout t heir guar dians’ consent t o Qur aish. At fir st glance, it
w as a m ost dist r essin g clau se an d w as con sider ed obj ect ion able in t h e Mu slim cam p. How ev er , in
t h e cou r se of ev en t s, it pr ov ed t o be a gr eat blessin g. Th e Mu slim s sen t back t o Mak k ah w er e n ot
lik ely t o r en ou n ce t h e blessin gs of I slam ; con t r ar iw ise, t h ose v er y Mu slim s t u r n ed ou t t o be cen t r es
of in f lu en ce f or I slam . I t w as im possible t o t h in k t h at t h ey w ou ld becom e apost at es or r en egades.
Th e w isdom beh in d t h is t r u ce assu m ed it s f u ll dim en sion s in som e su bsequ en t ev en t s. Af t er t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad r each ed Madin ah , Abu Baseer , w h o h ad escaped f r om Qu r aish ,
cam e t o h im as a Mu slim ; Qu r aish sen t t w o m en dem an din g h is r et u r n , so t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) h an ded h im ov er t o t h em . On t h e w ay t o Mak k ah , Abu Baseer m an aged t o k ill on e of
t h em , an d t h e ot h er on e f led t o Mad in ah w it h Ab u Baseer in p u r su it . Wh en h e r each ed t h e Pr op h et
( Peace be u pon h im ) , h e said, “ You r obligat ion is ov er and Allâh has fr eed y ou fr om it . You duly
h an ded m e ov er t o t h e m en , an d Allâh h as r escu ed m e f r om t h em . ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) said, “ Woe is h is m ot h er , h e w ou ld h av e k in dled a w ar if t h er e h ad been ot h er s w it h h im . ”
Wh en h e h ear d t h at , h e k n ew t h at h e w ou ld b e h an d ed b ack t o t h em , so h e f led f r om Mad in ah an d
w en t as f ar as Saif Al-Bah r . Th e ot h er Mu slim s w h o w er e op p r essed in Mak k ah b eg an t o escap e t o
Abu Baseer . He w as j oin ed by Abu Jan dal an d ot h er s u n t il a f air -sized colony w as for m e d an d so o n
sou gh t r ev en ge on Qu r aish an d st ar t ed t o in t er cept t h eir car av an s. Th e pagan s of Mak k ah f in din g
t h em selv es u n able t o con t r ol t h ose ex iled colon ist s, begged t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o do
aw ay w it h t h e clau se w h ich g ov er n ed t h e ex t r ad it ion . They im plor ed him by Allâh and by t heir t ies
of k in sh ip t o sen d f or t h e gr ou p, say in g t h at w h oev er j oin ed t h e Mu slim s in Madin ah w ou ld be saf e
f r om t h em . So t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) sen t f or t h e gr ou p an d t h ey r espon ded, as
ex pect ed, posit iv ely .
Th ese ar e t h e r ealit ies of t h e clau ses of t h e t r u ce t r eat y an d as it seem s t h ey all fu n ct ion in fav ou r of
t h e n ascen t I slam ic st at e. How ev er , t w o poin t s in t h e t r eat y m ade it dist ast ef u l t o som e Mu slim s,
n am ely t h ey w er e n ot giv en access t o t h e Holy San ct u ar y t hat y ear , and t he seem ingly hum iliat ing
at t it u de as r egar ds r econ ciliat ion w it h t h e pagan s of Qu r aish . ‘Um ar , u n able t o con t ain h im self for
t h e dist r ess t ak in g fu ll gr asp of h is h ear t , w en t t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d said: “ Ar en ’t
y ou t h e t r u e Messen ger of Allâh ?” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) r eplied calm ly , “ Wh y n ot ?”
‘Um ar ag ain sp ok e an d ask ed : “ Ar en ’t w e on t h e p at h of r ig h t eou sn ess an d ou r en em ies in t h e
w r on g?” Wit h ou t sh ow in g an y r esen t m en t , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) r eplied t h at it w as so.
On get t in g t h is r eply h e fu r t h er u r ged: “ Th en w e sh ou ld n ot su ffer an y h u m iliat ion in t h e m at t er of
Fait h . ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as u n r u f f led an d w it h per f ect con f iden ce said: “ I am t h e
t r u e Messen ger of Allâh , I n ev er disobey Him , He shall help m e. ” “ Did y ou not t ell us, ” r ej oined
‘Um ar , “ t h at w e sh all per for m pilgr im age?” “ Bu t I h av e n ev er t old y ou , ” r eplied t h e Pr oph et ( Peace
be u pon h im ) , “ t h at w e sh all do so t h is v er y y ear . ” ‘Um ar w as silen ced. Bu t h is m in d w as dist u r bed.
He w en t t o Abu Bak r an d ex pr essed h is f eelin gs bef or e h im . Abu Bak r w h o h ad n ev er been in dou bt
as r egar ds t h e Pr oph et ’s t r u t h fu ln ess an d v er acit y con fir m ed w h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
h ad t old h im . I n du e cou r se t h e Ch apt er of Vict or y ( 4 8 t h ) w as r ev ealed say in g:
• “ Ver ily , We hav e giv en y ou [ O Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] a m anifest v ict or y . ”
[ 48: 1]
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) su m m on ed ‘Um ar an d im por t ed t o h im t h e h appy
t idin gs. ‘Um ar w as ov er j oy ed, an d gr eat ly r egr et t ed h is for mer at t it ude. He used t o spend in char it y ,
obser v e f ast in g an d pr ay er an d f r ee as m an y slav es as possible in ex piat ion f or t h at r eck less
at t it u d e h e h ad assu m ed .
Th e ear ly par t of t h e y ear 7 A. H. w it n essed t h e I slam izat ion of t h r ee pr om in en t m en of Mak k ah ,
‘Am r bin Al-‘As, Khalid bin Al-Waleed an d ‘Ut h m an bin Talh ah . On t h eir ar r iv al an d en t r an ce in t o t h e
f old of I slam , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said, “ Qu r aish h as giv en u s it s ow n blood. ”

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 TH E SECON D STAGE

A N EW PH ASE OF I SLAM I C ACTI ON

Al-Hudaibiy a h Tr u ce m ar k ed a n ew ph ase in t h e pr ocess of I slam ic act ion an d life of t h e Mu slim s.

Qu r aish , a bit t er en em y of I slam , n ow w it h dr aw s f r om t h e w ar ar en a an d em br aces a peacef u l
set t lem en t w it h t h e Mu slim s, t h u s t h e t h ir d su ppor t of a t r ipar t it e en em y ( Qu r aish , Gh at f an an d t h e
Jew s) is br ok en , an d bein g t h e h older of t h e ban n er of pagan ism in Ar abia, t h e ot h er pagan s’
aggr essiv e f eelin gs t ow ar ds I slam con sider ably su bsided. Gh at f an Tr ibe n o lon ger con st it u t ed an y
r em ar k able t h r eat , an d t h eir pr ov ocat iv e deeds w er e m ain ly Jew ish -in st igat ed act ion s. Th e Jew s,
af t er bein g ban ish ed f r om Madin ah , r esor t ed t o Kh aibar t o ch an ge it in t o a h ot bed of in t r igu es
again st t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th er e, t h ey u sed t o h at ch t h eir plot s, ign it e t h e f ir e of
d issen sion and allur e t he Ar abs liv ing in t he v icinit y of Madinah t o j oin t hem w it h t he aim of
ex t er m in at in g t h e n ew I slam ic st at e, or at least in flict h eav y losses on t h e Mu slim s. Th e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) , n ot h eedless of t h eir dev ilish sch em es, placed a decisiv e w ar w it h t h em as a
f ir st pr ior it y on h is agen da sh or t ly af t er t h e en dor sem en t of t h e abov e -m ent ioned t r eat y . The t r eat y
of Hu daibiy ah allow ed t h e Mu slim s t o in t en sif y t h eir I slam ic car eer an d dou ble u p t h eir ceaseless
ef f or t s in pr opagat in g t h eir Da‘wah , an d con sequ en t ly giv e t h is sor t of act ion pr epon der an ce ov er
t he m ilit ar y act iv it ies. Hence, w e deem it im per at iv e t o div ide t his post -t r eat y st ag e in t o t w o
sect ion s:

1. Ceaseless peacef u l ef f or t s in pr opagat in g t h e I slam ic Da‘wah ( Call) and init iat ing a sor t of
cor r espon den ce w it h k in gs an d pr in ces of t h e n eigh bou r in g polit ical en t it ies.
2. Milit ary act ivit ies.

TH E PROPH ET'S PLAN S TO SPREAD TH E M ESSAGE OF I SLAM BEYON D ARABI A

Lat e in t h e six y ear A. H. , on h is r et u r n fr om Hu daibiy ah , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be upon him ) decided
t o sen d m essages t o t h e k in gs bey on d Ar abia callin g t h em t o I slam . I n or der t o au t h en t icat e t h e
cr eden t ials of h is en v oy s, a silv er seal w as m ade in w h ich w er e gr av en t h e w or ds: “ Muham m ad t he
Messenger of Allâh ” in t he follow ing for m at io n:
ãÍ ãÏ
ÑÓÜÜæá
Çá á å
En v oy s w er e ch osen on t h e b asis of t h eir ex p er ien ce an d k n ow led g e, an d sen t on t h eir er r an d s in
Mu h ar r am in t h e y ear 7 A. H. , a few day s befor e h eadin g for Kh aibar .
1 .A Deput at ion t o Abyssinia ( Et hiopia) :
Negu s, k in g of Aby ssin ia (Et h iopia) , h is n am e w as Ash am a bin Al-Abj ar , r eceiv ed t h e Pr oph et ’s
m essage, despat ched by Am r bin Om aiy ah Ad -Dam ar i, w hich At -Tabar i r efer r ed t o, eit her lat e in t he
six t h y ear or ear ly in t h e sev en t h y ear A. H. Deep scr u t in y in t o t h e let t er sh ow s t h at it w as n ot t h e
on e sen t af t er Al-Hu daibiy ah ev en t . Wor din g of t h e let t er r at h er in dicat es t h at it w as sen t t o t h at
k in g w h en Ja‘far an d h is com pan ion s em igr at ed t o Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) du r in g t h e Mak k an per iod.
On e of it s sen t en ces r ead “ I h av e despat ch ed m y c ousin, Ja‘far w it h a gr oup of Muslim s, t o y ou. Do
b e g en er ou s t ow ar d s t h em an d g iv e u p h au g h t in ess. ”
Al-Baih aqi, on t h e au t h or it y of I bn I sh aq, gav e t h e f ollow in g n ar r at ion of t h e Pr oph et ’s let t er sen t t o
Negu s:
“ This let t er is sent fr om Muham m ad, t he Prop h et t o Neg u s Al-Asham a, t he k ing of Aby ssinia
( Et hiopia) .
Peace be u pon h im w h o f ollow s t r u e gu idan ce an d believ es in Allâh an d His Messen ger . I bear
w it n ess t h at t h er e is n o g od b u t Allâh Alon e w it h n o associat e, He h as t ak en n eit h er a w if e n or a
son , an d t h at Mu h am m ad is His slav e an d Messen ger . I call y ou u n t o t h e fold of I slam ; if y ou
em br ace I slam , y ou w ill find safet y ,
• “ Say [ O Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] : ‘O people of t he Scr ipt ur e ( Jew s and
Ch r ist ian s) , com e t o a w or d t h at is j u st b et w een u s an d y ou , t h at w e w or sh ip n on e b u t
Allâh , an d t h at w e associat e n o p ar t n er s w it h Him , an d t h at n on e of u s sh all t ak e ot h er s as
lor ds besides Allâh . ’ Th en , if t h ey t u r n aw ay , say : ‘Bear w it n ess t h at w e ar e Mu slim s. ’ ”
[ 3: 64]
Sh ou ld y ou r ej ect t h is in v it at ion , t h en y ou w ill be h eld r espon sible for all t h e ev ils of t h e Ch r ist ian s
of y ou r people. ”
Dr . Ham eedullah ( Par is) , a r eliable v er if ier , h as addu ced a v er sion of t h e abov e let t er disclosed on ly
a sh or t t im e ago an d iden t ical t o I bn Al-Qaiy im ’s nar r at ion. Dr . Ham eedullah ex er t ed painst ak ing

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ef f or t an d u sed all m ean s of m oder n t ech n ology t o v er if y t h e t ex t of t h e let t er , w h ich r ead s a s
follow s:
“ I n t he Nam e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful.
Fr om Muham m ad t he Messenger of Allâh t o Negus, k ing of Aby ssinia ( Et hiopia) .
Peace be u pon h im w h o follow s t r u e gu idan ce. Salu t at ion s, I en t er t ain Allâh ’s pr aise, t h er e is n o g od
bu t He, t h e Sov er eign , t h e Holy , t h e Sou r ce of peace, t h e Giv er of peace, t h e Gu ar dian of fait h , t h e
Pr eser v er of saf et y . I bear w it n ess t h at Jesu s, t h e son of Mar y , is t h e spir it of Allâh an d His Wor d
w h ich He cast in t o Mar y , t h e v ir gin , t h e good, t h e pu r e, so t h at sh e con ceiv ed Jesu s. Allâh cr eat ed
him fr om His spir it and His br eat hing as He cr eat ed Adam by His Hand. I call y ou t o Allâh Alone w it h
n o associat e an d t o His obedien ce an d t o f ollow m e an d t o believ e in t h at w h ich cam e t o m e, f or I
am t he Messenger of Allâh. I inv it e y ou and y our m en t o Allâh, t he Glor ious, t he All-Might y . I her eby
bear w it n ess t h at I h av e com m u n icat ed m y m essage an d adv ice. I in v it e y ou t o list en an d accept
m y adv ice. Peace be u pon h im w h o f ollow s t r u e gu idan ce. ”
Th e t ex t of t h is let t er is dou bt lessly au t h en t ic, bu t t o m ain t ain t h at it w as w r it t en af t er Al-
Hudaibiy ah ev ent is st ill a quest ion lack ing in definit e ev idence.
When ‘Am r bin Om aiy ah Ad -Dam ar i com m u n icat ed t h e Apost olic let t er t o Negu s, t h e lat t er t ook t h e
par ch men t an d placed it on h is ey e, descen ded t o t h e f loor , con f essed h is f ait h in I slam an d w r ot e
t h e f ollow in g r eply t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) .
“ I n t he Nam e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful.
Fr om Negu s Ash am a t o Mu h am m ad, t h e Messen ger of Allâh . Peace be u pon y ou , O Messen ger of
Allâh ! an d m er cy an d blessin g fr om Allâh beside Wh om t h er e is n o god. I h av e r eceiv ed y ou r let t er
in w h ich y ou h av e m en t ion ed abou t Jesu s an d by t h e Lor d of h eav en an d ear t h , Jesu s is n ot m or e
t h an w h at y ou say . We f u lly ack n ow led g e t h at w it h w h ich y ou h av e b een sen t t o u s an d w e h av e
en t er t ain ed y ou r cou sin an d h is com pan ion s. I bear w it n ess t h at y ou ar e t h e Messen ger of Allâh ,
t r u e an d con f ir m in g ( t h ose w h o h av e gon e bef or e y ou ) , I pledge t o y ou t h r ou gh y ou r cou sin an d
su r r en der m y self t h r ou gh h im t o t h e Lor d of t h e w or lds. ”
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad ask ed Negu s t o sen d Ja‘f ar an d h is com pan ion s, t h e
em igr an t s t o Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) , back h om e. Th ey cam e back t o see t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
him ) in Khaibar . Negus lat er died in Raj ab 9 A. H. shor t ly aft er Tabuk Ghazwa. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace
be upon him ) announced his deat h and obser v ed pr ay er in absent ia for him . Anot her k ing succeeded
Neg u s t o t h e t h r on e an d an ot h er let t er w as sen t t o h im b y t h e Pr op h et ( Peace be u pon h im ) bu t
w h et h er or n ot h e em br aced I slam is st ill a qu est ion n ot an sw er ed y et .
2 .Let t er t o t he Vicegerent of Egypt , called M uqaw qas:
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w r ot e t o Ju r aij bin Mat t a, called Mu qaw qas, v iceger en t of Egy pt
and Alex an dr ia say in g:
“ I n t he Nam e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful.
Fr om Mu h am m ad slav e of Allâh an d His Messen ger t o Mu qaw qas, v iceger en t of Egy pt .
Peace be u pon h im w h o f ollow s t r u e gu idan ce. Th er eaf t er , I in v it e y ou t o accept I slam . Th er efor e, if
y ou w ant secur it y , accept I slam . I f y ou accept I slam , Allâh, t he Sublim e, shall r ew ar d y ou doubly .
Bu t if y ou r ef u se t o do so, y ou w ill bear t h e bu r den of t h e t r an sgr ession of all t h e Copt s.
• “ Say [ O Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] : ‘O people of th e Scr ipt u r e ( Jew s an d
Ch r ist ian s) , com e t o a w or d t h at is j u st b et w een u s an d y ou , t h at w e w or sh ip n on e b u t
Allâh , an d t h at w e associat e n o p ar t n er s w it h Him , an d t h at n on e of u s sh all t ak e ot h er s as
lor ds besides Allâh. ’ Then, if t hey t ur n aw ay , say : ‘Be ar w it n ess t h at w e ar e Mu slim s. ’ ”
[ 3: 64]
Hat ib bin Abi Balt a‘a, w h o w as ch osen t o com m u n icat e t h e m essage, r equ est ed an au dien ce w it h
Mu qaw qas bef or e im par t in g t h e con t en t s of t h e let t er . He addr essed Egy pt ’s v iceger en t say in g:
“ Th er e u sed t o b e som eon e bef or e y ou w h o h ad ar r ogat ed t h e st at u s of t h e Su pr em e Lor d, so Allâh
pu h im an d m ade an ex am ple of h im in t h e Her eaft er , an d in t h is life; t h er efor e, t ak e w ar n in g an d
n ev er set a b ad ex am p le t o ot h er s. ” Mu q aw q as an sw er ed : “ We ar e in n o p osit ion t o r elin q u ish ou r
r eligion ex cept for a bet t er one. ” Hat ib r esum ed: “ We inv it e y ou t o em br ace I slam , w hich w ill suffice
y ou all w h at y ou m ay lose. Ou r Pr oph et h as called people t o pr ofess t h is Fait h , Qu r aish an d t h e Jew s
st ood ag ain st h im as b it t er en em ies, w h er eas Chr ist ians st ood closest t o his Call. Upon m y life,
Moses’s n ew s abou t Ch r ist is iden t ical t o t h e lat t er ’s good t idin gs abou t t h e adv en t of Mu h am m ad;
lik ew ise, t his inv it at ion of our s t o y ou t o em br ace I slam is sim ilar t o y our inv it at ion t o t he people of
To r ah t o accept t h e New Test am en t . On ce a Pr oph et r ises in a n at ion , h e is eligible f or posit iv e
r espon se, h en ce y ou ar e su bj ect t o t h e sam e Div in e Law . Bear in m in d t h at w e h av e n ot com e t o
dissu ade y ou f r om r eligion of Ch r ist bu t r at h er biddin g y ou t o adh er e t o it s t en et s. ” Mu q aw q as
m edit at ed ov er t h e con t en t s of t h e let t er deeply an d said: “ I h av e com e t o t h e con v ict ion t h at t h is
Pr oph et bids n ot h in g abom in able; h e is n eit h er a st r ay in g m agician n or a ly in g soot h say er . He bear s
t h e t r u e m an if est seed s of Pr oph et h ood, an d so I w ill con sider t h e af f air deeply . ” He t ook t h e
par ch m en t an d or der ed t h at it be k ept in an iv or y cask et . He called a scr ibe t o w r it e t h e f ollow in g
reply in Arabic:
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“ I n t he Nam e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful.
From Mu qaw qas t o Mu h am m ad bin ‘Abdu llah :
Peace b e u p on y ou . I h av e r ead y ou r let t er an d u n d er st ood it s con t en t s, an d w h at y ou ar e callin g
f or . I alr eady k n ow t h at t h e com in g of a Pr oph et is st ill du e, bu t I u sed t o believ e h e w ou ld be bor n
in Sy r ia. I am sending y ou as pr esen t s t w o m aids, w h o com e fr om n oble Copt ic fam ilies; clot h in g
an d a st eed f or r id in g on . Peace b e u p on y ou . ”
I t is n ot ew or t h y t h at Mu qaw qas did n ot av ail h im self of t h is pr iceless oppor t u n it y an d h e did n ot
em br ace I slam . Th e pr esen t s w er e acce pt ed; Mar ia, t h e f ir st m aid, st ay ed w it h t h e Pr oph et ( Peace
be u pon h im ) , an d gav e bir t h t o h is son I br ah îm ; t h e ot h er Sir in , w as giv en t o Hassan bin Th abit Al-
Ansar i.
3 . A Let t er t o Chosroes, Em peror of Persia :
“ I n t he Nam e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful.
Fr om Mu h am m ad, t h e Messen ger of Allâh t o Ch osr oes, k in g of Per sia.
Peace be u pon h im w h o follow s t r u e gu idan ce, believ es in Allâh an d His Messen ger an d t est ifies t h at
t h er e is n o god bu t Allâh Alon e w it h n o associat e, an d t h at Mu h am m a d is His slav e and Messenger . I
in v it e y ou t o accept t h e r eligion of Allâh . I am t h e Messen ger of Allâh sen t t o all people in or der t h at
I m ay in f u se f ear of Allâh in ev er y liv in g per son , an d t h at t h e ch ar ge m ay be pr ov ed again st t h ose
w h o r ej ect t h e Tr u t h . Accept I slam as y our r eligion so t hat y ou m ay liv e in secur it y , ot her w ise, y ou
w ill be r espon sible f or all t h e sin s of t h e Magian s. ”
‘Abdullah bin Hudhafa As -Sah m i w as ch osen t o car r y t h e let t er . Th is en v oy car r ied it t o t h e k in g of
Bah r ain b u t w e d o n ot k n ow as y et if t h e lat t er d esp at ch ed t o Ch osr oes b y on e of h is m en or ch ose
‘Abdullah him self.
Th e p r ou d m on ar ch w as en r ag ed b y t h e st y le of t h e let t er as t h e n am e of t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) h ad been pu t abov e h is ow n n am e. He t or e t h e let t er in t o shr eds and for t hw it h dict at ed a
com m an d t o h is v icer oy in Yem en t o sen d a cou ple of t r ooper s t o ar r est t h e Pr oph et an d br in g h im
t o h is pr esen ce. Th e gov er n or , Bazan by n am e, im m ediat ely sen t t w o m en t o Madin ah f or t h e
p u r p ose. As soon as t h e m en r each ed Madin ah , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as in for m ed by a
Div in e Rev elat ion t h at Per v ez, t h e em per or of Per sia, h ad been m u r der ed by h is son . Th e Pr oph et
( Peace b e u p on h im ) d isclosed t o t h em t h e n ew s an d t h ey w er e st u n n ed . He ad d ed ask in g t h em t o
t ell t h eir n ew m on ar ch t h at I slam w ou ld pr ev ail ev er y w h er e an d ou t st r ip t h e sov er eign t y of
Ch osr oes h im self. Th ey h u r r ied back t o Bazan an d com m u n icat ed t o h im w h at t h ey h ear d.
Mean w h ile, Sh er w eh , t h e n ew m on ar ch sen t a let t er t o Bazan con f ir m in g t h e n ew s an d b idding him
t o st op an y pr ocedu r es as r egar ds t h e Pr oph et t ill f u r t h er n ot ice. Bazan , t oget h er w it h t h e Per sian s
in Yem en , w en t in t o t h e f olds of I slam , an d gladly sign if ied h is adh esion t o t h e Pr oph et .
4 .The Envoy t o Caesar, King of Rom e:
Al-Buk har i gav e a lon g n ar r at ion of t h e con t en t s of t h e let t er sen t b y t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
him ) t o Her cules, k ing of t he By zant ines:
“ I n t he Nam e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful.
Fr om Muham m ad, t he slav e of Allâh and His Messenger t o Her cules, k in g of t h e By zan t in es.
Blessed ar e t h ose w h o f ollow t r u e gu idan ce. I in v it e y ou t o em br ace I slam so t h at y ou m ay liv e in
secur it y . I f y ou com e w it hin t he fold of I slam , Allâh w ill giv e y ou double r ew ar d, but in case y ou t ur n
y ou r back u pon it , t h en t h e bu r den of t h e sin s of all y ou r people sh all f all on y ou r sh ou lder s.
• “ Say [ O Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] : ‘O people of t he Scr ipt ur e ( Jew s and
Ch r ist ian s) , com e t o a w or d t h at is j u st b et w een u s an d y ou , t h at w e w or sh ip n on e b u t
Allâh , an d t h at w e associat e n o p ar t n er s w it h Him , an d t h at n on e of u s sh all t ak e ot h er s as
lor ds besides Allâh . ’ Th en , if t h ey t u r n aw ay , say : ‘Bear w it n ess t h at w e ar e Mu slim s. ’ ”
[ 3: 64]
The Muslim env oy , Dihy ah bin Khalifah Al-Kalbi, w as or der ed t o h an d t h e let t er ov er t o k in g of
Bu sr a, w h o w ou ld in t u r n , sen d it t o Caesar .
I ncident ally, Ab u Su fy an bin Har b, w h o by t h at t im e h ad n ot em br aced I slam , w as su m m on ed t o t h e
cou r t an d Her cu les ask ed h im m an y qu est ion s abou t Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d t h e
r eligion w h ich h e pr each ed. Th e t est im on y w h ich t h is av ow ed en em y of t h e Pr oph et gav e r egarding
t h e p er son al ex cellen ce of t h e Pr op h et ’s ch ar act er an d t h e g ood t h at I slam w as d oin g t h e h u m an
r ace, lef t Her cu les w on der-st r uck.
Al-Bu k h âr i, on t h e au t h or it y of I bn Abbas, n ar r at ed t h at Her cu les sen t for Abu Su fy an an d h is
com p an ion s, w h o h ap p en ed t o be t r adin g in Ash -Sh am , Jer u salem . Th at w as du r in g t h e t r u ce t h at
h ad been con clu ded bet w een t h e poly t h eist s of Qu r aish an d t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon
h im ) . Her cu les, seat ed am on gst h is ch ief s of st af f , ask ed, “ Wh o am on gst y ou is t h e n ear est r elat iv e
t o t h e m an w h o claim s t o be a Pr oph et ?” “ I ( Abu Su fy an ) r eplied: ‘I am t h e n ear est r elat iv e t o h im
fr om am ongst t he gr oup. ’ So t hey m ade m e sit in fr ont of him and m ade m y com panions sit behind
m e. Th en h e called u pon h is t r an slat or an d said ( t o him ) . ‘Tell t hem ( i.e. Abu Sufyan’s com panions)
t hat I am going t o ask him ( i. e. Abu Sufy an) r egar ding t hat m en w ho claim s t o be a Pr ophet . So if

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he t ells a lie, t hey should cont r adict him ( inst ant ly ) ’. By Allâh had I not been afr aid t hat m y
com p an ion s w ou ld consider m e a liar , I w ould hav e t old lies” , Abu Sufy an lat er said.
Abu Su fy an ’s t est im on y w en t as follow s: “ Mu h am m ad descen ds fr om a n oble fam ily . No on e of h is
f am ily h appen ed t o assu m e k in gsh ip. His f ollow er s ar e t h ose deem ed w eak w it h n u m ber s ev er
gr ow in g. He n eit h er t ells lies n or bet r ay s ot h er s, w e f igh t h im an d h e f igh t s u s bu t w it h alt er n at e
v ict or y . He bids people t o w or sh ip Allâh Alon e w it h n o associat e, an d aban don ou r f at h er s’ belief s.
He or d er s u s t o ob ser v e p r ay er , h on est y , ab st in en ce an d m aint ain st r ong fam ily t ies.” “ Her cules, on
hear ing t his t est im ony , t ur ned t o his t r anslat or bidding him t o com m unicat e t o us his follow ing
im pr ession w hich r ev eals full conv ict ion in t he t r ut hfulness of Muham m ad’s Pr ophet hood: ‘I fully
r ealize t h at Pr op h et s com e fr om n oble fam ilies; h e does n ot affect an y pr ev iou s ex am ple of
Pr op h et h ood . Sin ce n on e of h is an cest or s w as a m on ar ch , w e can n ot t h en alleg e t h at h e is a m an
t r y in g t o r eclaim h is fat h er ’s m on ar ch y . So lon g as h e does n ot t ell lies t o people, h e i s for t h e m or e
r eason , im m u n e t o t ellin g lies as r egar ds Allâh . Con cer n in g h is f ollow er s bein g t h ose deem ed w eak
w it h n u m ber s ev er gr ow in g, it is som et h in g t h at goes in agr eem en t w it h qu est ion s of Fait h u n t il t h is
lat t er assu m es it s f u ll dim en sion s geogr aph ically an d dem ogr aph ically . I h av e u n der st ood t h at n o
in st an ce of ap ost asy h as as y et ap p ear ed am on g h is f ollow er s, an d t h is p oin t s t o t h e b liss of Fait h
t h at f in ds it s abode in t h e h u m an h ear t . Bet r ay al, as I see, is alien t o h im becau se r eal Pr oph et s
h old bet r ay al in . Biddin g w or sh ip of Allâh w it h n o associat es, obser v an ce of pr ay er , h on est y an d
abst in en ce an d pr oh ibit ion of pagan ism ar e t r ait s bou n d t o su bj ect t o h im all m y possession s. I h av e
alr ead y k n ow n t h at a Pr op h et m u st ar ise b u t it h as n ev er occu r r ed t o m e t h at h e w ill be an Ar ab
fr om am ong y ou. I f I w as sur e I w ould be fait hful t o him , I m ight hope t o m eet him , and if I w er e
w it h h im , I w ou ld w ash h is f eet . ’ Her cu les t h en r equ est ed t h at t h e Pr oph et ’s let t er be r ead. Th e
ob ser v at ion s of t h e em p er or an d fin ally t h e defin it e an d clear-cut ex posit ion of t he I slam ic m essage
cou ld n ot bu t cr eat e a t en se at m osph er e am on gst t h e cler gy pr esen t at t h e cou r t . We w er e or der ed
t o go out . ” Abu Sufy an said, “ While com ing out , I said t o m y com panions, ‘The m at t er of I bn Abi
Kabsh ah [ i. e. Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] h as becom e so pr om in en t t h at ev en t h e k in g of
Banu Al-Asfar ( i. e. t he Rom ans) is afr aid of him . ’ So I cont inued t o believ e t hat Allâh’s Messenger
( Peace be upon him ) w ould be v ict or ious, t ill Allâh m ade m e em br ace I slam . ” The k ing did not
em br ace I slam — f or it w as dif f er en t ly or dain ed. How ev er , t h e Mu slim en v oy w as r et u r n ed t o
Madin ah w it h t h e felicit at ion s of t h e em per or .
On his w ay back t o Madinah, Dihy ah Al-Kalbi w as in t er cept ed by people fr om Judham t r ibe in Hasm i,
w h o loot ed t h e p r esen t s sen t t o t h e Pr op h et Õáì Çááå Úáíå æ Óáã. Z aid b in Har it h a at t h e h ead of
f iv e h u n dr ed m en w as despat ch ed t o t h at spot , in f lict ed h eav y losses on t h ose people an d capt u r ed
1 0 0 0 cam els, 5 0 0 0 of t h eir cat t le an d a h u n dr ed w om en an d boy s. Th e ch ief of Ju dh am w h o h ad
em br aced I slam f iled a com plain t w it h t h e Pr oph et , w h o gav e a posit iv e r espon se t o t h e f or m er ’s
pr ot est , an d or der ed t h at all t h e spoils an d capt iv es be r et u r n ed.
5 . A Let t er t o M undhir bin Saw a, Governor of Bahrain:
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) despat ch ed ‘Al-‘Ala’ bin Al-Hadr am i t o t he gov er nor of Bahr ain,
car r y ing a let t er inv it ing him t o em br ace I slam . I n r eply , Al-Mu n dh ir bin Saw a w r ot e t h e f ollow in g
let t er :
“ Allâh ’s Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) ! I r eceiv ed y our inj unct ions. Pr ior t o t his, I r ead y our let t er ,
w h ich y ou w r ot e t o t h e people of Bah r ain ex t en din g t o t h em an in v it at ion t o I slam . I slam appealed
t o som e of t h em an d t h ey en t er ed t h e f old of I slam , w h ile ot h er s did n ot f in d it appealin g. I n m y
cou n t r y , t h er e liv e Magian s an d Jew s, an d t h er efor e y ou m ay in for m m e of t h e t r eat m en t t o be
ex t en ded t o t h em . ”
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w r ot e t h e f ollow in g let t er in r eply t o h is:
“ I n t he Nam e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful.
Fr om Mu h am m ad, Messen ger of Allâh t o Mu n dh ir bin Saw a.
Peace be on y ou ! I pr aise Allâh w it h n o associat e, an d I bear w it n ess t h at Mu h am m ad is His slav e
an d Messen g er .
Ther eaft er , I r em ind y ou of Allâh, t he Might y , t he Glor ious. Whoev er accept s adm onit ion , does it for
h is ow n good. Wh oev er f ollow s m y m essen ger s an d act s in accor dan ce w it h t h eir gu idan ce, h e, in
fact , accept s m y adv ice.
My m essen ger s h av e h igh ly pr aised y ou r beh av iou r . You sh all con t in u e in y ou r pr esen t office. Giv e
t h e n ew Mu slim s f u ll chance t o pr each t heir r eligion. I accept y our r ecom m endat ion r egar ding t he
people of Bahr ain, and I par don t he offences of t he offender s; t her efor e, y ou m ay also for giv e t hem .
Of t h e people of Bah r ain w h oev er w an t s t o go on in t h eir Jew ish or Magian f a it h , sh ou ld be m ade t o
p ay Jizya ( poll-t ax ) .”
6 . A Let t er t o H a udha bin ‘Ali, Governor of Ya m a m a :
“ I n t he Nam e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful.
Fr om Muham m ad, Messenger of Allâh t o Haudha bin ‘Ali:
Peace b e u p on h im w h o f ollow s t r u e g u idance. Be infor m ed t hat m y r eligion shall pr ev ail
ev er y w h er e. You sh ou ld accept I slam , an d w h at ev er u n der y ou r com m an d sh all r em ain y ou r s. ”
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The env oy chosen w as Sulait bin ‘Am r Al-‘Am ir i, w ho aft er com m unicat ing his m essage, car r ied back
t h e f ollow in g r eply t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) :
“ Th e Fait h , t o w h ich y ou in v it e m e, is v er y good. I am a fam ou s or at or an d poet , t h e Ar abs h igh ly
r espect m e and I am of account am ong t hem . I f y ou include m e in y our gov er nm ent , I am pr epar ed
t o follow y ou . ”
Th e g ov er n or t h en best ow ed a r ew ar d on Su lait an d pr esen t ed h im w it h clot h es m ade of Haj r fabr ic.
Of cou r se, h e pu t all t h ose pr esen t s in t h e t r u st of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) :
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) did n ot accept Hau dh a’s dem an d. He u su ally t u r n ed d ow n su ch
per em pt or y t on e, an d w ou ld say t h at t h e w h ole m at t er w as in t h e Han d of Allâh , Wh o gav e His lan d
t o w h oev er He desir ed. Gabr iel lat er cam e w it h t h e Rev elat ion t h at Hau dh a h ad died. Th e Pr oph et
( Peace be upon him ) , in t he cont ex t of his com m e n t on t h is n ew s, said: “ Yam am a is bou n d t o giv e
r ise t o a liar w h o w ill ar r ogat e Pr oph et h ood t o h im self bu t h e w ill su bsequ en t ly be k illed. ” I n r eply t o
a qu est ion r elat in g t o t h e iden t it y of t h e k iller , t h e Pr oph et said “ I t is on e of y ou , f ollow er s of I slam .”
7 . A Let t er t o Harit h bin Abi Sham ir Al- Ghassani, King of Dam ascus:
“ I n t he Nam e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful.
Fr om Muham m ad, Messenger of Allâh t o Al-Harit h bin Abi Sham ir.
Peace b e u p on h im w h o f ollow s t r u e g u id an ce, b eliev es in it an d r egar ds it as t r u e. I in v it e y ou t o
believ e in Allâh Alone w it h no associat e, t henceaft er y our k ingdom w ill r em ain y our s. ”
Sh u j a‘ bin Wah ab h ad t h e h on ou r of t ak in g t h e let t er t o Har it h , w h o u pon h ear in g t h e let t er r ead in
h is au dien ce, w as m adly infur iat ed and ut t er ed: “ Who dar es t o disposs m e of m y count r y , I ’ll fight
h im ( t h e Pr oph et ) , ” an d ar r ogan t ly r ej ect ed t h e Pr oph et ’s in v it at ion t o t h e fold of I slam .
8 . A Let t er t o t he King of ‘Om an, Jaifer, and his Brot her ‘Abd Al- Ja la ndi:
“ I n t he Na m e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful.
Fr om Muham m ad bin ‘Abdullah t o Jaifer and ‘Abd Al-Jalandi.
Peace be u pon h im w h o f ollow s t r u e gu idan ce; t h er eaf t er I in v it e bot h of y ou t o t h e Call of I slam .
Em br ace I slam . Allâh h as sen t m e as a Pr oph et t o all His cr eat ur es in or der t hat I m ay inst il fear of
Allâh in t h e h ear t s of His disobedien t cr eat u r es so t h at t h er e m ay be lef t n o ex cu se f or t h ose w h o
deny Allâh. I f y ou t w o accept I slam , y ou w ill r em ain in com m and of y our count r y ; but if y ou r efuse
m y Call, y ou ’v e got t o r em em ber t h at all y ou r possession s ar e per ish able. My h or sem en w ill
appr opr iat e y ou r lan d, an d m y Pr oph et h ood w ill assu m e pr epon der an ce ov er y ou r k in gsh ip. ”
‘Am r bin Al-’As, w h o w as ch osen t o car r y t h e let t er , n ar r at ed t h e f ollow in g st or y t h at h ap p en ed
bef or e h e w as adm it t ed in t o t h e au dien ce of Jaif er .
“ Wh en I ar r iv ed in ‘Om an I con t act ed ‘Abd, w h o w as k n ow n t o be m or e m ild -t em per ed t h an h is
br ot her :
• ‘Am r : I am t h e m essen ger of Allâh ’s Pr oph et com ing t o see bot h , y ou an d y ou r br ot h er .
‘Abd: You h av e t o see m y br ot h er an d r ead t o h im t h e let t er y ou ar e car r y in g. He is m y
sen ior in bot h age an d k in gsh ip. I n ciden t ally , w h at is t h e pu r por t of y ou r m ission ?
‘Am r : Th e Pr oph et calls u pon y ou t o believ e in Allâh Alon e w it h n o associat e, discar d an y
ot h er deit ies an d t est if y t o t h e slav eh ood an d Messen ger sh ip of Mu h am m ad.
‘Abd: O ‘Am r ! You com e fr om a noble fam ily , but fir st of all, t ell m e w hat w as y our fat h er ’s
at t it u de con cer n in g t h is Fait h ? You k n ow , w e u sed t o f ollow h is st eps.
‘Am r : Deat h ov er t ook him befor e believ ing in Muham m ad’s m ission; I w ish now he had
em br aced I slam an d been t r u t h f u l t o it bef or e h is deat h . I m y self h ad adopt ed t h e sam e
at t it u de u n t il Allâh gu ided m e t ow ar ds I slam .
‘Abd: When did y ou em br ace I slam ?
‘Am r : Wh en I w as at Negu s’s cou r t . By t h e w ay , t h e lat t er did also en t er in t o t h e f old of
I slam .
‘Ab d : Wh at w as h is p eop le’s r eact ion ?
‘Am r : They appr ov ed of him and follow ed his st ep s.
‘Abd: Th e bish ops an d m on k s?
‘Am r : They did t he sam e.
‘Abd: Bew ar e ‘Am r of ly ing for t his soon bet r ay s m an.
‘Am r : I nev er t ell lies; m or eov er , our r eligion nev er allow s it .
‘Abd: Has Her cu les been in for m ed of t h e I slam izat ion of Negu s?
‘Am r: Yes, of cour se.
‘Ab d : How d id y ou h ap p en t o k n ow t h at ?
‘Am r : Negu s u sed t o pay lan d t ax t o Her cu les, bu t w h en t h e for m er em br aced I slam , h e
sw or e h e w ou ld discon t in u e t h at t ax . Wh en t h is n ew s r each ed Her cu les, h is cou r t ier s u r ged
him t o t ak e act ion again st Neg u s b u t h e r ef u sed an d ad d ed t h at h e h im self w ou ld d o t h e
sam e if h e w er e n ot spar in g of h is k in gsh ip.
‘Ab d : Wh at d oes y ou r Pex h or t y ou t o d o?

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 ‘Am r : He ex hor t s us t o obey Allâh, t he All-Might y, t he All-Glor iou s, be piou s an d m ain t ain
g ood t ies w it h fam ily k in; he for bids disobedience, aggr ession, adult er y , w ine, idolat r y and
dev ot ion t o t h e cr oss.
‘Abd: Fair w or ds an d fair beliefs ar e t h ose y ou ar e callin g for . I w ish m y br ot h er w ou ld follow
m e t o believ e in Mu h am m ad Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã an d pr of ess h is r eligion, but m y br ot her is
t oo spar in g of h is k in gsh ip t o becom e a su bor din at e.
‘Am r : Should y our br ot her sur r ender him self t o I slam , t he Pr ophet w ould giv e him aut hor it y
ov er h is p eop le an d t ak e alm s t ax f r om t h e w ealt h y p eop le t o b e g iv en t o t h e n eedy.
‘Abd: Th at is fair beh av iou r . Bu t w h at is t h is alm s t ax y ou h av e m en t ion ed?
‘Am r : I t is a Div ine inj unct ion t hat alm s t ax be t ak en fr om t he w ell-t o-d o p eop l e w h o h av e
su r p lu s w ealt h an d b e d ist r ib u t ed t o t h e p oor .
‘Abd: I doubt if t his can w or k am ong ou r people.
‘Am r st ay ed for som e day s t o be adm it t ed int o Jaifer ’s cour t unt il he w as finally gr ant ed t his per m it .
“ He ask ed m e t o h an d h im t h e let t er t o r ead it . Af t er t h at h e ask ed m e h ow Qu r aish r eact ed an d I
an sw er ed t h at t h ey h ad f ollow ed h im , som e ou t of t h eir ow n f r eew ill an d ot h er s ov er p ow er ed b y
m ilit ar y f igh t in g. Now , people h av e ch osen I slam in pr ef er en ce t o ot h er cr eeds, an d h av e r ealized
t h r ou gh t h eir m en t al in sigh t t h at t h ey h ad been st r ay in g in dar k n ess. Non e, ex cept y ou , is n ow ou t
of t h e dom ain of I slam , so I adv ise y ou t o em br ace I slam so t h at y ou can pr ov ide secu r it y t o
y our self and y our count r y . ”
Her e, h e ask ed m e t o call on h im t h e follow in g day . Th e follow in g day h e sh ow ed som e r elu ct an ce in
r eceiv ing m e but his br ot her , ‘Abd, int erced ed an d I w as g iv en t h e ch an ce t o see h im ag ain b u t t h is
t im e t o addr ess m e in a t h r eat en in g ar r ogan t t on e. How ev er , af t er a pr iv at e t alk w it h h is br ot h er
an d r econ sider in g t h e w h ole sit u at ion , bot h br ot h er s em br aced I slam an d pr ov ed t o be t r u e t o I slam
t h at h ad b eg u n t o m ak e it s w ay in t o t h is n ew ar ea.
Th e con t ex t of t h is st or y r ev eals t h at t h is let t er w as sen t at a m u ch lat er dat e t h an t h e ot h er s, m ost
lik ely aft er t he conquest of Mak k ah.
Th r ou gh t h ese let t er s, t h e Pr oph et m an aged t o com m u n icat e h is M essage t o m ost m onar chs at t hat
t im e; som e believ ed, w h ile ot h er s r em ain ed obdu r at e an d per sist ed in t h eir disbelief . How ev er , t h e
idea of em br acin g I slam , an d t h e adv en t of a n ew Pr oph et pr eoccu pied all of t h em .
P O ST- H UD AI BI YAH H OSTI LI TI ES D H U QARAD I N VASI ON :
I t w as in f act n ot a bat t le bu t r at h er a sk ir m ish car r ied ou t again st a plat oon of Ban i Fazar ah . Th e
place by w h ich it w as f ou gh t is k n ow n as Dh u Qar ad, a r eser v oir of w at er at a day ’s j ou r n ey f r om
Madinah. Accor ding t o t he m aj or it y of scholar s, t his in ciden t t ook place t h r ee day s bef or e t h e bat t le
of Khaibar .
I t h as been n ar r at ed on t h e au t h or it y of Salam ah bin Al-Ak w a‘, t h e h er o of t h is bat t le, t h at t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) sen t h is h ir elin g Rabah , w it h h is cam els t o a n ear by
p a st u r e. I , t ak in g Talh ah ’s h or se, w en t t h er e f or t h e sam e pu r pose. Wh en t h e day daw n ed, ‘Abdu r
Rahm an Al-Fazar i m ade a r aid, dr ov e aw ay all t h e cam els, an d k illed t h e m an w h o look ed af t er
t h em . I t old Rabah t o r ide t h e h or se, t ak e it t o Talh ah an d in for m t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) t h at t h e poly t h eist s h ad m ade aw ay w it h h is cam els. Th en I st ood u pon a h illock an d
t u r n in g m y face t o Madin ah , sh ou t ed t h r ice: “ Com e t o ou r h elp! ” Aft er t h at I set ou t in pu r su it of t h e
r aider s, sh oot in g at t h em w it h ar r ow s an d ch an t in g ( self -eu logat or y ) v er se:
I am t he son of Al-Akwa‘ Today is t he day of defeat for t he m ean.
By Allâh , I con t in u ed sh oot in g at t h em an d h am st r in gin g t h eir an im als. Wh en ev er a h or sem an
t u r n ed u pon m e, I w ou ld com e t o a t r ee ( h id m y self) sit t in g at it s base, sh oot at h im an d h am st r in g
h is h or se. At last t h ey en t er ed a n ar r ow m ou n t ain gor ge. I ascen ded t h at m ou n t ain an d h eld t h em
at bay t h r ow in g st on es at t h em . I con t in u ed t o ch ase t h em in t h is w ay u n t il I got all t h e cam els
r eleased w it h n o on e left w it h t h em . Th ey fled in all dir ect ion s an d I follow in g an d sh oot in g at t h em
cont inually unt il t hey dr opped m or e t han t hir t y m ant les and t hir t y lances, light ening t heir bur den.
On ev er y t h in g t h ey dr opped, I pu t a m ar k w it h a st on e so t h at t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) an d h is Com pan ion s m igh t r ecogn ize t h em ( t h at it w as boot y left by t h e en em y ) . Th ey
w en t on u n t il t h ey cam e t o a n ar r ow v alley . Th ey sat dow n t o eat som et h in g, an d I sat on t h e t op of
a t aper ing r ock . Four of t hem asce n d ed t h e m ou n t ain com in g t ow ar d s m e. Wh en t h ey w er e n ear
en ou gh t o h ear m e, I sh ou t ed: “ Do y ou r ecogn ize m e?” Th ey said: “ No. Wh o ar e y ou ?” I said: “ I am
Salam ah son of Al-Ak w a‘. I can k ill any one of y ou I lik e but none of y ou can k ill m e. ” So t hey
r et u r n ed. I did n ot m ov e fr om m y place u n t il I saw t h e h or sem en of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace
be u pon h im ) , w h o cam e r idin g t h r ou gh t h e t r ees. Th e for em ost am on g t h em w as Ak h r am , beh in d
h im w as Abu Qat adah Al-Ansar i follow ed by Al-Miqdad bin Al-Asw ad. Ak hr am a nd ‘Abdur Rahm an Al-
Fazar i m et in com bat . Ak hr am ham st r ung ‘Abdur Rahm an’s hor se but t he lat t er m anaged t o st r ik e
him w it h his lance and k ill him . ‘Abdur Rahm an t ur ned ar ound r iding Ak hr am ’s hor se. Abu Qat adah,
seein g t h is, got en gaged in f ier ce com bat w it h ‘Abdu r Rah m an , sm ot e h im w it h h is lan ce an d it w as
f at al. Th e poly t h eist s con sequ en t ly f led aw ay an d I w as in t h eir pu r su it u n t il bef or e su n set t h ey
r each ed a v alley w it h a spr in g of w at er called Dh u Qar ad. Th ey r est ed t h er e t o h av e a dr in k . I
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h ow ev er , ru n n in g in h ot pu r su it , t u r n ed t h em ou t of t h e v alley befor e t h ey cou ld dr in k a dr op of
w at er . Lat er on , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , alon g w it h h is Com pan ion s, ov er t ook m e. I
addr essed h im say in g: Messen ger of Allâh , let m e select f r om ou r people on e h u n dr ed m en an d I
w ill follow t h e m ar au der s an d fin ish t h em . I n r eply , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ I bn Al-
Ak w a‘, y ou h av e t ak en en ou gh an d so n ow y ou h av e t o sh ow m agn an im it y ; n ow t h ey h av e r each ed
t h e h abit at ion of Gh at f an w h er e t h ey ar e bein g f et ed. ” He added say in g: “ Ou r best h or sem an t oday
is Abu Qat adah , an d ou r best f oot m an t oday is Salam ah . ” He allot t ed m e t w o sh ar es of t h e boot y -
t h e sh ar e m ean t for t h e h or sem an an d t h e ot h er m ean t for t h e foot m an , an d com bin ed bot h of t h em
for m e. I nt endin g t o r et u r n t o Madin ah , h e m ade m e m ou n t beh in d h im on h is sh e-cam el called Al-
‘Adba’.

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 TH E CON QUEST OF KH AI BAR ( I n M oha r r a m , 7 A.H .)

Kh aibar w as a spaciou s st r on gly for t ified t er r it or y , st u dded w it h cast les an d far m s, ly in g at a

dist an ce of 6 0 -80 m iles n or t h of Madinah, now a v illage k now n for it s uncongenial clim at e. Aft er Al-
Hu daibiy ah Tr eat y , t h e m aj or par t y of t h e an t i-I slam t r ipar t it e coalit ion — Qu r aish , t h e bedou in
h or d e of Naj d t r ib es an d t h e Jew s — w as n eu t r alized, t h er ef or e, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace b e upon him )
deem ed it an appr opr iat e t im e t o set t le h is af f air s w it h t h e ot h er t w o w in gs — t he Jew s and t he Naj d
t r ibes — in or der t h at peace an d secu r it y cou ld pr ev ail an d t h e Mu slim s m ay dev ot e t h eir t im e an d
ef f or t in pr opagat in g t h e Message of Allâh an d calling people t o em br ace it . Khaibar it self had alw ay s
r em ain ed a h ot bed of in t r igu e an d con spir acy , an d t h e Jew s h ad alw ay s con st it u t ed it a sou r ce of
m ilit ar y pr ov ocat ion s an d w ar in st igat ion cen t r e, so it w as giv en a t op pr ior it y on t h e agen da of t h e
Pr oph et ’s com pellin g ex igen cies. Th e Jew s of Kh aibar h ad u n it ed by an an cien t allian ce w it h t h e
Con f eder at es, t r igger ed Ban i Qu r aiza t o pr act ise t r each er y , m ain t ain ed con t act s w it h Gh at f an an d
t h e Ar ab ian s an d t h ey ev en d ev ised an at t em p t at t h e Pr op h et ’s life. I n fact , t he cont inual afflict ions
t hat t he Muslim s had sust ained w er e pr im ar ily at t r ibut able t o t he Jew s. Env oy s w er e r epeat edly sent
t o t h em f or peacef u l set t lem en t , bu t all in v ain . Con sequ en t ly t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
cam e t o t h e con clu sion t hat a m ilit ar y cam paign w as a m ust in or der t o for est all t heir host ilit ies.

I n t er pr et er s of t h e Noble Qu r ’ân su ggest t h at capt u r in g Kh aibar h ad been a Div in e pr om ise im plied

in Allâh’s Wor ds:

• “ Allâh h as pr om ised y ou abu n dan t spoils t h at y ou w ill cap t u r e, an d He h as h ast en ed f or

y ou t his.” [ 48: 20]

i.e., Al-Hu daibiy ah Peace Tr eat y an d t h e su r r en der of Kh aibar .

Th e h y pocr it es an d people w eak oh ear t h ad h u n g back f r om j oin in g t h e t r u e Mu slim s in Al-

Hudaibiy ah cam paigns, so now Allâh, t he All-Might y in cu lcat ed t h e f ollow in g w or ds in His Pr oph et ’s
ear s:

• “ Th ose w h o lag g ed b eh in d w ill say , w h en y ou set f or t h t o t ak e t h e sp oils, ‘Allow u s t o

follow y ou . ’ Th ey w an t t o ch an ge Allâh ’s Wor ds. Say : ‘You sh all n ot follow u s; t h u s Allâh h as
said befor ehand. ’ Then t hey w ill say : ‘Nay , y ou env y us. ’ Nay , but t hey u n d er st an d n ot
ex cept a lit t le. ” [ 48: 15]

For t h is r eason , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in v it ed on ly t h ose w h o w er e w illin g t o f igh t in t h e

cau se of Allâh t o accom pan y h im in h is m ar ch again st Kh aibar . 1 4 0 0 m en on ly , w h o h ad sw or n
allegian ce in r espon se t o his call.

Meanw hile, Siba‘ bin ‘Ar fat ah Al-Ghifar i w as chosen t o r un t he affair s of Madinah. Anot her incident of
high significance is not ew or t hy , nam ely t he I slam izat ion of Abu Hur air a, a v ener able Muslim scholar
an d an au t h en t ic n ar r at or of t h e Pr oph et ic t r adit ions.

Th e h y pocr it es of Ar abia t ook n ot ice of t h e f r esh I slam ic in t en t ion s so t h ey began t o aler t t h e Jew s
t o t he im m inent m ilit ar y act iv it ies. Their chief, ‘Abdullah bin Ubai delegat ed an env oy t o t he Jew s of
Kh aibar w ar n in g t h em again st t h e d an ger s appr oach in g, an d n er v in g t h em t o r esist t h e Mu slim s as
t h ey ou t n u m b er ed t h e lat t er an d w er e b et t er eq u ip p ed . On h ear in g t h e n ew s t h e Jew s d esp at ch ed
Kinanah bin Abi Al-Huqaiq and Haudha bin Qais t o t heir for m er allies, t he t r ibe of Ghat fan r equest in g
m ilit ar y assist ance, pr om ising t o gr ant t hem half t he y ield of t he fr uit t hat t heir far m s could y ield if
t h ey m an aged t o beat t h e Mu slim s.

Th e Pr oph et m ar ch ed by w ay of I sr a Mou n t ain an d t h en w en t f or w ar d w it h t h e ar m y t ill h e h alt ed in

a v alley called Ar-Raj i‘, en cam pin g bet w een Kh aibar an d Gh at f an so as t o pr ev en t t h e lat t er f r om
r einfor cing t he Jew s. The guides accom pany ing him led him t o an int er sect ion fr om w hich br anched
ou t t h r ee r oads w it h dif f er en t design at ion s; all leadin g t o h is dest in at ion . He abst ain ed f r om
f ollow in g t h e f ir st t w o r oads on gr ou n ds of t h eir om in ou s design at ion an d ch ose t h e t h ir d f or it s
pr opit ious indicat ions.

I t is n ot ew or t h y t h at som e in t er est in g in ciden t s feat u r ed t h e Mu slim s’ m ar ch t ow ar ds Kh aibar ; of

w h ich w e m en t ion t h e follow ing:
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 1. I t h as been n ar r at ed on t h e au t h or it y of Salam ah bin Al-Ak w a‘, w h o said: We m ar ch ed u pon
Kh aibar w it h t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) . We j ou r n ey ed du r in g t h e n igh t .
One of t he m en said t o m y br ot her ‘Am ir : Won’t y ou r ecit e t o us s om e of y our v er ses, ‘Am ir ?
So h e began t o ch an t h is v er ses t o u r ge t h e cam els, r ecit in g:

• O Allâh , if You h ad n ot gu ided u s,

We w ou ld h av e n eit h er been gu ided r igh t ly n or pr act ised ch ar it y , n or of f er ed pr ay er s.
We w ish t o lay dow n ou r liv es f or You ; so f or giv e You ou r lapses,
An d k eep u s st ead f ast w h en w e en cou n t er ( ou r en em ies) .
Best ow u pon u s peace an d t r an qu ilit y ,

Beh old, w h en w it h a cr y t h ey called u pon u s t o h elp.

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ Wh o is t h is dr iv er ( of t h e cam els)?” They said:
“ I t is ‘Am ir .” He said: “ Allâh w ill show m er cy t o him .” A m an said: “ Mar t y r dom is r eser v ed for him ; O
Messen ger of Allâh , w ou ld t h at y ou h ad allow ed u s t o ben ef it ou r selv es f r om h is lif e. ” Th e Pr oph et ’s
Com p an ion s h ad alr ead y k n ow n t h at h e w ou ld n ev er in v ok e Allâh ’s m er cy u pon a close Com pan ion
but t o single him out for m ar t y r dom .

2. On t h eir w ay dow n a v alley , t h e Mu slim s began t o en t er t ain Allâh ’s Gr eat n ess: sh ou t in g at

t he t op of t heir v oices: “ Allâh is Gr eat , Allâh is Gr eat , t her e is no god bu t Allâh . ” Th e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) ask ed t h em t o low er dow n t h eir v oices say in g: “ Th e On e y ou ar e
in v ok in g is n eit h er absen t n or deaf; He is close t o y ou , All-h ear in g. ”
3. I n a spot called As -Sah ba’, n ot f ar f r om Kh aibar , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon him ) obser v ed
t h e af t er n oon pr ay er , t h en h e called h is Com pan ion s t o h av e w h at ev er f ood pr ov ision s t h ey
h ad. Wh at t h ey br ou gh t w as t oo scan t y t o sat isf y t h em all. Th e Pr oph et t ook it by h is h an d
an d it im m ediat ely gr ew in qu an t it y , so t h ey all at e t o t h eir fill. Shor t ly aft er w ar d, he and
t h e ot h er s, r in sed t h eir m ou t h s an d per f or m ed t h e ev en in g pr ay er w it h ou t ablu t ion ; h e did
t h e sam e f or t h e n igh t pr ay er .

The follow ing m or ning, at sunr ise, t he Muslim s encount er ed t he Jew s w hen t hey had com e out about
t h eir j obs w it h t h eir ax es, spades an d st r in gs dr iv in g t h eir cat t le alon g. Th ey began t o sh ou t in
su r pr ise: “ Mu h am m ad h as com e alon g w it h h is f or ce! ” Th e Messen ger of Allâh Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã
said: “ Allâh is Gr eat , Kh aibar sh all face dest r u ct ion . Beh old! Wh en w e descen d in t h e cit y cen t r e, it
w ill b e a b ad d ay f or t h ose w h o h av e b een w ar n ed ( b u t h av e n ot t ak en h eed ) . ”
For en cam pm en t , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad ch osen a cer t ain plot of lan d h e deem ed
su it able t o ser v e as t h e h eadqu ar t er s of h is ar m y . H ow ev er , a v et er an fight er of his called Hubab bin
Al-Mu n dh ir su ggest ed t h at t h ey , u n der t h e ex igen cies of w ar r equ ir em en t s an d f or t h e sak e of
pr ov iding m ax im um logist ic facilit ies, shift t o anot her place. On appr oaching t he v icinit y of Khaibar ,
t h e Pr op h et or der ed h is t r oops t o h alt , an d began t o in v ok e h is Lor d say in g: “ O Allâh ! Lor d of t h e
sev en h eav en s an d w h at t h ey h ar b ou r b en eat h , Lor d of t h e sev en ear t h s an d w h at lies in t h eir
w om b s, Lor d of d ev ils an d w h om soev er t h ey h av e led ast r ay ; w e b eseech You t o gr an t u s t h e good
of t h is v illage ( Kh aibar ) , t h e good of it s in h abit an t s an d t h e good t h at lies in it . We seek r ef u ge w it h
You fr om t he ev il of t his v illage, t he ev il of it s inhabit ant s, and t he ev il t hat lies in it . ” Then he
or der ed, “ Now m ar ch ( t ow ar d s t he v illage) in t he Nam e of Allâh. ”
“ Th e b an n er ” , t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) d eclar ed “ w ou ld b e en t r u st ed t o a m an w h o lov es
Allâh and His Messenger and t hey ( Allâh and His Messenger ) lov e him . ” All t he Muslim s cam e
for w ar d in t h e follow in g m or n in g h opin g t o be gr an t ed t h e h on ou r of car r y in g t h e ban n er . Th e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) called f or ‘Ali bin Abi Talib w h ose ey es u sed t o h u r t , an d h an ded it t o
him . ‘Ali, on his par t , pledged he w ould fight t he enem ies unt il t hey em br aced I slam . The Pr ophet
( Peace be u pon h im ) an sw er ed h im say in g: “ Tak e t h in gs easy an d in v it e t h em t o accept I slam an d
br ief t h em on t h eir du t ies t ow ar ds Allâh . I sw ear by Allâh t h at if on ly on e sh ou ld be gu ided t h r ou gh
y ou r ex am ple, t h at w ou ld su r ely ou t w eigh t h e best of ou r cam els.”
Khaibar , it seem s, w as split int o t w o par t s w it h fiv e for t s in t he fir st : Na‘im , As -Sa‘b bin Mu‘adh, t he
cast le of Az -Zubair , ’Abi Cast le, and An -Nizar in Ash-Sh iqq; t h r ee ot h er s w er e in par t t w o: Al-
Qam us, Al-Wat eeh an d As -Salalim .
The Act ual O perat ion begins:
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) began t h e cam paign by r edu cin g t h e m in or st r on gh olds on e af t er
t h e ot h er . Th e fir st for t h e w as t o at t ack w as Na‘im , t h e fir st defen ce lin e w it h a for m idable st r at egic
posit ion . Mar h ab, t h e leader of t h e fo rt , invit ed ‘Am r bin Al-Ak w a‘ t o m eet h im in com bat an d t h e
lat t er r espon ded; w h en ‘Am r st r u ck t h e Jew , h is sw or d r ecoiled an d w ou n ded h is k n ee, an d h e died
of t h at w ou n d. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) lat er said: “ For h im ( ‘Am ir ) t h er e is a dou ble
r ew a rd in t he Her eaft er . ” He indicat ed t his by put t ing t w o of his finger s t oget her . ‘Ali bin Abi Talib
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t h en u n der t ook t o m eet Mar h ab in com bat , an d m an aged t o k ill h im . Yasir , Mar h ab’s br ot h er , t h en
t ur ned up challenging t he Muslim s t o a fight . Az -Z u b air w as eq ual t o it and k illed him on t he spot .
Real f ig h t in g t h en b r ok e ou t an d last ed f or a f ew d ay s. Th e Jew s sh ow ed cou r ag e an d p r ov ed t o b e
t oo f or m idable ev en t o t h e r epeat ed r u sh es of t h e v et er an soldier s of I slam . How ev er , t h ey lat er
r ealized t he fut ilit y of r esist an ce an d b eg an t o ab an d on t h eir p osit ion s in An -Na‘im and infilt rat e int o
t h e for t r ess of As -Sa‘b.
Al-Hubab bin Al-Mundhir Al-An sar i led t h e at t ack on As -Sa‘b f or t r ess an d laid siege t o it f or t h r ee
day s aft er w h ich t h e Mu slim s st or m ed it w it h a lo t of boot y , pr ov ision s an d food t o fall t o t h eir lot
t h er ein . Th is v ict or y cam e in t h e w ak e of t h e Pr oph et ’s ( Peace be u pon h im ) in v ocat ion t o Allâh t o
h elp Ban u Aslam in t h eir r elen t less an d dar in g at t em pt s t o capt u r e t h at f or t .
Du r in g t h e pr ocess of t h e w ar oper at ions, ex t r em e hunger st r uck t he Muslim s. They lit fir es,
slau g h t er ed d om est ic asses an d b et o cook t h em . Wh en t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) in q u ir ed
ab ou t t h e f ir es an d cook in g , h e or d er ed t h at t h ey t h r ow aw ay t h e m eat an d w ash t h e cook in g p ot s,
for biddin g t h e pr act ice of eat in g su ch m eat .
Th e Jew s, m ean w h ile, ev acu at ed An -Nat at an d bar r icaded t h em selv es in Az -Zubair for t , a
for m idable defen siv e posit ion in accessible t o bot h cav alr y an d in fan t r y . Th e Mu slim s besieged it for
t hr ee day s, but in v ain . A Jew spy t old t h e Pr oph et abou t a su bt er r an ean w at er sou r ce t h at pr ov ided
t h em w it h w at er , an d adv ised t h at it be cu t of f in or der t o u n der m in e t h eir r esist an ce. Th e Pr oph et
( Peace b e u p on h im ) d id t h at so t h e Jew s g ot ou t t o en g ag e w it h t h e Mu slim s in fier ce fight ing
du r in g w h ich som e Mu slim s an d t en Jew s w er e k illed, bu t t h e f or t w as ev en t u ally con qu er ed.
Sh or t ly aft er t h is bat t le, t h e Jew s m ov ed t o ’Abi Cast le an d bar r icaded t h em selv es in side. Th e sam e
ev en t s r ecu r r ed; t h e Mu slim s besieged t h e n ew sit e f or t h r ee day s an d t h en t h e gr eat Mu slim h er o
Abu Duj anah Sam m ak bin Khar shah Al-Ansar i — of t h e r ed r ibbon — led t he Muslim ar m y and br ok e
in t o t h e cast le, con du ct ed fier ce m ilit ar y oper at ion s w it h in an d for ced t h e r em ain in g Jew s t o flee for
t heir liv es int o anot her for t , An -Nizar .
An -Nizar w as t h e m ost pow er f u l f or t , an d t h e Jew s cam e t o t h e est ablish ed con v ict ion t h at it w as
t oo im m u n e t o be st or m ed, so t h ey deem ed it a saf e place f or t h eir ch ildr en an d w om en . Th e
Mu slim s, h ow ev er , w er e n ot dism ayed b u t d r ag g ed on t h e sieg e, b u t b ecau se st an d in g at a
com m an din g t op, t h e for t w as im pr egn able. Th e Jew s in side w er e t oo cow ar dly t o m eet t h e Mu slim s
in op en f ig h t b u t r at h er h u r led a sh ow er of ar r ow s an d st on es on t h e at t ack er s. Con sid er in g t h is
sit uat io n , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) or der ed t h at r am s be u sed an d t h ese pr ov ed ef f ect iv e
an d cau sed cr ack s in t h e r am par t s pr ov idin g an easy access in t o t h e h ear t of t h e f or t , w h er e t h e
Jew s w er e pu t t o r ou t an d f led in all dir ect ion s leav in g beh in d t h eir w om en and childr en.
Wit h t h ese ser ies of m ilit ar y v ict or ies, t h e fir st div ision of Kh aibar w as t ot ally r edu ced, an d t h e Jew s
in t h e ot h er m in or f or t r esses ev acu at ed t h em an d f led t o t h e secon d div ision .
TH E SECON D PART OF OF KH AI BAR CON QURED :
W h en t h e Prophet ( Peace be upon him ) , along w it h his ar m y , m ov ed t o t his par t of Khaibar , Al-
Kat iba, h e laid a h eav y siege t o it f or f ou r t een day s w it h t h e Jew s bar r icadin g t h em selv es in side
t h eir f or t s. Wh en h e w as ab ou t t o u se t h e r am s, t h e Jew s r ealized t h at t h ey would perish, t herefore,
t h ey ask ed f or a n eg ot iab le p eace t r eat y .
Th er e is on e con t r ov er sial poin t in t h is con t ex t . Was t h is par t of Kh aibar ( w it h it s t h r ee for t s)
con qu er ed by f or ce? I bn I sh aq clear ly st at ed t h at Al-Qam u s for t w as con qu er ed by for ce. Al-Waqidi,
on t h e ot h er h an d , m ain t ain ed t h at t h e t h r ee f or t s w er e t ak en t h r ou g h p eace n eg ot iat ion s, an d
f or ce, if an y , w as r esor t ed t o on ly t o h an d t h e f or t ov er t o t h e Mu slim s; t h e t w o ot h er f or t s
su r r en der ed w it h ou t f igh t in g.
N EGOTI ATI ON S:
I bn Abi Al-Huq aiq w as d esp at ch ed t o t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on h im ) t o n eg ot iat e t h e
su r r en der t r eat y . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) agr eed t o spar e t h eir liv es on con dit ion t h ey
ev acu at e Kh aibar an d t h e adj acen t lan d, leav in g w h at ev er gold an d silv er t h ey h ad in t h eir
possession . How ev er , h e st ipu lat ed t h at h e w ou ld disav ow an y com m it m en t if t h ey con cealed
an y t h in g. Sh or t ly af t er w ar ds, t h e f or t s w er e h an ded ov er t o t h e Mu slim s an d all Kh aibar w as
r edu ced an d br ou gh t u n der t h e sw ay of I slam .
Th is t r eat y n ot w it hst anding, Abi Al-Hu q aiq ’s t w o son s con cealed a leat h er b ag f u ll of j ew els, an d
m oney belonging t o Huy ai bin Al-Ak h t ab, w h o car r ied it w it h h im w h en Ban u Nadir h ad been
ban ish ed. Kin an ah bin Ar -Rab i‘, w h o h ad h id d en t h e m u sk som ew h er e, w as ob d u r at e in h is den ial
an d so h e w as k illed w h en t h e m u sk w as d iscov er ed an d h is d ish on est y w as p r ov en . Ab i Al-Huqaiq’s
t w o son s w er e k illed in r ecom pen se f or br each in g t h e cov en an t , an d Saf iy ah , Hu y ai’s dau gh t er w as
t ak en as a capt iv e.
D I STRI BUTI ON OF SPOI LS:
I n accor d an ce w it h t h e ag r eem en t alr ead y con clu d ed , t h e Jew s w ou ld b e ob lig ed t o ev acu at e
Kh aibar , bu t t h ey w er e an x iou s t o k eep on cu lt iv at in g t h e r ich soil an d fin e or ch ar d for w h ich
Kh aibar w as f am ou s. Th ey , t h er ef or e, appr oach ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) with the request

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t h at t h ey be allow ed t o cu lt iv at e t h eir lan ds an d t h ey w ou ld giv e h alf of t h e pr odu ce t o t h e Mu slim s.
Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as k in d en ou gh t o accede t o t h eir r equ est .
Th e Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) div ided t h e lan d of Kh aib ar in t o t w o: on e h alf t o pr ov ide t h e
food t o be st or ed in case of an y acciden t al calam it y t h at m igh t befall t h e Mu slim s, an d for
en t er t ain in g t h e f or eign delegat es w h o st ar t ed t o f r equ en t Madin ah a lot ; t h e ot h er h alf w ou ld go t o
t h e Mu slim s w h o h ad w it n essed Al-Hudaibiy ah ev ent w het her pr esent or absent . The t ot al num ber of
sh ar es cam e t o 3 6 , of w h ich 1 8 w er e g iv en t o t h e p eop le ab ov e -m ent ioned. The ar m y consist ed of
1 4 0 0 m en of w h om w er e 2 0 0 h or sem en . Th e h or sem an w as allot t ed 3 sh ar es an d t h e f oot m an on e.
Th e spoils t ak en at Kh aibar w er e so gr eat t h at I bn ‘Um ar said: “ We n ev er at e ou r f ill u n t il w e h ad
con qu er ed Kh aibar . ” ‘Aish ah ( May Allah be pleased w it h h er ) is n ar r at ed t o h av e said: “ Now w e can
eat ou r fill of dat es. ”
On t h eir r et u r n t o Madin ah , t h e Em igr an t s w er e able t o r et u r n t o t h e Helper s of Madin ah all t h e gif t s
t h ey h ad r eceiv ed. All of t h is afflu en ce cam e aft er t h e con qu est of Kh aibar an d t h e gr eat econ om ic
ben ef it s t h at t h e Mu slim s began t o r eap.
Th e con qu est of Kh aibar coin cided w it h t h e ar r iv al of t he Pr ophet ’s cousin Ja‘far bin Abi Talib and his
com pan ion s alon g w it h Abi Mu sa Al-Ash‘ar i and som e Muslim s fr om Aby ssinia ( Et hiopia) .
Abu Musa Al-Ash ‘ar i n ar r at ed t h at h e an d ov er fift y com pan ion s, w h ile in Yem en , t ook a sh ip w h ich
lan d ed t h em in Aby ssinia ( Et hiopia) and t hey happened t o m eet t her e Ja‘far and his com panions. He
said , “ We st ay ed t og et h er u n t il t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) sen t an en v oy ask in g u s t o com e
b ack . Wh en w e r et u r n ed , w e f ou n d ou t t h at h e h ad alr ead y con q u er ed Kh aib ar , y et h e g av e u s ou r
d u e sh ar es of t h e sp oils. ” Th e ad v en t of t h ose m en cam e at t h e r eq u est m ad e b y t h e Messen g er of
Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) t o Negus, k ing of Aby ssinia ( Et hiopia) , t hr ough a Pr ophet ic deput y , ‘Am r
bin Om aiya Ad -Dam ar i. Negu s sen t t h em back , 1 6 m en alt oget h er w it h t h eir w iv es an d ch ildr en on
t w o boat s. Th e r est of em igr an t s h ad ar r iv ed in Madin ah ear lier .
I n t h e sam e con t ex t , Safiy ah , w h ose h u sban d Kin an ah bin Abi Al-Huqaiq w as k illed for t r eacher y ,
w as t ak en as a cap t iv e an d b r ou g h t alon g w it h ot h er pr ison er s of w ar . Af t er t h e per m ission of t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as sou gh t , Dih y ah Al-Kalb i ch ose on e of t h em an d sh e h ap p en ed t o
be Safiy ah . Th e ot h er Mu slim s, h ow ev er , adv ised t h at Safiy ah , bein g t h e dau gh t er of t h e ch ief of
Ban i Qu r aiza an d Ban i Nadir , sh ou ld be m ar r ied t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h o agr eed t o
t h eir opin ion , in v it ed h er t o I slam , fr eed an d t ook h er as w ife on h er em br acin g I slam . Th e w eddin g
f east con sist ed of d at es an d f at , an d w as h eld on h is w ay b ack t o Madin ah at a spot called Sadd As-
Sahba’.
Aft er t h e con qu est of Kh aibar , a Jew ish w om an called Zain ab bin t Al-Har it h of f er ed t h e Pr oph et
( Peace b e u p on h im ) a r oast ed sh eep sh e h ad p oison ed . He t ook a m ou t h f u l, b u t it w as n ot t o h is
lik ing so he spat it ou t . Af t er in v est igat ion , t h e w om an con f essed t h at sh e h ad st u f f ed t h e f ood w it h
poison allegin g t h at if t h e eat er w er e a k in g, sh e w ou ld t h en r id h er self of h im , bu t sh ou ld h e be a
Pr op h et , t h en h e w ou ld b e b ou n d t o lear n ab ou t it . Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e upon him ) , how ev er ,
con n iv ed at h er t r each er ou s at t em pt , bu t or der ed t h at sh e be k illed w h en Bish r bin Al-Bar a’ died of
t h at poison .
Th e n u m ber of Mu slim s w h o w er e m ar t y r ed w as con t r ov er sial, bu t it r an ged bet w een 1 6 an d 1 8 ,
w hile t he num ber of Jew s k ille d cam e t o 9 3 .
Th e r est of Kh aibar also f ell t o t h e Mu slim s. Allâh cast f ear in t o t h e h ear t s of t h e people of Fadak , a
v illage st an din g t o t h e n or t h of Kh aibar , an d t h ey h ast en ed t o ask for peace, an d be allow ed t o leav e
in saf et y , an d giv e u p t h eir w ealt h in r et u r n f or t h at . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) en t er ed in t o
an agr eem en t w it h t h em sim ilar t o t h e pr ev iou s on e w it h t h e people of Kh aib. Fadak w as ex clu siv ely
t he Pr ophet ’s because neit her Muslim cav alr y nor cam elr y w er e inv olv ed in fight t her eby .
No soon er h ad t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) d isch ar g ed t h e af f air of Kh aib ar t h an h e st ar t ed a
f r esh m ov e t ow ar ds Wadi Al-Qu r a, an ot h er Jew ish colon y in Ar abia. He m obilized h is for ces an d
div ided t h em in t o t h r ee r egim en t s w it h f ou r ban n er s en t r u st ed t o Sa‘d bin ‘Ubada, Al-Hu bab bin
Mundhir , ‘Abbad bin Bishr and Sahl bin Haneef. Pr ior t o fight ing, he inv it ed t he Jew s t o em br ace
I slam bu t all h is w or ds an d ex h or t at ion s f ell on deaf ear s. Elev en of t h e Jew s w er e k illed on e af t er
an ot h er an d w it h each on e n ew ly k illed, a f r esh call w as ex t en ded in v it in g t h ose people t o pr of ess
t he new fait h. Fight ing w ent on ceaselessly for appr ox im at ely t w o day s and r esult ed in full sur r ender
of t h e Jew s. Th eir lan d w as con qu er ed, an d a lot of boot y f ell in t h e h an ds of t h e Muslim s.
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) st ay ed in Wadi Al-Qur a for four day s, dist r ibut ed t he boot y am ong
t h e Mu slim f igh t er s an d r each ed an agr eem en t w it h t h e Jew s sim ilar t o t h at of Kh aibar .
Th e Jew s of Taim a’, h ear in g bef or eh an d abou t t h e su ccessiv e v ict or ies of t he Muslim ar m y and t he
defeat s t hat t heir br et hr en, t he Jew s, had sust ained, show ed no r esist ance w hen t he Pr ophet ( Peace
be u pon h im ) r each ed t h eir h abit at ion . On t h e con t r ar y , t h ey t ook t h e in it iat iv e an d offer ed t o sign a
r econciliat ion t r e at y t o t h e effect t h at t h ey r eceiv e pr ot ect ion bu t pay t r ibu t e in r et u r n . Hav in g
achiev ed his obj ect iv e and subdued t he Jew s com plet ely , t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) m ade his
w ay back hom e and ar r iv ed in Madinah in lat e Safar or ear ly Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al 7 A.H.

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I t is n ot ew or t h y t h at t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) , b ein g t h e b est am on g st w ar ex p er t s,
r ealized qu it e r eadily t h at ev acu at in g Madin ah af t er t h e lapse of t h e pr oh ibit ed m on t h s ( Mu h ar r am ,
Dh u l Qa‘da an d Dh u l Hij j a) w ou ld n ot be w ise at all w it h t h e p r esen ce of t h e d eser t b ed ou in s
r oam in g in it s v icin it y . Su ch a car eless at t it u de, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) believ ed, w ou ld
t em pt t h e u n disciplin ed m ob t o pr act ise t h eir fav ou r it e h obby of plu n der in g, loot in g an d all act s of
pir acy . This pr em onit ion alw ay s in m in d, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) despat ch ed Aban bin
Sa‘id at t h e h ead of a p lat oon t o d et er t h ose b ed ou in s an d f or est all an y at t em p t at r aid in g t h e
h eadqu ar t er s of t h e n ascen t I slam ic st at e du r in g h is absen ce in Kh aibar . Aban ach iev ed h is t ask
su ccessf u lly an d j oin ed t h e Pr oph et Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã in Kh aibar af t er it h ad been con qu er ed.

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 Sporadic I nvasions

The Expedit ion called Dhat - ur - Riqa ' ( in t he ye a r 7 A.H .) :

Hav in g su b d u ed t w o p ow er f u l sid es of t h e Con f ed er at es coalit ion , t h e Pr op h et peace be u pon h im

st ar t ed pr epar at ion s t o disciplin e t h e t h ir d par t y , i. e. t h e deser t bedou in s, w h o t ook Naj d f or
h abit at ion , an d con t in u ed in t h eir u su al pr act ices of loot in g an d plu n der in g. Un lik e t h e Jew s of
Kh aibar an d people of Mak k ah , t h ey h ad a lik in g f or liv in g in t h e w ilder n ess disper sed in scat t er ed
spot s, hence t he difficult y of br inging t hem under cont r ol, and t he fut ilit y of car r y ing out det er r ent
cam paign s again st t h em . How ev er , t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im w as det er m in ed t o pu t an en d t o
t h is u n accept able sit u at ion an d called t h e Mu slim s ar ou n d h im t o get r eady t o lau n ch a decisiv e
cam paign again st t h ose h ar assin g r ebels. Mean w h ile it w as r epor t ed t o h im t h at Ban i Mu h ar ib an d
Ban u Th a' lbah of t h e Gh at f an t r ibe w er e gat h er in g ar m y in or der to en cou n t er t h e Mu slim s. Th e
Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im p r oceed ed t ow ar d s Naj d at t h e h ead of 4 0 0 or 7 0 0 m en , af t er h e h ad
m an dat ed Abu Dh ar - in anot her v er sion, 'Ut hm an bin 'Affan - t o dispose t h e af f air s of Madin ah
dur ing his absence. The Muslim fight er s p en et r at ed d eep in t o t h eir lan d u n t il t h ey r each ed a sp ot
called Nak h lah w h er e t h ey cam e acr oss som e bedou in s of Gh at f an , bu t n o f igh t in g t ook place
becau se t h e lat t er h ad agr eed t o go in t o r econ ciliat ion w it h t h e Mu slim s. Th e Pr oph et peace be u pon
him le d h is f ollow er s t h at day in a pr ay er of f ear .

Al-Buk har i, on t he aut hor it y of Abu Musa Al-Ash ' ar i, n ar r at ed t h at t h ey set ou t on an ex pedit ion w it h
t h e Messen ger of Allâh peace be u pon h im . " We w er e six in n u m ber an d h ad ( w it h u s) on ly on e
cam el w h ich w e r ode t u r n by t u r n . Ou r f eet w er e in j u r ed. My f eet w er e so badly in j u r ed t h at m y
n ails cam e of f . We, t h er ef or e, ban daged ou r f eet w it h r ags, so t h is ex pedit ion w as called Dh at-u r-
Riqa' ( i. e. t he ex pedit ion of r ags. ) "

Jabir n ar r at ed: I n t h e cou r se of Dh at-u r-Riqa' ex pedit ion, w e cam e t o a leafy t r ee w her e t he Pr ophet
peace be u pon h im sat sh adin g h im self of f t h e bu r n in g su n . Th e ot h er s disper sed h er e an d t h er e
seek in g sh elt er f r om h eat . Th e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im h ad a sh or t n ap af t er h e h ad h u n g h is
sw o rd on t h e t r ee. A poly t h eist , m ean w h ile cam e, seized t h e sw or d an d u n sh eat h ed it .

Th e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im w ok e u p t o f in d h is sw or d d r aw n in t h e m an ' s h an d . Th e b ed ou in
h er e ask ed t h e Pr oph et ( u n ar m ed t h en ) : " Wh o w ou ld h old m e back f r om k illin g y ou n ow ?" Th e
Pr oph et peace be u pon h im t h en an sw er ed: " I t is Allâh . " I n an ot h er v er sion , it w as r epor t ed t h at t h e
Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im t ook t h e sw or d w h en it h ad f allen d ow n an d t h e m an said : " You ( t h e
Pr op h et ) ar e t h e b est on e t o h old a sw or d . " Th e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im ask ed t h e m an if h e
w ou ld t est if y t o t h e On en ess of Allâh an d t h e Messen ger sh ip of Mu h am m ad. Th e Ar abian an sw er ed
t h at h e w ou ld n ev er en gage in a f igh t again st h im , n or w ou ld h e ally people f igh t in g t h e Mu slim s.
Th e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im set t h e m an f r ee an d let h im go t o h is people t o say t o t h em t h at h e
h ad seen t h e b est on e am on g all p eop le.

A w om an f r om t h e Ar abian s w as t ak en pr ison er in t h e con t ex t of t h is bat t le. Her h u sban d, on

h ear in g t h e n ew s, sw or e h e w ou ld n ev er st op u n t il h e h ad sh ed t h e blood of a Mu slim . Secr et ly at
n igh t , h e appr oach ed t h e cam p of t h e Mu slim s w h en h e saw t w o sen t r ies st at ion ed t h er e t o aler t t h e
Mu slim s again st an y em er gen cy . He sh ot t h e f ir st on e, Abbad bin Bish r , w h o w as obser v in g pr ay er ,
w it h an arr ow bu t h e did n ot st op pr ay er , h e sim ply pu lled it ou t . Th en h e w as sh ot by t h r ee ot h er
ar r ow s b u t w ou ld n ot in t er r u p t h is p r ay er . Af t er h e h ad d on e t h e closin g salu t at ion s, h e aw ak en ed
h is com pan ion ' Am m ar bin Yasir , w h o r em on st r at ed t h at h e sh ou ld h av e aler t ed h im t o w h ich t h e
lat t er r eplied t h at h e w as h alf w ay t h r ou gh a Ch apt er an d did n ot lik e t o in t er r u pt it .

Th e v ict or y at t h e ex pedit ion of Dh at-u r-Riqa' h ad a t r em en dou s im pact on all t h e Ar abian s. I t cast
f ear in t o t h eir h ear t s an d r en der ed t h em t oo pow er less t o ant agonize t he Muslim societ y in Madinah.
Th ey b eg an t o acq u iesce in t h e p r ev ailin g sit u at ion an d r esig n ed t h em selv es t o n ew g eo-polit ical
con dit ion s w or k in g in fav ou r of t h e n ew r eligion . Som e of t h em ev en em br aced I slam an d t ook an
act ive par t in t h e con qu est of Mak k ah an d t h e bat t le of Hu n ain , an d r eceiv ed t h eir du e sh ar es of t h e
w ar b oot y .

Fr om t h at t im e on w ar d, t h e an t i-I slam t r ipar t it e coalit ion had been subdued, and peace and secur it y
pr ev ailed. Th e Mu slim s, t h en st ar t ed t o r edr ess a ny polit ical im balance and fill in t he sm all gaps t hat
st ill t r igger ed u n r est h er e an d t h er e in t h e f ace of t h e gr eat dr iv e of I slam izat ion t h at en v eloped t h e
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w h ole ar ea. We cou ld in t h is con t ex t m en t ion som e of t h ese in ciden t al sk ir m ish es w h ich poin t ed
m ar k edly t o t h e ev er-gr ow in g pow er of t h e Mu slim societ y .

• 1 . A plat oon headed by Ghalib bin 'Abdullah Al-Lait hi in Safar or in Rabi' Al-Aw w al 7 A. H.
w as despat ch ed t o m u f f le t h e pr ov ocat iv e beh av iou r of Ban i Al-Muluh. The Muslim s m anaged
t o k ill a lar ge number of t h e en em y soldier s an d capt u r ed a gr eat deal of boot y . A lar ge ar m y
of poly t h eist s r u sh ed in t h eir h eel bu t f loods h in der ed t h e pu r su it , an d t h e Mu slim s m an aged
t o w it h dr aw in saf et y .
• 2. 'Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab , at t h e h ead of a 3 0 -soldier gr ou p, set ou t t o a spot called Tu r bah in
Sh a' ban 7 A. H. t o disciplin e t h e people of Haw azin . He n o lon ger ar r iv ed at t h eir h abit at ion
t hat t hey fled for t heir liv es.
• 3. Thir t y m en w it h Basheer bin Sa'd Al-Ansar i headed for Bani Mur r ah in Sha'ban 7 A. H. in
Fadak ar e a. He k illed a lar ge n u m ber of t h e en em y an d seized a lot of t h eir cam els an d cat t le.
On h is w ay back , t h e en em y gat h er ed u p f or ces an d ov er t ook t h e Mu slim s at n igh t . Th ey
sh ow er ed Bash eer an d h is m en w it h ar r ow s, an d k illed all t h e Mu slim s ex cept Bash eer , w h o
t ook r ef u g e in Fad ak an d st ay ed w it h t h e Jew s t h er e u n t il h is w ou n d s h ealed .
• 4. Ghalib bin 'Abdullah Al-Lait h i at t h e h ead of a plat oon of 1 3 0 m en lau n ch ed an at t ack
against Bani 'Aw âl and Bani 'Abd bin Tha'lbah in Ram adan 7 A. H. They k illed som e of t h e
enem y 's m en and capt ur ed t heir cat t le and cam els. 'Usam a bin Zaid k illed Mar das bin Nahik ,
a poly t h eist , bu t af t er h e h ad pr on ou n ced t h e t est im on y of Allâh ' s On en ess t o w h ich in ciden t
t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im com m en t ed addr essin g h is Com pan ion s: " Would you rip open
h is h ear t t o discer n w h et h er h e is t r u t h f u l or a liar ?"
• 5. A t hirt y-h or sem an gr ou p h eaded by ' Abdu llah bin Raw ah a m ar ch ed t ow ar ds Kh aibar on
r epor t s t h at Aseer ( or Bash eer bin Razam ) w as r ally in g t h e r an k s of Ban i Gh at f an t o at t ack
t h e Muslim s: They m anaged t o per suade t hat Jew t o follow t hem t o Madinah encour aging him
t h at t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im w ou ld in st it u t e h im as a r u ler of Kh aibar . On t h eir w ay
back t h er e occu r r ed a sor t of m isu n der st an din g t h at gav e r ise t o fier ce figh t in g b et w een t h e
t w o par t ies r esu lt in g in t h e deat h of Aseer an d t h e t h ir t y m en w it h h im .
• 6. I n Shaw w al 7 A. H. , Basheer bin Sa'd Al-An sar i m ar ch ed t ow ar ds Yem en an d Jabar at t h e
h ead of 3 0 0 Mu slim f igh t er s t o su bdu e a lar ge m ob of poly t h eist s w h o gat h er ed t o r aid t h e
ou t sk ir t s of Madin ah . Bash eer an d h is m en u sed t o m ar ch at n igh t an d lu r k du r in g t h e day
u n t il t h ey r each ed t h eir dest in at ion . Hav in g h ear d abou t t h e adv en t of t h e Mu slim s, t h e
p oly t h eist s f led aw ay leav in g b eh in d t h em a lar g e b oot y an d t w o m en w ho lat er em br aced
I slam on ar r iv al in Madinah.
• 7. I n t he y ear 7 A. H. , shor t ly befor e t he Com pensat or y 'Um r ah ( lesser pilgr im age) , a m an
called Jash m b in Mu ' aw iy ah cam e t o a sp ot called Gh ab ah w h er e h e w an t ed t o g at h er t h e
people of Qais an d en t ice t h em in t o figh t in g t h e Mu slim s. Th e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im , on
h ear in g t h ese r ep or t s, d esp at ch ed Ab u Had r ad w it h t w o m en t o see t o t h e sit u at ion . Ab u
Hadr ad, t h r ou gh a clev er st r at egy , m an aged t o r ou t t h e en em y an d capt u r e a lot of t h eir
cat t le.

The Com pensat or y 'Um r a h ( Le sse r Pilgr im a ge )

Wh en Dh u l Qa' da m on t h appr oach ed t ow ar ds t h e close of t h e sev en t h y ear A. H. , t h e Pr oph et peace
b e u p on h im or d er ed h is p eop le, an d t h e m en w h o w it n essed Al-Hudaibiy ah Tr uce Tr eat y in
par t icu lar , t o m ak e pr epar at ion s t o per f orm 'Um r ah ( lesser pilgr im age) . He pr oceeded w it h 2 0 0 0
m en besides som e w om en and childr en, and 6 0 cam els for sacr ifice, t o v isit t he Holy Sanct uar y in
Mak k ah. The Muslim s t ook t heir w eapons w it h t hem fear ing t he t r eacher y of t he Qur aishit es, but left
t hem w it h a par t y of t w o h u n dr ed m en at a place som e eigh t m iles f r om Mak k ah . Th ey en t er ed t h e
cit y w it h t h e sw or ds in t h eir scabbar ds, w it h t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im at t h eir h ead on h is
sh e-cam el, Al-Qasw a' , w h ile t h e su r r ou n din g Com pan ion s at t en t iv ely f ocusing t heir look on him , all
say in g: " Her e I am ! at You r ser v ice O Allâh ! " Th e Qu r aish it es h ad left t h e place an d r et ir ed t o t h eir
t ent s on t he adj oining hills. The Muslim s per for m ed t he usual cir cum am bulat ion v igor ously and
br isk ly ; and on r ecom m endat ion b y t h e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im t h ey d id t h eir b est t o ap p ear
st r on g an d st eadf ast in t h eir cir cu m am bu lat ion as t h e poly t h eist s h ad spr ead r u m ou r s t h at t h ey
w er e w eak becau se t h e f ev er of Yat h r ib ( Madin ah ) h ad sapped t h eir st r en gt h . Th ey w er e or der ed t o
ru n in t h e f ir st t h r ee r ou n ds an d t h en w alk in t h e r em ain in g on es. Th e Mak k an s m ean w h ile align ed
on t h e t op of Qu ' aiqa' an Mou n t w at ch in g t h e Mu slim s, t on gu e-t ied at w it n essin g t h eir st r en g t h an d
dev ot ion . Wh en t h ey en t er ed t h e Holy San ct u ar y , ' Abdu llah bin Raw ah a w alk ed b ef or e t h e Pr op h et
peace be upon him r ecit ing:
" Get ou t of h is w ay , y ou disbeliev er s, m ak e w ay , w e w ill f igh t y ou abou t it s r ev elat ion w it h st r ok es
t hat w ill r em ov e heads fr om shoulder s and m ak e fr iend unm indful of fr iend. " Aft er r it ual w alk ing and

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r u n n in g bet w een t h e t w o h ills of Mak k ah , Saf a an d Mar w ah , t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im w it h t h e
Mu slim s h alt ed at t h e lat t er spot t o slau gh t er t h e sacr if icial an im als an d sh av e t h eir h eads.
Th e m ain body of t h e pilgr im s h ad n ow per for m ed t h e basic r it es of t h e lesser pilgr im age, bu t t h er e
r em ained t hose w ho w er e ent r ust ed t he char ge of t he w eapons. The Pr ophet had t hese r eliev ed, and
t h ey w en t t h r ou g h t h e sam e d ev ot ion s as t h e ot h er s d id .
On t h e m or n in g of t h e fou r t h day of t h e pilgr im age, t h e n ot ables of Qur aish ask ed 'Ali bin Abi Talib
t o t ell t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im t o leav e Mak k ah alon g w it h h is Com pan ion s. He, of cou r se,
could not conceiv e of v iolat ing t he t er m s of Al-Hu daibiy ah Tr eat y , t h er ef or e h e or der ed h is m en t o
depar t for a v illage called Sar if w h er e h e st ay ed for som e t im e.
I t w as du r in g t h is v isit of t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im t o Mak k ah f or pilgr im age t h at h is u n cle
' Ab b as of f er ed t h e h an d of h is sist er-in -law , Maim una - t h e dau gh t er of Har it h , t o h im . Th e Pr oph et
p eace b e u p on h im w as k in d en ou gh t o accept t h is of f er sin ce it w as an ef f ect iv e st ep t ow ar ds
cem ent ing t he t ies of r elat ionship bet w een t he Pr ophet peace be upon him and t he influent ial m en of
Mak k ah. The w edding t ook place in Sar if.
Nar r at or s at t ach ed dif f er en t designat ions t o t his lesser pilgr im age. Som e called it t he com pensat or y
lesser pilgr im age, per f or m ed in st ead of t h at u n com plet ed of Hu daibiy ah ; an d t h e ot h er on e, giv en
pr epon der an ce by j u r ist s, is t h e lesser pilgr im age con sequ en t on cer t ain t er m s of a t r eaty alr eady
agr eed u pon . On t h e w h ole, com pen sat or y , j u dicial con sen t , r et r ibu t ion an d r econ ciliat ion ar e all
t er m s applicable t o t hat v isit .
Som e m ilit ar y oper at ion s, dir ect ed again st som e st ill obdu r at e deser t Ar abian s, t ook place at t h e
con clu sion of t h e lesser pilgr im age, of w hich w e could m ent ion:

• 1. A plat oon of 50 m en led by I bn Abi Al-' Aw j a' w as d esp at ch ed b y t h e Pr op h et p eace b e

u pon h im t o t h e h abit at ion s of Ban i Saleem in v it in g t h em t o em br ace I slam , bu t all t h e w or ds
fell on deaf ear s. Fier ce fight ing er upt ed bet w een bot h par t ies dur ing w hich t he Muslim leader
w as w ou n d ed , an d t w o of t h e en em y w er e cap t u r ed .
• 2 . Gh alib bin ' Abdu llah at t h e h ead of 2 0 0 m en w as despat ch ed t o Fadak w h er e t h ey k illed
som e r ebels an d a lot of boot y f ell t o t h eir lot .
• 3 . Ban u Qu da' a h ad gat h er ed a lar ge n u m ber of m en t o r aid t h e Mu slim posit ion s. On
h ear in g t h e n ew s, t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im despat ch ed Ka' b bin ' Um air Al-Ansari at t he
h ead of 1 5 m en t o deal w it h t h is sit u at ion . Th ey en cou n t er ed t h e ar m y , an d calle d t h em t o
en t er in t o t h e f old of I slam b u t t h e r eb els g av e a n eg at iv e r esp on se an d sh ow er ed t h e
Mu slim s w it h ar r ow s k illin g all of t h em ex cept on e w h o w as car r ied back h om e lat er ser iou sly
w ou n d ed .

Ther e w as also an insignificant sk ir m ish t hat occur r ed in Rabi' Al-Aw w al 8 A. H. Shuj a' bin Wahab Al-
Asadi, alon g w it h 2 5 m en , m ar ch ed t ow ar ds Ban i Haw azin t r ibe w h er e t h ey en cou n t er ed n o
r esist an ce bu t m an aged t o gain som e boot y .
The Bat t le of Mu't ah
I t w as t h e m ost sign ifican t an d t h e fier cest bat t le du r in g t he lifet im e of t he Messenger of Allâh peace
be u pon h im , a pr elim in ar y an d a pr elu de t o t h e gr eat con qu est s of t h e lan d of t h e Ch r ist ian s. I t
t ook place in Jum ada Al-Ula 8 A. H. / Sept em ber 6 2 9 A. D. Mu't ah is a v illage t hat lies on t he bor der s
of geogr aph ical Syria.
Th e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im h ad sen t Al-Harit h bin 'Um air Al-Azdi on an er r an d t o car r y a let t er
t o t h e r u ler of Bu sr a. On h is w ay , h e w as in t er cept ed by Sh ar h abeel bin ' Am r Al-Gh assan i, t h e
gov er nor of Al-Balqa' an d a close ally t o Caesar , t h e By zant ine Em per or . Al-Har it h w as t ied an d
b eh ead ed b y Al-Gh assan i.
Killin g en v oy s an d m essen ger s u sed t o be r egar ded as t h e m ost aw f u l cr im e, an d am ou n t ed t o t h e
d eg r ee of w ar d eclar at ion . Th e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im w as sh ock ed on h ear in g t h e n ew s an d
or der ed t h at a lar ge ar m y of 3 0 0 0 m en be m obilized an d despat ch ed t o t h e n or t h t o disciplin e t h e
t r an sgr essor s. I t w as t h e lar gest Mu slim ar m y n ev er m obilized on t h is scale ex cept in t h e pr ocess of
t h e Con f ed er at es Bat t le.
Z aid b in Har it h a w as ap p oin t ed t o lead t he ar m y . Ja'far bin Abi Talib w ould r eplace him if he w as
k illed, an d ' Abdu llah bin Raw ah a w ou ld su cceed Ja' f ar in case t h e lat t er f ell. A w h it e ban n er w as
r aised an d h an d ed ov er t o Z aid .
Th e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im r ecom m en ded t h at t h ey r each t h e scen e of Al-Har it h's m ur der and
in v it e t h e people t o pr of ess I slam . Sh ou ld t h e lat t er r espon d posit iv ely , t h en n o w ar w ou ld en su e,
ot h er w ise f igh t in g t h em w ou ld be t h e on ly alt er n at iv e lef t . He or der ed t h em :
" Fight t he disbeliev er s in t he Nam e of Allâh , n eit h er br each a cov en an t n or en t er t ain t r each er y , an d
u n der n o cir cu m st an ces a n ew -bor n , w om an , an agein g m an or a h er m it sh ou ld be k illed; m or eov er
n eit h er t r ees sh ou ld be cu t dow n n or h om es dem olish ed. " At t h e con clu sion of t h e m ilit ar y
p r ep ar at ion s, t h e people of Madin ah gat h er ed an d bade t h e ar m y f ar ew ell. ' Abdu llah bin Raw ah a
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began t o w eep at t h at m om en t , an d w h en ask ed w h y h e w as w eepin g, h e sw or e t h at it w as n ot lov e
for t his w or ld nor under a m ot iv e of infat uat ion w it h t he glam our of life but r at h er t h e Wor ds of Allâh
speak in g of Fir e t h at h e h ear d t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im r ecit in g:
" Th er e is n ot on e of y ou bu t w ill pass ov er it ( Hell) ; t h is is w it h y ou r Lor d, a Decr ee w h ich m u st be
accom plished." [ 19: 71]
The Muslim ar m y t hen m ar ched nor t h w ar d t o Ma' ân , a t ow n bor der in g on geogr aph ical Sy r ia. Th er e
n ew s cam e t o t h e ef f ect t h at Her acliu s h ad m ob ilized a h u n d r ed t h ou san d t r oop s t og et h er w it h
an ot h er h u n dr ed t h ou san d m en of Lak h am , Ju dh am an d Balqain - Ar abian t r ibes allied t o t h e
By zan t in es. Th e Mu slim s, on t h eir par t h ad n ev er t h ou gh t of en cou n t er in g su ch a h u ge ar m y . Th ey
w er e at a loss ab ou t w h at cou r se t o f ollow , an d sp en t t w o n ig h t s d eb at in g t h ese u n f av ou r ab le
con d it ion s. Som e su g g est ed t h at t h ey sh ou ld w r it e a let t er t o t h e Pr op h et p eace be u pon h im
seek in g h is ad v ice. ' Ab d u llah b in Raw ah a w as op p osed t o t h em b ein g r elu ct an t an d ad d r essed t h e
Mu slim s say in g: " I sw ear by Allâh t h at t h is v er y obj ect w h ich y ou h old in abh or r en ce is t h e v er y on e
y ou hav e set out seek ing, m ar t y r dom . I n our figh t w e don ' t cou n t on n u m ber of soldier s or
equ ipm en t bu t r at h er on t h e Fait h t h at Allâh h as h on ou r ed u s w it h . Dar t t o w in eit h er of t h e t w o,
v ict or y or m ar t y r dom . " I n t h e ligh t of t h ese w or ds, t h ey m ov ed t o en gage w it h t h e en em y in
Mashar if, a t ow n of Al-Balqa' , an d t h en ch an ged dir ect ion t ow ar ds Mu ' t ah w h er e t h ey en cam ped.
Th e r igh t f lan k w as led by Qu t ba bin Qat adah Al-'Udhar i, and t he left by 'Ubadah bin Malik Al-Ansar i.
Bit t er f igh t in g st ar t ed bet w een t h e t w o par t ies, t h r ee t h ou san d Mu slim s again st an enem y fift y fold
as lar ge.
Z aid bin Har it h a, t h e closest t o t h e Messen ger ' s h ear t , assu m ed leader sh ip an d began t o f igh t
t enaciously and in m at chless spir it of br av er y unt il he fell, fat ally st abbed. Ja'far bin Abi Talib t hen
t ook t h e ban n er an d did a m ir a cu lou s j ob. I n t h e t h ick of t h e bat t le, h e dism ou n t ed, h am st r u n g h is
h or se an d r esu m ed f igh t in g u n t il h is r igh t h an d w as cu t of f . He seized t h e ban n er w it h h is lef t h an d
u n t il t h is t oo w as gon e. He t h en clasped t h e ban n er w it h bot h ar m s u n t il a By zan t in e s oldier st r uck
an d cu t h im in t o t w o par t s. h e w as post h u m ou sly called " t h e f ly in g Ja' f ar " or " Ja' f ar w it h t w o w in gs"
b ecau se Allâh h as aw ar d ed h im t w o w in g s t o f ly w h er ev er h e d esir ed t h er e in t h e et er n al Gar d en .
Al-Buk har i r epor t ed fift y st abs in his body , n on e of t h em in t h e back .
'Abdullah bin Raw aha t hen pr oceeded t o hold up t he banner and fight br av ely on his hor seback w hile
r ecit ing ent husiast ic v er ses unt il he t oo w as k illed. Ther eupon a m an, fr om Bani 'Aj lan, called Thabit
bin Al-Ar qam t ook t h e ban n er an d called u p on t h e Mu slim s t o ch oose a lead er . Th e h on ou r w as
unanim ously gr ant ed t o Khalid bin Al-Waleed, a sk illed br av e f igh t er an d an ou t st an din g st r at egist .
I t w as r epor t ed by Al-Bu k h ar i t h at h e u sed n in e sw or d s t h at b r ok e w h ile h e w as r elen t lessly an d
cou r ageou sly figh t in g t h e en em ies of I slam . He, h ow ev er , r ealizin g t h e gr av e sit u at ion t h e Mu slim s
w er e in , began t o f ollow a dif f er en t cou r se of en cou n t er , r ev ealin g t h e su per st r at egy-m ak er , t hat
Khalid w as r ight ly called. He r eshuffled t he r ight a nd left flank s of t he Muslim ar m y and int r oduced
f or w ar d a div ision f r om t h e r ear in or der t o cast f ear in t o t h e h ear t s of t h e By zan t in e by delu din g
t h em t h at f r esh r ein f or cem en t s h ad ar r iv ed. Th e Mu slim s en gaged w it h t h e en em ies in spor adic
sk ir m ishes but gr adu ally an d j u diciou sly r et r eat in g in a fu lly or gan ized an d w ell-planned wit hdrawal.
Th e By zan t in es, seein g t h is n ew st r at egy , believ ed t h at t h ey w er e bein g en t r apped an d dr aw n in t h e
h ear t of t h e d eser t . Th ey st op p ed t h e p u r su it , an d con seq u en t ly t h e Mu slim s m an aged t o r et r eat
back t o Madin ah w it h t h e sligh t est losses. Th e Mu slim s su st ain ed t w elv e m ar t y r s, w h er eas t h e
n u m b er of casu alt ies am on g t h e By zan t in es w as u n k n ow n alt h ou g h t h e d et ails of t h e b at t le p oin t
clear ly t o a lar ge n u m ber . Ev en t h ou gh t h e bat t le did not sat isfy t he Muslim s' obj ect iv e, nam ely
av enging Al-Har it h's m ur der , it r esult ed in a far-r an gin g im pact an d at t ach ed t o t h e Mu slim s a gr eat
r epu t at ion in t h e bat t lef ields.
Th e By zan t in e Em pir e, at t h at t im e, w as a pow er t o be r eck on ed w it h, and m er e t hink ing of
an t agon izin g it u sed t o m ean self -an n ih ilat ion , let alon e a t h r ee-t h ou san d -soldier ar m y going int o
figh t again st 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 soldier s far bet t er equ ipped an d lav ish ly fu r n ish ed w it h all lu x u r iou s
con v en ien ces. Th e bat t le w as a r eal m ir a cle pr ov in g t h at t h e Mu slim s w er e som et h in g ex cept ion al
not t hen fam iliar . Mor eov er , it gav e ev idence t hat Allâh back ed t hem and t heir Pr ophet , Muham m ad,
w as r eally Allâh ' s Messen ger . I n t h e ligh t of t h ese n ew st r at egic ch an ges, t h e ar ch en em ies am on g
t h e deser t b ed ou in s b eg an t o r econ cile t h em selv es w it h t h e n ew u p r isin g f ait h an d sev er al
r ecalcit r ant t r ibes lik e Banu Saleem , Ashj a' , Ghat fan, Dhuby an, Fazar ah and ot her s cam e t o pr ofess
I slam ou t of t h eir ow n sw eet f r ee w ill.
Mu't ah Bat t le, aft er all, const it u t ed t h e f or er u n n er of t h e blood en cou n t er t o t ak e place w it h t h e
By zan t in es su bsequ en t ly . I t poin t ed m ar k edly t o a n ew epoch of t h e I slam ic con qu est of t h e
By zan t in e em pir e an d ot h er r em ot e cou n t r ies, t o f ollow at a lat er st age.
Dhat As- Sa la sil Ca m pa ign:
Dhat As -Salasil is a spot sit u at ed t en day s' w alk n or t h of Madin ah . Th e Mu slim s ar e said t o h av e
en cam ped in a place w it h a w ell of w at er called Salsal, h en ce t h e t er m in ology Dh at As -Salasil. I n
v iew of t h e allian ce b et w een t h e Ar ab ian t r ib es on t h e b or der s of Sy r ia an d t h e By zan t in es, t h e
Pr oph et peace be u pon h im deem ed it of t op u r gen cy t o car r y ou t a w isely -plan n ed m an oeu v r e t h at
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m igh t br in g abou t a st at e of r appor t w it h t h ose bedou in s, an d w ou ld at t h e sam e t im e det ach t h em
fr om t h e By zan t in es. For t he im plem ent at ion of t his plan, he chose 'Am r bin Al-' As, w h ose p at er n al
gr andm ot her cam e fr om Bali, a t r ibe dw elling in t hat ar ea. This m ot iv e in m ind, com bined w it h
pr ov ocat iv e m ilit ar y m ov em ent s, by Bani Quda'a, pr ecipit at ed t his pr eem pt iv e st r ik e w hich st ar t ed
in Jum ada At h-Thaniya, 8 A.H.
'Am r bin Al-' As w as aw ar d ed a w h it e f lag w it h a b lack b an n er t o g o w it h it . He set ou t at t h e h ead of
3 0 0 Em igr an t s an d Helper s assist ed by a cav alr y of 3 0 m en , an d w as r ecom m en ded t o seek h elp
fr om Bali, 'Udhr a and Balqain t r ibes. He u sed t o m ar ch at n igh t an d lu r k du r in g t h e day . On
appr oach in g t h e en em y lin es an d r ealizin g t h e lar ge bu ild u p of m en , h e sen t f or r ein f or cem en t s
f r om Madin ah , an d t h ese ar r iv ed on t h e spot h eaded by Abu ' Ubaidah bin Al-Jar r ah leadin g fur t her
2 0 0 m en as w ell as ot h er plat oon s in clu din g Abu Bak r an d ' Um ar bin Al-Khat t ab. All of t hem w er e
giv en st r ict or der s t o cooper at e, w or k in h ar m on y an d n ev er leav e an y ar ea f or disagr eem en t . At
n oon , Abu ' Ubaidah w an t ed t o lead t h e Mu slim s in pr ay er, bu t ' Am r obj ect ed on gr ou n ds t h at t h e
for m er cam e on ly t o assist , an d leader sh ip in pr ay er w as giv en t o ' Am r .
Th e Mu slim ar m y r each ed t h e h abit at ion s of Qu da' a an d pen et r at ed deep in t h eir lan d, dest r oy ed
t h e en em ies an d obliged t h e ot h er s t o f lee f or t heir liv es in differ ent dir ect ions. At t he conclusion of
t h e m ilit ar y oper at ion s, a cou r ier w as despat ch ed t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh peace be u pon h im t o
br ief h im on t h e dev elopm en t s of ev en t s an d t h e u lt im at e v ict or y ach iev ed.
Khadrah Cam paign:
I n Sh a'ban m on t h 8 A. H. , n ew s r each ed t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im of am assin g t r oops by Ban i
Gh at fan , st ill ou t side t h e dom ain of I slam . He u r gen t ly su m m on ed Abu Qat adah an d sen t h im at t h e
h ead of f if t een m en t o disciplin e t h ose ou t law s. I t t ook f if t een day s t o t each t h em an u n f or get t able
lesson . Som e w er e k illed, ot h er s capt u r ed an d all t h eir pr oper t y con fiscat ed.
The Conquest of M ak k ah
I bn Al-Qaiy im descr ibed t h e con qu est of Mak k ah as t h e gr eat est on e by w h ich Allâh h on ou r ed His
r eligion , Messen ger , soldiers an d h on est p ar t y . He t h er eb y r escu ed t h e Sacr ed Hou se, w h ose
g u id an ce all p eop le seek . I t w as t h e g r eat est p r op it iou s ev en t in h eav en an d on ear t h . I t w as t h e
m ost sign if ican t pr elu de t o a n ew er a t h at w as t o w it n ess t h e gr eat m ar ch of I slam izat ion an d t h e
en t r y of people in t o t h e f old of I slam in h u ge h ost s. I t pr ov ided an ev er sh in in g f ace an d a m ost
glow in g sou r ce of in spir at ion t o t h e w h ole ear t h .
Pr e - Conquest Event s:
Accor din g t o t h e t er m s of t h e t r eat y of Hu daibiy ah , t h e Ar ab t r ibes w er e giv en t h e opt ion t o j oin
eit h er of t h e par t ies, t h e Mu slim s or Qu r aish , w it h w h ich t h ey desir ed t o en t er in t o t r eat y allian ce.
Sh ou ld an y of t h ese t r ibes su f f er aggr ession , t h en t h e par t y t o w h ich it w as allied w ou ld h av e t h e
r igh t t o r et aliat e. As a con sequ en ce, Ban u Bak r j oin ed Qu r aish , an d Kh u za' ah j oin ed t h e Pr oph et
peace be u pon h im . Th ey t h u s liv ed in peace for som et im e bu t u lt er ior m ot iv es st r et ch in g back t o
pr e -I slam ic per iod ignit ed by unabat ed fir e of r ev enge t r igger ed fr esh host ilit ies. Banu Bak r , w it hout
car in g a bit for t h e pr ov ision s of t h e t r eat y , at t ack ed Ban u Kh u za' ah in a place called Al-Wat eer in
Sh a' ban , 8 A. H. Qu r aish h elped Ban u Bak r w it h m en an d ar m s t ak in g adv an t age of t h e dar k n igh t .
Pr essed by t h eir en em ies, t h e t r ibesm en of Kh u za' ah sou gh t t he Holy Sanct uar y , but her e t oo, t heir
liv es w er e n ot spar ed, an d, con t r ar y t o all accept ed t r adit ion s, Naw fal, t h e ch ief of Ban u Bak r ,
ch asin g t h em in t h e san ct if ied ar ea - w h er e n o b lood sh ou ld b e sh ed - m assacr ed h is adv er sar ies.
Wh en t h e ag g r iev ed p ar t y sought j ust ice fr om t heir Muslim allies, t he Pr ophet peace be upon him ,
as t h eir leader , dem an ded an im m ediat e r edr ess f or n ot on ly v iolat in g t h e t r eat y bu t also slay in g
m en allied t o h im in t h e san ct if ied ar ea. Th r ee dem an ds w er e m ade, t h e accept an ce of an y on e of
t hem w as im per at iv e:

• a) t o pay blood m oney for t he v ict im s of Khuza'ah,

• b) t o t er m inat e t heir alliance w it h Banu Bak r ; or
• c) t o con sider t h e t r u ce t o h av e been n u llified.

Th is beh av iou r on t h e par t of Qu r aish w as clear ly a br each of t h e t r eat y of Al-Hu d aib iy ah an d w as

obv iously an act of host ilit y against t he allies of t he Muslim s, i. e. Banu Khuza' ah. Qur aish
im m ediat ely r ealized t h e gr av e sit u at ion an d f ear ed t h e h or r ible con sequ en ces loom in g on t h e
hor izon. They im m ediat ely called for an em er gen cy m eet in g an d decided t o delegat e t h eir ch ief Abu
Su fy an t o Madin ah for a r en ew al of t h e t r u ce. He dir ect ly h eaded for t h e h ou se of h is dau gh t er Um m
Habiba ( t h e Pr oph et ' s w if e) . Bu t as h e w en t t o sit on t h e Messen ger ' s car pet , sh e f olded it u p. " My
dau gh t er , " said h e, " I h ar dly k n ew if y ou t h in k t h e car pet is t oo good f or m e or t h at I am t oo good
f or t h e car pet . " Sh e r eplied, " I t is t h e Messen ger of Allâh ' s car pet , an d y ou ar e an u n clean
poly t heist . "
Bein g disgu st ed at t h e cu r t r eply of h is dau gh t er , Abu Su f y an st epped ou t of h er r oom an d w en t t o
see t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im , bu t t h e lat t er w as w ell aw ar e of h is t r ick s an d did n ot h old h im
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an y assu r an ce. He t h en appr oach ed Abu Bak r , bu t t h e lat t er t oo declin ed t o in t er f er e. He con t act ed
'Um ar t o in t er cede bu t t h is gr eat Com pan ion m ade a poin t -blank r efusal. At last he saw 'Ali bin Abi
Talib an d began beggin g h im in t h e m ost h u m ble w or ds, cu n n in gly allu din g t o t h e pr ospect s of
m ast er y ov er all t h e Ar abs if h e w er e t o in t er cede f or t h e r en ew al of t he t r eat y . 'Ali also br iefly
r egr et t ed h is in abilit y t o do an y t h in g for h im . Abu Su fy an t u r n ed h is st eps back t o Mak k ah in a st at e
of bit t er disappoin t m en t an d u t t er h or r or . Th er e h e su bm it t ed a r epor t of h is m eet in g w it h h is
daught er , Abu Bak r , 'Um ar and ' Ali' s r eact ion an d t h e m ean in gfu l silen ce of t h e Pr oph et . Th e
Mak k an s w er e dism ay ed, bu t did n ot ex pect im m in en t dan ger .
Preparat ions for t he At t ack on Makkah, and t he Prophet 's At t em pt at im posing a N ew s
Bla ck - out:
On t h e au t h or it y of At -Tabar i, t he Messen ger of Allâh peace be u pon h im ask ed ' Aish ah ÑÖì Çááå
򊌂, h is spou se t h r ee day s pr ior t o r eceiv in g n ew s r elat in g t o br each in g of cov en an t , t o m ak e
pr epar at ions peculiar t o m ar ching out for w ar . Abu Bak r , m eanw hile, cam e in and ask ed ' Aishah ÑÖì
Çá á å ÚäåÇ w h at t h e m at t er w as, sh ow in g su r pr ise at t h e pr epar at ion s bein g m ade as it w as n ot , as
h e said, t h e u su al t im e f or w ar . Sh e r eplied t h at sh e h ad n o idea. On t h e m or n in g of t h e t h ir d day
'Am r bin Sâlim Al-Khuza'i ar r iv ed in t he com pany of for t y hor sem en t o b r ief t h e Pr op h et p eace b e
u pon h im on t h e pligh t of h is people an d seek in g t h e Mu slim s' h elp for r et aliat ion . People of Madin ah
t h en got t o k n ow t h at Qu r aish h ad br each ed t h e cov en an t . Bu dail f ollow ed ' Am r , an d t h en Abu
Su f y an an d t h e n ew s w as u n eq uivocally confirm ed.
Wit h v iew of secu r in g a com plet e n ew s black -out concer ning his m ilit ar y int ent ions, t he Pr ophet
p eace b e u p on h im d esp at ch ed an eig h t -m en plat oon u n der t h e leader sh ip of Qat adah bin Rab' i in
t he dir ect ion of Edam , a shor t dist ance fr o m Madinah, in Ram adan 8 A. H. , in or der t o div er t t he
at t en t ion of people an d scr een of f t h e m ain t ar get w it h w h ich h e w as pr eoccu pied.
Th er e w as so m u ch d r ead an d f ear ev er y w h er e t h at Hat ib , on e of t h e m ost t r u st ed f ollow er s of t h e
Pr op h et p eace b e u p on him secr et ly despat ch ed a f em ale m essen ger w it h a let t er t o Mak k ah
con t ain in g in t im at ion of t h e in t en ded at t ack . Th e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im r eceiv ed n ew s f r om
t h e h eav en of Hat ib' s act ion an d sen t ' Ali an d Al-Miqdad w it h in st r u ct ion s t o go af t er h er . Th ey
ov er t ook t h e m essen ger , an d af t er a lon g sear ch discov er ed t h e let t er car ef u lly h idden in h er lock s.
Th e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im su m m on ed Hat ib an d ask ed h im w h at h ad in du ced h im t o t h is act .
He r eplied, " O Messen ger of Allâh peace be u pon h im ! I h av e no affinit y of blood w it h Qur aish; t her e
is only a k ind of fr iendly r elat ionship bet w een t hem and m y self. My fam ily is at Mak k ah and t her e is
n o on e t o look af t er it or t o of f er pr ot ect ion t o it . My posit ion st an ds in st r ik in g con t r ast t o t h at of
t h e r ef u gees w h ose fam ilies ar e secu r e du e t o t h eir blood t ies w it h Qu r aish . I felt t h at sin ce I am n ot
r elat ed t o t h em , I sh ou ld, for t h e safet y of m y ch ildr en , ear n t h eir gr at it u de by doin g good t o t h em .
I sw ear b y Allâh t h at I h av e n ot d on e t h is act as an ap ost a t e, for sak ing I slam . I w as pr om pt ed only
by t h e con sider at ion s I h av e j u st ex plain ed. "
' Um ar w an t ed t o cu t h is h ead of f as a h y pocr it e, bu t t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im accept ed h is
ex cu se an d gr an t ed h im par don , t h en addr essed ' Um ar say in g: " Hat ib is on e of t h ose w h o f ou gh t in
t h e bat t le of Badr . How do y ou k n ow t h at h e is a h y pocr it e? Allâh is lik ely t o look fav ou r ably on
t h ose w h o par t icipat ed in t h at bat t le. Tu r n in g t h en , t o Hat ib, h e said: " Do as y ou please, f or I h av e
for giv en y ou. "
Aft er m aking fu ll p r ep ar at ion , t h e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im p r oceed ed t o Mak k ah at t h e h ead of
t en t h ou san d soldier s on t h e 1 0 t h of Ram adan , 8 A. H. He m an dat ed Abu Ru h m Al-Gh ifar i t o dispose
t h e af f air s of Madin ah du r in g h is absen ce. Wh en t h ey r each ed Al-Juhfa, Al-' Abbas bin 'Abdul Mut t alib
and his fam ily cam e t o j oin t he Pr ophet peace be upon him . At Al-Abw a' , t he Muslim s cam e acr oss
Abu Sufy an bin Al-Har it h an d ' Abdu llah bin Om aiy ah , t h e Pr oph et ' s cou sin s, bu t , on accou n t of t h e
har m t hey had inflict ed, and t heir sat ir ic lan gu age, on t h e believ er s, t h ey w er e n ot w elcom ed. ' Ali
addr essed Abu Su f y an t o go an d beseech t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im f or par don an d con f ess h is
ill-beh av iou r in a m an n er sim ilar t o t h at of Yu su f' s ( t h e Pr oph et Joseph ) br ot h er s:
" They said: 'By Allâh ! I n deed Allâh h as pr ef er r ed y ou abov e u s, an d w e cer t ain ly h av e been
sin n er s. ' " [ 1 2 : 9 1 ] Abu Su fy an obser v ed ' Ali' s cou n sel, t o w h ich t h e Pr oph et qu ot ed Allâh ' s Wor ds:
" He said: ' No r epr oach on y ou t h is day , m ay Allâh for giv e y ou , an d He is t h e Most Mer ciful of t hose
w ho show m er cy ! '" [ 1 2 : 9 2 ]
Abu Su f y an r ecit ed som e v er ses pay in g a gen er ou s t r ibu t e t o t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im an d
pr ofessing I slam as his only r eligion.
Th e Mu slim s t h en m ar ch ed on in a st at e of fast in g u n t il t h ey r each ed a place called Al-Qadeed w her e
w at er w as av ailable. Th er e t h ey br ok e f ast an d r esu m ed t h eir m ov em en t t ow ar ds Mar Az -Zahr an.
Th e Qu r aish it es w er e q u it e u n aw ar e of t h e d ev elop m en t of af f air s, b u t t h e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on
him did not lik e t o t ak e t hem by sur pr ise. He, t h er efor e, or der ed h is m en t o k in dle fir e on all sides
f or cook in g pu r poses. Th e idea beh in d t h is w as t h at Qu r aish sh ou ld be af f or ded f u ll oppor t u n it y t o
assess t h e sit u at ion in w h ich t h ey w er e pit ch for k ed cor r ect ly , an d sh ou ld n ot en dan ger t h eir liv es by
leaping blindly in t he bat t lefield. 'Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab w as en t r u st ed w it h t h e g u ar d d u t y . I n t h e
m eanw hile, Abu Sufy an along w it h Hak im bin Hizam and Budail bin War qua' , t w o t er r ible
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poly t h eist s, w en t ou t t o r econ n oit er . Bef or e t h ey got n ear t h e cam p , t hey m et 'Abbas, t he Pr ophet 's
u n cle. He appr ised Abu Su f y an of t h e sit u at ion an d adv ised h im t o accept I slam an d per su ade h is
people t o su r r en der befor e Mu h am m ad peace be u pon h im ; ot h er w ise, h is h ead w ou ld be st r u ck off.
Under t he pr ev ailing com pellin g cir cu m st an ces, Abu Su fy an w en t in t h e com pan y of ' Abbas seek in g
t h e Pr oph et ' s peace be u pon h im au dien ce. Th e Mu slim s w er e fu r iou s t o see Abu Su fy an an d w an t ed
t o k ill h im on t h e spot . Bu t t h e t w o m en m an aged, n ot w it h ou t dif f icu lt ies, t o see t h e Messen ger of
Allâh peace be u pon h im w h o adv ised t h at t h ey see h im t h e f ollow in g day . Th e Pr oph et peace be
u pon h im addr essed Abu Su f y an say in g: " Woe t o y ou ! I sn ' t it t im e f or y ou t o bear w it n ess t o t h e
On en ess of Allâh an d Pr oph et h ood of Mu h am m ad?" Her e, t h e ar chenem y of I slam began t o beseech
t h e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im in t h e m ost ear n est w or d s t h at t est if y t o t h e Pr op h et ' s g en er osit y
an d m ild t em per beggin g f or par don an d f or giv en ess, an d pr of essin g w h oleh ear t edly t h e n ew f ait h .
On r equ est by ' Abbas, t h e Pr o ph et peace be u pon h im , in t h e con t ex t of t h e gen er al am n est y h e
pr oclaim ed, gav e Abu Sufy an, w ho had a lik ing for br agging, a special pr iv ilege, say ing: " He w ho
t ak es r ef u ge in Abu Su f y an ' s h ou se is saf e; w h osoev er con f in es h im self t o h is h ou se, t h e in m ate s
t h er eof sh all b e in saf et y , an d h e w h o en t er s t h e Sacr ed Mosq u e is saf e. "
On t he m or ning of Tuesday , 1 7 t h. Ram adan, 8 A. H. , t he Pr ophet peace be upon him left Mar Az -
Zah r an . He or der ed Al-' Abbas t o det ain Abu Su fy an at a com m an din g gor ge t h at cou ld affor d a full
v iew of t h e Mu slim ar m y par adin g on it s w ay t ow ar ds Mak k ah , an d h en ce giv e h im t h e ch an ce t o
see t h e gr eat an d pow er f u l soldier s of Allâh . Th e dif f er en t t r ibes su ccessiv ely passed w it h t h eir
ban n er s f low n u p, u n t il at last t h e bat t alion of t h e E m igr an t s an d Helper s w it h t h e Pr oph et peace be
u pon h im at t h eir h ead h eav ily ar m ed m ar ch ed by . Abu Su f y an began t o w on der w h o t h ose people
w er e, t o w h ich Al-' Abbas t old h im t h at t h ey w er e Mu h am m ad peace be u pon h im an d h is
Com pan ion s. Abu Su f y an said t h at n o ar m y h ow ev er p ow er f u l cou ld r esist t h ose p eop le an d
addr essin g Al-' Abbas, h e said: " I sw ear by Allâh t h at t h e sov er eign t y of y ou r br ot h er ' s son h as
becom e t oo pow er f u l t o w it h st an d. " Al-' Abbas an sw er ed, " I t is r at h er t h e pow er of Pr oph et h ood, " t o
w hich t h e for m er agr eed.
Sa' d bin ' Ubadah car r ied t h e flag of t h e Helper s. Wh en h e passed by Abu Su fy an , h e said " Today w ill
w it n ess t h e gr eat f igh t , y ou can n ot seek san ct u ar y at Al-Ka' bah. Today w ill w it ness t he hum iliat ion
of Qur aish. " Abu Sufy an com plained abou t t h is t o t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im w h o got an gr y an d
said " Nay , t oday Al-Ka' bah w ill be san ct if ied, an d Qu r aish h on ou r ed, " an d qu ick ly or der ed t h at Sa' d
sh ou ld be st r ipped of f t h e f lag, an d t h at it sh ou ld be en t r u st ed t o h is son Qais, in an ot h er v ersion, to
Az-Zubair .
Al-' Abbas u r ged Abu Su fy an t o h ast en in t o Mak k ah an d w ar n t h e Qu r aish it es again st an y aggr essiv e
beh av iou r t ow ar ds t h e Mu slim s. Th er e in Mak k ah , h e sh ou t ed at t h e t op of h is v oice an d w ar n ed
again st an y h ost ilit ies adv isin g t h em t o s eek saf et y in h is h ou se. His w if e got in dign an t an d t u gged
at h is m ou st ach e cu r sin g h im an d abu sin g h is cow ar dly st an ce. Th e people w it h in Mak k ah m ock ed
Abu Su f y an an d disper sed in dif f er en t dir ect ion s, som e in t o t h eir h ou ses, ot h er s in t o t h e Holy
San ct u ary w hile som e undisciplined r eck less r uffians led by 'I k r im ah bin Abi Jahl, Safw an bin
Om aiy ah and Suhail bin ' Am r encam ped t hem selv es in a place called Khandam ah, w it h a m ur der ous
int ent in t heir m inds.
Th e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im , on h is par t , w as qu it e m odest ly and calm ly dr aw ing t he final
t ouches for t he m ilit ar y br eak t hr ough aw ait ing t he Muslim s, by Allâh's Will. He appoint ed Khalid bin
Al-Waleed as a leader of t he r ight flank of t he ar m y w it h Aslam , Sulaim , Ghifar , Muzainah and
Ju h ain ah t r ibes u n der h is com m an d t o en t er Mak k ah t h r ou gh it s low er av en u es. Az -Zubair bin
' Aw w am w as t o lead t h e lef t f lan k an d w ou ld st or m Mak k ah f r om t h e u pper side h oldin g u p t h e
Messen ger ' s ban n er . Abu ' Ubaidah t ook com m an d of t h e in f an t r y an d w as t o pen et r at e in t o t h e city
v ia a side v alley . Th ey w er e giv en fu ll an d decisiv e or der s n ot t o k ill u n less in self defen ce an d in
t h at case t h ey w ou ld ex t er m in at e an y aggr essiv e elem en t s an d qu ell an y opposit ion .
Th e Mu slim bat t alion s m ar ch ed ou t each in it s alr eady dr aw n r ou t e t o fulfill t he m issions t hey w er e
supposed t o car r y out . Khalid bin Al-Waleed w or k ed h is w ay in t o t h e h ear t of t h e t ow n q u it e
successiv ely k illing t w elv e of t he r uffians and sust aining t w o m ar t y r s. Az -Zubair set out and r eached
t h e f ix ed dest in at ion w h er e h e p lan t ed t h e b an n er at Al-Fat h ( con q u est ) Mosq u e an d w ait ed t h er e
f or t h e ar r iv al of t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im . A t en t w as pit ch ed f or h im w h er e h e of f er ed
pr ay er s of t h an k s t o t h e All-Might y Allâh, Who, out of His im m ense gr ace, had gr ant ed him a
sp len did v ict or y . Bu t h e did n ot r epose lon g. He, in t h e com pan y of t h e Helper s an d Em igr an t s, got
u p an d p r oceed ed t ow ar d s Al-Ka' bah , t h e Sacr ed Hou se, w h ich is an em blem of t h e On en ess an d
Su pr em acy of Allâh . I t w as u n for t u n at ely in fest ed w it h idols t h at n u m ber ed 3 6 0 . He k n ock ed t h em
dow n w it h h is bow w h ile r ecit in g t h e v er se of t h e Noble Qu r ' ân :
" And Say : 'Tr ut h ( i. e. I slam ic Monot heism or t his Qur 'ân or Jihâd against poly t heist s) has com e and
Bat il ( falsehood, i. e. Sat an or poly t heism , et c. ) has v anished. Sur ely ! Bat il is ev er bound t o v anish. '"
[ 17: 81] And Allâh fur t her said:
" Say ( O Muham m ad peace be upon him ) : " The Tr ut h ( t he Qur 'ân and Allah's I nspir at ion) has com e,
and Al-Bat il ( falsehood - I blis) can neit her cr eat e any t hing nor r esur r ect ( any t hing)." [ 34: 49] He
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t h en st ar t ed t h e u su al cir cu m am bu lat ion on h is r ide. He w as n ot in a st at e of I h r am ( r it u al
consecr at ion) t hen. On com plet ion, he called for 'Ut hm an bin Talhah, t he j anit or of Al-Ka'bah, fr om
w h om h e t ook t h e k ey . He w en t in an d saw im ag es of Pr oph et s I br ah im an d I sh m ael, ÚáíåãÇ
ÇáÓáÇã, t h r ow in g div in at ion ar r ow s. He den ou n ced t h ese act s of Qu r aish an d or der ed t h at all idols
be dism ant led, im ages and effigies delet ed. He t hen ent er ed t he sacr ed hall t o face t he w all opposit e
t h e d oor an d t h er e again per f or m ed dev ou t pr ost r at ion s, an d w en t ar ou n d acclaim in g Allâh ' s
Gr eat n ess an d On en ess. Sh or t ly af t er w ar d s, h e r et u r n ed t o t h e d oor-w ay an d st an d in g u p on it s
elev at ed st ep, gazed in t h an k f u ln ess on t h e t h r on gin g m u lt it u de below an d deliv er ed t h e f o llow in g
celeb r at ed ad d r ess:
" Th er e is n o god bu t Allâh Alon e. He h as n o associat es. He m ade good His Pr om ise t h at He h eld t o
His slav e an d h elped h im an d def eat ed all t h e Con f eder at es alon g. Bear in m in d t h at ev er y claim of
pr iv ilege, w h et h er t h at of blood, or pr oper t y , is under m y heel, ex cept t hat of t he cust ody of Al-
Ka' bah an d su pply in g of w at er t o t h e pilgr im s. Bear in m in d t h at f or an y on e w h o is slain , ev en
t h ou gh sem i-deliber at ely , w it h club or w hip, for him t he blood-m on ey is v er y sev er e: a h u n dr ed
cam els, for t y of t hem t o be pr egnant .
" O people of Qu r aish ! su r ely Allâh h as abolish ed fr om y ou all pr ide of t h e pr e -I slam ic er a and all
con ceit in y ou r an cest r y , ( becau se) all m en ar e descen ded fr om Adam , an d Adam w as m ade ou t of
clay . " He t hen r ecit ed t o t h em t h e v er se:
" O m an k in d! We h av e cr eat ed y ou f r om a m ale an d a f em ale, an d m ade y ou in t o n at ion s an d t r ibes,
t h at y ou m ay k n ow on e an ot h er . Ver ily , t h e m ost h on ou r able of y ou n ear Allâh is t h at ( believ er )
w h o h as At -Taqw a [ i. e. on e of t h e Mu t t aqû n : i. e. piou s an d r igh t eou s per son s w h o f ear Allâh m u ch
( abst ain fr om all k inds of sins and ev il deeds w hich He has for bidden) , and lov e Allâh m uch ( per for m
all k inds of good deeds w hich He has or dained) ] . Ver ily , Allâh is All-Know ing, All-Aw ar e. " [ 49: 13] He
f u r t h er added:
" O y ou people of Qu r aish ! Wh at do y ou t h in k of t h e t r eat m en t t h at I am abou t t o accor d t o y ou ?"
They r eplied:
" O n oble br ot h er an d son of n oble br ot h er ! We ex pect n ot h in g bu t goodn ess fr om y ou . " Upon t h is h e
said:
" I speak t o y ou in t h e s am e w or ds as Yu su f ( t h e Pr oph et Joseph ) spok e u n t o h is br ot h er s: He said:
" No r epr oach on y ou t h is day , " [ 1 2 : 9 2 ] go y ou r w ay , f or y ou ar e f r eed on es. " As f or t h e door-
k eeping of Al-Ka' bah an d su pply in g of w at er t o pilgr im s, t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im ord er ed
t h at t h ese j obs r em ain in t h e h an d of ' Ut h m an bin Talh ah an d t h at t h e k ey w ill st ay w it h h im an d h is
descen dan t s f or ev er .
Wh en t im e for pr ay er appr oach ed, Bilal ascen ded Al-Ka'bah and called for pr ay er . Abu Sufy an bin
Har b, 'I t ab bin Usaid and Al-Har it h bin Hish am w er e m ean w h ile sit t in g in t h e y ar d. ' I t ab bin Usaid
com m en t ed on t h e n ew sit u at ion ( Bilal ascen din g Al-Ka'bah and calling for pr ay er ) say ing t hat Allâh
h on ou r ed Usaid ( h is f at h er ) h av in g n ot h ear d su ch w or ds. Th e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im
ap p r oach ed an d assist ed b y Div in e Rev elat ion t old t h em t h at h e h ad lear n t ab ou t w h at t h ey h ad
spok en of. Al-Har it h an d ' I t ab, t ak en by in cr edible su r pr ise, im m ediat ely pr ofessed I slam an d bor e
w it n ess t o t h e Messen g er sh ip of Mu h am m ad p eace b e u p on h im ad d ing t hat " We swear by Allâh t hat
n on e h ad been w it h u s t o in f or m y ou . "
On t h at v er y day , t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im en t er ed ' Um m Han i' s h ou se w h er e h e w ash ed an d
offer ed pr ay er s of v ict or y . ' Um m Han i h ad sh elt er ed t w o Mak k an r elat iv es of h er s in h er h ou se in
w h ich act sh e w as g r an t ed su p p or t b y t h e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im .
Sh eddin g blood of n in e ar ch -cr im in als w as declar ed law fu l ev en u n der t h e cu r t ain s of Al-Ka'bah.
Nev er t h eless, on ly f ou r of t h em w er e k illed w h ile t h e ot h er s w er e par don ed f or dif f erent reasons. As
f or t h ose w h o w er e k illed, m en t ion cou ld be m ade of ' Abdu l ' Uzza bin Kh at al w h o h ad becom e a
Muslim and t hen deput ed t o collect alm s -t ax in t h e com pan y of a Helper . Th ey h ad also a slav e w it h
t hem . 'Abdullah, in a fit of r age, k illed t he He lper ' s slav e on accou n t of a m er e t r iflin g dispu t e, an d
j oin ed t h e p ag an Ar ab s as an ap ost at e. He w as n ev er r ep en t an t at t h is h ein ou s cr im e b u t r at h er
em ploy ed t w o w om en sin ger s an d in cit ed t h em t o sin g sat ir ically abou t t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon
him .
Th e ot h er m an w h o w as pu t t o deat h w as Miqy as bin Sababa. He w as a Mu slim . A Helper acciden t ly
k illed h is br ot h er Hish am . Th e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im h ad ar r an ged t h e pay m en t of blood
m on ey t o h im , w h ich h e h ad accept ed. His r ev en gef u l n at u r e, h ow ev er , w as n ev er ap p eased , so h e
k illed t h e Help er an d w en t t o Mak k ah as an ap ost at e.
Sim ilar ly , Hu w air it h an d on e w om an sin ger w en t t o deat h .
On t h e ot h er h an d, ev er y at t em pt w as m ade t o gr an t par don t o t h e people. ' I k r im ah bin Abu Jah l,
w h o h ad at t ack ed Kh alid' s det ach m en t at t h e t im e of t h e en t r y in t o Mak k ah , w as for giv en . To
Wah sh i, t h e m u r der er of Ham zah , t h e Pr oph et ' s u n cle, an d t o Hin d, w h o h ad ch ew ed h is liv er , w as
also ex t en d ed h is g en er ou s clem en cy . Th e sam e g en er ou s t r eat m en t w as accor d ed t o Hab ar w h o
h ad at t ack ed t h e Pr oph et ' s dau gh t er w it h a spear , w h ile on h er w ay f r om Mak k ah t o Madin ah , so
gr iev ously t hat she ult im at ely died of t he fat al inj ur ies.
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I n t h e sam e con t ex t of m agn an im it y pecu liar t o Mu h am m ad peace be u pon h im , t w o ch iefs of
Qu r aish w er e p ardoned once t hey had em br aced I slam . They w er e Safw an bin Om aiy ah and Fudalah
bin ' Um air . Th e lat t er h ad at t em pt ed t o assassin at e t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im w h ile
cir cum am bulat ing in t he Holy Sanct uar y . The Pr ophet ' s m at chless t oler ance and br oad-m indedne ss
inst igat ed by his m ission as 'A m er cy t o all people', conv er t ed a t er r ible hy pocr it e int o a fait hful
dev ou t believ er .
On t h e secon d d ay of t h e g r eat con q u est , t h e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im st ood u p an d ad d r essed
t h e people in m at t er s r elat in g t o t h e h oly st at u s of Mak k ah . Aft er en t er t ain in g Allâh ' s pr aise, h e
pr oclaim ed t h at Mak k ah w as a h oly lan d an d w ou ld r em ain so t ill t h e Day of Ju dgem en t . No
bloodshed w as allow ed t her ein. Should any one t ak e t he liber t y of fight ing w it hin Mak k ah on gr ounds
der iv ed f r om t h e ev en t s t h at ch ar act er ized t h e con qu est , h e sh ou ld r em em ber t h at it h ad been a
licence gr ant ed t em por ar ily t o t he Pr ophet , and v ir t ually does not go for ot her s. I bn 'Abbas ÑÖì Çááå
ÚäåãÇ n ar r at ed: Th e Pr oph et Õáì Çááå Úáíå æ Óáã said: " Allâh h as m a de Mak k ah, a sanct uar y , so it
w as a san ct u ar y bef or e m e an d w ill con t in u e t o be a san ct u ar y af t er m e. I t w as m ade legal f or m e
( i. e. I w as allow ed t o f igh t in it ) f or a f ew h ou r s of a day . I t is n ot allow ed t o u pr oot it s sh r u bs or t o
cut it s t r ees, or t o c h ase ( or dist u r b) it s gam e, or t o pick u p it s f allen t h in gs ex cept by a per son w h o
w ou ld an n ou n ce t h at ( w h at h as fou n d) pu blicly . " Al-' Abbas said: " O Allâh ' s Messen ger ! Ex cept t h e
lem on gr ass ( for it is u sed) by ou r goldsm it h s an d for ou r h om es. " Th e Pr oph et p eace b e u p on h im
t h en said: " Ex cept t h e lem on gr ass. " I n t h is con t ex t , ou t of t h e spir it of r ev en ge, t h e t r ibesm en of
Kh u za' ah k illed a m an f r om Lait h Tr ibe. Her e t h e Pr oph et w as in dign an t an d or der ed Kh u za' ah t o
st op t h ose p r e -I slam ic pr act ices. He, mor eov er , gav e t h e fam ily of an y on e k illed t h e r igh t t o
con sider eit h er of t w o opt ion s, blood-m oney or j ust r et r ibut ion ( t he k iller is k illed) .
Af t er h av in g deliv er ed h is addr ess, t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im r ode t o a sm all h ill, Saf a, n ot f ar
from Al-Ka ' bah . Tu r n in g h is f ace t ow ar ds t h e Sacr ed Hou se, am idst a v ast adm ir in g an d dev ot ion al
m u lt it u de, h e r aised h is h an d in f er v en t pr ay er t o Allâh . Th e cit izen s of Madin ah w h o h ad gat h er ed
r ound him ent er t ained fear , as Allâh had giv en him v ict or y ov er his nat iv e cit y , he m ight choose t o
st ay h er e. He in sist ed on ex plan at ion of t h eir f ear an d so t h ey spok e open ly . He im m ediat ely
dispelled t h eir f ear s an d assu r ed t h em t h at h e h ad liv ed w it h t h em an d w ou ld die w it h t h em .
I m m ediat ely aft er t h e gr eat con qu est , t h e Mak k an s cam e t o r ealize t h at t h e on ly w ay t o su ccess lay
in t h e av en u e of I slam . Th ey com plied w it h t h e n ew r ealit ies an d gat h er ed t o pledge f ealt y t o t h e
Pr oph et peace be u pon h im . Th e m en cam e fir st pledgin g fu ll obedien ce in all ar eas t h ey can affor d.
Th en cam e t h e w om en t o f ollow t h e m en ' s ex am ple. Th e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im w it h ' Um ar bin
Al-Khat t ab r eceiv ing t he pledge of fealt y and com m unicat ing t o t hem for him . Hind bint 'Ut bah, Abu
Su f y an ' s w if e, cam e in t h e t r ail of w om en disgu ised lest t h e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im sh ou ld
r ecogn ize an d accou n t f or h er , h av in g ch ew ed t h e liv er of Ham zah , h is u n cle. Th e Pr oph et peace be
u pon h im accept ed t h eir allegian ce on con dit ion t h at t h ey associat e n on e w it h Allâh , t o w h ich t h ey
im m ediat ely agr eed. He added t h at t h ey sh ou ld n ot pr act ise t h ef t . Her e Hin d com plain ed t h at h er
h u sban d, Abu Su f y an , w as t igh t -fist ed. Her husband int er r upt ed gr ant ing all his w or ldly possessions
t o h er . Th e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im lau gh ed an d r ecogn ized t h e w om an . Sh e im plor ed h im t o
ex t en d h is par don t o h er an d ef f ace all h er pr ev iou s sin s. Som e ot h er con dit ion s w er e appen ded
including t he pr ohibit ion of adult er y , infant icide or for ging falsehood. To all t hese or der s, Hind
r eplied posit iv ely sw ear in g t h at sh e w ou ld n ot h av e com e t o t ak e an oat h of alleg ian ce if sh e h ad
h ad t h e least seed of disobedien ce t o h im . On r et u r n in g h om e, sh e br ok e h er idol adm it t in g h er
d elu sion as r eg ar d s st on e-g od s.
Th e Messen ger of Allâh peace be u pon h im st ay ed in Mak k ah f or 1 9 day s. Du r in g t h at per io d h e
u sed t o def in e t h e w ay t o I slam , gu ide people t o t h e or t h odox pat h . He or der ed Abu Usaid Al-
Kh u za' i t o r est or e t h e pillar s of t h e Holy San ct u ar y , sen t m ission s t o all qu ar t er s in v it in g t h em t o
adopt I slam an d br eak dow n t h e gr av en im ages st ill ly in g in t he v icinit y of Mak k ah, and he did hav e
all of t h em scr apped, in cu lcat in g in t h e believ er s' ear s h is w or ds:
" Wh oev er believ es in Allâh an d t h e Her eaf t er is su pposed t o scr ap ou t t h e idols t h at sh ou ld h appen
t o b e in h is h ou se. "
Sh or t ly af t er t h e gr eat con q u est , t h e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im b eg an t o d esp at ch p lat oon s an d
er r ands aim ing at elim inat ing t he last sy m bols r em iniscent of pr e -I slam ic pr act ices. He sent Khalid
bin Al-Waleed in Ram ad an 8 A. H. t o a sp ot called Nak h lah w h er e t h er e w as a g od d ess called Al-
' Uzza v en er at ed by Qu r aish an d Kin an ah t r ibes. I t h ad cu st odian s f r om Ban i Sh aiban . Kh alid, at t h e
h ead of t h ir t y h or sem en ar r iv ed at t h e spot an d ex t er m in at ed it . On h is r et u r n , t h e Pr oph et peace be
u pon h im ask ed h im if h e h ad seen an y t h in g t h ere, t o w h ich Kh alid gav e a n egat iv e an sw er . Her e,
h e w as t old t h at it h ad n ot been dest r oy ed an d h e h ad t o go t h er e again an d f u lf ill t h e t ask . He w en t
back again an d t h er e h e saw a black w om an , n ak ed w it h t or n h air . Kh alid st r u ck h er w it h h is sw or d
int o t w o p ar t s. He r et u r n ed an d n ar r at ed t h e st or y t o t h e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im , w h o t h en
confir m ed t he fulfillm ent of t he t ask .
Lat er , in t he sam e m ont h, 'Am r bin Al-' As w as sen t on an er r an d t o d est r oy an ot h er id ol, v en er at ed
by Hudhail, called Suw a'. I t used t o st an d at a dist an ce of t h r ee k ilom et r es f r om Mak k ah . On a
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q u est ion p osed b y t h e d oor-k eep er , ' Am r said h e h ad b een or d er ed b y t h e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on
h im t o k n ock dow n t h e idol. Th e m an w ar n ed ' Am r t h at h e w ou ld n ot be able t o do it . ' Am r w as
sur p r ised t o see som eon e st ill in t h e w r on g, appr oach ed t h e idol an d dest r oy ed it , t h en h e br ok e t h e
cask et beside it but found not hing. The m an im m ediat ely em br aced I slam . Sa'd bin Zaid Al-Ashhali
w as also sen t in t h e sam e m on t h an d on t h e sam e m ission t o Al-Mashallal t o dest r oy an idol, Manat ,
v en er at ed by bot h Al-Aw s an d Al-Kh azr aj t r ibes. Her e also a black w om an , n ak ed w it h m essy h air
appear ed w ailin g an d beat in g on h er ch est . Sa' d im m ediat ely k illed h er , dest r oy ed t h e idol an d
b r ok e t h e cask et an d r et u r n ed at t he conclusion of his er r and. Khalid bin Al-Waleed at t h e h ead of
3 5 0 h or sem en of Helper s, Em igr an t s an d Ban i Saleem w as despat ch ed on ce again in t h e sam e y ear
8 A. H. t o t he habit at ion of Bani Khuzaim ah bedouins t o inv it e t hem t o t he fold of I slam . He w a s
in st r u ct ed t o car r y ou t h is m ission w it h peace an d goodw ill. Th er e, t h e people w er e n ot ar t icu lat e
en ou gh t o com m u n icat e t h eir in t en t ion s, so Kh alid or der ed h is m en t o k ill t h em an d t ak e t h e ot h er s
as capt iv es. He ev en h ad in m in d t o k ill t h e capt iv es b u t som e of t h e Com p an ion s w er e op p osed t o
h is p lan . New s of b lood sh ed r each ed t h e Pr op h et p eace b e u p on h im . He w as d eep ly g r iev ed an d
r aised h is h an ds t ow ar ds t h e h eav en , u t t er in g t h ese w or ds: " O Allâh ! I am in n ocen t of w h at Kh alid
h as don e, " t w ice. He im m ediat ely sen t ' Ali t o m ak e ev er y possible r epar at ion t o t h e t r ibes w h o h ad
been w r onged. Aft er a car eful inquir y , ' Ali paid t he blood-m on ey t o all t h ose w h o su f f er ed loss. Th e
r em ain in g por t ion w as also dist r ibu t ed am on gst t h e m em ber s of t h e t r ibe in or d er t o allev iat e t h eir
suffer ing. Khalid, due t o his ir r at ional behav iour , had a r ow w it h 'Abdur Rahm an bin 'Aw f. Hear ing
t h is, t h e Pr oph et peace be u pon h im got an gr y , an d or der ed Kh alid t o st op t h at alt er cat ion addin g
t hat his Com panions ( m eaning 'Abdur Rah m an bin ' Aw f) w er e t oo h igh in r an k t o be in v olv ed in su ch
ar gu m en t s.
Th at is t h e st or y of t h e con qu est of Mak k ah an d t h e decisiv e bat t le t h at ex t er m in at ed pagan ism
on ce an d f or all. Th e ot h er t r ibes in t h e Ar abian Pen in su la w er e w ait in g an d closely w atch in g t h e
f in al ou t com e of t h e bit t er st r u ggle bet w een t h e Mu slim s an d idolat er s, alr eady con v in ced t h at t h e
Holy San ct u ar y w ou ld n ot f all bu t in t h e h an ds of t h e r igh t eou s par t y . I t h ad been a con v ict ion
deeply est ablish ed in t h eir m in ds ev er sin ce t h e elephant ar m y of Abr aha Al-Ashr am adv anced fr om
Yem en in t en din g t o dest r oy t h e Sacr ed Hou se 5 0 y ear s bef or e.
Al-Hu daibiy ah Peace Tr eat y w as t h e n at u r al pr elu de t o t h is gr eat v ict or y in w h ich people believ ed
deeply an d ov er w h ich people t alk ed a lot . Th e Mu slim s in Mak k ah , w h o h ad fear ed t o declar e t h eir
Fait h in pu blic, began t o appear an d w or k ar den t ly f or t h is n ew appr oach of lif e. People began t o
conv er t int o I slam in host s, and t he Muslim ar m y t hat num ber ed 3 0 0 0 only in t he pr ev ious
Gh azw ah , n ow cam e t o r each 1 0 , 0 0 0 in n u m ber . I n fact , t h is decisiv e ch an ge pr ov ided people w it h
t h e k een in sigh t t o per ceiv e t h in gs an d t h e w or ld ar ou n d t h em as a w h ole in a dif f er en t per cept iv e.
Th e Mu slim s w er e t h en t o st eer t h e w h ole polit ical an d r eligiou s af f air s of all Ar abia. Th ey h ad
m on opolised bot h t h e r eligiou s su pr em acy an d t em por al pow er .
Th e w h ole p ost -Hu d aib iy ah p h ase h ad b een w ell-fledged in fav our of t he new I slam ic m ov em ent .
St r eam s of t h e deser t Ar abian s began t o pou r in pay in g f u ll h om age t o t h e Messen ger o f Allâh peace
be u pon h im , em br acin g t h e n ew f ait h an d t h en car r y in g it t o dif f er en t qu ar t er s f or pr opagat ion .

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 TH E TH I RD STAGE

Th e t h ir d an d last st age of t h e lif e of t h e Messen ger ( peace be u pon h im ) em bodies t h e f r u it f u l

r esu lt s of h is call t o I slam , w hich w er e t h e con seq u en ces of lon g -t im ed holy fight s in t he w ay of
Allâh ( Jihad) , t r oubles, t oil, dist ur bances, t r ials and a lot of bloody conflict s and bat t les, w hich last ed
f or ov er t w en t y y ear s.

Th e con qu est of Mak k ah w as con sider ed t h e m ost ser iou s pr o fit achiev ed by Muslim s dur ing t hose
y ear s. For it af f ect ed t h e cou r se of ev en t s an d con sequ en t ly alt er ed t h e Ar abs’ w h ole lif e. I t w as a
d ecisiv e d ist in ct ion b et w een p r econ q u est an d p ost -conquest per iods. For Qur aish, at t hat t im e, w as
in t h e ey es of Ar abs t h e def en der s an d h elper s of Ar abs. Ot h er Ar abs ar e on ly t h eir an cillar ies. Th e
su bm ission of Qu r aish is, t h er efor e, est im at ed t o be a fin al elim in at ion of pagan ism in t h e Ar abian
Pen in su la.

TH I S STAGE CAN E BE D I VI D ED I N TO TW O M AI N PH ASE:

Th e ph ase of :
( 1) holy w ar s and fight ing.
( 2 ) t h e t r ibes an d people’s r ace t o em br ace I slam .

Bein g so close an d r at h er in sep ar ab le, t h e t w o p h ases of t h is st ag e in t er v en e in su ch a w ay t h at a

h appen in g of on e ph ase occu r s du r in g t h e pr ogr ess of t h e ot h er . How ev er , w e h av e p r ef er r ed — for
ex p osit or y p u r p oses — t o deal w it h t h ese t w o ph ases dist in ct iv ely . Th e figh t in g ph ase w as giv en t h e
pr ior it y in or der , due t o t he fact t hat it is m or e int im at e and fit t han t he ot her .

H UN AI N GH AZW AH

Th e con qu est of Mak k ah w h ich came f or t h as a con seq u en ce of a sw if t b low ast ou n d ed b ot h t h e

Ar ab s an d ot h er t r ib es w h o r ealized t h at t h ey w er e d oom ed an d h ad t o su b m it t o t h e n ew sit u at ion
as a fait accom pli. Som e of t h e fier ce, pow er fu l pr ou d t r ibes did n ot su bm it an d fav ou r ed r esist an ce.
Ah ead of t h ese w er e t h e sept s of Haw azin an d Th aqif . Nasr , Jash m an d Sa‘d bin Bak r an d people of
Bani Hilal — all of w h om of Qais ‘Ailan . Th ey t h ou gh t t h at t h ey w er e t oo m igh t y t o adm it or
sur r ender t o such a v ict or y . So t hey m et Malik bin ‘Aw f An -Nasr i an d m ade u p t h eir m in d t o pr oceed
fight ing against t he Muslim s.

EN EM Y'S M ARCH AN D EN CAM PM EN T AT AW TAS:

When Malik bin ‘Aw f — t h e g en er al lead er — decided t o m ar ch and fight t he Muslim s, he m ade his
cou n t r y people t ak e t h eir w ealt h , w om en an d ch ildr en w it h t h em t o Aw t as — w hich is a v alley in
Haw azin lan d an d is qu it e n ear Hu n ain . I t differ s fr om Hu n ain in it s bein g adj acen t t o Dh i-Al-Maj az
w hich is ar ound t en m iles fr om Mak k ah in ‘Ar afat ’s dir ect ion.

TH E W AR- EPERI EN CED M AN W RON GS TH E LEAD ER'S JUD GEM EN T:

As soon as t h ey h ad cam ped in Aw t as, people cr ow ded r ou n d Malik . Th e old san e Du r aid bin As -
Sim m ah , w h o w as w ell-k n o w n a s a w a r-ex per ien ced m an , an d w h o w as am on g t h ose w h o gat h er ed
r ou n d Malik , ask ed: “ Wh at v alley ar e w e in ?” “ I n Aw t as, ” t h ey said. “ Wh at a good cou r se it is f or
h or ses! I t is n eit h er a sh ar p poin t ed h eigh t n or a loosed soiled plain . Wh at ? Wh y do I h ear cam els’
gr ow lin g, t h e don k ey s’ br ay in g, t h e ch ildr en ’s cr ies an d t h e sh eep bleat in g?” ask ed Du r aid. Th ey
said: “ Malik bin ‘Aw f h ad m ade people br in g t h eir w om en , pr oper t ies an d ch ildr en w it h t h em . ” So h e
called Malik an d ask ed h im w h at m ade h im do su ch a t h in g. Malik said t h at h is aim w as t o h av e
ev er y body ’s fam ily an d pr oper t ies ar ou n d t h em so t h at t h ey figh t fier cely t o pr ot ect t h em . ” “ I sw ear
by Allâh t h at y ou ar e n ot h in g bu t a sh eph er d, ” an sw er ed Du r aid, “ Do y ou believ e t h at t h er e is
an y t h in g w h at soev er , can st an d in t h e w ay of a def eat ed on e or st op h im f r om f leein g? I f y ou w in
t h e b at t le y ou av ail n ot h in g b u t a m an w it h a sw or d an d a sp ear ; but if y ou lose y ou w ill br ing
d isg r ace on y ou r p eop le an d p r op er t ies, ” t h en h e r esu m ed h is t alk an d w en t on w on d er in g ab ou t
som e sept s an d t h eir leader s. “ O Malik , t h r u st in g t h e dist in gu ish ed people of Haw azin in t o t h e
bat t lefield w ill av ail y ou n ot h in g. Raise t h em u p t o w h er e t h ey can be saf e. Th en m ak e t h e y ou n g
people m ou n t t h eir h or ses an d figh t . I f y ou w in , t h ose w h om y ou t ar r ied w ill follow y ou , bu t if y ou

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w er e t h e loser it w ou ld b e a loss of a b at t le, b u t y ou r k in sm en , p eop le an d p r op er t ies w ou ld n ot b e
lost . ”

Bu t Malik , t h e gen er al leader , r efu sed t h is su ggest ion . “ By Allâh , ” h e said, “ I w ill n ot do su ch a
t h in g. You m u st h av e gr ow n a sen ile. Haw azin h av e t o obey m e, or else I w ill lean m y body again st
t h is sw or d so t h at it pen et r at es t h r ou gh m y back . ” He r ej ect ed any sor t of cont r ibut ion of Dur aid’s in
t hat concer n.

“ We obey y ou , ” said h is people, Du r aid con sequ en t ly said: “ Today is a day t h at I h av e n ot m issed
bu t su r ely I w ill n ot be t em pt ed t o w it n ess. ”

RECON N OI TERI N G TH E W EAPON S OF TH E W EAPON S OF TH E M ESSEN GER OF ALLAH :

The spies t hat Malik had alr eady dispat ched t o spy Muslim for ces, r et ur ned w it h t heir lim bs cut off.
“ Woe u n t o y ou ! Wh at h appen ed t o y ou ?” Said Malik . Th ey said: “ We h av e seen dist in gu ish ed people
on sp ot t ed h or seb ack s. What y ou see, w ou ld n ot h av e h ap p en ed if w e h ad b een f ir m ly t og et h er . ”

RECON N OI TERI N G TH E EN EM Y'S W EAPON :

New s abou t t h e en em y ’s m ar ch in g w er e con v ey ed t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) ,

so h e sen t ou t Al-Aslam i w it h or der s t o m ix w it h people, st ay w it h t h em so t h at h e w ou ld b e ab le t o
k n ow t h eir n ew s an d t o con v ey it t o t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( p eace b e u p on h im ) w h en h e t u r n s
back . Th at w as ex act ly w h at h e m an aged t o do.

TH E M ESSEN GER OF ALLAH ( pe a ce be upon him ) LEAVES M AKKAH FOR H UN AI N :

On Sh aw w al, t h e n in et een t h , t h e capt iv e day , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) lef t
Mak k ah accom pan ied by t w elv e t h ou san d Mu slim s. Ten t h ou san d of t h ose h ad pr ev iou sly sh ar ed in
Mak k ah Con q u est . A g r eat n u m b er of t h e ot h er t w o t h ou san d , w h o w er e Makk an s, h ad r ecen t ly
em br aced I slam . Th at m ar ch w as on t h e n in et een t h day of h is con qu est t o Mak k ah . He bor r ow ed a
h u n dr ed ar m ou r s w it h t h eir equ ipm en t fr om Safw an bin Om aiy ah . He appoin t ed ‘I t ab bin Usaid as a
gov er n or ov er Mak k ah . Wh en it w as ev en in g t im e, a h or sem an cam e t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( peace be u pon h im ) an d said: “ I h av e clim bed u p so an d so m ou n t ain s an d cam e acr oss Haw azin
w it h t h eir r idin g cam els, liv est ock an d sh eep. Haw azin w h olly w er e gat h er ed t oget h er t h er e. ” Th e
Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be upon him ) sm iled t hen and said: “ They w ill all be Muslim s’ spoils
t om or r ow , if Allâh w ill.” That night Anas bin Abi Mur t hid Al-Gh an aw i v olu n t eer ed t o gu ar d.

On t h eir w ay t o Hu n ain t h ey saw a g r eat g r een Nabk plan t , t h at w as called Dhat -Anw at ( t h e on e
w it h su sp en d er s) . Th at w as b ecau se t h e Ar ab s u sed t o h an g t h eir w eap on s on it , slay b east s u n d er
it an d k eep t o it . So som e of ar m y m em ber s ask ed t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) t o
m ak e t h em a Nabk w it h su sp en d er s as t h e on e t h ey h ad . “ Allâh is t h e Gr eat est of all! ” He said, “ I
sw ear b y t h e On e in Wh ose Han d is Mu h am m ad ’s sou l, t h at y ou h av e j u st said w h at t h e p eop le of
Moses said t o h im . Th ey said ‘Mak e u s a god as t h e on e t h ey h av e. ’ Su r ely y ou ar e ign or an t people.
Th ese ar e Sunnah , bu t y ou w ill f ollow an d com ply w it h t h e m odes of lif e of t h ose w h o pr eceded
y ou. ”

Seein g h ow gr eat in n u m ber t h e ar m y w as, som e of t h em said: “ We sh all n ot be def eat ed. ” Th eir
st at em en t sou n ded h ar d u pon t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) :

TH E I SLAM I C ARM Y STUN N ED TH E ARCH ERS AN D TH E ATTACKERS:

On Wedn esday n igh t t h e t en t h of Sh aw w al, t h e Mu slim ar m y ar r iv ed at Hu n ain . Malik bin ‘Aw f, w h o

h ad pr ev iou sly en t er ed t h e v alley by n igh t , gav e or der s t o h is ar m y t o h ide in side t h e v alley an d lu r k
for t he Muslim s on r oads, en t r an ces, n ar r ow h idin g places. His or der s t o h is m en w er e t o h u r l st on es
at Mu slim s w h en ev er t h ey cau gh t sigh t of t h em an d t h en t o m ak e a on e-m an at t ack again st t h em .

At ear ly daw n t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) st ar t ed m obilizin g his ar m y and
dist r ibu t in g post s an d f lags t o people. I n t h e dar k an d j u st bef or e daw n t h e Mu slim s m ov ed t ow ar ds
Hu n ain Valley . Th ey st ar t ed descen din g in t o it u n aw ar e of t h e pr esen ce of an en em y lu r k in g f or

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t h em in side t h e v alley . So at t h e m om en t t h ey w er e cam pin g, ar r ow s began sh ow er in g in t en siv ely
at t h em , w h er eas t h e en em y ’s bat t alion s st ar t ed a f ier ce at t ack again st t h e Mu slim s, w h o h ad t o
r et r eat in disor der an d u t t er con f u sion . I t w as su ch a sh at t er in gly def eat t h at Abu Su f y an bin Har b,
w h o h ad r ece nt ly em br aced I slam , said t hat t heir r et r eat w ould not st op t ill t hey got t o t he Red Sea.
Jablah or Kildah bin Al-Ju n acom m en t ed on t h at by say in g: “ Su r ely m agic h as gr ow n in act iv e t oday . ”

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) t u r n ed t o t h e r igh t an d said: “ Com e on , people! I am

t h e Messen ger of Allâh . I am Mu h am m ad, t h e son of Abdu llah . ” Th ose w h o st oodf ast by h im w er e
on ly f ew Em igr an t s an d som e of h is k in sm en . Th e m at ch less br av er y of t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon
h im ) w as t h en br ou gh t t o ligh t . He w en t on an d on in h is at t em pt s t o m ak e h is m u le st an df ast in t h e
face of t h e disbeliev er s w h ile say in g lou dly :

• “ Tr uly say ing, I am t he Pr ophet I am t he ( gr and) son of Abdul Mut t alib. ”

How ev er , Abu Su f y an , w h o w as t h en h oldin g t h e r ein of t h e Pr oph et ’s m u le, and Al-‘Abbas, w ho w as

h oldin g it s st ir r u p; w er e en deav ou r in g t o m ak e it h alt . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im )
dism ou n t ed an d ask ed h is Lor d t o r en der h im h elp.

• “ O, Allâh , sen d dow n You r Help! ”

M USLI M S' RETURN TO TH E BATTLE FI ELD , AN D TH E FI ERCEN ESS OF TH E FI GH T:

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) or der ed h is u n cle Al-‘Abbas — w h o w a s a so n o r o u s

v oiced m an — t o call ou t on t h e follow er s. As lou dly as h e cou ld, Al-‘Ab b as sh ou t ed : “ Wh er e ar e t h e
lancer s?” “ By Allâh,” Al-‘Ab b as said, “ Upon hear ing m y v oice calling t hem back , t hey t ur ned r ound t o
t h e bat t lef ield as if t h ey h ad been or y x es ( w ild cow s) t en din g t ow ar ds t h eir calv es. ”

“ Her e w e ar e, at y ou r ser v ice. Her e w e ar e. ” Th ey said. Th er e y ou see t h em t r y in g t o st op t h eir

cam els an d r ev er se t o t h e bat t le. He w h o w as u n able t o f or ce h is cam el t o t u r n back , w ou ld t ak e h is
ar m our , fling it r ound his neck , and hast ily dism ount his cam el w it h his w eapon in his hand let t ing
h is cam el m ov e fr eely an d r u n t ow ar ds t h e v oice sou r ce. Voices w ou ld gr ow lou der an d lou der t ill a
h u n dr ed of t h em gat h er ed r ou n d t h e Pr oph et an d r esu m ed t h e f igh t .

Th ose w h o w er e called ou t u p on n ex t w er e Al-Ansar , t he Helper s, “ O, folk s of Al-Ansar ! Folk s of Al-

An sar ! ”

Th e last g r ou p t o b e called ou t u p on w er e Ba ni Al-Har it h bin Al-Kh azr aj . Mu slim s bat t alion s pou r ed
su ccessiv ely in t o t h e bat t lefield in t h e sam e m an n er t h at t h ey h ad left it . Th e st am in a of bot h
par t ies w as su per b. Bot h of t h em st oodf ast an d f ou gh t f ier cely . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be
upon him ) w as so eager ly an d f u r iou sly w at ch in g t h e bat t le t h at h e said:

• “ Now t h e f igh t h as gr ow n f ier ce. ”

Pick in g u p a h an dfu l of ear t h , h e h u r led it at t h eir faces w h ile say in g:

• “ May y ou r faces be sh am efu l. ”

Th eir ey es w er e t h ick w it h du st an d t h e en em y began t o r et r eat in u t t er con f u sion .

REVERSE OF FORTUN ES AN D TH E EN EM Y'S UTTER D EFEAT:

Few h ou r s h ad elap sed sin ce t h e ear t h -h an d f u l w as h u r led at t h e en em y ’s f aces, w h en t h ey w er e

shat t er ingly defeat ed. About sev ent y m en of Thaqif alone w er e k illed, and t he Muslim s plunder ed all
t h eir r idin g cam els, w eapon s an d cat t le.

Allâh , Glor y is t o Him , allu ded t o t h is su dden ch an ge in t h e Qu r ’ân w h en He said:

• “ …an d on t h e Day of Hu n ain ( bat t le) w h en y ou r ej oiced at y ou r gr eat n u m ber bu t it

av ailed y ou n au gh t an d t h e ear t h , v ast as it is, w as st r ait en ed f or y ou , t h en y ou t u r n ed back
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 in flight . Then Allâh did send dow n His Sakinah ( calm ness, t r anquillit y , and r eassu r an ce,
et c. ) on t h e Messen ger [ Mu h am m ad ( peace be u pon h im ) ] an d on t h e believ er s, an d sen t
dow n f or ces ( an gels) w h ich y ou saw n ot , an d pu n ish ed t h e disbeliev er s. Su ch is t h e
r ecom pense of disbeliev er s. ” [ 9 : 2 5 , 2 6 ]
H OT PU RSU I T OF TH E EN EM Y:

Aft er th eir def eat , som e en em y t r oops h eaded f or Ta’if , ot h er s t o Nak h lah an d Aw t as. A gr ou p of
Muslim s headed by Abu ‘Am ir Al-Ash ‘ ar i, w er e despat ch ed t o ch ase t h e en em y , som e sk ir m ish es
t ook place dur ing w hich Abu ‘Am ir w as k illed.

A sim ilar bat t alion of hor s em en pu r su ed t h e idolat er s w h o t h r eaded t h e t r ack t o Nak h lah an d cau gh t
up w it h Dur aid bin As -Sim m ah, w ho w as k illed by Rabi‘a bin Rafi‘. Aft er collect ing t he boot y , t he
Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) left for Ta’if t o face t h e gr eat est n u m ber of t h e d ef eat ed
idolat er s. Th e boot y w as six t h ou san d capt iv es, t w en t y f ou r t h ou san d cam els; ov er f or t y t h ou san d
sh eep an d f ou r t h ou san d silv er ou n ces. Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) gav e or der s
t h at boot y sh ou ld be con f in ed at Al-J‘ir an ah an d or dained Mas‘ud bin ‘Am r Al-Ghifar i t o be in char ge
of it . I t w as on ly w h en h e w as en t ir ely fr ee fr om Ta’if Cam paign , t h at on e of t h e capt iv es As -
Shaim â’, t he daught er of Al-Har it h As -Sa‘d iy a, t h e Messen g er ’s f ost er sist er w as b r ou g h t t o t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) , sh e in t r odu ced h er self t o h im . Upon r ecogn izin g h er by a
cer t ain m ar k , h e h on ou r ed h er , spr ead f or h er h is gar m en t an d seat ed h er on it . He w as gr acef u l
an d r eleased h er an d m ad e h er t u r n b ack t o h er p eop le.

TA'I F CAM PAI GN :

Ta’if Cam paign is in fact an ex t en sion of Hu n ain Ghazw ah; t h at is becau se t h e m aj or it y of t h e

def eat ed t r oops of Haw azin an d Th aqif w en t in t o Ta’if w it h t h e gen er al com m an der — Malik bin ‘Aw f
An -Nasr i — and for t ified t hem selv es w it hin it . So upon finishing w it h H u n ain I n v asion , h e gat h er ed
t h e boot y at Al-Ji‘r anah in t he v er y m ont h ( i. e. Shaw w al) and in t he eight h y ear A. H.

A v an gu ar d bat t alion of a t h ou san d m en led by Kh alid bin Al-Waleed m ar ch ed t ow ar d s At -Ta’if.

Wh er eas t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( p eace b e u p on h im ) pr oceeded passin g t h r ou gh Nak h lah Al-
Yam aniy ah, Qar n Al-Man azil an d t h r ou gh Laiy ah . At Laiy ah t h er e w as a cast le t h at belon ged t o Malik
bin ‘Aw f , so t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) gav e or der s t o h av e it dest r oy ed. He
resum ed his m arch t ill h e got t o Ta’if . Th er e h e dism ou n t ed, cam ped n ear it s cast le an d laid siege t o
t h e cast le in h abit an t s; bu t n ot f or lon g.

How lon g t h e siege con t in u ed, is st ill a m at t er of disagr eem en t . I t h ow ev er st an ds bet w een 1 0 -2 0
day s.

A lot of ar r ow -sh oot in g an d r ock-h u r lin g occu r r ed du r in g t h e siege. For as soon as t h e Mu slim s laid
siege r ou n d t h e cast le, it s people st ar t ed sh oot in g ar r ow s again st t h em . Th e ar r ow s w er e so in t en se
an d fier ce t h at t h ey look ed as if t h ey h ad been locu st s on t h e m ov e. A n u m ber of Mu slim s w er e
w ou n d ed an d t w elv e w er e k illed .

To be far fr om t h e ar r ow -r an ge, t h e Mu slim s h ad t o ascen d t o a h igh er locat ion an d cam ped on —

i. e. t o w h at is n ow called At -Ta’if Mosqu e. Th e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) set u p a m an gon el an d
sh elled t h e cast le. Ev e nt ually a gap w as m ade in t he cast le w all, t hr ough w hich a num ber of Muslim s
m an aged t o pass in t o t h e cast le, sh elt er ed by a w ooden t an k , w it h t h e pu r pose of set t in g fir e in t o it .
An y w ay , t h e en em y pou r ed dow n m olt en h ot ir on on t h em . Af f ect ed by t h is t h e Muslim s st epped out
of t h e t an k an d w er e ag ain ex p osed t o ar r ow sh oot in g an d con seq u en t ly som e of t h em w er e k illed .

To for ce t h e en em y t o su r r en der , t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) t en ded t o a w ar policy of bu r n in g

an d cu t t in g t h e en em y ’s cr ops. His or der w as t o cu t t h eir v in ey ar ds an d bu r n t h em . Seein g t h at t h e
Mu slim s st ar t ed r apidly cu t t in g an d bu r n in g t h eir v in es, t h ey im plor ed t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon
h im ) t o st op an d h av e m er cy on t h em for t h e sak e of Allâh an d ou t of k in sh ip m ot iv es. So t h e
Pr op h et agr eed. Wh en t h e caller of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) called ou t u n t o
p eop le say in g “ He w h osoev er d escen d s an d st ep s ou t of t h e cast le is f r ee. ” Tw en t y -three m en cam e
ou t . On e of t h em w as Abu Bak r ah w h o t ied h im self t o a w all an d let h im s elf d ow n b y m ean s of a
sm all w h eel, t h at w ou ld n or m ally be u sed f or dr aw in g u p w at er f r om a w ell. Th e w ay h e let h im self
dow n m ade t h e Pr oph et n ick n am e h im “ Abu Bak r ah ” , i. e. t h e m an w it h t h e w h eel. Th e Messen ger of

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Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) set t h em all fr ee an d en t r u st ed each on e of t h em t o a Mu slim t o car e
abou t t h eir liv in g af f air s, w h ich w as t oo h ar d f or t h e cast le f olk speople t o bear .

Seein g t h at t h e siege last ed t oo lon g an d t h at t h e cast le w as im m u n e an d cou ld st an d an y siege ( f or

t h ey h ad alr ead y st or ed a su pply t h at su f f ices f or ov er a y ear ) an d t h at t h e Mu slim s w er e su f f er in g
— day by day — fr om ar r ow -sh ot s an d h eat ed ir on h ook s, t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( p eace b e u p on
him ) consult ed Naw fal bin Mu‘âw iy ah Ad -Daili about t hat . He said: “ They ar e lik e a fox hiding inside
it s bu r r ow . I f y ou st oodfast at it y ou w ou ld cat ch it , bu t if y ou par t ed w it h it , n o h ar m w ou ld afflict
y ou . ” Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) decided t o lift t h e siege an d depar t . ‘Um ar bin Al-
Kh at t ab , w h o w as or d er ed b y t h e Pr ophet t o not ify people, said t o t hem “ I f Allâh w ill, w e ar e leav ing
t h e cast le an d goin g back t om or r ow . ” As it w as t oo h ar d f or t h e Mu slim s t o go back an d leav e t h e
cast le u n con qu er ed t h ey com plain ed say in g, “ Sh ou ld w e go aw ay w h ile t h e cast le is st ill u nopened?”
His r eply w as: “ Th en , st ar t figh t in g in t h e m or n in g. ” I n t h e m or n in g t h ey fou gh t an d w er e w ou n ded.
So w h en h e r epeat ed t h is st at em en t : “ I f Allâh w ill, w e ar e leav in g t h e cast le an d goin g back
t om or r ow ” , t h ey w er e p leased an d car r ied ou t t h e or d er subm issiv ely and st ar t ed m ov ing, w hich
m ade t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) lau gh .

As soon as t h ey m ou n t ed an d st ar t ed m ov in g t h e Messen ger ( peace be u pon h im ) said:

• “ Say ! Her e w e ar e r et u r n in g, r epen t in g, w or sh ippin g ( Allâh ) an d t o ou r Lor d w e of f er

pr aise. ”

Wh en t h e Messen ger of Allâh w as ask ed t o in v ok e Allâh again st Th aqif , h e said:

• “ O Allâh, guide Thaqif and br ing t hem t o us as Muslim s. ”

TH E D I STRI BUTI ON OF TH E BOOTY AT AL - JI 'RAN AH :

Upon r et ur ning and lift ing t he siege in Ta’if, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) h ad st ay ed
ov er t en n igh t s at Al-Ji‘r an ah bef or e st ar t in g t o dist r ibu t e t h e boot y . Dist r ibu t ion delay w as du e t o
t h e Pr op h et ’s h op e t h at Haw azin ’s d eleg at ion m ig h t ar r iv e an d an n ou n ce t h eir r ep en t an ce an d
con seq u en t ly r eclaim t h eir loss. Seein g t h at n on e of t h em ar r iv ed, h e st ar t ed div idin g t h e boot y so
as t o calm dow n t h e t r ibes’ ch ief s an d t h e celebr it ies of Mak k ah . Th e f ir st t o r eceiv e boot y an d t h e
on es w h o ob t ain ed t h e g r eat est n u m b er of sh ar es w er e t h e p eop le w h o h ad r ecen t ly em br aced
I slam .

Abu Su f y an bin Har b w as giv en a h u n dr ed cam els an d f or t y ( gold) ou n ces an d y et h e said, “ Wh at

abou t m y son , Yazeed’s Sh ar e?” So h e w as giv en t h e sam e qu an t it y f or h is son as w ell. Bu t y et h e
ex claim ed: “ An d w h at abou t t h e sh ar e of Mu ‘âw iy ah , m y secon d son ?” So t h e Pr op h et ( p eace b e
u pon h im ) gav e Mu ‘âw iy ah as m u ch as h e gav e h is fat h er an d br ot h er . Hak eem bin Hizam w as giv en
a h u n dr ed cam els, bu t h e w as giv en a h u n dr ed m or e w h en h e dem an ded. Saf w an bin Om aiy ah w as
giv en t h r ee h u n dr ed cam els - a hundr ed cam els at each t im e. I t is t hus m ent ioned in Shifâ, Book by
Qadi I y adh . Th e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) gav e Al-Har it h bin Har it h bin Kilda a hundr ed cam els.
He also gav e som e ch ief s of Qu r aish an d ot h er clan s a h u n dr ed cam e ls; h e gav e ot h er s f if t y an d
som e ot h er s h ad f or t y .

Ev en t u ally it w as sp r ead am on g p eop le t h at “ Mu h am m ad g r an t s g en er ou sly an d f ear s n ot t o g r ow

poor . ” Th is m ade bedou in s gat h er ar ou n d h im ex pect in g t o be giv en som e w ealt h . Th ey w er e so
m an y t h at t h ey f orced t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) t o seek r ef u ge again st a t r ee an d t h ey ev en
t ook aw ay h is gar m en t , “ O people! “ He said, “ Giv e m e back m y gar m en t ! For I sw ear by t h e On e in
Wh ose Han d is Mu h am m ad’s sou l, t h at if I h ad as m an y n u m er ou s cam els as t h e n u m b er of Tiham a
t r ees, I w ou ld dist r ibu t e t h em am on g y ou . You k n ow qu it e w ell t h at I am n eit h er m ean n or cow ar d
or a liar . ” St an din g by h is cam el h e plu ck ed ou t a h air of h is cam el’s h u m p an d h eld it bet w een h is
t w o f in ger s, lif t ed it u p an d said: “ O people, I sw ear by Allâh t h at I get n ot h in g bu t on e-fift h of y our
boot y , an d t h is v er y fift h goes back t o y ou . ”

As soon as h e h ad g iv en t h e n ew con v er t s, t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( p eace b e u p on h im ) or d er ed

Z aid bin Th abit t o f et ch t h e boot y an d su m m on people. Th en h e or d ain ed sh ar es t o p eop le. A
f oot m an ’s sh ar e w as f ou r cam els an d f or t y sh eep, an d a h or sem an w ou ld t ak e t w elv e cam els an d a
h u n dr ed an d t w en t y sh eep. Th is dist r ibu t ion of boot y w as based on a w ise policy . I n t h is w or ld t h er e
ar e lot s of p eop le w h o k n ow t h e t r u t h on ly w h en it com es t h r ou gh t h eir st om ach s an d t h ey do n ot

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r ecogn ize it if it com es t h r ou gh t h eir br ain s. Th e sim ilit u de of su ch people is as t h e gu idan ce of an
an im al t o it s h er d by m ean s of a bu n ch of clov er h eld at a con st an t dist an ce of f it s m out h. The
an im al w ou ld t r y all t h e t im e t o cat ch it , so it w ou ld ev en t u ally go in t o t h e h er d safely . I n t h e sam e
w ay y ou h av e t o do v ar iou s k in ds of t em pt at ion s t o m ak e cer t ain k in d of people fam iliar ize I slam
an d b e p leased w it h .

TH E H ELPERS (Al- An sa r ) ARE FURI OUS AT TH E M ESSEN GER OF ALLAH ( pe a ce be upon

him ) :

At fir st t h e Pr oph et ’s policy of dist r ibu t ion w as u n com pr eh en ded by m an y a m an . Th er efor e sh ar p -

t on g u ed p eop le st ar t ed ex p r essin g t h eir ob j ect ion s. Th e Help er s w er e am on g t h ose w h o w er e
afflict ed by t h is policy . Th ey w er e depr iv ed of Hu n ain gif t s t h ou gh t h ey h ad been t h e on es w h o w er e
su m m on ed at Hu n ain h ar d t im es an d t h ey w er e t h e f ir st t o r u sh t o f igh t w it h t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( peace be u pon h im ) an d st an dfast t ill t h e defeat t u r n ed in t o v ict or y . Now h er e t h ey ar e w at ch in g
t h ose w h o escaped f ill t h eir h an ds w it h boot y w h ile t h ey ar e giv en n ot h in g.

On t h e au t h or it y of I bn I sh aq: “ Wh en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) h ad giv en

Qu r aish an d Ar ab t r ibes t h ose gif t s an d allot t ed n ot h in g t o t h e Helper s, a gr ou p of t h e Helper s f elt
so u n easy abou t it t h at a lot of ill-st at em en t s again st t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) w er e spr ead
am on g t h em t o an ex t en t t h at on e of t h em said: “ By Allâh , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon
him ) w as ill-sp o k en of by his folk sm en! ” And t hose ill-st at em en t s w en t on spr eadin g t ill Sa‘d bin
‘Ubadah m et t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) , w h o in h is t u r n f aced h is people af t er a
w hile.

Sa‘d bin ‘Ubadah said: “ O Messen ger of Allâh , t h is gr ou p of t h e Help er s ar e f u r iou s at y ou abou t t h e
dist r ibu t ion of t h e boot y t h at y ou h ad w on . You h av e allot t ed sh ar es t o y ou r ow n k in sm en an d
f or w ar ded lot s of gif t s t o t h e Ar ab t r ibes. Bu t t h is gr ou p h as obt ain ed n ot h in g. ” Th e Pr oph et ( peace
be upon him ) ask ed Sa‘d ex cla im ing: “ Sa‘d, w hat do y ou t hink of all t hat ?” Sa‘d r eplied: “ O
Messen ger of Allâh . You k n ow t h at I am n ot h in g bu t a m em ber of t h is gr ou p. ” “ Call ou t on y ou r
people an d br in g t h em f or t h t o m e in t o t h is sh ed. ” Said t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) .

So Sa‘d w en t ou t an d su m m on ed t h em . Wh en som e Em igr an t s cam e, h e let t h em in bu t f or bade

ot h er s. Wh en t h ey w er e all gat h er ed t oget h er , h e in f or m ed t h e Pr oph et say in g: “ Th is gr ou p of t h e
Helper s h av e j u st ar r iv ed t o m eet y ou in com plian ce w it h y ou r or der s. ” As soon as t h e Messen g er
( peace be u pon h im ) faced t h em h e t h an k ed Allâh an d pr aised Him , t h en said t o t h em in qu ir in g, “ I
h av e been t old t h at y ou ar e an gr y w it h m e. Didn ’t I com e t o y ou w h en y ou w er e ast r ay an d Allâh
g u id ed y ou ? You w er e p oor an d Allâh g av e y ou w ealt h . Wer en ’t y ou f oes an d Allâh m ade y ou lov e
on e an ot h er . ” “ Yes, ” t h ey said, “ Allâh an d His Messen ger ar e bet t er an d m or e gr aciou s. ” Th en h e
said: “ Wh at pr ev en t s y ou f r om r eply in g t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh , O t r ibe of Helper s?” Th ey said,
“ Wh at sh ou ld b e t h e r eply , O Messen ger of Allâh , w h ile t o t h e Lor d an d t o h is Messen ger belon g all
b en ev olen ce an d g r ace. ”

Th e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) again said:

• “ Bu t by Allâh , y ou m igh t h av e an sw er ed an d an sw er ed t r u ly , f or I w ou ld h av e t est if ied t o

it s t r ut h m y self : ‘You cam e t o u s belied an d r ej ect ed an d w e accept ed y ou ; y ou cam e t o u s
as h elpless an d w e h elped y ou ; a f u git iv e, an d w e t ook y ou in ; poor an d w e com f or t ed y ou ’.

You Helper s, do y ou f eel an x iou s f or t h e t h in gs of t h is w or ld, w h er ew it h I h av e sou gh t t o

in clin e t h ese people u n t o t h e Fait h in w h ich y ou ar e alr eady est ablish ed?

Ar e y ou n ot sat isf ied, O gr ou p of Helper s t h at t h e people go w it h ew es an d cam els w h ile y ou

go alon g w it h t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) t o y ou r dw ellin gs. By Him in
Wh ose Han d is m y lif e, h ad t h er e been n o m igr at ion , I w ou ld h av e been on e of t h e Helper s.
I f t h e p eop le w ou ld g o t h r ou g h a v alley an d p assag e, an d t h e Help er s g o t h r ou g h an ot h er
v alley an d p assag e, I w ou ld g o t h r ou g h t h e v alley an d p assag e of t h e Help ers. Allâh! Hav e
m er cy on t he Helper s, t heir childr en and t heir childr en’s childr en. ”

Th e au d ien ce w ep t u n t il t ear s r olled d ow n t h eir b ear d s as t h ey said :

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 • “ Yes, w e ar e sat isf ied, O Pr oph et of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) ! w it h ou r lot an d sh ar e. ”

Th en t h e Pr op h et ( p eace b e u p on h im ) lef t t h e g at h er in g an d t h e p eop le also d isp er sed .

ARRI VAL O FTH E H AW AZI N D ELEGATI ON :

Haw azin ’s delegat ion ar r iv ed a Mu slim s j ust aft er t he dist r ibut ion of spoils. They w er e four t een m en
h eaded by Z u h air bin Sar d. Th e Messen ger ’s f ost er u n cle w as on e of t h em . Th ey ask ed h im t o
b est ow u p on t h em som e of t h e w ealt h an d sp oils. Th ey u t t er ed so t ou ch in g w or d s t h at t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) said t o t h em : “ You su r ely see w h o ar e w it h m e. Th e m ost
desir able speech t o m e is t h e m ost t r u t h f u l. Wh ich is dear er t o y ou , y ou r w ealt h or y ou r w om en an d
ch ildr en ?” Th ey r eplied: “ Not h in g w h at soev er com par es w it h k in sh ip. ” Th en w h en I per for m t he
n oon pr ay er , st an d u p an d say : “ We in t er cede w it h t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) t o
ex h or t t h e believ er s, an d w e in t er cede w it h t h e believ er s t o ex h or t t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be
u pon h im ) t o f or ego t h e capt iv es of ou r people f allen t o t h eir lot . ” So w h en t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( peace be u pon h im ) per f or m ed t h e n oon pr ay er , t h ey st ood u p an d said w h at t h ey h ad been t old t o
say . Th e Messen ger ( peace be u pon h im ) , t h en , said: “ As f or w h at belon gs t o m e an d t o t h e
childr en of Abdul Mut t alib, y ou m ay consider t hem , fr om now on, y our s. And I w ill ask m y folk sm en
t o giv e back t h eir s. ” Upon h ear in g t h at t h e Em igr an t s an d t h e Helper s said: “ Wh at belon gs t o u s is,
fr om n ow on , offer ed t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) . ” But Al-Aqr a‘ bin Habis said,
“ We w ill gr an t n on e of w h at belon gs t o m e an d t o Ban i Tam im , ” ; so did ‘Uy ain a bin Hisn , w h o said:
“ As for m e and Bani Fazar ah, I say ‘No’. ” Al-‘Abbas bin Mir das also r ef u sed an d said: “ No” f or Ban i
Saleem and him . His people, h ow ev er , said ot h er w ise: “ Wh at ev er spoils belon g t o u s w e of f er t o t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) ” “ You h av e u n der m in ed m y posit ion . ” Said Al-‘Abbas bin
Mir das spon t an eou sly . Th en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) said: “ Th ese people h av e
com e t o y ou as Mu slim s. For t h is I h av e alr eady t ar r ied t h e dist r ibu t ion of t h e boot y . Besides, I h av e
gr an t ed t h em a f air opt ion bu t t h ey r ef u sed t o h av e an y t h in g ot h er t h an t h eir w om en an d ch ildr en .
Th er ef or e h e w h o h as som e of t h eir s an d w ill pr ef e r w illingly t o giv e t hem back , let t hem do. But
t h ose w h o f av ou r s t o k eep w h at h e ow n s t o h im self , let t h em gr an t t h em back t oo, an d h e w ill be
giv en as a r ecom pen se six t im es as m u ch fr om t h e fir st boot y t h at Allâh m ay pr ov ide u s. ” People
t h en said, “ We w ill w illin gly offer t h em all for t h e sak e of t h e Messen ger of Allâh . ” Th e Messen ger of
Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) said: “ Bu t in t h is w ay w e ar e n ot able t o f in d ou t w h o is con t en t an d w h o
is n ot . So go back an d w e w ill be w ait in g for y ou r ch iefs t o con v ey t o us y our decisions. ” All of t hem
gav e back t he w om en and childr en. The only one w ho r efused t o com ply w it h t he Messenger ’s desir e
w as ‘Uy ain a bin Hisn . He r ef u sed t o let an old w om an of t h eir s go back at f ir st . Lat er on h e let h er
go back . Th e Messen ger o f Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) gav e ev er y capt iv e a gar m en t as a gift .

LSSER PI LGRI M AGE ( Al- ‘U m r a h ) TO M AKKAH AN D LEAVI N G FOR M AD I N AH :

Hav ing accom plish ed t h e dist r ibu t ion of t he spoils at Al-Ji‘r an ah h e left it w h ile w ear in g Al-‘Um rah
clot h es an d p r oceed ed t o Mak k ah t o per for m Al-‘Um r ah. Th e Messen g er of Allâh Õáì Çááå Úáíå
æÓáã t u r n ed back f r om t h er e t o Madin ah af t er appoin t in g ‘I t ab bin Usaid on Mak k ah as gov er n or .
His ar r iv al t o Madin ah w as by t h e last six n igh t s of Dh u l-Qa‘dah, in t he y ear 8 A. H. On t his occasion
Muham m ad Al-Ghazali said:

“ Wh at a gr eat ch an ge it is bet w een t h e v ict or iou s per iod of Mu h am m ad at pr esen t w h ich Allâh h as
t ow er ed w it h a m an ifest con qu est , an d t h at per iod of t h e past du r in g w h ich Mu h am m ad fir st ar r iv ed
at t h is t ow n , eig h t y ear s ag o. ”

Wh en h e f ir st cam e t o Mad in ah , h e w as p u r su ed an d w an t ed . He w as seek in g a secu r e sh elt er . He

w as a lon ely st r an ger w h o sou gh t com pan ion sh ip an d com f or t . Th e people of Madin ah w elcom ed
h im , gav e h im r esiden ce an d aided h im an d em br aced t h e ligh t of I slam , w h ich h ad b een sen t d ow n
u pon h im . Th ey , f or h is sak e, did n ot car e abou t t h e en m it y of ot h er peoples. Her e h e is en t er in g
Madin ah again , af t er t h e lapse of eigh t y ear s of t h at f ir st v isit . Madin ah , t h e t ow n t h at h ad r eceiv ed
h im on ce, w h en h e w as a fr ight ened Em igr ant ; it r eceiv es him once again w hen Mak k ah has becom e
in h is h an ds an d at h is disposal. I t is Mak k ah t h at h as got r id of it s pr ide an d Jahiliyah ( i.e. pre -
I slam ic per iod and t r adit ions) . I t is now pr oud again and m ight y in I slam . The Messen ger of Allâh
f or gav e all t h e er r or s an d w r on gs of it s people.

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 • “ Ver ily , h e w h o fear s Allâh w it h obedien ce t o Him ( by abst ain in g fr om sin s an d ev il deeds,
an d by per f or m in g r igh t eou s good deeds) , an d is pat ien t , t h en su r ely , Allâh m ak es n ot t h e
r ew ar d of t h e g ood -doer s t o be lost . ” [ 1 2 : 9 0 ]
M I SSI ON S AN D PLATOON S AFTER TH E CON QUEST:

Upon r et u r n in g fr om t h is lon g su ccessfu l t r av el, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) st ay ed

in Madin ah w h er e h e r eceiv ed delegat es an d dispat ch ed agen t s an d appoin t ed pr each er s an d caller s
t o I slam ev er y w h er e. Th ose w h ose h ear t s w er e st ill full of pr ej udice against I slam and t her efor e
w er e t oo pr ou d t o em br ace Allâh ’s r eligion , w er e decisiv ely m u ffled on t h eir n on -acquiescence in t he
st at u s qu o pr ev alen t t h en in Ar abia.

Her e is a m ini-im ag e ab ou t t h e b eliev ed on es. We h av e alr ead y st at ed t h at t h e Messen g er ’s ar r iv al

in Madin ah w as by t h e last day s of t h e eigh t h y ear of Al-Hij r a. No soon er t h e cr escen t of Mu h ar r am
of t h e n in t h y ear t u r n ed u p t h an t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) dispat ch ed t h e
believ ed on es, t o t h e t r ibes a s sh ow n in t h e list b elow :

• 1. ‘Uy aina bin Hisn t o Bani Tam im .

2 . Yazeed bin Husain t o Aslam and Ghifar .

3. ‘Abbad bin Bishr Al-Ashhali t o Sulaim and Muzainah.

4. Rafi‘ bin Muk ait h t o Juhainah.

5. ‘Am r bin Al-‘As t o Ban i Fazar ah .

6. Ad -Dahhak bin Sufy an t o Bani Kilab.

7 . Basheer bin Sufy an t o Bani Ka‘b.

8. I bn Al-Lut abiy ah Al-Azdi t o Bani Dhuby an.

9. Al-Muhaj ir bin Abi Om aiy ah t o Sana‘a’ ( Al-Asw ad Al-‘Ansi called at him w hen he w as in it ) .

1 0 . Ziy ad bin Labid t o Hadr am out .

11. ‘Adi bin Hat im t o Tai’ and Bani Asad.

12. Ma lik bin Nu w air ah t o Ban i Hanzalah.

13. Az -Zabr aqan bin Badr t o Bani Sa‘d ( a por t ion of t hem ) .

14. Qais bin ‘Asim t o Bani Sa‘d ( a por t ion of t hem ) .

15. Al-‘Alâ’ bin Al-Hadr am i t o Al-Bahr ain.

16. ‘Ali bin Abi Talib t o Naj r an ( t o collect Sadaqa & Jizya).

Som e of t h ese agen t s w er e despat ch ed in Mu h ar r am , 7 A. H. , ot h er s w er e sen t lat er u n t il t h e t r ibes

t h ey w er e h eadin g for h ad com plet ely con v er t ed in t o I slam . Su ch a m ov e clear ly dem on st r at es t h e
gr eat su ccess t h at t h e I slam ic Da‘wah ( Call) enj oy ed aft er Al-Hudaibiy ah Tr eat y . How ev er , shor t ly
af t er t h e con qu est of Mak k ah , people began t o em br ace I slam in lar ge h ost s.

TH E PLATOON S:

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I n t h e sam e w ay t h at t h e b eliev ed on es w er e d isp at ch ed t o t h e t r ib es, w e u n d er st an d t h at
dispat ch in g som e m or e plat oon s t o all r egion s of Ar abia is a n ecessit y f or t h e pr ev alen ce an d
dom inat ion of secur it y on all lands of Ar abia.

Her e is a list of t h ose plat oon s:

1. ‘Uy aina bin Hisn Al-Fazar i’s plat oon in Al-Muhar r am , t he nint h y ear of Al-Hij r a t o Bani
Tam im . I t consist ed of fift y h or sem en , n on e of t h em w as an Em igr an t or a Helper .
2. Th is ex pedit ion w as dispat ch ed du e t o t h e f act t h at Ban i Tam im h ad alr eady u r ged ot h er
t r ibes n ot t o pay t r ibu t e ( Al-Jizya) and ev ent ually st opped t hem fr om pay ing it .

Th er efor e, ‘Uy ain a bin Hisn set ou t t o figh t t h em . All t h e w ay lon g h e m ar ch ed by n igh t an d
lu r k ed by day . He w en t on t h at w ay t ill h e ov er t ook t h em an d at t ack ed t h em in t h e deser t .
They fled back for t heir liv es. Elev en m en, t w ent y -on e w om en an d t h ir t y boy s w er e capt u r ed
t h en . He dr ov e t h em back t o Madin ah an d w er e h ou sed in Ram lah bin t Al-Harit h’s residence.
Ten of t h eir leader s, w h o cam e t o t h e Pr oph et ’s door , called ou t u n t o h im say in g: “ O
Mu h am m ad com e ou t an d f ace u s. ” Wh en h e w en t ou t t h ey h eld h im an d st ar t ed t alk in g.

He ex ch an g ed t alk w it h t h em f or a w h ile t h en lef t t h em an d w en t t o per f or m t h e n oon -

pr ay er . Af t er pr ay er h e sat in t h e m osqu e-pat io. Th ey pr oclaim ed a desir e t o sh ow boast in g
an d self -pr ide. For t h is pu r pose t h ey in t r odu ced t h eir or at or ‘Ut ar id bin Haj ib w h o deliv er ed
his speech. The Messenger of Allâh ( peace be upon him ) ask ed Thabit bin Qais bin Sham m as
— t he Muslim or at or — t o r espon d. He did t h at . I n r et u r n , t h ey br ou gh t for t h t h eir poet Az -
Z abr aqan bin Badr w h o r ecit ed som e boast f u l poet r y . Hassan bin Th abit , t h e p oet of I slam ,
pr om pt ly r eplied back . Wh en t alk s an d poet cam e t o an en d, Al-Aqr a‘ bin Habis said: “ Their
or at or is m or e eloqu en t t h an ou r s, an d t h eir poet is m or e poet ically lear n ed t h an ou r s. Th eir
v oices an d say in gs ex cel ou r s, as w ell. ” Ev en t u ally t h ey a nnounced t heir em br acing I slam .
Consequent ly , t he Messenger of Allâh ( peace be upon him ) ack now ledged t heir I slam izat ion,
aw ar ded t h em w ell, an d r en der ed t h em back t h eir w om en an d ch ildr en .

3. A plat oon h eaded by Qu t bah bin ‘Am ir t o a spot called Kh at h ‘am in Tabalah , a plot of lan d
not far fr om Tur bah. That w as in Safar , 9 A. H. Accom panied by t w ent y m en and only t en
cam els t o m ou n t alt er n at iv ely on , Qu t bah r aided t h em an d f ou gh t so f ier cely t h at a gr eat
n u m b er of b ot h p ar t ies w er e w ou n d ed an d som e ot h er s w er e killed. The Muslim s drove back
w it h t h em cam els, w om en an d sh eep t o Madin ah .
4. The m ission of Dahhak bin Sufy an Al-Kilabi t o Bani Kilab in Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al in t he y ear 9 A. H.
This m ission w as sent t o Bani Kilab t o call t hem t o em br ace I slam . Refusing t o em brace
I slam , t h ey st ar t ed t o f igh t again st t h e Mu slim s, bu t w er e def eat ed an d su st ain ed on e m an
killed.
5. Th e t h r ee h u n dr ed m en ex pedit ion of ‘Alqam ah bin Mu j azziz Al-Mu dlaj i t o Jeddah sh or es in
Rabi‘ Al-Ak h ir . Th is ex pedit ion w as dispat ch ed t o f igh t again st som e m en from ( Al-Hab ash a)
Aby ssinia ( Et hiopia) , w ho gat her ed t oget her near t he shor es of Jeddah and ex er cised act s of
pir acy again st t h e Mak k an s. Th er ef or e h e cr ossed t h e sea t ill h e got t o an islan d. Bu t as
soon as t h e pir at es h ad lear n ed of Mu slim s’ ar r iv al, t hey fled.
6. The t ask of t he plat oon of ‘Ali bin Abi Talib w as t o dem olish Al-Qu llu s, w h ich w as an idol t h at
belonged t o Tai’ t r ibe. That w as in Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al in t h e y ear 9 A. H. ‘Ali w as dispat ch ed by
t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) w it h o ne hundr ed fift y m en. A hundr ed of t hem
w er e on cam els. Th e ot h er f if t y w er e on h or seback . He h eld a black f lag an d a w h it e ban n er .

• At d aw n t h ey r aid ed Mahallat Hat im , dem olished t he idol and filled t heir hands w it h spoils,
cam els an d sh eep b oot ies, w h er eas ‘Ad i f led t o Ash -Sham . The sist er of ‘Adi bin Hat im w as
on e of t h e capt iv es. I n side Al-Qu llu s saf e, Mu slim s f ou n d t h r ee sw or ds an d t h r ee ar m ou r s.
On t h e w ay t h ey d ist r ib u t ed t h e sp oils an d p u t asid e t h e b est t h in g s t o t h e Messen g er of
Allâh ( peace be upon him ) . They did not shar e t he Hat im s.
Upon ar r iv al in Madin ah , t h e sist er of ‘Adi bin Hat im begged t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace
be u pon h im ) t o h av e m er cy on h er an d said: “ O Messen ger of Allâh , m y br ot h er is absen t
an d f at h er is dead, an d I am t oo old t o r en der an y ser v ice. Be ben ef icen t t o m e so t h at Allâh
m ay be bou n t if u l t o y ou . ” He said: “ Wh o is y ou r br ot h er ?” Sh e said: “ I t is ‘Adi bin Hat im .”
“ I s h e n ot t h e on e w h o f led f r om Allâh an d h is Messen ger ?” Said t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon
h im ) t h en w en t aw ay f r om h er . Nex t day sh e r eit er at ed t h e sam e t h in g as t h e day bef or e
an d r eceiv ed t h e sam e an sw er . A day lat er sh e u t t er ed sim ilar w or ds, t h is t im e h e m ade

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ben ef act ion t o h er . Th e m an w h o w as beside t h e Pr oph et , an d w h om sh e t h ou gh t t o be ‘Ali,
said t o h er : “ Ask f or an an im al f r om h im t o r ide on . ” An d sh e w as gr an t ed h er r equ est .
Sh e r et u r n ed t o Ash -Sh am w h er e sh e m et h er b r ot h er an d said t o h im : “ Th e Messen ger of
Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) h as don e m e su ch n oble deed t h at y ou r f at h er w ou ld n ev er h av e
done it . Ther efor e, w illy -n illy , fr igh t en ed or secu r e, y ou sh ou ld go an d see h im . ” Un secu r e
n eit h er pr ot ect ed by som e on e, n ot ev en r ecom m ended by a let t er as a m eans of pr ot ect ion,
‘Adi cam e an d m et t h e Pr oph et . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) t ook h im h om e
w it h h im . As soon as h e sat bef or e h im , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im )
t h an k ed Allâh an d pr aised h im , t h en said: “ Wh at m ak es y ou f lee? Do y ou f lee lest y ou
sh ou ld say t h er e is n o god bu t Allâh ? Do y ou k n ow an y ot h er god bu t Allâh ?” “ No” h e said,
t h en t alk ed f or a w h ile. Th e Messen ger of Allâh w en t on say in g: “ Cer t ain ly y ou f lee so t h at
y ou m ay n ot h ear t h e st at em en t say in g ‘Allâh is t h e Gr eat est . ’ Do y ou k n ow an y on e w h o is
g r eat er t h an Allâh ?” “ No” h e said . “ Th e Jew s ar e t h ose w h ose p or t ion is w r at h , an d t h e
Ch r ist ian s ar e t h ose w h o h av e gon e ast r ay , ” t h e Pr oph et r et or t ed. “ I am a Mu slim an d I
believ e in on e God ( Allâh) . ” ‘Adi finally pr oclaim ed w it h a j oy ous face. The Pr ophet or der ed
h im a r esiden ce w it h on e of t h e Helper s. Fr om t h at t im e h e st ar t ed callin g at t h e Pr oph et
( peace be u pon h im ) in t h e m or n in gs an d in t h e ev en in gs.
On t h e au t h or it y of I bn I sh aq, w h en t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) m ade h im sit dow n in
fr on t of h im in h is h ou se, t h e Pr oph et said, “ O ‘Adi, w er e y ou n ot cast in disbelief?” “ Yes” .
‘Adi said. “ Did y ou n ot sh ar e on e qu ar t er of y ou r people’s gain s?” “ Yes” . Said ‘Adi. Th e
Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be upon him ) said: “ I t is sinful in y our r eligion t o do such a t hing,
an d y ou sh ou ld n ot allow y ou r self t o do it . ” “ Yes, by Allâh , t h at is t r u e” , said ‘Adi. “ Th u s I
w or k ed ou t t h at h e w as a Pr op h et in sp ir ed b y Allâh , an d sen t t o p eop le. He k n ow s w h at is
u n k n ow n . ”
I n an ot h er v er sion , t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) said: “ ‘Adi, em br ace I slam an d y ou
shall be secur e. ” “ But I am a m an of r eligion. ” Said ‘Adi. “ I k now y our r eligion bet t er t han
y ou . ” Said t h e Pr oph et . “ Do y ou k n ow m y r eligion bet t er t h an m e?” ‘Adi ask ed. Th e Pr oph et
r eplied, “ Yes” . He said: “ Ar e y ou not cast in disbelief because y ou appr opr iat e t o y our self t he
fou r t h of y ou r people’s gain s?” “ Yes” . Said ‘Adi. “ I t is u n law fu l in y ou r r eligion t o do su ch a
t h in g. ” Th e Pr oph et said, an d ‘‘Adi added: “ He did n ot n eed t o say it again for I im m ediat ely
acqu iesced it . ”
Al-Bu k h ar i n ar r at es t h at ‘Adi said: Wh ile w e w er e w it h t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) , a
m an cam e in an d com plain ed t o h im abou t pov er t y . Th en an ot h er m an cam e in an d
com pla in ed abou t h igh w ay r obber y . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) t h en said:
“ O ‘Adi, h av e y ou ev er been t o Al-Hir ah ? I f y ou w er e doom ed t o liv e lon g lif e, y ou w ou ld be
able t o see a r iding cam el w om an t r av el fr om Hir ah t ill it cir cum am bulat es Al-Ka‘b ah f ear in g
n on e bu t Allâh ; an d if y ou w er e t o liv e lon g en ou gh y ou w ou ld open t h e t r easu r es of Kisr a.
An d if y ou w er e t o liv e lon g y ou w ou ld be able t o see m an of f er in g a h an df u l of gold or silv er
t o ot h er s bu t n on e accept s t o t ak e it . ” At t h e en d of t h is Hadit h ‘Adi lat er on say s: “ I h av e
seen a r iding cam el w om an t r av el fr om Al-Hir ah t ill it cir cum am bulat es t he Ka‘bah fear ing
n on e b u t Allâh , I h av e also b een on e of t h ose w h o op en ed t h e t r easu r es of Kisr a b in
Hur m uz. I f y ou w er e t o liv e long life y ou w ould w it n ess w h at t h e Pr oph et , Abu l Qasim ,
( peace be u pon h im ) h ad alr eady said abou t ‘of f er in g a h an df u l of …’ i. e. t h e Pr oph et ’s
pr ophecies did r eally com e t r ue. ”

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 TH E I N VASI ON OF TABUK I N RAJAB, I N TH E YEAR 9 A.H .

Th e in v asion an d t h e con q u est of Mak k ah w as con sider ed a decisiv e on e bet w een t h e t r u t h an d t h e

er r or . As a r esu lt of w h ich , t h e Ar abs h ad n o m or e dou bt in Mu h am m ad’s m ission . Th u s w e see t h at
t h in gs w en t con t r ar y t o t h e pagan s’ ex pect at ion s. People st ar t ed t o em br ace I slam , t h e r eligion of
Allâh, in gr eat num ber s. This is m anifest ed clear ly in t he chapt er — Th e delegat ion s, of t h is book . I t
can also b e d ed u ced ou t of t h e en or m ou s n u m b er of p eop le w h o sh ar ed in t h e Haj j at ul-Wadâ‘
( Far ew ell Pilgr im age) . All dom est ic t r oubles cam e t o an end. Muslim s, ev en t u ally f elt at ease an d
st ar t ed set t in g u p t h e t each in gs of Allâh ’s Law s an d in t en sif y in g t h e Call t o I slam .

TH E UN D ERLYI N G REASON S:

Th e By zan t in e pow er , w h ich w as con sider ed t h e gr eat est m ilit ar y f or ce on ear t h at t h at t im e,

sh ow ed an u n j u st if iable opposit ion t ow ar ds Muslim s. As w e hav e alr eady m ent ioned, t heir opposit ion
st ar t ed at k illin g t h e am bassador of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) , Al-Har it h bin
‘Um air Al-Azdi, by Shar habeel bin ‘Am r Al-Gh assan i. Th e am bassador w as t h en car r y in g a m essag e
f r om t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) t o t h e r u ler of Bu sr a. We h av e also st at ed t h at t h e Pr oph et
con sequ en t ly dispat ch ed a br igade u n der t h e com m an d of Z aid bin Har it h a, w h o h ad a f ier ce f igh t
again st t h e By zan t in es at Mu ’t ah . Alt h ou gh Mu slim forces cou ld n ot h av e r ev en ge on t h ose h au gh t y
ov er pr ou d t y r an t s, t h e con fr on t at ion it self h ad a gr eat im pr ession on t h e Ar abs, all ov er Ar abia.

Caesar — w h o cou ld n eit h er ign or e t h e gr eat ben ef it t h Mu ’t ah Bat t le h ad br ou gh t t o Mu slim s, n or

cou ld h e d isr eg ard t h e Ar ab t r ibes’ ex pect at ion s of in depen den ce, an d t h eir h opes of get t in g f r ee
fr om his influence and r eign, nor he could ignor e t heir alliance t o t he Muslim s — r ealizing all t hat ,
Caesar w as aw ar e of t h e p r og r essiv e d an g er t h r eat en in g h is b or d er s, esp ecially Ash-Sh am-fr on t s
w h ich w er e n eigh bou r in g Ar ab lan ds. So h e con clu ded t h at dem olit ion of t h e Mu slim s pow er h ad
gr ow n an u r gen t n ecessit y . Th is decision of h is sh ou ld, in h is opin ion , be ach iev ed bef or e t h e
Mu slim s becom e t oo pow er fu l t o con qu er , an d r a ise t r ou bles an d u n r est in t h e adj acen t Ar ab
t er r it or ies.

To m eet t h ese ex igen cies, Caesar m u st er ed a h u ge ar m y of t h e By zan t in es an d pr o -Rom an

Gh assan ide t r ibes t o lau n ch a decisiv e bloody bat t le again st t h e Mu slim s.

Genera l N ew s a bout t he Byza nt ines a nd Gha ssa nide Prepa ra t ions for W a r.

No soon er n ew s abou t t h e By zan t in e’s pr epar at ion s for a decisiv e in v asion again st Mu slim s r each ed
Madin ah t h an fear spr ead am on g t h em . Th ey st ar t ed t o en v isage t h e By zan t in e in v asion in t h e least
sou n d t h ey cou ld h ear . Th is cou ld be clear ly w or k ed ou t of w h at h ad h appen ed t o ‘Um ar bin Al-
Kh at t ab on e day .

Th e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) h ad t ak en an oat h t o st ay of f h is w iv es f or a m on t h in t h e n in t h

y ear of Al-Hij r a. Th er efor e, h e deser t ed t h em an d k ept off in a pr iv at e place. At t h e begin n in g, t h e
Com p an ion s of t h e Messen g er of Allâh w er e p u zzled an d cou ld n ot w or k ou t t h e r eason f or su ch
beh av iou r . Th ey t h ou gh t t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) h ad div or ced t h em an d t h at w as w h y h e
w as gr iev ed, dist u r bed an d u pset . I n ‘Umar ’s v er sion of t h e v er y st or y h e say s: “ I u sed t o h av e a
Helper f r ien d w h o of t en in f or m ed m e abou t w h at h appen ed if I w er en ’t pr esen t , an d in r et u r n I
alw ay s in f or m ed h im of w h at h ad t ak en place du r in g h is absen ce. Th ey bot h liv ed in t h e h igh par t of
Mad in ah . Bot h of t h em u sed t o call at t h e Pr oph et alt er n at iv ely du r in g t h at t im e of su spen se. Th en
on e day I h ear d m y f r ien d, k n ock at t h e door say in g: “ Open u p! Open u p! ” I ask ed w on der in g,
“ Wh at ’s t h e m at t er ? Has t h e Gh assan ide com e?” “ No it is m or e ser iou s t h an t h at . Th e Messen ger of
Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) h as deser t ed h is w iv es. ”

I n an ot h er v er sion , ‘Um ar said, “ We t alk ed abou t Gh assan ide pr epar at ion s t o in v ade u s. Wh en it
w as h is t u r n t o con v ey t h e n ew s t o m e, h e w en t d ow n an d r et u r n ed in t h e ev en in g . He k n ock ed at
t h e door v iolen t ly an d said ‘I s h e sleepin g?’ I w as t er r if ied bu t I w en t ou t t o m eet h im . ‘Som et h in g
ser iou s h ad t ak en place. ’ He said. ‘Has t h e Gh assain des ar r iv ed?’ Said I . ‘No, ’ h e said, ‘it is gr eat er
an d m or e ser iou s. Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) h as div or ced h is w iv es. ’”

Th is st at e of t oo m u ch aler t n ess m an if est s clear ly t h e ser iou sn ess of t h e sit u at ion t h at Mu slim s
b eg an t o ex p er ien ce. Th e ser iou sn ess of t h e sit u at ion w as con f ir m ed t o a lar g e d eg r ee b y t h e
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h y pocr it es beh av iour , w hen new s about t he By zant ines’ pr epar at ions r eached Madinah. The fact t hat
t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( p eace b e u p on h im ) w on all t h e b at t les h e f ou g h t , an d t h at n o p ow er on
ear t h cou ld m ak e h im t er r if ied, an d t h at h e h ad alw ay s pr ov ed t o be able t o over com e all t he
ob st acles t h at st ood in h is w ay - did n ot pr ev en t t h e h y pocr it es, w h o con cealed ev il in t h eir h ear t s,
fr om ex pect ing an afflict ion t o fall upon t he Muslim s and I slam .

Th ey u sed t o h ar bou r ev il an d ill-in t en t ion s ag ain st t h e w h ole p r ocess of I slam and t he Muslim s. On
gr ou n ds of illu sor y h opes of dest r oy in g t h is gr eat r eligiou s edif ice, t h ey er ect ed a h ot bed of
con spir acy an d in t r igu e in t h e for m of a m osqu e — Masj id-e-Darar ( t he m osque of har m ) . They
ap p r oach ed t h e Pr op h et ( p eace b e u p on h im ) w it h t h e r equ est t h at h e sh ou ld com e an d con secr at e
t h e place by pr ay in g in it h im self . As h e w as at t h e m om en t abou t t o st ar t f or Tabu k , h e def er r ed
com plian ce w it h t h eir r equ est t ill h is r et u r n . Mean w h ile h e cam e t o k n ow t h r ou gh Div in e Rev elat ion
t h at it w as n ot a Mosq u e f or d ev ot ion an d p r ay er b u t a m eet in g p lace f or t h e an t i-I slam ic elem ent s.
On h is r et u r n , t h er ef or e, t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) sen t a par t y t o dem olish t h e n ew
st r uct ur e.

Part icular N ew s about t he Byzant ine and Ghassanide Preparat ions for W a r :

A m agn ified im age of t h e pr om in en t dan ger t h r eat en in g t h e Mu slim s life w as car r ied t o t h em by t h e
Nabat ean s w h o br ou gh t oil f r om Ash -Sh am t o Madin ah . Th ey car r ied n ew s abou t Her acliu s’
pr epar at ion s an d equ ipm en t of an en or m ou s ar m y cou n t in g ov er f or t y t h ou san d f igh t er s besides
Lu k h am , Ju dh am an d ot h er t r ibes allied t o t h e By zan t in es. Th ey said t h at it s v an gu ar d h ad alr eady
r each ed Al-Balqâ’. Th u s w as t h e gr av e sit u at ion st an din g in am bu sh f or t h e Mu slim s. Th e gen er al
sit u at ion w as ag g r av at ed ser iou sly by ot h er adv er se f act or s of t oo m u ch h ot w eat h er , dr ou gh t an d
t h e r ou gh an d r u gged dist an ce t h ey h ad t o cov er in case t h ey decided t o en cou n t er t h e im m in en t
dan ger .

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ’s ( peace be u pon h im ) con cept an d est im at ion of t h e sit u at ion an d it s
dev elopm en t w as m or e pr ecise an d accu r at e t h an all ot h er s. He t h ou gh t t h at if h e t ar r ied or dealt
passiv ely w it h t h e sit u at ion in su ch a w ay t h at m igh t en able t h e By zan t in es t o paddle t h r ou gh t h e
I slam ic con t r olled pr ov in ces or t o go as far as Madin ah , t h is w ou ld — am id t hese cir cum st ances —
leav e t he m ost aw ful im pr ession on I slam as w ell as on t he Muslim s’ m ilit ar y cr edibilit y .

The pr e -I slam ic beliefs and t r adit ions (Al-Jahiliyah ) w h ich w er e at t h at t im e dy in g becau se of t h e

st r on g decisiv e blow t h at t h ey h ad alr eady h ad at Hu n ain , cou ld h av e h ad a w ay t o com e back t o life
on ce again in su ch an en v ir on m en t . Th e h y pocr it es w h o w er e con spir in g again st t h e Mu slim s so t h at
t h ey m igh t st ab t h em in t h e back w h er eas By zan t in es w ou ld at t ack t h em f r om t he fr ont . I f such a
t h in g cam e t o ligh t an d t h ey su cceeded in t h eir ev il at t em pt s, t h e Pr oph et an d h is Com pan ion s’
ef f or t s t o spr ead I slam w ou ld collapse an d t h eir pr of it s w h ich w er e t h e con sequ en ces of su ccessiv e
an d con st an t f ig h t s an d in v asion s w ou ld be inv alidat ed. The Messenger of Allâh ( peace be upon him )
r ealised all t hat v er y w ell. So — in spit e of t h e h ar dsh ips an d dr ou gh t t h at Mu slim s w er e su f f er in g
from — t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) w as det er m in ed t h at t h e Mu slim s sh ou ld in v ade t h e
By zant in es an d f igh t a decisiv e bat t le at t h eir ow n bor der s. He w as det er m in ed n ot t o t ar r y at all in
or der t o t h w ar t an y Rom an at t em pt t o appr oach t h e lan d of I slam .

Wh en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) h ad m ade u p h is m in d an d t ook h is f in al decision ,

h e or der ed h is Com pan ion s t o get r eady f or w ar an d sen t f or t h e Mak k an s an d t h e ot h er Ar ab t r ibes
ask in g f or t h eir assist an ce.

Con t r ar y t o h is h abit of con cealin g h is r eal in t en t ion of t h e in v asion by m ean s of declar in g a f alse
on e, h e an n ou n ced op en ly his int ent ion of m eet ing t he By zant ines and fight ing t hem . He clear ed t he
sit u at ion t o h is people so t h at t h ey w ou ld get r eady , an d u r ged t h em t o f igh t in t h e w ay of Allâh . On
t h is occasion a par t of Surat Bara’a ( Ch apt er 9 — Th e Rep en t an ce) w as sen t d ow n by Allâh, ur ging
t h em t o st ead f ast n ess an d st am in a.

On t h e ot h er h an d, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) ch er ish ed t h em t o pay ch ar it ies an d

t o spen d t h e best of t h eir f or t u n es in t h e w ay of Allâh .

No soon er h ad t h e Mu slim s h ear d t h e v oice of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) callin g
t h em t o f igh t t h e By zan t in es t h an t h ey r u sh ed t o com ply w it h h is or der s. Wit h gr eat speed t h ey

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st ar t ed get t in g r eady f or w ar . Tr ibes an d ph r at r ies f r om h er e an d t h er e began pou r in g in Madin ah .
Alm ost all t he Mu slim s r espon ded posit iv ely . On ly t h ose w h o h ad w eak n ess at t h eir h ear t s f av ou r ed
t o st ay b eh in d . Th ey w er e on ly t h r ee p eop le. Ev en t h e n eed y an d t h e p oor w h o cou ld n ot af f or d a
r ide cam e t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) ask in g f or on e so t h at t h ey w ou ld b e ab le
t o sh ar e in t h e f igh t again st t h e By zan t in es. Bu t w h en h e said:

• “ . . . ‘I can fin d n o m ou n t s for y ou ’ t h ey t u r n ed back w h ile t h eir ey es ov er flow in g w it h t ear s

of gr ief t h at t h ey cou ld n ot fin d an y t h in g t o spen d ( for Jihad) .” [ 9: 92]

Th e Mu slim s r aced t o spen d ou t m on ey an d t o pay ch ar it ies t o pr ov ide t h is in v asion . ‘Ut h m an , for

in st an ce, w h o h ad alr eady r igged t w o h u n dr ed, saddled cam els t o t r av el t o Ash -Sh am , pr esen t ed
t h em all w it h t w o h u n dr ed o( of gold) as ch ar it y . He also f et ch ed a t h ou san d din ar s an d cast t h em all
in t o t h e lap of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) , w h o t u r n ed t h em ov er an d said: “ Fr om
t h is day on n ot h in g w ill h ar m ‘Ut h m an r egar dless of w h at h e does. ” Again an d again ‘Ut h m an gav e
t ill his char it y t oped t o n in e h u n d r ed cam els an d a h u n d r ed h or ses, b esid es t h e m on ey h e p aid .

Abdu r Rah m an bin ‘Aw f , on h is side, paid t w o h u n dr ed silv er ou n ces, w h er eas Abu Bak r paid t h e
w h ole m on ey h e h ad an d lef t n ot h in g bu t Allâh an d His Messen ger as a f or t u n e f or h is f am ily . ‘Um ar
paid half his for t une. Al-‘Abbas gift ed a lot of m oney . Talhah, Sa‘d bin ‘Ubadah and Muham m ad bin
Maslam ah, gav e m oney for t he w elfar e of t he inv asion. ‘Asim bin ‘Adi, on his t ur n, offer ed ninet y
cam el-b u r d en s of d at es. Peop le r aced t o p ay lit t le an d m uch char it ies alik e. One of t hem gav e t he
on ly h alf bu sh el ( or t h e on ly bu sh el) h e ow n ed. Wom en sh ar ed in t h is com pet it ion by giv in g t h e
t h in gs t h ey ow n ed; su ch as m u sk , ar m let s, an k let s, ear-r in gs an d r in gs. No on e abst ain ed f r om
spen din g ou t m on ey , or w as t oo m ean t o gr an t m on ey or an y t h in g ex cept t h e h y pocr it es:

• “ Th ose w h o defam e su ch of t h e believ er s w h o giv e ch ar it y ( in Allâh ’s cau se) v olu n t ar ily ,

an d t h ose w h o cou ld n ot f in d t o giv e ch ar it y ( in Allâh ’s cau se) ex cept w h at is av ailable t o
t hem , so t hey m ock at t hem ( believ er s) . ” [ 9: 79]
The Muslim Arm y is leaving for Tabuk:

Upon accom plish in g t h e equ ipm en t of t h e ar m y , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im )
or dain ed t h at Mu h am m ad bin Maslam ah Al-An sar i sh ou ld be appoin t ed ov er Madin ah — in an ot h er
v er sion Siba‘ bin ‘Ar ft ah. To ‘Ali bin Abu Talib he ent r ust ed h is fam ily ’s safet y an d affair s an d
or der ed h im t o st ay w it h t h em . Th is m ov e m ade t h e h y pocr it es u n der v alu e ‘Ali, so h e follow ed t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) an d cau gh t u p w it h h im . Bu t t h e Pr oph et m ade ‘Ali t u r n
back t o Madin ah af t er say in g: “ Wou ld it n ot su f f ice y ou t o be m y su ccessor in t h e w ay t h at Aar on
( Har u n ) w as t o Moses’?” Th en h e pr oceeded say in g: “ Bu t n o Pr oph et su cceeds m e. ”

On Th u r sday , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) m ar ch ed n or t h w ar ds t o Tabu k . Th e ar m y

t h at n u m ber ed t h ir t y t h ou san d f igh t er s w as a gr eat on e, w h en com par ed w it h t h e pr ev iou s ar m ies
of I slam . Mu slim s h ad n ev er m ar ch ed w it h su ch a gr eat n u m ber befor e.

Despit e all t h e gif t s of w ealt h an d m ou n t s t h e ar m y w as n ot per f ect ly equ ipped. Th e sh or t age of

pr ov ision s an d m ou n t s w as so ser iou s t h at eigh t een m en m ou n t ed on e cam el alt er n at iv ely . As f or
pr ov ision s, m em ber s of t h e ar m y at t im es h ad t o eat t h e leav es of t r ees t ill t h eir lips got sw ollen .
Som e ot h er s h ad t o slau gh t er cam els — t h ou g h t h ey w er e so d ear — so t h at t h ey cou ld dr in k t h e
w at er of t h eir st om ach ; t h at is w h y t h at ar m y w as called “ Th e ar m y of dist r ess” .

On t h eir w ay t o Tabu k , t h e ar m y of I slam passed by Al-Hij r — w h ich w as t h e n at iv e lan d of Th am u d

w h o cu t ou t ( h u ge) r ock s in t h e v alley ; t h at is “ Al-Qu r a Valley ” of t oday . Th ey w at er ed fr om it s w ell
bu t lat er t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) t old t h em n ot t o dr in k of t h at w at er , n or
per f or m t h e ablu t ion w it h it . Th e dou gh t h ey m ade, h e ask ed t h em t o f eed t h eir cam els w it h . He
f or b ad e t h em t o eat an y t h in g w h at soev er of it . As an alt er n at iv e h e t old t h em t o w at er f r om t h at
w ell w h ich Pr oph et Salih ’s sh e-cam el u sed t o w at er fr om .

On t h e au t h or it y of I bn ‘Um ar : “ Upon passin g by Al-Hij r t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) said:

• “ Do n ot en t er t h e h ou ses of t h ose w h o er r ed t h em selv es lest w h at h ad h ap p en ed t o t h em

w ou ld af f lict y ou , bu t if y ou h ad t o do su ch a t h in g let it be associat ed w it h w eepin g. ”

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Th en h e r aised h is h ead u p an d acceler at ed h is st r id es t ill h e p assed t h e v alley out . ”

Sh or t age of w at er an d t h e ar m y ’s n eed t o it m ade t h em com plain t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace

be u pon h im ) abou t t h at . So h e su pplicat ed Allâh , w h o sen t a r ain f u l clou d. I t r ain ed an d so all
p eop le d r an k an d su p p lied t h em selv es w it h t h eir n eed of w at er .

Wh en t h ey dr ew n ear Tabu k , t h e Pr oph et said: “ I f Allâh w ill, t om or r ow y ou w ill ar r iv e at Tabu k

spr in g. You w ill n ot get t h er e bef or e day t im e. So w h oev er r each es it sh ou ld n ot t ou ch it s w at er ; bu t
w ait t ill I com e. ” Mu ‘adh said: “ Wh en w e r each ed t h e sp r in g it u sed t o g u sh f or t h som e w at er . We
f ou n d t h at t w o m en h ad alr eady pr eceded u s t o it . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im )
ask ed t h em : ‘Hav e y ou t ou ch ed it s w at er ?’ Th ey r eplied: ‘Yes’. He said w h at Allâh in spir ed h im t o
say , t h en h e sco oped u p lit t le w at er of t h at spr in g, t h in st r eam w h ich gat h er ed t oget h er , h e w ash ed
h is f ace an d h an d w it h it an d pou r ed it back in t o it ; con sequ en t ly plen t y of w at er spou t ed ou t of it
so people w at er ed. ‘Mu ‘adh ’, said t h e Messen ger of Allâh , ‘if y ou w er e doom ed t o liv e long life y ou
w ill see in her e fields full of v eget at ion. ’

On t h e w ay t o Tab u k , or as soon as t h ey r each ed Tab u k , t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( p eace b e u p on

h im ) said: ‘Sev er e w in d w ill blow t on igh t , so n on e of y ou sh ou ld st an d u p. Wh oev er h as a cam el
sh ou ld t ie it u p . ’ Lat er on w h en t h e st r on g w in d b lew , on e of t h e m en st ood u p an d t h e w in d car r ied
him aw ay t o Tai’ Mount ain.

All t h e w ay lon g t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) w as in t en t on t h e per f or m an ce of t h e

com bin ed pr ay er of n oon an d t h e af t er n oon ; an d so d id h e w it h su n set an d ev en in g p r ay er s. His
pr ay er s f or bot h w er e eit h er pr e -t im e or post -t im e pr ay er s.

The Arm y of I slam at Tabuk:

Ar r iv ing at Tabuk and cam ping t her e, t he Muslim ar m y w as r eady t o face t he enem y . Ther e, t he
Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) deliv er ed an eloqu en t speech t h at in clu ded t h e m ost
in clu siv e w or ds. I n t h at speech h e u r ged t h e Mu slim s t o seek t h e w elf ar e of t h is w or ld an d t h e w or ld
t o com e. He w ar n ed an d ch er ish ed t h em an d gav e t h em good t idin gs. By doin g t h at h e ch er ish ed
t h ose w h o w er e br ok en in spir it s, an d block ed u p t h e gap of sh or t age an d m ess t h ey w er e su f f er in g
f r om du e t o lack of su pplies, f ood an d ot h er su bst an ces.

Upon lear n in g of t h e Mu slim s’ m ar ch , t h e By zan t in es an d t h eir allies w er e so t er r if ied t h at n on e of

t hem dar ed set out t o fight . On t he cont r ar y t hey scat t er ed inside t heir t er r it or y . I t br ought , in it self,
a good cr edit t o t h e Mu slim for ces. Th at h ad gain ed m ilit ar y r epu t at ion in t h e m id an d r em ot e lan ds
of Ar abian Pen in su la. Th e gr eat an d ser iou s polit ical pr of it s t h at t h e Mu slim f or ces h ad obt ain ed,
w er e f ar b et t er t h an t h e on es t h ey cou ld h av e acq u ir ed if t h e t w o ar m ies h ad b een en g ag ed in
m ilit ar y confr ont at ion.

Th e Head of Ailah , Yah n a bin Raw bah cam e t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be upon him ) , m ade
peace w it h h im an d paid h im t h e t r ibu t e (Al-Jizya) . Bot h of Jar ba’ and Adhr uh peoples paid him
t r ibu t e, as w ell. So t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) gav e each a gu ar an t ee let t er ,
sim ilar t o Yahna’s, in w hich he say s :

• “ I n t he Nam e of Allâh, t he Most Beneficent , t he Most Mer ciful.

Th is is a gu ar an t ee of pr ot ect ion f r om Allâh an d Mu h am m ad t h e Pr oph et , t h e Messen ger of

Allâh , t o Yah n a bin Raw bah an d t h e people of Ailah ; t h eir sh ips, t h eir car av an s on lan d an d
sea sh all h av e t h e cu st ody of Allâh an d t h e Pr oph et Mu h am m ad, h e an d w h osoev er ar e w it h
him of Ash-Sh am p eop le an d t h ose of t h e sea. Wh osoev er con t r av en es t h is t r eat y , h is
w ealt h sh all n ot sav e h im ; it sh all be t h e fair pr ize of h im t h at t ak es it . Now it sh ou ld n ot b e
law f u l t o h in der t h e m en f r om an y spr in gs w h ich t h ey h av e been in t h e h abit of f r equ en t in g,
n or f r om an y j ou r n ey s t h ey desir e t o m ak e, w h et h er by sea or by lan d. ”

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) dispat ch ed Kh alid bin Al-Wal eed at t h e h ead of four
hundr ed and fift y hor sem en t o ‘Uk aidir Dum at Al-Jandal and said t o him : “ You w ill see him hunt ing
or y x es. ” So w h en Kh alid d r ew n ear h is cast le an d w as as f ar as an ey e -sig h t r an g e, h e saw t h e
or y x es com in g ou t r u bbin g t h eir h or n s again st t h e cast le gat e. As it w as a m oon y n igh t Kh alid cou ld
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see Uk aidir com e ou t t o h u n t t h em , so h e capt u r ed h im — t h ou g h h e w as su r r ou n d ed b y h is m en —
an d br ou gh t h im back t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) , w h o spar ed h is lif e an d m ade
peace w it h him for t h e pay m en t of t w o t h ou san d cam els, eigh t h u n dr ed h eads of cat t le, f ou r
h u n dr ed ar m ou r s an d f ou r h u n dr ed lan ces. He obliged h im t o r ecogn ize t h e du t y of pay in g t r ibu t e
and char ged him w it h cit fr om Dum at , Tabuk , Ailah and Taim a’.

Th e t r ib es, w h o u sed t o a lly t h e By zan t in es, becam e qu it e cer t ain t h at t h eir depen den ce oin n t h eir
for m er m ast er s cam e t o an en d. Th er efor e t h ey t u r n ed in t o bein g pr o -Muslim s. The I slam ic st at e
h ad t h er ef or e en lar ged it s bor der s t o an ex t en t t h at it , t ou ch ed t h e By zan t in es’ an d t h eir agen t s’
b or d er s. So w e see t h at t h e By zan t in e ag en t s r ole w as ov er .

Returning to Madinah:

The Muslim ar m y r et ur ned fr om Tabuk v ict or iously , undeceiv ed or w r onged. That w as because Allâh
had sufficed t hem t he ev ils of fight .

On t h e w ay b ack an d at a m ou n t ain r oad, t w elv e h y pocr it es sou gh t t h e Pr oph et ’s lif e an d t h at w as

w h ile h e w as passin g alon g t h at m ou n t ain r oad w it h on ly Am m ar h oldin g t h e r ein of h is sh e-cam el
and Hudhaifa bin Al-Yam an dr iv in g it , at t h e t im e t h at people h ad alr eady gon e dow n in t o t h e
bot t om of t he v alley .

Th e h y pocr it es seized t h at oppor t u n it y t o seek t h e Pr oph et ’s lif e. As t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace
be u pon h im ) an d h is t w o com pan ion s w er e m ov in g alon g, t h ey h ear d t h r u st s of people com in g
t ow ar ds him fr om behind w it h t heir fa ces v eiled. Hu dh aif a, w h o w as sen t by t h e Pr oph et t o see w h at
w as goin g on , saw t h em an d st r ok e t h eir m ou n t s’ f aces w it h a cr ook in h is h an d an d Allâh cast f ear
in t o t h eir h ear t s. Th ey f led aw ay an d ov er t ook t h eir people.

How ev er , Hu dh aifa n am ed t h em t o t he Messenger of Allâh ( peace be upon him ) and infor m ed him of
t h eir in t en t ion s. So t h at w as w h y Hu dh aif a w as called t h e “ con f idan t ” of t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( peace be u pon h im ) . Abou t t h is ev en t Allâh , t h e Ex alt ed say s:

• “ An d t h ey r esolv ed t h at [ plot t o m ur der Pr ophet Muham m ad ( peace be upon him ) ] w hich

t h ey w er e u n able t o car r y ou t . ” [ 9 : 7 4 ]

Wh en h is h eadqu ar t er s, Madin ah , began t o loom at t h e h or izon , t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im )

said: “ This is a cheer ful sight . This is Uhud, w hich is a m ount ain, w e lik e it an d it lik es u s. ” Wh en t h e
Madin ese lear n t of t h eir ar r iv al t h ey set ou t t o m eet t h e ar m y . Wom en , y ou t h s, y ou n gst er s an d
sm all ch ildr en w en t ou t of t ow n t o celebr at e t h eir h om e -r et u r n w h oleh ear t edly sin gin g:

• “ Th e f u ll m oon sh on e dow n u pon u s, t h r ou gh t h e t r ait s of Al-Wada‘ Mou n t ain .

Th an k s is du e t o u s, as lon g as a su pplicat or in v ok es t o Allâh . . ”

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ’s m ar ch t o Tabu k w as in Raj ab an d h is r et u r n in Ram adan . So w e see t h at

t h is Ghazwah t ook f if t y d ay s, t w en t y d ay s of w h ich w er e sp en t in Tab u k an d t h e ot h er s on t h e w ay
t o an d f r o. Tabu k I n v asion w as t h e last on e m ade by t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) .

The People W ho lagged Behind:

Due t o it s par t icular cir cum st ances, t his inv asion w as a peculiar sev er e t r ial pr ov ided by Allâh only
t o t r y t h e believ er s’Fait h an d sor t t h em ou t of ot her s. Th is is Allâh ’s per m an en t Will in su ch
cir cum st ances. I n t his r espect He say s:

• “ Allâh w ill n ot leav e t h e believ er s in t h e st at e in w h ich y ou ar e n ow , u n t il He dist in gu ish es

t h e w ick ed fr om t h e good. ” [ 3: 179]

Laggin g an d h an gin g back f r om f u ll par t icipat ion in t h at in v asion am ou n t ed t o t h e degr ee of

h y pocr isy . Wh en ev er t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) w as in for m ed of a m an ’s
lin ger in g, h e w ou ld say : “ Leav e h im alon e! I f Allâh k n ow s h im t o be good He w ill en able h im t o
follow y ou ; bu t if h e w er e n ot so, Allâh w ou ld r eliev e u s of h im . ”
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Nob od y st ay ed b eh in d ex cep t t h ose w h o w er e eit her hinder ed by a ser ious ex cuse or t he hy pocr it es
w h o t old lies t o Allâh an d His Messen ger .

Som e of t h ose h y pocr it es’ lin ger in g w as du e t o an ex cu se based on f or ger y an d delu sion . Som e
ot h er s t ar r ied bu t didn ’t ask for an in st an t per m ission . Bu t t h er e w er e t h r ee b eliev er s w h o
u n j u st ifiably lin ger ed. Th ey w er e t h e on es w h om Allâh t r ied t h eir Fait h , bu t lat er on He t u r n ed t o
t h em in m er cy an d accept ed t h eir r epen t an ce.

As soon as t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) h ad en t er ed Madin ah , h e p r ay ed t w o Rak‘a

t h en h e sat t o r eceiv e h is people. Th e h y pocr it es w h o w er e ov er eigh t y m en cam e an d of f er ed
v ar iou s k in d s of ex cu ses an d st ar t ed sw ear in g . Th e Pr op h et ack n ow led g ed t h eir ex cu ses an d
in v ok ed Allâh ’s f or giv en ess f or t h em bu t h e en t r u st ed t h eir in n er t h ou gh t s an d Fait h t o Allâh .

As for t h e t h r ee fait h fu l believ er s — Ka‘b bin Malik , Mur ar a bin Ar -Rabi‘, and Hilal bin Om aiy ah —
w h o f av ou r ed t ellin g t h e t r u t h , t h e Messen ger of Allâh Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã bade h is Com pan ion s
n ot t o t alk t o t h em .

Con sequ en t ly t h ey w er e su bj ect t o a sev er e boy cot t an d w er e ex clu ded f r om t h e lif e of t h e

com m unit y . Ev er y body t ur ned t hem t heir back . So t hey felt as if t he w hole land had becom e
con st r ain ed t o t h em in sp it e of it s sp aciou sn ess an d t h ey f elt aw k w ar d an d u n easy . The har d t im es
t h ey liv ed an d w h ich last ed f or ov er f or t y day s w er e t ow er ed by an or der t o t h em t o f or sak e t h eir
w iv es. Aft er fift y day s’ boy cot t Allâh t ur ned t o t hem and r ev ealed t hat in Qur ’ân:

• “ An d ( He did f or giv e also) t h e t h r ee [ w h om t h e Pr oph et ( peace be upon him ) ] left ( i. e. he

did n ot giv e h is j u dgem en t in t h eir case, an d t h eir case w as su spen ded f or Allâh ’s Decision )
t ill f or t h em t h e ear t h , v ast as it is, w as st r ait en ed an d t h eir ow n selv es w er e st r ait en ed t o
t h em , an d t h ey per ceiv ed t h at ther e is no fleeing fr om Allâh, and no r efuge but w it h Him .
Then, He accept ed t heir r epent ance, t hat t hey m ight r epent ( unt o Him ) . Ver ily , Allâh is t he
On e Wh o accept s r epen t an ce, Most Mer cifu l. ” [ 9 : 1 1 8 ]

Allâh ’s t u r n in g t o t h em w as a gr eat j oy f or bot h Mu slim s an d t h e t h r ee con cer n ed. Th e j oy of t h e

st ay er s beh in d w as u n accou n t able in aim an d degr ee. I t w as t h e h appiest day in t h eir liv es. Th e
good t idin g ch er ish ed t h em an d f illed t h eir h ear t s w it h deligh t . As f or t h ose w h o lin ger ed du e t o
disabilit y or sick n ess or an y ot h er ser iou s ex cu se, Allâh , t h e Ex alt ed said abou t t h em :

• “ Th er e is n o blam e on t h ose w h o ar e w eak or ill or w h o f in d n o r esou r ces t o spen d [ in h oly

w ar f ar e ( Jihad) ] , if t hey ar e sincer e ( in dut y ) t o Allâh and His Messenger . ” [ 9: 91]

Wh en h e appr oach ed Madin ah , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) said:

• “ I n side Madin ah , t h er e ar e cer t ain m en , w h o t h ou gh bein g lef t back du e t o ser iou s

ex cu ses, t h ey h av e, all t h e t im e, been w it h y ou . Lin ger er s as t h ey ar e, t h ey h av e been w h ile
y ou w er e passin g v alley s or w alk in g alon g r oads. ” “ Do y ou m ean t h at t h ey h av e d on e t h at
w h ile t h ey ar e st ill in Madin ah ?” Th ey w on der ed. “ Yes t h ou gh t h ey ar e in Madin ah . ” Th e
Pr op h et said .
The I nvasion of Tabuk and it s Far- Reaching Ram ificat ions:

Th e effect of t h is in v asion is gr eat as r egar ds ex t en din g an d con fir m in g t h e Mu slim s ’ influence and
dom in at ion on t h e Ar abian Pen in su la. I t w as qu it e obv iou s t o ev er y body t h at n o pow er bu t I slam ’s
w ou ld liv e lon g am on g t h e Ar abs. Th e r em ain der s of Jahiliyin an d h y pocr it es — w ho used t o conspir e
st ead ily ag ain st t h e Mu slim s an d w h o p er p et u ally r elied on By zant ine pow er w hen t hey w er e in need
of su ppor t or h elp — t h ese people lost t h eir ex pect at ion s an d desir es of ev er r eclaim in g t h eir ex-
in f lu en ce. Realizin g t h at t h er e w as n o w ay ou t an d t h at t h ey w er e t o su b m it t o t h e fait accom pli,
t hey g av e u p t h eir at t em pt s.

Fr om t h at t im e on , h y pocr it es w er e n o lon ger t r eat ed len ien t ly or ev en gen t ly by t h e Mu slim s. Allâh

n ot on ly bade Mu slim s t o t r eat t h em sev er ely bu t He also f or bade t h em t o t ak e t h eir gif t ch ar it ies or
per for m pr ay er on t h eir dead, or ask Allâh’s for giv eness for t hem or ev en v isit t heir t om bs. Allâh
bade t h e Mu slim s t o dem olish t h e m osqu e, w h ich t h ey v er ily appoin t ed an d u sed as a h idin g place

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w h er e t h ey m igh t pr act ise t h eir plot s, con spir acy an d deceit . Som e Qu r ’ân ic v er ses w er e sen t dow n
disclosin g t h em pu blicly an d u t t er ly so t h at ev er y body in Madin ah got t o k n ow t h eir r ealit y .

Th e gr eat im pact t h at t h is in v asion pr odu ced cou ld be per ceiv ed in of t h e gr eat n u m ber of
delegat ion s w h o cam e su ccessiv ely t o m eet t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be upon him ) . Nat ur ally ,
depu t at ion s u sed t o com e t o m eet h im at t h e en d of an in v asion par t icu lar ly af t er Mak k ah Con qu est
b u t t h ey w er e n ot as m an y as t h ese n or w er e t h ey as f r eq u en t as t h ey w er e t h en in t h e w ak e of
Tabu k ev en t . I t w as cer t ain ly t h e g r eat est .

The Qur’ânic Verses Relat ing t o t his I nvasion:

Man y a v er se of Bara’a (Tauba) Ch apt er h an dlin g t h e ev en t of Tabu k w er e r ev ealed. Som e v er ses

w er e r ev ealed bef or e t h e m ar ch , w h ile ot h er s af t er set t in g ou t f or Tabu k , i. e. in t h e con t ex t of t h e
b at t le. Som e ot h er v er ses w er e also r ev ealed on t h e Pr oph et ’s ar r iv al in Madin ah . All of w h ich
cov er ed t h e in ciden t s t h at feat u r ed t h is in v asion : t h e im m an en t cir cu m st an ces of t h e bat t le,
ex posu r e of t h e h y pocr it es, t h e pr er ogat iv es an d special r an k ear m ar k ed f or t h e st r iv er s in t h e
cau se of Allâh , accept an ce of t h e r epen t an ce of t h e t r u t h f u l believ er s w h o slack en ed an d t h ose w h o
hung back , et c.

Som e I m port ant Event s t hat feat ured t hat Year:

Dur ing t his y ear m any ev ent s of gr eat significance t ook place. Th ey w er e:

1. Aft er t he Messenger ’s r et ur n fr om Tabuk , t he sw or n allegat ion of infidelit y bet w een ‘Uw aim ir
Al-‘Aj lani and his w ife t ook place.
2. Pelt in g w it h st on es t h e Gh am idiy ah w om an w h o con f essed com m it t in g adu lt er y . Sh e w as
p elt ed w it h st on es on ly af t er w eaning her child off her br east m ilk .
3. Negu s Ash am a; t h e k in g of Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) , died so t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im )
per for m ed pr ay er in absent ia for him .
4. Th e deat h of Um m Ku lt h u m , t h e dau gh t er of t h e Pr oph et ( peace be u pon h im ) , t h e Pr oph et
felt ex t r em ely sad at h er deat h . “ Had I got a t h ir d dau gh t er , I w ou ld let y ou m ar r y h er . ” He
said t o ‘Ut hm an.
5. The deat h of ‘Abdullah bin Abi Salool, t he head of hy pocr it es, aft er t he Pr ophet ’s r et ur n fr om
Tabu k . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( peace be u pon h im ) ask e d Allâh’s for giv eness for him . He
also pr ay ed for him in spit e of ‘Um ar ’s disappr ov al and his at t em pt t o pr ev ent him fr om
doin g t h at . Lat er on a Qu r ’ân ic v er se w as r ev ealed at t est in g t o ‘Um ar ’s r igh t v iew poin t .

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 SOM E I M PORTAN T EVEN TS TH AT FEATURED TH AT YEAR

D URI N G TH I S YEAR M AN Y EVEN TS OF GREAT SI GN I FI CAN CE TOOK PLACE TH EY W ERE:

1. Aft er t he Messenger ’s r et ur n fr om Tabuk , t he sw or n allegat ion of infidelit y bet w een ‘Uw aim ir
Al-‘Aj lani and his w ife t ook place.
2. Pelt in g w it h st on es t h e Gh am id iy ah w om an w h o con fe sse d com m it t ing adult er y . She w as
pelt ed w it h st on es on ly af t er w ean in g h er ch ild of f h er br east m ilk .
3. Negu s Ash am a; t h e k in g of Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) , died so t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
per for m ed pr ay er in absent ia for him .
4. The deat h of Um m Kult hum , t h e dau gh t er of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , t h e Pr oph et
f elt ex t r em ely sad at h er deat h . “ Had I got a t h ir d dau gh t er , I w ou ld let y ou m ar r y h er . ” He
said t o ‘Ut hm an.
5. Th e deat h of ‘Abdu llah bin Abi Salool, t h e h ead of h y pocr it es, aft er t h e Pr oph et ’s ret urn from
Tabu k . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) ask ed Allâh ’s for giv en ess for h im . He
also pr ay ed for him in spit e of ‘Um ar ’s disappr ov al and his at t em pt t o pr ev ent him fr om
doin g t h at . Lat er on a Qu r ’ân ic v er se w as r ev ealed at t est in g t o ‘Um ar ’s r ight v iew point .

ABU BAKR ( M a y Alla h be plea sed w it h him ) PERFORM S TH E PI LGRI M AGE:

I n t h e m on t h Dh u l-Qa‘dah or in Dh u l-Hij j ah of t he v er y y ear ( t he nint h of Al-Hij r a) , t h e Messen ger
of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) dispat ched Abu Bak r ( May Allah be pleased w it h him ) , t he t r ut hful, as
a depu t y pr in ce of Al-Haj j ( pilgr im age) , so t hat he w ould lead t he Muslim s in per for m ing of t he
pilgr im age r it uals.
Soon aft er t h e depar t u r e of t h e Mu slim s, t h er e cam e a Rev elat ion fr om Allâh : t h e open in g passages
of t h e Ch apt er 9 en t it led ‘Repen t an ce’ ( Surah Tauba o r Bara’a) in w hich ‘fr eedom fr om obligat ion’ is
pr oclaim ed fr om Allâh in r egar d t o t h ose idolat r ou s t r ibes w h o h ad sh ow n n o r espect for t h e t r eat ies
w h ich t h ey h ad en t er ed in t o w it h t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) . Com m unicat ion of t his new s
w en t in lin e w it h t h e Ar abian t r adit ion s of m ak in g pu blic an y ch an ge r elat in g t o declin in g
con v en t ion s of blood an d f or t u n es.
‘Ali bin Abi Talib w as deput ed t o m ak e t his declar at ion. He ov er t ook Abu Bak r at Al-‘Ar j or Daj nan.
Abu Bak r in qu ir ed w h et h er t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad pu t h im in com m an d or h e h ad j u st
been com m ission ed t o m ak e t h e an n ou n cem en t . “ I h av e been depu t ed t o m ak e t h e pr oclam at ion
on ly ” r eplied ‘Ali. Th e t w o Com pan ion s t h en pr oceeded w it h t h e pilgr im ag e p r ocess. Tow ar d s t h e
close of t he r it uals, on t he day of t he r it ual sacr ifice, ‘Ali st ood at Al-Jam rah ( a sp ot at w h ich st on es
ar e pelt ed) an d r ead alou d t o t h e m u lt it u des t h at t h r on ged ar ou n d h im an d declar ed qu it t an ce f r om
cov en an t s w it h idolat er s a nd giv ing t hem four m ont hs’ r espit e t o r econsider t heir posit ion. As for t he
ot h er idolat er s w it h w h om t h e believ er s h ad a t r eat y an d h ad abat ed n ot h in g of t h e Mu slim s’ r igh t s
n or h ad su ppor t ed an y on e again st t h em , t h en t h e t er m s of t h e t r eat y w ou ld r u n v a lid unt il t he
du r at ion of w h ich ex pir ed.
Abu Bak r t h en sen t som e Mu slim s t o declar e pu blicly t h at n o disbeliev er w ou ld aft er t h at y ear
per f or m pilgr im age, n or w ou ld an y on e be allow ed t o m ak e t h e Tawaf ( goin g r ou n d) of t h e Sacr ed
Hou se u n clot h ed.
That pr o clam at ion in f act v et oed all aspect s of pagan ism ou t of Ar abia an d st at ed qu it e
u n equ iv ocally t h at t h ose pr e -I slam pr act ices w er e n o lon ger in oper at ion .
A M ED I TATI ON ON TH E GH AZW AT:
Medit at ion on t h e Pr oph et ’s Gh azaw at , m ission s, an d t h e bat t alion s h e f or m ed and dispat ched, w ill
cer t ain ly giv e u s an d ev er y body a t r u e an d clear im pr ession t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
w as t he gr eat est m ilit ar y leader in t he w hole w or ld as w ell as t he m ost r ight eous, t he m ost insight ful
an d t h e m ost aler t on e. He w as n ot a m an of su p er ior g en iu s f or t h is con cer n b u t h e w as also t h e
Mast er an d t h e g r eat est of all Messen g er s as f ar as Pr op h et h ood an d Heav en ly Messag e ar e
con cer n ed. Besides, all t h e bat t les t h at h e h ad f ou gh t w er e st an dar d in t h eir applicat ion t o t h e
re qu ir em en t s of st r ict n ess, br av er y , an d good ar r an gem en t s t h at f it t ed t h e t er m s an d con dit ion s of
w ar . Non e of t h e b at t les h e f ou g h t w as lost as a con seq u en ce of sh or t ag e of w isd om or d u e t o an y
ot her t echnical er r or in ar m y m obilizat ion or a locat ion in a w r on g st r at egical posit ion . Th e loss of
an y of h is b at t le w as n ot d u e t o m isj u d g em en t ab ou t occu p y in g t h e b est an d t h e m ost ap p r op r iat e
sit es of bat t les, n or w as it du e t o a m isch oice of leader s of t h e f igh t , f or h e h ad pr ov ed h im self t o be
a pecu liar sor t of leader t h at dif f er s f r om an y of t h ose leader s t h at ou r w or ld h ad k n ow n an d
ex p er ien ced . As r eg ar d s Uh u d an d Hu n ain ev en t s, t h er e w er e con seq u en ces of w eak n ess in som e
m ilit ar y elem ent s in Hunain; and disobedience t o or der s in Uhud. Their non-com pliance w it h w isdom
an d t h e p lan of t h e b at t le p lay ed a p assiv e r ole in t h e cou r se of t h ose t w o in v asion s.

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His gen iu s w as clear ly sh ow n in t h ese t w o bat t les w h en t h e Mu slim s w er e defeat ed; for h e st oodfast
f acin g t h e en em y an d m an aged, by h is su per w isdom , t o t h w ar t t h e en em y ’s aim as w as t h e case in
Uhud. Sim ilar ly he m anaged t o change t he Muslim s’ defeat in Hunain int o a v ict or y .
Not h w it h st an din g t h e f act t h at ser iou s gr av e dev elopm en t s in m ilit ar y oper at ion s u su ally leav e t h e
w or st im pr ession on t he m ilit ar y leader s an d en t ice t h em t o flee for t h eir liv es.
We h av e, so f ar , discu ssed t h e m er e aspect s of m ilit ar y leader sh ip of t h e in v asion s. On t h e ot h er
h an d, t h r ou gh t h ese in v asion s h e w as able t o im pose secu r it y , in st it u t e peace, dif f u se dissen sion
an d d est r o y t h e m ilit ar y m igh t of t h e en em ies t h r ou gh r elen t less st r u ggle bet w een I slam an d
paganism .
Th e Pr oph et h ad also pr of ou n d in sigh t an d cou ld dif f er en t iat e t h e f ait h f u l f r om t h e h y pocr it es an d
plot t er s.
Gr eat w as t h e gr ou p of m ilit ar y leader s w h o f ou gh t an d ex celled t h e Per sian s an d t h e By zan t in es in
t h e bat t lef ields of Ash -Sham and I r aq w it h r espect t o w ar st r at egy and leading t he fight pr ocedur es.
Th e v er y leader s, w h o su cceeded Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) , m an aged t o dr iv e of f t h e
enem ies of I slam , fr o m t h eir lan ds an d cou n t r ies, t h eir gar den s an d spr in gs, an d t h eir far m s. Th ey
dr ov e t h em of f t h eir h on ou r able r esiden ce an d f r om t h e gr ace an d pr ov ision s t h ey ow n ed an d
en j oy ed. Th ose Mu slim leader s w er e all Mu h am m ad’s m en . Th ey w er e im bu ed w it h t h e spir it of
I slam at t h e h an d of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) .
Th an k s t o t h ese bat t les, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) m an aged accom m odat ion ,
secu r ed lan d an d pr ov ided ch an ces of w or k for all Mu slim s. He, ev en , m ade a lot of in qu ir ies abou t
t h e r efu g ee p r ob lem s w h o ( t h en ) h ad n o h ou ses or f or t u n es. He eq u ip p ed t h e ar m y w it h w eap on s,
h or ses an d ex pen dit u r es. He h ad all t h at r ealized w it h ou t ex er cisin g a par t icle w eigh t of in j u st ice.
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h as alt er ed t h e st an dar ds an d aim s o f pre -I slam ic w ar s. Their w ar
w as n o m or e t h an r obbin g, k illin g, plu n der in g, t y r an n y an d aggr ession -or ien t ed w ar s. Th ose w ar s
f ocu sed on w in n in g v ict or y , oppr essin g t h e w eak lin g an d dem olish in g t h eir h ou ses an d
con st r u ct ion s. For t h em , w ar w as a m ean s by w hich t hey can r ape or unv eil w om en, pr act ise cr uelt y
again st t h e w eak lin g, t h e babies an d sm all ch ildr en , spoil t illage an d r ace, an d spr ead cor r u pt ion on
t he ear t h. I slam ic w ar s ar e differ ent fr om pr e -I slam ic w ar s. A “ w ar ” in I slam is a Jihad. Th at is t o
say it is a n oble sacr ed figh t in t h e w ay of Allâh for t h e v er ificat ion of a Mu slim societ y t h at seek s t o
f r ee m an f r om oppr ession , t y r an n y an d aggr ession . I t is a societ y t h at ev er y on e ev er y w h er e an d at
all t im es sh ou ld be pr ou d of. Pr e -I slam ic t h ou gh t s an d t r adit ion s of Al-Jahiliyah p er iod h av e b een
t u r n ed u p sid e d ow n b y I slam . Th ese w er e so h ar d u p on t h e w eak lin g t h at t h ey h ad t o in v ok e Allâh
t o en able t h em t o get aw ay f r om t h at pr e -I slam ic env ir onm ent by say ing:
• “ Ou r Lor d, r escu e u s f r om t h is t ow n w h ose people ar e oppr essor s, an d r aise f or u s f r om
You on e w h o w ill pr ot ect , an d r aise f or u s f r om You on e w h o w ill h elp. ”
Th e w ar of cor r u pt ion , slay in g an d r obbin g t h at u sed t o pr ev ail h as n ow t u r n ed in t o a sacr ed on e,
Al-Jihad. On e of t h e gr eat est aim s of Al-Jihad is t o f r ee m an f r om t h e aggr ession , t h e oppr ession
an d t h e t y r an n y of m en of pow er . A m an of pow er , in I slam , is a w eak lin g t ill aft er t h e r igh t of t h e
poor is t ak en fr om him . War , in I slam , is a Jihad fo r t he pur ificat ion of t he land of Allâh fr om dece,
t r each er y , sin f u l deeds an d aggr ession . I t is a sacr ed w ar t h at aim s at spr eadin g secu r it y , saf et y ,
m er cy an d com passion as w ell as obser v in g t h e r igh t s an d m agn an im it y . Th e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace b e u p on h im ) h ad issu ed h on ou r able st r ict r u les abou t w ar an d bade h is soldier s an d leader s
t o com ply w it h t h em . Th ey w er e for bidden t o br eak t h ose r u les u n der an y cir cu m st an ces. I n
r efer en ce t o Su laim an bin Bu r aidah ’s v er sion , w h o said t h at h is fat h er h ad t old h im t h at w h en ev er
t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) appoin t ed a leader on an ar m y or on a bat t alion , h e
used t o r ecom m end him t o fear Allâh, t he Gr eat and All-Mig h t y , w h en d ealin g w it h t h ose w h o w er e
closest t o h im an d t o be good w it h all Mu slim s . Th en t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w ou ld say t o
him :
• “ Let y ou r in v asion be in t h e Nam e of Allâh an d f or His sak e. Figh t t h ose w h o disbeliev e in
Allâh . I n v ade bu t do n ot ex agger at e n or com m it t r each er y . Nev er defor m t h e cor pse of a
d ead p er son or k ill an infant child.”
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) ask ed people t o f acilit at e bu t h e f or bade t h em t o bear
dow n h ar d on ot h er s or con st r ain . “ Pacif y ” , h e said, “ an d do n ot disin clin e” . Wh en it h appen ed t h at
h e ar r iv ed at t h e bat t lefield by n ig h t , h e w ou ld n ev er in v ade t h e en em y t ill it w as m or n in g. He
ut t er ly for bade bur ning ( i. e. t or t ur ing people) in fir e, k illing childr en and w om en or ev en beat ing
t h em . He also f or b ad e t h ef t an d r ob b er y an d p r oceed ed so f ar as t o say g ain s acq u ir ed t h r ou g h
p lu n der in g ar e n ot less f or bidden t h an t h e f lesh of a cor pse. Cor r u pt ion of t illage an d r ace an d
cu t t in g d ow n of t r ees w er e all f or b id d en u n less t h ey w er e b ad ly n eed ed an d t h er e w as n o ot h er
su bst it u t e:
• “ Do n ot k ill a w ou n ded per son n or r u n af t er a f leeing one or k ill a capt iv e. ”
He decr eed t h at en v oy s can n ot be k illed. He also st r essed on n ot k illin g t h ose w h o m ade cov en an t s.
He ev en said:

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 • “ He w h oev er k ills on e w h o is u n d er p led g e t o a cov en an t sh all n ot sm ell Par ad ise, t h ou g h
it s sm ell could be ex p er ien ced at a f or t y -y ear dist ance fr om it . ”
Th er e w er e som e ot h er n oble r u les w h ich pu r if ied w ar s f r om t h eir Al-Jahiliyah ( pre -I slam ic) filt hiness
an d t u r n ed t h em in t o sacr ed w ar s.

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 PEOPLE EM BRACE TH E RELI GI ON OF ALLAH I N LARGE CROW D S:

Th e in v asion an d t h e con q u est of Mak k ah w as — as w e h av e alr ead y st at ed — a decisiv e bat t le t hat

dest r oy ed pagan ism u t t er ly . Th e Ar abs as a r esu lt of t h at bat t le w er e able t o dif f er en t iat e t h e t r u t h
fr om t he er r or . Delusion no longer ex ist ed in t heir life. So t hey r aced t o e m brace I slam . ‘Am r bin
Salam ah said: “ We w er e at a w at er ( spr in g) w h er e t h e passage of people w as. So w h en cam el r ider s
p assed b y u s w e u sed t o ask t h em : ‘Wh at is t h e m at t er w it h p eop le? Wh at is t h is m an ( i. e. t h e
Pr ophet ) lik e?’ They w ould say , ‘He claim s t h at Allâh h as r ev ealed so an d so. ’ I u sed t o m em or ize
t h ose w or ds as if t h ey h ad been r ecit ed w it h in m y ch est . Th e Ar abs u sed t o ascr ibe t h eir
I slam izat ion t o t h e con qu est . Th ey w ou ld say : ‘Leav e h im alon e t o f ace h is people. I f h e w er e a
t r u t h fu l Pr oph et h e w ou ld ov er com e t h em . ’ So w h en t h e con q u est t ook p lace, p eop les h ast en ed t o
declar e t heir I slam . My fat her w as t he quick est of all m y people t o em br ace I slam . Ar r iv ing at his
people h e said: ‘By Allâh I h av e j u st v er ily been t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon him ) . And he said:
‘Per f or m so a pr ay er at su ch a t im e, an d so an d so pr ay er s at su ch an d su ch t im e. Wh en t h e pr ay er
t im e is du e let on e of y ou call f or t h e pr ay er an d appoin t t h e m ost lear n ed of t h e Qu r ’ân am on g y ou
t o b e an I m am ( leader ) of y our s.” T h is Pr oph et ic t r adit ion m an ifest s t h e gr eat effect of t h e con qu est
of Mak k ah on t h e ph ase of ev en t s. I t cer t ain ly sh ow s t h e in f lu en ce of t h e con qu est of Mak k ah u pon
t h e con solidat ion of I slam as w ell as on t h e Ar abs’ st an d an d t h eir su r r en der t o I slam . Th at influence
w as absolu t ely con f ir m ed an d deeply r oot ed af t er t h e in v asion of Tabu k . A clear an d an obv iou s
ev iden ce of t h at in flu en ce cou ld be dedu ced fr om t h e gr eat n u m ber of delegat ion s ar r iv in g in
Madin ah su ccessiv ely in t h e n in t h an d t en t h y ear s of Al-Hij r a. Th e im m en se cr ow ds of people w h o
r aced t o em br ace t h e r eligion of Allâh an d t h e gr eat ar m y w h ich in clu ded t en t h ou san d f igh t er s in
t h e in v asion of t h e con qu est of Mak k ah h ad gr ow n big en ou gh t o in clu de t h ir t y t h ou san d f igh t er s
sh ar in g in Tabu k in v asion . I t w as on ly in less t h an a y ear af t er t h e con qu est of Mak k ah t h at t h is
gr ow t h in I slam ic ar m y h ad t ak en place. A h u n dr ed t h ou san d or a h u n dr ed an d f or t y f ou r t h ou san d
Muslim pilgr im s shar ed in Haj j at ul -Wada‘ ( i. e. Far ew ell Pilgr im age) ; it w as such an en or m ou s
num ber of Muslim s sur ging — as an ocean of m en — r ou n d t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on
h im ) , t h at t h e h or izon ech oed t h eir v oices an d t h e ex pan ses of lan d sh ook w h er eby w h ile say in g
Labbaik ( i. e. Lor d, her e w e ar e w or shipping) , glor ify ing and m agnify ing Allâh, and t hank ing Him .

TH E D ELEGATI ON S:

Th e n u m ber of delegat ion s list ed in Ahl Al-Maghazi w er e ov er sev en t y . I n v est igat in g su ch a lar ge
n u m ber is n ot an accessible t h in g; besides st at in g t h em in det ail is n ot of a gr eat ben ef it . Th er ef ore,
I am goin g t o r ev eal an ex pose abou t w h at is h ist or ically w on der fu l or h igh ly sign ifican t . An y w ay a
r eader sh ou ld alw ay s k eep in m in d t h at w h ilst t h e m aj or it y of t r ibes ar r iv ed in Madin ah af t er t h e
con q u est , t h er e w er e also p r e -con q u est d eleg at ion s.

1. Th e delegat ion of ‘Abdu l Qais: Th is t r ibe h ad t w o ar r iv als. Th e fir st w as in t h e fift h y ear of

Al-Hij r a or befor e t h at dat e. Mu n qidh bin Haiy an , a m em ber of t h at t r ibe, u sed t o t r ade in
Madin ah . So, as soon as h e h ear d of I slam w h en h e h ad ar r iv ed in it f or t r adin g — t h at w as
aft er t he m igr at ion — h e em br aced I slam an d car r ied a pledge f r om t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) t o h is people w h o ev en t u ally becam e Mu slim s t oo. Th ir t een or fou r t een of t h em
cam e t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in on e of t h e Hur um Mont hs. I t w as t hen t hat t hey
ask ed t h e Pr oph et ’s adv ice abou t t h e Fait h an d dr in k s. Th eir ch ief w as Al-Ashaj Al-Usr i, t o
w h om t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ You h av e t w o qu alit ies t h at Allâh
lik es: Th ey ar e deliber at en essan dclem en cy . ”

2. Th eir secon d ar r iv al w as in t h e Year of Delegat ion s. Th ey w er e for t y m en . Al-Jar ud bin Al-

‘Alâ’ Al-‘Abdi, w h o w as Ch r ist ian bu t t u r n ed t o be a good Mu slim , w as on e of t h at gr ou p.

3. Daw s Delegat ion : Th e ar r iv al of t h is t r ibe w as in t h e ear ly t im es of t h e seven t h y ear an d

t h at w as w h en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as in Kh aibar . At -Tufail bin
‘Am r Ad -Daw si, t h at w e h av e alr ead y t alk ed ab ou t an d ex p lain ed h ow h e b ecam e a Mu slim
at t h e t im e t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as in Mak k ah . He w en t b ack h om e
t o h is people w h er e h e k ept callin g people t o I slam bu t t h ey t ar r ied t ill h e despair ed of t h em
an d r et u r n ed t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d ask ed h im t o in v ok e Allâh
ag ain st Daw s b u t t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on him ) inv ok ed Allâh t o guide Daw s.
Lat er on , Daw s em br aced I slam . So At -Tufail ar r iv ed in Madinah accom panied by sev ent y or
eigh t y fam ilies of h is people in t h e ear ly t im es of t h e sev en t h y ear of Al-Hij r a, at t he t im e
t h at t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e u pon h im ) w as at Kh aibar , so h e ov er t ook h im t h er e.

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4. Far w ah Bani ‘Am r Al-Ju dh am i’s m essen ger : Far w ah w as an Ar ab leader in t h e By zan t in e
ar m y . He w as a By zan t in e agen t r u ler by pr ox y on t h e Ar abs allied t o t h e By zan t in es. His
h om e w as at Mu ‘an an d t h e su rr ou n din g ar ea of Ash -Sh am lan ds. Seein g t h e st am in a an d
cour age of t he Muslim s he becam e a Muslim . The bat t le of Mu’t ah — w h ich t ook place in t h e
eight h y ear of Al-Hij ra — com pelled h is adm ir at ion . He sen t a w h it e m u le gift w it h a
m essen g er of h is t o t h e Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) t o infor m him of his
con v er sion in t o I slam . Wh en t h e By zan t in es lear n t of h is em br acin g I slam , t h ey sen t h im t o
pr ison . At f ir st t h ey gav e h im an oppor t u n it y t o ch oose on e of t h e t w o — “ eit h er h e d ef ect s
fr om I slam or deat h sh all be h is pu n ish m en t . ” Refu sin g t o defect t h ey cr u cified h im an d cu t
his neck at a w at er ( fount ain) called ‘Afr a’ in Palest ine.

5. Su dâ’ Delegat ion : Th e ar r iv al of t h is delegat ion w as af t er t h e depar t u r e of t h e Messen ger of

Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) from Al-Ji‘r anah in t he eight h y ear of Al-Hi. I t w as b ecau se t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad alr eady dispat ch ed a m ission t h at com pr ised
f ou r h u n dr ed Mu slim s an d ask ed t h em t o go t o w h er e Su dâ’ w as. Su dâ’ w as ( a f r esh -w at er
fou n t ain ) in Yemen . Wh ile t h e m ission w as cam pin g t h er e at t h e st ar t in g poin t of a can al.
Ziyad bin Al-Har it h As -Su dâ’i lear n ed of t h eir st ay , so h e cam e t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace be u pon h im ) an d said: “ I h av e com e t o y ou as a depu t y of m y people, so t ell y ou r
ar my t o go back an d I gu ar an t ee of m y people. ” Th e ar m y w er e sen t aw ay of f t h e can al. I n
his t ur n As -Su dâ’i w en t back , ch er ish ed an d u r ged h is people t o com e an d m eet t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Ev en t u ally fift een of t h em cam e an d pledged
alle gian ce t o h im as t r u e Mu slim s. Ret u r n in g h om e, t h ey in t h eir t u r n , u r ged t h e r est t o be
Mu slim s. Th u s I slam spr ead am on g t h em . Lat er on , a h u n dr ed m en j oin ed t h e Messen ger of
Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) in Haj j at ul-Wada‘ ( Far ew ell Pilgr im age. )

6. The ar r iv al of Ka‘b bin Zuhair bin Abi Sulm a: Ka‘b w ho w as a m em ber of a fam ily of poet s,
w as con sider ed on e of t h e m ost poet ic Ar ab poet s. He u sed t o sat ir ize t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) w h en h e w asn ’t a Mu slim . I n t h e eigh t h y ear of Al-Hij r a an d at t h e t im e t h at t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad alr eady gon e back f r om At -Ta’if invasion, Buj air
bin Z u h air w r ot e a let t er t o h is br ot h er Ka‘b w ar n in g an d adv isin g h im : “ Th e Messen ger of
Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad k illed som e m en in Mak k ah w h o u sed t o sat ir ize and har m
h im , an d t h at t h e ot h er poet s w h o h ad su r v iv ed fled in all dir ect ion s for t h eir liv es. So if y ou
w an t t o sav e y ou r sk in , h ast en t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) . He n ev er
k ills t h ose w h o r esor t t o h im as r epen t an t . I f y ou r ef u se t o do as I t ell, it is u p t o y ou t o t r y
t o sav e y ou r sk in b y an y m ean s. ” Th e t w o b r ot h er s cor r esp on d ed w it h on e an ot h er f or a
lon g t im e t ill Ka‘b w as aw k w ar d an d felt as if t h e ear t h h ad con st r ain ed on h im . Ar r iv in g in
Mad in ah , h e st ay ed at a m an ’s h ou se f r om Ju h ain ah as a gu est . Th ey per f or m ed t h e daw n
p r ay er t og et h er ; b u t w h en h e w as ab ou t t o leav e, t h e m an su g g est ed t h at h e g o t o t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) . He w en t t h er e, sat by h im , pu t h is h an d in h is. Th e
Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e u pon h im ) w h o h ad n ev er seen Ka‘b bef or e, did n ot r ecogn ize
h im . Ka‘b t h en said: “ O, Messen ger of Allâh ! Ka‘b bin Z u h air h as com e t o y ou as a r epen t an t
Muslim ; w ill he be secur e and for giv en if I fet ch him ?” The Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be
upon him ) said , “ Yes. ” “ I am Ka‘b bin Z u h air , ” said h e. Upon h ear in g t h at on e of t h e Helper s
r ose t o h is f eet an d ask ed t h e Messen g er ’s allow an ce t o cu t h is t h r oat . “ Leav e h im alon e! ”
Said t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , “ He h as becom e a r epen t an t Mu slim af t er h is
disposal of t h e past . ” Ka‘b t h en r ecit ed h is w ell-k now n poem “ Su‘ad appeared...” in w h ich h e
p r aised t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) , t h an k ed h im an d ap olog ized f or t h e w r on g s h e
had done. He ack now ledged Muham m ad’s m ission. Bot h Em igr ant s and Helper s w er e spoken
of in t his poem but differ ent ly . He pr aised t he Em igr ant s but cr it icized t he Helper s, for one
of t h em dem an ded a Pr oph et ’s per m ission t o k ill h im . Lat er on Ka‘b t r ied t o com pen sat e for
t h at b y p r aisin g t h e Help er s t oo b u t t h at w as in an ot h er p oem .

7. , ‘Udh ar ah Delegat ion : Th is delegat ion w h ich con sist ed of t w elv e m en , h ad ar r iv ed in

Madinah in Safar , t he nint h y ear of Al-Hij r a. Th ey spen t t h r ee day s t h er e. On e of t h em w as
Ham za bin An -Nu ‘m an . Wh en t h ey w er e ask ed w h o t h ey w er e, t h ey said “ We ar e Ban i
‘Udh ar ah , t h e f ost er br ot h er s of Qu sai t o h is m ot h er . We ar e t h e on es w h o su ppor t ed Qu sai,
an d r em ov ed Kh u za’a an d Ban i Bak r f r om t h e bosom of Mak k ah . We h av e r elat iv es an d
k in speople. ” So t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w elcom ed t h em an d gav e good
t idin gs t o t h em , w h ich w as Ash -Sh am Con qu est ; bu t h e, on t h e ot h er h an d, f or bade t h em
fr om consult ing a soot hsay er and fr om eat ing t he slain anim als t hey slaught er ed. Ev ent ually
t h ey becam e Mu slim s, st ay ed t h er e f or sev er al day s t h en w en t back .

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8. Bali Delegat ion: Their ar r iv al w as in Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al, t h e n in t h y ear of Al-Hij ra. They
em br aced I slam , st ay ed in Madinah for t hr ee day s. Their chief Abu Ad -Dab eeb w on d er ed
w h et h er h ospit alit y w as r ew ar ded by Allâh . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
said:

• • “ Yes, an d so is an y ch ar it y y ou of f er t o poor or r ich people t h at is Sadaqah .”

He also in qu ir ed abou t t h e t im e allot t ed t o h ospit alit y . “ Th r ee day s, ” said h e. “ Wh at abou t
t h e st r ay ew e?” Th e Pr oph et said: “ I t is eit h er y ou r s or y ou r br ot h er ’s, ot h erw ise it g oes t o
t h e w olf . ” He in qu ir ed abou t t h e st r ay cam el. “ I t is n ot of y ou r bu sin ess. Leav e it alon e! I t s
ow ner w ill t r y t o find it . ”

8. Thaqif Delegat ion: Their ar r iv al w as in Ram adan t he nint h y ear of Al-Hij r a, aft er t he r et ur n
of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) fr om Tabu k . As t o h ow t h ey becam e
Muslim s, t his could be deduced fr om t he follow ing:

9. Their chief ‘Ur w ah bin Mas‘ud At h-Th aqaf i cam e t o see t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be
upon him ) aft er t he lat t er ’s r et ur n fr om At -Ta’if in Dhul-Qa ‘dah in t he y ear 8 A. H. ‘Ur w ah
becam e a Mu slim . He t h ou gh t t h at w h en h e w ill t ell h is people an d call t h em t o em br ace
I slam , t h ey w ou ld ob ey h im , b ecau se h e h ad alw ay s b een an ob ey ed Mast er . He w as ev en
m or e belov ed t o t h em t h an t h eir ow n fir st bor n . Bu t co n t r ar y t o t h at , w h en h e called t h em t o
I slam t h ey sh ot ar r ow s at h im fr om ev er y w h er e an d k illed h im . Th ey r em ain ed as t h ey w er e
f or m on t h s bef or e t h ey st ar t ed discu ssin g t h e sit u at ion again am on g t h em selv es. Upon
r ealizin g t h at t h ey w er e in capable of f igh t in g t h e n eig h b ou r in g Ar ab s w h o h ad p aid
allegian ce t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d con v er t ed t o I slam , t h ey m ade u p t h eir
m in d t o dispat ch a m an t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th ey con clu ded t h at
‘Abd Yalail bin ‘Am r w ould be t he r ig h t m essen ger .

‘Abd r efu sed t o do su ch a t h in g lest t h ey sh ou ld k ill h im as t h ey h ad k illed ‘Ur w ah . “ I w ill n ot

do su ch a t h in g t ill y ou sen d som e ot h er m en w it h m e, ” said ‘Abd. So t h ey sen t t w o m en of
t heir allies and t hr ee ot her s fr om Bani Malik . The six of t hem including ‘Ut hm an bin Abi Al-
‘As At h-Th aqaf i w h o w as t h e y ou n gest am on g t h em all.

Wh en t h ey en t er ed in t o t h e Pr oph et ’s ( Peace be u pon h im ) au dien ce, a t en t w as pit ch ed u p

in a cor n er of t h e m osqu e so t h at t h ey m igh t list en t o t h e Qu r ’ân an d see p eople at pr ay er .
Du r in g t h eir st ay t h ey cam e again an d again t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w h o k ept
on callin g t h em t o em br ace I slam , t ill t h eir ch ief ask ed t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be
u pon h im ) t o en t er in t o a peace t r eat y bet w een h im an d Th aqif by m ean s of w h ich h e allow s
t hem t o com m it for nicat ion, dr ink w ine and deal w it h usur y . They also ask ed him not t o
inj ur e t heir t y r ant idol “ Al-Lat ” or t o oblige t h em t o per for m t h e pr ay er . Fin ally t h ey in sist ed
t h at t h ey w ou ld n ot k n ock d ow n t h e id ols t h em selv es. Bu t t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be
u pon h im ) t u r n ed dow n all t h eir r equ est s. Th ey w en t aside t o cou n cil. Realizin g t h at t h er e
w er e n o ot h er alt er n at iv es t h ey y ielded an d pr of essed I slam . Th e on ly con dit ion t h at t h ey
in sist ed on w as t h at t h e d emolit ion of Al-Lat sh ou ld b e d ealt w it h an d h an d led b y t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w h er eas Th aqif sh ou ld in n o w ay k n ock it dow n
t h em selv es. Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) agr eed an d t ook a pledge w it h
t hem .

Bein g t h e m ost at t en t iv e an d t h e k een est t o st u dy j u r ispr u den ce an d lear n Qu r ’ân , ‘Ut h m an

bin Abi Al-‘As w as appoin t ed by t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) a pr in ce on h is
p eop le. His k een n ess an d car ef u ln ess t o lear n t h e Qu r ’ân an d st u d y j u r isp r u d en ce w er e
clear ly discer n ible t h r ou gh h is beh av iou r du r in g t h eir st ay .

Ev er y day m or n in g, t h e gr ou p of delegat es u sed t o go an d see t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace

be upon him ) . Being t he y oungest one, ‘Ut hm an bin Abi Al-‘As w as lef t beh in d w it h t h eir
cam els an d t h in gs t o k eep an ey e on . At n oon w h en t h ey cam e back an d slept , ‘Ut h m an
u sed t o go t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) in or der t o lear n t h e Qu r ’ân an d
in qu ir e abou t r eligiou s m at t er s. I f it h appen ed t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon
h im ) w as asleep, h e w ou ld t h en go t o Abu Bak r f or t h e sam e pu r pose. Wit h t h e pof t im e, h e
t u r n ed ou t t o be a sou r ce of blessin g t o h is people. For at t h e Apost asy Tim es ( Ar-Riddah )
w h en Th aqif w er e det er m in ed t o apost at ize, h e addr essed t h em say in g: “ O, f olk m en of

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 Thaqif! You h av e been t h e lat est at em br acin g I slam , so do n ot be t h e f ir st t o apost at ize. ”
Con sequ en t ly t h ey gav e u p apost asy an d clu n g f ast t o I slam .

Th e gr ou p of delegat es r et u r n ed h om e bu t t h ey w er e det er m in ed t o con ceal t h e t r u t h f or a

w hile. They t old t heir people t o ex pect f igh t at an y m om en t . Th ey pr et en ded t o be gr iev ed
an d depr essed. Th ey claim ed t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) dem an ded
t hat t hey should em br ace I slam and abandon adult er y , dr ink ing w ine and dealing w it h usur y
an d som e ot h er t h in gs, or else h e w ou ld f igh t t h em . Seized by t h e ar r ogan ce an d zeal of Al-
Jahiliyah ( pre -I slam ic t r adit ions) , Thaqif r em ained for day s int ent on fight ing. Then Allâh
cast t er r or an d dism ay in t h eir h ear t s in su ch a w ay t h at t h ey gav e u p f igh t in g an d t h ou g h t
t h at t h e delegat ion sh ou ld go back t o h im an d an n ou n ce t h eir appr ov al. I t w as u n t il t h en
t h at t h e gr ou p of delegat es t old t h em t h e t r u t h an d r ev ealed t h e it em s of t h eir peace -t alk
w it h t h e Pr oph et , con sequ en t ly Th aqif em br aced I slam .

Th e Messen g er o f Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) sent som e m en t o dem olish t he idol called “ Al-
Lat ” under t he com m and of Khalid bin Al-Waleed. Al-Mu gh eer ah bin Sh u ‘bah , st ood t o h is
feet , h eld t h e h oe an d t h e ax an d said: “ By Allâh , I w ill m ak e y ou lau gh at Th aqif. ” He st r u ck
w it h t h em , an d pr et en ded t o f all dow n w h ile r u n n in g. Th e people of Th aqif t r em bled at t h at
sight and said: “ May Allâh dism ay Al-Mu gh eer ah off. Th e goddess h as k illed h im . ” Hear in g
t hat Al-Mu gh eer ah leapt u p t o h is f eet an d said: “ May Allâh br in g sh am e on y ou. Al-Lat is
n ot h in g bu t a m ass of dir t an d st on es. ” Th en h e st r u ck t h e door an d br ok e it . He m ou n t ed
it s h igh est w all, an d so did t h e ot h er m en . Th ey k n ock ed Al-Lat dow n t ill t h ey lev elled it w it h
t h e gr ou n d. Th en t h ey du g u p it s f ou n dat ion an d br ou gh t o u t it s j ew els an d gar m en t s; t o
t he gr eat ast onishm ent of Thaqif. Khalid bin Al-Waleed an d h is g r ou p cam e b ack t o t h e
Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) car r y ing Al-Lat ’s j ew els an d gar m en t s. Th e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) dist r ibu t ed t h em a n d t h an k ed Allâh for h elpin g h is
Pr ophet and solidify ing his r eligion.

1 0 . Th e m essage of t h e Yem en i k in gs: Aft er t h e r et u r n of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon

him ) fr om Tabuk , a m essage cam e t o him fr om t he k ings of Him y ar , Al-Har it h bin ‘Abd Kilal,
Na ‘eem bin ‘Abd Kilal, An -Nu‘m an bin Qeel Dhi Ra‘in, Ham dan and Mu‘afir . Their m essenger
w as Malik bin Mur r ah Ar -Rah aw i. Th ey sen t h im in or der t o in f or m t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be
upon him ) about t heir em br acing I slam and t heir par t ing w it h poly t heism . I n r eply t o t h eir
m essage, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) gav e t h em t h e pledge of Allâh an d
t h e pledge of His Messen ger pr ov ided t h ey paid t h e t r ibu t e, w h ich w as st ill ov er du e. He sen t
t o t h em som e of h is Com pan ion s u n der t h e com m an d of Mu ‘adh bin Jabal ( May Allah be
pleased w it h him ) .

1 1 . Ham dan Delegat ion : Th e ar r iv al of t h is delegat ion w as in t h e n in t h y ear of Al-Hij r a aft er t he

Messen ger ’s r et u r n f r om Tabu k . So t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) gav e t h em
a pledge t o gu ar an t ee t h e f u lf illm en t of t heir dem ands. He sent t o t hem Malik bin An -Nam t
as t h eir ch ief , an d appoin t ed h im as an agen t on t h ose of h is people w h o em br aced I slam .
Khalid bin Al-Waleed w as appoin t ed f or t h em all w it h a pu r pose of callin g t h em t o I slam . He
st ay ed w it h t h em for six m on t h s callin g t h em t o I slam bu t n o on e r espon ded t o h is call.
Lat er on ‘Ali bin Abi Talib w as dispat ch ed t h er e an d Kh alid w as or der ed t o com e back . Upon
ar r iv ing at Ham dan, ‘Ali com m unicat ed t o t hem a m essage fr om t he Messenger of Allâh
( Peace be u pon h im ) an d called t h em t o I slam . Th ey r espon ded t o t h e call an d becam e
Muslim s. ‘Ali w r ot e t o t he Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) infor m ing him of t he good
t idin gs. Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as br ief ed on t h e con t en t of t h at
let t er , so h e p r ost r at ed , t h en r aised h is h ead u p an d said : “ Peace b e u p on Ham d an . Peace
be u pon Ham dan . ”

1 2 . Th e Delegat ion of Ban i Fazar ah : Upon t h e Messen ger ’s r et u r n f r om Tabu k , t h e delegat ion of
Ban i Fazar ah cam e t o see h im . Th at w as in t h e n in t h y ear of Al-Hij ra. Th e gr ou p of delegat es
w er e ov er t en m en . Th ey cam e in or der t o pr of ess I slam an d com plain abou t t h e dr ou gh t of
t h eir r egion . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) ascen ded t h e pu lpit , lift ed h is
h an ds u p an d im plor ed Allâh t o sen d r ain f or t h on t o t h em and said:

• “ O Allâh let r ain fall dow n , an d w at er You r cou n t r y an d an im als, an d spr ead You r m er cy
an d br in g t o lif e t h e dead lan ds. O Allâh sen d r ain t h at w ou ld be sav in g, com f or t in g, an d
sp r ou t in g g r ass, an d ov er w h elm in g v ast ar eas soon er an d lat er . Let it be useful r ain and not

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 har m ful. O Allâh let it be r ain of m er cy and not r ain of t or t ur e and chast isem ent . Let t hat
r ain n ot be dest r u ct iv e or f loody . O Allâh sen d u s dow n w at er an d h elp t o f igh t t h e
en em ies. ”

1 2 . Naj r an ’s Delegat ion : Naj r an is r at h er a big ar ea of lan d. I t w as at a dist an ce of sev en t r ip

st ages sou t h w ar ds of Mak k ah t ow ar ds Yem en . I t in clu ded sev en t y t h r ee v illages. I t t ook a
f ast -r ider on e day r ide t o get t h er e. I t s m ilit ar y f or ces con sist ed of a h u n dr ed t h ou san d
fight er s.

• Their ar r iv al w as in t he y ear 9 A. H. The delegat ion com pr ised six t y m en. Tw ent y -four of
t h em w er e of n oble f am ilies. Th r ee ou t of t w en t y -f ou r w er e at on e t im e leader s of Naj r an .
Al-‘Aqib, i. e. w h o w as in ch ar ge of pr in ceh ood an d gov er n m en t affair s. His n am e w as ‘Abdu l
Maseeh . Th e secon d w as As-Saiyid ( t h e Mast er ) u n d er w h ose su p er v ision w er e t h e
edu cat ion al an d polit ical affair s; h is n am e w as Al-Aiham or Shar habeel. Abu Har it ha bin
‘Alqam ah w as t h e t h ir d. He w as a bish op t o w h om all r eligiou s pr esiden cy an d spir it u al
lead er sh ip b elon g ed an d w er e h is ch ar g e.
Wh en t h at g r ou p of d eleg at es ar r iv ed in Mad in ah , t h ey m et t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
him ) , ex changed inquir ies w it h him ; but w hen he called t hem t o I slam and r ecit ed t he
Qu r ’ân t o t h em , t h ey r efu sed. Th ey ask ed h im w h at h e t h ou gh t abou t ‘I sa ( i. e. Jesu s) ,
( Peace be u pon h im ) , h e ( Peace be u pon h im ) t ar r ied a w h ole day t ill t h e follow in g Qu r ’ân ic
r eply w as r ev ealed t o h im :
• “ Ver ily , t h e lik en ess of Jesu s befor e Allâh is t h e lik en ess of Adam . He cr eated him
fr om dust , t hen ( He) said t o him : ‘Be! ’ — and he w as. ( This is) t he t r ut h fr om y our
Lor d, so be n ot of t h ose w h o dou bt . Th en w h oev er dispu t es w it h y ou con cer n in g h im
( Jesu s) aft er ( all t h is) k n ow ledge t h at h as com e t o y ou , ( i. e. Jesu s bein g a slav e of
Allâh, and hav ing no shar e in Div init y ) say : [ O Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ]
‘Com e, let u s call ou r son s an d y ou r son s, ou r w om en an d y ou r w om en , ou r selv es
an d y ou r selv es — t h en w e pr ay an d in v ok e ( sin cer ely ) t h e Cu r se of Allâh u pon t h ose
w h o lie. ” [ 3 : 5 9 -61]

Wh en it w as m or n in g, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t old t h em w h at ‘I esa

( Jesu s) w as in t h e ligh t of t h e r ecen t ly r ev ealed v er ses. He lef t t h em a w h ole day t o con su lt
an d t h in k it ov er . So w h en it w as n ex t m or n in g an d t h ey st ill sh ow ed disappr ov al t o adm it
Allâh ’s Wor ds abou t ‘I sa or t o em br ace I slam , t h e Pr oph et su ggest ed Al-Mubahala t h at is
each par t y sh ou ld su pplicat e an d im plor e Allâh t o sen d His Cu r se u pon h im or t h em if t h ey
w er e t ellin g lies. Af t er t h at su ggest ion of h is, t h e Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) cam e for w ar d
w r appin g Al-Hasan an d Al-Hu sain u n d er h is g ar m en t w h er eas Fat im ah w as w alk in g at h is
b ack . Seein g t h at t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w as ser iou s an d p r ep ar ed t o f ace t h em
fir m ly , t h ey w en t aside an d st ar t ed con su lt in g. Al-‘Aqib an d As-Saiyid ( i. e. t he Mast er ) said
t o each ot h er : “ We sh all n ot su pplicat e. For , I sw ear by Allâh , if h e is r eally a Pr oph et an d
ex ch an ges cu r ses w it h u s, w e w ill n ev er pr osper n or w ill t h e descen dan t s of ou r s.
Con seq u en t ly n eit h er u s n or ou r anim als w ill sur v iv e it . ” Finally t hey m ade t heir m ind t o
r esor t t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ’s j u dgem en t abou t t h eir cau se. Th ey cam e t o h im an d said:
“ We gr an t y ou w h at y ou h av e dem an ded. ” Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t h en
ad m it t ed t h at ag r eemen t an d or d er ed t h em t o p ay Al-Jizya ( i. e. t r ibu t e) an d h e m ade peace
w it h t h em f or t h e pr ov isioof t w o t h ou san d gar m en t s, on e t h ou san d of t h em t o be deliv er ed
in Raj ab, t h e ot h er t h ou san d on es in Saf ar . Wit h ev er y gar m en t t h ey h ad t o pay an ou n ce
( of gold). I n r et u r n t h ey w ill h av e t h e cov en an t of Allâh an d His Messen ger . He gav e t h em a
cov en an t t h at pr ov ides for pr act icin g t h eir r eligiou s affair s fr eely . Th ey ask ed t h e Pr oph et
( Peace be u pon h im ) t o appoin t a t r u st w or t h y m an t o r eceiv e t h e m on ey agr eed on for
peace, so h e sen t t h em t h e t r u st w or t h y m an of t h is n at ion Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jar r ah t o
r eceiv e t h e am ou n t s of m on ey agr eed on in t h e peace t r eat y .
By t h e t im e I slam st ar t ed t o spr ead in Naj r an , n at u r ally , t h ey did n ot h av e t o pay Al-Jizya
t h at u su ally n on -Mu slim s p aid . Wh at ev er t h e case w as, it w as said t h at Al-Aqib an d As-
Saiyid em br aced I slam as soon as t h ey r each ed Naj r an on t h eir j ou r n ey back h om e. I t is
also said t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) sen t t o t h em ‘Ali t oo, f or t h e collect ion of
ch ar it ies an d t r ibu t e.

1 3 . Bani Haneefa Delegat ion: They ar r iv ed in Madinah in t he nint h y ear of Al-Hij r a. They w er e
1 7 in num ber and included t he Mast er of Liar s, Musailim a bin Thum am ah bin Kabeer bin
Habeeb bin Al-Har it h of Ban i Han eef a Th e gr ou p of delegat es w er e h ou sed in a Help er ’s
h ou se. Th ey cam e t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d declar ed t h eir I slam izat ion . As
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 for Musailim a t he liar , v er sions v ar y concer ning his em br acing I slam . Cont em plat ion of all
t h ese v er sion s sh ow s clear ly t h at Mu sailim a ex pr essed d isap p r ov al an d r ev ealed
h au gh t in ess, boast f u l spir it an d ex pect at ion s t o be a pr in ce.

• At f ir st t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) at t em pt ed goin g on w ell w it h h im . h e dealt w it h

h im n icely an d ch ar it ably bu t t h at did n ot do w it h h im . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be
u pon h im ) per ceiv ed ev il in h is sou l an d r ecogn ized t h at h e w as on e of t h ose t h r ee ev ils h e
dr eam t of w h ile asleep.
Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) h ad alr ead y d r eam t t h at h e h ad b een g r an t ed t h e
t r easu r es of ear t h . His h an d f ell u pon t w o golden br acelet s, w h ich dist r essed an d w or r ied
him a lot . He w as t aught by inspir at ion t o b low t h em of f , so h e d id t h at an d t h ey w er e g on e
of f . Th ey w er e in t er pr et ed t o be t w o liar s w h o w ou ld t u r n u p af t er t h e deat h of Mu h am m ad
( Peace be u pon h im ) . So w h en Mu sailim a act ed t h at w ay an d sh ow ed disappr ov al, h e
r ealized t h at h e w ou ld b e on e of t h e tw o liar s. How ev er Mu sailim a u sed t o say , “ I f
Mu h am m ad appoin t ed m e a su ccessor of h is, I w ou ld be a Mu slim . Lat er on t h e Messen ger
of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) cam e t o him , w it h a piece of palm leaf in his hand, and in t he
com pany of his or at or , Thabit bin Qais bin Sh am m as. He w as am on g som e of h is fr ien ds.
Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t alk ed t o h im bu t Mu sailim a addr essed h im say in g: “ I f y ou
agr ee t o t r an sf er t h e w h ole t h in g t o m e af t er y ou r deat h , I w ill n ot st an d in y ou r w ay . ” Th e
Messen ger of Allâh (Peace be u pon h im ) r eplied: “ I f y ou ask ed m e t o giv e y ou t h is ( i. e. a
piece of a palm leaf ) , I w ou ld n ot gr an t it t o y ou . You ar e doom ed. Ev en if y ou r epen t ed an d
st opped w h at y ou w er e doin g, Allâh appoin t ed t h at y ou w ou ld be slain . By Allâh , I sw ear ,
t h a t I see y ou n ow in t h e v er y st at e t h at h as been r ev ealed t o m e. Her e is Th abit ! You w ill
h ear m y an sw er ( fr om h im ) . ” Th en h e w en t aw ay .
Finally , t he Pr ophet ’s pr edict ions of Musailim a cam e t r ue; for w hen Musailim a r et ur ned t o
Yam am a, he k ept on t hink ing abou t t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) an d h ow h e w ou ld b e
h is par t n er . His dr eam s an d t h ou gh t s w en t so f ar as t o claim t h at h e h im self w as a pr oph et .
To confir m his pr ophecy he st ar t ed ut t er ing r hy m ed st at em ent s. He said t hat it w as law ful t o
dr in k w in e an d com m it adu lt er y . He, h ow ev er , bor e w it n ess t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace b e u p on h im ) w as a r eal Pr op h et . His p eop le, w h o w er e f ascin at ed b y w h at h e
allow ed t h em t o do, f ollow ed h im an d m ade bar gain s w it h h im . He gr ew so pr om in en t
am on g t h em t h at t h ey called him t he beneficent of Al-Yam am a. He w r ot e t o t h e Messen g er
of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) say in g: “ I h av e been appoin t ed an associat e w it h y ou , so I w ill
h av e a h alf an d Qu r aish w ill h av e t h e ot h er h alf of t h e people’s af f air s. ” Th e Messen ger of
Allâ h ’s r eply w as a let t er say in g t h at :
• “ Ver ily , t h e ear t h is Allâh ’s. He giv es it as a her it age t o w h om He w ill of His
slav es, an d t h e ( blessed) en d is f or t h e Mut t aqûn ( pious) .” [ 7: 128]

On t h e au t h or it y of I bn Mas‘u d, h e say s: Wh en t h e t w o m essen ger s of Mu sailim a — I bn An -

Naw ah a an d I b n At h al — cam e t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) , h e ask ed
t h em : “ Do y ou bear w it n ess t h at I am t h e Messen ger of Allâh ?” Th eir r eply w as “ We t est if y
t h at Mu sailim a is t h e Messen ger of Allâh . ” “ I believ e in Allâh an d in His Messen ger , ” said t h e
Pr op h et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , “ I f I h ad ev er t h ou gh t of k illin g a m essen ger I w ou ld h av e
k illed y ou bot h. ”
Mu sailim a’s pr et en ce t o pr oph et h ood w as in t h e t en t h y ear of Al-Hij r a. But he w as k illed in
Al-Yam am a w ar dur ing Abu Bak r As -Siddeeq er a, in Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al, in t he t w elft h y ear of Al-
Hij r a. He w as k illed by Wah sh i, t h e k iller of Ham zah . Th e secon d per son w h o claim ed t o be a
p r op h et w as Al-Asw ad Al-‘An si w h o w as in Yem en . He w as k illed by Fair u z. His h ead w as cu t
of f a day an d a n igh t bef or e t h e Pr oph et ’s d eat h . So w h en t h e d eleg at es cam e h e t old t h em
t h e n ew s t h at r each ed h im t h r ou gh Div in e Rev elat ion . New s abou t h is deat h r each ed Abu
Bak r ( May Allah be pleased w it h him ) fr om Yem en.

1 4 . Th e Delegat ion of Ban i ‘Am ir bin Sa‘sa‘a: Am on g t h e gr ou p of delegat es w ere ‘Am ir bin At -
Tufail — t he enem y of Allâh, Ar bad bin Qais — Labid’s m at er nal br ot her , Khalid bin Ja‘far ,
an d Jabbar bin Aslam . All of t h em w er e t h e leader s an d sat an s of t h eir people. ‘Am ir w as t h e
on e w h o d ou b le -cr ossed t h e g r ou p of Ma‘u n a w ell. Wh en t h is delegat ion m ade t heir m ind t o
com e t o Madinah, ‘Am ir and Ar bad conspir ed t o k ill t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) . So
w h en t h e gr ou p of delegat es ar r iv ed, ‘Am ir k ept on t alk in g t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) w h er eas Ar bad t u r n ed aside t r y in g t o dr aw h is sw or d . He m an ag ed t o d r aw a sp an of
h an d lon g b u t Allâh st illed h is h an d so t h at h e w as u n ab le t o p r oceed w it h it s w it h d r aw al.
Allâh pr ot ect ed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in v ok ed
Allâh again st t h em . So w h en t h ey r et u r n ed, Allâh sen t dow n a t h u n der bolt u n t o Ar bad an d

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 h is cam el an d h e w as bu r n t . As f or ‘Am ir h e called at a h ou se of a w om an w h o w as f r om
Ban i Salu l an d h ad a glan d sor e. He ev en t u ally died w h ile h e w as say in g: “ Wh at am I lik e? I
h av e a glan d sim ilar t o a cam el’s. An d h er e I am dy in g in t h e h ou se of t h e w om an fr om Ban i
Salul.”
15. I n Sahih Al-Bukhari it is n ar r at ed t h at ‘Am ir cam e t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d
said: “ I gr an t y ou an oppor t u n it y t o ch oose on e of t w o: y ou w ill h av e t h e f lat lan d people
an d I w ill h av e t ow n speople; or I w ill su cceed y ou . Ot h er w ise, I w ill in v ade y ou r people w it h
a t h ou san d h e-cam els an d a t h ou san d sh e-cam els. ” Bu t , lat er on h e got plagu e-st ricken in a
w om an ’s h ou se. So h e said: “ Wh at ! I h av e a glan d sim ilar t o a cam el’s, an d h er e I am in a
w om an ’s h ou se of Ban i so an d so people. Fet ch m e m y m ar e! ” He m ou n t ed it bu t died on it s
back .
16. Tu j eeb Delegat ion : Th ey cam e t o Madin ah car r y in g t h e su r plu s of ch ar it ies (Sadaqat ) of
t h eir people. Th at is t o say t h e ex t r a ch ar it ies t h ey h ad af t er t h ey h ad d ist r ib u t ed t h e p oor-
du e. Th ey w er e t h ir t een m en . Th ey ask ed abou t t h e Qu r ’ân an d Sunnah ( t h e Pr oph et ’s
say in g, deeds an d san ct ion s) so t h at t h ey m igh t lear n t h em . Th ey dem an ded t h in gs f r om
t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o w h ich h e gav e t h em pledges. Th ey did n ot
st ay lon g; so w h en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) ack n ow ledged t h eir
dem an ds an d allow ed t h em t o depar t , t h ey sen t h im a boy w h om t h ey h ad alr eady lef t at
t h eir pr oper t y . Th e y ou n g m an said t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be upon him ) : “ By Allâh, I sw ear ,
I hav e left m y hom e ( for Madinah) w it h a pur pose t hat y ou inv ok e Allâh, t he Gr eat and All-
Might y for m e t o for giv e m e and hav e m er cy on m e and t o m ak e m y hear t a sour ce of
con t en t an d su fficien cy . ” Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) su pplicat ed Allâh t o
gr an t h im w h at h e dem an ded.
17. Fr om t h at t im e on , h e w as t h e m ost con t en t ed per son . I n Ar-Riddah ( i. e. t he Apost asy
Tim es) , h e st oodf ast as a Mu slim an d w ar n ed h is people an d r em in ded t h em of Aâh an d
w en t on p r each in g t h em t ill t h ey st oodf ast an d did n ot apost at ize. Th e gr ou p of delegat es
m et t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) again in t h e Far ew ell Pilgr im age in t h e t en t h y ear of
Al-Hij ra.
18. Tai’ Delegat ion : On e of t h at gr ou p of delegat es w h o cam e t o m eet t h e Pr oph et ( Peace b e
upon him ) w as Zaid Al-Kh ail. Th ey t alk ed t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w h o u r ged
t h em t o em br ace I slam . Th ey agr eed an d gr ew good Mu slim s. Abou t Z aid, t h e Messen ger of
Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ Th e Ar abs ar e n ev er ex act at est im at in g people. They hav e
n ev er t old m e abou t t h e v ir t u es of a m an cor r ect ly ; f or w h en I see t h e m an con cer n ed I
r ealize t h at t h ey h av e ov er est im at ed h im ex cept Zaid Al-Khail, w hen I m et him I k new t hat
t hey had under est im at ed him . ” Then he nam ed him ‘Zaid Al-Kh air’ ( i.e. Zaid, t he
bou n t eou s) .

Th e delegat ion s ar r iv ed su ccessiv ely in Madin ah du r in g t h e n in t h an d t en t h of Al-Hij r a. Biogr apher s

an d in v asion -w r it er s h av e w r it t en dow n abou t som e of Yem en delegat ion s. Th ey w er e Al-Azd; Bani
Sa‘d Hadheem fr om Quda‘ah, Ba ni ‘Am ir bin Qais; Bani Asad, Bahr a’, Khaulan, Muhar ib, Bani Al-
Har it h bin Ka‘b, Gham id, Bani Al-Munt afiq, Salam an, Bani ‘Abs, Muzainah, Mur ad, Zabid, Kinda, Dhi
Mu r r ah , Gh assan , Ban i ‘Aish , an d Nak h ‘ w h ich w er e t h e last gr ou p of delegat es. Nak h ‘ Delegat io n
com pr ised t w o h u n dr ed m en an d t h ey ar r iv ed in t h e m iddle of Mu h ar r am in t h e elev en t h y ear of Al-
Hij r a. Th e m aj or it y of t h ese gr ou ps of delegat es ar r iv ed du r in g t h e n in t h an d t en t h y ear s of Al-Hij ra.
The ar r iv al of som e of t hem t ar r ied t ill t he elev ent h y ear of Al-Hij ra.
Th e su ccession of t h ese d eleg at ion s in d icat ed t h e g r eat d eg r ee of t h e en t ir e accep t an ce w h ich t h e
I slam ic Call r each ed. I t m an ifest ed it s in flu en ce an d dom in at ion on v ast ar eas of Ar abia . Th e Ar abs
obser v ed Al-Mad in ah w it h su ch a g r eat respect an d est im at ion t h at t h ey cou ld do n ot h in g bu t
sur r ender and subm it t o it . Al-Madin ah h ad becom e t h e h eadqu ar t er s of all Ar abia; so it w as
im p ossib le t o av oid it . We d ar e n ot say t h at all t h e Ar ab ian s w er e p ossessed an d en ch an t ed b y t h is
religion. Th er e w er e lot s of h ar d -h ear t ed b ed ou in s — am on g t h e Ar abs — w h o su r r en der ed ( i. e.
becam e Mu slim s) on ly becau se t h eir m ast er did so. Th eir sou ls w er e n ot san ct ified y et . Th eir
t en den cy t o r aids h ad been deeply r oot ed in t h eir sou ls. Th e t each in gs of I slam h ad n ot cr y st allized
t h eir sou ls w ell y et . Accou n t in g som e of t h em t h e Qu r ’ân say s:
• “ Th e bedou in s ar e t h e w or st in disbelief an d h y pocr isy , an d m or e lik ely t o be in ign or an ce
of t he lim it s ( Allâh’s Com m andm ent s and His legal law s, et c. ) w hich Allâh has r ev ealed t o
His Messenger . And Allâh is All-Know er , All-Wise. An d of t h e b ed ou in s t h er e ar e som e w h o
look u pon w h at t h ey spen d ( in Allâh ’s cau se) as a f in e an d w at ch f or calam it ies f or y ou , on
t hem be t he calam it y of ev il. And Allâh is All-Hear er , All-Kn ow er.” [ 9: 97,98]
Th e Qu r ’ân pr aised ot h er s say in g:
• “ An d of t h e bedou in s t h er e ar e som e w h o believ e in Allâh an d t h e Last Day , an d look u pon
w h at t h ey spen d in Allâh ’s cau se as appr oach es t o Allâh , an d a cau se of r eceiv in g t h e

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 Messen ger ’s in v ocat ion s. I n deed t h ese ar e an appr oach f or t h em . Allâh w ill admit t hem t o
His Mer cy . Cer t ainly Allâh is Oft -For giving, Most Mer ciful.” [ 9: 99]
Th ose of t h em w h o w er e pr esen t at Mak k ah , Madin ah an d Th aqif an d in m an y ot h er ar eas of Al-
Yem en and Al-Bah r ain w er e dif f er en t becau se I slam h ad been f ir m ly r oot ed in t h eir sou ls. Som e of
t h em w er e gr eat Com pan ion s an d Mast er s of Mu slim s.
TH E SUCCESS AN D I M PACT OF TH E CALL:
Bef or e w e m ov e on e m or e st ep an d m edit at e on t h e last day s of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ’s lif e, w e
ou g h t t o cast a q u ick g lan ce at t h e g r eat w or k t h at w as a p eculiar it y of his. That v er y peculiar it y
t h at m ade h im ex cel all ot h er Pr oph et s an d Messen ger s an d m ade h im so su per b t h at Allâh m ade
h im at op t h e f or m er s an d t h e lat t er s. I t w as h im t h at w as addr essed by :
• “ O y ou w r apped in gar m en t s [ i. e Pr oph et Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] ! St an d ( t o
pr ay ) all night , ex cept a lit t le.” [ 73: 1,2]
And said:
• “ O y ou [ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] en v eloped ( in gar m en t s) . Ar ise an d w ar n ! ”
[ 74: 1,2]
So h e ar ose an d k ept on lik e t h at f or ov er t w en t y y ear s. Du r in g t h ose y e ar s h e u n der t ook t o car r y
t h e b u r d en s of t h e g r eat ex p ect at ion s on h is sh ou ld er s f or t h e sak e of t h e w h ole m an k in d an d
hum anit y , t he Fait h and Jihad in v ar ious fields.
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) u n der t ook t h e bu r den s of st r u ggle an d Al-Jih ad in t h e
con scien ce of m an k in d w h ich w as t h en dr ow n in g in t h e illu sion s of Al-Jahiliyah an d it s im ages t h at
w er e load ed w it h t h e g r ou n d w eig h t s an d g r av it at ion s. He t ook u p on h is sh ou ld er t o f r ee m an ’s
con scien ce w h ich w as ch ain ed w it h desir es an d lu st s. As soon as h e h ad f r eed t h e con scien ce of h is
Com p an ion s f r om t h e b u r d en s an d h eap s of Al-Jahiliyah and ear t hly life, he st ar t ed anot her bat t le in
an ot h er f ield or r at h er su ccessiv e bat t les again st t h e en em y of Allâh ’s Call, an d again st t h ose w h o
con spir ed ag ain st it . I t w as a b at t le ag ain st t h ose w h o con sp ir ed ag ain st t h e b eliev er s an d ag ain st
t h ose w h o w er e so car efu l t o t en d t h at pu r e plan t in it s im plan t at ion befor e it gr ew u p an d st r et ch ed
it s r oot s in soil an d ex t en ded it s br an ch es u p in t o t h e air an d t h u s d aw n ed u p on ot h er ar eas. No
soon er h ad h e f in ish ed t h e bat t les in t h e Ar abian Pen in su la t h an t h e By zan t in es began pr epar at ion s
t o d est r oy t h is n ew n at ion on t h e n or t h er n b or d er s.
The fir st bat t le — i. e. t h e bat t le of con scien ce — w as n ot ov er y et . I t w as in f act a p er p et u al on e.
Sat an , w h o w as it s leader did n ot spar e a m om en t w it h ou t ex er cisin g h is act iv it y in t h e dept h of
h u m an con scien ce. Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) , on t h e ot h er h an d w as at t en din g on callin g t o
Allâh ’s r eligion t h er e an d h e w as k een on figh t in g t h at per pet u al bat t le in all fields in spit e of t h eir
h ar d cir cu m st an ces an d t h e w or ld’s con spir acy against h im . He w en t on callin g effect iv ely an d
act iv ely su r r ou n ded by t h e believ er s w h o w er e seek in g secu r it y t h r ou gh ceaseless t oil an d g r eat
pat ien ce.
Th e Com pan ion s act ed per pet u ally an d pat ien t ly by day an d t h ey spen t t h e n igh t w or sh ippin g t h eir
Lor d, r ecit ing and m em or izing t he Qur ’ân glor ify ing and m agnify ing Allâh and im plor ing Him by
n igh t ; all t h at at t h e beh est of t h eir Lor d, t h e All-Might y.
For ov er t w en t y y ear s t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad been leadin g t h at
pr ogr essiv e st eady bat t le, disr egar din g an y ot h er af f air s t h at k ept h im of f t h at n oble goal. He w en t
on t h at w ay t ill t h e I slam ic Call pr ov ed t o be su ccessfu l on a lar ge scale t h at pu zzled all m en
p ossessed of g ood r eason .
The I slam ic Call ev ent ually pr ev ailed all ov er Ar abia. I t r em ov ed all t r aces of Al-Jahiliyah fr om t he
hor izon of t he peninsula. The sick m inds of Al-Jahiliyah gr ew healt hy in I slam . They d id n ot on ly get
r id of idol-w or sh ip, bu t t h ey also k n ock ed t h em dow n . Th e gen er al at m osph er e began t o ech o “ t h er e
is n o god bu t Allâh . ” Th e calls t o pr ay er s w er e h ear d f iv e t im es a day pen et r at in g space an d
b r eak in g t h e silen ce of t h e d ead d eser t an d b r in g in g back life t h r ou gh t h e n ew belief. Recit er s an d
m em or izer s of t h e Qu r ’ân set ou t n or t h w ar ds an d sou t h w ar ds r ecit in g v er ses of t h e Qu r ’ân an d
car r y ing out Allâh’s inj unct ions.
Scat t er ed people an d t r ibes w er e u n it ed an d m an m ov ed f r om m an ’s w or sh ip of man t o m an ’s
w or sh ip of Allâh . Th er e w er e n o m or e oppr essor s n or oppr essed; n o m ast er s n or slav es, n or people
b ou n d t o ot h er p eop le, n or ag g r essor s t h at w ou ld p r act ise ag g r ession . All p eop le w er e slav es of
Allâh . Th ey w er e belov ed br ot h er s obey in g Allâh ’s r ules. Thank s t o Allâh t hey disposed of ar r ogance
an d t h e boast f u l spir it :
• “ An Ar ab is n o b et t er t h an a n on -Ar ab. I n r et u r n a n on -Ar ab is n o bet t er t h an an Ar ab. A
r ed r aced m an w as n ot bet t er t h an a black on e ex cept in piet y . Man k in d ar e all Adam ’s
ch ildr en an d Adam w as cr eat ed fr om du st . ”
Thank s t o t he I slam ic Call, t he Ar a b u n it y h ad becom e a r ealit y , an d so w as t h e case w it h h u m an
u n it y an d social j u st ice as f ar as t h eir ear t h ly an d h eav en ly af f air s w er e con cer n ed. Th e t im e cou r se
of ev en t s h ad ch an ged, t h e f eat u r es on t h e ear t h ’s su r f ace an d t h e cr ook ed lin e of h ist or y h ad
gr ow n st r aigh t an d t h e m en t alit y h ad been r ect if ied.

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Th e spir it an d t h e cor r u pt ed con scien ce of people, t h e dist or t ed v alan d m easu r es of Al-Jahiliyah had
ov er w h elm ed t h e w h ole w or ld du r in g t h at per iod of Al-Jahiliyah. The pr ev alence of slav er y , inj ust ice,
ex t r av agant lux ur y , adult er y , depr ession, depr iv it y , disbelief, st r ay fr om t he st r aight pat h and
d ar k n ess; all of t h ose w er e fait accom plis in spit e of t h e ex ist en ce of t h e h eav en ly r eligion s. Th e
t each in g s of t h ose r elig ion s h ad g r ow n w eak an d lost all in f lu en ce on m en ’s sou ls an d spir it s an d
becam e m er e lifeless r it ual t r adit ions.
When t his Call had accom plished it s r ole in hum an life, it fr eed m ank ind’s spir it of super st it ions,
illusions, w hit e slav er y , cor r upt ion and m an’s w or ship of m an. I slam had f r eed t h e h u m an societ y of
filt h, dissolut ion, inj ust ice and t y r anny . Ther e w er e no m or e social dist inct ions, nor cler gy m en’s or
gov er n or s’ dict at or sh ip. I slam h ad set u p a w or ld bu ilt on solid v ir t u ou s an d clean f ou n dat ion s, it
w as based on posit iv it y , r ight eous const r uct ion, fr eedom and r enew al. Tr ut h, fait h, dignit y act iv e
st eady deeds, t h e dev elopm en t an d im pr ov em en t of m ean s of liv in g an d r eclaim of r igh t s w er e all
bases u pon w h ich t h e I slam ic st at e w as bu ilt .
Th an k s t o t h ese ev olu t ion s, Ar abia w it n essed su ch an u n p r eced en t ed b lessed r esu r r ect ion , sin ce
const r uct ion and est ablishm ent found it s w ay t o it . Nev er had it s hist or y been so r eligious, pious and
br illian t as it h ad been du r in g t h ose pecu liar day s of it s life.

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 TH E FAREW ELL PI LGRI M AGE

Aft er t he accom plish m en t of t h e Call, t h e pr oclam at ion of t h e Message an d t h e est ablish m en t of a

n ew societ y on t h e basis of ‘Th er e is n o god bu t Allâh , ’ an d on Mu h am m ad’s m ission , a secr et call
u pr ose in t h e h ear t of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t elling him t hat his st ay in t he
Low er Wor ld w as ab ou t t o t er m in at e. Th at w as clear in h is t alk t o Mu ‘ad h w h om h e h ad d isp at ch ed
t o Yem en in t h e t en t h y ear of Al-Hij r a: “ O, Mu‘adh! You m ay not see m e aft er t his cur r ent y ear . You
m ay ev en pass by t h is v er y Mosque of m ine and m y t om b. ” Upon hear ing t hat Mu‘adh cr ied for fear
t h at h e w ou ld par t w it h t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) .

Allâh ’s car e w as so bou n t eou s as t o let t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) see t h e f r u it s of h is Call f or
t h e sak e of w h ich h e suffer ed v ar ious sor t s of t r ouble for ov er t w ent y y ear s. Those t w ent y y ear s had
elapsed act iv ely . He u sed t o spen d h is last day s m eet in g, at t h e ou t sk ir t s of Mak k ah , m em ber s of
t r ibes an d t h eir r epr esen t at iv es w h o u sed t o con su lt h im an d lear n t h e law s a nd legislat ion of I slam
f r om h im , an d in r et u r n h e u sed t o ex act t h eir t est im on y t h at h e h ad deliv er ed t r u st an d
com m u n icat ed t h e Message an d cou n selled t h e people.

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) an n ou n ced an in t en t ion t o pr oceed w it h t h is ble ssed
pilgr im age j ou r n ey h im self. En or m ou s cr ow ds of people cam e t o Madin ah , all of w h om seek t h e
g u id an ce an d I m am at e of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) in t h e pilgr im age ( Al-Haj j ) .
On a Sat u r day of t h e last f ou r day s of Dh u l-Qa‘d ah , t h e Pr op h et ( Peace be u pon h im ) st ar t ed t h e
depar t u r e pr epar at ion s pr ocedu r e. He com bed h is h air , applied som e per f u m e, w or e h is gar m en t ,
saddled h is cam el an d set of f in t h e af t er n oon . He ar r iv ed at Dh u l-Hu laif a bef or e t h e af t er n oon
pr ay er . He per f or m ed t w o Rak‘a an d sp en t t h e n ig h t t h er e. Wh en it w as m or n in g h e said t o h is
Com pan ion s:

• “ A com er , sen t by m y Lor d, h as called on m e t on igh t an d said: ‘Pr ay in t h is blessed v alley

an d say : I in t en d ‘Um rah com bined w it h pilgr im age ( ‘Um r ah int o Al-Haj j ).

Befor e per for m in g t h e n oon p r ay er , h e b at h ed f or I hram ( r it ual consecr at ion) , and ‘Aishah ( May
Allah be pleased w it h h er ) per f u m ed h im on bot h h is body an d h ead w it h h er h an d w it h a Dharira ( a
plant ) and w it h a per fum e cont aining m usk . The t hick st ick y lay er of per fum e c ou ld b e seen am on g
h is par t s of h air an d bear d. He lef t it u n w ash ed, w or e h is loin clot h an d gar m en t . He per f or m ed t h e
n oon p r ay er sh or t en ed , t w o Rak‘a. He pr oclaim ed pilgr im age pr ocedur e associat ed w it h ‘ Um rah at
h is p r ay er-place. He, t h en m ou n t ed h is sh e-cam el ‘Al-Qasw a’, an d pr oclaim ed: ‘Th er e is n o god bu t
Allâh ’. Wh en h e m ov ed in t o t h e deser t , h e acclaim ed t h e Nam e of Allâh .

He pr oceeded w it h h is j ou r n ey t ill h e appr oach ed Mak k ah . He spen t t h e n igh t at Dh i Tu w a an d

ent er ed Mak k ah aft er per for m ing t he d aw n pr ay er . He h ad a bat h on Su n day m or n in g, t h e f ou r t h of
Dh u l-Hij j ah t he t ent h y ear of Al-Hij r a. He sp en t eig h t d ay s on t h e w ay , w h ich w as an av er ag e
p er iod . As soon as h e en t er ed Al-Har am Mosque he cir cum am bulat ed Al-Ka‘b ah an d w alk ed t o an d
fro ( Sa‘i) b et w een As -Safa and Al-Mar w ah . He did n ot f in ish t h e I hram ( r it u al con secr at ion ) becau se
h e w a s Qarin ( i.e. int ending ‘Um rah an d Al-Haj j associat ed) . He t h en t ook Al-Hadi ( i.e. t he sacrificial
an im als) in or der t o slau gh t er t h em . He cam ped on a h igh place of Mak k ah — Al-Haj un. As for
cir cum am bulat ion, he per for m ed only t hat of Al-Haj j ( pilgrim age circum am bulat ion) .

Th ose of h is Com p an ion s w h o h ad n o Hadi w it h t h em t o sacr if ice, w er e or der ed t o obser v e I hram

( i. e. t he st at e of r it ual consecr at ion) int o ‘Um r ah ( i.e. lesser pilgr im age) , and cir cum am bulat e Al-
Ka‘bah an d st r ide r it u ally t o an d f r o bet w een As -Safa and Al-Mar w ah . Aft er t h at t h ey cou ld r eliev e
t hem selv es fr om I hram . Th ey , h ow ev er , sh ow ed r elu ct an ce t o d o w h at t h ey h ad b een t old .
Th er eu p on , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: ” Had I k n ow n bef or eh an d w h at I
k n ew af t er w ar d, I w ou ld n ot br in g Hadi, an d if I did n ot h av e Hadi, I w ou ld br eak I hram . On h ear in g
t h ese w or d s, h is Com p an ion s ob ey ed t h e or d er s t o t h e lat t er .

On t h e eigh t h day of Dh u l-Hij j ah — t h at is t h e Day of Tarwiyah, h e lef t f or Min a w h er e h e per f or m ed

t h e n oon , t h e af t er n oon , t h e su n set , t h e ev en in g an d t h e d aw n p r ay er s. — i.e. five prayers. Then he
st ay ed f or a w h ile t ill t h e su n r ose u p t h en h e passed alon g t ill h e r each ed ‘ Ar afah , w h er e t h er e w as
a t en t bu ilt f or h im at Nam ir ah . He sat in side t ill t h e su n w en t dow n . He or der ed t h at Al-Qasw a’, h is
sh e-cam el, sh ou ld be pr epar ed f or h im . Th ey saddled it an d h ad it r eady , so h e w en t dow n t h e

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v alley w h er e a h u n d r ed t h ou san d an d t w en t y -four or for t y -f ou r t h ou san d p eop le g at h er ed r ou n d
h im . Th er e h e st ood u p an d deliv er ed t h e f ollow in g speech :

• “ O p eop le! List en t o w h at I say . I d o n ot k n ow w h et h er I w ill ev er m eet y ou at t h is p lace

once again aft er t his cur r ent y ear . I t is unla w f u l f or y ou t o sh ed t h e b lood of on e an ot h er or
t ak e ( u n law fu lly ) t h e for t u n es of on e an ot h er . Th ey ar e as u n law fu l, ( Haram ) as sh ed d in g
b lood on su ch a d ay as t od ay an d in su ch a m on t h as t h is Haram m on t h an d in su ch a
sanct ified cit y as t his sacr ed cit y ( i. e. Mak k ah an d t h e su r r ou n din g ar eas) . ”

“ Beh old! all pr act ices of pagan ism an d ign or an ce ar e n ow u n der m y f eet . Th e blood-revenge
of t h e Day s of I gn or an ce ( pr e -I slam ic t im e) ar e r em it t ed. The fir st claim on blood I abolish
is t h at of I bn Rabi‘a bin Harit h w h o w as n u r sed in t h e t r ibe of Sa‘d an d w h om Hu dh ail k illed.
Usur y is for bidden, and I m ak e a beginning by r em it t ing t he am ount of int er est w hich ‘Abbas
bin ‘Abdul Mut t alib has t o r eceiv e. Ver ily , it is r em it t ed ent ir ely . ”

“ O people! Fear Allâh con cern in g w om en . Ver ily y ou h av e t ak en t h em on t h e secu r it y of

Allâh an d h av e m ade t h eir per son s law f u l u n t o y ou by Wor ds of Allâh ! I t is in cu m ben t u pon
t hem t o honour t heir conj ugal r ight s and, not t o com m it act s of im pr opr iet y w hich, if t hey
d o, y ou h av e au t h or it y t o chast ise t hem , y et not sev er ely . I f y our w iv es r efr ain fr om
im pr opr iet y and ar e fait hful t o y ou, clot he and feed t hem suit ably . ”

“ Ver ily , I h av e left am on gst y ou t h e Book of Allâh an d t h e Sunnah ( Tr adit ions) of His
Messen ger w h ich if y ou h old f ast , y ou sh all n ev er go ast r ay . ”

“ O p eop le, I am n ot su cceed ed b y a Pr op h et an d y ou ar e n ot su cceed ed b y an y n at ion . So I

r ecom m en d y ou t o w or sh ip y ou r Lor d, t o pr ay t h e fiv e pr ay er s, t o fast Ram adan an d t o offer
t h e Zakat ( p oor-due) of y our pr ov ision w illingly . I r ecom m end y ou t o do t he pilgr im age t o
t h e Sacr ed Hou se of y ou r Lor d an d t o ob ey t h ose w h o ar e in ch ar g e of y ou t h en y ou w ill b e
aw ar d ed t o en t er t h e Par ad ise of y ou r Lor d . ”

“ An d if y ou w er e ask ed ab ou t m e, w h at w an t ed y ou t o s ay ?”

They r eplied:

• “ We b ear w it n ess t h at y ou h av e con v ey ed t h e m essage an d d isch ar g ed y ou r m in ist r y . ”

He t h en r aised h is f or ef sk y w ar d s an d t h en m ov ed it d ow n t ow ar d s p eop le w h ile say in g :

• “ O Allâh , Bear w it n ess. ”

He said t h at ph r ase t h r ice.

Th e on e w h o r ep eat ed t h e Pr ophet ’s ( Peace be upon him ) st at em ent s loudly at ‘Ar afat w as Rabi‘a bin
Om aiy ah bin Khalaf.

As soon as t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad accom plish ed deliv er in g t h e speech , t h e f ollow in g

Qu r ’ân ic v er se w as r ev ealed t o h im :

• “ Th is day I h av e per fect e d y ou r r eligion for y ou , com plet ed My Fav ou r u pon y ou , an d h av e

chosen for y ou I slam as y our r eligion. ” [ 5: 3]

Upon h ear in g t h is v er se ‘Um ar cr ied. “ Wh at m ak es y ou cr y ?” He w as ask ed. His an sw er w as:

“ Not h in g su cceeds per fect ion bu t im per fect ion . ”

Bilal called f or pr ay er af t er t h e speech , an d t h en m ade t h e secon d call. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon

h im ) per for m ed bot h of t h e n oon an d t h e aft er n oon pr ay er s separ at ely , w it h n o pr ay er s in bet w een .
He t h en m ou n t ed h is sh e-cam el Al-Qasw a’, ap p r oach ed t h e locat ion of t he v igil, dir ect ed his face
t ow ar d s Al-Qiblah , k ept on st an din g t ill su n set w h en t h e sk y y ellow colou r v an ish ed a bit an d t h e

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disc of t h e su n disappear ed. Osam ah added t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) m ov ed on w ar d t o
Mu zd alif a. w h er e h e ob ser v ed t h e su n set an d t h e ev en in g p r ay er s w it h on e ‘Fir st call’ an d t w o
‘secon d calls’. He did n ot en t er t ain t h e Glor y of Allâh bet w een t h e t w o pr ay er s. Th en h e lay dow n t ill
it w as daw n pr ay er t im e. He per f or m ed it w it h on e f ir st call an d on e secon d call at alm ost day br eak
t im e. Mount ing on his Al-Qasw a’, h e m ov ed t ow ar d s Al-Mash‘ar Al-Haram . He faced Al-Qiblah an d
st ar t ed su pplicat in g: “ Allâh is t h e Gr eat est . Th er e is n o god bu t Allâh . ” He r em ain ed t h er e t ill it w as
clear m or n in g an d bef or e t h e su n r ose h igh , h e made h is w ay t o Min a. He w alk ed a lit t le an d
t h r eaded t h e m id -r oad lead in g t o t h e b ig Jam rah w h er e h e st op p ed an d p elt ed sev en p eb b les at it
say in g “ Allâh is t h e Gr eat est ” each t im e. Th ey w er e lik e sm all pebbles h u r led fr om t h e bot t om of t h e
v alley . Then he set off t o t he sacr ificial place, w her e he sacr ificed six t y -t h r ee cam els w it h h is h an ds,
an d ask ed ‘Ali t o slau gh t er t h e ot h er s, a h u n dr ed an d t h ir t y -sev en alt oget h er . He m ade ‘Ali sh ar e
him in Al-Hadi. A piece of m eat fr om each slau gh t er ed an im al w as or d er ed t o b e cook ed in a p ot an d
f r om w h ich bot h m en at e, an d dr an k t h e sou p.

Th en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) m ou n t ed h is sh e-cam el and r et ur ned t o t he House

w h er e h e ob ser v ed t h e n oon p r ay er at Mak k ah an d t h er e h e cam e u p on t h e ch ild r en of ‘Abdul
Mu t t alib w er e su pply in g dr in k in g w at er t o people at Z am zam Well. “ Dr aw u p w at er , ch ildr en of
‘Abdu l Mu t t alib, I w ou ld dr aw u p w it h y ou if I w er e n ot af r aid t h at people w ou ld appr opr iat e t h is
h on ou r af t er m e. ” Th ey h an ded h im a pail of w at er an d h e d r ank t o his fill.

At t h e day t im e of t h e t en t h of Dh u l-Hij j ah on t h e Slau gh t er in g Day (Yaum An -Nahr) Th e Pr oph et

( Peace be u pon h im ) deliv er ed an ot h er speech . Th at w as at h igh t im e m or n in g, w h ile h e w as
m ount ing a gr ey m ule. ‘Ali conv ey ed his st at em ent s t o t h e p eop le, w h o w er e st an d in g or sit t in g .
He r ep eat ed som e of t h e st at em en t s t h at h e h ad p r ev iou sly said t h e d ay b ef or e. Th e t w o Sh eik h
( Bu k h âr i an d Mu slim ) r epor t ed a v er sion n ar r at ed by Abi Bak r ah w h o said:

• Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) m ade a s p eech on Yaum An -Nahr ( day of slaught er ing)
an d said:

• “ Tim e h as gr ow n sim ilar in for m an d st at e t o t h e t im e w h en Allâh cr eat ed t h e

h eav en s an d t h e ear t h . A y ear is t w elv e m on t h s. Fou r of w h ich ar e Sacr ed Mon t h s
(Hur um ) . Th r ee of t h e f ou r m on t h s ar e su ccessiv e. Th ey ar e Dh u l-Qa‘dah , Dh u l-
Hij j ah, and Al-Mu h ar r am . Th e fou r t h Mon t h is Raj ab Mu dar , w h ich com es bet w een
Ju m ada an d Sh a‘ban . ”

“ Wh at m on t h is t h is m on t h ?” He ask ed. We said: “ Allâh an d His Messen ger k n ow

best of all. ” He k ept silen t f or a w h ile t ill w e t h ou gh t h e w ou ld at t ach t o it a dif f er en t
appellat ion . “ I s it n ot Dh u l-Hij j ah ?” He w on der ed. “ Yes. I t is. ” We said. Th en h e
ask ed , “ Wh at is t h is t ow n called ?” We said : “ Allâh an d His Messen g er k n ow b est of
all. ” He w as silen t f or a w h ile t ill w e t h ou gh t h e w ou ld giv e it a differ en t n am e. “ I s it
n ot Al-Baldah? ( i. e. t h e t ow n ) ” ask ed h e. “ Yes. I t is. ” We r eplied. Th en h e ask ed
ag ain , “ Wh at d ay is it t od ay ?” We r ep lied : “ Allâh an d His Messen g er k n ow b est of
all. ” Th en h e k ept silen t f or a w h ile an d said w on der in g: “ I s it n ot ‘An -Nahr’ ( i.e.
slau gh t er in g) Day ?” “ Yes. I t is. ” Said w e. Th en h e said:

“ ( Sh eddin g) t h e blood of on e an ot h er an d eat in g or t ak in g on e an ot h er ’s pr ov ision s

( unw illingly ) and y our honour ar e all inv iolable (Haram ) . I t is unlaw ful t o violat e
t h eir h olin ess. Th ey m u st be as sacr ed t o on e an ot h er as t h is sacr ed day , in t h is
sacr ed m on t h , in t h is sacr ed t ow n . ”

“ You w ill go back t o be r esu r r ect ed ( af t er deat h ) t o y ou r Lor d. Th er e y ou w ill be

accou n t ed f or y ou r deeds. So do n ot t u r n in t o peop le w h o g o ast r ay an d k ill on e
an ot h er . ”

“ Hav e I n ot deliv er ed t h e Message ( of m y Lor d) ?” “ Yes y ou h av e. ” Said t h ey . “ O

Allâh ! Bear w it n ess! Let h im t h at is pr esen t con v ey it u n t o h im w h o is absen t . For
h aply , m an y people t o w h om t h e Message is con v ey ed m ay be m or e m indful of it
t h an t h e au dien ce, . ” said h e.

I n an ot h er v er sion it is said t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad said in t h at v er y speech :

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 • “ He w h oev er plu n ges in t o m isfor t u n e w ill cer t ain ly aggr iev e h im self. So let n o on e of y ou
inflict an ev il u pon h is par en t s. Ver ily Sat an h as u t t er ly despair ed bein g w or sh ipped in t h is
count r y of y our s; but he w ill be obey ed at y our com m it t ing t r iv ial t hings y ou disdain. Sat an
w ill be con t en t ed w it h su ch t h in gs. ”

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) spent At -Tashreeq Day s ( 1 1 t h , 1 2 t h an d 1 3 t h of Dh u l-

Hij j ah) in Mina per for m ing t he r it ual t eachings of I slam , r em em ber ing Allâh ( pr ay ing) , follow ing t he
w ay s of gu idan ce of I br ah im , w ipin g ou t all t r aces an d f eat u r es or poly t h eism . On som e day s of At -
Tashreeq h e d eliv er ed som e sp eech es as w ell. I n a v er sion t o Ab u Da’û d w it h g ood r ef er en ce t o
Sir a, ’ t h e dau gh t er of Nabh an ; sh e said: “ Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) m ade u s a
sp eech at t h e Ru’us ( Heads) Day in w h ich h e said: “ I s it n ot t h is t h e m iddle day of At -Tashreeq
Day s. ”

His speech t h at day w as sim ilar t o t h at of An -Nahr Day ’s. I t w as m ade af t er t h e r ev elat ion of Surat
An -Nasr.

On t h e secon d d ay of An -Nafr ( i.e. Depar t ur e) — on t h e t h ir t een t h of Dh u l-Hij j ah , t h e Pr oph et

( Peace b e u p on h im ) pr oceeded w it h An -Nafr t o Min a an d st ay ed at a h igh place of a m ou n t ain side
at Bani Kinanah fr om Al-Ab t ah . He sp en t t h e r est of t h at d ay an d n ig h t t h er e — w h er e h e per f or m ed
t h e n oon , t h e af t er n oon , t h e su n set an d t h e ev en in g p r ay er s.

Th en h e slep t for a sh or t w h ile an d m ou n t ed leav in g f or t h e Ka‘bah . He per f or m ed t h e Far ew ell

Cir cum am bulat ion ( Tawaf Al-Wada‘) , af t er or der in g h is Com pan ion s t o do t h e sam e t h in g.

Upon t he accom plishm ent of his r eligious r it uals he quick ened his m ov e t o t he pur ified Ma din ah . He
w en t t h er e n ot t o seek r est bu t t o r esu m e t h e st r if e an d st r u ggle in t h e w ay of Allâh .

TH E LAST EXPED I TI ON S:

Th e pr ide of t h e By zan t in e St at e m ade it den y Mu slim s t h eir r igh t t o liv e. Th e By zan t in e ar r ogan ce
m ade t h em ev en k ill t h ose agen t s of t heir s, w ho em br aced I slam . Killing Far w ah bin ‘Am r Al-
Ju dh am i, w h o w as t h eir agen t on Mu ’an , w as an ev iden ce of t h eir ar r ogan ce. Du e t o t h at ar r ogan ce
an d pr esu m pt u ou sn ess of t h e By zan t in es, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) st ar t ed t o
m obilize a gr eat ar m y in Safar in t he elev ent h y ear of Al-Hij r a and m ade it under t he com m and of
Osam ah bin Zaid bin Har it h a w it h or der s t o h av e t h e h or ses of Mu slim s t r ead on t h e lan ds bor der in g
Al-Balqa’ and Ad -Dar um of Palest ine. His aim w as t o t er r or ize By zant in es an d t o im plan t con f iden ce
in t o t h e h ear t s of Ar abs w h o w er e set t led at t h e bor der s of t h e By zan t in es. His ot h er pu r pose w as t o
deliv er a m essage t o ev er y body t h er e, so t h at n o on e m ay dar e say t h at t h e Ch u r ch br u t alit y can ’t
go w it h im punit y ; and t hat I slam izat ion is not sy nony m ous w it h fear and v ulner abilit y .

Th e leader sh ip of Osam ah w as su bj ect t o cr it icism . Becau se h e w as st ill t oo y ou n g, people t ar r ied at

j oin in g h is ex pedit ion . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) addr essed people say in g:

• “ No w on d er n ow y ou con t est h is lead er sh ip , f or y ou h av e alr ead y con t est ed t h e ex-

leader sh ip of h is f at h er . Yes, by Allâh , h is f at h er , w h o w as on e of t h e m ost belov ed people t o
m e, w as qu it e ef f icien t f or leader sh ip; an d t h is son of h is is on e of t h e m ost belov ed
indiv iduals t o m e aft er his fat her . ”

So people st ar t ed t en din g t ow ar ds Osam ah an d j oin ed h is ar m y . Th e n u m ber of v olu n t eer s in h is

ar m y w as so en or m ou s t h at t h ey f or m ed su ch a lon g q u eu e t h at t h ey h ad t o d escen d t h e
escar pm en t — w h ich w as a p ar asan g off Madinah. The anx iet y -pr ovoking new s about t he Messenger
of Allâh ’s sick n ess, h ow ev er , m ade t h e ex pedit ion t ar r y again in or der t o k n ow w h at Allâh h ad w illed
as r egar ds His Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) .

I t w as Allâh ’s Will t h at Osam ah ’s ex pedit ion w ould be t he fir st one dispat ched dur ing t he caliphat e of
t he v er acious Abu Bak r .

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 TH E JOURN EY TO ALLAH , TH E SUBLI M E

SYM TOM PS OF FAREW ELL:

Wh en t h e Call t o I slam gr ew com plet e an d t h e n ew f ait h dom in at ed t h e w h ole sit u at ion . Th e

Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) st ar t ed t o dev elop cer t ain sy m pt om s t hat bespok e of leav e -
t ak in g. Th ey cou ld be per ceiv ed t h r ou gh h is st at em en t s an d deeds:

1. I n Ram adan in t h e t en t h y ear of Al-Hij r a h e seclu ded h im self for t w en t y day s in con t r ast t o
t en, pr ev iously .
2. The ar ch an gel Gabr iel r ev iew ed t h e Qu r ’ân t w ice w it h h im .
3. His w or ds in t he Far ew ell Pilgr im age ( i. e. Al-Wida‘):
4. “ I do n ot k n ow w h et h er I w ill ev er m eet y ou at t h is place on ce again aft er t h is cu r r en t y ear . ”
5. Th e r ev elat ion of An -Nasr Ch apt er am id At -Tashreeq Da y s. So w h en it w as sen t d ow n on
h im , h e r ealized t h at it w as t h e par t in g t im e an d t h at Surah w as an an n ou n cem en t of h is
appr oach in g deat h .
6. On t h e ear ly day s of Saf ar in t h e elev en t h y ear of Al-Hij r a, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
w en t ou t t o Uh u d an d ob ser v ed a far ew ell pr ay er t o t h e m ar t y r s. I t look ed lik e say in g
g ood b y e t o b ot h t h e d ead an d t h e liv in g alik e. He t h en ascen d ed t h e p u lp it an d ad d r essed
t h e people say in g:
7. “ I am t o pr ecede y ou an d I h av e been m ade w it n ess u pon y ou . By Allâh , y ou w ill m eet m e
at t h e ‘Fou n t ain ’ v er y soon . I h av e been giv en t h e k ey s of w or ldly t r easu r es. By Allâh , I do
n ot fear for y ou t h at y ou w ill t u r n poly t h eist s aft er m e. Bu t I do fear t h at acqu isit ion of
w or ldly r ich es sh ou ld en t ice y ou t o st r ik e on e an ot h er ’s n eck . ”
8. On e day , at m idn igh t h e w en t t o Al-Baqee‘ cem et r y , and im plor ed Allâh t o for giv e t he
m ar t y r s of I slam . He said: “ Peace be u pon y ou t om b -dw eller s! May t hat m or ning t hat daw ns
u pon y ou be m or e r eliev in g t h an t h at w h ich daw n u pon t h e liv in g. Afflict ion s ar e
a p p roaching t hem lik e cloudy lum ps of a dar k night — t h e last of w h ich follow s t h e fir st . Th e
last one is bear ing m or e ev il t han t he fir st . ” He com for t ed t hem say ing: “ We w ill follow y ou. ”

TH E START OF TH E D I SEAS:
On Mon d ay t h e t w en t y -nint h of Safar in t he e lev ent h y ear of Al-Hij r a, he par t icipat ed in funer al r it es
in Al-Baqee‘. On t h e w ay back h e h ad a h eadach e, h is t em per at u r e r ose so h igh t h at t h e h eat ef f ect
cou ld be f elt ov er h is h eadban d.
He led t h e Mu slim s in pr ay er f or elev en day s t h ou gh h e w as sick . The t ot al num ber of his sick day s
w er e eit h er t h ir t een or f ou r t een .
TH E LAST W EEK:
Wh en h is sick n ess g r ew sev er e h e ask ed h is w iv es: “ Wh er e sh all I st ay t om or r ow ?” “ Wh er e sh all I
st ay ?” Th ey u n d er st ood w h at h e w an t ed . So t h ey allow ed h im t o st ay w h er ev e r h e w ish ed . He
m ov ed t o ‘Aish ah ’s r oom lean in g — w h ile h e w as w alk in g — on Al-Fadl bin Al-‘Abbas and ‘Ali bin Abi
Talib . Head b an d ed as h e w as, h e d r ag g ed h is f eet t ill h e cam e in t o h er ab od e. I t w as t h er e t h at h e
spen t t h e last w eek of h is lif e.
Dur ing t h at per iod, ‘Aish ah u sed t o r ecit e Al-Mu‘awwidhat ( Ch apt er s 1 1 3 an d 1 1 4 of t h e Qu r ’ân ) an d
ot h er su pplicat ion s w h ich h e h ad alr eady t au gh t h er .
FI VE D AYS BEFORE D EATH :
On Wed n esd ay , f iv e d ay s b ef or e h e d ied t h e Pr op h et ’s t em p er at u r e r ose so h ig h sig n allin g t h e
sev er en ess of h is disease. He f ain t ed an d su f f er ed f r om pain . “ Pou r ou t on m e sev en Qirab ( w at er
sk in pot s) of v ar iou s w at er w ells so t h at I m ay go ou t t o m eet people an d t alk t o t h em . ” So t h ey
seat ed h im in a con t ain er ( u su ally u sed for w ash in g) a n d pou r ed ou t w at er on h im t ill h e said: “ Th at
is en ou gh . Th at is en ou gh . ”
Th en h e f elt w ell en ou g h t o en t er t h e Mosq u e. He en t er ed it b an d -h ead ed , sat on t h e p u lp it an d
m ad e a sp eech t o t h e p eop le w h o w er e g at h er in g t og et h er ar ou n d h im . He said :
• “ Th e cu r se of Allâh f alls u pon t h e Jew s an d Ch r ist ian s f or t h ey h av e m ade t h eir Pr oph et s’
t om bs places of w or sh ip. ”
Th en h e said:
• “ Do n ot m ak e m y t om b a w or sh ipped idol. ”
Th en h e of f er ed h im self an d in v it ed t h e people t o r epay an y in j u r ies h e m igh t h av e inflict ed on
t hem , say ing:
• “ He w h om I h av e ev er lash ed h is back , I offer h im m y back so t h at h e m ay av en ge
h im self on m e. He w h om I h av e ev er blasph em ed h is h on ou r , h er e I am offer in g m y h on ou r
so t h at h e m ay av en ge h im self . ”
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Th en h e d escen d ed , an d p er f or m ed t h e n oon pr ay er . Again h e r et u r n ed t o t h e pu lpit an d sat on it .
He r esu m ed h is f ir st speech abou t en m it y an d som e ot h er t h in gs.
A m an t h en said: “ You ow e m e t h r ee Dir h am s. ” Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) said: “ Fadl, pay
h im t h e m on ey . ” He w en t o n say ing:
• “ I ad m on ish y ou t o b e g ood t o Al-Ansar ( t he Helper s) . They ar e m y fam ily and w it h t hem
I fou n d sh elt er . Th ey h av e acqu it t ed t h em selv es cr edibly of t h e r espon sibilit y t h at fell u pon
t h em an d n ow t h er e r em ain s w h at y ou h av e t o do. You sh ou ld f u lly ack n ow led g e an d
appr eciat e t h e f av ou r t h at t h ey h av e sh ow n , an d sh ou ld ov er look t h eir f au lt s. ”
I n an ot h er v er sion :
• “ Th e n u m ber of believ er s w ou ld in cr ease, bu t t h e n u m ber of Helper s w ou ld decr ease t o
t h e ex t en t t h at t h ey w ou ld b e am on g m en as salt in t h e f ood. So h e w h o f r om am on g y ou
occu pies a posit ion of r espon sibilit y an d is pow er f u l en ou gh t o do h ar m or good t o t h e
people, h e sh ou ld f u lly ack n ow ledge an d appr eciat e t h e f av ou r t h at t h ese ben ef act or s h av e
sh ow n an d ov er look t h eir f au lt s. ”
And said:
• “ Allâh , t h e Gr eat , h as giv en a slav e of His t h e oppor t u n it y t o m ak e a ch oice bet w een
w h at ev er h e desir es of Allâh ’s pr ov ision s in t h is w or ld, an d w h at He k eeps f or h im in t h e
w or ld, bu t h e h as opt ed f or t h e lat t er . ”
Abu Sa‘îd Al-Khudr i said: “ Upon hear ing t h at , Abu Bak r cr ied an d said: ‘We sacr ifice ou r fat h er s an d
m ot h er s f or y ou r sak e. ’ We w on der ed w h y Abu Bak r said su ch a t h in g. People said: ‘Look at t h at old
m an ! Th e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e u p on h im ) say s ab ou t a slav e of Allâh w h o w as g r an t ed t h e
righ t bet w een t h e best f or t u n es of t h is w or ld an d t h e bou n t y of Allâh in t h e Her eaf t er , bu t h e say s:
We sacr if ice ou r f at h er s an d m ot h er s f or y ou r sak e! ’ I t w as lat er on t h at w e r ealized w h at h e h ad
aim ed at . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as t h e slav e in f or m ed t o ch oose. We also
ack n ow led g ed t h at Ab u Bak r w as t h e m ost lear n ed am on g u s. ”
Th en t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) said:
• “ The fellow I feel m ost secur e in his com pany is Abu Bak r . I f I w er e t o m ak e fr iendship
w it h any ot her one t han Allâh, I w ould hav e Abu Bak r a bosom fr iend of m ine. For him I feel
af f ect ion an d br ot h er h ood of I slam . No gat e sh all be k ept open in t h e Mosqu e ex cept t h at of
Abu Bak r ’s.”
FOUR D AYS BEFORE H I S D EATH :
On Th u r sday , f ou r day s bef or e t h e deat h of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) , h e said t o
p eop le — t h ou gh h e w as su f f er in g f r om a sev er e pain : “ Com e h er e. I w ill cau se y ou t o w r it e
som ething so t hat y ou w ill nev er fall int o er r or . ” Upon t his ‘Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab said: “ Th e Pr oph et
of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) is su ffer in g fr om acu t e pain an d y ou h av e t h e Qu r ’ân w it h y ou ; t h e
Book of Allâh is su f f icien t u n t o y ou . ” Ot h er s h ow ev er w an t ed t h e w r it in g t o b e m ad e. Wh en
Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ear d t h em debat in g ov er it , h e or der ed t h em t o go aw ay an d
leav e him alone.
TH E D AY H E RECOM M EN D ED TH REE TH I N GS:

1. Jew s, Ch r ist ian s an d poly t h eist s sh ou ld be ex pelled ou t of Ar abia.

2. He r ecom m en ded t h at d eleg at ion s sh ou ld b e h on ou r ed an d en t er t ain ed , in a w ay sim ilar t o
t h e on e h e u sed t o d o.
3. As for t he t hir d — t h e n ar r at or said t h at h e h ad f or g ot t en it . I t cou ld h av e b een ad h er en ce
t o t h e Holy Book an d t h e Sunnah . I t w as lik ely t o be t he accom plishm e n t an d t h e
m obilizat ion of Osam ah ’s ar m y , or it cou ld h av e been per for m an ce of pr ay er s an d bein g
at t en t iv e t o slav es.

I n spit e of t h e st r ain of disease an d su f f er in g f r om pain , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) u sed t o

lead all t h e pr ay er s t ill t h at Th u r sday — f ou r d ay s b ef or e h e d ied . On t h at d ay h e led t h e su n set
pr ay er an d r ecit ed:
• • “ By t h e w in ds ( or an gels or t h e Messen ger s of Allâh ) sen t f or t h on e af t er
anot her . ” [ 77: 1]
I n t h e ev en in g h e g r ew so sick t h at h e cou ld n ot ov er com e t h e st r ain of d isease or g o ou t t o en t er
t h e Mosqu e. ‘Aish ah said: Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) a sk ed: “ Hav e t he people per for m ed t he
pr ay er ?” “ No. Th ey h av en ’t . Th ey ar e w ait in g f or y ou . ” “ Pu t som e w at er in t h e w ash in g pot . ” Said
h e. We d id w h at h e or d er ed . So h e w ash ed an d w an t ed t o st an d u p , b u t h e f ain t ed . Wh en h e cam e
r ou n d h e ask ed ag ain “ Hav e t h e p eop le p r ay ed ?” Th en t h e sam e seq u en ce of ev en t s t ook p lace
again an d again f or t h e secon d an d t h e t h ir d t if r om t h e t im e h e w ash ed t o t h e t im e h e f ain t ed af t er
h is at t em pt s t o st an d u p. Th er ef or e h e sen t t o Abu Bak r t o lead t h e pr ay er h im self . Abu Bak r t h en
led t h e pr ay er du r in g t h ose day s. Th ey w er e sev en t een pr ay er s in t h e lif et im e of Mu h am m ad( Peace
be upon him ) .

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Th r ee or fou r t im es ‘Aish ah t alk ed t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o ex em pt Abu Bak r fr om
lead er sh ip in p r ay er lest p eop le sh ou ld d esp air of h im , bu t h e r efu sed an d said:
• “ You ( w om en) ar e lik e t he w om en w ho t r ied t o ent ice Joseph ( Yusuf) int o im m or alit y .
Con v ey m y r equ est t o Abu Bak r t o lead t h e pr ay er . ”
A D AY OR TW O PRI OR TO D EATH :
On Sat u r day or on Su n day , t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) f elt t h at h e w as w ell en ou gh t o
per f or m t h e pr ay er ; so h e w en t ou t lean in g on t w o m en in or der t o per f or m t h e n oon pr ay er . Abu
Bak r , w h o w as t h en ab ou t t o lead t h e p r ay er w it h d r ew w h en h e saw h im com in g ; b u t t h e Pr op h et
( Peace b e u p on h im ) m ad e h im a g est u r e t o st ay w h er e h e w as an d s aid: “ Seat m e nex t t o him . ”
Th ey seat ed h im on t h e lef t h an d side of Abu Bak r . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) led t h e pr ay er ,
an d Abu Bak r follow ed h im an d r aised h is v oice at ev er y ‘Allâhu Akbar’ ( i. e. Allâh is t he Gr eat est )
t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) said, so t h at t h e people m ay h ear clear ly .
A D AY BEFORE H I S D EATH :
On Su n day , a day bef or e h e died, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) set h is slav es f r ee, paid as a
ch ar it y t h e sev en Din ar s h e ow n ed an d g av e h is w eap on s as a p r esen t t o t h e Mu slim s. So w h en
n igh t fell ‘Aish ah h ad t o bor r ow som e oil fr om h er n eigh bou r t o ligh t h er oil-lant er n.
Ev en h is ar m ou r w as m or t gaged as a secu r it y w it h a Jew f or t h ir t y Sa‘ ( a cubic m easur e) of bar ley .
TH E LAST D AY ALI VE:
I n a nar r at ion by Anas bin Malik , he said: “ Wh ile t h e Mu slim s w er e per f or m in g t h e daw n pr ay er on
Mon day — led by Abu Bak r , t h ey w er e su r pr ised t o see t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
r aisin g t h e cu r t ain of ‘Aish ah ’s r oom . He look ed at t h em w h ile t h ey w er e pr ay in g align ed pr oper ly
and sm iled ch eer fu lly . Seein g h im , Abu Bak r w it h dr ew t o j oin t h e lin es an d giv e w ay t o h im t o lead
t h e p r ay er . For h e t h ou g h t t h at t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w an t ed t o g o ou t an d p r ay . ” An as
said: “ Th e Mu slim s, w h o w er e pr ay in g, w er e so deligh t ed t h at t h ey w er e alm ost t oo en r ap t u r ed at
t h eir pr ay er s. Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) m ade t h em a gest u r e t o con t in u e t h eir
pr ay er , w en t in t o t h e r oom an d dr ew dow n t h e cu r t ain . ”
Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) did n ot liv e for t h e n ex t pr ay er t im e.
Wh en it w as day t im e, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) called Fat im ah an d t old h er som et h in g in a
secr et v oice t h at m ade h er cr y . Th en h e w h isper ed t o h er som et h in g else w h ich m ade h er lau gh .
‘Aish ah en qu ir ed f r om h er af t er t h e Pr oph et ’s deat h , as t o t h is w eep in g an d lau g h in g t o w h ich
Fat im ah r eplied: “ Th e fir st t im e h e disclosed t o m e t h at h e w ou ld n ot r ecov er fr om h is illn ess an d I
w ept . Th en h e t old m e t h at I w ou ld be t h e fir st of h is fam ily t o j oin h im , so I lau gh ed. ”
He gav e Fat im ah glad t idin gs t h at sh e w ou ld becom e t h e lady of all w om en of t h e w or ld.
Fat im ah w it n essed t h e gr eat pain t h at af f lict ed h er f at h er . So sh e said: “ Wh at gr eat pain m y f at h er
is in ! ” . To t h ese w or ds, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) r em ar k ed:
• “ He w ill n ot su f f er an y m or e w h en t oday is ov er . ”
He ask ed t h at Al-Hasan an d Al-Hu sain be br ou gh t t o h im . He k issed t h em an d r ecom m en ded t h at
t h ey be look ed af t er . He ask ed t o see h is w iv es. Th ey w er e br ou gh t t o h im . He pr each ed t h em an d
t old t hem t o r em em ber Allâh . Pain gr ew so m u ch sev er e t h at t h e t r ace of poison h e h ad at Kh aibar
cam e t o ligh t . I t w as so sor e t h at h e said t o ‘Aish ah : “ I st ill feel t h e pain fu l effect of t h at food I
t ast ed at Kh aibar . I f eel as if deat h is appr oach in g. ” He or der ed t h e people t o per f or m t h e pr ay er s
an d be at t en t iv e t o slav es. He r epeat ed it sev er al t im es.
TH E PROPH ET BREATH ES H I S LAST:
Wh en t h e pan gs of deat h st ar t ed, ‘Aish ah lean t h im again st h er . Sh e u sed t o say : On e of Allâh ’s
b ou n t ies u p on m e is t h at t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) died in m y house, w hile I am
st ill aliv e. He died bet w een m y ch est an d n eck w h ile h e w as lean in g again st m e. Allâh h as m ix ed h is
saliv a w it h m ine at his deat h. For ‘Abdur Rahm an — t h e son of Abu Bak r — cam e in w it h a Siwak
(i.e. t h e r oot of a deser t plan t u sed f or br u sh in g t eet h ) in h is h an d, w h ile I w as lean in g t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) again st m e. I n ot iced t h at h e w as look in g at t h e Siwak, so I
ask ed h im — f or I k n ew t h at h e w an t ed it — “ Wou ld y ou lik e m e t o t ak e it f or y ou ?” He n odded in
agr eem ent . I t ook it and gav e it t o him . As it w as t oo har d for him , I ask ed him “ Shall I soft en it for
y ou ?” He n odded in agr eem en t . So I sof t en ed it w it h m y saliv a an d h e passed it ( on h is t eet h ) .
I n an ot h er v er sion it is said: “ So h e br u sh ed ( I st an n a) h is t eet h as n ice as h e cou ld . ” Th er e w as a
w at er con t ain er ( Rakwa) av ailable at h is h an d w it h som e w at er in . He pu t h is h an d in it an d w iped
h is f ace w it h it an d said:
• “ Th er e is n o god bu t Allâh . Deat h is fu ll of agon ies. ”
As soon as h e h ad f in ish ed h is Siwak br u sh in g, h e r aised h is h an d or h is f in ger u p, look ed u pw ar ds
t o t h e ceilin g an d m ov ed h is lips. So ‘Aish ah list en ed t o h im . Sh e h ear d h im say : “ Wit h t h ose on
w h om You h av e best ow ed You r Gr ace w it h t h e Pr oph et s an d t h e Tr u t h f u l on es ( As-Siddeeqeen ) , t he
m ar t y r s an d t h e good doer s. O Allâh , for giv e m e an d h av e m er cy u pon m e an d j oin m e t o t h e
Com p an ion sh ip on h ig h . ” Th en at in t er v als h e u t t er ed t h ese w or d s: “ Th e most ex alt ed
Com pan ion sh ip on h igh . To Allâh w e t u r n an d t o Him w e t u r n back f or h elp an d last abode. ” Th is

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ev ent t ook place at high m or ning t im e on Monday , t he t w elft h of Rabi‘ Al-Aw w al, in t h e elev en t h
y ear of Al-Hij r ah. He w as six t y -t h r ee y ear s an d f ou r d ay s old w h en h e d ied .
TH E COM PAN I ON S' CON CERN OVER TH E PROPH ET'S D EATH :
Th e gr eat ( loss) n ew s w as soon k n ow n by ev er y body in Madin ah . Dar k gr ief spr ead on all ar eas an d
h or izon s of Madin ah . An as said:
• “ I h av e n ev er w it n essed a d ay b et t er or b r ig h t er t h an t h at day on w h ich t h e Messen ger of
Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) cam e t o u s; an d I h av e n ev er w it n essed a m or e aw f u l or dar k er
day t h an t h at on e on w h ich t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) died on . ”
Wh en h e died, Fat im ah said: “ O Fat h er , w h om h is Lor d r espon ded t o h is su pplicat ion ! O Fat h er ,
w h ose ab od e is Par ad ise. O Fat h er , w h om I an n ou n ce h is d eat h t o Gab r iel. ”
‘UM AR ATTI TUDE:
‘Um ar , w h o w as so st u n n ed t h at h e alm ost lost con sciou sn ess an d st ood b ef or e p eop le ad d r essin g
t hem : “ Som e of t he hy p ocr it es claim t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) died. Th e
Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) did n ot die, bu t w en t t o h is Lor d in t h e sam e w ay as Moses
bin ‘I m r an did. He st ay ed aw ay for for t y night s, but finally cam e back t hough t hey said h e h ad b een
dead. By Allâh , t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w ill com e back an d h e w ill cu t off t h e
h an d s an d leg s of t h ose w h o claim h is d eat h . ”
ABU BAKR'S ATTI TUDE:
Abu Bak r left his house at As -Su n h an d cam e f or t h t o t h e Mosqu e on a m ar e -b ack . At t he Mosque,
h e d ism ou n t ed an d en t er ed . He t alk ed t o n ob od y b u t w en t on t ill h e en t er ed ‘Aish ah ’s ab od e, an d
w en t dir ect ly t o w h er e t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as. Th e Pr op h et ( Peace be
u pon h im ) w as cov er ed w it h a Yem en i m an t le. He u n cov er ed h is f ace an d t en ded dow n , k issed h im
and cr ied. Then he said: “ I sacr ifice m y fat her and m ot her for y our sak e. Allâh, v er ily , w ill not cause
y ou t o die t w ice. You h av e j u st ex per ien ced t h e deat h t h at Allâh h ad or dain ed. ”
Th en h e w en t ou t an d f ou n d ‘Um ar t alk in g t o people. He said: “ ‘Um ar , be seat ed. ” ‘Um ar r efu sed t o
do so. People par t ed ‘Um ar an d cam e t ow ar ds Abu Bak r , w h o st ar t ed a sp eech say in g :
• “ An d n ow , h e w h o w or sh ips Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Mu h am m ad is dead n ow .
Bu t h e w h o w or sh ips Allâh, He is Ev er Liv ing and He nev er dies. Allâh say s:
‘Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) is n o m or e t h an a Messen ger , an d in deed ( m an y )
Messen ger s h av e passed aw ay bef or e h im . I f h e dies or is k illed, w ill y ou t h en t u r n back on
y ou r h eels ( as disbeliev er s ) ? An d h e w h o t u r n s back on h is h eels, n ot t h e least h ar m w ill h e
do t o Allâh , an d Allâh w ill giv e r ew ar d t o t h ose w h o ar e gr at efu l. ’” [ 3 : 1 ]
I bn ‘Abbas said: “ By Allâh , it sou n ded as if people h ad n ev er h ear d su ch a Qu r ’ân ic v er se t ill Abu
Bakr r ecit ed it as a r em in der . So people st ar t ed r ecit in g it t ill t h er e w as n o m an w h o did n ot r ecit e
it .”
I bn Al-Mu saiy ab said t h at ‘Um ar h ad said: “ By Allâh , as soon as I h ear d Abu Bak r say it , I fell dow n
t o t h e gr ou n d. I felt as if m y legs h ad been u n able t o car r y m e so I collap sed w h en I h ear d h im say
it . Only t hen did I r ealize t hat Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) had r eally died. ”
BURI AL AN D FAREW ELL PREPARATI ON S TO H I S H ON OURABLE BOD Y:
Dispu t e abou t w h o w ou ld su cceed h im ( Peace be u pon h im ) br ok e ou t ev en bef or e h av in g t h e
Messen ger of Allâh ’s body pr epar ed f or bu r ial. Lot s of ar gu m en t s, discu ssion s, dialogu es t ook place
bet w een t h e Helper s an d Em igr an t s in t h e r oof ed passage ( por t ico) of Ban i Sa‘ida. Fin ally t h ey
ack n ow ledged Abu Bak r ( May Allah be pleased w it h h im ) as a caliph . Th ey spen t t h e w h ole Mon day
t h er e t ill it w as n igh t . People w er e so bu sy w it h t h eir ar gu m en t s t h at it w as lat e n igh t — j u st ab ou t
d aw n of Tu esd ay — y et h is blessed body w as st ill ly in g on h is bed cov er ed w it h an in k ed-gar m ent .
He w as lock ed in t he r oom .
On Tu esd ay , h is b od y w as w ash ed w it h h is clot h es on . He w as w ash ed b y Al-‘Abbas, ‘Ali, Al-Fadl and
Qat hm — t h e t w o son s of Al-‘Ab b as, as w ell as Sh aq r an — t h e Messen ger ’s fr eed slav e, Osam ah bin
Zaid and Aw s bin Khauli. Al-‘Abbas, Al-Fadl an d Qat h m t u r n ed h is body r ou n d, w h er eas Osam ah an d
Sh aqr an pou r ed ou t w at er . ‘Ali w ash ed h im an d Aw s lean t h im again st h is ch est .
Th ey sh r ou ded h im in t h r ee w h it e Sah ooli cot t on clot h w h ich h ad n eit h er a h eadclot h n or a casin g
and inser t ed him in.
A sor t of disagr eem en t ar ose w it h r egar d t o a bu r ial place. Abu Bak r said: “ I h ear d t h e Messen ger of
Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) say : ‘A dead Pr oph et is bu r ied w h er e h e dies. ’ So Abu Talh ah lif t ed t h e
b ed on w h ich h e d ied , d u g u n d er n eat h an d cu t t h e g r ou n d t o m ak e t he t om b.
People en t er ed t h e r oom t en by t en . Th ey pr ay ed f or t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . Th e f ir st t o
pr ay for h im w er e people of h is clan . Th en t h e Em igr an t s, t h en t h e Helper s. Wom en pr ay ed for h im
af t er m en . Th e y ou n g w er e t h e last t o pr ay .
This p r ocess t ook Tu esd ay lon g an d Wed n esd ay n ig h t ( i. e. t h e n ig h t w h ich p r eced es Wed n esd ay
m or ning) . ‘Aishah said: “ We did not k now t hat t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) w as being bur ied t ill
w e h ear d t h e sou n d of t ools d ig g in g t h e g r ou n d at t h e d ep t h of Wed n esday night .”

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 TH E PROPH ETI C H OUSEH OLD

1. Khadij ah Bint Khuw ailid: I n Mak k ah — pr ior t o Hij r a — t h e Pr op h et ’s h ou seh old com p r ised
h im ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is w if e Kh adij ah bin t Kh u w ailid. He w as t w en t y -f iv e an d sh e
w as f or t y w h en t h ey g ot m ar r ied . Sh e w as t h e f ir st w om an h e m ar r ied. Sh e w as t h e on ly
w if e h e h ad t ill sh e died. He h ad son s an d dau gh t er s w it h h er . Non e of t h eir son s liv ed lon g.
They all died. Their daught er s w er e Zainab, Ruqaiy a, Um m Kult hum and Fat im ah.

• Zain ab w as m ar r ied t o h er m at er n al c ousin Abu Al-‘As bin Al-Rabi‘ an d t h at w as bef or e Al-

Hij r a. Ruqaiy a and Um m Kult hum w er e bot h m ar r ied t o ‘Ut hm an bin ‘Affan ( May Allah be
pleased w it h h im ) su ccessiv ely ( i. e. h e m ar r ied on e aft er t h e deat h of h er sist er ) . Fat im ah
w as m ar r ied t o ‘Ali bin Ab i Talib; an d t h at w as in t h e per iod bet w een Badr an d Uh u d bat t les.
Th e son s an d dau gh t er s t h at Fat im ah an d ‘Ali h ad w er e Al-Hasan, Al-Hu sain , Z ain ab an d
Um m Kult hum .
I t is w ell-k n ow n t h at t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as ex cept ion ally au t h or ized t o h ave
m or e t h an fou r w iv es for v ar iou s r eason s. Th e w iv es h e m ar r ied w er e t h ir t een . Nin e of t h em
ou t liv ed h im . Tw o died in h is lifet im e: Kh adij ah an d t h e Mot h er of t h e poor (Um m Al-
Masakeen ) — Z ain ab bin t Kh u zaim a, besides t w o ot h er s w it h w h om h e did n ot con su m m at e
his m ar r iage.

2. Saw dah bin t Z am ‘a: He m ar r ied h er in Sh aw w al, in t h e t en t h y ear of Pr oph et h ood, a f ew

day s af t er t h e deat h of Kh adij ah . Pr ior t o t h at , sh e w as m ar r ied t o a pat er n al cou sin of h er s
called As -Sakran bin ‘Am r.
3. ‘Aishah bint Abu Bak r : He m ar r ied h er in t h e elev en t h y ear of Pr oph et h ood, a y ear af t er h is
m ar r iage t o Saw dah , an d t w o y ear s an d f iv e m on t h s bef or e Al-Hij r a. Sh e w as six y ear s old
w h en h e m ar r ied h er . How ev er , h e did n ot con su m m at e t h e m ar r iage w it h h er t ill Sh aw w al
sev en m on t h s aft er Al-Hij r a, an d t h at w as in Madin ah . Sh e w as n in e t h en . Sh e w as t h e on ly
v ir gin h e m ar r ied, an d t h e m ost belov ed cr eat u r e t o h im . As a w om an sh e w as t h e m ost
lear n èd w om an in j u r ispr u den ce.
4. Hafsah bint ‘Um ar bin Al-Kh at t ab : Sh e w as Aiyim ( i. e. husbandle ss) . Her ex-h u sb an d w as
Khunais bin Hudhafa As -Sahm i in t he per iod bet w een Badr and Uhud bat t les. The Messenger
of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) m ar r ied her in t he t hir d y ear of Al-Hij ra.
5. Zainab bint Khuzaim ah: She w as fr om Bani Hilal bin ‘Am ir bin Sa‘sa‘a. W as n ick n am ed Um m
Al-Masakeen , b ecau se of h er k in d n ess an d car e t ow ar d s t h em . Sh e u sed t o b e t h e w if e of
‘Abdu llah bin Jah sh , w h o w as m ar t y r ed at Uh u d, w as m ar r ied t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
him ) in t he four t h y ear of Al-Hij r a, bu t sh e died t w o or t h r ee m on t h s aft er h er m ar r iage t o
t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) .
6. Um m Salam ah Hind bint Abi Om aiy ah: She used t o be t he w ife of Abu Salam ah, w ho died in
Jum ada Al-Ak hir , in t he four t h y ear of Al-Hij r a. The Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon h im )
m arr ied h er in Sh aw w al of t h e sam e y ear .
7. Z ain ab bin t Jah sh bin Riy ab: Sh e w as f r om Ban i Asad bin Kh u zaim ah an d w as t h e
Messen ger ’s pat er n al cou sin . Sh e w as m ar r ied t o Z aid bin Har it h a — w h o w a s t h en
con sid er ed son of t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) . How ev er, Zaid div or ced her . Allâh sent
dow n som e Qu r ’ân ic v er ses w it h t h is r espect :

• “ So w h en Zaid h ad accom plish ed h is desir e fr om h er ( i. e. , div or ced h er ) , We gav e h er t o

y ou in m ar r iage.” [ 33: 37]
Ab ou t h er , Allâh h as sen t d ow n som e v er ses of Al-Ahzab Ch ap t er t h at d iscu ssed t h e
adopt ion of ch ildr en in det ail — an y w ay w e w ill discu ss t h is lat er . Th e Messen ger of Allâh
( Peace be upon him ) m ar r ied her in Dhul-Qa‘dah, t he fift h y ear of Al-Hij ra.

8. Juw air iy ah bint Al-Harit h: Al-Har it h w as t h e h ead of Ban i Al-Must a liq of Khuza‘ah. Juw air iy ah
w as am on g t h e boot y t h at fell t o t h e Mu slim s fr om Ban i Al-Mu st aliq. Sh e w as a por t ion of
Th abit bin Qais bin Sh am m as’ sh ar e. He m ade h er a cov en an t t o set h er f r ee at a cer t ain
t im e. Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) accom plish ed t h e cov en an t an d m ar r ied
her in Sha‘ban in t he six t h y ear of Al-Hij ra.
9. Um m Habibah: Ram lah, t he daught er of Abu Sufy an. She w as m ar r ied t o ‘Ubaidullah bin
Jah sh . Sh e m igr at ed w it h h im t o Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) . Wh en ‘Ubaidu llah apost at ized an d
b ecam e a Ch r ist ian , sh e st oodf ast t o h er r eligion an d r ef u sed t o con v er t . How ev er
‘Ubaidu llah died t h er e in Aby ssin ia ( Et h iopia) . Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im )
dispat ched ‘Am r bin Om aiy ah Ad -Dam r i w it h a let t er t o Negus, t he k ing, ask ing him for

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 Um m Habibah’s hand — t h at w as in Mu h ar r am , in t h e sev en t h y ear of Al-Hij r a. Negus
agr eed an d sen t h er t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) in t h e com pan y of Sh ar h abeel
1 0 . h er af t er t h at con qu est in t h e sev en t h y ear of Al-Hij ra.
1 1 . Maim unah bint Al-Har it h: The d au gh t er of Al-Har it h, and t he sist er of Um m Al-Fad l Lu b ab ah
bint Al-Har it h . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) m ar r ied h er af t er t h e Com pen sat or y
‘Um rah ( Lesser Pilgr im age) . Th at w as in Dh u l-Qa‘dah in t h e sev en t h y ear of Al-Hij ra.

Th ose w er e t h e elev en w om en t h at t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad m ar r ied an d

con su m m at ed m ar r iage w it h t h em . He ou t liv ed t w o of t h em — Kh adij ah an d Z ain ab, t h e Um m Al-
Masakeen. Wh er eas t h e ot h er n in e w iv es ou t liv ed h im .
Th e t w o w iv es t h at h e did n ot con su m m at e m ar r ia ge w it h w er e, on e f r om Ban i Kilab an d t h e ot h er
f r om Kin dah an d t h is w as t h e on e called Al-Jauniy ah.
Besides t h ese, h e h ad t w o con cu bin es. Th e f ir st w as Mar iy ah , t h e Copt ic ( an Egy pt ian Ch r ist ian ) , a
pr esent gift fr om Al-Mu qau qis, v iceger en t of Egy pt — sh e gav e bir t h t o h is son I br âh im , w h o died in
Madinah w hile st ill a lit t le child, on t he 2 8 t h or 2 9 t h of Shaw w al in t he y ear 1 0 A. H. , i. e. 2 7 t h
Jan u ar y , 6 3 2 A. D. Th e secon d on e w as Raih an ah bin t Zaid An -Nadr iy ah or Qur aziy ah, a capt iv e fr om
Bani Qur aiza. So m e p eop le say sh e w as on e of h is w iv es. How ev er , I b n Al-Qaiyim gives m ore weight
t o t h e f ir st v er sion . Abu ‘Ubaidah spok e of t w o m or e con cu bin es, Jam eelah , a capt iv e, an d an ot h er
on e, a bon dw om an gr an t ed t o h im by Z ain ab bin t Jah sh .
Wh osoev er m ed it at es on t h e life of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w ill con ceiv e t h at
h is m ar r iage t o t h is gr eat n u m ber of w om en in t h e lat e y ear s of h is lifet im e, aft er h e h ad alm ost
spen t t h ir t y y ear s of h is best day s of y ou t h su f f icin g h im self t o on e old w if e — Kh ad ij ah an d lat er on
t o Saw dah , w as in n o w ay an ov er w h elm in g lu st f u l desir e t o be sat isf ied t h r ou gh su ch a n u m ber of
w iv es. Th ese m ar r iages w er e in f act m ot iv at ed by aim s an d pu r poses m u ch m or e glor iou s an d
gr eat er t h an w h at n or m al m ar r iages u su ally aim a t .
Th e t en den cy of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t ow ar ds est ablish in g a r elat ion sh ip by
m ar r iage w it h bot h Abu Bak r an d ‘Um ar an d h is m ar r iage t o ‘Aish ah an d Hafsah — an d get t in g h is
daught er Fat im ah m ar r ied t o ‘Ali bin Abi Talib, and t he m arr iage of h is t w o dau gh t er s, Ru qaiy ah an d
Um m Kult hum t o ‘Ut hm an — indicat e clear ly t hat he aim ed at confir m ing t he r elat ionship am ong t he
four m en — w h ose sacr if ices an d gr eat ach iev em en t s in t h e cau se of I slam ar e w ell-k n ow n .
Besid es t h is, t h er e w as t h at t r adit ion of t h e Ar abs t o h on ou r t h e in -law r elat ion s. For t h em a son or
a d au g h t er-in -law w as a m ean s by w h ich t h ey sou gh t t h e con solidat ion of r elat ion sh ip an d affect ion
w it h v ar iou s ph r at r ies. Host ilit y an d figh t s again st allian ces an d affin it ies w ou ld br in g an
u n f or get t able sh am e, disgr ace an d degr adat ion t o t h em .
By m ar r y ing t he Mot her s of believ er s, t he Pr ophet ( Peace be upon him ) w ant ed t o dem olish or br eak
dow n t h e Ar ab t r ibes’ en m it y t o I slam an d ex t in gu ish t h eir in t en se h at r ed. Um m Salam ah w as f rom
Bani Mak hzum — t he clan of Abu Jahl and Khalid bin Al-Waleed . Her m ar r iag e t o t h e Messen g er of
Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) pr odu ced good r esu lt s. Kh alid’s deliber at ely u n decisiv e at t it u de at Uh u d
— for in st an ce — w as d u e t o t h e Messen g er ’s m ar r iag e t o Umm Salam ah. Khalid w ent ev en fur t her
t h an t h at , in a sh or t t im e h e w illin gly becam e a k een obedien t Mu slim .
Aft er t he Messenger of Allâh’s m ar r iage t o Um m Habibah, Abu Sufy an, her fat her , did not encount er
him w it h any sor t of host ilit y . Sim ilar ly his m ar r iage t o Ju w air iy ah an d Saf iy ah m ade t h e t w o t r ibes
st op all sor t s of pr ov ocat ion, aggr ession or host ilit y against I slam . Bet t er st ill, Juw air iy ah, her self,
w as on e of t h e g r eat est sou r ces of b lessin g t o h er ow n p eop le. On t h e occasion of h er m ar r iag e t o
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) , h is Com pan ion s set a h u n dr ed f am ilies of h er people f r ee. Th ey
said: “ I t is f or t h eir af f in it y w it h t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) . ” No n eed t o say w h at
g r eat g ood im p r ession t h is g r at it u d e h ad on ev er y b od y ’s sou l. On e of t h e gr eat est m ot iv es of all is
Allâh ’s biddin g h is Pr oph et t o edu cat e an d pu r if y t h e sou ls of people w h o h ad k n ow n n ot h in g
w h at soev er abou t cou r t esy , edu cat ion an d cu lt u r e. He h ad t o t each t h em t o com ply w it h t h e
n ecessit ies of civ ilizat ion an d t o con t r ibu t e t o t h e solidif icat ion an d t h e est ablish m en t of a n ew
I slam ic societ y .
An essent ial fundam ent al r ule of t he Muslim societ y is t o pr ohibit m ix ing of m en and w om en.
Pr ov iding dir ect educat ion for w om en, t hough highly com pelling, is im possible in t he light of t his
I slam ic n or m . Th er efor e, t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad t o select som e w om en of differ en t
ages an d t alen t s, an d in doct r in at e t h em sy st em at ically in or der t o edu cat e sh e-b ed ou in s an d
t ow n sw om en , old an d y ou n g , an d t h u s f u r n ish t h em w it h t h e in st r u m en t s of pr opagat in g t h e t r u e
f ait h . Th e Mot h er s of believ er s [ i. e. w iv es of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] w er e in su ch a
con v en ien t posit ion t h at t h ey cou ld con v ey t h e st at e of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d h is
affair s t o people ( m en and w om en) . Being educat ed and t aught t he t eachings and r ules of I slam , his
w iv es, especially t h ose w h o ou t liv ed h im , play ed a v er y im por t an t r ole in con v ey in g Pr oph et ic
t r adit ion s Ahadit h t o t h e Mu slim s. ‘Aish ah , for in st an ce, r elat ed a lar ge n u m ber of th e Pr op h et ’s
d eed s an d st at em en t s.

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His m ar r iage t o his pat er nal cousin Zainab bint Jahsh w as a peculiar case w hich aim ed at er adicat ing
a d eep ly r oot ed p r e -I slam ic t r adit ion — i. e. t he adopt ion of childr en. I n Al-Jahiliyah t h e Ar ab s u sed
t o con sid er an ad opt ed per son ex act ly lik e a r eal son or dau gh t er as f ar as r igh t s an d san ct it ies ar e
concer ned. That Jahiliyah t r ad it ion h ad b een so d eep ly r oot ed in t h eir h ear t s t h at it w as n ot easy t o
r em ov e or upr oot it . This t r adit ion in fact affr ont s t he basic pr inciples of I slam ; especially t h ose
con cer n ed w it h m ar r iage, div or ce an d in h er it an ce an d som e ot h er cases, an d br ou gh t abou t lot s of
cor r u pt ion s an d in decen cies. Nat u r ally I slam st an ds again st su ch deeds, an d at t em pt s t o r em ov e
t hem fr om t he I slam ic societ y .
For t h e er adicat ion of t h is t r adit ion , Allâh , t h e Ex alt ed, bid His Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o
m ar r y h is cou sin Z ain ab bin t Jah sh , w h o w as an ex-w ife t o Zaid. Sh e w as at v ar ian ce w it h Zaid t o an
ex t en t t h at h e in t en ded t o div or ce h er — t h at w as at t h e t im e w h en t h e Con f ed er at es ( Al-Ahzab)
w er e m ak in g an ev il allian ce again st t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d again st t h e
Mu slim s. Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) f ear ed t h at t h e h y pocr it es, t h e idolat er s, an d
t h e Jew s w ou ld m ak e a pr opaganda out of it and t r y t o influence som e Muslim s of w eak hear t s. That
w as w h y h e u r ged Z aid n ot t o div or ce h er , in or der n ot t o get in v olv ed in t o t h at t r ial.
Un dou bt edly t h is h esit at ion an d par t ialit y w er e alien t o t h e ch ar act er of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be upon
h im ) . Th ey did n ot apply t o t h e pow er of det er m in at ion an d w ill w it h w h ich h e h ad been sen t . Allâh ,
t he Ex alt ed, blam ed him for t hat by say ing:
• “ And ( r em em ber ) w hen y ou said t o him [ Zaid bin Har it ha ( May Allah be pleased w it h him )
— t h e f r eed slav e of t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) ] on w h om Allâh h as b est ow ed g r ace
( by guiding him t o I slam ) and y ou [ O Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] hav e done fav our
( by m anum it t ing him ) , ‘Keep y our w ife t o y our self, and fear Allâh. ’ But y ou did hide in
y ou r self ( i. e. w h at Allâh h as alr eady m ade k n ow n t o y ou t h at He w ill giv e h er t o y ou in
m ar r iage) t hat w hich Allâh w ill m ak e m anifest , y ou did fear t he people [ i.e. Muham m ad
( Peace be u pon h im ) ] m ar r ied t h e div or ced w ife of h is m an u m it t ed slav e] w h er eas Allâh
h ad a bet t er r igh t t h at y ou sh ou ld fear h im . ” [ 3 3 : 3 7 ]
Fin ally Zaid div or ced Zain ab an d t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) m ar r ied h er at t h e
t im e he laid siege t o Ban i Qu r aiza. Th at w as af t er sh e h ad f in ish ed h er I ddat ( i. e. per iod dur ing
w h ich a w idow or a div or cee m ay n ot r em ar r y ) . Allâh Him self h ad alr eady or dain ed it , an d so gav e
h im n o ot h er alt er n at iv e. Allâh h ad ev en st ar t ed t h e m ar r iage Him self by say ing:
• “ So w h en Zaid h ad accom plish ed h is desir e fr om h er ( i. e. div or ced h er ) , We gav e h er t o
y ou in m ar r iage, so t hat ( in fut ur e) t her e m ay be no difficult y t o t he believ er s in r espect of
( t h e m ar r iag e of ) t h e w iv es of t h eir ad op t ed son s w h en t h e lat t er h av e n o d esir e t o k eep
t hem ( i.e. t hey hav e div or ced t hem ) .” [ 33: 37]
An d t h at w as in or der t o br eak dow n t h e t r adit ion of ch ild adopt ion in pr act ice af t er He h ad don e it
in w or ds:
• “ Call t h em ( adopt ed son s) by ( t h e n am es of) t h eir fat h er s, t h at is m or e j u st near Allâh. ”
[ 33: 5]
“ Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] is n ot t h e fat h er of an y m an am on g y ou , bu t h e is t h e
Messen ger of Allâh , an d t h e last ( en d) of t h e Pr oph et s. ” [ 3 3 : 4 0 ]
Lot s of d eep ly -r oot ed t r ad it ion s can n ot b e u p r oot ed or d em olish ed or ev en ad j u st ed by m ere words.
Th ey m u st be m at ch ed an d associat ed w it h t h e act ion of t h e adv ocat e of t h e Message h im self .
Th is cou ld be per ceiv ed t h r ou gh t h e deeds pr act ised by t h e Mu slim s at Al-Hudaibiy ah ‘Um rah
( Lesser Pilgr im age) dur ing w hich ‘Ur w ah bin Mas‘ud Al-Th aqafi saw cer t ain Mu slim s t en d t o pick u p
an y ex pect or at ion t h at f ell dow n f r om t h e Pr oph et Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã . He also saw t h em r ace t o
t h e w at er of h is ablu t ion an d t h ey alm ost qu ar r elled f or it . Th er e w er e ot h er s w h o com pet ed t o
p led g e alleg ian ce t o d eat h an d som e ot h er s pledged n ot t o f lee f r om ( t h e bat t lef ield) . Am on g t h ose
people, w er e em in en t Com pan ion s lik e ‘Um ar an d Abu Bak , w h o alt h ou gh dedicat ed all t h eir liv es t o
t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) an d t o t h e cau se of I slam , bu t r ef u sed t o car r y ou t t h e
Messen ger ’s or dr es w it h r espect t o slau gh t er in g sacr ificial an im als aft er t h e r at ificat ion of Al-
Hu daibiy ah Peace Tr eat y , t h e t h in g t h at per t u r bed an d cau sed t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o
feel anx ious. How ev er , w hen Um m Salam ah ( May Allah be ple ased w it h h er ) ad v ised t h at h e t ak e
t he init iat iv e and sacr ifice his anim als, his follow er s r aced t o follow his ex am ple; a clear ev idence in
su ppor t of t h e say in g: Act ion s speak lou der t h an w or ds, in t h e pr ocess of ex t er m in at in g a deeply -
est ablish ed t r adit ion.
Hy pocr it es ar ou sed a lot of su spicion s an d m ade a br oad f alse pr opagan da again st t h at m ar r iage.
Th eir act s an d t alk s abou t t h at m ar r iage h ad ill-effect s on t hose Muslim s w hose Fait h w as st ill w eak ,
par t icu lar ly t h at Zain ab w as t h e fift h w ife — an d t h e Noble Qu r ’ân lim it ed t h e n u m ber u p t o fou r
on ly ; Zaid w as t r adit ion ally h is son , an d so a fat h er m ar r y in g h is son ’s div or cee w as a h ein ou s sin in
t h e ey es of t h e Ar abian s.
Al-Ahzab Surah w as r ev ealed t o sh ed f u ll ligh t on t h e t w o issu es, i. e. I slam does n ot r ecog n ize
adopt ion of ch ildr en , an d t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) is giv en ( by Allâh ) m or e fr eedom as

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r egar ds t h e n u m ber of w iv es h e can h old t h an ot h er Mu slim s in or der t o ach iev e n oble an d
h on ou r ab le p u r p oses.
How ev er , t h e t r eat m en t of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) t o h is w iv es w as of
h on ou r able, n oble, an d su per b n at u r e. His w iv es w er e on t ops in r espect of h on ou r , sat isf act ion ,
pat ien ce, m odest y , an d ser v ice ( t h at is t o say t h e per f or m an ce of h ou sew or k an d m ar r iage du t ies) .
Alt h ou gh t h e Messen g er ’s h ou se-life w as h ar d an d u n bear able, n on e of h is w iv es com plain ed. An as
said abou t t h e Pr oph et ’s lif e: “ Accor din g t o m y k n ow ledge, t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon
him ) has nev er t ast ed a t hin flat t ened loaf in all his lifet im e, nor has h e ev er seen w it h h is ow n ey es
r oast ed m u t t on . ”
‘Aish ah said: “ Ov er t w o m on t h s h av e elapsed — d u r in g w h ich w e h av e seen t h r ee cr escen t s — an d
y et n o f ir e h as been k in dled in t h e h ou ses of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) ( i. e. t h ey
did n ot cook f ood ) . ” “ Wh at d id y ou eat t o su st ain y ou r selv es?” ‘Ur w ah ask ed . Sh e said “ Th e t w o
black s: dat es an d w at er ” . Lot s of in for m at ion abou t t h e h ar d life of t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im )
w er e t old .
I n spit e of t h ese h ar dsh ips, st r ait s an d adv er sit y of lif e in t h e h ou se of t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on
h im ) , n on e of h is w iv es u t t er ed a w or d of com plain t w or t h y of r epr oach — bu t on ce. Th is ex cept ion
w as r equ ir ed by h u m an in st in ct iv e in clin at ion s. How ev er , it w as n ot so im por t an t an d con sequ en t ly
it did not r equir e t h e decr ee of a legislat iv e r u le. Allâh h as giv en t h em an oppor t u n it y t o ch oose
bet w een t w o t h in gs, as clear ly st at ed in t h e f ollow in g v er ses:
• “ O Pr ophet [ Muham m ad ( Peace be upon him ) ] ! Say t o y our w iv es: ‘I f y ou desir e t he life
of t h is w or ld, an d it s glit t er , — t h en com e! I w ill m ak e a pr ov ision for y ou an d set y ou fr ee in
a h an dsom e m an n er ( div or ce) . Bu t if y ou desir e Allâh an d His Messen ger , an d t h e Hom e of
t h e Her eaft er , t h en v er ily , Allâh h as pr epar ed for Al-Muhsinat ( g ood d oer s) am on g st y ou an
enor m ous r ew ar d. ’” [ 3 3 : 2 8 , 2 9 ]
Th ey w er e so n oble an d h on est t h at n on e of t h em pr ef er r ed ‘t h e lif e of t h is w or ld an d it s glit t er ’ t o
t h e ab od e in t h e Her eaf t er .
Alt h ou gh t h ey w er e m an y in n u m ber , n ot h in g of t h e dispu t e occu r r en ces t h at n or m ally h appen
am o ng co -w iv es, t ook place in t h eir h ou ses. Ver y f ew cases cou ld be t h e on ly ex cept ion ; bu t t h ey
w er e qu it e n or m al. Allâh r epr oach ed t h em f or t h at , so t h ey ceased t o do su ch a t h in g. Th is in ciden t
is m en t ion ed in At -Tahreem Ch apt er :
• “ O Pr op h et ! Wh y d o y ou ban ( for y ou r self) t h at w h ich Allâh h as m ade law fu l t o y ou …”
[ 66: 1] ( t o t he end of t he fift h v er se) .
Discussing poly gam y — in m y opinion — is n ot a n ecessit y ; sin ce a per son w h o is f am iliar w it h t h e
Eu r opean s, an d in decen t pr act ices, su f f er in gs, w ick edn ess, t heir sorrow s and dist resses, t he horrible
cr im es t h ey com m it in t h is r espect as w ell as t h e t r ials, t h e disast er s t h at t h ey ar e in v olv ed in , an d
w hich em anat e dir ect ly fr om t heir disr egar d of t he pr inciple of poly gam y for m a good r eason ( t o
j u st if y th e sou n dn ess of poly gam y ) . Th e dist or t ed pict u r e of life in Eu r ope w it h t h e ill-pr act ices
feat ur ing it , could t r ut hfully j ust ify t he ex ist ence and pr act ice of poly gam y . I n t his, t her e ar e Div ine
sign s f or all people possessed of lu cid m in d.

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 TH E PROPH ET ( Peace be upon him ) , ATTRI BUTES AN D MAN N ERS

Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) com bin ed bot h per f ect ion of cr eat ion an d per f ect ion of m an n er s.
Th is im pr ession on people can be dedu ced by t h e bliss t h at ov er w h elm ed t h eir h ear t s an d f illed
t hem w it h dignit y . Men’s dign it y , dev ot ion an d est im at ion of t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon
h im ) w er e u n iq u e an d m at ch less. No ot h er m an in t h e w h ole w or ld h as b een so h on ou r ed an d
belov ed. Th ose w h o k n ew h im w ell, w er e f ascin at ed an d en ch an t ed by h im . Th ey w er e r eady t o
sacr ifice t heir liv es for t he sak e of sav ing a nail of his fr om hur t or inj ur y . Being pr iv ileged by lot s of
p r er og at iv es of p er f ect ion t h at n o on e else h ad b een en d ow ed w it h , h is Com p an ion s f ou n d t h at h e
w as p eer less an d so t h ey lov ed h im .

Her e w e list a br ief su m m ar y of t h e v er sion s abou t h is beau t y an d per fect ion . To en com pass all
w h ich is, addm it t edly , bey on d ou r pow er .

BEAUTY OF CREATI ON :

Descr ibin g t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h o passed by h er t en t on h is j ou r n ey of

m igrat ion, Um m Ma‘bad Al-Kh u za‘iy ah said t o h er h u sban d:

• “ He w as in n ocen t ly br igh t an d h ad br oad cou n t en an ce. His m an n er s w er e f in e. Neit h er

w as h is belly bu lgin g ou t n or w as h is h ead depr iv ed of h air . He h ad black at t r act iv e ey es
finely ar ched by cont inuous ey ebr ow s. His hair glossy and black , inclined t o cu r l, h e w or e
lon g. His v oice w as ex t r em ely com m an din g. His h ead w as lar ge, w ell f or m ed an d set on a
slen der n eck . His ex pr ession w as pen siv e an d con t em plat iv e, ser en e an d su blim e. Th e
st r an ger w as f ascin at ed f r om t h e dist an ce, bu t n o soon er h e becam e in t im a t e wit h him t han
t h is f ascin at ion w as ch an g ed in t o at t ach m en t an d r esp ect . His ex p r ession w as v er y sw eet
an d dist in ct . His speech w as w ell set an d f r ee f r om t h e u se of su per f lu ou s w or ds, as if it
w er e a r osar y of b ead s. His st at u r e w as n eit h er t oo h ig h n or t oo sm all t o look r epulsiv e. He
w as a t w ig am on g st t h e t w o, sin g u lar ly b r ig h t an d f r esh . He w as alw ay s su r r ou n d ed b y h is
Com pan ion s. Wh en ev er h e u t t er ed som et h in g, t h e list en er s w ou ld h ear h im w it h r apt
at t en t ion an d w h en ev er h e issu ed an y com m an d, t h ey v ied w it h each ot her in car r y ing it
ou t . He w as a m ast er an d a com m an der . His u t t er an ces w er e m ar k ed by t r u t h an d sin cer it y ,
fr ee fr om all k in ds of falseh oods an d lies. ”

‘Ali bin Abi Talib descr ibing him said: “ The Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him ) w as n eit h er
ex cessiv ely t all n or ex t r em ely sh or t . He w as m ediu m h eigh t am on g h is fr ien ds. His h air w as n eit h er
cu r ly n or w av y . I t w as in bet w een . I t w as n ot t oo cu r ly n or w as it plain st r aigh t . I t w as bot h cu r ly
an d w av y com b in ed . His f ace w as n ot sw ollen or m eat y -com pact . I t w as fair ly r ound. His m out h w as
w h it e. He h ad black an d lar ge ey es w it h lon g h air ed ey elids. His j oin t s ( lim bs) an d sh ou lder j oin t s
w er e r at h er b ig . He h ad a r od -lik e lit t le h air ex t en din g fr om h is ch est dow n t o h is n av el, bu t t h e r est
o f h is body w as alm ost h air less. He h ad t h ick h an d palm s an d t h ick f in ger s an d t oes. At w alk in g, h e
lif t ed h is f eet of f t h e gr ou n d as if h e h ad been w alk in g in a m u ddy r em ain der of w at er . Wh en h e
t u r n ed , h e t u r n ed all. Th e Pr op h et h ood Seal w as b et w een h is s houlder s. He is t he Seal of Pr ophet s,
t h e m ost g en er ou s an d t h e b r av est of all.

His sp eech w as t h e m ost r eliab le. He w as t h e k een est an d t h e m ost at t en t iv e t o p eop le’s t r u st an d
w as v er y car ef u l t o pay people’s du e in f u ll. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as t h e m ost
t r act able an d t h e m ost y ieldin g com pan ion , seein g h im u n ex pect edly y ou fear h im an d v en er at e
him . He w ho has acquaint ance w it h him w ill lik e him . He w ho descr ibes him say s:

• ‘I h av e n ev er seen su ch a p er son n eit h er b ef or e n or af t er seein g him .’

Jabir bin Sam u r ah r epor t ed t h at Allâh ’s Messen ger ( Peace be u pon h im ) h ad a br oad f ace w it h
r ed d ish ( w id e) ey es an d lean h eels.

Abu At -Tu f ail said: “ He w as w h it e, good-look in g. He w as n eit h er fat n or t h in ; n eit h er t all n or sh or t . ”

Anas bin Malik said : “ He h ad u n f old ed h an d s an d w as p in k-colou r ed . He w as n eit h er w h it e n or

br ow n . He w as r at h er w h it ish . I n bot h h is h ead an d bear d t h er e w er e as m an y as t w en t y gr ey h air s,

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besides som e gr ey h air s at h is t em ples. ” I n an ot h er v er sion : “ an d som e scat t er ed w hit e hair s in his
h ead . ”

Abu Ju h aifa said: “ I h av e seen som e gr ey colou r u n der h is low er lip. ” Al-Bar a’ said: “ He w as of
m edium height , br oad-sh ou ld er ed , h is h air w en t u p t o h is ear lob es. I saw h im d r essed in a r ed
gar m en t an d I ( assu r e y ou ) I h av e n ev er seen som eon e m or e h an dsom e. At f ir st h e u sed t o let h is
h air loose so as t o be in com plian ce w it h t h e people of t h e Book ; bu t lat er on h e u sed t o par t it . ”

Al-Bar a’ also said : “ He h ad t h e m ost h an d som e f ace an d t h e b est ch ar act er . ” Wh en h e w as ask ed :

“ W a s t h e Messen g er ’s f ace sw or d -lik e?” “ No, ” h e said: “ it w as m oon -like.” But in anot her version: he
said, “ His f ace w as r ou n d. ” Ar -Rabi‘ bin t Mu aw w idh said: “ Had y ou seen h im , y ou w ou ld h av e f elt
t h at t h e su n w as sh in in g. ” Jabir bin Sam u r ah said, “ I saw h im a t one full-m oony night . I look ed at
h im . He w as dr essed in a r ed gar m en t . I com par ed h im w it h t h e m oon an d f ou n d t h at — for m e —
h e w as b et t er t h an t h e m oon . ”

Abu Hu r air a said: “ I h av e n ev er seen a t h in g n icer t h an t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon
h im ) . I t seem s as if t h e su n ligh t w er e m ov in g w it h in h is f ace. I h av e n ev er seen on e w h o is f ast er in
pace t h an t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) . I t seem ed as if t h e ear t h h ad f olded it self u p
t o sh or t en t h e d ist an ce f or h im . For w e u sed t o w ear ou r selv es ou t w h ile h e w as at f u ll ease. ”

Ka‘b bin Malik said: “ Wh en h e w as pleased, h is f ace w ou ld sh in e w it h so br igh t ligh t t h at y ou w ou ld

b eliev e t h at it w as a m oon -p iece. ” On ce h e sw eat ed h ot at ‘Aish ah ’s, an d t h e f eat u r es of h is f ace
t w ink led; so I r e cit ed a poem by Abu Kabeer Al-Hudhali:

• “ I f y ou w at ch his face -feat u r es, y ou w ill see t h em t w in k lin g lik e t h e ligh t n in g of an

appr oach in g r ain . ”

Wh en ev er Abu Bak r saw h im h e w ou ld say :

• “ He is fait hful, chosen ( by Allâh) , and calls for for giv eness. He shines lik e a full-m oon light
w hen it is far fr om dar k ( clouds) . ”

‘Um ar used t o r ecit e v er ses by Zuhair descr ibing Har am bin Sinan:

• “ Wer e y ou ot h er t h an a h u m an bein g, y ou w ou ld be a ligh t ed m oon at a f u ll-m oon night . ”

Th en h e w ou ld ad d : “ Th u s w as t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) .

Wh en h e got an gr y h is f ace w ou ld go so r ed t h at y ou w ou ld t h in k it w er e “ an in f lect ed r ed sk in -spot

w it h p om eg r an at e g r ain s on b ot h ch eek s. ”

Jabir bin Sam u r ah said: “ His legs w er e gen t le, delicat e an d in con for m it y . His laught er is no m or e
t han sm iling. Look ing at him w ill m ak e y ou say ‘He is black -ey ed t h ou g h h e is n ot so. ’”

I bn Al-‘Ab b as said : “ His t w o f r on t t eet h w er e sp lit t ed so w h en ev er h e sp eak s, lig h t g oes t h r ou g h

t h em . His n eck w as as pu r e an d silv er y as a n eck of doll. His ey elids w er e lon g h air ed bu t h is bear d
w as t h ick . His f or eh ead w as br oad; bu t h is ey ebr ow s w er e lik e t h e m et al piece at t ach ed t o a lan ce,
b u t t h ey w er e u n h or n ed . His n ose w as h ig h -t ipped, m iddle -cam ber ed w it h n ar r ow n ost r ils. His
ch eek s w er e plain , bu t h e h ad ( lit t le h air ) r u n n in g dow n lik e a r od fr om h is t h r oat t o h is n av el. He
h ad h air n eit h er on h is abdom en n or on h is ch est ex cept som e on h is ar m s an d sh ou lder s. His ch est
w as b r oad an d f lat t ed . He h ad lon g f or ear m s w it h ex p an siv e palm s of t h e h an d. His legs w er e plain
st r aigh t an d st r et ch in g dow n . His ot h er lim bs w er e st r aigh t t oo. Th e t w o h ollow s of h is soles h ar dly
t ou ch t h e g r ou n d . Wh en h e w alk s aw ay h e v an ish es soon ; b u t h e w alk s at ease ( w h en h e is n ot in a
hur r y ) . The w ay he w alk s seem s sim ilar t o on e w h o is lean in g f or w ar ds an d is abou t t o f all dow n . ”

An as said: “ I h av e n ev er t ou ch ed silk or a silk y gar m en t sof t er t h an t h e palm of t h e Pr oph et ’s

( Peace be u pon h im ) ; n or h av e I sm elt a per fu m e or an y scen t n icer t h an h is. ” I n an ot h er v er sion , “ I
h av e n ev er sm elt am ber gr is n or m u sk n or an y ot h er t h in g sw eet er t h an t h e scen t an d t h e sm ell of
t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) . ”
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Abu Ju h aif a said: “ I t ook h is h an d an d pu t it on m y h ead an d I f ou n d t h at it w as colder t h an i ce an d
bet t er scen t ed t h an t h e m u sk per f u m e. ”

Jabir bin Sam ur ah — w h o w as a lit t le ch ild t h en — said: “ Wh en h e w iped m y ch eek , I f elt it w as cold
an d scen t ed as if it h ad b een t ak en ou t of a sh op of a p er f u m e w or k sh op . ”

An as said , “ His sw eat w as p ear l-lik e. ” Um m Sulaim said: “ His sw eat sm elt nicer t han t he nicest
per fum e. ”

Jab ir said : “ Wh oev er p u r su es a r oad t h at h as b een t r od d en b y t h e Messen g er of Allâh ( Peace b e

upon him ) , w ill cer t ainly scent his sm ell and w ill be quit e sur e t hat t he Messenger of Allâh ( Peace b e
u pon h im ) h as alr eady passed it . ” Th e Seal of Pr oph et h ood, w h ich w as sim ilar in size t o a pigeon ’s
eg g , w as b et w een h is sh ou ld er s on t h e lef t sid e h av in g sp ot s on it lik e m oles.

TH E PERFECTI ON OF SOUL AN D N OBI LI TY:

Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w as n ot ed f or su per b eloqu en ce an d f lu en cy in Ar abic. He w as

r em ar k able in posit ion and r ank . He w as an accur at e, unpr et ending st r aight for w ar d speak er . He w as
w ell-v er sed in Ar abic and quit e fam iliar w it h t he dialect s and accent s of ev er y t r ibe. He s p ok e w it h
h is en t er t ain er s u sin g t h eir ow n accen t s an d d ialect s. He m ast er ed an d w as q u it e eloq u en t at b ot h
bedou in an d t ow n speech . So h e h ad t h e st r en gt h an d eloqu en ce of bedou in lan gu age as w ell as t h e
clar it y an d t h e decor at ed splen did speech of t ow n . Abov e all, t h er e w as t h e assist an ce of Allâh
em bodied in t h e r ev ealed v er ses of t h e Qu r ’ân .

His st am in a, en du r an ce an d f or giv en ess — ou t of a com m an din g posit ion — h is p at ien ce an d

st an d in g w h at h e d et est ed — t h ese w er e all t alen t s, at t r ib u t es an d q u alit ies Allâh Him self had
br ou gh t h im on . Ev en w ise m en h av e t h eir f law s, bu t t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) ,
u n lik e ev er y body , t h e m or e h e w as h u r t or in j u r ed, t h e m or e clem en t an d pat ien t h e becam e. Th e
m or e in solen ce an ign or an t an y body ex er cised again st h im t h e m or e en du r in g h e becam e.

‘Aishah said:

• “ Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) , w h en ev er h e is giv en t h e oppor t u n it y t o

ch oose b et w een t w o af f air s, h e alw ay s ch ooses t h e easiest an d t h e m ost con v en ien t . Bu t if
h e is cer t ain t h at it is sin fu l, h e w ill be as far as h e cou ld fr om it . He h as n ev er av en ged
h im self; bu t w h en t h e san ct it y of Allâh is v iolat ed h e w ou ld. Th at w ou ld be for Allâh ’s n ot for
h im self. He is t h e last on e t o get an gr y an d t h e fir st t o be sat isfied. His h ospit alit y an d
g en er osit y w er e m at ch less. His g if t s an d en d ow m en t s m an if est a m an w h o d oes n ot f ear
pov er t y . ”

I bn ‘Abbas said: “ Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as t h e m ost gen er ou s. He is u su ally m ost

gen er ou s of all t im es in Ram adan , t h e t im es at w h ich t h e an gel Gabr iel ( Peace be upon him ) com es
t o see him . Gabr iel used t o v isit him ev er y night of Ram adan and r ev iew t he Qur ’ân w it h him . Ver ily
t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) is m or e gen er ou s at giv in g bou n t y or ch ar it y t h an t h e
blow in g w in d. ”

Jabir said:

“ Th e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w ou ld n ev er d en y an y t h in g h e w as ask ed f or . ”

His cou r age, h is su ccou r an d h is m igh t ar e dist in gu ish able. He w as t h e m ost cou r ageou s. He
w it n essed aw k w ar d an d dif f icu lt t im es an d st oodf ast at t h em . Mor e t h an on ce br av e m en and daring
on es f led aw ay leav in g h im alon e; y et h e st ood w it h f u ll com posu r e f acin g t h e en em y w it h ou t
t u r n in g h is back . All br av e m en m u st h av e ex per ien ced fleein g on ce or h av e been dr iv en off t h e
bat t lef ield at a r ou n d at a t im e ex cept t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) ‘Ali said: “ Wh en ev er t h e
f igh t gr ew f ier ce an d t h e ey es of f igh t er s w en t r ed, w e u sed t o r esor t t o t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon
h im ) f or su ccou r . He w as alw ay s t h e closest t o t h e en em y . ”

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An as said: “ On e n igh t t h e people of Madin ah f elt ala r m ed. People w en t ou t h u r r iedly t ow ar ds t h e
sou r ce of sou n d , b u t t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) h ad alr ead y g on e ah ead of t h em . He w as on
t h e h or seback of Abu Talh ah w h ich h ad n o saddle ov er it , an d a sw or d w as slu n g r ou n d h is n eck ,
an d said t o t h em : ‘Th er e w as n ot h in g t o be af r aid f or . ’”

He w as t h e m ost m odest an d t h e f ir st on e t o cast h is ey es dow n . Abu Sa‘îd Al-Kh u dr i : “ He w as

sh ier t h an a v ir gin in h er bou doir . Wh en h e h at es a t h in g w e r ead it on h is f ace. He does n ot st ar e at
an y body ’s f ace. He alw ay s cast s h is ey es d ow n . He look s at t h e g r ou n d m or e t h an h e look s sk y -
w ar ds. His u t m ost look s at people ar e glan ces. He is w illin gly an d m odest ly obey ed by ev er y body .
He w ou ld n ev er n am e a p er son w h om h e h ad h ear d ill-n ew s ab o u t — w h ich h e h at ed. I n st ead h e
w ou ld say : ‘Wh y do cer t ain people do so. . . . ’”

Al-Far azdaq v er se of poem f it s h im v er y m u ch an d t h e best on e t o be said of :

• “ He cast s h is ey es m od est ly b u t t h e ey es of ot h er s ar e cast d ow n d u e t o h is solem n it y ,

an d w or ds issu e ou t of h is m ou t h on ly w h ile h e is sm ilin g. ”

Th e Pr oph et Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã is t h e m ost j u st , t h e m ost decen t , t h e m ost t r u t h fu l at speech , an d
t h e h on est est of all. Th ose w h o h av e ex ch an ged speech w it h h im , an d ev en h is en em ies,
ack n ow led g e h is n ob le q u alit ies. Ev en b ef or e t h e Pr op h et h ood h e w as n ick n am ed Al-Am een (i.e. the
t r ut hful, t he t r ut hw or t hy ) . Ev en t hen — in Al-Jahiliyah — t h ey u sed t o t u r n t o him for j udgem ent
an d con su lt at ion . I n a v er sion by At -Tir m idh i, h e say s t h at ‘Ali h ad said t h at h e h ad been t old by
Abu Jah l t h at h e ( Abu Jah l) said t o t h e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) : “ We do n ot call y ou
a liar ; bu t w e do n ot h av e f ait h in w h at y ou hav e br ought . ” I n His Book , Allâh, t he Ex alt ed, said
abou t t h em :

• “ I t is n ot y ou t h at t h ey den y , bu t it is t h e Ver ses ( t h e Qu r ’ân ) of Allâh t h at t h e Zalim ûn

( poly t h eist s an d w r on g-doer s) deny . ” [ 6: 33]

Ev en w h en Her acliu s ask ed Abu Su fy an : “ Hav e y ou ev er accused him of ly ing befor e t he m inist r y of
Pr oph et h ood?” Abu Su f y an said: “ No. ”

He w as m ost m od est an d f ar f r om b ein g ar r og an t or p r ou d . He f or b ad e p eop le t o st an d u p at h is

pr esen ce as ot h er people u su ally do f or t h eir k in gs.

Visit ing t he poor , t h e n eedy an d en t er t ain in g t h em ar e som e of h is h abit s. I f a slav e in v it ed h im , h e

w ou ld accept t h e in v it at ion . He alw ay s sat am on g h is f r ien ds as if h e w er e an or din ar y per son of
t h em . ‘Aish ah said t h at h e u sed t o r ep air h is sh oes, sew or m en d h is d r ess an d t o d o w h at or d in ar y
m en did in t h eir h ou ses. Af t er all, h e w as a h u m an bein g lik e ot h er s. He u sed t o ch eck h is dr ess
( lest it h as som e in sect s on ) . Milk in g t h e sh e-sh eep an d cat er in g f or h im self w er e som e of h is
n or m al j obs. Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as t h e m ost t r u t h f u l t o h is pledges, an d it is on e of
h is qu alit ies t o est ablish good an d st eady r elat ion sh ip w it h h is r elat iv es — ‘Silat -Ar-Rahim ’. He is t he
m ost m er ciful, gent le and am iable t o all people. His w ay of liv ing is t he sim plest one. I ll-m an n er s
an d in decen cy ar e t w o qu alit ies com plet ely alien t o h im . He w as decen t , an d did n ot call an y body
n am es. He w as n ot t h e sor t of per son w h o cu r sed or m ade n oise in t h e st r eet s. He did n ot ex ch an ge
of f en ces w it h ot h er s. He pu sh ed back an of f en ce or a n er r or by for giv eness and ov er look ing. Nobody
w as allow ed t o w alk beh in d h im ( i. e. as a body gu ar d) . He did n ot f eel h im self su per ior t o ot h er s n ot
ev en t o h is slav es ( m en or w om en ) as f ar as f ood or clot h es w er e con cer n ed.

Wh oev er ser v ed h im sh ou ld b e ser v ed by him t oo. ‘Ugh’ ( an ut t er ance of com plaint ) is a w or d t hat
h ad n ev er been said by h im t o h is ser v an t ; n or w as h is ser v an t blam ed f or doin g a t h in g or leav in g
it u n don e. Lov in g t h e poor an d t h e n eedy an d en t er t ain in g t h em or par t icipat in g in t h eir f u n er als
w er e t h in gs t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) alw ay s obser v ed. He n ev er con t em pt ed or disgr aced a
poor m an f or h is pov er t y . On ce h e w as t r av ellin g w it h h is Com pan ion s an d w h en it w as t im e t o h av e
f ood p r ep ar ed , h e ask ed t h em t o slau g h t er a sh e-sh eep . A m an said: I w ill slaught er it , anot her one
said: I w ill sk in it out . A t hir d said: I w ill cook it . So t he Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon him )
said: I w ill collect w ood for fir e. They said: “ No. We w ill suffice y ou t hat w or k . ” “ I k now t hat y ou can
do it f or m e, bu t I h at e t o be pr iv ileged. Allâh h at es t o see a slav e of h is pr iv ileged t o ot h er s. ” So h e
w en t an d collect ed fir e -w ood .

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Let u s h av e som e of t h e descr ipt ion of Hin d bin Abi Halah : “ Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon
h im ) w as con t in u ally sad, t h in k in g per pet u ally . He h ad n o r est ( i. e. for lon g) . He on ly spok e w h en it
w as n ecessar y . He w ou ld r em ain silen t f or a lon g t im e an d w h en ev er h e sp ok e, h e w ou ld en d h is
t alk w it h his j aw bone but not out of t he cor ner s of his m out h, i. e. ( snobbishly ) . His sp eech w as
in clu siv e. He spok e in clu siv ely an d decisiv ely . I t w as n ot ex cessiv e n or w as it sh or t of m ean in g. I t
w as am iable. I t w as in n o w ay h ar d discor on in g. He glor if ied t h e bou n t y of Allâh ; ev en if it w er e
lit t le. I f he had no lik ing for som eone’s food, h e w ou ld n eit h er pr aise n or cr it icize.

He w as alw ay s in f u ll con t r ol of h is t em p er an d h e w ou ld n ev er g et seem ed an g r y u n less it w as

n ecessar y . He n ev er got an gr y for h im self n or did h e av en ge h im self. I t w as for Allâh ’s san ct it y an d
r eligion t h at h e a lw ay s seem ed an gr y .

Wh en h e p oin t ed at a t h in g h e w ou ld d o so w it h h is f u ll h an d -palm , an d h e w ou ld t u r n it r ou n d t o
sh ow su r p r ise. I f h e w er e an g r y h e w ou ld t u r n b ot h h is b od y an d f ace asid e. Wh en h e w as p leased ,
h e cast h is ey es d ow n . His lau g h t er w as m ost ly sm ilin g. I t w as t h en t h at h is t eet h w h ich w er e lik e
hail-st on es w er e r ev ealed .

He n ev er spok e u n less it w as som et h in g closely r elev an t t o h im . He con f ir m ed t h e br ot h er h ood

r elat ion sh ip am on g h is Com pan ion s; an d t h u s h e m ade t h em in t im at e an d did n ot separ at e t h em or
im plan t en m it y am on g t h em . Th ose w h o w er e h on ou r able w it h t h eir peoples, w er e h on ou r ed an d
r esp ect ed b y h im an d w er e assig n ed r u ler s ov er t h eir ow n p eop les. His ch eer f u ln ess w as n ev er
w it h d r aw n at an y on e’s f ace; ev en at t h ose w h om h e w ar n ed h is p eop le f r om or t h ose w h om h e
him self w as on t he aler t of. He v isit ed fr iends and inquir ed about people’s affair s. He confir m ed w hat
w as r igh t an d cr it icized t h e aw f u l an d t r ied t o u n der m in e it . He w as m oder at e in all af f air s. He w as
eq u al t o ot h er s an d w as n ot p r iv ileg ed . He w ou ld n ev er act h eed lessly , lest t h e ot h er s sh ou ld g et
h eed less. Each sit u at ion w as d ealt w it h in it s p r op er d u e.

Rig h t eou sn ess w as h is t ar g et ; so h e w as n ev er sh or t of it n or in d if f er en t t o it . Peop le w h o sat n ex t

t o h im w er e t h e b est of t h eir p eop le an d t h e b est of t h em all w er e — for him — t h ose w h o p r ov id ed
com m on con su lt at ion s. For h im , t h e gr eat est on es an d t h e h igh est in r an k s w er e t h e best at
pr ov iding com for t and co -or dinat ion and succour . Rem em br ance ( of Allâh) w as a t hin g h e aim ed at
an d est ablish ed w h en ev er h e sat dow n or st an ds u p. No cer t ain posit ion w as assign ed f or h im t o sit
on . He sit s at t h e en d of t h e g r ou p , seat ed n ex t t o t h e last sit t er in t h e p lace. He or d er ed p eop le t o
do t h e sam e. He en t er t ain ed h is par t icip ian t s in social g at h er in g s alik e so t h at t h e on e ad d r essed
w ou ld t h in k t h at t h er e w as n o on e h on ou r ed by t h e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) bu t h im self . He
w h oev er sat n ex t t o h im or in t er r u pt ed h im in or der t o ask for h is adv ice abou t an affair of h is,
w o u ld be t h e f ir st t o st ar t t h e t alk an d t h e on e t o en d it . Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w ou ld
list en t o h im pat ien t ly t ill h e en ded h is speech . He n ev er den ied a r equ est t o an y on e, if
u n appr oach able, t h en f ew gr at if y in g w or ds w ou ld w or k , in st ead.

His m agn an im it y , br oad m in dedn ess h is t oler an ce cou ld em br ace all people an d en t it led h im t o be
r egar ded as f at h er f or t h em all. I n j u st ice, all of t h em w er e alm ost equ al. Nobody w as bet t er t h an
an ot h er ex cept on t h e cr it er ion of Allâh fear in g. A fav ou r ed on e, t o him , w as t he m ost Allâh fear ing.
His assem bly w as a m eet in g of clem en cy , t im idn ess, pat ien ce an d h on est y . Voices w er e n ot r aised
in r ow s or r iot s. I n v iolable t h in gs w er e n ev er v iolable. Fear in g Allâh an d w or sh ip w er e t h eir m ean s
t o sy m pat h y an d com passion . Th ey u sed t o est eem t h e old an d h av e m er cy on t h e y ou n g. Th ey
assist ed t h e n eed y an d en t er t ain ed st r an g er s.

Th e Messen ger of Allâh ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as alw ay s ch eer f u l, easy , pleasan t -t em p er ed an d

len ien t . He w as n ev er r u de or r ou gh n or clam or ou s or in d ecen t . He w as n eit h er a r ep r oach er n or a
pr aiser . He ov er look ed w h at h e did n ot desir e, y et y ou w ou ld n ev er despair of h im . Th r ee qu alit ies
he disposed of: hy pocr isy , ex cessiv eness, and w hat w as none of his concer n. People did not fear him
in t h r ee ar ea: — f or t h ey w er e n ot qu alit ies or h abit s of h is —: He n ev er dispar aged, or r epr oach ed
n or did h e seek t h e def ect s or sh or t ages of ot h er s. He on ly spok e t h in gs w h ose r ew ar d w as Div in ely
desir able. Wh en h e spok e, h is list en er s w ou ld at t en t iv ely list en cast ing dow n t heir heads. They only
sp ok e w h en h e w as silen t . Th ey d id n ot h av e d isp u t es or ar g u m en t s ab ou t w h o w as t o t alk . He w h o
t alk ed in h is pr esen ce w ou ld be list en ed t o by ev er y body t ill h e f in ish ed h is t alk . Th eir t alk w ou ld be
ab ou t t h e t op ic d iscu ssed or deliv er ed by t heir fir st speak er . The Messenger of Allâh ( Peace be upon
h im ) u sed t o lau g h at w h at t h ey lau g h ed at an d ad m ir ed w h at t h ey u sed t o ad m ir e. He w ou ld
alw ay s sh ow p at ien ce w it h a st r an g er ’s h ar sh n ess at t alk . He u sed t o say :

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 • “ Wh en y o u see a per son seek in g an obj ect ear n est ly , assist h im t o get h is n eed. An d
n ev er ask f or a r ew ar d ex cept f r om t h e r ew ar d -Giver, i.e. Allâh.”

Kh ar ij ah bin Zaid said: “ Th e Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) w as t h e m ost h on ou r ed am on g t h e people

w it h w h om h e sat . His lim bs cou ld h ar dly be seen . He w as of t en silen t an d r ar ely t alk ed w h en
sp eech w as n ot a n ecessit y . He t u r n ed aw ay f r om t h ose w h ose sp eech w as r u d e or im p olit e. His
lau gh t er w as n o m or e t h an a sm ile. His speech , w h ich w as decisiv e, it w as n eit h er ex cessiv e n or
incom plet e. Out of r ev er ence and est eem and follow ing t he ex am ple of t heir Pr ophet ( Peace be upon
h im ) , t h e Com pan ion s’ lau gh t er at h is pr esen ce — w as sm ilin g, as w ell. ”

On t h e w h ole t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) w as or n am en t ed w it h p eer less at t r ib u t es of

per f ect ion . No w on der t o be lik e t h at f or h e w as br ou gh t u p, edu cat ed an d t au gh t ( t h e Qu r ’ân ) by
Allâh . He w as ev en pr aised by Allâh :

• “ An d v er ily , y ou [ O Mu h am m ad ( Peace be u pon h im ) ] ar e on an ex alt ed st an dar d of

char act er .” [ 68: 4]

Th ose w er e t h e at t r ib u t es an d q u alit ies t h at t h e Pr op h et ( Peace b e u p on h im ) en j oy ed w h ich m ad e

t h e h ear t s of sou ls of t h e p eop le close t o h im , d r aw n ear t o him and lov e him . Those t r ait s m ade
h im so popu lar t h at t h e r est r ain t an d en m it y of h is people gr ew less an d t h ey st ar t ed t o em br ace
I slam in lar ge cr ow ds.

This descr ipt ion is in fact no m or e t han a r apid r ev iew or r at her shor t br ief lines of Muham m a d’s
( Peace be u pon h im ) aspect s of fu ll per fect ion . Tr y in g t o en com pass t h e w h ole per fect pict u r e of t h e
Pr oph et ( Peace be u pon h im ) . No on e can ev er claim t o be possessed of f u ll k n ow ledge or com plet e
m ast er y of t h e gr eat at t r ibu t es of t h e gr eat est m an in t h is u n iv er se. No on e can ev er giv e t h is m an ,
t h e t op of per f ect ion , h is du e descr pit ion . He w as a m an w h o alw ay s sou gh t Allâh ’s ligh t , t o su ch an
ex t en t t h at h e w as w h olly im bu ed w it h t h e Qu r ’ân ic appr oach .

• O Allâh ! sen d y ou r blessin gs ( an d t h e Holy Wor ds of You r s) u pon Mu h am m ad an d t h e

fam ily of Muham m ad, as You hav e send blessings upon I br âhim and t he fam ily of I br âhim .
You ar e w or t hy of all pr aise, All Glor ious.

O Allâh ! bless Mu h am m ad an d t h e fam ily of Mu h am m ad as You h av e alr eady blessed

I br âhim and t he fam ily of I br âhim . You ar e w or t hy of all pr aise, All Glor ious.

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