Story No. 171 – Helpless Idol: uselessness of worshipping an idol in Madinah

Helpless Idol: uselessness of worshipping an idol in MadinahIt was hardly three years since the people of Madinah had embraced Islam and had started to worship Almighty Allah (SWT). The young boys in the city were given a job to eradicate the worship of idols. Wherever they saw an idol, they destroyed it and set fire to it.

 

One day, young boys came to know that Omar bin Janab, the chief of Bani Salma tribe, had still preserved his idol and worshipped it. In order to impress upon him the uselessness of worshipping an idol made of wood, they removed it from his place and threw it down a pit. The chief of Bani Salma tribe, on tracing the idol to where it was lying brought it back, washed it and kept it in its original place. But the next day again it was removed and thrown into the pit.

 

The chief of Bani Salma tribe was very much disturbed at this or the last he brought home this idol and cleaned it. He then put his sword around its neck and said to the idol: “If henceforth anybody comes to you, promptly take action and kill him with the sword.”

 

On the next day, the idol was again missing. This time he found it tied to a dead body of a dog. There was no effect at all of the sword which he had tied around the neck of the idol. This incident made him lose faith in his man-made wooden idol. He abandoned the idol worship altogether. On becoming a Muslim, he uttered a poem as under:

 

“Alas O my idol! If you were my god, you would not have reached this stage and I would not have seen you in the pit along with a dead dog. I have now put my faith in the Almighty Allah (SWT), from Whom come all blessings. It is He Who has freed me from darkness of ignorance.”

 

This is one of the examples of how the young Muslim volunteers of Medinah helped Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) in putting an end to idol worship and spread the true message of Islam.

Story No. 170 – Laying the Foundation for an Islamic Fraternity in Medinah

Madinah, Masjid-E-Nabawi The existence of sympathy, sincerity, and harmony among the people of a society makes that society a living one – one that is fit for human life and evolution, in which all can find salvation and progress and can enjoy each other’s sympathy and sincerity.

 

In the process of establishing such an ideal human society, Islam does not pay the least bit of attention to such considerations as race, language, skin colour, and geographical location. Rather, this holy religion regards all Muslims as equal. It looks only at the people’s faith in Allah (SWT), which is the root of all unity.

 

‘Islamic brotherhood’ is the phrase best revealing this all ­ embracing unity. This meaningful, clear expression in Noble Qur’an describes this Islamic precept: ‘Truly the faithful are brothers.’ (49:10)

 

After having settled in Medinah and after building a mosque (Masjid-E-Nabawi) that was indeed the military and constitutional base of the Muslims, Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) took an excellent initiative. He laid the foundation of Islamic brotherhood, individually between the people of Medina (known as Ansar/Helpers) and the people of Makkah (known as Muhajir/Emigrants), so that great unity and sincerity would be engendered in Muslim society and so that the emigrant Muslims would know that, though they had lost a number of their friends and relatives and had been forced to leave their homes, in return, they had gained brothers who were much more loyal and sympathetic from every point of view.

 

Therefore, besides the general fraternity and brotherhood that exists among all Muslims, Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) concluded contracts of brotherhood among his followers. He proclaimed brotherhood to be a general law amongst the Muslims and taking into consideration their ranks and positions, established the bond between every two persons by making one the brother of the other; Abu Bakr with Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman with Abd ar-Rahman and so on. Amirul Mumineen, Imam Ali (as) had stretched himself on the ground, when Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) approached him and said: “Arise, O’ Abu Turab! By Allah (SWT)! I have not made you the brother of anyone for I have kept you for myself” and said, ‘Ali is my brother.’

 

Laying the Foundation for an Islamic Fraternity in MedinahOne of the requirements of Islamic brotherhood is that whatever a Muslim desires for himself, he should desire for his brother in Islam, and he should help his Muslim brothers by any means possible, whether by his wealth or by his speech or by any other means.

 

It was the principle of Islamic brotherhood that made the Ethiopian Bilal ibn Rabah and the Persian Salman Farsi brothers and two of the best companions of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) of Islam. In the light of Islamic brotherhood, many deep-rooted enmities were reconciled and divided groups were united. This unity requires that all Muslims share each other’s sorrows and joys like members of a large family. Muslims should be sincere and affectionate toward each other, and their watchword should be unity and brotherhood.

 

Islamic brotherhood firmly holds all Muslims responsible toward each other and establishes an all-embracing responsibility so that Muslims cannot be heedless of each other’s troubles and problems but every Muslim must, within his own abilities; endeavour to solve the problems of Muslims and to create possibilities for the advancement and promotion of Islam. Thus Islam began to flourish with its enormous luminosity.

 

Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) said:

 

“Shall I not introduce ‘a believer’ to you? A believer is the one whom other believers trust with their souls and wealth. Shall I not introduce ‘a Muslim’ to you? A Muslim is the one from whose hand and tongue other Muslims are safe… It is unlawful (Haram) for a believer to do wrong against another believer, or leave him/her in a lurch, or backbite against him/her, or suddenly reject him/her.”

 

“Believers are brethren, their lives are equal to each other and they are as one hand against their enemy.”

Story No. 169 – Yathrib eagerly awaiting Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw)

Yathrib had taken on an extraordinary air and intense excitement and eagerness had overtaken the whole city. In every alley and neighbourhood people impatiently awaited Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw).

He entered Yathrib on Friday. People were overjoyed and could not stop looking at the resplendent countenance of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw). Each tribe, which he passed through, desired the honour of his presence and requested him to take up his abode with them. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw), refusing all these offers, said that the camel, which he rode on, was inspired and would take him to the proper quarter. The camel proceeded on to the eastern sector and knelt down in the open courtyard of the Banu Najjar, near the house of Khalid ibn Zayd, known in history as Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, the then head of the Banu Najjar family. He was delighted to be fortunate to have the honour of Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) presence.

Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) took up his temporary residence in the house of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari for seven months, until the Masjid-E-Nabawi, with proper quarters for himself, was built in the courtyard where the camel had stopped.

Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) settled in Yathrib and there laid the foundations of Islam and a magnificent culture based on justice and faith.

After the blissful entrance of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) into Yathrib, its name was changed into Medinat ul-Nabi, meaning ‘the City of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw)’. That year, the year Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) migrated (Hijrah/Hijrat 622CE) at the age of 53 years from Makkah to Yathrib (Madinah), was recognized as the origin of history (beginning of the Islamic Era or the Hijrah calendar), due to this significant historical event, the triumph of righteousness and justice. The illuminating sun of Islam gave new life to the people. They discarded all the old superstitious beliefs and thoughts and all the wrong deeds and manners of the past, replacing them with the perfect life-giving culture of Islam.

Note: When we say 1430 Hijrah, it means that 1430 years have passed since the time of Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) flight (Hijrah) from Makkah to Medinah.

Story No. 168 – Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) goes to cave of Thaur (Thawr cave)

At midnight the enemies of Islam surrounded the house of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) to carry out their satanic plot. But since Allah (SWT) was the supporter and protector of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw), He saved him from harm at the hands of the murderous infidels.

 

When half the night was over, Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) left his house to begin his journey. As he came out of the house he threw some sand towards the men who were waiting to kill him and recited the following verse of Noble Qur’an: “And We have made before them a barrier and a barrier behind them, then We have covered them over so that they do not see.” (36:9)

 

While Imam Ali (as) lay on his bed, Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) began his journey out of Makkah. Before he had left the city, he met Abu Bakr on the way and took him along with him. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) knew that the Quraish would waste no time in pursuing him once they learnt of his departure, so he took refuge in the cave of Thaur (Thawr cave), which was to the south of Makkah on the way to Yathrib.

 

The infidels rushed towards Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam’s (saw) bed with drawn swords in their hands, but to their surprise, they found Imam Ali (as) in his place. Upset and enraged, they asked, where has Muhammad gone? Imam Ali (as) answered, ‘Had you assigned me to watch him? Well, you intended to expel him and he has left the city.’

 

Realizing that all their plots were frustrated, the idol worshipping Quraish took serious measures but all in vain.

 

Moral of the story: When you do something purely for Islam, then Allah (SWT) helps you. Everyone can plan but only what Allah (SWT) wants will happen.

 

On the way to Yathrib, cave of Thaur (Thawr cave) and Quba

 

When the Quraish found out that Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) had left Makkah, they sent men to block all routes leading to Yathrib. They also hired some men who could trace the location of travellers by their footprints. It was declared that whoever gave correct information about the hiding place of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) would be rewarded with 100 camels.

 

One of the best trackers of the Quraish, a man named Abu Karz, traced the footprints of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) to the cave of Thaur. However, when some men came near the mouth of the cave, they saw that its entrance was blocked by a spider’s web and some wild pigeons had laid eggs in a nest at the entrance. The men knew that the spider and pigeons would not have made their homes there if there had been anyone in the cave. Also, if the web had been there from before, it would have been damaged if someone had entered the cave. They therefore returned without looking inside. By this miracle Allah (SWT) protected His beloved messenger.

 

12th of Rabi al-Awwal, QubaMohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) remained in the cave for three days and nights. On one of these nights Imam Ali (as) came to visit him. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) told him to arrange for camels for Abu Bakr and himself. He also directed him to announce in Makkah the following day that if anybody had left something in trust with Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw), or had loaned him anything, he should claim it from Imam Ali (as). He further instructed Imam Ali (as) to make arrangements for the Fawaatim (The three Fatimas – Fatima al-Zahra (sa), Fatima bint Asad and Fatima bint Zubayr), as well as any other members of Bani Hashim who wished to leave Makkah. Imam Ali (as) was to escort these people personally to Yathrib.

 

After staying in the Thawr cave for three days, Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) proceeded towards Yathrib. One of the Makkans, Saraqa ibn Malik, attempted to pursue him, but his horse’s hoof sank into the ground three times and threw him down, so he repented and returned to Makkah.

 

On the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) reached a place called Quba, where he stayed for a few days. Abu Bakr insistently asked Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) to begin travelling towards Yathrib, but Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) refused to go without Imam Ali (as). He said to Abu Bakr, Ali has endangered his own life to save mine. He is my cousin, my brother, and the dearest among the family to me. I will not leave here until he joins me.

 

After fulfilling the mission assigned to him and having arranged for the safe departure of Prophet Muhammad’s family members to Yathrib, Imam Ali (as) hastened forward on foot to Yathrib, travelling only in the night and hiding himself in the day, lest he should fall into the hands of the Quraish. He reached Quba three days after the arrival of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw), but his legs were so bruised that he could hardly walk. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) embraced him most affectionately, blessed his hurt legs with the saliva from his own mouth which healed Imam Ali’s (as) swollen legs.

 

The converts at Quba desired Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) to lay the foundation stone of a mosque for them. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) marked the site and fixing the position of Qibla, he laid the foundation stone for the first mosque of Islam. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) used to pray Qasr while waiting for Imam Ali (as). It is mentioned in the Noble Qur’an as the mosque founded on piety and devoutness.

 

Then Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) left Quba on the 16th of Rabi al-Awwal towards Yathrib.

Story No. 167 – Plot to murder Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw)

Dawn had hardly broken when the infidel Quraish were informed of the allegiance of the Yathribi Muslims. They hurriedly attempted to frustrate it and hinder the advance of Islam. For this purpose, they held a council in the place where the Quraish gathered to pass judgment and to consult each other. After a great deal of talk and consultation, it was resolved that they select one man from each tribe to rush into the house of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) at night and murder him so that the basis of the propagation of Islam would be destroyed. This plan was approved and 40 young men were selected to carry out the cowardly deed.

But Almighty Allah (SWT) made Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) aware of the intrigue of his enemies and commanded him to leave Makkah by night. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw), upon receiving this revelation, decided to leave his homeland and migrate to Yathrib.

In Noble Qur’an, Allah (SWT) says: “And when those who disbelieved devised plans against you that they might confine you or slay you or drive you away; and they devised plans and Allah too had arranged a plan; and Allah is the best of planners.” (8:30)

Imam Ali’s (as) sincere and significant self-sacrifice

When Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) was divinely commanded to migrate to Yathrib, he called Imam Ali (as), disclosed his secret to him, gave him the people’s trusts to be returned to their owners and then said, ‘I have to migrate, but you must lie in my bed’.

Even though Imam Ali (as) knew that the enemies of Islam wanted to murder Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) and that if he slept in Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) bed his life would be at stake, he did not hesitate to risk his life to protect Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) and Islam. Imam Ali (as) was very happy to do this for Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw). In fact Imam Ali (as) said that the best sleep that he had ever had was on that night (Shab-E-Hijrat).

Imam Ali’s (as) self-sacrifice was so sincere and significant that Allah (SWT) praised it in Noble Qur’an as: “And among men is he who sells his Nafs (self) in exchange for the pleasure of Allah.” (2:207)

Story No. 166 – Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw), Migration (Hijrah/Hijrat)

Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw), Migration (Hijrah/Hijrat)Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) was well aware of the fact that people who were plunged in prejudice, superstition and ignorance would not abandon their beliefs and ways easily and that it would take extensive struggle, severe hardships, and sincere self sacrifice to save them from the pit of corruption and guide them onto the path of virtue and monotheism. He could easily read in the faces of the people of Makkah, the opposition to Islam and their bigoted determination to fight the Muslims.

 

The divine foresight of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) had given him a dark image of the future. With such an insight and divine knowledge, he held high the banner of prophecy and adopted patience and tolerance. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) struggled with the enemies of Islam in Makkah for 13 years and resisted all their torments and obstructions, but the opponents of Islam did not give up their devilish beliefs and manner and utilized all their power to destroy Islam. Under such circumstances, the universal mission of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) necessitated his migration to a calm, suitable place and to find a new arena for his work and mission.

 

Yathrib – Ready to submit to Islam and Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw)

 

At the time of the pilgrimage to the Kaaba, some of the men of importance of the Khazraj tribe came to Makkah and met with Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) in the Masjid al-Haram. He explained the divine faith of Islam to them and encouraged them to believe in this religion, which is the faith of peace and fraternity. The Khazraj chiefs, who were tired of their deep-rooted disputes and conflicts with the Aws tribe, felt that Islam was exactly what they needed, and so they most willingly submitted to Islam.

 

When the Khazrajis, who had become Muslim, were about to return to Yathrib, they asked Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) for a missionary, and he assigned Mus’ab ibn Umair (first envoy of Islam) to accompany them. Thus, the people of Yathrib were informed of the rising sun of Islam and hurried to gain information about the new faith.

 

The most effective factor in making the people ready and eager to adopt Islam was listening to the luminous verses of Noble Qur’an. Mus’ab ibn Umair reported the conversion to Islam of the chiefs and leaders of both the Khazraj and Aws tribes to Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw). Later on, a large number of the people of Yathrib who had come to Makkah to take part in the Hajj pilgrimage held a secret meeting with Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) at midnight and swore allegiance to support him just as they supported and protected their own families.

Story No. 165 – Why Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) is called as Rahmatul-Lil-Alameen?

One day, the Archangel Jibraeel visited Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) who was in the state of sadness. On inquiring the cause, he said that he was grieved at the violence and falsehood of infidels. Shall I give you proof – said the angel – that Allah (SWT) has subjected all things to you? Do you wish to know in what estimation the Most High holds you?

Call that tree. It came near Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) and made a prostration, and at the command of Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) returned to its place. The angel Ishmaeel, the Regent of the First Heaven now descended and saluting Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said, My Lord has commanded me to obey you implicitly in everything. If you order, I will pour the stars upon your enemies and burn them. The angel of the sun appeared and offered to consume Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah’s (SWT) enemies by bringing the sun upon their heads. The angel of earth proposed to have them swallowed up by the opening ground. The angel of the mountains wished to hurl all the mountains on them, and the angel of the ocean asked permission to drown them beneath the mighty waves of the sea.

After having first demanded of these angels if they were all commanded to aid him, and receiving an affirmative answer, Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) raised his blessed face towards heaven and said, I am not sent to inflict judgment but enjoined to be the Mercy of the Universe. As we shall observe, this is why even rocks prayed to Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) for intercession.

And We have not sent you but as a mercy to the worlds. (Noble Qur’an, 21:107)

Story No. 164 – Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah’s (SWT) visit to Taif

Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah’s (SWT) visit to Taif Guardian Uncle Hazrat Abu Talib (as) and Khadija tul Kubra (sa) were the main supporters of the Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT). It was so destined that they passed away within a few days of each other, on the 10th year of the Proclamation of Islam in 619 CE, leaving the Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) to lament the bereavement. Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) had lost a caring uncle and a loving wife.

 

The enemies were now relieved, because Hazrat Abu Talib (as) was no more to protect. A few days after Hazrat Abu Talib’s (as) death, when Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) was once passing through a lane, a woman emptied her garbage from a window upon his head. He returned home with his head soiled. His young daughter Fatima al-Zahra (sa) sat beside him, consoling and washing off the dirt.

 

As things became intolerable in Makkah, Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) decided to move to Taif, a town about sixty miles east of Makkah, along with his adopted son Zaid ibn Harithah, where he thought he would convey the message of Allah (SWT) to the tribe of Thaqeef. Taif was known for its pleasant climate and beautiful scenery.

 

Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) knew very well that people at Taif were no different from Makkans. They also idols worshippers and were in constant contact with the people in Makkah. But he did not despair. As he entered Taif, and proclaimed his prophethood, people jeered at him. One said: “God did not find anyone else for His message except you?” Another said: “I must be naive or a thief if I believed you to be a prophet.” And so it went on.

 

Then in order to prevent him from preaching Islam, people of Taif set a group of children and vagabonds behind him. They pestered him and threw stones at him. It was Imam Ali (as) who protected Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) and drove the stone throwing children away from Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT). Zaid ibn Harithah, noticed that there was so much blood in the Prophet’s shoes that his feet were stuck. Tired, forsaken and wounded, he sought refuge in a nearby garden. It belonged to Atabah and Shaibah, two wealthy chiefs of Quraish. They were both there when Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) entered and sat under a distant tree. He was alone. Then he raised his face towards heaven and prayed:

 

“O Allah (SWT)! I raise unto you my complaint for my weakness, my helplessness, and for the ridicule to which I have been subjected. O Merciful of all the Merciful! You are the Master of all oppressed people, You are my God! So to whom would You consign me? To the strangers who would ill-treat me, or to the enemies who have an upper hand over me? If whatever has befallen me is not because of Your wrath, then I fear not. No doubt, the field of Your security and care is wide enough for me. I seek refuge in Your light which illuminates darkness and straightens the affairs of this world and hereafter, that Your displeasure and wrath may not descend upon me. For the sake of Your pleasure, I remain pleased and resigned to my fate. No change in this world occurs without Your Will.”

 

Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) remained optimistic about the situation and the future. When Allah (SWT) sent angels who gave him a choice to destroy the people of Taif for the way they had treated this Messenger of Allah (SWT), his response was this: “No, I hope that Allah (SWT) will bring out from their offspring people who worship Him alone and associate no partners with Him.”

 

Atabah and Shaibah were watching. They sent for their servant named Addas and gave him a plate full of grapes. “Take this to that man under the tree,” they ordered.

 

Addas was a Christian. He brought the grapes to Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) and bid him eat. As Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) picked a bunch he said: “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim,” (In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate). Addas had never heard this before. He was impressed by it, because the man was invoking mercy and compassion of Allah (SWT) in spite of his desolate state.

 

“Who are you?” Addas asked.

 

“I am the Prophet of Allah (SWT).” Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) replied.

 

“Where do you come from?” Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) asked.

 

“I am Addas, a Christian. I come from Nineveh.” Addas replied.

 

“Nineveh? You come from a place where my brother Yunus bin Mati (Jonah) lived,” Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said.

 

Addas was surprised to hear the name.

 

“What do you know of Yunus bin Mati? Here no one seems to know him. Even in Nineveh there were hardly few people who knew his father’s name.”

 

Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said: “Yes, I know him because just like me, he was a Prophet of Allah (SWT).”

 

Addas fell on his knees before Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT), kissed his hand and embraced Islam.

Story No. 163 – Obstacles on the Way and the Tortures Inflicted by the Quraish

From the very day Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) started his public propagation of Islam, the Quraish chiefs resorted to any means to silence him.

 

As usual, they first began with attempts to lure him and tried hard to get him interested in wealth, status, and other material benefits that they promised to give him if he submitted to their ungodly will, and, after realizing that this method was of no use in their dealing with him, they attempted to threaten and then to torment and torture him.

 

Thus a new stage – an exceedingly troublesome phase – started in the blessed life of Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT). The enemies of Islam, who had well understood that the triumph and rule of Islam would surely put an end to their law of the sword, tyrannies, and exploitation of the deprived people, launched their combat against Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) most brutally and ruthlessly, discarding all moral and humane principles – if they had any – and taking up the arms of rancour and cruelty so that they could hamper the spread of Islam and guard the interests of the Quraish chiefs and men of power.

 

Of course it cannot be denied that one of the reasons for the opposition of the people of that age to the perfect faith of Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) was their intellectual immaturity. But from the very day the Quraish tribe heard that Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) called the idols and wooden and stone statues they worshipped valueless and useless, they exhibited the utmost enmity and opposition toward Islam. Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) asked the people, ‘what do you want with these lifeless objects?’ They were even more enraged when Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) denounced the wooden and stone idols of the Quraish left to them by their ancestors, which they regarded among their ancient glories.

 

On the other hand, the divine teachings of Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) were inconsistent with the interests of the oppressive class of the chiefs of the Quraish who wanted to continue exploiting the poor people and possessing innumerable slaves, as well as with the interests and inhumane desires of the usurers who wished to amass wealth at the expense of the deprived class of their society.

 

It goes without saying that in an environment where no divine law is obeyed and no human right is respected, the strong will forcibly violate the honour, property, and chastity of the defenseless people, and so the new faith – Islam – which severely opposed and fought this wrong social system, enraged those whose interests and selfish considerations were endangered.

 

Such notorious people as Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, Abu Lahab ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, Aswad ibn Abd Yaghwan, As ibn Wail, Utbah and Shaybah, Walid ibn Maghirah, and Aqibah ibn Abi Ma’ayyat were among the leaders of the opponents of Islam.

 

Cruel, false accusations, physical torment, foul language, economic and financial pressure and boycotts were among the inhumane methods used by the Quraish chiefs against Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) and his faithful companions.

 

Here some examples of the offences and torments which the enemies of Islam inflicted upon Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) are mentioned:

 

  1. One day a number of Quraish gave the uterus of a sheep to their servants to throw at the blessed face and head of Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT). They obeyed their brutal master, thus making Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) rather sad.

 

Another day they threw camel’s guts on him while he was prostrating in prayer. Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) remained in prostration, perhaps waiting for one of the Muslims to pass by and take the dirt off his back. His daughter Fatima al-Zahra (sa) was walking by when she saw him. With tears in her eyes, she removed the dirt from his back. He said to her, “Don’t cry my daughter, the Almighty Allah (SWT) will honour His religion and grant your father victory.”

 

  1. Tariq Maharibi has narrated, I saw Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) saying in a loud voice to the people, “O people! Say there is no god but God so you would find salvation.”

 

He urged the people to submit to Islam and become monotheists while Abu Lahab ibn Abd Al-Muttalib followed him step by step and threw stones at him injuring him so that his feet were covered with blood, but Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) continued to guide the people and show them the path of eternal salvation and prosperity. Abu Lahab ibn Abd Al-Muttalib cried out, “People! This man is a liar. Do not listen to him.”

 

  1. In addition, Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT), as well as his loyal friends and those who had newly adopted Islam were most severely tortured and tormented by the infidels.

 

One day, Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) observed Ammar Yasir and his family being tortured by the enemies of Islam. Addressing Ammar and his faithful family, he said, ‘I give you, Ammar’s family, the good tidings that Paradise will be your eternal abode.’

 

Ibn Athir has written, Ammar and his parents suffered severe tortures from the idol worshippers. The idol worshippers forced them out of their house in the hot burning weather and tortured them under the burning rays of the sun, inflicting the most unbearable tortures upon them so that they would leave the faith.

 

Sumayyah, Ammar’s mother, was the first woman martyr of Islam, killed by a blow from Abu Jahl’s weapon. Yasir, Ammar’s father, too, died under the torture of the infidels. Ammar himself was most cruelly tortured by the enemies of Islam but resorted to dissimulation and thus saved his own life.

 

Tortures Inflicted by the Quraish4. Bilal ibn Rabah, an Ethiopian slave, was among Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah’s (SWT) most faithful followers and, because of his faith in Islam, his ruthless master brutally tortured him. At midday when it is scorching hot, his master would make Bilal ibn Rabah lie down on the burning hot desert pebbles and sand and put a large and heavy stone on his chest to force him to stop obeying Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) and to worship their idols instead of worshipping the One God.

 

The torture of which is, needless to say, beyond endurance, but Bilal ibn Rabah resisted all his threats and tortures most bravely and admirably and responded just by repeating the word ‘Ahad’ (One), meaning ‘God is One and Peerless and I will never become an idol worshipper.’

 

In fact Bilal ibn Rabah, as well as many other faithful Muslims at the beginning of Islam, suffered a great deal from the enemies of Islam who had aimed most obstinately at the destruction of Islam. All of them tolerated all the pains and torture and did not leave their faith even for a single moment. We see therefore very clearly how the accusation that Islam prevailed by force and by the law of the sword is false and far from the truth.

 

Economic struggle: The Quraish had started a fierce economic struggle against Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) and his followers. One of the inhumane weapons they used against the Muslims was economic pressure and boycott of any sort of transactions with the Muslims. Bani Hashim and Bani Abd Al-Muttalib joined Abu Talib after the boycott was enforced and withdrew to a narrow glen or wadi known as Sheb Abi Talib. It was the seventh year of Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah’s (SWT) mission. Weeks and months had passed, and the people of Hashim lived in misery and hunger. The ban was so rigorously enforced that Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah’s (SWT) clan was reduced to eating acacia leaves and the cries of hungry children reverberated all over the valley.

 

When the period of confinement had lengthened to nearly three years (between 616-619CE), Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said one day to Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib that Allah (SWT) had revealed to him that the agreement to which Quraish had subscribed against them, which is hanging on the inside wall of Kaaba, had been so severely damaged by ants that of the writing only the name of Allah had remained legible. Thereupon Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib went to Kaaba, where several Quraish were in conclave, and addressed them as follows: ‘How long will you continue to conform to the conditions of your brutal agreement? My nephew has told me that Allah (SWT) has wiped out the whole of the agreement except His own name. Let us examine the agreement to discover whether what my nephew has said is correct.’ Some of those present endorsed what he had said and the original of the agreement was fetched and on examination it was found that with the exception of the name of God with which it began, the rest of the writing had become undecipherable. In other words it was a miracle that Termites eats up the Accord. In consequence of this significant discovery, some of the chiefs of Quraish, felt that this cruel and unnatural agreement should be terminated.

 

Psychological warfare: Prohibiting of marriage with Muslims, cutting off all relations with them from the Quraish. Accused Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) of witchcraft, sorcery doing traits and tricks by not withstanding his Miracles. Accused Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) as being poet by not withstanding the eloquence of Qura’nic verses. Accused Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) as being crazy to avoid children going near him, and the like were psychological tactics meant to break down the resistance and perseverance of the first Muslims.

 

Physical torment and torture: Another anti-human method of fighting the new movement and its adherents used by the Quraish was physical torture of the Muslims, which resulted in the martyrdom of a number of faithful Muslims at the beginning of Islam.

 

In spite of all the brutal methods that the infidel Quraish utilized in their struggles against Islam, Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) and the Muslims, Islam advanced and Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) continued to urge the people to go the right way. Islam and the Muslims continued their efforts and struggles.

 

To maintain their faith in Islam, the Muslims underwent extremely severe torture, sufferings, and hardships and showed admirable resistance in following this honorable path.

 

A careful and just survey of the conditions of the Muslims at the beginning of Islam reveals the significant fact that, unlike the picture the enemies of Islam have always tried to present, Islam, this holiest of faith, has not been promoted at the point of the bayonet or by the sword, but for 13 years, Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) and the faithful Muslims tolerated the tortures, torments, and swords of the infidels and the idol worshippers to promote this divine religion revealed by Allah (SWT) for their salvation.

Story No. 162 – Quraish complain to guardian uncle Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib

The chiefs of the Quraish went to Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib’s house. Their speaker said to him, ‘You possess a high status among us and the Quraish tribe. You are our chief, our master, and our lord. We all have great respect for your honour and high position. We have already asked you to hinder your nephew. We have told you to stop him from offending the faith of our forefathers, denouncing our idols, thoughts and beliefs. But you have not paid any attention to our demands and have not attempted to stop him. We swear by god that we will not tolerate disrespect toward our gods and denunciation of the faith and beliefs of our fathers. You must prevent him from doing these things or we will fight both he and you who support him until either you or we are killed.’

Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib tried to solve the problem peacefully, and after they had left the house, he talked to Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) about the matter, because Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) was loving his guardian uncle Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib very much. Addressing Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) remarked, ‘Allah (SWT) has selected me to be His Messenger. He has given me a message so as to lift the people from degradation. He has given me a message for me to call the people to worship only One God. Allah has ordered me to prevent the people from idol-worship and oppression. I swear by Almighty Allah (SWT) that even if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, and in return, demand of me to quit the propagation of Islam and pursuance of my divine aim, I will never do what they want me to. I am determined to carry on my duty toward Allah (SWT) to the last moment of my life, even if it means losing my life. I am strongly determined to attain my goal.’

Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) left his uncle’s house sadly. Abu Talib ibn Abd Al-Muttalib called him and said, ‘I swear by God that I will not quit supporting you and will not let them hurt you’. Almighty Allah (SWT) brought his great protection to the attention of Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah (SWT) with the descending of the following verse which says: “Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter?” (Noble Qur’an, 93:6)

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