The Sealed Nectar (17 page)

"Should you indulge in these practices of yours, never divulge them to me."

For ten days he stayed there delivering his message to several people, one after another, but all to no purpose. Stirred up to hasten the departure of the unwelcome visitor, the people hooted him through the alley- ways, pelted him with stones and obliged him to flee from the city pursued by a relentless rabble. Blood flowed down both his legs; and Zaid, endeavouring to shield him, was wounded in the head. The mob did not desist until they had chased him two or three miles across the sandy plains to the foot of the surrounding hills. There, wearied and exhausted, he took refuge in one of the numerous orchards, and rested against the wall of a vineyard. At a time when the whole world seemed to have turned against him, Muhammad

[pbuh] turned to his Lord and betook himself to prayer and the following touching words are still preserved as those through which his oppressed soul gave vent to its distress. He was weary and wounded but confident of the help of his Lord:

"O Allâh! To You alone I make complaint of my helplessness, the paucity of
my resources and my insignificance before mankind. You are the most
Merciful of the mercifuls. You are the Lord of the helpless and the weak, O

Lord of mine! Into whose hands would You abandon me: into the hands of
an unsympathetic distant relative who would sullenly frown at me, or to the
enemy who has been given control over my affairs? But if Your wrath does
not fall on me, there is nothing for me to worry about."

"I seek protection in the light of Your Countenance, which illuminates the
heavens and dispels darkness, and which controls all affairs in this world as
well as in the Hereafter. May it never be that I should incur Your wrath, or
that You should be wrathful to me. And there is no power nor resource, but
Yours alone."

Seeing him in this helpless situation, Rabi‘a’s two sons, wealthy Makkans, were moved on grounds of kinship and compassion, and sent to him one of their Christian servants with a tray of grapes. The Prophet [pbuh] accepted the fruit with pious invocation: "In the Name of the Allâh." The Christian servant ‘Addas was greatly 82

MSA NIU

impressed by these words and said: "These are words which people in this land do not generally use." The Prophet [pbuh] inquired of him whence he came and what religion he professed. ‘Addas replied: "I am a Christian by faith and come from Nineveh." The Prophet [pbuh] then said: "You belong to the city of the righteous Jonah, son of Matta." ‘Addas asked him anxiously if he knew anything about Jonah.

The Prophet [pbuh] significantly remarked: "He is my brother. He was a Prophet and so am I." Thereupon ‘Addas paid homage to Muhammad [pbuh] and kissed his hands. His masters admonished him at this act but he replied: "None on the earth is better than he is. He has revealed to me a truth which only a Prophet can do." They again reprimanded him and said: "We forewarn you against the consequences of abandoning the faith of your forefathers. The religion which you profess is far better than the one you feel inclined to."

Heart- broken and depressed, Muhammad [pbuh] set out on the way back to Makkah.

When he reached Qarn Al- Manazil, Allâh, the Almighty sent him Gabriel together with the angel of mountains. The latter asked the Prophet [pbuh] for permission to bury Makkah between Al–Akhshabain —Abu Qubais and Qu‘ayqa‘an mountains. Full narration of this event was given by ‘Aishah [R] (the Prophet’s spouse). She said: "I asked the Prophet [pbuh] if he had ever experienced a worse day than Uhud. He answered that he had suffered a lot from those people (the idolaters) but the most painful was on the day of ‘Aqabah. I went seeking support from Ibn ‘Abd Yalil bin

‘Abd Kalal, but he spurned me. I set out wearied and grieved heedless of anything around me until I suddenly realized I was in Qarn Ath- Tha‘alib, called Qarn Al-Manazil. There, I looked up and saw a cloud casting its shade on me, and Gabriel addressing me: Allâh has heard your people’s words and sent you the angel of mountains to your aid. The latter called and gave me his greetings and asked for my permission to bury Makkah between Al- Akhshabain, the two mountains flanking Makkah. I said in reply that I would rather have someone from their loins who will worship Allâh, the All–Mighty with no associate." A concise meaningful answer fully indicative of the Prophet’s matchless character and the fathomless magnanimous manners. [Bukhari 1/458; Muslim 2/109]

The Messenger of Allâh [pbuh] then came back to wakefulness and his heart was set at rest in the light of that invisible Divinely provided aid. He proceeded to Wadi Nakhlah where he stayed for a few days.

During his stay there, Allâh sent him a company of jinns who listened to him reciting the Noble Qur’ân:

"And (remember) when We sent towards you (Muhammad [pbuh])
Nafran

(three to ten persons) of the jinns, (quietly) listening to the Qur’ân, when
they stood in the presence thereof, they said: ‘Listen in silence!’ And when it
was finished, they returned to their people, as warners. They said: ‘O our
people! Verily! We have heard a Book (this Qur’ân) sent down after Moses,
confirming what came before it, it guides to the Truth and to a Straight Path
(i.e. Islam). O our people! Respond (with obedience) to Allâh’s Caller (i.e.

Allâh’s Messenger Muhammad [pbuh]), and believe in him (i.e. believe in
that which Muhammad [pbuh] has brought from Allâh and follow him). He
(Allâh) will forgive you of your sins, and will save you from a painful
torment (i.e. Hell- fire).’"
[Al- Qur'an 46:29- 31]

The same incident is referred to in
Sûrah
Al- Jinn
: 83

MSA NIU

"Say (O Muhammad [pbuh]): "It has been revealed to me that a group
(from three to ten in number) of jinns listened (to this Qur’ân). They said:

‘Verily! We have heard a wonderful Recital (this Qur’ân)! It guides to the
Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we shall never join (in
worship) anything with our Lord (Allâh).’"
[Al- Qur'an 72:1,2] … Till the end of the 15th verse.

From the context of these verses and their relevant interpretation, we can safely establish it that the Prophet [pbuh] was not aware of the presence of that group of jinns. It was only when Allâh revealed those verses that he came to know of it. The verses also confirm that it was the first time they came. However, the context of the different versions suggests that the jinns repeated their visits later on. The presence of that company of jinns comes in the context of the Divine support given to His Messenger, and constitutes a propitious sign of ultimate victory and success for the Call of Islam. It provides an unshakable proof that no power however mighty could alter what is wrought by Allâh:

"And whosoever does not respond to Allâh’s Caller, he cannot escape on
earth, and there will be no
Auliyâ
(protectors) from him besides Allâh (from
Allâh’s punishment). Those are in manifest error."
[Al- Qur'an 46:32]

"And we think that we cannot escape (from the punishment of) Allâ h in the
earth, nor can we escape (from the punishment) by flight."
[Al- Qur'an 72:12]

Given this support and auspicious start, depression, dismay and sadness that used to beset him since he was driven out of At- Ta’if, he turned his face towards Makkah with fresh determination to resume his earlier plan to expose people to Islam and communicate his Message in a great spirit of zeal and matchless enthusiasm.

Zaid bin Harithah, his companion, addressing the Prophet [pbuh] said, "How dare you step into Makkah after they (Quraish) have expatriated you?" The Prophet

[pbuh] answered: "Hearken Zaid, Allâh will surely provide relief and He will verily support His religion and Prophet."

When he was a short distance from Makkah, he retired to Hira’ Cave. Whence he despatched a man from Khuza‘ah tribe to Al- Akhnas bin Shuraiq seeking his protection. The latter answered that he was Quraish’s ally and in no position to offer protection. He despatched the messenger to Suhail bin ‘Amr, but to no avail, either.

Al- Mut‘im bin ‘Adi, a notable in Makkah, however, volunteered to respond to the Prophet’s appeal for shelter. He asked his people to prepare themselves fully armed and then asked Muhammad [pbuh] to enter into the town and directly into the Holy Sanctuary. The Prophet [pbuh] observed a two-
Rak‘a
prayer and left for his house guarded by the heavily- armed vigilant ‘Adi’s.

It has been reported that later Abu Jahl, the archenemy of Islam, asked Mut‘im if his behaviour suggested protection or conversion, the latter replied it was merely protection. Abu Jahl was relieved and said that he would give Muhammad protection for his sake.

The Messenger of Allâh [pbuh] never forgot Mut‘im’s favour. At the conclusion of the battle of Badr, he declared publicly that if Mut‘im had been still alive and asked for the release of the Quraishite captives, he would not deny him his request. [Ibn 84

MSA NIU

Hisham 1/419- 422; Za'd Al- Ma'ad 2/46; Mukhtasar Seerat Ar- Rasool p.14; Rahmat-al- lil'alameen 1/71- 74; Tareekh- e- Islam 1/123]

Islam being introduced to Arabian Tribes and Individuals
In Dhul Qa‘dah, the tenth year of Prophethood, i.e. July 619, the Prophet [pbuh], returned to Makkah to resume his activities. The time for pilgrimage to Makkah was approaching so he hastened to introduce people both tribes and individuals to Islam and call upon them to embrace it, just as it was his practice since the fourth year of his Prophethood.

On the authority of Az- Zuhri, of the tribes that Islam was introduced to, we could speak of Banu ‘Amir bin Sa‘sa‘ah, Muharib bin Khasfa, Fazarah, Ghassan, Murrah, Haneefah, Saleem, ‘Abs, Banu Nasr, Banu Al- Buka’, Kindah, Kalb, Al- Harith bin Ka‘b, Udhrah and people of Hadrmout. Islam was not introduced to them in one single year but rather repeatedly from the fourth year till the last pre- migration season of pilgrimage. They however, remained obdurate and none of them responded positively. [At- Tirmidhi; Mukhtasar Seerat Ar- Rasool p.149; Tareekh- e- Islam 1/125]

The following is a resume of aspects relating to the Prophet’s appeals as regards the new faith he was preaching:

1. He visited a sept of Banu Kalb known as Banu ‘Abdullah. He called them to Allâh’s Message and entreated them to accept it for the sake of Allâh Who had chosen a beautiful name for their father, but without avail.

2. He called on Bani Haneefah in their habitation, but received very repugnant treatment.

3. He addressed Bani ‘Amir bin Sa‘sa‘ah in their encampment, calling them to abandon idolatry and join him. One of them called Buhairah bin Firras, answered him back: "Should we give you allegiance and Allâh give you power over your opponents, will you give us right to inheritance and succeed you in power?" The Prophet replied: "The whole affair lies in Allâh’s Hands. He gives the power to whomever He desires." The man commented: "Do you expect us to incur the wrath and vengeance of the Arabs without the least hope of leadership? We can in fact readily dispense with your offers."

When Banu ‘Amir returned to their habitations, they narrated the story to an elderly man who had lingered behind because he was too old. They told him, "A young man of Quraish of Bani ‘Abdul Muttalib, claiming that he is a Prophet, contacted us, asked for support and invited us to embrace his religion." The old sheikh was struck by the news, and wondered if there was no way of making amends for the loss of that opportunity and swore, "He is really Ishmaelite (he descends from Ishmael). He is the Truth (he is a real Prophet). How did it happen that you misjudged his words?"

The Prophet [pbuh] was not dismayed at all. He persisted in his mission for the fulfillment of which he had been commissioned to strive despite all odds. He did not confine his efforts to the tribes but also conducted contacts with individuals from some of whom he was able to receive a favourable response. Moreover, later in the same season, some of them did believe in his Prophethood and entered the fold of Islam. The following list included some of those early converts: 85

MSA NIU

1. Swaid bin Samit
. He was an intelligent discreet poet from Yathrib (Madinah). During his stay in Makkah for pilgrimage (or lesser pilgrimage), he encountered the Prophet [pbuh] who invited him to embrace Islam. At this invitation, Swaid imparted to the Prophet some sound words from Luqman’s wisdom. The Prophet approved of that wisdom but told the man that he had something far better. He recited some verses from the Qur’ân, the man listened meditatively and the words appealed to his originally pure nature and accepted Islam as his faith at once. He was killed in the battle of Bu‘ath. That was in the eleventh year of the Prophethood. [Ibn Hisham 1/425; Rahmat- al-lil'alameen 1/74]

2. Eyas bin Mu‘adh.
He was still a youth from Aws tribe. He came as a member of delegation seeking alliance with Quraish against another rival tribe dwelling in Madinah, Al- Khazraj. The Prophet [pbuh] met them and advised them to follow a better course than that they had in mind. He introduced himself and Islam to them, apprised them of his mission and narrated some verses from the Noble Qur’ân. Eyas’s heart immediately absorbed the Divine Message and agreed with the Prophet [pbuh]. Abul Haisar Anas bin Rafi‘, a member of the delegation disapproved of the boy’s behaviour and silenced him by hurling some dust into his face. The people then left Madinah after having failed in establishing alliance with Quraish. Shortly after arrival in Madinah, the boy breathed his last acclaiming Allâh’s Name and celebrating His Glory.[Ibn Hisham 1/424; Tareekh- e- Islam 1/126]

3. Abu Dhar Al- Ghifari.
He used to live in the suburbs of Yathrib. News of the Islamization of Swaid bin Samit and Eyas bin Mu‘adh reached him and constituted a turning point in his life per se. He sent his brother to Makkah for more details about the Prophet’s intentions. The man came back and reported to Abu Dhar that the ‘said man’ enjoined good and forbade evil. Abu Dhar was not satisfied and decided that he himself should go out and probe the real situation. After some attempts to identify the person of the Prophet [pbuh], he managed to meet him though not without some difficulties due to the antagonistic atmosphere within which the proponents of the new faith were trying to work their way. No sooner than Abu Dhar was exposed to the real nature of Islam, he embraced it. Despite the Prophet’s earnest plea not to divulge his new move, Abu Dhar went directly to the Holy Sanctuary where he publicly declared that he had testified to the Oneness of Allâh and Prophethood of Muhammad. The heathens all around hurried and began beating him. He almost died when Al- ‘Abbas intervened warning against killing someone whose tribe was in full command of the strategic commercial caravan routes leading to Makkah. The event recurred in the following morning with the same man to come to the scene and rescue him.[Bukhari 1/449- 544]