adminThe lifting of the boycott allowed our Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions room to breathe. During this time, many were converting to Islam in succession.
There were 20 Christians among those inclined towards Islam.Upon what they heard from the Muslims that migrated to Abyssinia, they came to Makkah to research about the Prophet and Islam.
They met with our Holy Prophet (PBUH) by the Kaaba and asked him many questions. They were very happy upon receiving the perfect answers.
Much later, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) invited them to testify to the Oneness of Allah and recited the Quran. Their hearts were overwhelmed with love in the face of the Quran’s magnificence. In the midst of their tears, all twenty of them converted to Islam at once.
The polytheists were immensely angry at this situation. While they were trying to thwart the idol worshippers from becoming Muslims, here, the Christians had come by their own will and were converting to Islam.
With Abu Jahl at the forefront, a group of polytheists blocked their way and after insulting them in numerous ways they said, “May God curse you! You came here to learn what this man says; you have consorted with and are following him! This is just downright stupid.”
However, the fortunate ones, who had been honored through their conversion to Islam, did not pay any attention to the polytheists’ insults and answered them with a tactful reply, “We will not treat you in the ignorant manner in which you treat us.”
Verses 51-55 in Surah Qasas refer to these honorable individuals. (1)
Divine Warning to the Prophet
One day, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) was explaining the belief and the Quranic truths to Islam’s most ardent enemies which included Walid bin Mughira, Utba bin Rabia, Umayya bin Khalaf, and many other leading figures from among the Quraysh.
From time to time, he would ask, “How is it, it is beautiful, right?” in order to enliven his audience’s attention.
During that period, a lover of Allah came forth. This individual, whose eyes were blind yet whose heart could see, was Abdullah bin Umm Maktum, Hazrat Khadijah’s maternal uncle. However, he did not know whom our Holy Prophet (PBUH) was addressing and said, “Oh Allah’s Apostle, guide me, teach me how to recite the Quran, teach me what Allah has taught you.”
He repeated his request a few times since he had not realized that our Holy Prophet (PBUH) was fully focused on explaining Islam to Quraysh’s leading figures.
Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) felt disturbed and annoyed, and he did not pay much attention to Abdullah bin Umm Mektum since had the opportunity to come and learn about Islam from our Holy Prophet (PBUH) at anytime. However, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) might not have received the chance to gather Quraysh’s leaders in one place again. If they converted to Islam or if they stopped their enmity, it would mean that Mecca as a whole would convert along with them.
For that reason, the Master of the Universe (PBUH) did not want to be distracted and consequently made that obvious.
A revelation was sent just as our Holy Prophet (PBUH) had finished speaking and as he was getting up. He closed his eyes and went into another state of consciousness. Surah Abasa was then revealed. (2)
The surah mentioned our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) behavior:
“The (Prophet) frowned and turned away. Because there came to him the blind man (interrupting). But what could tell thee but that perchance he might Grow (in spiritual understanding)? Or that he might receive admonition, and the teaching might profit him? As to one who regards himself as self-sufficient, To him dost thou attend; Though it is no blame to thee if he grow not (in spiritual understanding) But as to him who came to thee striving earnestly, And with fear (in his heart) Of him wast thou unmindful. By no means (should it be so)! For it is indeed a Message of instruction: Therefore let who will, keep it in remembrance.” (3)
Yes, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) was not responsible for those who did not want to rinse the filth of disbelief from their hearts, who had no desire to listen to the Quran, who did not convert to Islam, and those who did not purify their egos. His duty only required him to duly deliver Islam’s message. Nevertheless, such a warning was needed.
In essence, Allah stated the following in the verses that He sent down:
“You are abandoning someone whose eyes cannot see in the physical sense, yet loves guidance and whose ears and heart are open, and you are exerting your efforts on those who don’t want to hear the truth!” (4)
After this incident and warning, whenever our Holy Prophet (PBUH) saw Abdullah Ibn Umm Maktum he would treat him with immense respect and kindness, would ask him if he needed anything, and would pay him compliments by saying, “Hello, the person who was the reason behind the address and warning that my Lord gave to me!” (5)
Two Miracles Shown to Rukana
Rukana bin Abd-i Yazid, was an unrivaled wrestler from among the polytheists who had never been defeated. Unfortunately, Rukana, who could easily throw down all of his opponents, somehow did not want to have the honor of being a true wrestler by overcoming the severe resentment and enmity he felt towards our Holy Prophet (PBUH.)
One day, this famous wrestler encountered our Holy Prophet (PBUH) on one of the valleys of Mecca. His eyes were raging with sparks of anger. Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) asked, “O Rukana, are you not afraid of Allah, to whom I call you to testify?”
Rukana answered, “If you prove that your words are true then I will submit to you.”
Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) again asked, “If I knock you to the ground, then will you believe what I say is true?”
Rukana replied, “O Muhammad, if you are able to defeat me, then I will believe you.”
Upon this, the Master of the Universe (PBUH) said, “Rise, let us wrestle.” As soon as the haughty Rukana rose, he found himself on the ground. He did not realize what had happened; he was confused. He immediately rose once more and offered our Holy Prophet (PBUH) another match. Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) accepted and Rukana found himself on the ground for the second time.
Rukana, whose confusion and amazement had increased, offered our Holy Prophet (PBUH) to wrestle once more. Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) again accepted and effortlessly pushed him to the ground.
Rukana who had promised, “If you are able to defeat me then I will believe you”, continued disbelieving despite having been defeated for the third time and said, “O Muhammad, you are undoubtedly a magician. To tell you the truth, I am bewildered by this wrestling match.”
In this way, he tried to pass off the miracle he had seen as a magic spell.
Another Miracle
This time, Rukana, who continued disbelieving, witnessed another miracle of our Holy Prophet (PBUH).
When he said, “To tell you the truth, I am bewildered by this wrestling match” Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) replied, “There are many others to be bewildered about. If you would like, I can show you another. Fear Allah, accept my invitation.”
Rukana asked, “What is it, this bewildering thing?”
Rukana asked, “What is it, this bewildering thing?”
“Let me call this gum tree here. You’ll see that it’ll come to me.”
Rukana replied, “Alright, call it to come forth.”
Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) commanded the gum tree, “By courtesy of Allah, come to me!” in front of the unruly polytheist.
The gum tree adhered to the order; it cleaved the ground as it came forth and stood before the Master of the Universe (PBUH.)
Rukana’s heart was still closed although his eyes were wide open. He continued to stubbornly disbelieve and said, “Honestly, I have never seen a spell as big as the one I have seen today in my entire life.” Afterwards, he requested that our Holy Prophet (PBUH) command the gum tree to go back to its spot.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) ordered, “By courtesy of Allah, go back.” The tree immediately went back to its spot.
Afterwards, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) again invited Rukana to become a Muslim. However, he persisted disbelieving and did not accept the invitation. Upon this, the last words of Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) were:
“Shame on you!”
Rukana returned amongst the community in a state of amazement and bewilderment and after he explained what he had seen, he said, “O Sons of Abd Manaf, you can cast a spell upon the entire world with your clansman. By God, I have never seen a more skilled magician than him.” (6)
Those who continued to be stubborn in not accepting the truth, despite everything, always tried belittling Islam with accusations so as to comfort themselves. However, they only belittled themselves each time.
According to a narration, Rukana became a Muslim around the time of the conquest of Mecca. (7)
Yes, as it can be seen in the example, the trees knew our Holy Prophet (PBUH); they testified to his prophethood and listened to his commands.
In that case, would those who call themselves human yet do not recognize our Holy Prophet (PBUH) as Allah’s Apostle and do not testify to him not hold less importance and worth than a dry tree and be deserving of hellfire?
Death of the Male Children of the Prophet
Sad events followed the happiness that came with the lifting of the boycott. The first chain of a series of saddening events was the death of our Holy Prophet’s four-year old son, Qasim.
Our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) heart, which was a fountain of compassion, was greatly saddened by his oldest son’s death. As he was walking to his beloved child’s funeral in a deep woeful state, he said to the Kuaykian Mountain that stood upright before him, “O Mountain! If what has befallen upon me had befallen upon you then you would not have been able to bear it and would have crumbled.”
Another painful event occurred while our Holy Prophet was still in deep mourning over his eldest son’s death: the death of his other son, Abdullah.
The Master of the Universe (PBUH), who is the ultimate example of what it means to submit to the will of Allah, was unable to hold back his tears.
Hazrat Khadijah asked about her beloved children whom she had rendered to Allah, “Oh Allah’s Apostle! Where are they now?”
Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) answered, “They are in heaven.”
Due to these painful circumstances, our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) heart was mournful and his eyes were continuously filled with tears. The Muslims also shared his sadness while the polytheists were elated. They did not pay any condolences nor exhibit any sense of human integrity as they tried to further upset our Holy Prophet (PBUH) in whatever way they could. Savages like As bin wail and Abu Jahl took their cruelty to a whole other level by arrogantly saying, “Muhammad is now abtar, his progeny has been cut off. He does not have any sons left to continue his lineage. When he dies, his name and fame will be forgotten.” (8)
Allah, Who never refrained from helping and consoling His beloved, revealed Surah al-Kawthar, which consoled our Holy Prophet (PBUH) and caused the polytheists to gag:
“Verily, We have granted you Al-Kawthar (9) (a river in Paradise). Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only). For he who hates you (O Muhammad) he will be cut off.”
Yes, in reality the Abu Jahls and Abu Lahabs were the ones whose names and fame fell from grace whereas our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) name and cause have continued to prevail for centuries and will continue to wave like a flag in the believers’ hearts till the Day of Judgment.
Abu Talib’s Death
The Muslims were immensely happy after having been rescued from this harsh boycott, which lasted three years. A common feeling of happiness spread across Mecca. However, this joy did not last long. Other painful events and tribulations occurred within a very short time.
Abu Talib fell sick and passed away during the tenth year of our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) Prophethood. Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) was immensely saddened by the death of his beloved uncle who had embraced him at a young age, who compassionately took him under his wing and raised him, and risked all sorts of dangers in order to protect our Holy Prophet (PBUH.) At the same time, the Master of the Universe (PBUH) sincerely yearned for Abu Talib to become a Muslim so that his uncle could attain eternal happiness.
As time passed, Abu Talib’s illness had gotten worse. The polytheists noticed this and again decided to appeal to Abu Talib to surrender his nephew to them. Utba bin Abi Rabia, Shayba bin Rabia, Abu Jahl, Umayya bin Khalaf, Abu Sufyan and many others came to him and said: Oh Abu Talib, you are one of our elders. We are now worried seeing that you have fallen on your death bed. You know what has happened between us and your brother’s son. Call him and be a judge amongst us. Have him separate from us and we will separate from him. Let us not struggle with one another. Have him not interfere with our faith and we will not interfere with his.”
Abu Talib sent for our Magnificent Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) came and sat amid his uncle and those who were present.
Abu Talib addressed the Master of the Universe (PBUH), “Oh my Brother’ Son. These are the leading figures of the tribe. They came here to discuss your matter. They are going to give you what they offer to give and will take what they want to take.”
Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) answered, “Alright, my Uncle. I have one word that I want them to take and accept from me. With that one word, they can rule over all the Arabs and non-Arabs.”
Abu Talib was amazed, “only one word?”
“Yes, only one word” replied our Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Everyone was curious; what could this word be?
Abu Jahl came forth and arrogantly said, “Tell us what that one word is so we can add ten more words to it.”
The Master of the Universe (PBUH) announced the one word that everyone was so curious to hear:
“Say La ilaha illallah and throw away all the idols that you worship!”
The polytheists all clapped their hands and said, “Oh Muhammad, do you want to make all these gods just one God? We are surprised.” Afterwards, they spoke amongst themselves: “By God, this man is not going to give us what we want. Let us go, until God issues His judgment, let us firmly follow the religion of our forefathers.” (10)
Allah notifies us of their action in the Holy Quran as follows:
"Has he made the gods (all) into one God? Truly this is a wonderful thing! And the leaders among them go away (impatiently), (saying) "Walk ye away, and remain constant to your gods! For this is truly a thing designed (against you)! (11)
Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) Invites His Uncle to Islam
Following the discussion they had with the polytheists, Abu Talib said to our Holy Prophet (PBUH), “By God, my brother’s son, I do not see your request as being far from the truth.”
When he heard this, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) was happy and hopeful that his uncle whom he dearly loved and respected would become a Muslim, “O Uncle! Say ‘La ilaha illalah’ so I can intercede for you on the Day of Judgment.”
Unfortunately, the Uncle of the Master of the Universe (PBUH) did not provide a joyous answer:
“Oh my nephew, I swear by Allah that if I was not afraid of them claiming that my conversion was due to having been afflicted with dementia at an old age and of them continuously mentioning this to you and the sons of your forefathers after my departure from this world, then I would say what it is that you want me to say and would submit to you; The Quraysh is going to think that I uttered those words because I fear death; that is why I am not going to say them.”
However, despite this, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) did not refrain from encouraging his uncle to convert to Islam. His holy heart was pounding with the fear of the frightful aftermath that his beloved uncle would face in the event that he did not convert. Therefore, he continuously said, “Oh Uncle, say La ‘ilaha illallah’ so I can intercede for you in the hereafter.”
On some other occasion, while our Holy Prophet was (PBUH) inviting Abu Talib to testify to faith, Abu Jahil and Abdullah bin Abi Umayya were present. They both said, “Oh Abu Talib! Are you going to turn away from Abdulmuttalib’s people and his religion?”
Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) did not pay attention to their words and persisted in inviting his uncle to recite the shahada (testimony of faith.) They also continued to repeat their own words in the same manner. At last, Abu Talib said (by referring to himself) “he was a follower of Abumuttalib’s faith. (12)
Despite this, our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) holy heart was greatly distressed with the fear that his uncle, who loved him dearly, would share the same frightful fate as the polytheists who had subjected our Beloved Prophet (PBUH) to all sorts of insults and cruelty. He said, “O Uncle, know that that I will continue to ask for you to be forgiven until Allah takes your soul.” (13)
Eventually, Abu Talib died at the age of 87 without attaining an acceptable belief. (14)
Upon this, Allah revealed a verse that addressed our Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Muslims at the same time:
“It is true thou wilt not be able to guide everyone whom thou lovest: but Allah guides those whom He will and He knows best those who receive guidance.” (15)
Our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) holy and delicate heart was immensely saddened by his uncle’s death. His eyes were filled with tears and he said,
“May Allah forgive his sins and offer His benevolence.”
At the time of Abu Talib’s death, Hazrat Abbas was at his brother’s bedside. When Abu Talib was dying, Hazrat Abbas saw his lips moving and heard him say, “La ilaha illalllah.” He turned to our Holy Prophet (PBUH) and said, “O my Brother’s Son! By God, I heard my brother Abu Talib utter the testimony that you had wanted him to say.”
Amid his tears our Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “I did not hear it.” (16)
We should state that Hazrat Abbas was not a Muslim, then.
At his uncle’s funeral, our Holy Prophet (PBUH), who was greatly saddened and whose heart was a trove of compassion for all of humanity, prayed for him, “May Allah bring you to the presence of His compassion and reward you with benevolence.” (17)
During this time a verse related to this matter was revealed, providing the Muslims with an unchangeable measure:
“It is not fitting, for the prophet and those who believe, that they should pray for forgiveness for pagans, even though they be of kin, after it is clear to them that they are companions of the Fire.” (18)
The death of his uncle both saddened our Holy Prophet (PBUH) and caused him to think deeply. He was the one who had been our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) guardian in the physical sense and had tried to protect his nephew from the dangers posed by the polytheists. He never refrained from safeguarding his nephew under the most difficult and harshest conditions and continued to risk facing harsh enmity from his relatives. Due to this protection, the polytheists were unable to fully interfere with our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) work.
Now Abu Talib was gone. There was no one left to protect (visibly) our Holy Prophet (PBUH) against the polytheists’ excessive animosity and resentment. However, Allah continued to be His Beloved Messenger’s (PBUH) true protector without leaving the need for a material guard and protector.
The Issue of the Belief of Abu Talib
There are many views regarding Abu Talib’s faith. Scholars from among the Shia believe that he left with faith whereas most Sunni scholars say that he left without having testified. Furthermore, it can be understood from some of his poems that he would frequently praise our Holy Prophet (PBUH) and had testified to him through his heart.
After saying, “The Shiite hold the view that he had belief but most of Ahl as-Sunnah hold the view that he did not have belief”, Badiuzzaman Said Nursi explains the issue as follows:
“But what occurs to my heart is this: Abu Talib loved most earnestly, not the Most Noble Messenger’s (Upon whom be blessings and peace) messengership, but his person and his self. That – most earnest- personal love and tenderness of his surely will not go for nothing. Yes, Abu Talib sincerely loved Almighty God’s Noble Beloved and protected and supported him; it was because of, not denial and obduracy, but feelings like shame and tribal solidarity that he did not believe in him in acceptable fashion. If due to this he goes to Hell, He may create a sort of particular Paradise for him, in reward for his good actions. Like He sometimes creates the spring during winter in some places, and for people in prison transforms by means of sleep the prison into a palace, so too He may turn a particular Hell into a sort of particular Paradise…” (19)
Hazrat Khadijah’s Death
A short while after Abu Talib’s death, about three days later, our Holy Prophet’s beloved wife, Hazrat Khadijah, passed away, at age 65, during the holy month of Ramadan.
Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) led the prayer at her funeral and while they were burying her in the Hajun graveyard, he watched the dark soil that now covered her with tears in his eyes.
These painful events that took place one after the other greatly pained and saddened our Holy Prophet (PBUH.) Hazrat Khadijah was our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) greatest supporter and sympathizer due to her loyalty, the strength of her faith, compassion, faithfulness, submission, her heart’s tenderness, and virtue. While everyone was an enemy to him, she was the first to testify to his Prophethood. And while everyone distanced themselves from him, she opened her heart to him and had her love deeply buried in her tender heart. She was his only source of comfort during all the times he was most distressed.
Our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) exceptional love for Hazrat Khadijah undoubtedly and greatly contributed to his immense grief. He never forgot about her after her death and would praise and speak about her with great reverence and love when the situation arose. He would help her relatives and never withheld his compassion and mercy from them, which reflected his love for her.
One day, when he heard the voice of Hazrat Khadijah’s sister, Halah, he mentioned the name of his beloved wife. Hazrat Aisha witnessed this and said, “Allah has given you younger and more beautiful wives.”
Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) made it obvious that he was bothered by her words and mentioned Hazrat Khadijah’s kindness and virtue.
Intending to make up for what she had said, Hazrat Aisha, who was very perceptive, said with the fullest sincerity, “O Allah’s Apostle! I swear by Allah Who has sent you as a Prophet that I will always want you to mention Khadijah’s stories from now on.” (20)
***
We learn that our mother Hazrat Aisha was jealous when our Holy Prophet (PBUH) would continue to frequently praise and mention Hazrat Khadijah with love through her own words:
"I did not feel jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet as much as I did of Khadijah though I did not see her, but the Prophet used to mention her very often, and whenever he slaughtered a sheep, he would cut its parts and send them to the women friends of Khadijah. When I sometimes said to him, "(You treat Khadijah in such a way) as if there is no woman on earth except Khadijah," he would say, "Khadijah was such-and-such a woman, and from her I had children." (21)
When our Holy Prophet (PBUH) frequented Hira, our mother Hazrat Khadijah would take food to him.
One day Hazrat Jabrail came and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! The one who comes directly to you from afar is Khadijah. She is carrying a container that holds food. When she comes to you greet her on behalf of her Lord and me! Tell her that a castle in heaven has been made from pearls to be given to her and that it possesses no work and commotion.” (22)
***
Hazrat Ali heard our Holy Prophet (PBUH) say: “Maryam, the daughter of Imran, was the best woman of her time. The best woman in my ummah (community) is Khadijah.” (23)
[1] Ibn Hisham, Sirah, V. 2, p. 32.
[2] Ibn Hisham, Sirah, V. 1, p. 196; Ibn Sa’d, Tabaqat, V. 4, p. 208-209, Tirmidhi, Sunan, V. 2, p. 232.
[3] Abasa, 1-12.
[4] M. Hamdi Yazır, Hak Dini Kur’an Dili, V. 7, p. 5576.
[5] Ibn Sa’d, ibid, V. 4, p. 209; Ibn Kathir, Tafsir, V. 4, p. 470-471; M. Hamdi Yazır, Tefsir, V. 7, p. 5571.
[6] Ibn Hisham, Sirah, V. 2, p. 31; Balazuri, Ansab, V. 1, p. 155; Ibn Hajar, al-Isaba, V. 1, p. 506.
[7] Ibn Abdi’l-Barr, al-Istiab, V. 1, p. 515.
[8] Ibn Hisham, Sirah, V. 2, p. 34; Ibn Sa’d, Tabaqat, V. 1, p. 133.
[9] The “Kawthar” is a pool in heaven. Our Holy Prophet’s ummah (community of believers) will come and drink from it. However, it also means a lot of good deeds, including “prophethood,” “Sharia,” and “the Quran.” The word “Kawthar” means many good deeds. Knowledge and good deeds are deemed honorable in both worlds.
According to one of his hadiths, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) said,
“It is a river in heaven which my Lord has promised me. It holds many good deeds. Its water tastes of honey and is whiter than milk, colder than snow, and softer than cream. Its two sides are of emerald. Its cups are made from silver. The one who drinks from it will not feel thirst.”
According to some scholars, the word“Kawthar” signifies our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) children, followers, the scholars from his ummah, or the Holy Quran. (See: Hasan B. Çantay, Kur'ân-ı Hakim ve Meâl-i Kerîm: 3/1226.)
[10] Ibn Hisham, Sirah, V. 2, p. 57; Ibn Sa’d, Tabaqat, V. 1, p. 211-212.
[11] Sad, 5-6.
[12] Bukhari, Sahih, V. 2, p. 326; Tabari, Tarikh, V. 2, p. 219-220.
[13] Bukhari, ibid, V. 2, p. 326; Tabari, ibid, V. 2, p. 219-220.
[14] Ibn Hisham, ibid, V. 1, p. 60.
[15] al-Qasas, 56.
[16] Ibn Hisham, ibid, V. 1, p. 59.
[17] Suhayli, Rawdu’l-Unf, V. 1, p. 260.
[18] at-Tawba, 113.
[19] Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, Mektûbat, p. 398-399.
[20] Bukhari, Sahih, V. 2, p. 315; Muslim, Sahih, V. 7, p. 138; Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, V. 2, p. 58.
[21] Bukhari, Sahih, V. 2, p. 315; Muslim, Sahih, V. 7, p. 138; Tirmidhi, Sunan, V. 5, p. 702.
[22] Muslim, Sahih, V. 4, p. 1887.
[23] Muslim, Sahih, V. 4, p. 1886; Tirmidhi, Sunan, V. 5, p. 702-703.
