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*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 55*
*FACTORS OF PATIENCE AND STEADFASTNESS*
Rational people get baffled and wonder: what are the reasons that motivated Muslims to show such a matchless degree of firmness and endurance? How did they bear these terrible persecutions? So I should tackle these factors in brief.
1. UNSHAKABLE BELIEF IN ALLĀH
The first reason behind Muslims' steadfastness is their decisive belief in Allāh as One God and their true knowledge of Him. When hearts feel the delight of unquestionable belief, it becomes heavier and firmer than mountains. Therefore, the Muslim who has such absolute and definite belief views trouble and inconveniences in this world as algae that floats over a sweeping torrent that came to destroy Invulnerable dams and impregnable castles. He does not concern himself with such troubles as long as he senses the sweetness of his faith and the pleasurability of his submission. Allāh says:
Surah Ar-Rad, Verse 17:
أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَسَالَتْ أَوْدِيَةٌ بِقَدَرِهَا فَاحْتَمَلَ السَّيْلُ زَبَدًا رَّابِيًا وَمِمَّا يُوقِدُونَ عَلَيْهِ فِي النَّارِ ابْتِغَاءَ حِلْيَةٍ أَوْ مَتَاعٍ زَبَدٌ مِّثْلُهُ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْحَقَّ وَالْبَاطِلَ فَأَمَّا الزَّبَدُ فَيَذْهَبُ جُفَاءً وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ النَّاسَ فَيَمْكُثُ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ
He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and the valleys flow according to their measure, but the flood bears away the foam that mounts up to the surface, and (also) from that (ore) which they heat in the fire in order to make ornaments or utensils, rises a foam like unto it, thus does Allah (by parables) show forth truth and falsehood. Then, as for the foam it passes away as scum upon the banks, while that which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth. Thus Allah sets forth parables (for the truth and falsehood, i.e. Belief and disbelief).
2. IMPRESSIVE AND CHARMING LEADERSHIP
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) who is the supreme leader of the Muslim community and whole humanity has the best morals, excellent traits and perfect attributes that captivate hearts and make people sacrifice themselves wholeheartedly for him. He reached the apex of nobility, honour, righteousness and benevolence. Both his adversaries and advocate did not suspect his chastity, truthfulness and honesty.
One day three men of Quraish (who heard the Qur-ān secretly) met and one of them asked Abu Jahl (who was also among them): "What do you think about what you heard from Muhammad (Blessings and Peace be upon him)? He replied: "What did I hear?" We contended with the children of 'Abdu Manāf for honour; they offered food as we did; they fought as we did; they donated money to others as we did. But when we were evenly matched as two racehorses, they claimed that they had a Prophet who was said to have received revelation from the heaven. So when will we obtain such a merit? I swear that we will never believe in him." Abu Jahl also used to say: "Muhammad, we don't belie you, in particular, but we disbelieve in what you brought." Thereupon Allāh says:
Surah Al-Anaam, Verse 33:
قَدْ نَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُ لَيَحْزُنُكَ الَّذِي يَقُولُونَ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يُكَذِّبُونَكَ وَلَٰكِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ
We know indeed the grief which their words cause you (O Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon]): it is not you that they deny, but it is the Verses (the Qur-ān) of Allāh that the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) deny.
Once polytheists abused and slandered him three times. In the third time he stopped walking and said: "O community of Quraish! By the One who controls my soul, I have come to you with slaughtering." As soon as people heard these words, they became motionless with awe. They attacked him all at once and said: "Go away, Abul-Qāsim. You were never ignorant."
When they threw the entrails of a slaughtered camel on his back while prostrating himself, he invoked evil upon them. Since then they became so worried and scared because they were certain that they would perish.
When the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) imprecated 'Utba Ibn Abu Lahab, he was certain that he would meet his death one day. So when he saw the lion, he said: "Muhammad killed me when he was in Mecca."
Ubayy Ibn Khalaff, bitter foe to the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him), said to him: "But it's me who will kill you." When the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) stabbed him in his neck on the day of Uhud, Ubayy said: "He said to me in Mecca that he would kill me. I am certain that he could kill me even if he spat on me."
Sa'ad Ibn Mu'ādh said to Umayya Ibn Khalaff when he was in Mecca: "I had heard the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) saying: "They (Muslims) will kill you." He became very terrified and decided not to leave Mecca any more. Even when Abu Jahl forced him to go off to fight the battle of Badr, he (Umayya) bought the best she-camel to enable him to flee away if he was in danger. His wife asked him: "What did your fellow Al-Yathriby (Sa'ad Ibn Mu'ādh) say to you?" He replied: "Nothing. I just want to go out with them (Quraish) soon."
As for the Prophet's Companions and friends, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) meant everything to them. They dedicated their love and warm feelings to him. True love streamed unto him as water did unto a waterfall. Souls were enthralled by him as iron is attracted to a magnet. As a result of this love and sincere self-denial, they were ready to sacrifice their lives and property for the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him).
One day Abu Bakr was trampled underfoot and hit severely in Mecca. 'Utba Ibn Rabī'ah struck him with two sewed shoes and leapt on his belly. Banu Tamim carried Abu Bakr in a garment and entered him in his house. They thought that he would die of serious injuries. But he spoke at the end of the day and said: "What happened to the Prophet?" They rebuked him and before leaving him, they said to his mother Ummul-Khayr: "Bring him something to eat or drink." When they were alone, she pressed him to eat. But he was saying: "What happened to the Prophet?" She replied: "I have no idea about your companion." He said: "Go to Umm Gamil bintul-khattāb and asked her about him." She went to her and said: "Abu Bakr asks you about Muhammad Ibn 'Abdullāh." She pretended that she did not know them and asked to go with her to Abu Bakr. When they arrived, Umm Gamil found Abu Bakr thrown to the ground and seriously ill. She cried and said: "Indeed, those who harmed you in such a way must be transgressors and unbelievers. I pray to Allāh to take revenge on them." He asked her: "What about Allāh's Messenger?" She said: "Your mother is present and I fear she could hear me." He said: "No problem, you can speak before her." She said: "He is fine and safe." He asked: "Where is he?" She said: "In the house of Ibnul-Arqam." He said: "Now, I won't eat or drink unless I meet Allāh's Messenger." They waited for a while and when there were no passer-bys, he went out leaning upon them till he came to the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him).
*{To be continued In-sha-Allāh (If Allāh Wills)...}*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur'an 51:55)
*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 55*
*FACTORS OF PATIENCE AND STEADFASTNESS*
Rational people get baffled and wonder: what are the reasons that motivated Muslims to show such a matchless degree of firmness and endurance? How did they bear these terrible persecutions? So I should tackle these factors in brief.
1. UNSHAKABLE BELIEF IN ALLĀH
The first reason behind Muslims' steadfastness is their decisive belief in Allāh as One God and their true knowledge of Him. When hearts feel the delight of unquestionable belief, it becomes heavier and firmer than mountains. Therefore, the Muslim who has such absolute and definite belief views trouble and inconveniences in this world as algae that floats over a sweeping torrent that came to destroy Invulnerable dams and impregnable castles. He does not concern himself with such troubles as long as he senses the sweetness of his faith and the pleasurability of his submission. Allāh says:
Surah Ar-Rad, Verse 17:
أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَسَالَتْ أَوْدِيَةٌ بِقَدَرِهَا فَاحْتَمَلَ السَّيْلُ زَبَدًا رَّابِيًا وَمِمَّا يُوقِدُونَ عَلَيْهِ فِي النَّارِ ابْتِغَاءَ حِلْيَةٍ أَوْ مَتَاعٍ زَبَدٌ مِّثْلُهُ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْحَقَّ وَالْبَاطِلَ فَأَمَّا الزَّبَدُ فَيَذْهَبُ جُفَاءً وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ النَّاسَ فَيَمْكُثُ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ
He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and the valleys flow according to their measure, but the flood bears away the foam that mounts up to the surface, and (also) from that (ore) which they heat in the fire in order to make ornaments or utensils, rises a foam like unto it, thus does Allah (by parables) show forth truth and falsehood. Then, as for the foam it passes away as scum upon the banks, while that which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth. Thus Allah sets forth parables (for the truth and falsehood, i.e. Belief and disbelief).
2. IMPRESSIVE AND CHARMING LEADERSHIP
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) who is the supreme leader of the Muslim community and whole humanity has the best morals, excellent traits and perfect attributes that captivate hearts and make people sacrifice themselves wholeheartedly for him. He reached the apex of nobility, honour, righteousness and benevolence. Both his adversaries and advocate did not suspect his chastity, truthfulness and honesty.
One day three men of Quraish (who heard the Qur-ān secretly) met and one of them asked Abu Jahl (who was also among them): "What do you think about what you heard from Muhammad (Blessings and Peace be upon him)? He replied: "What did I hear?" We contended with the children of 'Abdu Manāf for honour; they offered food as we did; they fought as we did; they donated money to others as we did. But when we were evenly matched as two racehorses, they claimed that they had a Prophet who was said to have received revelation from the heaven. So when will we obtain such a merit? I swear that we will never believe in him." Abu Jahl also used to say: "Muhammad, we don't belie you, in particular, but we disbelieve in what you brought." Thereupon Allāh says:
Surah Al-Anaam, Verse 33:
قَدْ نَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُ لَيَحْزُنُكَ الَّذِي يَقُولُونَ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يُكَذِّبُونَكَ وَلَٰكِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ
We know indeed the grief which their words cause you (O Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon]): it is not you that they deny, but it is the Verses (the Qur-ān) of Allāh that the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) deny.
Once polytheists abused and slandered him three times. In the third time he stopped walking and said: "O community of Quraish! By the One who controls my soul, I have come to you with slaughtering." As soon as people heard these words, they became motionless with awe. They attacked him all at once and said: "Go away, Abul-Qāsim. You were never ignorant."
When they threw the entrails of a slaughtered camel on his back while prostrating himself, he invoked evil upon them. Since then they became so worried and scared because they were certain that they would perish.
When the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) imprecated 'Utba Ibn Abu Lahab, he was certain that he would meet his death one day. So when he saw the lion, he said: "Muhammad killed me when he was in Mecca."
Ubayy Ibn Khalaff, bitter foe to the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him), said to him: "But it's me who will kill you." When the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) stabbed him in his neck on the day of Uhud, Ubayy said: "He said to me in Mecca that he would kill me. I am certain that he could kill me even if he spat on me."
Sa'ad Ibn Mu'ādh said to Umayya Ibn Khalaff when he was in Mecca: "I had heard the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) saying: "They (Muslims) will kill you." He became very terrified and decided not to leave Mecca any more. Even when Abu Jahl forced him to go off to fight the battle of Badr, he (Umayya) bought the best she-camel to enable him to flee away if he was in danger. His wife asked him: "What did your fellow Al-Yathriby (Sa'ad Ibn Mu'ādh) say to you?" He replied: "Nothing. I just want to go out with them (Quraish) soon."
As for the Prophet's Companions and friends, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) meant everything to them. They dedicated their love and warm feelings to him. True love streamed unto him as water did unto a waterfall. Souls were enthralled by him as iron is attracted to a magnet. As a result of this love and sincere self-denial, they were ready to sacrifice their lives and property for the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him).
One day Abu Bakr was trampled underfoot and hit severely in Mecca. 'Utba Ibn Rabī'ah struck him with two sewed shoes and leapt on his belly. Banu Tamim carried Abu Bakr in a garment and entered him in his house. They thought that he would die of serious injuries. But he spoke at the end of the day and said: "What happened to the Prophet?" They rebuked him and before leaving him, they said to his mother Ummul-Khayr: "Bring him something to eat or drink." When they were alone, she pressed him to eat. But he was saying: "What happened to the Prophet?" She replied: "I have no idea about your companion." He said: "Go to Umm Gamil bintul-khattāb and asked her about him." She went to her and said: "Abu Bakr asks you about Muhammad Ibn 'Abdullāh." She pretended that she did not know them and asked to go with her to Abu Bakr. When they arrived, Umm Gamil found Abu Bakr thrown to the ground and seriously ill. She cried and said: "Indeed, those who harmed you in such a way must be transgressors and unbelievers. I pray to Allāh to take revenge on them." He asked her: "What about Allāh's Messenger?" She said: "Your mother is present and I fear she could hear me." He said: "No problem, you can speak before her." She said: "He is fine and safe." He asked: "Where is he?" She said: "In the house of Ibnul-Arqam." He said: "Now, I won't eat or drink unless I meet Allāh's Messenger." They waited for a while and when there were no passer-bys, he went out leaning upon them till he came to the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him).
*{To be continued In-sha-Allāh (If Allāh Wills)...}*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur'an 51:55)
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