﷽
*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 58*
*THE THIRD STAGE OF PROPHET'S VOCATION*
THE CALLING OF ISLAM OUTSIDE MECCA
THE PROPHET (Blessings and Peace be upon him) GOES TO AT-TĀ'IF: In Shawwal the tenth year of Prophethood (i.e late May or early June, 619 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) went to At-Tā'if (a place that is sixty miles away from Mecca) on foot with his freed slave Zaid Ibn Hārithah. On his way he invited many tribes to Islam. But none accept it.
When the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) reached At-Tā'if, he met three brothers from Thaqīf: 'Abd Yalil, Mas'ūd and Habīb, the two sons of 'Amr Ibn 'Umair Ath-Thaqafy. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) preached them asked them to support Islam. The first one said: "He tears the covers of the Ka'abah if Allāh already sent you as a Messenger." The second one said: "Didn't Allāh find someone else?" The third one said: "If you are really a Messenger, you are too dangerous to reply to your words. But if you lie to Allāh, I should not speak to you." So the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) left and said to them: "When you do anything, don't tell anybody about me."
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) stayed ten days in At-Tā'if talking to the notables and leaders. But they forced him out and incited silly people and slaves to abuse and attack him. Then people assembled into rows insulting and hurling stones at him till his heels bled and blood flowed over his shoes. Zaid Ibn Hārithah was protecting the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) with his body but he had injuries in his head. Then the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) took refuge in a garden that belonged to 'Utba and Shaiba the two sons of Rabī'ah. (It was at a distance of two mile from At-Tā'if). He sat under the shade of a trellis of grapevines and leaned his back against a wall in it. When he became secure, he said the following invocation that showed his deep sorrow: "O Allāh! I do complain to You about my weakness and my powerlessness before people. You are the Most Merciful of all the merciful. You are the Lord of the oppressed and mine. Who do You leave me to? To a stranger who glowers at me disapprovingly? Or an enemy whom You invested with control over me? I don't care if You do not direct Your wrath against me, but your graces are better and greater for me. I take refuge in Your Light by which darkness radiate and to which the world and the Hereafter conform suitably from Your anger or wrath that might befall me. To You belongs satisfaction. There is neither power nor ability except with You." When the two sons of Rabī'ah saw him supplicating in such a heartbreak way, they felt for him and ordered a Christian servant called 'Addās to give him a cluster of grapes. When he put it before the Prophet, he stretched out his hand and said: "In the name of Allāh." Then he ate. 'Addās said in astonishment: "None of the inhabitants who live here say that." The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) asked him: "Where are you from? And what's your religion?" He said: "I am a Christian. And I come from Nainawa." The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said to him: "From the village of the good man Yūnus Ibn Matta." He asked: "What do you know about Yūnus Ibn Matta?" The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: "He was a Prophet like me." Thereupon 'Addās kissed the Prophet's head, hands and legs.
One of the two sons of Rabī'ah said to the other: "He corrupted your slave." When 'Addās returned to them, they said to him: "Woe unto you, 'Addās. What were you doing?"
Al-Bukhāry narrated on the authority of 'Urwa Ibn az-Zubayr that 'Ā'ishah asked the Prophet: "Have you encountered a day harder than the day of (the battle) of Uhud?" The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) replied: "Your tribe has troubled me a lot, and the worse attack was on the day of Al-'Aqaba when I presented myself to Ibn 'Abd-Yalil Ibn 'Abd-Kulal and he did not respond to my demand. So I departed, overwhelmed with excessive sorrow, and proceeded on, and could not relax till I found myself at Qarnath-Tha'alib where I lifted my head towards the sky to see a cloud shading me unexpectedly. I looked up and saw Gabriel in it. He called me saying: "Allāh has heard your people's statement to you and what they have replied back to you; Allāh has sent the Angel of the Mountains to you so that you may order him to do whatever you wish concerning these people." The Angel of the Mountains called and greeted me, and then said: "O Muhammad! Order me to do what you wish. If you like me to let Al-Akhshabain (i.e two mountains) fall on them, I will do so." The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: "No, but I hope that Allāh will let them have children who will worship Allāh alone, and will worship none besides Him." (Narrated by Al-Bukhāry)
The above-mentioned reply clarifies the unmatched character of the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) and his fantastic manners. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) became reassured and comforted by the unseen victory which Allāh backs him with from above the seven heavens. Then the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) carried on treading the road of Mecca till he reached the Wadi of Nakhlah and stayed for a few days there. This wadi includes two places fit for human habitation, As-Sail Al-Kabir and az-Zaima, because of the water and plants. But we do not have a source that determines the place where the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) stayed. During the Prophet's stay Allāh sent a group of the Jinn to the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him). This is mentioned twice in the Glorious Qur-ān. In the chapter of Al-Ahqāf, Allāh says:
Surah Al-Ahqaf, Verses 29-31:
وَإِذْ صَرَفْنَا إِلَيْكَ نَفَرًا مِّنَ الْجِنِّ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقُرْآنَ فَلَمَّا حَضَرُوهُ قَالُوا أَنصِتُوا فَلَمَّا قُضِيَ وَلَّوْا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِم مُّنذِرِينَ
And (remember) when We sent towards you (Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]) Nafran (three to ten persons) of the jinns, (quietly) listening to the Qur-ān, when they stood in the presence thereof, they said: "Listen in silence!" And when it was finished, they returned to their people, as warners.
قَالُوا يَا قَوْمَنَا إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا كِتَابًا أُنزِلَ مِن بَعْدِ مُوسَىٰ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْحَقِّ وَإِلَىٰ طَرِيقٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
They said: "O our people! Verily! We have heard a Book (this Quran) sent down after Mūsa (Moses), confirming what came before it, it guides to the truth and to a Straight Path (i.e. Islam).
يَا قَوْمَنَا أَجِيبُوا دَاعِيَ اللَّهِ وَآمِنُوا بِهِ يَغْفِرْ لَكُم مِّن ذُنُوبِكُمْ وَيُجِرْكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
O our people! Respond (with obedience) to Allāh's Caller (i.e. Allah's Messenger Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]), and believe in him (i.e. believe in that which Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him] has brought from Allāh and follow him). He (Allāh) will forgive you of your sins, and will save you from a painful torment (i.e. Hell-fire).
Also, Almighty Allāh says:
Surah Al-Jinn, Verses 1-15:
قُلْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ أَنَّهُ اسْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَقَالُوا إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْآنًا عَجَبًا
Say (O Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]): "It has been revealed to me that a group (from three to ten in number) of jinns listened (to this Qur-ān). They said: 'Verily! We have heard a wonderful Recital (this Qur-ān)!
يَهْدِي إِلَى الرُّشْدِ فَآمَنَّا بِهِ وَلَن نُّشْرِكَ بِرَبِّنَا أَحَدًا
'It guides to the Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we shall never join (in worship) anything with our Lord (Allāh).
وَأَنَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ جَدُّ رَبِّنَا مَا اتَّخَذَ صَاحِبَةً وَلَا وَلَدًا
'And exalted be the Majesty of our Lord, He has taken neither a wife, nor a son (or offspring or children).
وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ سَفِيهُنَا عَلَى اللَّهِ شَطَطًا
'And that the foolish among us [i.e. Iblis (Satan) or the polytheists amongst the jinns] used to utter against Allāh that which was wrong and not right.
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّا أَن لَّن تَقُولَ الْإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا
'And verily, we thought that men and jinns would not utter a lie against Allāh.
وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ رِجَالٌ مِّنَ الْإِنسِ يَعُوذُونَ بِرِجَالٍ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَزَادُوهُمْ رَهَقًا
'And verily, there were men among mankind who took shelter with the masculine among the jinns, but they (jinns) increased them (mankind) in sin and disbelief.
وَأَنَّهُمْ ظَنُّوا كَمَا ظَنَنتُمْ أَن لَّن يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ أَحَدًا
'And they thought as you thought, that Allah will not send any Messenger (to mankind or jinns).
وَأَنَّا لَمَسْنَا السَّمَاءَ فَوَجَدْنَاهَا مُلِئَتْ حَرَسًا شَدِيدًا وَشُهُبًا
'And we have sought to reach the heaven; but found it filled with stern guards and flaming fires.
وَأَنَّا كُنَّا نَقْعُدُ مِنْهَا مَقَاعِدَ لِلسَّمْعِ فَمَن يَسْتَمِعِ الْآنَ يَجِدْ لَهُ شِهَابًا رَّصَدًا
'And verily, we used to sit there in stations, to (steal) a hearing, but any who listens now will find a flaming fire watching him in ambush.
وَأَنَّا لَا نَدْرِي أَشَرٌّ أُرِيدَ بِمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمْ أَرَادَ بِهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ رَشَدًا
'And we know not whether evil is intended for those on earth, or whether their Lord intends for them a Right Path.
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الصَّالِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ كُنَّا طَرَائِقَ قِدَدًا
'There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary; we are groups each having a different way (religious sect, etc.)
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّا أَن لَّن نُّعْجِزَ اللَّهَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَن نُّعْجِزَهُ هَرَبًا
'And we think that we cannot escape (from the punishment of) Allāh in the earth, nor can we escape (from the punishment) by flight.
وَأَنَّا لَمَّا سَمِعْنَا الْهُدَىٰ آمَنَّا بِهِ فَمَن يُؤْمِن بِرَبِّهِ فَلَا يَخَافُ بَخْسًا وَلَا رَهَقًا
'And indeed when we heard the Guidance (this Quran), we believed therein (Islamic Monotheism), and whosoever believes in his Lord shall have no fear, either of a decrease in the reward of his good deeds or an increase in punishment for his sins.
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الْمُسْلِمُونَ وَمِنَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَمَنْ أَسْلَمَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ تَحَرَّوْا رَشَدًا
'And of us some are Muslims (who have submitted to Allah, after listening to this Qur-ān), and of us some are Al-Qasitun (disbelievers those who have deviated from the Right Path)'. And whosoever has embraced Islam (i.e. has become a Muslim by submitting to Allah), then such have sought the Right Path."
وَأَمَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَكَانُوا لِجَهَنَّمَ حَطَبًا
And as for the Qasitun (disbelievers who deviated from the Right Path), they shall be firewood for Hell,
These verses and the relevant Hadīths confirming this event indicate that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) did not know about the presence of this group when they gathered and listened to the Qur-ān. But Allāh informed him of that through the aforementioned verses. It also becomes clear that their presence was for the first time and that they listened to the Qur-ān many times.
This event was really another victory which Allāh reinforced His Messenger with. On the other hand, the verses that talk about this event imply good tidings that the Prophet's mission will succeed and no power in the universe will impede its success. Allāh says:
Surah Al-Ahqaf, Verse 32:
وَمَن لَّا يُجِبْ دَاعِيَ اللَّهِ فَلَيْسَ بِمُعْجِزٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءُ أُولَٰئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ
And whosoever does not respond to Allāh's Caller, he cannot escape on earth, and there will be no Auliya' (protectors) for him besides Allāh (from Allah's Punishment). Those are in manifest error.
Surah Al-Jinn, Verse 12:
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّا أَن لَّن نُّعْجِزَ اللَّهَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَن نُّعْجِزَهُ هَرَبًا
'And we think that we cannot escape (from the punishment of) Allāh in the earth, nor can we escape (from the punishment) by flight.
This divine support and the good tidings of success drove away the Prophet's detection which overcame him when he was forsaken and forced out by the people of At-Tā'if. Therefore, he resolved to return to Mecca and resume his first plan to propagate Islam and communicate the message more eagerly and enthusiastically. Zaid said to him: "How do you return to Mecca while they (Quraish) drove you out?" The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: "Zaid, Allāh will make a way out for me. And He will support His religion and grant His Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) victory." The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) proceeded forth and stayed at Hirā (near Mecca) and sent a man of Khuzā'a tribe to request his protection. But he refused and said: "I am an ally. So I can't give protection to anyone." Then he sent for Suhail Ibn 'Amr. But he refused as well. He sent for Al-Mut'am Ibn 'Adeyy who agreed to protect the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him). He armed himself and asked his sons and tribesmen to carry their weapons and assemble at the Ka'abah to protect the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him). Then he asked the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) to enter. He entered with Zaid Ibn Hārithah. When he reached the Holy Mosque, Al-Mut'am Ibn'Adeyy called out: "O community of Quraish! I have given Muhammad a pledge of protection. Never do harm to him." Afterwards, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) turned his face towards the Rukn, circumambulated the Ka'abah and performed a two-unit prayer. At last, he returned home while Al-Mut'am and his sons were keeping an eye on him till he entered his house safely.
It is said that Abu Jahl asked Al-Mut'am whether he was a protector or a follower of Muhammad. He answered that he was a protector. Thereupon Abu Jahl said: "We also protect the one whom you protect."
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) appreciated such a great favour Al-Mut'am did to him. Regarding the captives of Badr, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: "If Al-Mut'am Ibn 'Adeyy was alive and talked to me about these despicable people, I would leave them to him." (Narrated by Al-Bukhāry)
*{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 58*
*THE THIRD STAGE OF PROPHET'S VOCATION*
THE CALLING OF ISLAM OUTSIDE MECCA
THE PROPHET (Blessings and Peace be upon him) GOES TO AT-TĀ'IF: In Shawwal the tenth year of Prophethood (i.e late May or early June, 619 A.D.), the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) went to At-Tā'if (a place that is sixty miles away from Mecca) on foot with his freed slave Zaid Ibn Hārithah. On his way he invited many tribes to Islam. But none accept it.
When the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) reached At-Tā'if, he met three brothers from Thaqīf: 'Abd Yalil, Mas'ūd and Habīb, the two sons of 'Amr Ibn 'Umair Ath-Thaqafy. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) preached them asked them to support Islam. The first one said: "He tears the covers of the Ka'abah if Allāh already sent you as a Messenger." The second one said: "Didn't Allāh find someone else?" The third one said: "If you are really a Messenger, you are too dangerous to reply to your words. But if you lie to Allāh, I should not speak to you." So the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) left and said to them: "When you do anything, don't tell anybody about me."
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) stayed ten days in At-Tā'if talking to the notables and leaders. But they forced him out and incited silly people and slaves to abuse and attack him. Then people assembled into rows insulting and hurling stones at him till his heels bled and blood flowed over his shoes. Zaid Ibn Hārithah was protecting the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) with his body but he had injuries in his head. Then the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) took refuge in a garden that belonged to 'Utba and Shaiba the two sons of Rabī'ah. (It was at a distance of two mile from At-Tā'if). He sat under the shade of a trellis of grapevines and leaned his back against a wall in it. When he became secure, he said the following invocation that showed his deep sorrow: "O Allāh! I do complain to You about my weakness and my powerlessness before people. You are the Most Merciful of all the merciful. You are the Lord of the oppressed and mine. Who do You leave me to? To a stranger who glowers at me disapprovingly? Or an enemy whom You invested with control over me? I don't care if You do not direct Your wrath against me, but your graces are better and greater for me. I take refuge in Your Light by which darkness radiate and to which the world and the Hereafter conform suitably from Your anger or wrath that might befall me. To You belongs satisfaction. There is neither power nor ability except with You." When the two sons of Rabī'ah saw him supplicating in such a heartbreak way, they felt for him and ordered a Christian servant called 'Addās to give him a cluster of grapes. When he put it before the Prophet, he stretched out his hand and said: "In the name of Allāh." Then he ate. 'Addās said in astonishment: "None of the inhabitants who live here say that." The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) asked him: "Where are you from? And what's your religion?" He said: "I am a Christian. And I come from Nainawa." The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said to him: "From the village of the good man Yūnus Ibn Matta." He asked: "What do you know about Yūnus Ibn Matta?" The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: "He was a Prophet like me." Thereupon 'Addās kissed the Prophet's head, hands and legs.
One of the two sons of Rabī'ah said to the other: "He corrupted your slave." When 'Addās returned to them, they said to him: "Woe unto you, 'Addās. What were you doing?"
Al-Bukhāry narrated on the authority of 'Urwa Ibn az-Zubayr that 'Ā'ishah asked the Prophet: "Have you encountered a day harder than the day of (the battle) of Uhud?" The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) replied: "Your tribe has troubled me a lot, and the worse attack was on the day of Al-'Aqaba when I presented myself to Ibn 'Abd-Yalil Ibn 'Abd-Kulal and he did not respond to my demand. So I departed, overwhelmed with excessive sorrow, and proceeded on, and could not relax till I found myself at Qarnath-Tha'alib where I lifted my head towards the sky to see a cloud shading me unexpectedly. I looked up and saw Gabriel in it. He called me saying: "Allāh has heard your people's statement to you and what they have replied back to you; Allāh has sent the Angel of the Mountains to you so that you may order him to do whatever you wish concerning these people." The Angel of the Mountains called and greeted me, and then said: "O Muhammad! Order me to do what you wish. If you like me to let Al-Akhshabain (i.e two mountains) fall on them, I will do so." The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: "No, but I hope that Allāh will let them have children who will worship Allāh alone, and will worship none besides Him." (Narrated by Al-Bukhāry)
The above-mentioned reply clarifies the unmatched character of the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) and his fantastic manners. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) became reassured and comforted by the unseen victory which Allāh backs him with from above the seven heavens. Then the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) carried on treading the road of Mecca till he reached the Wadi of Nakhlah and stayed for a few days there. This wadi includes two places fit for human habitation, As-Sail Al-Kabir and az-Zaima, because of the water and plants. But we do not have a source that determines the place where the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) stayed. During the Prophet's stay Allāh sent a group of the Jinn to the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him). This is mentioned twice in the Glorious Qur-ān. In the chapter of Al-Ahqāf, Allāh says:
Surah Al-Ahqaf, Verses 29-31:
وَإِذْ صَرَفْنَا إِلَيْكَ نَفَرًا مِّنَ الْجِنِّ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقُرْآنَ فَلَمَّا حَضَرُوهُ قَالُوا أَنصِتُوا فَلَمَّا قُضِيَ وَلَّوْا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِم مُّنذِرِينَ
And (remember) when We sent towards you (Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]) Nafran (three to ten persons) of the jinns, (quietly) listening to the Qur-ān, when they stood in the presence thereof, they said: "Listen in silence!" And when it was finished, they returned to their people, as warners.
قَالُوا يَا قَوْمَنَا إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا كِتَابًا أُنزِلَ مِن بَعْدِ مُوسَىٰ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْحَقِّ وَإِلَىٰ طَرِيقٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
They said: "O our people! Verily! We have heard a Book (this Quran) sent down after Mūsa (Moses), confirming what came before it, it guides to the truth and to a Straight Path (i.e. Islam).
يَا قَوْمَنَا أَجِيبُوا دَاعِيَ اللَّهِ وَآمِنُوا بِهِ يَغْفِرْ لَكُم مِّن ذُنُوبِكُمْ وَيُجِرْكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
O our people! Respond (with obedience) to Allāh's Caller (i.e. Allah's Messenger Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]), and believe in him (i.e. believe in that which Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him] has brought from Allāh and follow him). He (Allāh) will forgive you of your sins, and will save you from a painful torment (i.e. Hell-fire).
Also, Almighty Allāh says:
Surah Al-Jinn, Verses 1-15:
قُلْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ أَنَّهُ اسْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَقَالُوا إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْآنًا عَجَبًا
Say (O Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]): "It has been revealed to me that a group (from three to ten in number) of jinns listened (to this Qur-ān). They said: 'Verily! We have heard a wonderful Recital (this Qur-ān)!
يَهْدِي إِلَى الرُّشْدِ فَآمَنَّا بِهِ وَلَن نُّشْرِكَ بِرَبِّنَا أَحَدًا
'It guides to the Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we shall never join (in worship) anything with our Lord (Allāh).
وَأَنَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ جَدُّ رَبِّنَا مَا اتَّخَذَ صَاحِبَةً وَلَا وَلَدًا
'And exalted be the Majesty of our Lord, He has taken neither a wife, nor a son (or offspring or children).
وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ سَفِيهُنَا عَلَى اللَّهِ شَطَطًا
'And that the foolish among us [i.e. Iblis (Satan) or the polytheists amongst the jinns] used to utter against Allāh that which was wrong and not right.
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّا أَن لَّن تَقُولَ الْإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا
'And verily, we thought that men and jinns would not utter a lie against Allāh.
وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ رِجَالٌ مِّنَ الْإِنسِ يَعُوذُونَ بِرِجَالٍ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَزَادُوهُمْ رَهَقًا
'And verily, there were men among mankind who took shelter with the masculine among the jinns, but they (jinns) increased them (mankind) in sin and disbelief.
وَأَنَّهُمْ ظَنُّوا كَمَا ظَنَنتُمْ أَن لَّن يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ أَحَدًا
'And they thought as you thought, that Allah will not send any Messenger (to mankind or jinns).
وَأَنَّا لَمَسْنَا السَّمَاءَ فَوَجَدْنَاهَا مُلِئَتْ حَرَسًا شَدِيدًا وَشُهُبًا
'And we have sought to reach the heaven; but found it filled with stern guards and flaming fires.
وَأَنَّا كُنَّا نَقْعُدُ مِنْهَا مَقَاعِدَ لِلسَّمْعِ فَمَن يَسْتَمِعِ الْآنَ يَجِدْ لَهُ شِهَابًا رَّصَدًا
'And verily, we used to sit there in stations, to (steal) a hearing, but any who listens now will find a flaming fire watching him in ambush.
وَأَنَّا لَا نَدْرِي أَشَرٌّ أُرِيدَ بِمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمْ أَرَادَ بِهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ رَشَدًا
'And we know not whether evil is intended for those on earth, or whether their Lord intends for them a Right Path.
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الصَّالِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ كُنَّا طَرَائِقَ قِدَدًا
'There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary; we are groups each having a different way (religious sect, etc.)
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّا أَن لَّن نُّعْجِزَ اللَّهَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَن نُّعْجِزَهُ هَرَبًا
'And we think that we cannot escape (from the punishment of) Allāh in the earth, nor can we escape (from the punishment) by flight.
وَأَنَّا لَمَّا سَمِعْنَا الْهُدَىٰ آمَنَّا بِهِ فَمَن يُؤْمِن بِرَبِّهِ فَلَا يَخَافُ بَخْسًا وَلَا رَهَقًا
'And indeed when we heard the Guidance (this Quran), we believed therein (Islamic Monotheism), and whosoever believes in his Lord shall have no fear, either of a decrease in the reward of his good deeds or an increase in punishment for his sins.
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الْمُسْلِمُونَ وَمِنَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَمَنْ أَسْلَمَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ تَحَرَّوْا رَشَدًا
'And of us some are Muslims (who have submitted to Allah, after listening to this Qur-ān), and of us some are Al-Qasitun (disbelievers those who have deviated from the Right Path)'. And whosoever has embraced Islam (i.e. has become a Muslim by submitting to Allah), then such have sought the Right Path."
وَأَمَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَكَانُوا لِجَهَنَّمَ حَطَبًا
And as for the Qasitun (disbelievers who deviated from the Right Path), they shall be firewood for Hell,
These verses and the relevant Hadīths confirming this event indicate that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) did not know about the presence of this group when they gathered and listened to the Qur-ān. But Allāh informed him of that through the aforementioned verses. It also becomes clear that their presence was for the first time and that they listened to the Qur-ān many times.
This event was really another victory which Allāh reinforced His Messenger with. On the other hand, the verses that talk about this event imply good tidings that the Prophet's mission will succeed and no power in the universe will impede its success. Allāh says:
Surah Al-Ahqaf, Verse 32:
وَمَن لَّا يُجِبْ دَاعِيَ اللَّهِ فَلَيْسَ بِمُعْجِزٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءُ أُولَٰئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ
And whosoever does not respond to Allāh's Caller, he cannot escape on earth, and there will be no Auliya' (protectors) for him besides Allāh (from Allah's Punishment). Those are in manifest error.
Surah Al-Jinn, Verse 12:
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّا أَن لَّن نُّعْجِزَ اللَّهَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَن نُّعْجِزَهُ هَرَبًا
'And we think that we cannot escape (from the punishment of) Allāh in the earth, nor can we escape (from the punishment) by flight.
This divine support and the good tidings of success drove away the Prophet's detection which overcame him when he was forsaken and forced out by the people of At-Tā'if. Therefore, he resolved to return to Mecca and resume his first plan to propagate Islam and communicate the message more eagerly and enthusiastically. Zaid said to him: "How do you return to Mecca while they (Quraish) drove you out?" The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: "Zaid, Allāh will make a way out for me. And He will support His religion and grant His Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) victory." The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) proceeded forth and stayed at Hirā (near Mecca) and sent a man of Khuzā'a tribe to request his protection. But he refused and said: "I am an ally. So I can't give protection to anyone." Then he sent for Suhail Ibn 'Amr. But he refused as well. He sent for Al-Mut'am Ibn 'Adeyy who agreed to protect the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him). He armed himself and asked his sons and tribesmen to carry their weapons and assemble at the Ka'abah to protect the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him). Then he asked the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) to enter. He entered with Zaid Ibn Hārithah. When he reached the Holy Mosque, Al-Mut'am Ibn'Adeyy called out: "O community of Quraish! I have given Muhammad a pledge of protection. Never do harm to him." Afterwards, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) turned his face towards the Rukn, circumambulated the Ka'abah and performed a two-unit prayer. At last, he returned home while Al-Mut'am and his sons were keeping an eye on him till he entered his house safely.
It is said that Abu Jahl asked Al-Mut'am whether he was a protector or a follower of Muhammad. He answered that he was a protector. Thereupon Abu Jahl said: "We also protect the one whom you protect."
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) appreciated such a great favour Al-Mut'am did to him. Regarding the captives of Badr, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: "If Al-Mut'am Ibn 'Adeyy was alive and talked to me about these despicable people, I would leave them to him." (Narrated by Al-Bukhāry)
*{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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