When the tribesmen of the Sulaym returned to their people they related what had happened by the well and told how they had stood in awe as Amr's body was carried away up into the sky and watched until he was no longer visible. The miraculous event was told and retold many times, and so the seeds of Islam were sown in the hearts of the tribe of Sulaym.
A PLOT TO MURDER THE PROPHET (sa)
The matter of how to raise sufficient money to recompense the family of the two innocent dead tribesmen of Abu Bara weighed heavily upon the Prophet (sa). Now, the Jewish tribe of Nadir had entered into an agreement with the Prophet (sa) and were also friendly with Abu Bara's tribe, so the Prophet (sa) decided to go to them and ask their help.
Omar and Abu Bakr accompanied the Prophet (sa) to the fortresses of the Nadir that lay on the outskirts of Medina. Upon their arrival they asked to speak with their chieftains whereupon they were taken to them and explained the reason for their visit. The chieftains appeared sympathetic and agreeable to help in the matter so they invited him and his companions to stay a little while to eat with them. The Prophet (sa) never refused an invitation and accepted whereupon several of the tribesmen including Huyay, one of their fellow chieftains excused themselves, which one could have supposed would have been to make preparations for the meal. Not long after Huyay and the others had excused themselves, unseen by anyone else, the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Prophet (sa) and told him that Huyay and his companions were planning to kill him and that he must return home immediately. As soon as Gabriel left, without saying a word, the Prophet (sa) got up and left the gathering. The companions waited for his return and when it became evident that he was not going to return, they too left and made their way back to the Prophet's house. When the companions arrived, the Prophet (sa) told them of Gabriel's warning and described to them the manner in which the Jewish chieftains had planned to murder him. After that, the Prophet (sa) sent Muhammad, Maslamah's son back to the fortresses with a message. As Muhammad approached the fortresses the chieftains came out to meet him and Muhammad told them, "The Messenger of Allah (sa) has sent me to you and instructed me to tell you that on account of your plot to kill him, the treaty he made with you no longer exists." Then, much to their amazement he described in detail the plan they had devised, the plan of which alone they were aware. Muhammad continued to deliver the rest of the message and gave them an ultimatum saying, "The Prophet (sa) gives you ten days in which to leave Medina, whosoever remains behind after that will be killed." The Jews were deeply shocked to learn that their treachery had been exposed and who the informant was and said as a matter of bravado, "O son of Maslamah, we never thought that a man from Aws would ever bring us a message such as this!" Muhammad replied, "Hearts have changed," and returned to the Prophet (sa).
THE TRIBE OF NADIR DECLARE WAR
Word of the ultimatum spread through the tribe and preparations were in progress for their departure when a message was received from ibn Ubayy that promised his support and encouraged them to stay. Huyay was greatly heartened by the promise and convinced his people to stay. With high hopes, Huyay sent word to his cousins, the tribe of Krayzah, and asked them to lend their support, for he was confident that they would not let him down, and at the same time he sent word to their allies, the tribe of Ghatafan, known for their hostility towards the Prophet (sa) to come to their aid. As soon as the messages had been sent, Huyay and his tribesmen stocked their fortresses with rocks, catapults, arrows and whatever weaponry they could lay their hands on in readiness. Huyay was confident that his cousins and allies would arrived at any moment and sent his brother to the Prophet (sa) with a message that informed him they were prepared to fight. When the Prophet (sa) received the message he exclaimed: "Allah is Great," and his companions around him reiterated his exaltation −− the Prophet (sa) continued, "The Jews have declared war." Immediately, the Muslims rallied to the side of the Prophet (sa) who then handed the standard to Ali. That afternoon the Prophet (sa) and his army marched until the fortresses of the Nadir were in sight and observed that the Jews had barricaded themselves within their walls and that the settlement was now completely deserted. After the prayer had been offered, the Prophet (sa) led his companions on toward the fortresses. The Jews let loose a volley of arrows and arrows whistled through the air and so the hostilities continued up until nightfall. During the night hours, the number of the Prophet's companions increased as those who had only just learned of the Prophet's march joined them. As their numbers swelled, the Muslims were soon able to surround the fortresses and this alarmed the Jews, however, they expected their kinsmen to arrive the next day which would ease the situation. After offering the night prayer, the Prophet (sa) entrusted Ali with the command of the army and together with ten of his companions they returned to Medina. Throughout the night Ali led his brethren praising and exalting Allah, and the hours slipped away, soon the sky began to lighten, it was time to offer the Fajr prayer. There was still no sign of the help the Jews so confidently had relied upon. Unknown to Huyay and his tribe, their cousins from the tribe of Krayzah were not inclined to break their pact with the Prophet (sa). As for ibn Ubayy, the circumstances were such that he felt unable to keep his promise, and so Huyay continued to wait in vain for their arrival together with the expected support from the tribe of Ghatafan. Later on that morning after the Prophet (sa) returned to his companions and fighting broke out once more. The days passed, and Huyay's hopes turned into fear. Ten days later, the Angel Gabriel brought the Prophet (sa) a new verse:
"Whatever palm−tree you cut down or left standing upon its roots, it is by the permission of Allah, so that He might humiliate the impious." Al-Quran 59:5
whereupon he ordered the cutting down of several highly prized date palms belonging to the Nadir. Dates were a vital part of the Nadir's economy so when Huyay saw the trees being felled he was greatly dismayed. In the back of Huyay's mind he remembered the promise of the Koraysh to annihilate the Muslims one day and thought if he and his tribe were compelled to temporarily leave their homes they could return later, reclaim their palms and re−establish their settlement. But now the trees were being felled and he knew it would take many years to replace them which would greatly affect their livelihood. With this harsh reality on his mind. Huyay begrudgingly sent word of surrender to the Prophet (sa). The Prophet (sa) accepted but told them that they were to be expelled from their land. Even in such circumstances the mercy of the Prophet (sa) was manifested as he allowed them to take their camels and all that they could carry with the exception of weapons and armor. He was indeed generous and merciful to them for it was in his power to seize everything they owned and expel them with nothing except the clothes on their back but this was not his way. Huyay was ungrateful and not like the terms of surrender, he knew that their camels were incapable of carrying all their possessions, and then there was the matter of weapons and armor. However, his tribesmen were not in a mood to listen to him and forced him to accept. The confrontation was over and the Nadir tribesmen left their fortresses and returned home to pack as much as they could onto their camels. Once the packing had been completed their women folk adorned themselves with all their jewelry then mounted their camels laden with rugs of the finest quality. It had always been known that the tribe was extremely rich, however, it was not until that moment that the extent of their wealth was realized. With an air of defiance, in single file, the tribe of Nadir left Medina defiantly flaunting their wealth as they rode out accompanied by music. Most of the tribe decided to resettle at Khybar where they owned land, however, others preferred to journey further afield to either Jericho or southern Syria. As for the many date palms still left standing, the Prophet (sa) received a new Revelation that said:
"(A share of the spoils shall also be given) to the poor emigrants who were expelled from their homes and their possessions, who seek the Favor and Pleasure of Allah, and help Allah and His Messenger. These are they that are truthful. And those before them who, had made their dwelling in the abode (the City of Medinah), and because of their belief love those who have emigrated to them; they do not find any (envy) in their chests for what they have been given and prefer them above themselves, even though they themselves have a need. Whosoever is saved from the greed of his own soul, They are the ones who win.” Al-Quran 59:8−9
and so in compliance with the verse, the spoils were distributed among the new immigrants and Muhajir. When the Muhajir first arrived in Medina the Ansars had generously shared their groves with their new brothers, but now even though the Muhajir had been given the groves of the Nadir, the Ansar still wished them to keep the groves they had given them.
THE END OF THE 3RD YEAR
The third year was drawing to a close, it was the year in which the Prophet (sa) had married Lady Hafsa, Omar's daughter and Lady Zaynab, daughter of Khuzaymah and Lady Umm Kulthum, the daughter of the Prophet (sa) had married Othman, Affan's son. The encounter at Uhud had all but been lost on account of the disobedience of some of the companions who were later forgiven by Allah through their sincere repentance. After Uhud, Allah sent down verses that forbade alcohol. Now not only the consumption, production but its transportation was also forbidden. Then more recently, the treachery of the Jewish tribe of Nadir's attempt to poison the Prophet (sa) had been exposed that finally resulted in their expulsion from Medina.
THE FOURTH YEAR
Eight months after their marriage in the 4th year after the migration, Lady Zaynab was taken ill and passed away. She was buried near the grave of the Prophet's daughter, Lady Rukiyyah, in the graveyard of Baki, may Allah be pleased with them and grant them perfect peace.
THE DEATH OF ABU SALAMAH
Abu Salamah's family were originally from Medina, from the tribe of Asad. However, they had, at one time, settled in Mecca under the sponsorship of his uncle, Abu Talib. It was there that Abu Salamah, met and married Umm Salamah, from the tribe of Mughirah, who was then eighteen years of age. From the very beginning their marriage had been a happy one, and they had been among the early converts that migrated to Abyssinia.
ALLAH ACCEPTS THE TENDER PRAYER OF ABU SALAMAH
Such was their love for each other that one day Umm Salamah told her husband that if he should die before her she would not remarry. It was a touching gesture, times were difficult, especially for a woman, so Abu Salamah told her that if this should be the case she should remarry and then supplicated saying, "May Allah grant Umm Salamah, after I am gone, a man better than myself who will neither sadden nor harm her." Several months before, during the hostilities at Uhud, Abu Salamah had been severely wounded and his wife nursed him as best she could. The wound appeared to heal and he went about his daily life, however, a deep infection lay dormant below the injury and the festering wound broken open. The infection could not be contained and soon the poison spread rapidly through his body until he passed away. Abu Salamah was a cousin of the Prophet (sa) and when he learned of his death he went straight to his house to pray for him. Upon reaching the grieving household he bent over Abu Salamah and gently closed his eye lids as he told his family, "When the soul of a person is taken away, the vision of the eye also follows it." There was great sadness in the household and tears began to flow and the Prophet (sa) consoled them saying, "Supplicate for that which is good for yourselves, because the angels say Ameen to your supplications." The Prophet Muhammad (sa) supplicated, "O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah and exalt his rank among those who are guided, and be the Guardian of those he has left behind. O Lord of the worlds, forgive him and all of us, and make his grave spacious and illumine it for him." The Prophet (sa) knew well the great bond between Umm Salamah and her husband, and understood the loss she now felt so he turned to her and told her to supplicate saying, "O Allah, forgive me and him and give to me in return a good replacement," and so Umm Salamah offered the supplication. But deep in her heart she knew that none of the companions could ever replace Abu Salamah for he was so very loving and caring and chocked back her tears as she said, “No one could be better than Abu Salamah.”
THE MARRIAGE OF MERCY THE PROPHET (sa) MARRIES LADY UMM SALAMAH
Four months after the death of Abu Salamah, the Prophet (sa) asked Umm Salamah to be his wife. Umm Salamah was completely overwhelmed and totally unprepared for the proposal and modestly said, "I am no longer young, and the mother of orphans. By nature I am a jealous person and you, O Messenger of Allah (sa) have other wives." The Prophet (sa) replied, "I am older than you; as for your jealously, I will supplicate to Allah that it is taken away from you. As for your orphaned children, Allah and His Messenger (sa) will take care of them." The sincere response of the Prophet (sa) touched Lady Umm Salamah’s heart and shortly afterward, the Prophet (sa) and Lady Umm Salamah were married whereupon she lived in Lady Zaynab's apartment adjoining the Mosque.
THE BIRTH OF AL HUSSAIN
During the 4th year, Lady Fatima and Imam Ali were blessed with a second son whom the Prophet (sa) named Al Hussain. It was a joyous event and everyone gave thanks for the safe delivery of Hasan’s baby brother.
THE SECOND MEETING AT BADR
After the encounter of Uhud, Abu Sufyan had challenged the Prophet (sa) to a second encounter at Badr the following year. The months had passed quickly and the time for the challenge approached. Drought had stricken the region yet again and food for both human and livestock was in very short supply. Abu Sufyan was aware of the fact that once he and his army left Mecca the vegetation of the desert would be insufficient to support the need of his mounts and that he would be forced to take fodder with them, and that was by no means an easy task. The challenge was a matter of honor not only for Abu Sufyan but for the entire tribe of Koraysh. He knew well that if he were to fail to meet the challenge, that he himself had initiated, disgrace would fall upon him and his tribe as its news would spread throughout Arabia. As Abu Sufyan pondered over the matter, news arrived that the Prophet (sa) and his army had already begun to prepare themselves for the encounter so Abu Sufyan wasted no time in calling his fellow chieftains together to discuss the matter. Suhail, a Koraysh chieftain, was among those that attended the meeting and it so happened to Nu'aym, an influential friend with the power of persuasion from the tribe of Ghatafan, happened to be visiting him. Suhail told his fellow chieftains of Nu'aym's presence and so it was decided that they would approach him with the offer of twenty fine camels if he could persuade the Muslims to back down from their side of the challenge. Deep down in his heart Nu'aym had already started to incline towards the message the Prophet (sa) preached, as he instinctively knew that the idols he and his tribe held as gods were nothing but the fabrication of his ancestors, however, the temptation of owning twenty fine camels swayed his reasoning and he decided to accept the challenge and set off for Medina. As Nu'aym approached the oasis outside Medina he noticed a group of Muslims so he made his way over to them and started to sow the seeds of apprehension. Nu'aym spoke with such conviction that it was hard not to believe him as he mentioned the supposedly, formidable, well−equipped army of Abu Sufyan. Nu'aym continued on to Medina where he spread his alarming tales amongst each section of the society. After each narration he would conclude with words that urged the Muslims not to go out against Abu Sufyan and conveyed his fear that not one of them would remain after the encounter. Needless to say those in opposition to the Prophet (sa) were greatly heartened by the news and not only helped to spread the tales but embellished them. Nu'aym was so convincing that a large number of Muslims inclined to his concluding remarks. When news of this reached the Prophet (sa) he was concerned, however, during a consultation with Abu Bakr and Omar, the Prophet (sa) told his companions, "I will go, even if I go alone," whereupon his companions said in support of his resolve, "Allah will support His religion; He will give strength to His Messenger." When the Muslims learned of the Prophet's intent to go alone if needed they rallied around him and completely disregarded Nuaym's rumors. Nu'aym had been so close to receiving his reward, however, it was surprisingly of little concern to him that he had failed in his mission. Like so many others he had observed the ways of the Muslims and been impressed by their conviction so much that his heart inclined still further to Islam.
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