When news of Ka'bs death reached Mecca, Abu Sufyan was even more determined to take revenge and swore an oath that he would not bathe until he had led an attack against the Prophet (sa). In a state of fury he mustered two hundred men from the remains of the Koraysh army and left Mecca by way of Najd. After many days travel they reached a waterhole in the vicinity of Mount Thayb, which lies outside Medina and there he ordered his army to strike camp. As darkness approached and the Muslims were at prayer in the Mosque, Abu Sufyan ventured into Medina and made straight for the house of a Jew named Huyay, Akhtab's son, and announced himself as he knocked at the door. Huyay took fright and refused to open the door, so Abu Sufyan made his way to the house of Salaam, Mishkam's son who was not only a chief but also the banker of the Jewish tribe of Nadir. This time he was made most welcome, Salaam invited him into his home, entertained him with food and wine for he guessed the reason for Abu Sufyan's visit and was eager to help him achieve his goal. Later that same night, Abu Sufyan returned to his camp and the next day he sent a party of his men onto the outskirts of Medina. When they reached Al Urayd, a suburb of Medina, they found an Ansar and his companion tending to young palm trees whereupon they attacked and killed them, then torched the newly planted grove and returned to camp. When news of the martyred companions reached the ears of the Prophet (sa) he and his companions rode out in pursuit of the aggressors, however, it was to no avail because upon the marauder's return Abu Sufyan ordered his men to break camp. In their haste to break camp they left some of their provisions and baggage behind, for memories of Badr were still very fresh upon their minds and they did not wish to face the Prophet (sa) again. The Prophet (sa) and his companions pursued Abu Sufyan until they reached a place called Karkaratu'l Kudr but the Koraysh were long gone and it was thought pointless to continue any further so they returned to Medina.
THE PROPHET’S COMPASSION AND MERCY TO A BEDOUIN
Allah honors the rank and status of our beloved Prophet (sa) saying:
"We have not sent you (Prophet Muhammad) except as a mercy to all the worlds." Al-Quran 21:107
THE PROPHET’S COMPASSION AND MERCY TO A BEDOUIN
Allah honors the rank and status of our beloved Prophet (sa) saying:
"We have not sent you (Prophet Muhammad) except as a mercy to all the worlds." Al-Quran 21:107
The Prophet (sa) never, ever refused or even hesitated to give anything away. Even when he had nothing at all to give he would tell the asker to go to one of the merchants in the town, buy whatever he needed, and have it charged to his account. As soon as he was in a position to settle the matter he did so. One day as the Prophet (sa) was with his companions a Bedouin came to him and asked for a gift. As was his custom the Prophet (sa) smiled and gave the Bedouin a gift and inquired, "Have I been good to you?" The Bedouin abruptly replied, "No, you have not, you have not done well." The companions were outraged by the Bedouin's lack of manners and were about to seize him, but the Prophet (sa) gestured to them to leave him alone, and went into his apartment. A few minutes later, the Prophet (sa) asked the Bedouin to join him and added more to his gift and asked the same question. The Bedouin was delighted with the gift and replied, "Yes, may Allah repay you and your family well!" Then the Prophet (sa) said to the Bedouin, "What you said angered my companions. If you like, say what you just said in my presence to them so that whatever is held against you in their hearts is removed." The Bedouin agreed and returned to them, repeated what he had said to the Prophet (sa) then left. A short while after, the Prophet (sa) returned to his companions and said, "The example of that man and myself is like a man who has a she−camel that bolted from him. But when people chase after it, it only makes her run away still further. Then the owner tells the people to leave him and his she−camel, saying: I am more compassionate and better to her than you. Then he walks in front of it and takes several clods of dirt and drives it until it comes and kneels, then he saddles it, and mounts it. If I had let you do what you had a mind to do when the man spoke, you would have killed him and he would have entered the Fire."
THE END OF THE SECOND YEAR HIJRA
The second year after the migration was drawing to an end. It had been a year of both happiness and sorrow. In it Allah had sent down the order to fight the unbelievers when provoked, and had given victory to the Muslims over them at Badr. He had also sent down two new obligations. Obligations which were to constitute two of the pillars of Islam; namely the fast during the month of Ramadan with its obligatory charity of 2.5% of one’s lunar annual savings at the end of the month to those deservedly in need.
Regarding the Fast, Allah says: “Believers, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you, perchance you will be cautious. (Fast) a certain number of days, but if any one of you is ill or on a journey let him (fast) a similar number of days later on; and for those who are unable (to fast), there is a ransom − the feeing of a needy person. Whosoever volunteers good, it is good for him; But to fast is better for you if you but knew. The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Al-Quran was sent down, a guidance for people, and clear verses of guidance and the criterion. Therefore, whoever of you witnesses the month, let him fast. But he who is ill, or on a journey shall (fast) a similar number (of days) later on. Allah wants ease for you and does note want hardship for you. And that you fulfill the number of days and exalt Allah who has guided you in order that you be thankful.” Al-Quran 2:183−185 and regarding the obligatory charity Allah says:
“The obligatory charity shall be only for the poor and the needy, and for those who work to collect it, and to influence hearts (to belief), for ransoming captives, and debtors in the Way of Allah and the destitute traveler. It is an obligation from Allah. Allah is Knowing, Wise.” Al-Quran 9:60
The direction of Kibla had been changed from Jerusalem to Mecca and Lady Rukiyyah, may Allah be pleased with her, passed away and her youngest sister, Lady Fatima had married Ali.
The second year after the migration was drawing to an end. It had been a year of both happiness and sorrow. In it Allah had sent down the order to fight the unbelievers when provoked, and had given victory to the Muslims over them at Badr. He had also sent down two new obligations. Obligations which were to constitute two of the pillars of Islam; namely the fast during the month of Ramadan with its obligatory charity of 2.5% of one’s lunar annual savings at the end of the month to those deservedly in need.
Regarding the Fast, Allah says: “Believers, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you, perchance you will be cautious. (Fast) a certain number of days, but if any one of you is ill or on a journey let him (fast) a similar number of days later on; and for those who are unable (to fast), there is a ransom − the feeing of a needy person. Whosoever volunteers good, it is good for him; But to fast is better for you if you but knew. The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Al-Quran was sent down, a guidance for people, and clear verses of guidance and the criterion. Therefore, whoever of you witnesses the month, let him fast. But he who is ill, or on a journey shall (fast) a similar number (of days) later on. Allah wants ease for you and does note want hardship for you. And that you fulfill the number of days and exalt Allah who has guided you in order that you be thankful.” Al-Quran 2:183−185 and regarding the obligatory charity Allah says:
“The obligatory charity shall be only for the poor and the needy, and for those who work to collect it, and to influence hearts (to belief), for ransoming captives, and debtors in the Way of Allah and the destitute traveler. It is an obligation from Allah. Allah is Knowing, Wise.” Al-Quran 9:60
The direction of Kibla had been changed from Jerusalem to Mecca and Lady Rukiyyah, may Allah be pleased with her, passed away and her youngest sister, Lady Fatima had married Ali.
THE PRINCIPALS OF ISLAM
At some point during these early years after the migration the Angel Gabriel was sent by Allah to the Prophet (sa) to complete the principals of the Islamic belief. Omar, Khattab’s son related the occasion when he and some of the companions were sitting with the Holy Prophet (sa) when an unknown inquirer suddenly arrived. Omar described him as having brilliantly white clothes and jet black hair, however there was no sign of traveling whatsoever upon him. The inquirer sat down in front of the Prophet (sa) and their knees touched. He placed his hands on his thighs and asked, “Prophet Muhammad (sa), tell me about Islam.’ The Prophet (sa) replied, “Islam is that you bear witness that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, and that you establish the prayer, pay the obligatory (2.5% of one’s annual lunar savings) charity, fast the month of Ramadan and make the Pilgrimage to the House (Ka’bah in Mecca) if you can afford it.” The companions were surprised to hear their visitor confirm the correctness of the Prophet’s answer saying, “That is correct.” Then the inquirer said, “Tell me about belief (iman).” To this the Prophet (sa) replied, ‘It is that you believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and that you believe in the Holy Planning. Yet again the inquirer said, “That is correct, now tell me about Perfection (ihsan).” The Prophet (sa) replied, “It is that you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, and if you do not see Him, know that He is watching you.” And the inquirer confirmed the correctness of the answer. Then the inquirer asked, “Tell me about the Hour of Judgement.” The Prophet (sa) replied, “He who is being asked knows no more about it than the one who asks.” So the inquirer asked, “Then tell me about some of the signs of its approach.” To this the Prophet (sa) replied: “The female slave will give birth to her master, and the bare−footed, naked, penniless goat−herders will live arrogantly in high mansions.” And the inquirer confirmed the correctness of the answer yet again. Having asked these questions the inquirer departed and the Prophet (sa) turned to Omar and asked, “Omar do you know who the inquirer was?” Omar replied, “Allah and His Messenger (sa) know best.” Whereupon the Prophet (sa) told him, “It was Gabriel who came to teach you your Religion.” Further details of these obligatory principals are given at the end of the book.
At some point during these early years after the migration the Angel Gabriel was sent by Allah to the Prophet (sa) to complete the principals of the Islamic belief. Omar, Khattab’s son related the occasion when he and some of the companions were sitting with the Holy Prophet (sa) when an unknown inquirer suddenly arrived. Omar described him as having brilliantly white clothes and jet black hair, however there was no sign of traveling whatsoever upon him. The inquirer sat down in front of the Prophet (sa) and their knees touched. He placed his hands on his thighs and asked, “Prophet Muhammad (sa), tell me about Islam.’ The Prophet (sa) replied, “Islam is that you bear witness that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, and that you establish the prayer, pay the obligatory (2.5% of one’s annual lunar savings) charity, fast the month of Ramadan and make the Pilgrimage to the House (Ka’bah in Mecca) if you can afford it.” The companions were surprised to hear their visitor confirm the correctness of the Prophet’s answer saying, “That is correct.” Then the inquirer said, “Tell me about belief (iman).” To this the Prophet (sa) replied, ‘It is that you believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and that you believe in the Holy Planning. Yet again the inquirer said, “That is correct, now tell me about Perfection (ihsan).” The Prophet (sa) replied, “It is that you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, and if you do not see Him, know that He is watching you.” And the inquirer confirmed the correctness of the answer. Then the inquirer asked, “Tell me about the Hour of Judgement.” The Prophet (sa) replied, “He who is being asked knows no more about it than the one who asks.” So the inquirer asked, “Then tell me about some of the signs of its approach.” To this the Prophet (sa) replied: “The female slave will give birth to her master, and the bare−footed, naked, penniless goat−herders will live arrogantly in high mansions.” And the inquirer confirmed the correctness of the answer yet again. Having asked these questions the inquirer departed and the Prophet (sa) turned to Omar and asked, “Omar do you know who the inquirer was?” Omar replied, “Allah and His Messenger (sa) know best.” Whereupon the Prophet (sa) told him, “It was Gabriel who came to teach you your Religion.” Further details of these obligatory principals are given at the end of the book.
LADY HAFSAH
Hafsah was the daughter of Omar and among the few who were literate. When Khunays returned from his migration to Abyssinia a few years before, she had married him, however, the marriage was destined to be short lived as he was recently martyred at Badr and it grieved Omar to see his eighteen year old daughter alone. During the second year, Othman, a friend of Omar, had lost his beloved wife Lady Rukiyah, daughter of the Prophet (sa) so Omar proposed that he might like to marry his daughter. When Othman told Omar that he did not wish to remarry for the time being he was disappointed and felt somewhat hurt by his answer. Omar, as is the case of all fathers, was anxious to secure a good marriage for his daughter so he approached another of his dearest friends, Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr's answer was also evasive which really hurt Omar very deeply. He had offered two of his best friends his beloved daughter's hand in marriage yet neither of them were prepared to accept the proposal. A little while after, Omar went to the Prophet (sa) and told him how upset he was at the reluctance of his close friends to marry his daughter. After the Prophet (sa) had listened to his grievance he spoke with words of indication saying, "I will show you a better son−in−law than Othman, and I will show him (Othman) a better father−in−law than you." Happiness spread over Omar's face as he realized that the Prophet (sa) after the completion of Hafsah's waiting period, would offer her his own hand in marriage; then the second realization dawned upon him that the Prophet (sa) would give another of his daughters, Lady Umm Kulthum, to Othman in marriage. Later, when Omar met Abu Bakr, Abu Bakr told him that the reason he had not accepted his offer was that he had heard the Prophet (sa) inquiring about Lady Hafsah and that it was on this account alone that he had been evasive. After the prescribed four months of the waiting period were concluded, the Prophet (sa) asked for Lady Hafsah's hand in marriage whereupon a room was added on to the Prophet's quarters and the marriage took place. Lady Ayesha was happy to have someone nearer her own age as a companion, whilst Lady Swaydah loved her as if she were her own daughter. Lady Hafsah was among those who was blessed to learn the entire Al-Quran by heart.
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