( 333
)![]() with others. Usayd bin Huzayr went forward and said: "O Prophet of Allah! Permit me to carry it (the stone)". The Prophet said: "Go and bring another''. In this manner he showed a glimpse of his sublime character. He said: "I am a practical man. I am a man of action and not of words only". On that occasion Muslim read out a couplet meaning: "If we sit and the Prophet works it will be a source of deviation and adversity for us". While engaged in work the Prophet and the Muslims uttered these sentences: "Real life is the life of the Hereafter. O Allah! Be kind to the Ansar and the Muhajirs". Uthman bin Maz'un was very particular about the neatness of his dress and wished to keep it clean. He did not therefore participate in the construction of the mosque lest his dress should become soiled. Ali criticized him in these words: "A person who constructs a mosque whether sitting or standing constantly endeavours for its progress is not like him who keeps away from dust and is not prepared to stain his clothes for constructing the mosque''.[1] 'Ammar Yasir who was a strong man collected some stones and carried them for the construction of the mosque. Some persons took undue advantage of his simplicity and loaded on him stones which were too heavy for him. He was heard saying: "I am carrying one stone on my own behalf and the other on behalf of the Prophet". One day the Prophet saw him bearing a heavy burden when three stones had been loaded on him. 'Ammar complained: "Your companions nurse ill-will against me and want to kill me. They themselves bring one stone each but load as many as three on me". The Prophet held him by the hand cleansed the dust on his back and uttered this historical sentence: "They are not your murderers. You will be killed by a group of oppressors while you will be inviting them to truth and reality".[2] This prediction is one of the proofs of the prophethood and truthfulness of
the Prophet. Eventually the same thing which |
( 334
)![]() Siffin and was 90 at that time was killed at the hands of the supporters of Mu'awiyah. This occult news continued to have a wonderful effect on 'Ammar throughout his lifetime. After this event Muslims considered him to be the pivot of truth and every rightfulness was measured by its association with him. When 'Ammar was killed in the battle a strange tumult appeared in the ranks of the Syrians. People who entertained doubts about the rightfulness of Ali on account of the venomous propaganda of Mu'awiyah and 'Amr 'As became enlightened. Huzaymah bin Thabit Ansari had gone to the battlefield with Imam Ali but was double-minded about taking part in the battle. However when he heard that 'Ammar had been killed he drew his sword and attacked the Syrians. Zul Kala' Himyari accompanied by twenty thousand men of his tribe came to fight against Ali. This was the man on whose support Mu'awiyah mainly relied and did not decide to wage war until he was sure of his co-operation. When this misguided chief came to know that 'Ammar Yasir was with Ali he was very much upset. The agents of Mu'awiyah endeavoured to make matters doubtful for him and said: "There is no question of 'Ammar being in Siffin. The Iraqis do not mind coining such lies". Zul Kala' was not however convinced. He turned to 'Amr As and said: "Has the Prophet said such and such words about 'Ammar? Ibn As said: "Yes he has said so but 'Ammar is definitely not in Ali's army". He said: "I shall investigate the matter personally". Then he deputed some persons to verify the position. Mu'awiyah and 'Amr As realized at this critical moment that if Zul Kala' became aware of 'Ammar's presence in Ali's army or about his martyrdom in the service of Ali a split might take place in the Syrian army. On this account therefore this famous Syrian chief was killed mysteriously.[1] This tradition is so well known amongst the common as
[1] Mustadrak-i Hakim vol. III page 385.
|
( 335
)![]() killed and the Prophet has said about him that a group of oppressors will kill him". 'Amr As cried and recited the verse: "We are from Allah and we have to return to Him" and conveyed the news to Mu'awiyah. Mu'awiyah said: "We are not the murderers of 'Ammar. He has been killed by Ali and his friends who brought him with them and exposed him to our swords''.[1] However it is evident that this false interpretation which was put forward by Mu'awiyah the son of Abu Sufyan to stupefy the senses of the Syrian soldiers cannot at all be acceptable in the court of the Almighty Allah and every intelligent person can well understand that his argument is baseless. NURSE KINDER TO THE CHILD THAN ITS MOTHERWe have not been able to find a better sentence than this to indicate the character of the historian[2] of the 8th A.H. has chosen to support Mu'awiyah and writes: "It is not necessary that because the Prophet had declared the murderers of 'Ammar to be oppressors that they should in fact be infidels because though they chose the wrong path and rose against Ali yet as they took this step on account of their faith in the correctness of their action (ijtihad) it is not possible to refute them or to call them infidels". He adds: "What is meant by the Prophet's sentence: 'Ammar invites them to Paradise but the murderers of 'Ammar invite him to Hell is that 'Ammar invites them to acknowledge the Oneness of Allah and to unite (and this is the very Paradise) but the murderers of 'Ammar endeavour to give Mu'awiyah priority over Ali who is most suited for the office of caliph and thus they create a ruler in each one of the Islamic regions and consequently a deep fissure comes into existence amongst the Muslims although they themselves might not have taken notice of such a result (and that is the very Hell)". Howmuchsoever we ponder as to what name to give to |
( 336
)![]() prediction which had been made about them by the Prophet and a historian like Ibn Kathir has played the part of a nurse kinder to the child than the mother and has resorted to an alteration of fact of which they themselves were not aware. Ahmad bin Hanbal says: "Two men came to Mu'awiyah and each one of them claimed that he had killed 'Ammar. The son of 'Amr As (Abdullah) said: "One of you should spare the other for I have heard the Prophet saying that Ammar would be killed by a group of oppressors". Mu'awiyah said to Abdullah: "If we are a group of oppressors why have you joined our circle?" He replied: "One day my father 'Amr complained against me to the Prophet and the Prophet ordered me to obey my father. I am therefore with you but do not fight''.[1] The apology of Abdullah is like the interpretation of Ibn Kathir who says that Mu'awiyah fought this battle on the basis of ijtihad and faith notwithstanding the fact that he erred in his ijtihad because obedience to one's father is necessary only when it does not result in disobedience to a religious law. The Qur'an says: If they (your parents) bid you to associate (others) with Me of which you have no knowledge do not obey them". (Surah al-Ankabut 29:8) Similarly ijtihad (expression of one's view) is correct only when a clear version of the Prophet is not found otherwise ijtihad of people like Mu'awiyah and 'Amr As opposed to the clear tradition of the Prophet is wrong and void. And if the door of ijtihad is opened in such a manner it will be necessary for us to excuse all the polytheists and hypocrites for having campaigned against the Prophet and Islam and we shall also have to say that persons like Yazid and Hajjaj were justified in shedding the blood of the pious and innocent people of the nation and were also entitled to a good recompense for their action. The construction of the mosque was completed and its area was expanded every year. A terrace was also erected by the side of the mosque for the helpless and the indigent Muhajirs so that they might stay there and 'Ubadah bin Samit was directed to teach them reading and writing of the Qur'an.
[1] Musnad Ibn Hanbal vol. II page 162.
|
( 337
)![]()
BROTHERHOOD-THE GREATEST GLEAM OF FAITHThe centralization of Muslims in Madina opened a new chapter is the life of the Prophet. Before his arrival there he had been engaged in attracting the hearts and in propagating his religion but from that day onwards it was necessary that he should protect his own existence as well as that of his followers like an experienced statesman and should not permit the internal and external enemies to penetrate into the Muslim society. At this juncture he was faced with three main difficulties: 1. Danger from Quraysh and other idol-worshippers of the Arabian Peninsula. 2. The Jews of Yathrib who lived within and outside the city and possessed enormous wealth and resources. 3. The differences which existed between his own supporters. As the Muhajirs and the Ansar had been brought up in two different environments there was a vast difference between their ways of thinking and culture. And then there were the two components of Ansar (viz. Bani Aws and Bani Khazraj) who had been fighting for one hundred and twenty years and were the sworn enemies of each other. With all these dangers and differences there was no possibility of their continuing to lead a peaceful religious and political life. However the Prophet overcame these difficulties in a perfectly wise manner. As regards the first two problems he took measures the details of which will be recorded later and as regards the differences between his followers he removed them with perfect wisdom and ingenuity. He was ordered by Allah to establish brotherhood between the Muhajirs and the Ansar. One day he turned to his followers in a general meeting and said: "Now you should become brothers in faith in pairs". The particulars of persons who became brothers of each other have been recorded by the Muslim historians including Ibn Hisham.[1] Hence by this method the Prophet ensured the political and spiritual unity of the Muslims and this unity enabled him to think about ways and means of solving the other two difficulties as well.
[1] Seerah-i Ibn Hisham vol. I pp. 123 - 126.
|
( 338
)![]()
TWO GREAT DISTINCTIONS OF ALIMost of the Shi'ah and Sunni historians and traditionalists have mentioned two great distinctions of Ali which we record here briefly: The Prophet established brotherhood between a pair of two among three hundred persons out of the Muhajirs and Ansar and told every one of them that he was the brother of such and such person. When the establishment of brotherhood was completed Ali with tears in his eyes said to the Prophet: "You have established brotherhood amongst your companions but have not made me the brother of anyone". Thereupon the Prophet turned to Ali and said: "You are my brother in this world as well as in the Hereafter". Qandozi has quoted this incident in a more comprehensive manner and says that the Prophet replied to Ali: "By the Almighty (who has appointed me to guide the people) I postponed the question of your brotherhood for the reason that I desired to become your brother when brotherhood among all others had been completed. Your position vis-a-vis myself is similar to that of Harun and Musa except that there will be no Prophet after me. You are my brother and my successor".[1] Ibn Kathir has however doubted the authenticity of this incident.[2] But as his doubts are the product of his special mentality and are nothing short of the apology which he has tendered on behalf of Mu'awiyah and his supporters we refrain from quoting his remarks and refuting them. ANOTHER DISTINCTION OF ALIThe construction of the mosque was completed. Around |
( 339
)![]() had been made on sentimental grounds. In order to enlighten the people on the subject the Prophet delivered a sermon and said inter alia: "I have not given orders about the closing or otherwise of the doors on my own account. In fact it was an order from Allah and I had no alternative but to implement it". In short by establishing Islamic brotherhood the Prophet removed the differences between his followers which had existed for some years and consequently one of the difficulties was solved. The second problem was that of the Jews of Madina. They lived within and outside Madina and had assumed control of the economy and trade of the city. The Prophet was fully aware that until the internal affairs were settled and he had obtained the co-operation of the Jews and consequently created a political unity in the seat of his government the sapling of Islam would not grow up and he would not be able to think about any measures with regard to the idol-worshippers of the Peninsula especially Quraysh (i.e. the first difficulty). He also knew that until peace and tranquillity prevailed within the seat of government it would not be possible to defend it from external enemies. In the early days of the arrival of the Prophet in Madina an understanding existed between the Muslims and the Jews in some respects because both the communities worshipped Allah and were opposed to idolatry and the Jews thought that if Islam gained strength they themselves might become immune from the attacks of the Byzantine Christians. Furthermore old relations and pacts existed between them on the one hand and between Bani Aws and Bani Khazraj on the other. On these accounts the Prophet wrote an agreement for the establishment of unity between the Muhajirs and the Ansar and the Jews of Madina (of the tribes of Aws and Khazraj) also signed it and the Prophet agreed to respect their religion and property on mutually settled conditions. The biographers of the Prophet have recorded complete text of this agreement.[1] Since this agreement is a living historical document and
[1] Seerah-i Ibn Hisham vol. II page 501.
|
( 343
)![]()
29.Lives of neighbours and of those who have been granted asylum are like our own lives and should not be molested. 30. No woman can be granted asylum without the permission of her people. 31. Muhammad is the arbiter to decide the differences between the signatories of the agreement -whether they be Muslims or non-Muslims. Allah is with him who accords more respect to this agreement. 32. Asylum shall not be granted to Quraysh and to those with whom they have concluded pacts. PART THREE33. The signatories to this agreement take joint responsibility for the defence of Yathrib. 34. When the Muslims invite the Jews to conclude peace with the enemy they should accept the proposal and the Muslims should also accept any such proposal made by the Jews except the fact that the enemy is opposed to the religion of Islam and its propagation. 35. The Jews of Aws whether slaves or masters are also covered by this agreement. PART FOUR36. This agreement does not support a tyrant or a criminal. 37. Whoever remains in Madina is protected and whoever leaves it is protected provided that he is not an oppressor and a criminal. This agreement was concluded with the following sentence: "Allah is the Protector of the good and the pious and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah''.[1] This political agreement and the basic law of Islam of that time briefly mentioned is a perfect specimen of the spirit of freedom of faith social welfare and necessity of co-operation in collective matters in Islam and has above all things clarified the limits and the authority of the leader and the responsibilities of all its signatories. The Jews of the tribes of Bani Qurayzah Bani Nuzayr and
[1] Seerah-i Ibn Hisham vol. I pp. 503-504 and al-Amwal pp. 125 & 202.
|
( 344
)![]() Bani Qaynqa' did not participate in the conclusion of this agreement and only the Jews of Aws and Khazraj tribes became parties to it. However these people concluded agreements with the Prophet later and the following sentences have been taken from the contents of those agreements: "The Prophet makes this agreement with the three groups to the effect that they will not harm him and his friends with their tongues and hands and will not supply arms and mounts to his enemies. In case they act against the contents of this agreement the Prophet would be at liberty to shed their blood confiscate their properties and make their women and children captives. Then Hay bin Akhtab signed on behalf of Bani Nuzayr Ka'b bin Asad on behalf of Bani Qurayzah and Mukhayriq on behalf of Bani Qaynqa'.[1] By this means Yathrib and the dependencies lying near it were declared to be an area of peace and security and a 'sanctuary'. Now the time had arrived that the Prophet should consider ways and means of tackling the first problem viz. that of Quraysh because so long as this enemy stood in his way he could not succeed in spreading Islam and enforcing its laws. OBSTRUCTIONS OF THE JEWSThe sublime teachings of Islam and the high morals and manners of the Prophet became the cause of daily increase in the number of the Muslims. Their military economic and political conditions also improved considerably. This continuous advancement of Islam created a strange agitation and unrest in the religious circles of the Jews because they had been thinking that with their strength they would be able to attract the Prophet of Islam to themselves and had never imagined that one day his own strength would surpass even that of the Jews and the Christians. In the circumstances they began to indulge in disruptive activities. By asking knotty religious questions they endeavoured to shake the faith of the Muslims in the Prophet but these blunt weapons did not have any effect on the compressed ranks of the Muslims. A large part of these debates has been narrated by the Holy Qur'an in Surah al-Baqarah and Surah al-Nisa.
[1] Biharul Anwar vol. XIX pp. 110 - 111.
|
( 345
)![]()
By studying the said two surahs the dear readers can very well understand the enmity and the obstinacy of the Jews. They received a clear reply to every question asked by them but in order to avoid shouldering the burden of Islam they replied very obstinately to the Prophet's invitation to Islam: "Our hearts are sealed and we do not consider what you say to be correct". ABDULLAH BIN SALAM EMBRACES ISLAMThese debates increased the enmity and the grudge of the Jews but at times they became the cause of some persons embracing Islam. Abdullah bin Salam was one of the priests and scholars of the Jews. He embraced Islam after having detailed discussions with the Prophet of Islam.[1] Soon afterwards another scholar of theirs named Mukhayriq also joined him. Abdullah thought that if his kinsmen came to know about his embracing Islam they would abuse and slander him. He therefore requested the Prophet that until an acknowledgement of his learning and piety had been obtained from his tribe he might not make public the fact of his embracing Islam. The Prophet therefore asked the Jews: "What is your opinion about Abdullah?" All of them replied "He is our religious leader and the son of our religious leader and an eminent scholar". Then Abdullah proceeded to his own area and informed the people of his tribe about his embracing Islam. As soon as the news of his becoming a Muslim spread amongst the Jews they got excited with anger. Though they had collectively acknowledged his learning and piety only a few hours ago yet now all of them began calling him a characterless and ignorant person.[2] ANOTHER PLAN TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT OF ISLAMDebates and knotty questions of the Jews not only |