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The Incident of the People of the Elephants - Part Three
Written by user2Accompanied by a few leaders of Quraish, ‘Abdul Muttalib set out to meet Abrahah. Upon reaching, he sent a message to Abrahah informing him of his arrival. When ‘Abdul Muttalib arrived, Abrahah gave him a grand welcome.
Allah Ta’ala had blessed ‘Abdul Muttalib with unparalleled handsomeness, remarkable eminence, imposing awe, remarkable dignity and arresting majesty that left all who came into contact with him awestruck. Hence, Abrahah was also overwhelmed and awestruck by the personality of ‘Abdul Muttalib. He thus welcomed ‘Abdul Muttalib with absolute respect and honour. Abrahah found it inappropriate to seat anyone on or in line with his throne. So instead, he descended from the throne out of respect for ‘Abdul Muttalib and sat with him on the ground.
The Incident of the People of the Elephants - Part Two
Written by user2When the Arabs heard of the church that Abrahah erected, a member of the Kinaanah tribe defaced the building by passing stool within its precincts and thereafter fleeing. Some are of the opinion that a few Arab youngsters lit a fire in the vicinity of the church. A gust of wind carried an ember onto the church, setting it ablaze and reducing it to ashes. This infuriated Abrahah and he vowed that he would not rest until he had reduced the Ka‘bah to ruins. With this evil intention, he set out to attack Makkah Mukarramah. En route to Makkah Mukarramah, the tribes who put up resistance were subdued with the might of the sword. Together with his army of men, he was also accompanied by a herd of elephants.
The Incident of the People of the Elephants - Part One
Written by user2Fifty or fifty five days before the birth of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the incident of the people of the elephants occurred, which is well known and recorded in the kitaabs of history and Seerat. The Holy Qur’aan also devotes a specific Surah to this particular incident. A comprehensive account of this incident is recorded in the kitaabs of Tafseer. Below follows a summary of this incident:
Abrahah was the governor of Yemen, appointed by Najaashi (Negus), the emperor of Abyssinia. When he noticed all the Arabs travelling to Makkah Mukarramah to perform Tawaaf of the Baitullah, he decided to erect a magnificent, highly decorated structure in the name of Christianity so that the Arabs would abandon the simple Ka‘bah and make Tawaaf of his fake Ka‘bah. He therefore erected a beautiful church in the capital city of San‘aa.
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/46)
Hazrat ‘Abdullah once set out on a trade journey with a caravan bound for Syria. During the journey, he stopped in Madinah Munawwarah due to ill health. The moment the caravan arrived in Makkah Mukarramah, ‘Abdul Muttalib enquired as to the whereabouts of ‘Abdullah. The travellers informed him that on account of ill health, ‘Abdullah had decided to stop over at his maternal ancestor’s family, the Banu Najjaar, in Madinah Munawwarah. ‘Abdul Muttalib immediately dispatched his eldest son, Haarith, to Madinah Munawwarah. On reaching Madinah Munawwarah, he discovered that ‘Abdullah had already departed from this world. He had remained sick for almost a month after which he passed away and he was buried in the house of Naabighah in Madinah Munawwarah.
Hazrat ibn ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) says:
As ‘Abdul Muttalib set out with his son, ‘Abdullah, to perform the nikaah, they passed by a Jewish woman by the name of Faatimah bint Murr who was well-versed with the Towraat and Injeel. When her gaze fell on the light of Nubuwwat radiating from ‘Abdullah’s face, she beckoned him to come up to her and pleaded saying, “I will compensate you with a hundred camels (for being illicitly intimate with me).” Hazrat ‘Abdullah responded with the following couplet:
أما الحرام فالممات دونه والحل لا حل فأستبينه
فكيف بالأمر الذي تبغينه إن الكريم يحمي عرضه ودينه
Death is far easier than perpetrating a Haraam act, and as for a Halaal act, without it being Halaal for me, how can I consider doing it?
So how is it possible to perpetrate the immoral deed that you are longing for? A man of honour and nobility safeguards his honour and Deen.
When ‘Abdul Muttalib finally completed paying the ransom for ‘Abdullah’s life, his next concern was to get him married. He sent a marriage proposal on behalf of ‘Abdullah for the hand of Aaminah, the daughter of Wahb bin ‘Abdu Manaaf of the eminently noble Banu Zuhrah tribe. She was, at that time, under the guardianship of her uncle, Wuhaib bin ‘Abdu Manaaf.
‘Abdul Muttalib also sent a marriage proposal for himself, asking for the hand of Haalah, the daughter of Wuhaib bin ‘Abdu Manaaf, Aaminah’s uncle. Both proposals were accepted and both father and son were married in the same session. Hazrat Hamzah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the son of ‘Abdul Muttalib, was born from her (Haalah). Hazrat Hamzah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was Rasulullah’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) paternal uncle as well as his milk-brother.
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/44)
The Forefathers of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) – Part Eight
Written by user2‘Abdullah
Hafiz ‘Asqalaani (rahimahullah) says that the name of the father of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was ‘Abdullah. He has also mentioned that there is no difference of opinion regarding this fact.
The name ‘Abdullah is one of the names which is most beloved to Allah Ta‘ala, as a Hadith states that two names are most dear to Allah Ta‘ala; ‘Abdullah and ‘Abdur Rahmaan. The reason for this is that the name “Allah” is the Ism-ul-A‘zam (the supreme name of Allah). Hence, on account of the name ‘Abdullah (slave of Allah) being attributed directly to the Ism-ul-A‘zam, it is one of the most beloved names.
It would not be surprising if when ‘Abdullah was born, his father, ‘Abdul Muttalib, was divinely inspired by Allah Ta‘ala to name this blessed son with a name which is most beloved to Allah Ta‘ala.
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/43)
(The qualities in which the Arabs enjoyed supremacy over other nations – continued)
6. Eloquence of Language and Expression:
No other language can parallel the Arabic language in eloquence and expression. In fact, no other language can justifiably claim to possess books specifically compiled on ‘Ilm-ul-Balaaghah (the science of eloquence and expression) and even if some may be found, they have been taken from the Arabic books. Allah Ta‘ala had entrusted them with these outstanding morals, exceptional abilities and excellent skills by instilling them within their very nature and disposition. However, due to their ignorance and foolishness, they were more inclined to focus these Allah-given talents in the wrong direction. However, when these same skills and talents were adorned with divine knowledge and heavenly direction, then the same people whose practices were once worse than that of wild beasts now became superior to even the celestial angels. When these same people, who were blatantly steeped in vicious hostilities and ferocious conflicts, chose to surrender their lives in the path of Allah Ta‘ala, the celestial angels arrived, dressed in white, yellow or black turbans, fighting side by side with them and assisting them against their mutual enemy.
Nonetheless, although the Arabs were immorally corrupt in behaviour and deed, they were relatively decent as far as their morals, disposition and talents were concerned.
It is possible and relatively easy to rectify one’s actions. However, amending one’s innate disposition is almost impossible. It is for this reason that Allah Ta‘ala selected such a family for His prophethood, so that the Prophet who hails from this family would also be a man of upright morals, untarnished nature and immaculate disposition. It is absolutely crucial for a Prophet to be a man of flawless character as this will enable him to rectify others.
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/42)
(The qualities in which the Arabs enjoyed supremacy over other nations – continued)
2. Valor and Heroism:
The extent of their valor was such that whilst the Romans or Persians reduced the rest of the world to subjugation or slavery, the Arabs, in spite of their modest material possessions, were not intimidated into imperial subjugation. Their spirit of determination was such that the most pitiable destitute among them would not be left overawed whilst conversing with the greatest of emperors.
3. Generosity and selflessness:
They were so big-hearted that they would not hesitate to slaughter a healthy camel in honor of a guest. They were prepared to remain hungry, but it was impossible for them to allow the guest to go hungry.
Hazrat Waasilah bin Asqa’ (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Allah Ta’ala preferred Banu Kinaanah from the children of Hazrat Ismaa‘eel (‘alaihis salaam), and from Banu Kinaanah, He chose the Quraish, and from the Quraish He favoured Banu Haashim, and from the Banu Haashim, He chose me.”
Hazrat Jibraa’eel (‘alaihis salaam) traversed the earth in search of uncontaminated souls. However, since it was an era of spiritual ignorance, he did not search for outward actions but focused on character and capability. In this aspect, Hazrat Jibraa’eel (‘alaihis salaam) did not find anyone better than the Arabs in general and Banu Haashim in particular.
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‘Abdul Muttalib’s condition differed greatly from the condition of the other Arabs at large. He would strongly prevent his children from any form of injustice and immorality. He would encourage them to adopt good character and shun evil behaviour.
‘Abdul Muttalib would enjoin the people to fulfil all vows and oaths and he forbade marriage between the mahaarim (such as marrying one’s sister, aunt, etc.). He would prohibit people from intoxicants, adultery, burying daughters alive and from performing Tawaaf around the Baytullah while naked. He would command that the hand of the thief be amputated. All these are issues which are strongly endorsed by the Qur’aan Kareem and Hadith Shareef as well.
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) says that the blood money paid to a murdered victim’s family initially comprised of ten camels. Amongst the Quraish and other Arabs, ‘Abdul Muttalib initiated the tradition of paying one hundred camels instead of the customary ten camels as blood money. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also maintained this Sunnah in Islam. Following this incident, ‘Abdullah received the title of ‘Zabeeh’ (the sacrificed or slaughtered one). This is the reason why Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was referred to as ‘Ibnuz Zabeehain’ (the son of two Zabeeh’s).
‘Abdul Muttalib drew lots for all his sons and the name of ‘Abdullah, his most beloved son, came up in the draw. He grasped ‘Abdullah’s hand and proceeded with a knife towards the sacrificial quarters. When ‘Abdullah’s sisters witnessed this distressing sight, they were moved to weeping in anguish. One of them pleaded with the father saying, “O father! Draw another lot with ten camels against ‘Abdullah’s name. If the lot is drawn in favour of the ten camels, slaughter the camels, but we implore you to spare ‘Abdullah.” At that time, ten camels was the blood money paid to a murdered victim’s family.
While digging through the earth to excavate the well of Zam Zam, ‘Abdul Muttalib had nobody to assist him besides his only son, Haarith. He therefore took an oath that if Allah Ta‘ala blessed him with ten sons, who would grow up to be his helping hands; he would slaughter one of them in the name of Allah Ta‘ala.