Seerah (328)
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The Conference of the Quraish to Prevent the Spread of Islam – Part Three
Written by user2When the people asked Waleed what opinion they should have regarding Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he replied, “By Allah! There is a remarkable sweetness and attraction in the speech of Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and his speech has an extraordinary magnificence to it. The roots of his speech are incredibly lush and its branches are fruit-bearing (in other words, Islam is like a fruit-bearing tree. Its roots are strong and firmly embedded in the ground and its branches extend towards the sky and are laden with fruit).”
The Conference of the Quraish to Prevent the Spread of Islam – Part Two
Written by user2The people then began to put forward their suggestions regarding the view that they should have regarding Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
Some people suggested (Allah forbid), “We will say that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is a soothsayer.” Waleed commented, “You are wrong. By Allah! He is not a soothsayer! I have seen and understood soothsayers very well. There is no sign of the soothsayers in Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), nor does his speech resemble the humming noises and style of speech of the soothsayers.”
The Conference of the Quraish to Prevent the Spread of Islam – Part One
Written by user2When the Quraish saw that Islam was progressing day by day, they assembled before Waleed bin Mugheerah, who was one of their seniors and elders, and said, “The Haj season has almost arrived and your eminence is celebrated throughout the lands. People arriving from different lands will soon enquire from you regarding Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Hence, we need to unite and decide on one opinion regarding him, and we should all agree on this one opinion. We should not differ in our view regarding him, as this will lead to some of us contradicting others, and this will not be good for us.”
Invitation to Islam and Feeding the People - Part Seven
Written by user2Rabee‘ah bin ‘Ibaad (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) says:
I once saw Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in the markets of ‘Ukkaaz and Zul Majaaz inviting people towards Islam saying:
يا أيها الناس قولوا لا إله إلا الله تفلحوا
O people! Say “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” and you will be successful!
While he was inviting people towards Islam, I saw a squint-eyed man walking behind him and calling out to the people, “This man has renounced the religion of his forefathers and he is a liar!” When I asked the people who this man was, they informed me that he was the uncle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Abu Lahab.
Invitation to Islam and Feeding the People - Part Six
Written by user2When the Quraish lost hope in Abu Taalib supporting them, they began to show open opposition and enmity for the Muslims. They started inflicting different punishments on the weak and vulnerable Muslims of the various tribes.
Abu Taalib then called on the Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib to support and assist Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Upon the call of Abu Taalib, all the members of the Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib responded and promised their assistance. From the Banu Haashim, only Abu Lahab joined the enemy against Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/178-179)
Invitation to Islam and Feeding the People - Part Five
Written by user2When the Quraish noticed that Abu Taalib was determined to assist and protect Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), they consulted each other for a third time. They then came to Abu Taalib and said, “‘Umaarah bin Waheed is an extremely handsome, intelligent and understanding youngster of the Quraish. Take him and hand your nephew to us who is responsible for causing disunity among the people. We intend to kill him and save the people from this calamity.”
Abu Taalib replied, “What! How can it ever be possible for me to give you that child which I raised myself and allow you to kill him while I take your child in his place to raise and care for? By Allah! This can never happen!”
Mut‘im bin ‘Adiyy remarked, “O Abu Taalib! Your people have presented you with a fair and just suggestion and an excellent solution to rid themselves of this calamity. However, you did not accept their offer.” Abu Taalib retorted, “By Allah! My people have not been fair to me! You can do whatever you want!”
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/178)
Invitation to Islam and Feeding the People – Part Four
Written by user2Abu Taalib was greatly affected by the opposition and enmity of his family and people. When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to him, Abu Taalib said, “My beloved nephew! The people of your tribe came to me and this is what they had to say.” Abu Taalib then mentioned what had transpired between him and the delegation of the Quraish. Abu Taalib thereafter said, “I thus urge you to take pity on me and take pity on yourself as well, and do not make me carry a burden that I cannot bear.”
Invitation to Islam and Feeding the People - Part Three
Written by user2As long as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) sufficed on inviting the people to Islam, the Quraish did not interfere with him. However, when he began to invite to Islam openly, began to speak ill of the idol worshippers and began to prevent people from engaging in kufr and shirk, the Quraish began to show him enmity and oppose him. However, Abu Taalib continued to support and assist Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
Invitation to Islam and Feeding the People – Part Two
Written by user2Although Abu Lahab was the uncle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he always remained in the forefront of causing harm to Islam, just as Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) always remained in the forefront of supporting Islam.
Abu Lahab remained in the forefront when it came to denying Islam, causing harm, mocking, hating and showing enmity, whereas Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) remained in the forefront when it came to personal sacrifice, belief and love for Islam. May the anger and wrath of Allah Ta‘ala descend on Abu Lahab.
Invitation to Islam and Feeding the People – Part One
Written by user2Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates:
When the verse “And warn your close relatives” was revealed, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed me to bring a saa’ (approximately 3.2kg) of grain, the shoulder of a goat and a bowl of milk. He then requested me to summon all the children of Muttalib.I did as instructed and approximately forty people responded. Among them were his uncles; Abu Taalib, Hamzah, ‘Abbaas and Abu Lahab.
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After being commanded by Allah to invite to Islam openly, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) ascended Mt Safaa and summoned all of the tribes of the Quraish by name. When they had all assembled, he asked them, “If I were to inform you that there is an army on the other side of this mountain that wishes to attack you, would you believe me?” In one voice, they all responded, “We will definitely believe you since we have never known you to be anything but honest and truthful!”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “I am warning you of a severe punishment (that will befall you if you do not accept my message from Allah Ta‘ala).” Abu Lahab retorted, “Woe unto you! May you perish! Is it only for this purpose that you assembled us here?”
It was in this regard that Surah ‘Tabbat Yadaa Abi Lahab’ (may the hands of Abu Lahab perish) was revealed.
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/172)
For three years, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) continued inviting people to Islam secretly and people gradually embraced Islam. After this period of three years, the following command was revealed, instructing Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to invite to Islam openly:
فَاصۡدَعۡ بِمَا تُؤۡمَرُ وَ اَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ الۡمُشۡرِکِیۡنَ ﴿۹۴﴾
Then proclaim openly that which you have been instructed (i.e. Islam) and turn away from the disbelievers (Surah Hijr v. 94)
وَ اَنۡذِرۡ عَشِیۡرَتَکَ الۡاَقۡرَبِیۡنَ ﴿۲۱۴﴾ۙ وَ اخۡفِضۡ جَنَاحَکَ لِمَنِ اتَّبَعَکَ مِنَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿۲۱۵﴾ۚ
And warn your close relatives and treat those believers who have followed you with affection and kindness (Surah Shu‘araa v. 214-215)
وَ قُلۡ اِنِّیۡۤ اَنَا النَّذِیۡرُ الۡمُبِیۡنُ ﴿ۚ۸۹﴾
And say (O Muhammed) I am indeed an open warner (Surah Hijr v. 89)
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/171)
As people continued to gradually embrace Islam, the number of Muslims increased until they now formed a small group. At that time, the house of Hazrat Arqam (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was chosen as a place for all the Muslims to congregate.
Hazrat Arqam (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was among the first Muslims, being either the seventh or tenth person to embrace Islam. His house was on Mt Safaa.
Right until Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) accepted Islam, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) would gather at the house of Hazrat Arqam (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). After Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) embraced Islam, the Muslims would gather wherever they wished.
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/171)
The Islam of Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) – Part Two
Written by user2When Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heard the report of his brother, Hazrat Unais (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he said, “My heart is not yet fully satisfied and convinced.”
Most probably, Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) wanted to hear a detailed description of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the stories regarding him. The report of his brother was too concise and was thus insufficient for him and could not satisfy him.