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Prophethood:

10th to 13th year

 Muhammad (pbuh)

50-53 years old

 

THE SUFFERING CAUSED BY THE SIEGE

      In an inhospitable valley, the food dwindled, then was scarce, the children often cried until they filled the valley with screams of agony.  They were the screams of hunger and misery.  The old became very weak, thin, and emaciated.  Literally, the suffering was unbearable.

      The cold days of winter were hard to endure in a tent, and while the heat of the summer was blistering, the rain made it worse.  Their clothes became ragged, and it was hard to protect themselves from the elements of nature.  The social contact with the people of Mecca was certain­ly missed most dearly.  Not being with people was the hardest to take, a heavy psychological blow.

      In spite of all this, however, the Muslims kept concentrat­ing on their prayers, and learning more from Muhammad (pbuh).  They withstood the ordeal most bravely.  It is true they suffered to the breaking point, but the Muslims were too strong in their faith to be weakened by suffering.  They withstood this outrageous treatment for three long years in a most courageous manner.

     

DURING THE SACRED MONTHS  go to top of page

      During the sacred months of each year, any war was supposed to be put aside.  This was the custom in Arabia at the time.  This meant that Muhammad (pbuh) and the Muslims were free to move as they pleased, that the siege was interrupted.

      When these months came, the Muslims lost no time in making contact with the people who came to the Ukadh State Fair.  Muhammad (pbuh) went to the Ukadh Fair and preached again and again with eagerness and energy, as if none of the trouble during the siege had affected him!  He attracted a good many, in spite of it all, and his dynamic efforts knew no limits.  The disbelievers observed with envy, alarm, and tremendous anxiety.

      At the Ukadh Fair, Abu Lahab, the veteran enemy of Islam, used to follow behind Prophet (pbuh) asking the people not to listen or believe in Muhammad.  This, however, gave the opposite effect.  By trying to discourage the people from listening to Muhammad (pbuh), Abu Lahab ended up with exactly opposite results, since people became curious, and listened to Muhammad eagerly.  They were all ears!

     

END OF THE SIEGE  go to top of page

      By the third year of the siege, the Muslims were still very patient and most enduring, despite their sufferings.  They never weakened in their faith, and there wasn't the slightest sign of compromise.  Quraish and other disbelievers had feelings of guilt and shame, deeply felt shame—Arab customs never permitted what Quraish had done.  The disbelievers saw themselves failing in this measure, just as they had in other measures.

      The Arabs and people everywhere took pity; after all it was such a crude, cruel and ghastly form of treatment, wasn't it?  And even then it was a failure!  The pagans' feeling of guilt was getting the best of them.

      Muhammad (pbuh) and his family, the disbelievers reasoned, were part of Quraish, weren't they?  And for what purpose should they deal such cruelty to their own flesh and blood?!  This cruelty, as inhumane as it was, wasn't just for a few days, a week or a month, it was such a prolonged one.  Everyone was getting tired of it.  It was intended to break the will of Muhammad (pbuh) and the Muslims, but it never did.  It seemed to have made them stronger and ever more determined.  Not only that, but their families and tribes gave them full support and suffered in the meantime.

      The besieged Muslims were malnourished, haggard-looking, and the signs of suffering were too obvious to ignore.  During the last few months of the siege, Muslims even had to eat the leaves from the trees, just because there was no more food.

      So, the guards could not help but keep telling Quraish and others in Mecca about the horrible suffering and the intolerable conditions of the Muslims.  That helped soften the hearts of some of the disbelievers.  Some food started to reach the besieged Muslims by smuggling.  Fortunately it came steadily, and as little as it was, it stopped the besieged from starving to death.

      At last, a few guilt-ridden souls took pity and they could stand it no longer.  They went united to the Ka'ba, with the intention of tearing down the document that declared the siege.  After announcing their intention, and after reminding the people of Mecca about how bad and cruel they had been to Muhammad and his clan, they got up to tear the document to pieces.  To their astonishment, they discovered that the document was completely eaten by termites, that is except for the words:

بإسـمــك أللهم

"In Your Name, O Lord"

 

THE YEAR OF SORROW  go to top of page

      The beloved uncle of Muhammad, Abu Talib, was 77 years old when the siege started.  Exposure, lack of food, poor nourish­ment, and existing in extremely poor conditions was too much for anybody to take, let alone a 77 year old man.  He suffered as all others did, but his protection and love for Muhammad continued as strong as ever.  At the ripe age of 80, and only a few months after the siege was discontinued, he became terminally ill.

      Quraish's leaders visited him to persuade him, but persuade him of what?  Muhammad (pbuh) was sent for, and when he came they talked to him.  In his usual calm way, Muhammad took a short while before saying anything, then they heard him saying:

"I ask you to say one word, and it will make you the leaders of Arabia and of other countries."

      Abu Jahl, the venomous enemy of Islam, then asked, "All right, answer in ten words."

Muhammad answered confidently,

"Just acknowledge that Allah is One, and we quit worshipping

anything else besides Him."

      Once more, the leaders of Quraish felt a shattering blow.  "He never gives up!" they thought, "how persistent can a person be; what a solid faith, how tenacious!"  Once more they left, burning with frustration and a sense of failure.

      Abu Talib died soon after.

     Khadija, that angel of a wife, who was the wife of the Prophet for twenty‑five years, could not stand the suffering of the siege either.  Having reached the age of sixty‑five, and having suffered severely at the siege for the three years, Khadija became ill.  She became very sick after a few days, then she quietly passed away.

      The loss of Abu Talib and Khadija was just about the most difficult thing Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) could stand.  Their love, support, kindness and care were essential to him and most appreciated by him.  He became grieved a great deal for them and he dressed himself with mourning clothes.  He also named the year of their deaths, the year of sorrow.

     

DON'T CRY MY DAUGHTER  go to top of page

      Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, was cleaning the dirt and mud thrown at her father Muhammad (pbuh).  His head, his face, and his clean clothes were soiled with dirt.  Muhammad (pbuh) had been passing through a street in Mecca, and one of the Quraish pagans wanted to hurt him, just for the fun of it.  So he threw dirt at the Prophet as he was passing through.  There was no provocation and no reason.  It was an infantile act, a childish act to hurt for the sake of hurting, and not just any man, but Allah's Messenger, no less!.

      Muhammad (pbuh), full of poise and dignity, didn't say anything.  Words alone wouldn't be

enough to express the pain inside.  He just looked at himself and shook his head.  He was covered with dirt, but rather than react with anger, he received the insult calmly and looked at the man with a meaningful look but without saying a single word.  He turned around and went home.

      When Fatima saw her father with dirt all over him, she was aghast.  She remembered her mother and the whole panorama of the past years of suffering.  It was too much for her to see her father, the Messenger of Allah, covered with dirt.  Why should her father the Prophet be the target of all this endless persecution?

      "How could they, how could they?" she thought, her eyes full of tears, her heart crying ten times more.

     "Don't cry my daughter, Allah will protect your father," was his confidant reply; you see, Muhammad never gave up the Mercy of his Lord.  This answer soothed young Fatima to some extent, because she shared with her father the same belief.  But she had seen him suffer so much, for so long, at the hands of so many ignorant people.  (Fatima was not a teenager yet.)

     

TA'IF WAS DISAPPOINTING TOO

  The fifty year old Muhammad (pbuh) thought of trying a different territory, since his efforts with the Meccans were at a standstill.  An idea occurred to him, and that was to deliver the Islamic message to a different town.  Perhaps, he thought, the new town promises hope as well as less abuse than Mecca.  In so doing, he also reasoned, there is a chance, a faint chance, to spread the message of Islam there and in other new areas.  Since the death of Abu Talib, the tension in Mecca was reaching intolerable heights every day.  Things were bleak, very bleak.  In a far away town, the Prophet thought, things might be different, so he chose the town called Ta'if.

   It was a hard journey on foot, sixty miles long.  He and Zaid went on walking and walking.  The tiresome trip took several days of walking.  On their way, they stopped at two places, where Muhammad (pbuh) preached Islam to two different tribes.  Unfortunately, they were no different than those in Mecca and refused to listen to him.

    Muhammad (pbuh), along with Zaid, continued their journey until at last they reached Ta'if.  A big temple was there with an idol in the center.  The idol was by the name of Al‑Lat.  In the temple, Muhammad (pbuh) stood and gave a speech.  He called for the belief in Allah and His teachings and he talked about the new religion called Islam.

   The people listened for a short while, but the leaders of the predominant tribe called Benu Thaqif, interrupted the Prophet's speech numerous times.  This was done on purpose, asking him many questions simply to disrupt Muhammad's efforts and direct attention away from him.  Benu Thaqif were not only disruptive but disturbingly noisy.  They did that on purpose because what Muhammad (pbuh) was saying was as big a challenge to their power and social customs as Islam was to Quraish in Mecca.  In other words, they were extremely afraid of Prophet Muhammad and Islam, especially its enormous impact on people.

    Due to the interruptions, and the remarks of the heads of Benu‑Thaqif, the audience lost interest.  They dispersed slowly, continuously talking about the new man from Mecca, and his degrading of their idol, Al‑Lat.

     

ON HIS WAY BACK  go to top of page

      The trip to Ta'if proved a big disappointment, but Muhammad (pbuh) never knew discouragement.  After all, he was carrying the words of Allah.  This was not an everyday affair, it was a Divine Message.  Too bad Muhammad (pbuh) was not well received by the leaders of Benu-Thaqif.  On the contrary, they were so mean that they encouraged their slaves, scoundrels and children to run after Muhammad (pbuh) and make sure to hurt him.

      Both Muhammad (pbuh) and Zaid were chased by unruly ruffians, young and old, shouting obscenities, cursing, and throwing stones at them.  Though Muhammad (pbuh) and Zaid hurried as fast as they could, the stones kept hitting them, mainly the Prophet.  Muhammad (pbuh) got hurt, bruised, and started to bleed.  The blood poured from many cuts, soiling his legs and feet, and his feet became swollen.  His feet became so sore that he was not so sure whether he was running or not.

      They were chased over a distance of three long miles, in which they kept receiving showers of stones.  They ran for protection; with blood pouring, feet numb and swollen, and a terrible sorrowful feeling of dejection.  They were exhausted and short of breath, but before Muhammad (pbuh) and Zaid could reach safety at a wall of a plantation nearby, the Prophet (pbuh) collapsed to the ground, his strength couldn't hold him any longer, he fainted!  At that point, Muhammad (pbuh) and Zaid were left alone, and the attacking crowd, as wild as it was, left them alone.  What a cruel experience!

     

WITH A FEELING OF DEJECTION, HE PRAYS TO ALLAH  go to top of page

      The plantation they stood by belonged to a Meccan.  Muhammad (pbuh) was covered with blood and dirt, his cuts were painful.  He was exhausted and extremely pained inside.  He felt dejected, very dejected.  When he came around, he looked at the skies, lifted his hands, and prayed:

 

Oh Allah!  I bring to you the complaint of the weakness of my power, the poverty of my means and the contempt of the people against me.

Oh Most merciful of the merciful!  You are the maintainer of the weak and You are my maintainer.  In whose hands have You put me?  He who is strange and mean, or he who is my enemy?

But if You are not angry with me, I will not be concerned and the comfort of Your mercy is vast enough for me.

Oh Lord, I seek refuge in the Light of Your face, which illuminates all darkness, and which sets right all the affairs of this world and of the next, from Your wrath and Your displeasure.

I seek nothing but to please thee, and I have no power to do good or to prevent evil except with Your help."

 

See how magnificent a person Muhammad was.  Although he, the Prophet, was cut and hurt, though he was exhausted and put down, he didn't even get angry with the people who caused him all the trouble.  He simply regarded them, and correctly so, as Ignorant People.  He didn't curse them, pray for their punishment, or even become angry with them.  A man's bigness shows especially when he is under severe pressure.  As this instance shows, Muhammad (pbuh) showed that he was above all men, the ultimate perfection of mankind.

     

THE CHRISTIAN SLAVE  go to top of page

      Muhammad felt better after that prayer.  He had already washed and cleaned up, and a plate of grapes was brought to him.  It was a Christian slave named Addas who brought the plate.  He was a slave of the owner of that plantation.

      Addas was very impressed when he heard Muhammad (pbuh) saying the above prayer, at an unexpected time when Muhammad (pbuh) was bleeding, exhausted and injured.  Addas also heard Muhammad (pbuh) saying In the name of Allah before eating.  He questioned the Prophet about Allah and the Message, and he was delighted to hear about the new faith.  Muhammad (pbuh) said he was the final Prophet, and both talked about Jesus.  Addas was extremely impressed and was sad to see what was done to Muhammad (pbuh) by some wild people of Ta'if.  Addas decided to become a Muslim!  He declared his Shahaada, and became Muslim right then and there!

 

 ISRAA AND MI'RAAJ
A MOST UNIQUE JOURNEY

  

  1. It came about at the most crucial time for Muhammad (pbuh).

  2. Supernatural phenomena of extreme importance.

  3. Muhammad (pbuh) for himself saw the workings of the universe.

  4. Muhammad (pbuh) was in the presence of the Almighty (swt).

  5. True believers became stronger in their faith, disbelievers ever more confused and adamant in destroying Islam.

 

 

The Holy Quran says:


سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى
 الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِير
ُ
Glory be to Him who by night took His servant

from the Masjid Al-Haram to Masjid Al-Aqsa,

 to show His Wonders ...

     

MI'RAAJ  go to top of page

      It was the tenth year since the beginning of Islam, Muhammad (pbuh) was fifty years old.  He went through many gruesome experiences, but the worst was that of the siege, the deaths of both Abu Talib and Khadija.  The demeaning treatment at Ta'if, the resistance of other tribes, and the general attitude of the pagan Quraish that Muhammad (pbuh) was defenseless and weak, made matters even more difficult.  In spite of much success at converting people to Islam, still more than eighty influential Muslim men were far away at Abyssinia, along with some women and children.  The Muslims were defenseless, scattered, and under the constant pressure of harassment.

      It was at this critical time that Muhammad (pbuh) had a remarkable journey.  It was a unique and magnificent journey, coming at the exact moment when Muhammad (pbuh) needed it most, when he felt his efforts were blocked if not blunted from every direction.  It was a journey that showed him, with his own eyes, the glory of the Almighty and the working of the universe.  The journey gave him a great deal of psychological comfort, an uplift, and it confirmed in his mind the magnificence and the glory of the work of the Almighty.  It renewed his energy and determination to work for Islam.

     

WHAT HAPPENED DURING ISRAA?  go to top of page

      Briefly told, Prophet Muhammad was awakened by Angel Jubra'eel (Gabriel), who had with him a beautiful looking horse with large wings.  The name of the horse was Buraq.

      He was told to mount Buraq, and was taken to Mount Toor where Musa (Moses) was given the Ten Commandments, then to Bethlehem, where Isa (Jesus) was born, then to Jerusalem.  At Jerusalem, Muhammad (pbuh) met Prophets Ibrahim, Musa, Isa and a good many others.  They all prayed, Muhammad (pbuh) leading the Salat.

     

THE EXPERIENCE OF MI'RAAJ  go to top of page

      Following the Israa, Muhammad (pbuh) was taken to Heavens.  There he saw many Prophets, including Adam, Ibrahim, Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus).

      The greatest honor of all, though, came last.  He was in the presence of the Almighty, in all His glory and magnificence.  This was the pinnacle of this most unique journey.  This very special experience was way beyond description.  It was too great for the power of man to describe.

      During this journey, Muhammad (pbuh) was shown the mysterious workings of the universe; he was shown a great deal about the life beyond; he saw the amazing precision of the universe and its glorious aspects, the abundance of many good things, things beyond a human's imagination.  He was also shown Hell from a distance, and the horrible things in it, a petrifying scene to say the least, a very frightful one indeed.

      This experience was most unique, and it had its supreme imprint on Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), at the very time when he needed it most.  It came at the time when the people in Mecca and others gave the highest degree of trouble to him.

     

ON WAKING UP  go to top of page

      Muhammad (pbuh) woke up in the morning to tell the story to his aunt, Umm‑Hani, who was in his house with others.  He informed her of this unique experience after they finished the morning Salat.  She requested him not to tell anyone for fear that people wouldn't believe him, and would use it against him.  Muhammad (pbuh) disagreed.  He had always told the truth in its entirety, the pure truth, and what had happened the night before was part of it, wasn't it?  He would certainly tell it, no matter how supernatural this experience was, and no matter how the people would take it.

      Once downtown in Mecca, Muhammad (pbuh) told the people, and a good many simply didn't believe their ears, period.  How could they believe him when in those days it took a whole month or more to travel from Mecca to Jerusalem, let alone the other places!  Many disbelievers took to laughter, in sarcasm and ridicule.  They made fun of him, thinking Muhammad was losing his mind!

     

ABU BAKR AL‑SIDDIQUE  go to top of page

      When Abu Bakr heard about it, he said, "If Muhammad said it, then it is the truth."  He showed no hesitation in believing what the Prophet said.  This of course was also the case with others whose faith in the Prophet's integrity was unshakable.

      As Abu Bakr heard about the phenomenon, he also heard the Prophet (pbuh) describe what he saw in Jerusalem—the streets, the buildings, and the area where he lead the Prayer, in full detail.  Muhammad (pbuh) had never been to Jerusalem, but Abu Bakr had.  When Muhammad (pbuh) finished, Abu Bakr said, "By Allah, that is the very way Jerusalem is!  I surely believe wholeheartedly in what Muhammad is saying."

      After that Abu Bakr was called Al‑Siddique, which means the Confirmer.

     

NEWS OF THE CARAVAN  go to top of page

      In the confusion of belief and disbelief, the people also heard Prophet Muhammad saying,

"On the way back, I saw a caravan coming

toward Mecca, it should take a few more days before

the caravan arrives and its descript­ion is so

and so."

      People became anxious to see if the caravan Muhammad described was truly arriving as he claimed.  After all, none of them had ever known that such a caravan was coming.  It was a complete surprise when they heard of the caravan and usually the approach of a caravan was big news in those days.  The confirmation of the caravan was one certain way to be assured that the Prophet (pbuh) was right in what he said.

      A few days passed, and sure enough, the caravan showed up from a distance approaching Mecca.  It was exactly as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had described it.  What a cool feeling the doubting people had, now that they were assured of the truth of Muhammad (pbuh).  The pagans on the other hand, had to stop their accusations, since it was proved that their accusations were baseless.  They felt defeated once again, having a situation that they tried to use to criticize Muhammad (pbuh) be turned against them.

     

THE NEWS WAS SPREADING  go to top of page

      Being exposed for more than ten years to arguments about Islam, a great deal of doubt was slowly but surely entering the hearts of the pagan Quraish and other disbelievers.  The doubts were about whether or not their idol‑worship was sound or correct.  After all, they had been challenged by Islam for about ten years so far, and they were obviously losing their grip, surely and steadily.  But one wonders why they insisted on the excessive cruelty, ill treatment, and such inhumane approach in their resistance to Islam.

      The answer is that the disbelievers were afraid, and correctly so, to lose the cultural fabric, power, financial situation, administrative position, and prestige in Mecca.  To them at the time, there was going to be a complete change, a change to the unknown, once they become Muslims.  Their losses would be unbearably large.  In addition, it was their injured pride and stiff stubbornness that helped inflame the emotions.  That produced alarm and anxiety, and many people took advantage of this feeling to pour hatred and cruelty, to justify their being power hungry self-appointed leaders.  This social alarm and confusion made them take to any kind of cruelty freely, to try their best to block or destroy Islam.

      But the reputation of the Muslims and their new changed characters did not go unnoticed.  Islam was finding inquisitive hearts, in Mecca and all over Arabia.  Muhammad's call, his suffering, his brave stand in the face of unbearable abuse and hostility, were spreading all over.  He was very much admired.  They also admired the Muslims and all they called for.  Therefore, the beginning of satellite pockets of the Islamic mission was being established.  The converts from areas around Mecca were to become the agents or the means to deliver Islam in their respective territory.  Mecca was being bypassed more and more.

     

IN MEDINA: AL‑GHIFARI  go to top of page

      Medina used to be called Yathrib, and it is at quite a distance north of Mecca.  For some time now there had been some talk in Yathrib about the new Prophet and about Islam.  A man who loved the truth, by the name of Abu Dhar Al‑Ghifari, became very inquisitive.  He came all the way to Mecca, to see for himself, to find out first hand.

      He met Ali, who was twenty years old by then, a handsome young man with a full beard and moustache.  After talking to Ali, the two went to interview Muhammad (pbuh).  Al‑Ghifari listened attentive­ly, being careful to ask numerous questions and listen to the answers.  He found himself most impressed.  His heart was jumping with joy, and he embraced Islam immediately.  It was exactly what he was looking for.

      Al-Ghifari rushed to the Ka'ba excitedly, happily announcing to everyone that he had converted to Islam.  The disbelievers became very angry, and they wanted to stop him, but he wouldn't stop, so they gave him a beating, a bad one.  Fortunately, Abbas could recognize him and he stopped them from beating him so mercilessly.  In the meantime, he reminded the people about who Al‑Ghifari was, and how his tribe would take revenge if Abu Dhar was hurt too much.

      When they stopped beating him however, Abu Dhar Al‑Ghifari screamed again, urging people to embrace Islam!  That was in spite of his cuts, bruises, aches and pains from the previous beating!  He was jubilant and defiant.  Upon hearing him for the second time, the disbelievers attacked him once more, giving him a severe beating for the second time.  Fortunately Abbas was able to rescue him in the end.

     

AQABA WITNESSES THE FIRST PLEDGE  go to top of page

      It was during the eleventh year of the Islamic mission when Muhammad (pbuh) and the Muslims saw that it was extremely difficult anymore to communicate with the disbelievers of Mecca.  The ill-treatment was so relentless that Muhammad (pbuh) was becoming more or less isolated.  Only during the four sacred months of each year could he go out and preach with some assurance of not being attacked in some way.

      It was during the sacred months that he talked to a group of six people from Medina.  To his delight, he found ready acceptance and listening ears.  On going back to Medina, the six people spread the news about him.  This aroused the curiosity of many people in Medina.  Consequently, by the following year, twelve men came to meet with him.  They represented the two main tribes from Medina, called Aus and Khazraj.  They met with Muhammad (pbuh) at Aqaba  Muhammad (pbuh) discussed some Islamic teachings with them, and answered the numerous questions they asked.  The visitors were delighted and very impressed by him.  They changed to Islam, embracing it wholeheartedly.

Then everyone who met at Aqaba pledged the following:

1.  We will worship only Allah.

2.  We will not commit adultery or fornication.

3.  We will not steal.

4.  We will not kill our children.

5.  We will not bring false charges.

6.  We will obey Muhammad (pbuh) in all that is good

      Muhammad (pbuh) sent Mus'ab Ibn Umair to accompany them to Medina, to teach Islam.  In Medina, Islam found ready ears, and eager accepting hearts, and it had little difficulties in its way.

     

FINALLY, A FEELING OF RELIEF  go to top of page

      The meeting with the twelve people from Medina was welcome news.  It was very comforting to see them so eager to embrace Islam.  It was comforting to see some Islamic in‑roads to a new town, a big town, Medina itself.  Better still was what the Prophet had heard, that many people in Medina were anxious to hear about Islam.  If convinced, they would be the new Muslims, ready for its spread, ready for its defense.  It looked as if a breakthrough was about to take place.

      

MUS'AB DOES FINE  go to top of page

      Mus'ab's aim was to convert two important tribes to Islam at the same time.  For that purpose, Mus'ab had a meeting with other Muslims.  The leaders of the two tribes heard of what was going to happen.  One of the leaders, fuming with anger, wanted to cause trouble.  He started shouting and cursing loudly when he saw Mus'ab with the Muslims.

      Calmly, Mus'ab invited the angry man to sit down, feel comfortable, and give himself a chance to see what they were saying.  In other words, Mus'ab invited the leader to listen and participate in the meeting.  Surprised, the man agreed.  Upon hearing what Mus'ab had to say, and the answers Mus'ab gave, the fuming leader changed all over.  He loved what he heard and he wanted to embrace Islam, and so he did.  What a reversal of mind, what a complete change!

      Having become Muslim, this leader left the meeting.  He saw the leader of the other tribe waiting for him.  Rather than tell him that he had become Muslim, and surprise him, he told him that the Muslims in that meeting wanted to consult with him.  When the second leader went to the meeting, he had the same experience as that of the first leader, and he embraced Islam too, right then and there.

     

THEIR TRIBES CONVERT TOO  go to top of page

      The two leaders, now being Muslims, went to their respective tribes.  A big meeting was called for, and each leader explained in full, how he became Muslim.  Each mentioned to his people what Islam called for, and how a Messenger appointed by Allah had appeared, a Prophet who spoke their own language, and what a great honor for all the Arabs.  When all was said, the leader announced, "I am a Muslim now, who follows my example?"  To his delight, everyone in the tribe converted to Islam, thus the two tribes became Muslim.

      Mus'ab had become extremely busy in Medina, teaching Islam to this group or that.  His students became good teachers for an ever enlarging number of converts.  The news of Medina was spreading fast.  It made the disbelievers of Quraish boil with fear and envy.  At the same time, it made Muhammad (pbuh) and the Muslims of Mecca grateful, and very thankful to Allah Almighty for the swift success. "At last," they thought, "a good breakthrough, by Allah's will the Muslims will progress ever so swiftly."

     

HOW ABOUT IMMIGRATING

      The news from Medina was a welcome encouragement to every Muslim.  Muhammad (pbuh) already had some relatives who lived in Medina.  They were on his mother's side.  He remembered well his previous visit to his father's grave, and how his mother died in Ab'waa on the way back.  Though that visit was a long time ago, it was still vivid in his mind.

    Muhammad's mind went to the conditions in Mecca of the time.  It had become unbearable any more, with the constant harassment and distress.  The brutality had been going on without abatement for so many, many years.  And besides, the Prophet thought, the message of Islam was not penetrating the hearts of the Meccans anymore.  Many people about to convert to Islam were too afraid of the persecution, while the pagans were ever more wild, arrogant, and mean.  Mecca, its environment and its people could yield no more, the struggle was fruitless any further, it was obvious.

  On the other hand, the news from Medina was good and very encouraging—it was like cool water to the thirsty.  If Islam were so successful over in Medina and with only such a little effort, "how about leaving Mecca and its oppress­ion, and going to Medina with its relative freedom?," Prophet Muhammad thought.  With that thought, the heaviness on his heart felt lighter, and a happy expression of hope showed on his face.  It was the happiness of expectation.  The chance and opportunity for the Islamic Mission and all concerned were certainly present in Medina, no question about that.

     

AQABA: A SECOND OATH  go to top of page

      One year passed and it was time for Haj again.  A large number of people left Medina to go to Mecca.  The tribes of Aus and Khazraj were sending a big delegation each.

      The delegation consisted of 73 men and 2 women, all of whom had already embraced Islam and were anxious to meet Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).  Their aim was to convince him to leave Mecca, and to make his home in Medina.  They were eager to have him in the area which seemed to promise the future of Islam.  The meeting was to be secret.  Muhammad (pbuh) was informed about it.  They were to meet late in the evening at Aqaba again.

     

THEY AGREE  go to top of page

      At the agreed upon date, and late at night, both Muhammad and his uncle Abbas were very cautious as they moved.  Their aim was to go to Aqaba, in full secrecy.  Abbas was not Muslim yet, but he loved Muhammad very much, he wanted to support Muhammad (pbuh) and protect him completely, just in case the enemies of Islam found out.  He wanted that because Muhammad had already lost the protection of his Uncle Abu Talib who was the older brother of Abbas.

      The delegation from Medina left their caravan in a very cautious way, late at night, and they headed toward Aqaba.  They even walked barefoot so as not to wake up others in the caravan—such was their caution!  The two sides finally met at Aqaba, and they talked for a long time.  Abbas made sure and to his satisfaction that Muhammad was well supported by the people of Medina, and would be in good hands if he were to go there.  Each side promised to give full support to the other, and the common aim was to defend and spread the word of Allah Almighty with all their powers.

      The decision taken was that Muhammad (pbuh) was to leave Mecca, go to Medina, and make the headquarters of Islam in Medina.  It was the most positive change for Islam and the Muslims, just to be away from the oppressive disbelievers of Mecca!

      But to its alarm and surprise, pagan Quraish, found out about the pledge.  One of their members somehow managed to overhear what was going on in the meeting.  As a result, some of their leaders visited the caravan from Aus and Khazraj.  They asked about the meeting of the preceding night.  The Muslims who belonged to that caravan kept silent and didn't say a word.  On the other hand, the rest of the caravan were disbeliev­ers from Medina, and they knew nothing about the secret meeting of the night before!  The disbelievers answered the pagans of Mecca, "No way, there wasn't such a thing.  We, as a matter of fact, were all sound asleep, and right here."  The answer was satisfactory to Quraish, and they let this point slip by.  This was a very turning point for the Muslims, thanks to Allah and to the cautiousness of the Muslims.

     

MUSLIMS HEADING TOWARD MEDINA  go to top of page

      Fearing that Muhammad (pbuh) might immigrate to Medina and build strength there, the Meccan disbelievers became extremely violent, even more than ever before.  They were afraid that if Islam became strong in Medina, the Muslims might threaten the trade route to Syria and have a strangle hold on their livelihood and very existence.

      "What is best to do?" the Prophet thought, "It was best to let Muslims go to Medina first, be safe, and work for Islam."  Muhammad (pbuh) answered himself.

      At his suggestion, small groups of two or three Muslims were leaving Mecca, every few days, in an irregular manner.  To the winds of freedom, and better times in Medina, they headed.  Away from Mecca, and the fears of harassment, anxiety, and the constant abuse they faced.

     They didn't sell their homes or businesses—they simply left everything behind.  This very act made the Meccan disbeliev­ers confused but spiteful, not sure what the Muslims were up to.  Some Meccan disbelievers could get hold of a few Muslims while on their way to Medina.  They put the captured Muslims in imprisonment where some were treated horribly.  None of this, however, scared the Muslims, or stopped them.  The Muslims continued to leave Mecca steadily, irregularly, alone or in small groups.  Finally, very few Muslims were left in Mecca.  Those who were left were the fifty three year old Muhammad (pbuh), his twenty-three-year-old cousin, Ali, his fifty-one-year-old friend, Abu Bakr, some women, old men and children.

     

THE PLOT TO MURDER

      With most Muslims having left Mecca, the disbelievers were not sure if Muhammad (pbuh) was also going to leave Mecca.  You see, only a few years back, the Muslims did leave for Abyssinia on two occasions but Muhammad (pbuh) remained behind in Mecca.  So, they thought, it was very possible that this time Muhammad (pbuh) would remain in Mecca too.

The disbelievers waited, not sure of the Prophet's intentions, with a high degree of anxiety and uncertainty.  Muhammad the Prophet was still there and the Meccans were very anxious, impatient, restless, and curious.

"Here is a man," they thought, "who had withstood every injury dealt him, yet he always outwitted us, and now he may even be more dangerous if he leaves for Medina.  Let us do something about it, let us kill!"  The mood was to attempt murder, no less—an ugly mood indeed.  Nothing else was left for them to do.  Kill Muhammad (pbuh) but how?

A council was called for, and fourteen leaders gathered in Dar‑ul‑Nadwa.  They were representing all the opposing clans of pagan Quraish.  After discussing numerous suggestions, Abu Jahl, the bitter enemy of Islam, suggested something which was unanimously agreed upon.  He suggested that the bravest man from each tribe was to gather at an agreed upon night, near Muhammad's house.  These men were to equally participate, to attack and kill Muhammad at the same time.  In so doing, every tribe would share in this act of murder.  As a result, Muhammad's family and his clan would not dare to or be able to revenge his blood, against any or all of those tribes.

 

THE DRASTIC MEASURES:

As told by Gabriel, the Prophet takes the following drastic measures to outperform the murderous quraish and escape safely:

 

THE PLOT  go to top of page

      No one knew what Muhammad (pbuh) planned to do.  It was a night of suspense and expectation.  The families of the disbelievers were excited, talking and talking, about how they were going to kill Muhammad.  Their imagination was wild, and a good many reviewed the different steps to be taken.  "How smart," they thought, "that finally they were going to put an end to their failures, their repeated failures to stop Muhammad."

      Muhammad (pbuh) on his part was told about the plot by Angel Jubra'eel.  Muhammad (pbuh) informed his friend Abu Bakr about the plot, and Abu Bakr asked if he could stay in Mecca.  Muhammad (pbuh) agreed and instructed him to stay on, to be alert, and not to leave his house.  He had a certain plan in his mind, but he did not tell anybody about his plan, not even Abu Bakr.

      He asked his beloved cousin Ali to stay with him at home.  He also had a certain plan for Ali to undertake.  The day was nearing its end, the sun was about to set, the dark night would soon fall.  It was going to be a matter of timing, of how to outwit the numerous would‑be‑killers poised for the crime.  One innocent man against a whole town, and this right against a band of would‑be murderers.  Each one was after his blood, and only for the reason that Muhammad's call was for the Almighty, for Islam, for the lofty Islamic principles of improving man!

     

ALI WAS IN HIS BED  go to top of page

      The house was surrounded by many young men, the would-be killers, with sheathed swords by their sides, ready to be drawn.  Their hearts beating hard, they listened for any footsteps or noise.  The suspense made them nervous and jumpy.  Their intention was to murder, but also their duty was not to let anyone leave the house, the house of Muhammad, which they were to attack soon.

      The night was quite dark.  Muhammad (pbuh) gave Ali, his beloved cousin, special instructions.  Ali was to be in Muhammad's bed and covered with the Prophet's green blanket.  The following day, Ali was to give back a trust which some people had left with Muhammad (pbuh) sometime before!  The trust was in the form of jewelry and other valuables, but Muhammad's honesty insisted on returning this trust in spite of the grave peril of the moment!

      Ali was delighted even to sacrifice himself for the Prophet.  He lay in the bed, the bed of Muhammad (pbuh), well covered, and with a feeling of suspense, and a great wish for the safety of the Prophet, since such safety was essential for Islam.

      Muhammad (pbuh) left the house cautiously and quickly, making sure no one saw him.  He succeeded beautifully!  He managed very well, escaping the watchful eyes of the attackers to be!  He went swiftly to Abu Bakr's house, knocking on his door cautiously, late in the night.

      Abu Bakr had been expecting Muhammad (pbuh) any day during the last week or so.  He opened the door with caution and let the beloved Prophet in.  The Prophet (pbuh) told him where they were going to be, and Asmaa the daughter of Abu Bakr, gave them food to take with them.  She was told where they were going to be.

     

AT MOUNT THAUR go to top of page

      Five miles south of Mecca, there is a series of three rugged, rough mountains, each leading to the other.  Near the top of the highest and the last mountain, Mount Thaur, there is a cave and a ravine.  This area was in the opposite direction to Medina.  If the Meccans wanted to look for the Prophet, it would be very unlikely for them to think of this place.

      It was toward the cave at Mount Thaur that Muhammad (pbuh) and Abu Bakr labored, in the deep dark of the night.  It took a number of hours to reach their destination, because it was dark, the terrain rugged and difficult to climb, especially without light.

Jabal Thawr, contains the cave in which the Prophet and Abu Bakr sought refuge

for three days and nights

 

      It was a tense period, every movement counted, and they had to climb hard, until finally they took refuge inside the cave.  The cave was dark, the air thin and fresh.  In there, Muhammad (pbuh) and Abu Bakr waited for three long days.  It wasn't an easy wait, it was a wait full of suspense, since there was at every moment the possibility of being discovered.

     

SURPRISE  go to top of page

      While Ali was in the bed of his cousin, Prophet Muhammad, covered with the green blanket, the attackers outside were nervous and restless.  Finally, the time agreed upon had arrived, it was the time to attack.  The killers-to-be began their march, each with wild ideas crossing his mind.  Each unsheathed his glistening sword, and each had his own idea of how he was going to kill.

      Sometime before, and while everyone was waiting, a guard had already peeked a few times, just to make certain that Muhammad was asleep in bed.  Of course, the guard saw someone in bed, and he assumed it was Muhammad, sound asleep and not suspecting any trouble.

      The would‑be killers sneaked into the Prophet's house with a feeling of suspense, they entered his room nervously.  They crowded its corners, everyone holding his sword high up.  One person wanted to see the look on Muhammad's face when he was about to face death.  He jerked the blanket, and to everyone's astonishment, it was Ali, not Muhammad, who was in the bed!!

     They were startled, agonizingly so.  The shocked faces of the murderers-to-be was quite a scene to behold!  Their swords came down slowly, they growled with painful anger, it was such an unbelievable failure.

      "Where is Muhammad?" they growled in disbelief.  The atmosphere was tense.  Everyone was very angry at being so outsmarted.  A moment of suspense passed, then Ali answered: "How do I know?", yet he was filled with joy, delighted at the failure of the disbelievers. "You were the watchers, not I," he added.  What a way to make them feel caught in their own trap.

     

REFLECTIONS  go to top of page

      Of the numerous perilous moments in the history of Islam, this was the most perilous of all.  The Prophet's life was at stake at any moment, though he didn't care whether he would be safe or not as long as Allah's message survived.  Ali felt greatly honored to be chosen to be in the place of his beloved cousin, Muhammad (pbuh).  It meant that Ali was singled out, of all others, to have the singular honor of being completely trusted, and having the privilege of the closest inti­macy.  Ali's biggest concern was the safety of the Prophet along with the Message of Islam.  Ali was only twenty three years old, a young man in the prime of life.

      Of all others, the Prophet (pbuh) had confided in Abu Bakr to wait for him at home.  Abu Bakr, the good friend, was elated to have the honor in participating.  He became part of this critical plan too.

     

A BIG PRIZE IF YOU FIND MUHAMMAD (pbuh) go to top of page

  1. For Quraish, the unexpected had happened, Muhammad the Prophet had escaped unharmed, and he had outmaneuvered them once more.  What an unexpected feat!  They were absolutely furious, because their failure was so unexpected, and so serious.  The had thought that by this murder of Muhammad (pbuh) all their problems would be solved.

  2. Quraish wanted to lose no time.  Muhammad couldn't be too far, they thought, and they wanted him desperately.  So they offered a big award, financially very huge, for anyone who found Muhammad, dead or alive.

  3. Just about every man left Mecca, nervously and with high hopes, looking for their target, Muhammad.  They looked feverishly, here and there.  They looked east and west, but no matter where they looked he was not anywhere to be found.  Thousands of Meccan disbelievers were looking for him, each with a greedy hope, with the intent to murder, yet they could not find Muhammad anywhere—he miraculously vanished.

  4. They even came near the cave in which Muhammad (pbuh) and Abu Bakr were hiding.  They saw a thick spider's web across the whole entrance of the cave however, and there was a dove sitting in its nest, also at the entrance of the cave.  There was a tree shading the entrance of the cave, everything seemed quiet and serene.  Common sense dictated that no man would ever be able to go through the entrance of the cave without breaking the spider's web, let alone stepping on the dove's nest.

  5. What they did not know was that the dove had just collected its nest in a rush beyond belief and that the spider had worked feverishly at building her web, as if a remarkable invisible power had directed them to do so.  The spider wove a thick net across the mouth of the cave, becoming almost like a screen.  Was that coincidental or was it directed by the High above?

  6. The Prophet and Abu Bakr could hear the Meccans talk, since they were very close.  The Meccan disbelievers were anxious to get hold of him, and they were so near.  It was also another very tense moment.  They heard someone answering.  "Muhammad could never go through without breaking the spider's web.  He cannot be here, it is impossible."  So the disbelievers left, to look for Muhammad (pbuh) somewhere else.  You see, by Allah's order, the dove and the spider did what they did, and they saved Muhammad (pbuh) thus saving Islam.

     

WHILE IN THE CAVE  go to top of page

      For three long days, Muhammad (pbuh) and Abu Bakr waited inside the dark cave.  Food was brought for them by Asmaa, the daughter of Abu Bakr.  This was done in the darkness of the night, making the climbing of the mountain even more difficult.

      When the disbelievers were near the mouth of the cave, Abu Bakr was shaking with fear, while Muhammad (pbuh) was calming him down, repeatedly.  He reminded Abu Bakr not to worry, that Allah was with them, and He was their protector. "Of the two of them," he said, "Allah was their third."  Abu Bakr was afraid about the dangerous circumstances surrounding them.  Muhammad's safety was essential.  But Muhammad (pbuh) would say, "And don't be afraid, Allah is with us," and that would calm down Abu Bakr.

     

EVEN ASMAA GETS BRUISED  go to top of page

      When he saw the bruises on her face, Abu Bakr asked his daughter Asmaa, "Who has hit you, Asmaa?"  A few moments passed before she answered.  "Abu Jahl slapped me," she said, choked with emotion.  Then she added, "It was the day Muhammad (pbuh) escaped, and the disbelievers came to our house to search for him."  "Where is he?" they screamed at me. "I don't know," I answered.  Abu Jahl was furious and slapped me on the face a few times, then the searchers left in a hurry.

     

IT WAS A LONG JOURNEY  go to top of page

      Muhammad (pbuh), Abu Bakr, and a guide were each on a camel's back.  It was a tiring, long and very dangerous journey.  Muhammad (pbuh) took it well, he was sure of Allah's protection, as He had promised, but Abu Bakr was full of anxiety.  Abu Bakr was very worried; he wanted to see both of them safe and sound.

 

Route taken by Muhammad from Mecca to Medina

 

Along a narrow, curvy road, the three went on toward the Red Sea, up to Medina.  It was a very rugged road, usually not traveled much in those days.  Muhammad (pbuh) took that road because it was the least likely to be suspected by Quraish.

      But a man who saw the three from a distance, came to Mecca and told the people about them.  Those Meccans were still furious and angry.  One of the greedy Meccans, by the name of Suraqah ibn Malik, wanted to get the fat prize for himself.  Upon hearing what that traveler had said, Suraqah kept telling the people that the man didn't see Muhammad, that he was wrong, very wrong in guessing.

      This way, Suraqah was able to convince the Meccans that it was not Muhammad (pbuh), but someone else whom this traveler saw.  However, soon after, Suraqah went home, took his arms, and rode his fast horse to reach Muhammad (pbuh) and claim the high reward.

      Suraqah was well known for being an excellent horseman.  Alas, in his trotting so fast, he lost his balance and fell from the horse.  His ribs began to ache, and he had many bruises.  He rode again galloping as fast as he could, but once more he lost control.  He was thrown off to the ground once again, more bruised, dirty, and dusty than before.

      For the third time, as he was trying to beat time and reach Muhammad (pbuh), he lost control again and was thrown off the horse once more.  He went rolling down the rugged hill, to the bottom of the valley, feeling beaten and hurt.

      Suraqah was a good horseman, and never before did he fall three times in one trip.  It made him feel queazy, obviously thinking it was bad luck to go after Muhammad, let alone harm him, or even kill him.  He was afraid something dreadful would befall him.

      As he approached Muhammad (pbuh), Suraqah had already changed his mind, and instead of trying to kill Muhammad, he said he was ready to help instead!  What a change!  The Prophet accepted Suraqah's offer, and instructed Suraqah that upon returning to Mecca, he was to tell anyone looking for the Prophet and Abu Bakr that the two men were not on that route.

      Suraqah did that exact thing and succeeded in turning away many, many of the disbelievers who had taken this route to look for the Prophet (pbuh) and Abu Bakr!  This way, Suraqah made the journey safe for the Prophet (pbuh) and Abu Bakr, saving them from pursuit of their Meccan enemies.

 

 

  ALLAH PROMISES

  

Allah (swt) promised that Muhammad (pbuh) would return to Mecca triumphantly:  even though the picture at the time looked bleak because:

  1. The Muslims were away from home, in a new town, with no jobs and no work—they had only their Faith.

  2. Support of family, Abu Talib, and Khadija was gone.

  3. Attempt to murder him, and the very narrow escape from the chasers was a hair raising experience.

Allah (swt) revealed the following Ayah while Muhammad (pbuh) was on the escape route to Medina, assuring Muhammad (pbuh) of eventual triumph Surah 28  :  Ayah  85.:

 

إِنَّ الَّذِي فَرَضَ عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لَرَادُّكَ إِلَى مَعَادٍ

Lo!  He who imposed on you the Holy Quran will bring you back (to Mecca in triumph

 

 

QUESTIONS  go to top of page

  1. Who couldn't take it, became ill, then died, during the boycott of Benu Hashim?

  2. The siege to Benu Hashim took three years.  Did Muhammad (pbuh) continue to deliver the message during the four sacred months of each of those years?

  3. After the siege of Benu Hashim was lifted, Muhammad (pbuh) went to Ta'if to deliver his message.  What was his experience there?

  4. What is Mi'raaj?

  5. What is Israa?

  6. What essentially happened during Mi'raaj?

  7. How did the people react when Muhammad (pbuh) told them about the Mi'raaj and the Israa'?

  8. How did Abu Bakr come to be called Al-Siddique (the confirmer)?

  9. How was Israa confirmed in a few days?

  10. What is the first pledge of the Aqaba?

  11. Mus'ab Ibn Umair was sent to Medina (Yathrib) after the first Aqaba pledge;  he was to teach Islam.  How did he do in Medina?

  12. How many people were at the second pledge of the Aqaba between Muhammad (pbuh) and the Medanese?

  13. What was the agreement about during the second pledge of Aqaba between Muhammad (pbuh) and the Medanese?

  14. Quraish devised a plan to murder Muhammad (pbuh) in cold blood, in the thirteenth year of the call to Islam.  What was their plan?

  15. How did Muhammad (pbuh) know about the plot?

  16. How did Muhammad (pbuh) undo Quraish's plot for his murder?

  17. Why did Muhammad (pbuh) ask Ali to be in his bed?

  18. Why did Muhammad (pbuh) ask Abu Bakr to wait for him at his house?

  19. Is it excessive honesty or honesty of a Prophet that the trust of the valuables had to be returned to its owners?

  20. The attackers to murder Muhammad (pbuh) in cold blood, saw Ali rather than Muhammad (pbuh) in the bed.  What was their reaction then?

  21. Where is Mount Thaur?

  22. What did Muhammad (pbuh) along with Abu Bakr (r) do in Mount Thaur for the three days?

  23. Who brought food to Muhammad (pbuh) and Abu Bakr (r) for those three days in the cave of Mount Thaur?

  24. Was the escape of Muhammad (pbuh) from Mecca to Medina a miracle, an act of Allah?

  25. After the Prophet's miraculous escape, did Ali take the trust of the valuables to its owners