18 history in translation

HISTORY in TRANSLATION Part: 10

By: Maulana Habibur Rahman Uthmani ex-Rector Darul Uloom, Deoband

Spread of Islam Translated by: Hifzur Rahman Qasmi

Permission to fight in the Haram It was a unique right given to the Prophet (saws) was that he had got the permission to attack on Makkah and fight within the premises of the Haram. He is reported to have said: Beware!

(Makkah is a sanctuary) Verily! Fighting in Makkah was not permitted for anyone before me nor will it be permitted for anyone after me. It (war) in was made legal for me for few hours or so on that day. (Sahih Bukhari: vol. 1, p. 22, vol.

2, p. 1016) But despite all that, the Prophet (saws) went with full determination to grant forgiveness to the Makkan residents and protect their life, wealth and honour. He intended to maintain the reverence and dignity of the Holy City and not to start hostilities with war.

It has already been mentioned that a peace treaty, known as “Sulah of Hudaibiya” was made between Muslims and Quraysh of Makkah for ten years. After this treaty, not even a single act was committed on the part of Muslims which went against it. But unfortunately, the Quraysh initiated to break the treaty. (Tarikh Tabri: vol.

3, p. 111) Thus, the Prophet (saws) intended to depart for Makkah and prayed to Allah for secrecy of 44 EASTERN CRESCENT | JUNE 2014

his departure and intention. The prayer was answered by Allah and he reached the suburbs of Makkah, while the people of the city were still unaware. (Do) The motive behind this prayer might be to catch them in the state of negligence, so that they could not stand for war with all its tools, and consequently claim

He had left no stone unturned in torturing the Msulims.

Making derogatory remarks on the Prophet (saws) was his daily business.

He had many times confronted the Prophet. lives and cause bloodshed, which he wanted to avoid.

Abbas (ra) met the Prophet (saws) on the way during his migration The Prophet’s uncle, Abbas (ra) was migrating to Madinah. On the way, he happened to meet the Prophet (saws). He said to Abbas: “You are the last of all migrants and I am the last of all prophets.”

The Prophet (saws) asked him to send his belongings to Madinah and

himself stay with him. (Al-Kamil Fit Tareekh: vol. 2, p. 92) Abu Sufyan, the Prophet’s cousin and the son of Harith ibn Abdul Muttalib had strong opposition to Islam. (This is not the father of Mua’via whose story of accepting Islam comes soon) He had left no stone unturned in torturing the Msulims. Making derogatory remarks on the Prophet (saws) was his daily business. He had many times confronted the Prophet. He along with his wife encountered the Prophet (saws) on the way and wanted to talk to him. Umme Salima (ra) made recommendations, even yet he was not permitted. Abu Sufyan warned, “I along with my family shall go to the deserts and die of hunger and thirst, if I am not permitted.” This warning melted the Prophet’s heart and he granted permission to him.

He accepted Islam, but he could not raise his head due to utter shame for his past behavior. Regretting for his past crimes and unsuitable acts, he recited the verses: By your life! The day when I held the flag So that the army of Al-Laat could defeat Muhammad’s army I was indeed like a person wandering in dark night But now the time has come

HISTORY in TRANSLATION when I should be guided and receive guidance.

(Abu Sufyan had recited nine couplets on this occasion, but the author has quoted only two of them.

Tareekh Tabri: vol. 2, p. 114) Abu Sufyan accepted Islam and remained a strong believer. In the battle of Hunain, the sudden attack of the infidels made the tulaqa (the freed persons who had embraced Islam on the day of Makkah’s conquest) lose their ground. In such critical condition, Abu Sufyan was among the devotees who continued to stand firmly by the Prophet (saws). (Tareekh Tabri: vol. 3, p. 129) Abu Sufyan ibn Harb was a diehard enemy of Islam, Muslims and the Prophet (saws). He held the post of high authority among the Makkan pagans. Most of the battles fought by the Qureysh against Muslims were initiated by Sufyan.

In the battle of Uhd, he was the commander in chief of the Qureysh.

On seeing the Muslims losing their ground and the victory coming to the lot of the pagans, he consoled himself by saying, “May you be exalted, Oh Hubal!” and “This day is like the day of Badr.” (Tareekh Tabri: vol. 3, p. 21) He along with an army of nearly fifteen to sixteen thousand soldiers came to attack Madinah and laid a siege to it for a long period of time. At that time, a trench was dug around Madinah and this battle came to be known as the ‘Battle of Trench’ or the ‘Battle of Ahzaab’.

But after all that, the easy way he accepted Islam can be grasped through the following event.

(Tareekh Tabri: vol. 3, p. 116) 45 EASTERN CRESCENT | JUNE 2014

Abu Sufyan embraces Islam Abbas (ra) says that he, on seeing the huge army of Muslims and their enthusiasm, had already believed that if the Prophet (saws) came to conquer Makkah through war, the Qureysh would have to suffer a lot. Thus, it will be better, if the people of Makkah, by any means, come to know it and seek peace and shelter. With this thought, he left.

Suddenly he heard some people speaking. Among those voices, he recognized the voice of Abu Sufyan. They had come out to gather intelligence. Abu Sufyan asked him about the army. “The Prophet (saws)

The Prophet (saws) ordered the commanders of his army not to kill anyone except those who attacked them.

This was the reason why Muslims entered Makkah without fighting. is coming along with an army of then thousand soldiers” replied Abbas.

“What should I do?” asked Abu Sufyan. Abbas (ra) advised him to go to the Prophet (saws) and request for peace. Abbas (ra) provided him his own animal to ride.

On the way, they encountered Umar ibn Khattab (ra). No sooner did he have a look at Abu Sufyan, than he said, “By the Grace of Allah, I have found Abu Sufyan today in the state of no treaty.” But Abbas (ra) hurriedly reached him to the

Prophet (saws). Umar (ra) followed them and requested the Prophet (saws), “Grant me permission of Messenger of Allah. I shall kill Abu Sufyan.” But the Prophet (saws) granted him peace. The next day, he again came to the Prophet (saws) and embraced Islam. The Prophet (saws) did not only accept his faith, but also honored him by saying: “Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan is safe.” (Tareekh Tabri: vol.

3, p. 116, Al-Bidaya wa Al-Nihaya: vol. 4, p. 290) Muslims had great expectations regarding the victory of Makkah. They were looking forward to the day. The Prophet (saws) granted the flag to Sa’d ibn Ubada and commanded him to lead the army into Makkah from Kuda side.

In upsurge of happiness, he marched ahead reciting the couplets: “Today will witness a great fight. You cannot seek sanctuary at Al-Ka’bah.” When the Prophet (saws) came to know about this slogan, he immediately sent Ali (ra) and got the flag back.

He also said that Sa’d was saying the wrong thing. “This day is the day of mercy and forgiveness.” (Seerat Halbia: vol. 3, p. 82) The Prophet (saws) ordered the commanders of his army not to kill anyone except those who attacked them. (Al-Bidaya wa AlNihaya: vol. 4, p. 297) This was the reason why Muslims entered Makkah without fighting. Khalid ibn Walid (ra), however, had to confront Ikrama ibn Abi Jahl and his comrades a little on the place from where he wanted to enter the city.

(Al-Bidaya wa Al-Nihaya: vol. 4, pp.

296-297)