29 April 2012
Preparing to Conquer Mecca; Fiqh and Nawawi’s 40 Hadith
Seerah of Muhammed*
*: May the Peace, Blessings and Mercy of Allah be upon him
TMQ: Translation to the nearest meaning of the Qur’an:
*: May the Peace, Blessings and Mercy of Allah be upon him
TMQ: Translation to the nearest meaning of the Qur’an:
Preparing for the Conquest - News Blackout
The Messenger of Allah* asked ‘Aisha, his wife to make preparations peculiar to marching out for war. Abu Bakr, meanwhile, came in and asked ‘Aisha what the matter was, showing surprise at the preparations being made as it was not, as he said, the usual time for war. She replied that she had no idea.
With view of securing a complete news black-out concerning his military intentions, the Prophet* despatched an eight-men platoon under the leadership of Qatadah bin Rab‘i in the direction of Edam, a short distance from Medina, in Ramadan 8 A.H., in order to divert the attention of people and screen off the main target with which he was preoccupied.
The Prophet* began to prepare for a campaign, and Abu Bakr asked if he also should make ready. The Prophet* said he should and told him that they were going out against Quraish. "Must we not wait for the time of the truce to run out?" said Abu Bakr. "They have betrayed us and broken the pact," said the Prophet, "and I shall attack them. But keep secret what I have told thee. Let one thinker think that God's Messenger is for Syria, and let another think he is for Thaqif, and another for Hawazin, O God, take from Quraish all sight of us, and all tidings of us, what we are about, that we may come suddenly upon them in their land."
Hatib's letter to the Quraish
In answer to this prayer word came to him from Heaven that one of the Emigrants, Hatib by name, had somehow learned the secret and had sent a letter to Quraish to warn them of the impending attack. He had given it to a woman of Muzaynah who was travelling to Mecca, and she had hidden it in her hair. The Prophet* sent 'All and Zubayr after her, and having failed to find the letter in her baggage they threatened to search her if she did not produce it and it was discovered the letter was carefully hidden in her locks of hair. So she gave them the letter and they took it to the Prophet, who sent for the writer of it. The Prophet* was very much perturbed to find that such a thing had been done by a Muslim, who had a long record of service and was eager to assist Islam even in very critical times.
He, therefore, called Hatib and asked him to explain his position. "What made thee do this, O Hatib?" he said. He replied, "O Messenger of Allah*! I have no affinity of blood with Quraish; there is only a kind of friendly relationship between them and myself. My family is at Mecca and there is no one to look after it or to offer protection to it. My position stands in striking contrast to that of the refugees whose families are secure due to their blood ties with Quraish. I felt that since I am not related to them, I should, for the safety of my children, earn their gratitude by doing good to them. I swear by Allah that I have not done this act as an apostate, forsaking Islam. I was prompted only by the considerations I have just explained." ‘Umar wanted to cut his head off as a hypocrite, but the Prophet* accepted his excuse and granted him pardon, then addressed ‘Umar saying: "Hatib is one of those who fought in the battle of Badr. How do you know that he is a hypocrite? Allah is likely to look favourably on those who participated in that battle. Turning then, to Hatib, he said: "Do as you please, for I have forgiven you."
“Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists, etc.) as friends”
However, to ensure that such an incident might not be repeated, the first nine verses of Surah al-Mumtahinah were revealed:
Being a Shepherd
The Prophet* now sent messengers to those of the tribes whom he felt he could now rely on for help, with a general summons to be present in Medina at the beginning of the next month, which was Ramadan, The Bedouin faithfully responded; and when the appointed day came the army was the largest that had ever set out from Medina. No able-bodied Muslim stayed behind. The Emigrants were seven hundred, with three hundred horse; the Helpers were four thousand, with five hundred horse; and the tribes, including those who joined them on the way, brought the total numbers up to nearly ten thousand men. The cavalry rode on camelback, leading their horses; and except for a few of the closest Companions none of them knew who the enemy were. After making full preparation, the Prophet* proceeded to Mecca at the head of ten thousand soldiers on the 10th of Ramadan, 8 A.H. He mandated Abu Ruhm Al- Ghifari to dispose the affairs of Medina during his absence. Outside Mecca they came across a tree and started eating its fruit and the Prophet* advised them to eat the (ripe) black ones. The Companions said that he* must have been a shepherd as only they would know these things. The Prophet* acknowledged that he was and that Allah made all his Prophet’s as shepherds – because it gives good training to the Muslim.
Abu Sufyan gets caught by the Muslim army
When they were about half-way they were met by 'Abbas and Umm al-Fadl and their sons. 'Abbas had decided that it was now time for them to leave Mecca and to live in Medina. The Prophet* invited them to join his expedition, which they did, to the joy of Maymunah, who had come with the Prophet.
The Quraish were quite unaware of the development of affairs, but the Prophet* did not like to take them by surprise. He, therefore, ordered his men to kindle fire on all sides for cooking purposes. The idea behind this was that Quraish should be afforded full opportunity to assess the situation in which they were pitchforked correctly, and should not endanger their lives by leaping blindly in the battlefield. ‘Umar bin Al- Khattab was entrusted with the guard duty.
In the meanwhile, Abu Sufyan along with Hakim bin Hizam and Budail bin Warqua’, went out to reconnoiter. From a distance, however, he heard the following conversation between Abu Sufyan and Budayl Warqa': Abu Sufyan: I have not so far seen such a great fire and such a big army. Budayl bin Warqa': They are the people of the tribe of Khuza'ah, who have prepared for war. Abu Sufyan: "Khuza'ah are too few to kindle such a great fire or to make such a big army." Before they got near the camp, they were arrested and then met ‘Abbas, the Prophet’s uncle. He apprised Abu Sufyan of the situation and advised him to accept Islam and persuade his people to surrender before Muhammad*; otherwise, his head would be struck off. Under the prevailing compelling circumstances, Abu Sufyan went in the company of ‘Abbas seeking the Prophet’s* audience. The Muslims were furious to see Abu Sufyan and wanted to kill him on the spot.
The Prophet's uncle was mounted on the particular mule of the Prophet* and Abu Sufyan was accompanying him. He made him pass from between the masses of fires and the large army consisting of infantrymen and mounted soldiers. The sentries recognized Abbas as well as the particular mule belonging to the Prophet* and, therefore, made way for him. While they were still on their way Umar's eyes fell on Abu Sufyan sitting on the pillion of Abbas, and he wanted to kill him (Abu Sufyan) at once. As, however, the Prophet's uncle had provided him protection, he (Umar) desisted from doing so. 'Abbas took them to the tent of the Prophet, and Abu Sufyan said: "O Muhammad, thou hast come with a strange assortment of men -some known and some unknown -against thy kindred." But the Prophet* cut him short. "It is thou who art the transgressor," he said. "Ye broke the pact of Hudaybiyah, and abetted the attack on the Bani Ka'b, thereby sinfully violating the holy precinct of God and His Sanctuary. Abu Sufyan sought to change the subject somewhat. "Alas," he said, "hadst thou but turned thine anger and thy strategy against Hawazin! For they are further from thee in kinship, and fiercer in enmity against thee." "I hope", said the Prophet, "that my Lord will grant me all of that -by victory over Mecca, by the triumph therein of Islam, and by the rout of Hawazin -and that He will enrich me with their goods as plunder and their families as captives." Then he said to the three men: "Bear witness that there is no god but God, and that I am the Messenger of God." Hakim and Budayl thereupon made their professions of faith, but Abu Sufyan testified "there is no god but God" and then was silent. When told to pronounce the second testification he said: "O Muhammad, there is still in my soul a scruple about this; give her a respite." So the Prophet* told his uncle to take them to his tent for the night.
The Messenger of Allah* asked ‘Aisha, his wife to make preparations peculiar to marching out for war. Abu Bakr, meanwhile, came in and asked ‘Aisha what the matter was, showing surprise at the preparations being made as it was not, as he said, the usual time for war. She replied that she had no idea.
With view of securing a complete news black-out concerning his military intentions, the Prophet* despatched an eight-men platoon under the leadership of Qatadah bin Rab‘i in the direction of Edam, a short distance from Medina, in Ramadan 8 A.H., in order to divert the attention of people and screen off the main target with which he was preoccupied.
The Prophet* began to prepare for a campaign, and Abu Bakr asked if he also should make ready. The Prophet* said he should and told him that they were going out against Quraish. "Must we not wait for the time of the truce to run out?" said Abu Bakr. "They have betrayed us and broken the pact," said the Prophet, "and I shall attack them. But keep secret what I have told thee. Let one thinker think that God's Messenger is for Syria, and let another think he is for Thaqif, and another for Hawazin, O God, take from Quraish all sight of us, and all tidings of us, what we are about, that we may come suddenly upon them in their land."
Hatib's letter to the Quraish
In answer to this prayer word came to him from Heaven that one of the Emigrants, Hatib by name, had somehow learned the secret and had sent a letter to Quraish to warn them of the impending attack. He had given it to a woman of Muzaynah who was travelling to Mecca, and she had hidden it in her hair. The Prophet* sent 'All and Zubayr after her, and having failed to find the letter in her baggage they threatened to search her if she did not produce it and it was discovered the letter was carefully hidden in her locks of hair. So she gave them the letter and they took it to the Prophet, who sent for the writer of it. The Prophet* was very much perturbed to find that such a thing had been done by a Muslim, who had a long record of service and was eager to assist Islam even in very critical times.
He, therefore, called Hatib and asked him to explain his position. "What made thee do this, O Hatib?" he said. He replied, "O Messenger of Allah*! I have no affinity of blood with Quraish; there is only a kind of friendly relationship between them and myself. My family is at Mecca and there is no one to look after it or to offer protection to it. My position stands in striking contrast to that of the refugees whose families are secure due to their blood ties with Quraish. I felt that since I am not related to them, I should, for the safety of my children, earn their gratitude by doing good to them. I swear by Allah that I have not done this act as an apostate, forsaking Islam. I was prompted only by the considerations I have just explained." ‘Umar wanted to cut his head off as a hypocrite, but the Prophet* accepted his excuse and granted him pardon, then addressed ‘Umar saying: "Hatib is one of those who fought in the battle of Badr. How do you know that he is a hypocrite? Allah is likely to look favourably on those who participated in that battle. Turning then, to Hatib, he said: "Do as you please, for I have forgiven you."
“Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists, etc.) as friends”
However, to ensure that such an incident might not be repeated, the first nine verses of Surah al-Mumtahinah were revealed:
- O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists, etc.) as friends, showing affection towards them, while they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth, and have driven out the Messenger and yourselves (from your homeland) because you believe in Allah your Lord! If you have come forth to strive in My Cause and to seek My Good Pleasure, (then take not these disbelievers and polytheists, etc., as your friends). You show friendship to them in secret, while I am All-Aware of what you conceal and what you reveal. And whosoever of you (Muslims) does that, then indeed he has gone (far) astray, (away) from the Straight Path .
- Should they gain the upper hand over you, they would behave to you as enemies, and stretch forth their hands and their tongues against you with evil, and they desire that you should disbelieve.
- Neither your relatives nor your children will benefit you on the Day of Resurrection (against Allah). He will judge between you. And Allah is the All-Seer of what you do.
- Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibrahim (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: "Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred for ever, until you believe in Allah Alone," except the saying of Ibrahim (Abraham) to his father: "Verily, I will ask for forgiveness (from Allah) for you, but I have no power to do anything for you before Allah ." Our Lord! In You (Alone) we put our trust, and to You (Alone) we turn in repentance, and to You (Alone) is (our) final Return,
- "Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the disbelievers, and forgive us, Our Lord! Verily, You, only You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."
- Certainly, there has been in them an excellent example for you to follow, for those who look forward to (the Meeting with) Allah (for the reward from Him) and the Last Day. And whosoever turn away, then verily, Allah is Rich (Free of all wants), Worthy of all Praise.
- Perhaps Allah will make friendship between you and those whom you hold as enemies. And Allah has power (over all things), and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
- Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity.
- It is only as regards those who fought against you on account of religion, and have driven you out of your homes, and helped to drive you out, that Allah forbids you to befriend them. And whosoever will befriend them, then such are the Zalimun (wrong-doers those who disobey Allah).
Being a Shepherd
The Prophet* now sent messengers to those of the tribes whom he felt he could now rely on for help, with a general summons to be present in Medina at the beginning of the next month, which was Ramadan, The Bedouin faithfully responded; and when the appointed day came the army was the largest that had ever set out from Medina. No able-bodied Muslim stayed behind. The Emigrants were seven hundred, with three hundred horse; the Helpers were four thousand, with five hundred horse; and the tribes, including those who joined them on the way, brought the total numbers up to nearly ten thousand men. The cavalry rode on camelback, leading their horses; and except for a few of the closest Companions none of them knew who the enemy were. After making full preparation, the Prophet* proceeded to Mecca at the head of ten thousand soldiers on the 10th of Ramadan, 8 A.H. He mandated Abu Ruhm Al- Ghifari to dispose the affairs of Medina during his absence. Outside Mecca they came across a tree and started eating its fruit and the Prophet* advised them to eat the (ripe) black ones. The Companions said that he* must have been a shepherd as only they would know these things. The Prophet* acknowledged that he was and that Allah made all his Prophet’s as shepherds – because it gives good training to the Muslim.
Abu Sufyan gets caught by the Muslim army
When they were about half-way they were met by 'Abbas and Umm al-Fadl and their sons. 'Abbas had decided that it was now time for them to leave Mecca and to live in Medina. The Prophet* invited them to join his expedition, which they did, to the joy of Maymunah, who had come with the Prophet.
The Quraish were quite unaware of the development of affairs, but the Prophet* did not like to take them by surprise. He, therefore, ordered his men to kindle fire on all sides for cooking purposes. The idea behind this was that Quraish should be afforded full opportunity to assess the situation in which they were pitchforked correctly, and should not endanger their lives by leaping blindly in the battlefield. ‘Umar bin Al- Khattab was entrusted with the guard duty.
In the meanwhile, Abu Sufyan along with Hakim bin Hizam and Budail bin Warqua’, went out to reconnoiter. From a distance, however, he heard the following conversation between Abu Sufyan and Budayl Warqa': Abu Sufyan: I have not so far seen such a great fire and such a big army. Budayl bin Warqa': They are the people of the tribe of Khuza'ah, who have prepared for war. Abu Sufyan: "Khuza'ah are too few to kindle such a great fire or to make such a big army." Before they got near the camp, they were arrested and then met ‘Abbas, the Prophet’s uncle. He apprised Abu Sufyan of the situation and advised him to accept Islam and persuade his people to surrender before Muhammad*; otherwise, his head would be struck off. Under the prevailing compelling circumstances, Abu Sufyan went in the company of ‘Abbas seeking the Prophet’s* audience. The Muslims were furious to see Abu Sufyan and wanted to kill him on the spot.
The Prophet's uncle was mounted on the particular mule of the Prophet* and Abu Sufyan was accompanying him. He made him pass from between the masses of fires and the large army consisting of infantrymen and mounted soldiers. The sentries recognized Abbas as well as the particular mule belonging to the Prophet* and, therefore, made way for him. While they were still on their way Umar's eyes fell on Abu Sufyan sitting on the pillion of Abbas, and he wanted to kill him (Abu Sufyan) at once. As, however, the Prophet's uncle had provided him protection, he (Umar) desisted from doing so. 'Abbas took them to the tent of the Prophet, and Abu Sufyan said: "O Muhammad, thou hast come with a strange assortment of men -some known and some unknown -against thy kindred." But the Prophet* cut him short. "It is thou who art the transgressor," he said. "Ye broke the pact of Hudaybiyah, and abetted the attack on the Bani Ka'b, thereby sinfully violating the holy precinct of God and His Sanctuary. Abu Sufyan sought to change the subject somewhat. "Alas," he said, "hadst thou but turned thine anger and thy strategy against Hawazin! For they are further from thee in kinship, and fiercer in enmity against thee." "I hope", said the Prophet, "that my Lord will grant me all of that -by victory over Mecca, by the triumph therein of Islam, and by the rout of Hawazin -and that He will enrich me with their goods as plunder and their families as captives." Then he said to the three men: "Bear witness that there is no god but God, and that I am the Messenger of God." Hakim and Budayl thereupon made their professions of faith, but Abu Sufyan testified "there is no god but God" and then was silent. When told to pronounce the second testification he said: "O Muhammad, there is still in my soul a scruple about this; give her a respite." So the Prophet* told his uncle to take them to his tent for the night.
Main Topic: Introduction to Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence and Law)
Types of Hukm Shara’iMany Muslims are too quick to conclude that something is either Haram (prohibited) or Fard (compulsory) after a quick reading of an Ayah or a Hadith. Not all commands in the legislative sources are Fard or Haram. The rules, which are used to differentiate the types of Hukm Shar’i, are again related to Usul al-Fiqh. In reality, the Hukm Shar’i can be understood in five general ways.
A. Fard (Compulsory):
If the request to do an action is decisive (Talab Jazim) then it is a Fard or Wajib; both have the same meaning. A person who complies with a Fard will be rewarded, while one who disobeys will be punished.
Example: Performing and establishing Salah, paying Zakah, participating in the Jihad, being ruled by Islam, Muslim women wearing Hijab etc.
B. Haram (Prohibited)
If the instruction is connected with a decisive command of refraining from an action then it is Haram or Mahdhur. If the Haram is committed, then the person will be punished, but if the Haram action is avoided, the person will be rewarded.
Example: dealing with Riba (interest), gambling, promoting nationalism, etc.
C. Mandoub, Mustahab, Sunnah or Nafilah (Recommended)
If the instruction to do an action is not firm, then it is considered Mandub. The one who performs it is praised and rewarded; however, the one who did not perform it is neither blamed nor punished.
Example: Attending to the sick, giving alms to the poor, fasting Mondays and Thursdays.
D. Makruh (Disliked)
If the instruction of refraining from an action is not firm, then it is considered Makruh. The one who abstains is praised and rewarded while the one who does it is neither punished nor blamed.
Example: performing Salah between Fajr Salah and sunrise, eating garlic before going to the masjid for Salah, dropping litter on the road etc.
E. Mubah (Permissible)
If the choice to do or not to do an action is left up to the person, then the action is called Mubah. One will neither be rewarded nor punished for an action falling under this category.
Example: Eating lamb or chicken, marrying up to four wives, driving a car etc.
Some of the Hukm Shar’i such as Fard are divided into sub-categories. For example, Fard is divided into Fard al Ayn and Fard al Kifaya. Fard al Ayn is obligatory on every Muslim, such as praying five times a day; fasting Ramadhan, fulfilling duties to husband/wife whereas, Fard al Kifaya is obligatory on the whole Ummah until part of the Ummah fulfils the Fard, such as the burial of a deceased Muslim. If a portion of the Ummah fulfilled this task, then this relieves the duty from the rest of the Muslims. Some of the other types of Hukm Shar’i are also further sub-divided.
Sources of Islamic Law
The rulings of Allah are derived from certain sources. They are not plucked out of the air! The sources, which are used to make laws, have to be based on something tangible and accessible.
The four definitive sources of Hukm Shar’i are;
• the Qur’an (the Word of Allah),
• the Sunnah (example of the Prophet*),
• Ijma’ as-Sahabah (consensus of the Companions),
• Qiyas (Divine Analogy).
We will go into more detail about these in the coming weeks – but is is important that all Muslims have supreme confidence that the Qur’an is the Word of Allah.
How do we get this confidence in Allah and the Qur’an - that is more than simply blind faith?
Children's Nawawi's 40 Hadith feedback:
Hadith 18 ~ On the authority of Abu Dharr Jundub ibn Junaadah, and Abu 'Abd-ir-Rahmaan Mu'aadh bin Jabal that the Messenger of Allah* said : Have Taqwaa (Fear) of Allah wherever you may be, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out, and behave well towards the people. [at-Tirmidhi]
Hadith 9 ~ On the authority of Abu Hurairah, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah* say: "What I have forbidden to you, avoid; what I have ordered you [to do], do as much of it as you can. It was only their excessive questioning and their disagreeing with their prophets that destroyed those who were before you." [Bukhari and Muslim]
Hadith 40 ~ On the authority of Ibn 'Umar, ma, who said: The Messenger of Allah*, took me by the shoulder and said: "Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler/wayfarer."
Ibn 'Umar used to say: "When evening comes, do not expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness, and from your life for your death." [Al-Bukhari]
Hadith 3 ~ On the authority of Abu Abdur-Rahman `Abdullah, the son of Umar ibn al-Khattab, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah* say: Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the salah (prayer), paying the zakah (obligatory charity), making the Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and fasting in Ramadan. [Bukhari and Muslim]
Hadith 34 ~ On the authority of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri
who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah*, say: "When any one of you
sees anything that is disapproved (of by Allah), let him change it with
his hand. If he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his
tongue. And if he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his
heart, though that is the weakest (kind of) faith." [Muslim]
Hadith 1 ~ On the authority of Umar ibn al-Khattab, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah* say: "Actions are but by intentions and every man shall have only that which he intended. Thus he whose migration (Hijrah to Madina from Mecca) was for Allah and His Messenger, his migration was for Allah and His Messenger, and he whose migration was to achieve some worldly benefit or to take some woman in marriage, his migration was for that for which he migrated." [Bukhari and Muslim]
Hadith 7 ~ On the authority of Tamim Al-Dari that the prophet said: "Religion is sincerity". We said: "To whom?" He said: "To Allah and His Book, and His messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk". [Muslim]
Hadith 29 ~ From Mu'adh bin Jabal who said: I said: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me of a deed which will take me into Paradise and will keep me away from the Hell-fire." He said: "You have asked me about a great matter, yet it is, indeed, an easy matter for him to whom Allah Almighty makes it easy. (It is ) that you worship Allah without associating anything with Him, that you perform the prayers, that you pay the zakat, that you fast during Ramadan, and that you make the pilgrimage to the House."
Then he said: "Shall I not guide you to the gates of goodness? Fasting is a shield; charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire; and a man's prayer in the middle of the night." Then he recited: "Who forsake their beds to cry unto their Lord in fear and hope, and spend of that We have bestowed on them. No soul knoweth what is kept hid for them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do". [Qu'ran, Surah al-Sajdah (32): Ayah 16-17]
Then he said: "Shall I not also tell you of the peak of the matter, its pillar, and its topmost part?" I said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "The peak of the matter is Islam (submission to Allah), the pillar is prayer; and its topmost part is jihad." Then he said: "And shall I not tell you of the controlling of all that ?" I said:" Yes, O Messenger of Allah". So he took hold of his tongue and said: "Restrain this." I said: "O Prophet of Allah, will we be held accountable for what we say?" He said: "May your mother be bereft of you! Is there anything that topples people on their faces (or he said, on their noses) into the Hell-fire other than the jests of their tongues?" [Al-Tirmidhi]
Hadith 11 ~ On the authority of Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, the grandson of the Messenger of Allah*, and the one much loved by him, who said: I memorised from the Messenger of Allah*: Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt. [at-Tirmidhi and an-Nasai]
No News topic this week
