08 January 2012

Hudaibiyah 3: Signing the Treaty

Seerah of Muhammed*

*: May the Peace, Blessings and Mercy of Allah be upon him

TMQ: Translation to the nearest meaning of the Qur’an

Context of the Treaty ~ The Prophet's struggle to date

The Prophet was born to a noble family and grew up in Mecca and became trusted by the people. He then received revelation (Wahy) from Allah via Angel Gabriel at the age of 40. He then started inviting close friend to Islam. Then, started preaching publicly and face a fierce backlash – with him and his supporters being subject to abuse, ridicule and then torture & persecution. They elders of society tried to buy him off but he refused. They then boycotted him and his followers – leading to a harsh time for the Muslims. After the boycott ended, he soon lost his uncle and beloved wife. Then he started asking other tribes for support to establish the Islamic State and found support from a small group of people from Yathrib (Medina), who came back the following year to give a pledge (bayah) of allegiance, followed by a larger group of more influential leaders giving a pledge to set up a State with him as the leader. By this stage the leaders in Mecca decided to finally kill him but he escaped to the cave with his best friend Abu Bakr. Thereafter, they entered Medina under armed guard and overthrew the existing leadership – instituting a revolution / coup, albeit peaceful.

Then the hard work of gelling the society started but they were constantly threatened internally (people in Medina) and externally through their old enemies the Quraish of Mecca. The Muslims won their first encounter at Badr, but lost the nest one in Uhud, with the polytheists not turning up for the decider back at Badr. However, they mustered up a colossal army with the Jewish tribes of Arabia to finally end the Prophet’s aspirations but this was thwarted again. The Prophet dealt with most of the Jewish tribes and then had a dream that he was to visit his home in Mecca and do Tawwaf around the Kaaba. Hence he invited the Muslims to accompany him on a peaceful journey purely to observe his duties – even though tey were I an active state of war with the enemies in Mecca. A very brave move and he took 1400 followers with him. This out-maneuvered the Quraish who panicked and tried to halt the advance of the pilgrims and stop them fro entering Mecca – a task that had never been done before and something that went against their core principles of looking after all pilgrims. Some Quraish tried to start a war by provocation but the Muslims did not fall into the trap. Frantic negotiations then ensued whilst the Prophet sent his envoy Uthman with a message of peace for the people of Mecca and support for the Muslims there. This was a tense time and things could turn nasty, but the hope and expectation of the Muslims were that they would visit the Sacred House…

The story of Hudaibiyah should be seen in this context – not an isolated event:

The Pledge of Ridwan

Truth is the first casualty in War – is an oft-repeated slogan. So a time for rumours and mistrust… Time passed. Negotiations went on but with no results. Then the Prophet* desired Umer to see the nobles of Quraish on his behalf. Umer excused himself on account of the personal enmity of Quraish; he had, moreover, no influential relatives in the city who could shield him from danger; and he pointed to ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan, who belonged to one of the most powerful families in Mecca, as the suitable envoy. ‘Uthman went to Abu Sufyan and other chiefs and told them that the Muslims had come only to visit and pay their homage to the Sacred House, to do worship there, and that they had no intention to fight. He was also asked to call them to Islam, and give glad tidings to the believers in Mecca, women and men, that the conquest was approaching and Islam was surely to prevail because Allah would verily establish His religion in Mecca. ‘Uthman also assured them that after the performance of ceremonies they would soon depart peacefully, but the Quraishites were adamant and not prepared to grant them the permission to visit Al-Kaaba. They, however, offered ‘Uthman the permission to perform the pilgrimage, if he so desired in his individual capacity, but ‘Uthman declined the offer saying: “How is it possible that I avail myself of this opportunity, when the Prophet* is denied of it?” The Muslims anxiously waited for the arrival of ‘Uthman with mingled feelings of fear and anxiety. But his arrival was considerably delayed and a foul play was suspected on the part of Quraish.

It was during 'Uthman's absence in Mecca that there came over the Prophet a state which was comparable to that of receiving a Revelation but which left him in full possession of his faculties. He gave instructions to one of his Companions, who thereupon went through the camp proclaiming: "The Holy Spirit hath descended upon the Messenger and commandeth allegiance. So go ye forth in the Name of God to make your pledge.'" Meantime the Prophet had seated himself beneath an acacia tree that was green with its spring foliage breaking into leaf; and one by one the Companions came and pledged allegiance to him. This pledge goes by the name of Bay‘at Ar-Ridwan (a covenant of fealty). The first man to reach him was Sinan, who was of the same tribe as the jahsh family, that is the Bani Asad ibn Khuzaymah. The crier had specified nothing about the nature of the pledge, so Sinan said "O Messenger of God, I pledge thee mine allegiance unto that which is in thy soul," and the others pledged themselves accordingly. Then the Prophet said "I pledge the allegiance of 'Uthman," whereupon he put out his left hand, as the hand of his son-in-law, and grasping it with his right hand, pledged the pact. Only one man present failed to respond to the crier, and that was the hypocrite Jadd ibn Qays who tried to hide behind his camel but was none the less seen. This fealty was sworn under a tree, with Umer holding the Prophet’s hand and Ma‘qil bin Yasar holding a branch of the tree up. The Noble Qur’an has referred to this pledge in the following words:

“Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they gave their Bai‘a (pledge) to you [O Muhammad*] under the tree.” [48:18]

Sohail bin Amr

The Quraish had now heard about the pledge and fully realized that things were extremely delicate and dangerous – and that the Muslims would not be fobbed off so easily. When Quraish saw the firm determination of the Muslims to shed the last drop of blood for the defence of their Faith, they came to their senses and realized that Muhammad’s followers could not be cowed down by these tactics. After some further interchange of messages they agreed to conclude a treaty of reconciliation and peace with the Muslims. Hence they now sent Suhayl to conclude a treaty, and with him were his two clansmen Mikraz and Huwaytib. They conferred with the Prophet, and the Companions heard their voices rise and fall according to whether the point in question was hard to agree upon or easy.

Writing the Treaty

Some dispute arose with regard to the preamble. For example, when the agreement was to be committed to writing, ‘Ali bin Abi Talib, who acted as a scribe began with the words: Bismillah ir- Rahman ir-Raheem, i.e., “In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful” but the Makkan plenipotentiary, Suhail bin ‘Amr declared that he knew nothing about Ar-Rahman and insisted upon the customary formula Bi-ismika Allahumma, i.e., “In Your Name, O Allah!” The Muslims grumbled with uneasiness but the Prophet* agreed. He then went on to dictate, “This is what Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah has agreed to with Suhail bin ‘Amr.” Upon this Suhail again protested: “Had we acknowledged you as Prophet, we would not have debarred you from the Sacred House, nor fought against you. Write your own name and the name of your father.” The Muslims grumbled as before and refused to consent to the change. The Prophet*, however, in the larger interest of Islam, attached no importance to such an insignificant detail, erased the words himself, and dictated instead: “Muhammad, the son of ‘Abdullah.” Soon after this treaty, Khuza‘a clan, a former ally of Banu Hashim, joined the ranks of Muhammad*, and Banu Bakr sided with Quraish. The clauses of the said treaty go as follows:

1. The Muslims shall return this time and come back next year, but they shall not stay in Mecca for more than three days.
2. They shall not come back armed but can bring with them swords only sheathed in scabbards and these shall be kept in bags.
3. War activities shall be suspended for ten years, during which both parties will live in full security and neither will raise sword against the other.
4. If anyone from Quraish goes over to Muhammad* without his guardian’s permission, he should be sent back to Quraish, but should any of Muhammad’s followers return to Quraish, he shall not be sent back.
5. Whosoever to join Muhammad*, or enter into treaty with him, should have the liberty to do so; and likewise whosoever wishes to join Quraish, or enter into treaty with them, should be allowed to do so.

Abu Jandal arrives

In virtue of the Prophet's vision, the Companions had been certain of the success of their expedition; and when they heard the terms of the treaty and realised that having reached the very edge of the sacred precinct they must now return home with nothing accomplished, it was almost more than they could endure. But worse was to come: as they sat there in sullen and explosive silence, the clank of chains was heard and a youth staggered into the camp with his feet in fetters. It was Abu jandal, one of the younger sons of Suhayl. His father had imprisoned him on account of his Islam, fearing that he would escape to Medina. His elder brother 'Abd Allah was among the pilgrims and was about to welcome him when Suhayl caught hold of the chain that was round his prisoner's neck and struck him violently in the face. Then he turned to the Prophet and said: "Our agreement was concluded before this man came to thee." "That is true," said the Prophet. "Return him then unto us," said Suhayl. "O Muslims," shouted Abu Jandal at the top of his voice, "am I to be returned unto the idolaters, for them to persecute me on account of my religion?" The Prophet took Suhayl aside and asked him as a favour to let his son go free, but Suhayl implacably refused. His fellow envoys, Mikraz and Huwaytib, had been so far silent; but now, feeling that this incident was an inauspicious start for the truce, they intervened. "O Muhammad," they said, "we give him our protection on thy behalf." This meant that they would lodge him with them, away from his father, and they held to their promise. "Be patient, Abu Jandal," said the Prophet. "God will surely give thee and those with thee relief and a way out. We have agreed on the terms of a truce with these people, and have given them our solemn pledge, even as they have done to us, and we will not now break our word."

Umer is upset with the treaty terms

At this point Umer could no longer contain himself. Rising to his feet, he went to the Prophet and said "Art thou not God's Prophet?" and he answered "Yea." "Are we not in the right and our enemies in the wrong?" he said, and again the Prophet assented. "Then why yield we in such lowly wise against the honour of our religion?" said Umer, whereupon the Prophet replied: "I am God's Messenger and I will not disobey Him. He will give me the victory." "But didst thou not tell us," persisted Umer, "that we should go unto the House and make our rounds about it?" "Even so," said the Prophet, "but did I tell thee we should go to it this year?" Umer conceded that he had not. "Verily thou shalt go unto the House," said the Prophet, "and shalt make thy rounds about it." But Umer was still seething with indignation, and went to Abu Bakr to work off his feelings still further. He put to him exactly the same questions he had put to the Prophet; but though Abu Bakr had not heard the answers, he gave him the same answer to each question in almost exactly the same words; and at the end he added: "So cleave unto his stirrup, for by God he is right." This impressed Umer, and though his feelings had not yet subsided, he gave no further vent to them, and when the Prophet summoned him to put his name to the treaty he signed it in silence. The Prophet also told Suhayl's son 'Abd Allah to put his name to it. Others of the Muslims who signed it were 'Ali, Abu Bakr, 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn 'Awf and Mahrnud ibn Maslamah.

Shaving the head / sacrificing the animals

Some of the general bitterness seemed to have been smoothed over; but when Suhayl and the others left the camp, taking with them the tearful Abu Jandal, men's souls were stirred up again. The Prophet was standing apart, with those who had signed the document. He now left them, and went towards the main body of the pilgrims. "Rise and sacrifice your animals," he said, "and shave your heads." Not a man moved, and he repeated it a second and a third time, but they simply looked at him in dazed and bewildered silence. It was not a rebellion on their part, but having had their expectations shattered by the turn of events they were now genuinely perplexed by the command to do something which they knew to be ritually incorrect; for according to the tradition of Abraham the sacrifices had to be performed within the sacred territory, and the same applied to the rite of shaving the head. None the less, their apparent disobedience dismayed the Prophet, who withdrew to his tent and told Umm Salamah what had happened. "Go forth," she said, "and say no word to any man until thou hast performed thy sacrifice." So the Prophet went to the camel which he himself had consecrated and sacrificed it, saying in a loud voice, so that the men could hear: Bismillah, AllahuAkbar. At these words the men leaped to their feet and raced to make their sacrifices, falling over each other in their eagerness to obey; and when the Prophet called for Khirash -the man of Khuza'ah he had sent to Mecca before 'Uthman -to shave his head, many of the Companions set about shaving each other's heads so vigorously that Umm Salamah was afraid, as she afterwards remarked, that mortal wounds might be inflicted. But some of them merely cut locks of their hair, knowing that this was traditionally acceptable as a substitute. Meantime the Prophet had retired to his tent with Khirash; and when the rite had been accomplished he stood at the entrance with shaven scalp and said: "God have Mercy on the shavers of their heads!" The Prophet* prayed three times for those who shaved their heads and once for those who cut their hair. Returning to his tent, the Prophet gathered up his luxuriant black hair from the ground and threw it over a nearby mimosa tree, whereupon the men crowded round, each bent on taking what he could for its blessing. Nor was Nusaybah to be outdone by the men, and she also made her way to the tree, and was able to snatch some locks, which she treasured until her dying day.

Female Emigrants

Meanwhile some believing women emigrated to Medina and asked the Prophet* for refuge which they were granted. When their families demanded their return, he would not hand them back because the following verse was revealed: “O you who believe! When believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them, Allah knows best as to their Faith, then if you know them for true believers, send them not back to the disbelievers, they are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them. But give the disbelievers that (amount of money) which they have spent [as their Mahr] to them. And there will be no sin on you to marry them if you have paid their Mahr to them. Likewise hold not the disbelieving women as wives …” [60:10]

The reason why the believing women were not handed back was either because they were not originally included in the terms of the treaty, which mentioned only men, or because the Qur’an abrogated any terms dealing with women in the verse: “O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the Bai‘a (Pledge), that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah …” [60:12]

This is the verse which forbade Muslim women from marrying disbelieving men. Likewise, Muslim men were commanded to terminate their marriages to disbelieving women. In compliance with this injunction, Umer bin Al-Khattab divorced two wives he had married before he embraced Islam; Mu‘awiyah married the first woman, and Safwan bin Omaiyah married the second.

No Hadith

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Last week’s Homework:

Also, Umer (ra) later cut down the tree under which the pledge was made - why was this?

Partly to stop people treating the tree as a particularly holy place and to stop superstition around the tree – as some people would specifically pray under the tree as it was mentioned in the Qur’an. This was how shirk started in the times of yore.

Furthermore, we talked about how the Quraish prevented pilgrims from visiting the Kaaba - something unheard of until then. Name some ways in which modern Western Countries are doing things that go against their stated fundamental values when it comes to Muslims or Islam.

We talked about many of the hypocrisies we see in Western countries. Some of these are outlined in brief below:

• Freedom of Speech – People are allowed to criticize Islam, and the Muslims in the West or ridicule the Prophet*. In fact this is often encouraged! When Muslims speak against Western values they are labeled extremists or are prosecuted for having materials (books) that support terrorism!
• Freedom of Wealth – It is okay for Western countries to own the resources of other nations, but when Muslim nations want to buy some western institutions – they are prevented (like Dubai wanting to buy American Port Authorities). Also, Western countries impose unfair taxes on imported goods to protect their own markets but want poor countries to open their markets completely.
• Freedom of Religion / Belief – Believing in religion is fine so long as it stays out of political affairs! If Muslims criticize the killing of Muslims – based on their faith then that is criticised. Muslims are increasingly being persecuted in Europe for their dress – e.g., the hijab, niqab, whilst nuns & monks are okay!
• Personal Freedom – You can wear as much or little as you like so long as you don’t look like a Muslim!
• Rule of Law – Western nations pride themselves of being peoples that adhere to the rule of law. But it is increasingly one rule for them another for Muslims. Even their own rules they don not follow! Torture in Abu Ghraib, Assassination policies, invading other counties (Iraq), innocent until proven guilty, the right to a (fair) trial (Guantanamo), habeus corpus to name but a few
• Democracy – should be ‘rule of the people for the people by the people’ but turns out to be ruling of the people by the few for the rich. If Western countries were committed to principles of democracy they would refuse to support brutal dictators in the world – but still supply them with arms and weapons to control their people
• Transparency – Whilst claiming to be open & transparent they have greater secrets and try to suppress any contradictory opinions. See their collective response to Wikileaks and Freedom of Information requests
• Tolerant Society – The Muslims were tolerant 1000 years ago with pluralistic society. Living in the West we are being increasingly told what we can wear, believe, read and who to mix with. If we do not fir it we are accused of marginalizing ourselves and living separate lives. Just like Westerners do when they settle in Dubai or Spain!
• Nations of Peace – Such an Orwellian lie with Western countries launching war after war over the last 200 years. Military societies that try to enforce their view and opinions on others by brute force. The USA has over a 1000 military bases in foreign countries and is actively fighting wars in many counties to protect its empire. War is good business so why would they promote PEACE !! Check out this link: All Bases Covered?

Hajj trip to British Museum

British Museum Hajj Exhibition

Hajj
Journey to the heart of Islam
26 January – 15 April 2012

Hajj: journey to the heart of Islam will be the first major exhibition dedicated to the Hajj; the pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is central to the Muslim faith.  The exhibition will examine the significance of the Hajj as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, exploring its importance for Muslims and looking at how this spiritual journey has evolved throughout history. It will bring together a wealth of objects from a number of different collections including important historic pieces as well as new contemporary art works which reveal the enduring impact of Hajj across the globe and across the centuries. The exhibition which has been organised in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Public Library Riyadh will examine three key strands: the pilgrim’s journey with an emphasis on the major routes used across time (from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East); the Hajj today, its associated rituals and what the experience means to the pilgrim; and Mecca, the destination of Hajj, its origins and importance.

It is laid down in the Qur’an that it is a sacred duty for Muslims everywhere, if they are able, to make the journey to Mecca at least once in their lives. This pilgrimage takes place during the last month of the Islamic year, known as Dhu’l Hijja. At the heart of the sanctuary at Mecca lies the Ka’ba, the cube-shaped building that Muslims believe was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. It was in Mecca that the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelations in the early 7th century. Therefore the city has long been viewed as a spiritual centre and the heart of Islam. The rituals involved with Hajj have remained unchanged since its beginning, and it continues to be a powerful religious undertaking which draws Muslims together from all over the world, irrespective of nationality or sect.

A wide variety of objects will be lent to the exhibition. Loans include significant material from Saudi Arabia including a seetanah which covers the door of the Ka’ba as well as other historic and contemporary artefacts from key museums in the Kingdom. Other objects have come from major public and private collections in the UK and around the world, among them the British Library and the Khalili Family Trust. Together these objects will evoke and document the long and perilous journey associated with the pilgrimage, gifts offered to the sanctuary as acts of devotion and the souvenirs that are brought back from Hajj. They include archaeological material, manuscripts, textiles, historic photographs and contemporary art. The Hajj has a deep emotional and spiritual significance for Muslims, and continues to inspire a wide range of personal, literary and artistic responses, many of which will be explored throughout the exhibition.

For more information, click on this link: http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/exhibitions/hajj.aspx.This exhibition concludes the British Museum’s series of three exhibitions focused on spiritual journeys. In partnership with King Abdulaziz Public Library, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. HSBC Amanah has supported the exhibition’s international reach outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

• Opening hours 10.00-17.30 Saturday to Thursday, 10.00-20.30 Fridays. The exhibition runs between 26 January – 15 April 2012
• Admission charge £12, children under 16 and Members free plus a range of concessions including group rates. Tickets are available to book through the box office by calling 020 7323 8181 or online at  www.britishmuseum.org/hajj. A full public programme will accompany the exhibition. More information is available from the press office.
• An accompanying catalogue will be published by British Museum Press: Hajj; journey to the heart of Islam, is edited by Venetia Porter and features contributions by leading scholars, paperback £25

Contacts
For further information or images please contact the Press Office on 020 7323 8583 / 8394 or communications@britishmuseum.org
Tickets are now on sale. To book tickets please visit www.britishmuseum.org/hajjor phone +44 (0)20 7323 8181

Feedback:

Muslim Inventions of Trick Games

11 December 2011

Hudaibiyah (1); Abraha; Exams

Seerah of Muhammed**: May the Peace, Blessings and Mercy of Allah be upon him
TMQ: Translation to the nearest meaning of the Qur’an

The Treaty of Hudaibiyah: part 1 – the journey the Mecca
One night the Prophet* dreamed that with his head shaved he entered the Ka'bah, and its key was in his hand. The next day he told his Companions of this and invited them to perform the Lesser Pilgrimage (Umrah) with him, whereupon they hastily set about making preparations so that they could leave as soon as possible. Between them they purchased seventy camels to be sacrificed in the sacred precinct. Their meat would then be distributed among the poor of Mecca. The Prophet decided to take one of his wives with him, and when lots were cast the lot fell to Umm Salamah. Also amongst the pilgrims were the two women of Khazraj who had been present at the Second 'Aqabah, Nusaybah and Umm Mani.
Each man took with him a sword, and what might be needed for hunting, but before they set off Umer and Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah suggested that they should go fully armed. Quraish, they said, might well take the opportunity of attacking them, despite the sacred month. But the Prophet refused, saying: "I will not carry arms; I have come forth for no end other than to make the Pilgrimage." At the first halt he called for the sacrificial camels to be brought to him, and he himself consecrated one of them, turning it to face towards Mecca, making a mark on its right flank, and placing garlands round its neck, after which he ordered that the others should be consecrated in the same way. He then sent on ahead a man of Khuza'ah, of the clan of Ka'b, to bring him back word of the reactions of Quraish.
The Prophet was bareheaded and had already donned the age-old traditional pilgrim's dress of two pieces of unstitched cloth, one girt round the waist to cover the lower part of the body, and the other draped round the shoulders. He now consecrated himself for the Pilgrimage with two prayer cycles, after which he began to utter the pilgrim's cry Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, which means "Here I am at Thy service, O God." Most of the others followed his example, but a few preferred to wait until they had advanced somewhat further upon their journey, for the pilgrimal state carried with it certain restrictions about hunting.
When Quraish heard of the departure of the pilgrims from Medina, they were filled with misgivings, as the Prophet had anticipated, and they immediately summoned a meeting in the Assembly. Never had they known a more serious dilemma. If they, the guardians of the sanctuary, were to hinder the approach of over a thousand Arab pilgrims to the Holy House, this would be a most flagrant violation of the laws on which all their own greatness was founded. On the other hand, if they allowed their enemies to enter Mecca in peace and comfort, it would be an immense moral triumph for Muhammad. The tidings of it would spread throughout Arabia and be on everybody's lips; and it would serve to place the crown of defeat upon their own recent unsuccessful attack upon Medina. Perhaps worst of all, these pilgrims' performances of the ancient rites would serve to make the new faith more attractive and to confirm its claim to be the religion of Abraham. All things considered, it was out of the question to let them come. "By God, this shall not be," they said, "so long as there is a single eye amongst us with a glimmer of life left in it."
The scout that the Prophet* sent out came back to tell the Prophet* that a large number of slaves, as well as a huge army, were gathered to oppose him, and that the road to Makkah was completely blocked. The Prophet* consulted his Companions, who were of the opinion that they would fight none unless they were debarred from performing their pilgrimage.
When the pilgrims reached 'Usfan, the scout who had been sent on ahead rejoined them with the news that Quraish had sent Khalid bin Walid with a troop of two hundred horse to bar their approach. So the Prophet asked for a guide who could take them on by another way, and a man of Aslam led them a little towards the coast and then by a devious and difficult path until they reached the pass which leads down to Hudaibiyah, an open tract of land below Mecca at the edge of the sacred territory. Their detour had kept them well out of sight of Khalid, but at one point, when it was too late for him to take up another position, they raised so much dust that he realised what had happened, and galloped back to Mecca with his troop to warn Quraish of their approach.
The Prophet had chosen his favourite camel, Qaswa', for the Pilgrimage, and at the end of the pass she stopped and knelt. The rocks resounded as many of the men cried out ‘Hal! Hal!’, which is what they say to make a camel rise, but she remained as if rooted to the earth. "Qaswa' is stubborn," they said, but the Prophet knew well that it was a sign that they should go no further than Hudaibiyah, at any rate for the moment. "She is not stubborn," he said, "it is not in her nature; but He holdeth her who held the elephant." He added, referring to Quraish: "They shall not ask of me this day any concession which honoureth the rights of God but I will grant it them."! Then he spoke to Qaswa', and she quickly rose to her feet and bore him down to the edge of Hudaibiyah, followed by the other pilgrims. Here he told them to camp; but there was almost no water, only the dregs of it at the bottom of one or two hollows, and the men were complaining of thirst. The Prophet called Najiyah to him, the man of Aslam who was in charge of the sacrificial camels, and told him to bring him a pail of as much water as he could from the largest of the hollows, which he did. Having performed his ablution, the Prophet rinsed his mouth and spat back the water into the pail. Then, taking an arrow from his quiver, he said: "Go down with this water and pour it into the waters of the hollow; then stir them with this arrow." Najiyah did as he was bid, and water, clear and fresh, surged up so quickly and so plentifully at the touch of the arrow that he was almost overwhelmed before he could clamber out. The pilgrims gathered round the edge of the hollow and every man drank his fill, as did also the animals.

Abrahah and the Year of the Elephant
Just before  the Prophet* was born Yemen was under the rule of Abyssinia, and an Abyssinian named Abrahah was vice-regent. He built a magnificent cathedral in San'a', hoping thereby to make it supersede Mecca as the great place of pilgrimage for all Arabia. He had marble brought to it from one of the derelict palaces of the Queen of Sheba, and he set up crosses in it of gold and of silver, and pulpits of ivory and ebony, and he wrote to his master, the Negus: "I have built thee a church, O King, the like of which was never built for any king before thee; and I shall not rest until I have diverted unto it the pilgrimage of the Arabs." Nor did he make any secret of his intention, and great was the anger of the tribes throughout Hijaz and Najd. Finally a man of Kinanah, a tribe akin to Quraish, went to San'a' for the deliberate purpose of defiling the church (with excrement), which he did one night and then returned safely to his people.
When Abrahah heard of this he vowed that in revenge he would destroy the Ka'bah to the ground; and having made his preparations he set off for Mecca with a large army, in the head of which he placed an elephant. Some of the Arab tribes north of San'a' attempted to bar his way, but the Abyssinians put them to flight and captured their leader, Nufayl of the tribe of Khath'am. By way of ransom for his life, he offered to act as guide.
When the army reached Ta'if, the men of Thaqif came out to meet them, afraid that Abrahah might destroy their temple of al-Lat in mistake for the Ka'bah. They hastened to point out to him that he had not yet reached his goal, and they offered him a guide for the remainder of his march. Although he already had Nufayl, he accepted their offer, but the man died on the way, about two miles from Mecca, at a place called Mughammis, and they buried him. Afterwards the Arabs took to stoning his grave, and the people who live there still stone it to this day.
Abrahah halted at Mughammis, and sent on a detachment of horse to the outskirts of Mecca. They took what they could on the way, and sent back their plunder to Abrahah, including two hundred camels which were the property of 'Abd al-Muttalib. Quraish and other neighbouring tribes held a council of war, and decided that it was useless to try to resist the enemy. Meanwhile Abrahah sent a messenger to Mecca, bidding him to ask for the chief man there. He was to tell him they had not come to fight but only to destroy the temple, and if he wished to avoid all bloodshed he must come to the Abyssinian camp.
There had been no official chief of Quraish since the time when their privileges and responsibilities had been divided between the houses of 'Abd ad-Dar and 'Abdu Manaf, But most people had their opinion as to which of the chiefs of the clans was in fact if not by right the leading man of Mecca, and on this occasion the messenger was directed to the house of 'Abd al-Muttalib who, together with one of his sons, went back with the messenger to the camp. When Abrahah saw him he was so impressed by his appearance that he rose from his royal seat to greet him and then sat beside him on the carpet, telling his interpreter to inquire if he had a favour to ask. 'Abd al-Muttalib replied that the army had taken two hundred of his camels and he asked that they should be returned to him. Abrahah was somewhat surprised at the request, and said that he was disappointed in him, that he should be thinking of his camels rather than his religion which they had now come to destroy. 'Abd al-Muttalib replied: "I am the lord of the camels, and the temple likewise hath a lord who will defend it." "He cannot defend it against me," said Abrahah. "We shall see," said 'Abd al-Muttalib. "But give me my camels." And Abrahah gave orders for the camels to be returned.
'Abd al-Muttalib returned to Quraish and advised them to withdraw to the hills above the town. Then he went with some of his family and others to the Sanctuary. They stood beside him, praying to God for His help against Abrahah and his army, and he himself took hold of the metal ring in the middle of the Ka'bah door and said: "O God, thy slave protecteth his house. Protect Thou Thy House!" Having thus prayed, he went with the others to join the rest of Quraish in the hills at points where they could see what took place in the valley below.
The next morning Abrahah made ready to march into the town, intending to destroy the Ka'bah and then return to San'a' by the way they had come. The elephant, richly caparisoned, was led into the front of the army, which was already drawn up; and when the mighty animal reached his position his keeper Unays turned him the same way as the troops were turned, that is towards Mecca. But Nufayl, the reluctant guide, had marched most of the way in the van of the army with Unays, and had learned from him some of the words of command which the elephant understood; and while the head of Unays was turned to watch for the signal to advance, Nufayl took hold of the great ear and conveyed into it a subdued but intense imperative to kneel. Thereupon, to the surprise and dismay of Abrahah and the troops, the elephant slowly and deliberately knelt himself down to the ground. Unays ordered him to rise, but Nufayl's word had coincided with a command more powerful than that of any man, and the elephant would not move. They did everything they could to bring him to his feet; they even beat him about the head with iron bars and stuck iron hooks into his belly, but he remained like a rock. Then they tried the strategem of making the whole army turn about and march a few paces in the direction of the Yemen. He at once rose to his feet, turned round and followed them. Hopefully they turned round about again, and he also turned, but no sooner was he facing Mecca than again he knelt.
This was the clearest of portents not to move one step further forward, but Abrahah was blinded by his personal ambition for the sanctuary he had built and by his determination to destroy its great rival. If they had turned back then, perhaps they would all have escaped disaster. But suddenly it was too late: the western sky grew black, and a strange sound was heard; its volume increased as a great wave of darkness swept upon them from the direction of the sea, and the air above their heads, as high as they could see, was full of birds. Survivors said that they flew with a flight like that of swifts, and each bird had three pebbles the size of dried peas, one in its beak and one between the claws of each foot. They swooped to and fro over the ranks, pelting as they swooped, and the pebbles were so hard and launched with such velocity that they pierced even coats of mail. Every stone found its mark and killed its man, for as soon as a body was struck its flesh began to rot, quickly in some cases, more gradually in others. Not everyone was hit, and amongst those spared were Unays and the elephant, but all were terror-stricken. A few remained in the Hijaz and earned a livelihood by shepherding and other work. But the main part of the army returned in disorder to San'a': Many died by the wayside, and many others, Abrahah included, died soon after their return. As to Nufayl, he had slipped away from the army while all attention was concentrated on the elephant, and he made his way unscathed to the hills above Mecca. After that day Quraish were called by the Arabs "the people of God", and they were held in even greater respect than before, because God had answered their prayers and saved the Ka'bah from destruction. They are still honoured, but rather on account of a second event - no doubt not unconnected with the first -which took place in that same Year of the Elephant.

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Discussion about exams / tests !!

Exams (and lessons from the latest Quiz / Questionnaire)
We all know that life is one big exam – with the final results being dished out on the Day of Judgement. (Let us make du’a that we receive the book of deeds in the right hand – Ameen)
In order to pass most exams you need to PREPARE, which includes knowing what the test is about and how to pass. As Muslims, Allah has made it so easy for us by showing us the examination paper (all the questions) and giving us most of the answers. All we need to do is follow this! Allah wants us to get to Jannah (Paradise) hence HE tries to make is easy for us: Blessings such as Ramadhan, extra prayers, charity and kind words, kind thoughts etc – all good actions then multiplied…
Start preparing!

Reflecting on the recent Quiz / Questionnaire:
- Some answers in life are very easy for which there is also a great reward – don’t miss out
- Don’t miss out any questions – so you won’t get rewarded unless you try
- Belief / thoughts are important, as well as actions
- Sometimes there is no wrong answer – so try !
- There are always questions (or tests) of varying difficulty.

And the spread of ability is usually distributed in a ‘bell-shape’ or ‘normal distribution’ (see graph). A fair test will give this shape (and the Quiz / Questionnaire was fair) with most people doing well. Such is life. However, to sort ‘the wheat from the chaff’ or the ‘men from the boys’ harder questions are set to test & stretch ability in the extreme of the graph. But know what Allah says in Surat Al-Baqarah: “Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear…” (Qur’an, 2:286). This is such a profound and comforting verse that we should all reflect on. Those that are tested hardest are the Prophets and all other tests (as part of al-Qadha w’al Qadr) are bearable for us humans. Hence, there should be no despair and no ultimate negation of this in acts like suicide. The tests we face – we can get through.

Well Done to everyone who did the Quiz / Questionnaire !!

Tests From Allah

Allah has tested the people of the past in various ways and will keep on testing His creation. He has informed us about these tests in the Quran. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad* also informed us that Allah will test us from time to time. Sometimes hardships and losses occur in life due to our sins. To wash of these sins in this world, Allah inflicts upon us these hardships:

Narrated By Aisha: Allah’s Apostle* said, “No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even though it were the prick he receives from a thorn.” (Bukhari). Narrated By Abu Said Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira: The Prophet* said, “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” (Bukhari)

Paying for sins in this world is much easier than paying in the Hereafter. It is a blessing in disguise which Allah bestows upon us and saves us from the payment of these sins in the Hereafter.

The Quran informs us what to do when we face these tests in our life and also tells us about the reward that we will receive if we are successful in dealing with the situation in the way we are expected to: Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, Who say, when afflicted with calamity: “To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return” They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from Allah, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance. - [TMQ 2:155-157]

We are to be patient during hard times and always remember that Allah is the Creator of everything and we all will return to Him. No deed is lost in front of Allah and we will be rewarded for even the smallest good that we ever did do. Trials afflicting us can be signs of His Love. It is narrated that Prophet Muhammad* said: Narrated By Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “If Allah wants to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials.” (Bukhari)

Misfortune can bring a person towards the right path. It can make better Muslims out of people. Observing patience, remembering Allah and turning only to Him for help and guidance during such times, will help us attain Allah’s forgiveness and His rewards.

Allah tests man through various agencies, both through adversity and prosperity. A person with a luxurious life is tested to see how much he spends in the way of Allah and how much he is thankful to Allah for the blessings bestowed upon him. Another can be tested by the things he desires but does not and/or cannot possess. What do these people do is actually their test. Does the person deviate from the way of Allah to pursue the worldly gains? Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial. To Us must ye return. [TMQ 21:35]

The Quran reminds us that in periods of hardships, we are to remain patient, remember Allah, and protect ourselves from committing that which is declared unlawful by Allah: Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and ye shall certainly Hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if ye persevere patiently, and guard against evil,-then that will be a determining factor in all affairs. – [TMQ 3:186]

An important thing that we should always remember is that everyone is tested. If we declare that we are Muslims, that does not mean that we will not be tested in this world. The Quran is very clear on this issue: Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, “We believe”, and that they will not be tested? – [TMQ 29:2]

Surely Allah is not unjust and does not over burden a soul: On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear – [TMQ 2:286]

Tribulations are a part of life but that doesn’t make them easy. We still grieve — but how could we not? We are, after all, a very emotional creation. This world is an abode for tests and one should not deny or avoid these but should face them and pass them successfully. A person can be put into hardships for a number of reasons and we might not know those reasons when undergoing a certain loss but what we must do is always remember Allah, be patient, abstain from what is unlawful, give charity and ask Him to help ease out our hard times. If we do fail to do this then we should turn to Allah and ask for forgiveness. If you stand back and take a look at the whole picture, you will realize that what you have when faced by a tragedy is a choice. Will you go through the stages of grief, denying Allah’s destiny and the wisdom of His plan for you? Or will you realize that what you are going through is something you know you can handle? Whatever trial comes your way is something that Allah has planned and which He has guaranteed you can handle. Allah is Most Merciful & InshaAllah He will forgive us for the wrong that we do. So when you go through a difficult situation, be it the inevitable death of a loved one or the loss of a job or just a flat tire on the side of the highway, take a deep breath and say: “Say: ‘Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us…’” (TMQ 9:51)

Preparing for Exams and Preparing for Death

Each year we are faced with the scenario of sitting exams. Whether were at School, College or Uni, the outcomes of these decide whether we have progressed into the next year/semester or that we have failed and will need to re-sit our exams in order to continue our course. Indeed, it is very important for us to succeed, because the purpose of attending School, College or Uni is to gain expertise in specific areas to be able to gain employment and find work related to those areas. Hence we have a purpose for coming to university. We seek to achieve certain results, which require effort and hard work, in order for us to attain the degree.

During examinations this becomes very clear, because it is crunch time. Either you make it or you break it. So at this stage we are even more conscious about seeking those results and fulfilling the objective of attending university. For the preparation of these exams we see people change their entire timetable of activity. So people stop watching their favourite television programmes, some revise in the library till midnight, others have to let go of that x-box / Wii and shut off their online friends or limit going onto Facebook twice day as opposed to every hour! We will see people during this time whose health is very bad, because they haven’t been eating properly or at the right times. People who normally take pride in their appearances, all of a sudden are dressed shabby, because they have no time for this because of exams coming up.

Thinking affects our views/Attitudes

So we can see very clear patterns of thinking here and how it manages to transform a person’s behaviour radically. Everyone clearly realises, that they have to pass. They also realise that if they don’t pass then they still have the option to re-sit during summer time. However, there is one examination, one test which we all are a part of. The results of this exam are unknown to us presently. Each day that passes, we are monitored and are examined.

Reality of Death

The day when mankind will stand before Allah) on the day of reckoning definitely, and Allah will question us about our actions we performed in our life. The very life which Allah gave us without our choice and the one which he will take from us without our choice. This is the exam that every single human who has existed in this dunya, from the time of Adam and Bibi Hawa, to the last person to live in this dunya will face. And on that day we will not have the ability to go back to this world to make ourselves better. There will be no re-sits and the decision on that day made by Allah the supreme will be decisive and final, and nobody will be able to change it. Either it will be the Bliss of Jannah or the darkness of jahannam.

Our Attitude to Death

Islam answers the questions about our purpose in life, and gives us a direction in life. So we think about death and remind ourselves and question our actions. Those actions which Allah has given us a shariah for, to guide us to sirat-ul-mustaqim. So let us look at what attitude we should have towards the issue of death.

Allah’s Messenger* said to Abdullah b.Umar, “If you awoke in the morning, do not speak to yourself of the evening, and if you reach the evening, do not speak to yourself of the morning. Take from your life for your death, and from your health for your illness, as you, oh Abdullah, do not know what your name will be tomorrow” [Bukhari].

Remembrance of death continually keeps us in check in this dunya. It makes it realise that we have a contract with our creator. A contract with no expiry date specified. It is like a bomb, which is ticking and has no timer but just a question mark. You do not know when it will explode.  Allah says: “To every person is a term appointed. When their term is reached, not an hour can they delay it, nor by an hour can they advance it” [TMQ 7:34] Hence Life is limited, and time is short and there are many actions which we need to perform. Allah describes this in the following ayah: “It will seem to them that their life on Earth had spanned only one evening, or one morning” [TMQ 79; 46]

On the Authority of Abdullah bin Mas’ud (ra) who said: Once the Messenger of Allah (saw), slept on a mat made of date palm leaves and when he awoke the impressions of the mat were visible on his body. We (the Sahabah) said: “O messenger of Allah (saw) may we prepare a soft bedding for you?” Allah’s Messenger* said “I have nothing to do with this world, I am in this world like a rider who halts in the shade of a tree for a short period of time and after taking some rest, resumes his journey leaving the tree behind.” [Tirmidhi]

Remembrance of death is not crying and wailing and blaming one’s self when one is on the brink of death, or attending a funeral or visiting graves alone. Rather, remembrance of death is when a believer imagines that he will meet his Lord at any moment, and his actions will be cut off, as will his ability for repentance. So he will be aware of himself, careful to obey Allah (swt), wary of his Lord every second of his life.

What to Do

Exam time clearly shows us that those people who say they can’t change and their iman is weak are lying and fooling themselves. Exam time clearly shows us that Western Society makes people think individually and makes them avoid the real issues of life. Islam on the other hand builds a clear vision and a goal in life, part of which is that we seek education and we sit exams, and deem this as something which our deen has permitted. Let us question ourselves on our attitudes for the preparation of exams compared to our preparation for the life to come which is everlasting and has no end. Let us take today, this time, and this place where we renew our allegiance to Allah and promise that now will be the change to which the world will stand witness to. And Allah says: “And whoever believes in Allah and carries out His commands, Allah will forgive him his sins, and admit him into the Gardens of Paradise beneath which rivers flow, to live in forever, and this is the supreme success” [TMQ 64:9]

Feedback:

5 ways to Jannah (Paradise)

Levels of Jannah

Muslim Inventions - Mechanical Clock

Obedience to Parents

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