Chapter 32: The Mushrikeen’s dispute with the Prophet ﷺ and

establishing irrefutable proofs against them, and their inner selves acknowledging the truth, even though they displayed opposition out of stubbornness, envy, injustice, and haughtiness 213 Is-haaq Ibn Rahawaih reported from his chain to Ibn `Abbaas رضي اهلل عنهما that he said: “One-day al-Waleed Ibn al-Mugheerah came to the Prophet ﷺ, and he ﷺ recited to him the Qur’aan, and it was as if he (al-Waleed) became affected and softened by it. When this news reached Abu Jahl, 214 he came to him (al-Waleed) and said: ‘O my uncle! Your people wish to gather wealth for you.’ He replied: ‘But why?’ Abu Jahl said: ‘To give it to you, as they see that you approached Muhammad (ﷺ) to get some of his food.’ He said: ‘The Quraish knows well I am the wealthiest of them.’ Abu Jahl said: ‘So say a word against him (Muhammad), so that your people may know that you (still) reject him.’ He said: ‘What should I say? By Allaah! There is not a person amongst you who 213 [TN: Allaah تعاىل mentioned about Fir`aoun and his people that they knew that the Message and Signs which Moosaa عليه السالم had brought was the Truth, but they opposed and rejected him out of arrogance, and injustice toward themselves, as Allaah تعاىلsaid: ﴿و ج ح د وا ِب ا و اس تـ يـ ق ن تـ ه ا أ نف س ه م ظ ل مًا و ع ل وًّا ۖ ﴾ ف انظ ر ك ي ف ك ان ع اق ب ة ال م ف س د ين {And they (Fir`aoun and his people) rejected them (those Aayaat), wrongfully and arrogantly, while their (inner) selves were convinced thereof. So, see how the end of the corrupters was.} [Surah al-Naml (27): 14] And in a similar fashion, Abu Jahl and the other Mushriks of Makkah also rejected the Truth which the Prophet ﷺ had brought, which will be mentioned in this chapter.] 214 [TN: In regards to Abu Jahl, it is widespread that the Prophet ﷺ is supposed to have said: ❝He was the Fir`aoun (pharaoh) of this Ummah (nation).❞ [Musnad Ahmad (3824, 4246, 4247)] And in another narration: ❝He (Abu Jahl) was the Fir`aoun of my Ummah.❞ [Musnad Ahmad (3825)] This is reported from the route of Abee Is-haaq from Abee `Ubaidah from his father (`Abdullaah Ibn Mas`ood). Al-Haithamee said in al-Majma` (6/79): “Imaam Ahmad reported these Ahaadeeth, and al-Bazzaar reported a shorter narration; and it is from the narration of Abu `Ubaidah from his father. But he (Abu `Ubaidah) did not hear from him.” “Its chain is “Dha`eef” because of the break (interruption) in the chain. Abu `Ubaidah – and he is the son of Ibn Mas`ood – did not hear from his father.”]

knows poetry like I do. No one amongst you knows poetry and eloquence better than I do. Nobody knows the poetry (black magic) of the Jinn better than I do. By Allaah! What this man (Muhammad) said to me was nothing like magic or soothsaying. By Allaah! What he said had a certain sweetness to it, (unlike anything I’ve ever tasted in my life), it was soothing. The highest part of it is fruitful and the lowest part of it is gushing forth with bounty; it dominates and cannot be dominated, and it crushes all that is under it.’ Abu Jahl said: ‘Your people will not be pleased with you till you speak against him.’ He replied: ‘Leave me, and I will think about it.’ When he thought about it (and realized that all his wealth and respect will go away), he said (publicly): ‘This is nothing but magic from that of old which he has learned from someone.’ So Allaah تعاىل revealed: ﴾﴿ذ ر ِن و م ن خ ل ق ت و ح يدًا * و ج ع ل ت ل ه م اّلً ِمَّ د ودًا * و ب ن ني ش ه ودًا {Leave Me Alone (to deal) with whom I created Alone (without any means, i.e. alWaleed Ibn al-Mugheerah)! And then granted him resources in abundance. And children to be by his side!} [Surah al-Muddaththir (74): 11-13]” This is how al-Baihaqee reported from al-Haakim from Is-haaq. 215 I (Ibn Katheer) say: So it was about their ignorance and lack of understanding that Allaah تعاىل mentioned, saying: ﴾ ﴿ب ل ق ال وا أ ض غ اث أ ح ال م ب ل افـ تـ ر اه ب ل ه و ش اع ر فـ ل ي أ ت ن ا ب آي ة ك م ا أ ر س ل اِّل وَّل ون {Nay, they say: “These (revelations of the Qur’aan which are inspired to Muhammad) are mixed up false dreams! Nay, he has invented it! Nay, he is a poet! So let him bring us an Aayah (Sign) just as the previous (Messengers) were sent (with miracles)”} [Surah al-Anbiyaa’ (21): 5] They got perplexed and confused and didn’t know what to say. Rather, whatever they said was baseless, as nothing is left to say after opposing the truth except falsehood. Allaah تعاىل said: 215 (Shaikh al-Albaanee said): Al-Haakim in his “al-Mustadrak” (3872) and he said: “It is “sahih as per the condition of al-Bukhaaree””, and al-Dhahabee agreed with him. And it is as they have said. Ibn Jareer also reported this in his Tafseer from two routes, one from Ikrimah in a “Mursal” form, and the other from a different route from Ibn `Abbaas.

﴾ً﴿انظ ر ك ي ف ض ر ب وا ل ك اِّل م ث ال ف ض لُّوا ف ال ي س ت ط يع ون س ب يال {See what examples they have put forward for you. So they have gone astray, and never can they find a way.} [Surah al-Israa’ (17): 48, and Surah al-Furqaan (25): 9] Imaam `Abd Ibn Humaid reported in his “Musnad” from Jaabir Ibn `Abdullaah رضي اهلل عنهما: “The Quraish got together and discussed who amongst them would be the best at identifying magic, Jinn possession, mental instability, and insanity. They were talking about the Prophet ﷺ, whom they saw as someone who divided their community, belittled their way of life, and exposed the faults within their religion. They wanted someone to speak to him and see what he has to say. They could not find anyone better than `Utbah Ibn Rabee`ah 216 for this. So they said: ‘You are the one for this (mission), O Abu Waleed.’ `Utbah approached the Prophet ﷺ (and tried to emotionally blackmail him): ‘Are you better or (your father) `Abdullaah?’ The Prophet stayed quiet. `Utbah continued: ‘Are you better or `Abdul-Muttalib?’ The Prophet stayed quiet. `Utbah further said: ‘If you think that they were better than you, (then you know) that they used to worship these idols that you talk badly about all the time. If you think you are better than them then speak, let us hear what you have to say. By Allaah! We have never seen anyone be more of a troublemaker for his people than you. You have divided our community, scattered our affairs, belittled our religion, and humiliated us in front of other Arabs; so that now the people are saying that the Quraish have a magician (of their own), and that the Quraish have a soothsayer. By Allaah! We are not going to wait for anything (we are done with you). We will raise our swords against you and get rid of you. O man! If you are in need (of wealth); we will gather for you enough wealth to make you the single most wealthy person amongst the Quraish. If you are in need of women (in marriage); then choose whichever women you want from Quraish, we will marry you to ten (of the most beautiful women in Makkah).’ The Prophet ﷺ asked him: ❝Are you done?❞ `Utbah said: ‘Yes, (that’s all).’ The Prophet ﷺ next said: ً﴿ب س م اللَّـه الرَّمح ـىن الرَّح يم * حم * ت نز يل مِّن الرَّمح ـىن الرَّح يم * ك ت اب ف صِّل ت آي ات ه قـ ر آن ا ع ر ب يًّا لِّق و م يـ ع ل م ون * ب ش ريًا و ن ذ يرًا ف أ ع ر ض أ ك ثـ ر ه م فـ ه م ّل ي س م ع ون * و ق ال وا قـ ل وبـ ن ا ف أ ك نَّة ِمَِّّا ت د ع ون ا إ ل ي ه و ف آذ ان ن ا و قـ ر و م ن بـ ي ن ن ا و بـ ي ن ك ح ج اب ف اع م ل إ نـَّن ا ع ام ل ون * ق ل إ َّنَّ ا أ ن ا ب ش ر مِّثـ ل ك م ي وح ىى إ ل َّ أ َّنَّ ا إ ل ـىه ك م 216 `Utbah Ibn Rabee`ah was a leader of Quraish, and was a staunch enemy of the Prophet ﷺ. He was very wellread, politically influential, wealthy, and very well-traveled. `Utbah was also one of the few people who has stood in the court of kings of that time (Emperor of Rome and King of Abyssinia).

إ ل ـىه و اح د ف اس ت ق يم وا إ ل ي ه و اس تـ غ ف ر وه ۖ و و ي ل لِّل م ش ر ك ني * الَّذ ين ّل يـ ؤ ت ون الزَّك اة و ه م ب اْل خ ر ة ه م ك اف ر ون * إ نَّ الَّذ ين آم ن وا و ع م ل وا الصَّاحل* ات َل م أ ج ر غ يـ ر ِم ن ون ق ل أ ئ نَّك م ل ت ك ف ر ون ب الَّذ ي خ ل ق اِّل ر ض ف يـ و م ني و َت ع ل ون ل ه أ ند ادًا ۖ ذ ىل ك ر بُّ ال ع ال م ني * و ج ع ل ف يه ا ر و اس ي م ن فـ و ق ه ا و ب ار ك ف يه ا و ق دَّر ف يه ا أ قـ و اتـ ه ا ف أ ر بـ ع ة أ يَّام س و اءً لِّلسَّائ ل ني * ث َّ اس تـ و ىى إ ىل السَّم اء و ه ي د خ ان فـ ق ال َل ا و ل ْل ر ض ائ ت ي ا ط و عًا أ و ِّك ر هًا ق ال ت ا أ تـ يـ ن ا ط ائ ع ني * فـ ق ض اه نَّ س ب ع ْس او ات ف يـ و م ني و أ و ح ىى ف ك ل ْس اء أ م ر ه ا ۖ و ز يـَّنَّا السَّم اء الدُّنـ ي ا ِب ص اب يح و ح ف ظًا ۖ ذ ىل ك تـ ق د ير ال ع ز يز ال ع ل يم * ف إ ن أ ع ر ض وا فـ ق ل أ نذ ر ت ك م ص اع ق ةً مِّث ل ص اع ق ة ع اد ﴾ و َث ود {Haa Meem! A revelation from Allaah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. A Book whereof the Verses are explained in detail; A Qur’aan in Arabic for people who know. Giving glad tidings [of Paradise to the one who believes in the Oneness of Allaah and fears Allaah much (abstains from all kinds of sins and evil deeds) and loves Allaah much (performing all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], and warning (of punishment in the Hell Fire to the one who disbelieves in the Oneness of Allaah), but most of them turn away, so they listen not. And they say: “Our hearts are under coverings (screened) from that to which you invite us, and in our ears is deafness, and between us and you is a screen, so work you (on your way); verily, we are working (on our way).” Say (O Muhammad): “I am only a human being like you. It is inspired in me that your Ilaah is One Ilaah (and He alone deserves worship), therefore take Straight Path to Him (with true Faith Islaamic Monotheism) and obedience to Him, and seek forgiveness of Him. And woe to Al-Mushrikoon (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah, polytheists, idolaters). Those who give not the Zakaah and they are disbelievers in the Hereafter. Truly, those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah and in His Messenger Muhammad) and do righteous good deeds, for them will be an endless reward that will never stop (i.e. Paradise). Say (O Muhammad): “Do you verily disbelieve in Him Who created the earth in two Days and you set up rivals (in worship) with Him? That is the Lord of the `Aalameen (mankind, Jinn and all that exists). He placed therein (i.e. the earth) firm mountains from above it, and He blessed it, and measured therein its sustenance (for its dwellers) in four Days equal (i.e. all these four 'days' were equal in the length of time), for all those who ask (about its creation). Then He Istawa (rose over) towards the heaven when it was smoke, and said to it and to the earth: “Come both of you willingly or unwillingly." They both said: “We come, willingly.” Then He completed and finished from their creation (as) seven heavens in two Days and He made in each heaven its affair. And We adorned the nearest (lowest) heaven with lamps (stars) to be an adornment as well as to guard (against the devils

by using them as missiles against the devils). Such is the Decree of Him the All-Mighty, the All-Knower.} Till the Prophet ﷺ reached the Aayah: {But if they turn away, then say (O Muhammad): “I have warned you of a Saa`iqah (a destructive awful cry, torment, hit, a thunderbolt) like the Saa`iqah which overtook (the people of) `Aad and Thamood.”} [Surah Fussilat (41): 1-13] `Utbah replied: ‘Hasbuk, Hasbuk (please stop, please stop). Isn’t there anything else you can say to me besides this?’ He’s panicking. The Prophet ﷺ replied: ❝No!❞ So `Utbah returned to Quraish and they asked him: ‘What happened?’ He said: ‘I have not seen him speak in the manner you speak except for a word.’ They said: ‘Did he respond to you?’ He said: ‘Yes.’ Then he said: ‘Nay, I have not understood what he had said except that he warned you people about the thunderbolt, like the thunderbolt which struck `Aad and Thamood.’ They said: ‘Woe is to you! The man spoke to you in `Arabic (language) and you did not understand what he said?’ He replied: ‘No, by Allaah! I did not understand what he said except for the thunderbolt that he mentioned.’ Al-Baihaqee and other reported it from the route of al-Haakim, on the authority of alAjlah, and there is some speech about him. 217 In another narration, there is the addition: ‘If you need leadership, we will pledge allegiance to you, and you will be our leader as long as you live.’ There is also this addition: When the Prophet ﷺ recited the Aayah: {“I have warned you of a Saa`iqah like the Saa`iqah which overtook (the people of) `Aad and Thamood.”}, `Utbah placed his hand on the mouth of the Prophet ﷺ, asking him to stop. `Utbah himself expressed fear (that the punishment that the Prophet ﷺ was speaking of would descend upon him there and then). `Utbah then confined himself and did not meet anyone, even from his family. 217 (Shaikh al-Albaanee said): He is al-Ajlah Ibn `Abdullaah Ibn Hujaiyah al-Kindee, and he is “Sudooq Shi`ee” (truthful Shi`a)*, as was mentioned in “al-Taqreeb” of Ibn Hajar. And al-Ajlah reported this from his Shaikh alDhiyaal Ibn Harmalah al-Asadee, who reported from Jaabir. Al-Shaibaanee also reported from this chain in his “Musannaf” (36560), as Ibn Abee Haatim had mentioned in “al-Jarh wal-Ta`deel” (3/451). And it is apparent that Ibn Hibbaan mentioned him as reliable in his book, “al-Thiqaat”. Al-Haakim also reported it in his “al-Mustadrak” (3002) from the route of al-Ajlah, but a shorter narration and said: “Its chain is “sahih””, and al-Dhahabee agreed with him. *[TN: (Shi`a in those days were those who were more inclined towards `Alee رضي اهلل عنه, and favored him over Mu`aawiyah رضي اهلل عنه. they were not like the Raafidhah of today)]

When Abu Jahl came to know about this, he said: ‘O people from Quraish! We do not see except that `Utbah has forsaken the religion (of his forefathers) and converted to the religion of Muhammad, and he has been mesmerized by his speech. And this only happened because `Utbah is in some need (of wealth). Let us go to him.’ When they came to `Utbah, Abu Jahl said: ‘O `Utbah! By Allaah, we did not come to you except that (we feel) you have accepted (the religion) of Muhammad and that you have been fascinated by his affairs. If you are in need, then we have gathered for you from our wealth that which will make you free from wants from Muhammad. `Utbah got angry and replied: “By Allaah! I will never speak to Muhammad again, and you know well that I am the wealthiest person amongst the Quraish. I only went to him – then he narrated the whole incident – then he (Muhammad) replied to me with something – by Allaah! It is not the speech of a magician or a poet or a soothsayer. He then recited: {Haa Meem! A revelation from Allaah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful}, till he reached: {But if they turn away, then say (O Muhammad): “I have warned you of a Saa`iqah (a destructive awful cry, torment, hit, a thunderbolt) like the Saa`iqah which overtook (the people of) `Aad and Thamood”}, at that I placed my hand on his mouth and told him to stop for the sake of his family. You people know that when Muhammad speaks, he doesn’t lie, and I feared that the punishment would descend upon you. 218 Thereafter, al-Baihaqee reported from his chain, that al-Mugheerah Ibn Shu`bah رضي اهلل عنه (who was from Taa’if) said: “The first time I came to know about the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ was when I was walking with Abu Jahl Ibn Hishaam in one of the alleys of Makkah, when we came across the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ. He ﷺ said: ❝O Abu alHakam! 219 Come to Allaah and His Messenger (as a believer), I call you towards Allaah.❞ Abu Jahl said: ‘O Muhammad! When are you going to stop insulting our gods? Do you only wish that we testify that you have conveyed (the message)? We will testify for you that you have conveyed (the message)! By Allaah! If I knew what you are saying is the Truth, I would have already followed you.’ When the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ left, he (Abu Jahl) turned towards me and said: ‘By Allaah! I know that what he is saying is the Truth, but there is something holding me back (from accepting Islaam). People 218 Al-Durr al-Manthoor (7/310) 219 [TN: Abu Jahl’s name was, `Amr bin Hishaam bin al-Mugheerah. He was from the tribes of Quraish and was one of the Chiefs of Makkah. Before Islaam, he was known for his knowledge and wisdom. His kunya (nickname) was Abu al-Hakam (father of wisdom). [sahih al-Bukhaaree (3632, 3950)]. But when his knowledge did not benefit him, he was nicknamed as Abu Jahl (father of ignorance).]

from Banee Qusayy 220 said: ‘Only we have the rights to al-Hijaabah (guardianship of the Ka`bah and preservation of its key).’ We said ‘Yes.’ Then they said: ‘Only we have the rights to al-Siqaayah (supplying water to the pilgrims and caring for their needs).’ We said: ‘Yes.’ Then they said: ‘Only we the authority to al-Nadwa (assembly of the Quraish).’ We said: ‘Yes.’ Then they said: ‘We have the rights to al-Liwaa’ (authority of the banners of the battles).’ We said: ‘Yes.’ (We sacrificed all in favor of them). (But we competed with them), they fed the people, so we also fed the people. (They gave charity, so we also gave charity. They looked after people, so we did the same.) We did this until we became equals in all things. And now they say: ‘A prophet has come from us (who receives revelations from the sky)! (How can we possibly be able to ever compete with this?) By Allaah! We will never believe in him!’ 221 (Ibn Katheer said): This is what he had to say – May Allaah’s curse be upon him. It is about him and his likes that Allaah تعاىل said: ﴿و إ ذ ا ر أ و ك إ ن يـ تَّخ ذ ون ك إ ّلَّ ه ز وًا أ ه ـىذ ا الَّذ ي بـ ع ث اللَّـه ر س وّلً * إ ن ك اد ل ي ض لُّن ا ع ن آَل ت ن ا ل و ّل أ ن ص بـ ر ن ا ع ل يـ ه ا ۖ ﴾ًو س و ِ يـ ع ل م ون ح ني يـ ر و ن ال ع ذ اب م ن أ ض لُّ س ب يال {And when they see you (O Muhammad), they treat you only as a mockery (saying): “Is this the one whom Allaah has sent as a Messenger? He would have nearly misled us from our aalihah (gods), had it not been that we were patient and constant in their worship!” And they will know when they see the torment, who it is that is most astray from the (Right) Path!} [Surah al-Furqaan (25): 41-42] Narrated Ibn `Abbaas رضي اهلل عنهما (regarding the saying of Allaah تعاىل): ﴾ً﴿و ّل َت ه ر ب ص ال ت ك و ّل َت اف ت ِب ا و ابـ ت غ بـ ني ذ ىل ك س ب يال {And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an [intermediate] way} [Surah al-Israa’ (17): 110] 220 [TN: It was already mentioned in chapter 9, that before his death, Qusayy had entrusted his son, `Abd al-Daar, with the responsibilities of supplying water to the pilgrims and feeding them, and appointing the standard-bearer of the Quraish, and holding councils in the house (which was known as Daar al-Nadwa). 221 Musannaf Ibn Abee Shaibaa (35829), al-Baihaqee in “al-Dalaail” (2/207). Shaikh al-Albaanee said: “Its chain is “Hasan”.

❝This Aayah was revealed while Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ was hiding himself in Makkah. When he prayed with his companions, he used to raise his voice with the recitation of Qur’aan, and if the Mushriks happened to hear him, they would insult the Qur’aan, the One who revealed it, and the one who brought it. Therefore Allaah said to His Prophet ﷺ: {And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly}, meaning: ‘Do not say your prayer so loudly that the pagans can hear you, nor say it in such a low tone that your Companions do not hear you.’ {…but seek between that an [intermediate] way (between these two extremes)}, meaning: ‘Let your Companions hear, but do not relate the Qur’aan loudly, so that they may hear it from you.’❞ 222 222 Musnad Ahmad (155, 1853), sahih al-Bukhaaree (4722, 7490, 7525, 7547) and sahih Muslim (446-145), all from Abu Bishr, from Sa`eed Ibn Jubair, from Ibn `Abbaas. (Shaikh al-Albaanee said): He (Ibn Katheer) then followed this narration with another narration, from `Ikrimah from Ibn `Abbaas, which is more complete than this but I did not mention it because it is from the narrations of Dawood Ibn al-Husain, from `Ikrimah; and he (Dawood) is “Dha`eef” as mentioned in “al-Taqreeb”.