Part 29

“Come back to your Lord, well-pleased (yourself) and wellpleasing (unto Him)!” (89:28)

Mathna bin Harithah Sheebani 2 Qais bin ‘Asim Tamimi said:

Sheeban tribe and a famous warrior of

Mathna bin Harithah Sheebani 4

‘Ali bin Abi Talib - narrates that one day the Prophet 38 set out to invite some of the Arab tribes to accept Islam and the way of the Oneness of Allah ‘Ali bin Abi Talib and Abu Bakr Siddig uss ai +, accompanied him. At one spot they saw a group of people sitting and chatting. Abu Bakr Siddigq and said:

“O Prophet of Allah, 38, these are very important people and connected to a very honourable and distinguished tribe. Worldly power and _ glory reaches its zenith in the members of this tribe.”

At that time the foremost leaders of the Banu Sheeban, Mafrooq bin ‘Amr, Hani bin Qabeesa, No’man bin Shareek and Mathna bin Harithah Sheebani were present. Mafrooq bin ‘Amr was the best orator and debater among them.

“My message is that ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone.”

The Quraish have chosen the path of denial and defiance. They have decided to rebel against Allah and His Messenger. I am very hopeful that you will support me.

“Mafroog asked if he had any other message besides this.” The Prophet 3 then recited the following Verses:

“Say (O Muhammad 3%): ‘Come, | will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him, be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty’ — We provide sustenance for you and for them Come not near to Al-Fawdhish (shameful sins and illegal sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand. And come not near to the orphan’s property, except to improve it, until he (or sie) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. — We burden not any person, but that which he can bear — And whenever you give your word (i.e., judge between men or give evidence), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfil the Covenant of Allah. This He commands you that you may remember. And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttagiin.” (6:151-153)

When the wise intellectuals of Banu Sheeban heard these Verses they swore by Allah Almighty that these were not the words uttered by a man belonging to this world. They were certainly divine in origin; they were sweet, yet simple, eloquent and effective. Then he said that they had really enjoyed listening to the Verses and wished to hear some more of the same and gain more pleasure by losing themselves in the beauty of the Divine Verses. Prophet 38 recited this Verse:

“Verily, Allah enjoins Ai-'Adl (i.e., justice) and Al-Ihs@n (i.e., to be patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah’s sake), and giving (help) to kith and kin, and forbids Al-Fahsha’ (ie. all evil deeds), and Al-Munkar (i.e. all that is prohibited by

Islamic law), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression). He admonishes you, that you may take heed.” (16:90)

When Mafroog heard these Verses he exclaimed involuntarily:

“T swear by Allah Almighty that never before in my life have I heard more excellent words which exhort human beings to follow the highest moral code of conduct and encourage noble deeds.”

Then turning towards the Prophet 3%, he said:

“This is Hani bin Qabisah, who has the same faith and beliefs as me. Would you like to listen to what he has to say?”

The Prophet 3% affectionately accepted his offer, and asked Hani to say what he had to say. Hani said:

“T have listened closely and attentively to all that you had to ‘say. Every point that you made is based on truth and righteousness. The Verses that you have recited are very moving and effective. But we can come to no final conclusion so quickly. We would like to discuss things with the other members of our tribe. Hasty decisions often lead to unpleasant after effects. Please give us the time to think and consider. Mathna, the hero of our tribe, the enviable soldier of our tribe, and the pride of our people would also like to say something to you.”

The Prophet 38 turned his attention towards Mathna, who said:

“T heard your speech and very much liked what I heard. Your words leave a very deep impression, but it is not within our power to accept your invitation right away. We have a treaty with the Iranian Empire that we will neither accepts any new movement nor will we assist the person initiating any such movement. It is quite possible that the Iranian Empire may not accept your invitation to a new faith. If this happens it can cause a great deal of trouble for us. Of course if anybody in Arabia places obstacles in your path or tries to create mischief and harm you in any way, we will help you to the best of our ability.”

After hearing the speech of the Banu Sheeban General, Mathna bin Harithah Sheebani 3, the Prophet #8 told him:

“This is very strange. You accept the Truth and yet hesitate. Is it rational to accept what is right and then deny it? It is possible to defend the Faith of Allah only when you accept all its parts and conditions sincerely and wholeheartedly.”

Taking into consideration the vacillation and indecisiveness of Mathna bin Harithah .2, the Prophet 38 rejected his offer of help.

Then he asked him how he would fee if he saw with his own eyes that in a short space of time Allah Almighty had subjugated the whole of Iran. All its resources - agricultural and financial - would be in the possession and control of the Muslims. Would he not then pray to the Almighty and sing paeans in His Praise?

In astonished tones, No’man bin Shareek, asked if this would definitely happen. He asked:

“will you really gain this pomp and grandeur? All this eminence! How great you will be at that time!”

On witnessing their reaction, the Prophet 3€ recited the following Verses:

“O Prophet (Muhammad 38)! Verily, We have sent you as witness, and _a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner, And as one who invites to Allah (Islamic Monotheism) by His Leave, and as a lamp spreading light.” (33:45,46)

He then rose and hand in hand with Abu Bakr Siddiq -% set out for his destination. In this last message he had given the glad tidings of worldly success and gain to the Banu Sheeban, in the event of their accepting Islam.

Tbn Atheer says that when a prominent offshoot of the tribe of Banu Sheeban, namely, the Rabee’ah fought a battle with the Iranians and defeated them, the Prophet 3% said:

”Today the Arabs have taken their revenge on the non-Arabs.”

The great General, Mathna #%, could not avail of this first opportunity

to accept Islam, but he had certainly received the glad tidings of the Banu Sheeban coming into the fold of Islam and playing prominent roles in the Jihad for Islam. These prophetic sayings were proved true in the days to follow. He later converted to Islam and became the source of a great increase in the power and might of the Muslims.

According to some historians, Mathna bin Harithah # had converted to Islam before the Hijrah of the Prophet to Al-Madinah. He had been a member of the first delegation of the Banu Sheeban whom the Prophet 3% had met earlier. The Qur’anic conversation he had with the Prophet 38 influenced him deeply. His heart had accepted the spiritual message, but he had not publicly acknowledged it due to some expediency.

Abu Bakr Siddiq # organised eleven different armies to crush the rebel apostates who had reneged on their oath of allegiance to Islam and Allah Almighty’s Prophet and Messenger. They were sent in different directions to suppress the insurrections which, had broken out in the different areas under the sway of Islam.

2. ‘Ikrimah bin Abu Jahl was charged with the duty of fighting Musailmah Kaththab.

3. Thirdly, he sent Mohajir bin Abu Umayyah % to San‘a’, which is in Yemen to oppose Aswad ‘Ansi.

4, Khalid bin Sa’eed bin ‘Aas was sent to Syria to suppress the rebellions there.

. ‘Umeir bin Aas was sent to tackle the Banu Qadha’ah tribe. . Huthaifah bin Mohsin was sent to ‘Oman.

. Arafjah bin Harishmah was ordered to go to Mehrah people.

. Abu Bakr Siddiq next ordered Suwaid bin Maqran to fight a war against the people of Tahamah in Yemen.

9. Tareefah bin Hadhar -# was sent to battle against Banu Saleem and Banu Hawazan.

10.Sharjeel bin Hasanah was ordered to aid and assist ‘Ikrimah bin Abu Jahl.

11.‘Ala’ bin Hadhrami was sent to Bahrain.