An Inspiring Scene of an Assembly of the Holy Prophet (sa) — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 3
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding An Inspiring Scene of an Assembly of the Holy Prophet (sa).
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: IV – The Treaty of Hudaibiyyah & its Magnificent Outcomes
Pages: Book pp. 127–130 (PDF pp. 145–148)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Commencement of the Discussions on the Treaty with the Quraish] | Next: [Mischief by the Infidels of Makkah] »
Historical Account
attempted to draw the Holy Prophetsa to his point of view. At times, as per the custom of the Arabs, he would touch the blessed beard of the Holy Prophetsa as well, but whenever he did so, a sincere companion named Mughīrah bin Shu‘bahra who was standing by the Holy Prophetsa at the time (and was the paternal nephew of ‘Urwah) would thrust off the hand of ‘Urwah with the sheath of his sword and say, “Keep your filthy hands off the blessed face of the Chosen Prophetsa.” At the time, since the face of Mughīrahra was hidden by a head piece, Urwah, unable to recognise him inquired, “Who is this person?” The people said, “This is Mughīrah bin Shu‘bah.” Urwah furiously and contemptuously said, “O disloyal one, have you forgotten my favour upon you?” Upon this, Mughīrahra felt ashamed. At that time, ‘Urwah looked around in pride but it was this very gaze that inspired him, because at the time, ‘Urwah found the party of the companions gathered around the Holy Prophetsa in the likeness of a candle surrounded by moths. ‘Urwah himself narrates that at the time, the state of the intense love of the Muslims was such as while drinking, even if a droplet of water would fall from the mouth of the Holy Prophetsa, the companions would eagerly take it in their hands and with the thought of acquiring blessings, would rub it upon their faces and their bodies. Whenever the Holy Prophetsa would issue an instruction, people would pounce forward in such a manner as if competing with one another. When the Holy Prophetsa would perform his Wuḍū’, the companions in their eagerness to serve the Holy Prophetsa by providing him water, would move forward as if they were about to burst into a confrontation amongst themselves. When the Holy Prophetsa would speak, his companions would listen silently with complete and utter attention. Moreover, on account of their love and due to the awe of the Holy Prophetsa, the companions could not raise their gazes in front of the Holy Prophetsa.
[The favour of ‘Urwah upon Mughīrah, prior to his accepting Islām, was that he paid the bloodmoney of a few murders committed by him, and among the Arabs a favour was held in very high esteem, which Islām further acknowledgeded.]
[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābush-Shurūṭ, Bābush-Shurūṭi Fil-Jihādi…, Ḥadīth No. 2731-2732]
Upon witnessing these inspiring events and thus concluding his discussions with the Holy Prophetsa, ‘Urwah returned to the Quraish. As soon as he reached them he said to the Quraish, “O Ye people! I have travelled far and wide, I have been to the royal courts of many a king and have been presented before Caesar and Chosroe and the Negus as a representative, but by God, the manner in which I have seen the companions of Muḥammadsa
honour him, I have seen nowhere else.” Then he related the entire experience which he had witnessed in the assembly of the Holy Prophetsa and at the end he said, “Once again, I suggest that the proposal of Muḥammadsa is a just one. We should accept it.” 1
Upon hearing this talk of ‘Urwah, a chieftain of the Banī Kinānah named Ḥulais bin ‘Alqamah, said to the Quraish, “If you please, I shall go to Muḥammadsa.” They said, “Certainly, go.” So, this man came to Ḥudaibiyyah and when the Holy Prophetsa noticed him coming from afar, he said to the companions, “This man who comes towards us, belongs to such a tribe as are pleased with scenes of sacrifice. Quickly gather and bring forth your sacrificial animals, so that he may see why we have come.” Therefore, the companions brought their animals of sacrifice and loudly chanting Takbīr, gathered them before him. When he saw this sight, he began to say, “Glory be to Allāh! Glory be to Allāh! These people are pilgrims! They cannot be barred from performing Ṭawāf of the Baitullāh!” As such, he quickly returned to the Quraish and began to say, “I have seen that the Muslims have placed garlands of sacrifice around the necks of their animals, and they have been marked for sacrifice. It is not at all appropriate to stop them from performing Ṭawāf of the Ka‘bah.” 3
At that time, a severe state of dissent was erupting amongst the Quraish and there became two parties of the Quraish. One party was adamant in sending back the Muslims and was firmly bent upon fighting. The second party however, considering this against their ancient religious customs and was afraid to oppose them and were desirous of an honourable agreement. For this reason, the decision was left pending. Upon this instance, another Arab chieftain named Mikraz bin Ḥafṣ, said to the Quraish, “Let me go, I shall conclude an agreement.” Consequently, the Quraish said, “Alright, why don’t you also attempt and see.” Hence, he went to the Holy Prophetsa. When the Holy Prophetsa saw him from afar, he said, “May God show His grace, for he is indeed a vicious man.” In any case, Mikraz came to the Holy Prophetsa and began to talk. However, he was still speaking when a renowned chieftain of the Quraish named Suhail bin ‘Amr, came before the Holy Prophetsa. Perhaps in their
anxiety, the Quraish had sent him without waiting for the return of Mikraz. Upon noticing the arrival of Suhail, the Holy Prophetsa said, “Here comes Suhail. If God wills, now the matter shall become easy for us.” 2
[The word Suhail has been derived from the Arabic word Sahl which means, ‘ease.’]
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3)
Section: IV – The Treaty of Hudaibiyyah & its Magnificent Outcomes | Navigation: « Previous: [Commencement of the Discussions on the Treaty with the Quraish] | Next: [Mischief by the Infidels of Makkah] »