Nights of Fear in Madinah — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 2
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Nights of Fear in Madinah.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: I – Early Establishment of Madinah and Foundation of the Islamic Government
Pages: Book pp. 31–32 (PDF pp. 55–56)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Death of Walid bin Mughirah and Bloody Intentions of the Quraish] | Next: [Unified Opposition of the Arab Tribes and Delicate State of the Muslims] »
Historical Account
All of these things shed light upon the bloody intentions of the Quraish of Makkah, which they harboured against Islām, after the migration. The Muslims were not unaware of these intentions. Rather, they knew full well that this change in the conduct of the Makkans, would soon bring about its results. Although they firmly believed in the promises of Allāh, but naturally, they were very fearful and apprehensive as well, as to the trials they would be compelled to bear. In the beginning, this fear was so prevalent that the Companions found it difficult to sleep at night in Madīnah, apprehensive of an impending attack. Of course, these dangers were far greater for the Holy Prophetsa as compared to other Muslims. Moreover, since the Holy Prophetsa was most concerned for the security of the Muslims, for this reason, he would remain more alert than others. As such it is narrated in Nasa’ī2:
ِكَانَ رَسُ وْلُ اللّٰهِ صَ لَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَسَ لَّمَ اَوَّلَ مَا قَدِمَ الْمَدِیْنَةَ یَسْ ھَرُ مِنَ اللَّیْل
“In the beginning, when the Holy Prophetsa arrived to Madīnah, he would often remain awake at night.”
A similar narration is also recorded in Bukhārī3 and Muslim:
[Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, Kitābu Faḍā’iliṣ-Ṣaḥābah, Bābu Faḍli Sa‘dibini Abī Waqqāṣ, Ḥadīth No 6230-6231]
ْاَرِقَ النَّبِیُّ صَ لَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَسَ لَّمَ ذَاتَ لَیْلَةٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَیْتَ رَجُ لاً صَ الِحً ا مِنْ اَصْ حَ ابِی
یَحْ رُسُ نِی اللَّیْلَةَ اِذَ سَ مِعْنَا صَ وْتَ السِّ لَاحِ فَقَالَ رَسُ وْلُ صَ لَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَسَ لَّمَ مَنْ ھٰذَا
قَالَ سَ عْدُ بْنُ اَبِیْ وَقَّاصٍ یَا رَسُ وْلَ اللّٰهِ جِ ئْتُ اَحْ رَسَ كَ فَنَامَ النَّبِیُّ صَ لَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَسَ لَّمَ
“One night the Holy Prophetsa remained awake until very late. Then he stated, ‘If a suitable man from among our friends were to stand guard, I may be able to sleep a bit.’ Suddenly we heard the clanking of arms. The Holy Prophet inquired, ‘Who is there?’ ‘O Messenger of Allāh! It is I, Sa‘d bin Abī Waqqāṣ’ was the response, ‘I have come to stand guard.’ It was after this reassurance that the Holy Prophetsa went to sleep.”
Another narration in this very chapter of Muslim specifies that this incident was from the initial era after the migration. It should be remembered that this anxiety of the Holy Prophetsa was not for his own person, rather, it was for the security of Islām and the Muslims. In these days of fear, the Holy Prophetsa considered it necessary to maintain security in Madīnah at night. As such, for this purpose the Holy Prophetsa himself would often remain awake at night, and would also urge other Muslims to remain alert and vigilant. This apprehension of the Holy Prophetsa was not due to fear or cowardice; rather, it was due to caution and vigilance. As far as the inherent bravery and courage of the Holy Prophetsa was concerned, this was accepted by friend and foe alike. As such, there is a narration that one night there was a clamour in Madīnah. People came out of their homes anxiously, and headed in the direction of the clamour. The people had only proceeded a short distance when they saw the Holy Prophetsa returning from the opposite direction, riding on the bare back of the horse of Abū Ṭalḥahra, with his sword hanging at his side. When the Holy Prophetsa drew near, he said to his Companions, “I have investigated the matter. Nothing to worry about, nothing to worry about.” Upon this, the people returned. It seems as if on this night as well, the Holy Prophetsa was awake; and as soon as he heard this clamour, he dashed out immediately on the bare back of the horse of Abū Ṭalḥahra. Before other people could even reach there, he had already investigated, and returned.
[Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, Kitābul-Faḍā’il, Bābu Fī Shajā‘atin-Nabiyyisa, Ḥadīth No. 6006]
Unified Opposition of the Arab Tribes and Delicate State of the Muslims The Quraish of Makkah were not limited merely to those bloody intentions, which have been mentioned above. Rather, they carried out systematic propaganda against the Muslims throughout the Arab tribes. Since they enjoyed a deep influence upon the whole of Arabia on account of their
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Section: I – Early Establishment of Madinah and Foundation of the Islamic Government | Navigation: « Previous: [Death of Walid bin Mughirah and Bloody Intentions of the Quraish] | Next: [Unified Opposition of the Arab Tribes and Delicate State of the Muslims] »