Mecca’s War Criminals

June 16, 2007 – 9:24 am

In the eight year after Hijrah (8AH), the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) and his companions conquered Mecca–without a single sword-swing. 10,000 Muslim warriors arrived at the gates, and the inhabitants of Mecca raised their arms in surrender.

The norm during those days was that when a land is conquered, ALL its people are killed, and its women and children are taken as slaves and property. So when the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) conquered Mecca, the Meccans became frightened. And they should’ve been–this is the man who they slandered, tortured, ridiculed, persecuted, and fought for 21 years.

So what did he (صلي الله عليه وسلم) do when he entered?

He forgave them all.

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

Translation: And We have not sent you (O Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وسلم)) except as a mercy for the universe. [Suratal Anbiyyah, 21:107]

However, there were certain individuals who were not forgiven–war criminals whose opposition reached such a level of intensity and evil, that they could not be forgiven. The Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) gave this list out–these men and women were to be executed, immediately, and there would be no mercy for them–not in this life, and not in the next.

Who were these individuals, Mecca’s war criminals?

  1. Wahshi, a slave who earned his freedom in Uhud by killing the Prophet’s uncle Hamza (رضالله عنه) in Uhud.
  2. Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyaan, who ripped out the liver of Hamza’s (رضالله عنه) body, and ate it. Raw. (The Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: there was never a day more painful to me then the day I stood over the body of my uncle Hamza.)
  3. Abu Sufyaan, who–although decided to become Muslim–had to run for his life to the Prophet, because ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضالله عنه) saw him, and chased after him! (Had ‘Umar (رضالله عنه) reached him before Abu Sufyaan (رضالله عنه) reached the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), ‘Umar (رضالله عنه) would’ve killed him! Though, once he said he wanted to become Muslim, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) forgave him.)
  4. Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl, the son of Abu Jahl; all the Arabs considered the ka’ba sacred, it was their sanctuary–yet, even as he was clinging to the curtains of the ka’ba, they were pulling him away to kill him.
  5. Abdullah ibn Sa’ad

Yet, subhanallah, we see the truth of this ayah–because ALL of these four criminals were forgiven, and all of them accepted Islam. Ikrimah (رضالله عنه) pledged to spend double for Islam what he spent against it; Abdullah ibn Sa’ad (رضالله عنه) became the commander of the Muslim navy; Wahshi killed Musaylimah Al-Kathaab, one of the biggest opponents of Islam during the reign of of Abu Bakr (رضالله عنه).

That’s Islam for you.

References

Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. The Shepherd’s Path. University of Ryerson, Toronto. March 2007.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Seerah | Comments (11)

Two Uncles of the Prophet

June 10, 2007 – 4:25 am

During the 23 years of revelation, the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) had many supporters and opponents, including his two uncles–Abu Talib (the father of Ali (رضالله عنه)), and Abdul ‘Uzza ibn Abdul-Muttalib, aka Abu Lahab.

Subhanallah, even within two uncles of the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم), we see great differences. Compare and constrast them:

Abu Talib:

  • Extended his protection to his nephew, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), even though the Quresh wanted to kill him
  • Wrote strong, emotional poetry during the boycott of Mecca in order to move people towards nullifying it
  • Commanded his sons to sleep in the Prophet’s (صلي الله عليه وسلم) bed at night, so that if any assassins came, the sons would die instead of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم)
  • The Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said regarding him: because of me, he will be in the lightest part of the Hellfire.

Abu Lahab:

  • When the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) stood on Mount Safaa and openly called the people to Islam for the first time, Abu Lahab said May you perish! Have you called us for this?
  • Mocked the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) when his son Ibrahim died
  • Commanded his two sons, who were married to the Prophet’s (صلي الله عليه وسلم) daughters, to divorce them
  • The Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said regarding him: Every nation has a Fir’awn, and the Fir’awn of our nation is Abu Lahab [1].

What are one of the lessons we can learn from this? It doesn’t matter who you are, or who your family is–what matters are your beliefs and your deeds. And Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَى وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوباً وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ

Translation: O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

May Allah make us among those who achieve taqwa, irrespective of who we are–ameen!

References

[1] Abdul Qadeer. “Two Little Warriors.” Madani Forum. 19 Feb. 2007. 9 June 2007 <http://madani.16.forumer.com/a/two-little-warriors_post1995.html>.

Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. The Shepherd’s Path. University of Ryerson, Toronto. March 2007.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Seerah, Tazkiyyah | Comments (6)

The Shepherd’s Path

April 19, 2007 – 6:33 am
The Shepherd’s Path

The Shepherd’s Path is an AlMaghrib Institute course taught by Muhammad Alshareef.

While many of us claim to love the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم), few of us follow his path, and fewer still know more then snatches of information about him. How did he live, and how did he die? What key lesson did the angel Jibreel send by squeezing him three times before the first revelation? What deep and profound lessons can we learn and apply from his life, to our current situation? What would he do if he were in our position today?

Don’t know the answers? Well, read on inshaAllah and find out!

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References

Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. The Shepherd’s Path. University of Ryerson, Toronto. March 2007.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Seerah | Comments (0)

Benefits to Not Fighting Back

March 24, 2007 – 10:47 am

When the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) appeared on the scene in Mecca to proclaim the message of Islam, the Muslims faced ridicule, mockery, opposition, propoganda, and even severe torture up to the point of death–to the point where Muslims would walk through the streets, see their brothers and sisters being severely tortured in front of their eyes.

And Allah revealed the commandment not to fight back. Not in Mecca, not for ten years until they migrated to Medinah.

So you might ask, why? For ten years, they endured unspeakable oppression. Allah knows best about the true purpose and wisdoms of His command, but what are some of the benefits Muslims received from not fighting back?

  • Patience: the Muslims learned patience–hard patience, wrought out over ten years.
  • Obedience: The Muslims learned obedience to their messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) and to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) in all things, even in hard trials.
  • Sympathy: Those non-Muslims around who witnessed this oppression sympathized with the Muslims, and Islam grew silently. (In fact, when the Muslims were boycotted for three years, it was five non-Muslims who stood up and ended the boycott.)
  • Life: if fights broke out–and a few did–what would have happened? A handful of Muslims, in a non-Muslim land? Who would lose? The Muslims! But they didn’t fight, and this preserved their numbers.

Wallahu ‘alim. Post any other benefits you find in the comments inshaAllah.

References

Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. The Shepherd’s Path. University of Ryerson, Toronto. March 2007.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Seerah | Comments (3)

The Role of the Masjid

March 19, 2007 – 6:20 pm

When the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) arrived in Medina, he built a masjid before doing anything else! The masjids the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) built were more than places to pray! Their functions included:

  1. A place for children: not a place where they cried and ran around but a place where they were accommodated. There are several narrations of how when the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) was praying, the children would come and climb on his back or he (صلي الله عليه وسلم) would hold them while praying salah. The masjid was a cool place to hang out, it was where they learned the basic adaab and akhlaaq and principles of the Muslim society.
  2. Educational Center: The masjid acted as a school where the Sahaba were educated and were encouraged to learn more.
  3. Organization of the community: the masjid is where all the organizational events took place. It was in the masjid where the Sahaba learnt to become organized people – how the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) would walk between the saff of the Muslims before every salah, to straighten and correct their saffs.
  4. Hospital: Many who were wounded or sick were tended in the masjid, such as Sa’d ibn Mu’adh (رضي الله عنه) after the Battle of Khandaq.
  5. Shelter: it was a shelter for the poor and needy (nicknamed As-Saffa). This is where people would bring in dates and hang them on the wall of the masjid, so any hungry person could eat from them.
  6. Social life: The Muslims met each other at the masjid five times a day, they got to know each other and were able to actively participate in each others’ lives. If someone was missing, they understood that there was a problem, so they would ask about it. Likewise, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) used to sit with the companions after Fajr sometimes and ask them about their dreams.
  7. Think-Tank: The masjid is where shura and brainstorming took place.
  8. Welcome Centre: Chiefs, delegations and visitors were all met and welcomed at the masjid.
  9. Serenity Spa: if someone had anything bothering them, they would go to the masjid. Like the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم)–when he was upset with his wives, he went to the masjid. The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) would call to Bilal (رضي الله عنه) to make the adhaan and start the prayer.
  10. Bedouin Retreat: Bedouins would come, sit in the majalis, learn the Qur’an, ask their questions, go back home, and teach their people the deen. Whole tribes became Muslim from one or two bedouins!

How far we have fallen from this blessed example of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم)! We should all take it upon ourselves to enliven our masjids–only then will we truly experience the true benefits of them the way the companions did.

References

Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. The Shepherd’s Path. University of Ryerson, Toronto. March 2007.

By ilm candy | Posted in Islam, Sahaba, Seerah | Comments (2)

Leadership Lessons: Power With Conciseness

September 12, 2006 – 10:09 am

Another important gem we learn from the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) and the early generations is that power comes with conciseness.

During the time of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), he received a letter from a man named Musaylimah, who claimed prophethood as well, and wished to divide up the area. In response, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) wrote:

“From Muhammad the Messenger of Allah to Musaylimah the liar. To proceed. Verily, the land belongs to Allah, and He inherits it to whom he wishes. And the outcome will always be for the believers.”

Subhanallah, such a short letter, in which he ripped Musaylimah apart and made it clear that he would be part of no such alliance.

Similarly, when Iyaad ibn Ghanim sent a letter to Khalid bin Walid (رضي الله عنهما) outlining his situation and requesting military assistance, the letter he received in response said only: “You, I seek.” And when Iyaad ibn Ghanim looked up, he saw the army on the horizon.

Take heed of this lesson: power comes with conciseness. When you need to speak out, especially when you’re in positions of leadership, do your best to apply this practice.

Some tips to help you keep it “short and sweet”:

  1. Think before you speak! Before you say a word, make sure you think about what exactly you need to say.
  2. Avoid Fluff! Unless you have a strong reason to expand on your core message, leave it at the bare minimum.
  3. Practice, practice, practice! The more you practice, the easier it gets.

And you can apply this practice to emails, letters, speeches, discussions, everything.

Wallahu ‘alim.

Related Posts: Qualities of Musaylimah, “It has a Ropy Tail and a Trunk.”

References

Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Conquest: History of the Khulafa. University of Toronto, Toronto. November 2005.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Sahaba, Seerah, Tazkiyyah | Comments (0)

Pain Brings Change

February 22, 2006 – 3:53 pm

Pain is often an instigator of change. Pain works as one method to break people out of their cycles or mindsets.

Look at the story of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him. In Mecca, before he became Muslim, he was one of the toughest on the Muslims.

One of his relatives, Umm Abdullah, prepared to leave for Habasha. He asked “where are you going?” and she said “To Habasha. I’m leaving Mecca because of the tightening you’ve put on us.” And he said “may you travel in peace.”

She was shocked. Remember, he (radiallahu ‘an) was one of THE TOUGHEST on the Muslims. So she told her relative “I think he’ll become Muslim” and his relative said “his donkey will become Muslim before hiim”. THat’s how tough he was against the Muslims.
His pain reached threshold–his own relatives leaving, families broken, and he didn’t want it to continue. He went to kill the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم). On the way there, someone stopped him and said “your sister is Muslim, take care of your own family first.”

So he went to his sisters house, and heard her reciting. He slapped her, saw her bleeding, felt bad, calmed down, and asked if he could recite. He recited from Surah Taha. He went to the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم).

Some of the companions with the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) saw ‘Umar coming–one of the toughest, bravest, and fiercest warriors–and said “If he’s coming to kill you, we’ll kill him with his own sword.” And the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said “this is between me and him.”

When ‘Umar (radiallahu ‘an) approached, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said “Hasn’t the time come for you to become Muslim ya ‘Umar.” And ‘Umar replied “I came for that reason. Ashudla ila ha illallah.”

If you use this technique for Islamic work, be very, very careful with it. Always make sure your intentions are 100% correct, and stick to your limits. And in general, brothers respond well to being dissed–they excell. Don’t try it on sisters. (In general, you can always try other techniques–like competing in good deeds.) Wallahu ‘alim.

References

Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Conquest: History of the Khulafa. University of Toronto, Toronto. November 2005.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Islamic Work, Seerah | Comments (0)

Competing to Good Deeds: Abu Dujana and the Prophet’s Sword

February 16, 2006 – 12:11 am

Before the battle of Uhud, when the Muslims were preparing and such, the Prophet, peace be upon him, lifted up his sword and said “who will fight with my sword?”

And all the sahaba were like “me, me”, like “pick me”. The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) put down his sword. Their emotions were raised.

The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) raised it again and said “who will take my sword and give it the haq (right) due to the sword?”

Abu Dujana, may Allah be pleased with him, an Ansar, said “ma haqquha” (what is the right due to it?)

The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said “that you fight with it, and bends from the amount of skulls it hits.”

So Abu Dujana (radiallahu ‘an) said “I’ll do it.”

So the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said “take it.”

Abu Dujana (radiallahu ‘an) got up and took the sword. He put on his red bandanna–and there are narrations about it: “when Abu Dujana puts on his red bandanna, it means death for the other army.”

So he put it on, took the sword, and strutted in front of the other companions, like showing off. He said (to the meaning of) “look what I got, you didn’t get it!” and so on.

The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) smiled and said “This is a walk hated by Allah, and his messenger, except in this context.”

And they did this in battles–competed for good deeds, for the honour of protecting the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), and so on.

The lesson: compete to good deeds, and inshaAllah the work will grow exponentially. One MSA did this for Islam Awareness Week, and the number of professor sponsorships they got jumped from two the year before, to 90. Subnahallah.

They also competed tribally.

May Allah forgive all the companions and enter them into Jannatul Firdaus, and allow us to benefit from their teachings.

References

Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Conquest: History of the Khulafa. University of Toronto, Toronto. November 2005.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Islamic Work, Sahaba, Seerah | Comments (4)

The Qur’an on Battle Tactics

February 12, 2006 – 10:05 pm

In Surah Nisaa, Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ خُذُواْ حِذْرَكُمْ فَانفِرُواْ ثُبَاتٍ أَوِ انفِرُواْ جَمِيعًا

Translation: O ye who believe! Take your precautions, and either go forth in parties or go forth all together (Surah Nisaa, 4:71).1

The message: prepare, and fight in groups.

A related incident: after the battle of Uhud, many tribes targeted the Muslims to take them down once and for all. The day the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) returned from battle, he slept, prayed ‘Isha (alone), and the next day, after Fajr, said “we’re going after [the fleeing army].” And who did he take with him? Only those who fought the day before.

The Qur’an attends to all aspects of life–including battle tactics.

Also, tactics mentioned in the Qur’an, in context of battle techniques, also apply to ideological battles. And as with (physical) wars, with ideological wars, one must prepare and fight.

Wallahu ‘alim.

References

(1) Pickthall, Muhammad M., trans. Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem: Parallel Arabic text with English Translation. One Ummah Network.12 Feb. 2006 <http://www.oneummah.net/quran/quran.html>.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Gems, Islam, Seerah, Tafseer | Comments (1)