The Age of Ignorance

After the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah , Isa ibn
Maryam, there was a long period without a Prophet. Light and knowledge
disappeared. Christianity fell into disrepute and became a matter of
sport for the corrupt and the hypocrites. From the verybeginning,
Christianity had been subjected to alterations by extremists and to
interpretations by the ignorant. The simple teaching of the Messiah
was buried beneath the transgressors' evil behaviour.
The Jews had become a society obsessed with rites and rules lacking
all life and spirit. Apart from that, Judaism a tribal religion, did
not carry a message to the world nora summons to other nations nor
mercy to humanity at large.
The Magians were devoted to fire-worship. They built altars and
shrines to fire. Outside the shrines they followedtheir own pursuits.
Eventually, no difference whatever could be discerned between the
Magians and those with no religion or morality.
Buddhism, a religion widespread in India and Central Asia, was
transformed into outright paganism. Altarswere built and images of the
Buddha set up wherever it went.
Hinduism, the basic religion of India, is distinguished by its
millions of idols and gods, and by the unjust separation that exists
between its castes, discrimination between the castes being a harsh
reality of daily life.
The Arabs also suffered from a paganism and idol-worship of the most
abhorrent kind that had no parallel, even in pagan Hindu India. They
were involved in shirk and adopted gods other than Allah. Every tribe,
region or city had a particular idol. Indeed, every house had a
private idol. Inside the Ka'bah, the house which Ibrahim (peace be
upon him) had built for the worship of Allah alone, and in its
courtyard, stood three hundred and sixty idols.
THE ARABIAN PENINSULA:
The morals of the Arabs were corrupted and they were obsessed with
drinking and gambling. Their cruelty and so-called zeal reached the
point where they buried baby girls alive. Raiding was widespread as
well as highway robbery against trading caravans. The position of
women in society was so low that they could be inherited like property
oranimals. Children were murdered because their parents feared the
poverty that would come from raising them. The Arabs were fond of war
and did not hesitate to shed blood. A minor incident could stir up a
war lasting for many years in which thousandsof people would lose
their lives.
CORRUPTION:
In short, at this time, mankind was on a suicidal course. Man had
forgotten his Creator andwas oblivious of himself, his future, and his
destiny. He had lost the ability to distinguish between good and evil,
and what is beautiful andwhat is ugly. Throughout vast regions no one
was concerned with religion at all and no one worshipped his Lord
without associating something with Him. Allah Almighty spoke the truth
when He said: 'Corruption has appearedin the land and sea through what
the hands of People have earned, that He may let them taste some part
of that which they have done, that perhaps they will return.' (30:41)
THE PROPHET(SALLALLAHU ALAIYHI WASSALLAM) IS SENT TO THE ARABIAN PENINSULA:
Allah chose the Arabs to receive the call of Islam and to convey it to
the furthest corners of the world. These people were simple-hearted
with no complicated ideologies which would have been difficult to
remove. While the Greeks, Persians and people of India were arrogant
about their many sciences, their fine literature and their splendid
civilisation, the Arabs followed only simple traditions related to
their desert existence. It was not difficult to sweep these away and
replace them with a freshvision.
The Arabs were in a natural state. When it was difficult for them to
grasp the truth, they fought it. However, whenthe covering was removed
from their eyes, they welcomed the new beginning and, having embraced
it, would risk their lives for it. They were honest and trustworthy,
hardy, courageous and fine horsemen. They also possessed a will of
iron.
In Makkah , a city in the Arabian peninsula, was the Ka'bah which had
been built by Ibrahim and Isma'il (peace be upon them). In it, Allah
alone was to be worshipped and it was tobe a centre for calling people
to tawhid for all time. Tawhid, meaning the Oneness of Allah, is in
sharp contrast with the worship of idols.
The first house established for people was that at Bakkah, a blessed
place and a guidance for the worlds. (3:97)

Before Prophethood

AND THE QURAYSH:
After a long journey, Ibrahim (Alayhis salam) approached Makkah, which
lies in a valley between desolate mountains. As there was no water,
crops could notgrow and human life could not be sustained there.
Accompanied by his wife Hajar and his sonIsma'il, Ibrahim was fleeing
from the cult of idol-worship which had spread throughout the world.
He wanted to establish a centre in which Allah alone would be
worshipped and to which people could be called. It would be a beacon
of guidance and a sanctuary of peace, radiating true faith and
righteousness.
Allah accepted Ibrahim's intention and blessed thespot. After Ibrahim
had left the inhospitable territory, water flowed from a spring to
provide his small family with the means to survive. Hajar and Isma'il
dwelt in this arid place far away from other people. Allah blessed the
spring of Zamzam and, to this day, people continue to drink its water
and to take it with them to all corners of the globe.
While Isma'il was growing up, Ibrahim visited his family. He wanted to
sacrifice Isma'il, who was still onlya child, in order to show that
his love of Allah was greater than his love for his son, just as Allah
had commanded him to in a dream. Isma'il also agreed to Allah's
command that he should be sacrificed. But Allah saved him and provided
a ram from Paradise as a ransom to be sacrificed instead. Isma'ils
survival meant that he would be able to help his father in calling
people to Allah and to become the ancestor of the last Prophet of
Allah, His exalted Messenger.
On a later visit to Makkah,Ibrahim and his son together constructed
the Ka'bah, the House of Allah. They prayed to Allah to accept the
House and to bless their action. They also beseeched Allah to allow
them to live and die in Islam and for Islam to continue after their
death. They asked Allah to send a Prophet from among their descendants
to renew the call of his ancestor Ibrahim and to complete what he had
begun.
'When Ibrahim and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House,
praying, "Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the Hearing, the
Knowing. Our Lord, and make us surrender to You, and make of our
descendants a nation that surrenders to You. Show us our rites and
turn to us, You are the One who turns, the Compassionate. Our Lord,
and send among them a Messenger from among them who will recite to
them Your signs and teach them the Book and the Wisdom and purify
them. You are the Mighty,the Wise. " ' (2: 129-9
Allah blessed their descendants and the family multiplied in that
barren valley. Adnan, a descendant of Isma'il (peace be upon him) had
many children. Among Adnan's descendants Fihr ibn Malik, in
particular, was a distinguished chiefof the tribe. From Fihr's
descendants Qusayy ibn Kilab emerged. He ruled Makkah and held the
keys to the Ka'bah. He inspired obedience, was the guardian of the
waters of Zamzam and was responsible for feeding the pilgrims. He also
presided at the assemblies where the nobles of Makkah gathered for
consultationand he held the banner for war. He alone controlled the
affairs of Makkah.
Among his sons Abd Manaf was the most illustrious, while his eldest
son, Hashim became a great man of the people. He provided food and
water for the pilgrims coming to Makkah. He was the father of
Abdul-Muttalib, the Messenger of Allah's grandfather, who was also in
charge of feeding and giving water to the pilgrims. He was honoured
and held in high esteem by his people and his popularityoutstripped
that of his ancestors. His people loved him.
The descendants of Fihr ibn Malik were called Quraysh. This name came
to predominate over all others and the tribe adopted it. All the Arabs
recognised the excellent lineage and nobility of the Quraysh. Their
eloquence, civility, gallantry and high mindedness were unanimously
accepted.
IDOL WORSHIP IN MAKKAH:
The Quraysh continued tohold to the religion of Ibrahim and Isma'il,
glorifying the creed of tawhid and the worship of Allah alone, until
Amr ibn Luhayy became their chief. He was the first to deviate from
the religion of Isma'il and to set up idols which he encouraged people
to worship. Once he had travelled from Makkah to Syria on business
where he saw people worshipping idols. He was so impressed that he
brought some idols back to Makkah and set them up, commanding the
people there to venerate them.
Traditionally some people would take a few stones from the Haram, the
sanctuary, with them when they travelled fromMakkah as a token of
respect for the holy spot. This led to the day when they began to
worship any stones they liked. Later generations lost track of the
reasons why stones were originally venerated and the Quraysh were
happy to worship stone idols just like the people were doing in
surrounding countries.
THE EVENT OF THE ELEPHANT:
During this period a significant event took place which portended
another happening of even greater importance.It meant that Allah
desired a better future for the Arabs and that theKa'bah would take on
an importance never before attained by any place of worship anywhere
in theworld.
Abrahah al-Ashram, the viceroy of Negus, the King of Abyssinia, who
ruled over the Yemen, built an imposing cathedral in San'a' and named
it 'al-Qullays'. He intended to divert the Arab pilgrimage to San'a'.
As a Christian, he was jealous that the Ka'bah should be the place
where pilgrims gathered and he wanted this position for his church.
The Arabs were stunned by the news. They could not equate any other
place with the love and respect they had for the Ka'bah. They could
not contemplate exchanging it for any other house of worship. They
were preoccupied with the news and discussed it endlessly. An Arab
daredevil from the Kinanah tribe went so faras to enter the cathedral
and defecate in it. Abrahah was furious when he heard about it and
swore that he would not rest until he had destroyed the Ka'bah.
He set out for Makkah with a strong force that included elephants. The
Arabs had heard some frightening stories about elephants. They were
both distressed and alarmed. Although they wanted to obstruct the
progress of Abrahah's army, they realised that they lacked the power
to fight him. They could only leave the matter to Allah and trust to
the fact that He was the Lord of the Ka'bah and would protect it. This
trust is amply demonstrated by aconversation between Abrahah and the
leader of the Quraysh, Abdul-Muttalib, the grandfatherof the Prophet.
Abrahah had seized two hundred camels of his, so Abdul-Muttalib sought
permission to see him. Abrahah treated him with respect, descended
from his throne and sat down beside him. When Abrahah asked what he
wanted, Abdul-Muttalib replied, 'I want you to return my two hundred
camels.'
Abrahah was taken by surprise. He asked, 'Do you wish to speak to me
about your two hundred camels that I have taken but say nothing about
the House on which your religion and that of your forefathers depends
I have come to destroy it, yet you do not speak to me about it!'
Abdul-Muttalib replied, 'I am the owner of the camels. The House also
has an Owner. He will defend 'It will not be defended against me,'
retorted Abrahah. 'That remains to be seen,' said Abdul-Muttalib.
As Abrahah's force drew near, the Quraysh hid high up in the
mountainsand down in the ravines. They feared the army's approach and
waited to see how Allah would savethe sacred sanctuary. Abdul-Muttalib
stood with a group of Quraysh and took hold of the door of the Ka'bah,
imploring Allah to help them against Abrahah and his army.
Abrahah drew up his soldiers to enter Makkah fully intending to
destroythe House. His elephant, whose name was Mahmud, was prepared
for the attack. However, the elephant knelt down on the road and
refused to get up in spite of severe beatings. When they turned it to
face Yemen it got up immediately and moved off.
Allah then sent flocks of birds from the sea; each bird carried stones
in its claws. Whenever a stone struck one of Abrahah's soldiers it
killed him. The Abyssinians fled in terror,rushing back as the stones
hit them. Abrahah was badly hurt. When his soldiers tried to take him
with them, his limbs fell off one by one. They tookhim to San'a' where
he died a miserable death. The Qur'an relates:
'Have you not seen What your Lord did with the people of the Elephant?
Did He not make their plan come to nothing. He sent birds against them
in flocks, stoning them with stones of baked clay. He made them like
eaten stubble.'(l 05: 1-5)
When Allah repelled the Abyssinians from Makkah,the Arabs respect for
the Quraysh increased. They said, 'These are the people of Allah.
Allah fought on their side and helped them to defeat their enemy.'
The Arabs attached great importance to this event and rightly so. They
dated their calendar from it, saying, 'This occurred in the Year of
the Elephant,' and 'So-and-so was born in the Year of the Elephant' or
'This occurred so manyyears after the Year of the Elephant.' The Year
ofthe Elephant was 570 in the Christian calendar.
ABDULLAH AND AMINAH:
Abdul-Muttalib, chief of the Quraysh, had ten sons. Abdullah, the
tenth, was the noblest and his father married him to Aminah, daughter
of Wahb, leader of the BanuZuhrah. At that time, her lineage and
position made her the best woman in the Quraysh.
However before long Abdullah died, leaving a pregnant wife who was to
become the mother of the Messenger of Allah. Aminah saw many signs and
indications that her son would become an important figure in the
future.
NOBLE BIRTH AND PURE LINEAGE:
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was
born on Monday, 12 Rabi'al-Awwal, in the Year of the Elephant (570
C.E.). It was the happiest day ever. His ancestry can be traced back
to the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
His full name is Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib ibn Hashim
ibn Abd Manaf ibn Qusayy ibn Kilab ibn Murrah ibn Ka'b ibn Lu'ayy ibn
Ghalib ibn Fihribn Malik ibn an-Nadr ibnKinanah ibn Khuzaymah ibn
Mudrikah ibn Ilyas ibn Mudar ibn Nizar ibn Ma'add ibn Adnan. The
lineage of Adnan goes back to the Prophet Isma'il, the son of the
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon both of them).
The Prophet's mother sent a message to his grandfather,
Abdul-Muttalib, telling him that she had given birth to a boy. He came
and looked at the baby lovingly. Then he picked him up and took him
into the Ka'bah. He praised Allah and prayed for his grandson whom he
named Muhammad. The Arabs were not familiar with this name and were
surprised by it.
BABYHOOD:
It was the custom in Makkah for suckling babies to be put in the care
of a desert tribe where they grew up in the traditional healthy
outdoor environment. Abdul-Muttalib looked fora wet-nurse for his
fatherless grandson, whom he loved more than all his children. Halimah
as-Sa'diyah who received this good fortune had left her home to find a
suckling child. It was a year of severe drought and her people were
suffering hardship. They needed some income, The baby (may Allah bless
him and grant him peace) had been offered to many nurses but they had
refused him, because they were hoping for a good payment from the
child's father. 'An orphan!' they would exclaim, 'What can his mother
or grandfather do!'
Halimah also left him at first but her heart had warmed to him. Allah
inspired her with love forthis baby so she returnedto fetch him and
took him home with her. Up until this time she had been an unlucky
person but now she found countless blessings. Her animals' udders and
her own breasts overflowed with milk and her aged camel and lame
donkey were rejuvenated. Everyone said, 'Halimah you have taken a
blessed child.' Her friends envied her.
She continued to enjoy prosperity from Allah until the baby had spent
two years with the Banu Sa'd and was weaned. Hewas growing up
differently from the other children. Halimah took him to his mother
and asked if she could keep him for a longer- period and Aminah
agreed.
While the infant, who was to become the Messenger of Allah, was with
the Banu Sa'd two angels came and split open his chest. They removed a
black clot from his heart and threw it away. Then they cleansed his
heart and replaced it.
He tended sheep with hisfoster brothers and was reared in an
uncomplicated, natural environment. He lived the healthy life of the
desert and spoke the pure Arabic for which theBanu Sa'd ibn Bakr were
famous. He was sociable and popular. His foster brothers loved him and
he loved them.
Eventually he returned toMakkah to live with his mother and
grandfather. He thrived under Allah's care and grew up to be healthy
and strong.
THE DEATHS OF AMINAH AND ABDUL-MUTTALIB:
When the Messenger of Allah was six years old, his mother, Aminah,
died.She had taken him to Yathrib to visit her relatives and on the
journey back her death occurred at al-Abwa between Makkah and Madinah
. Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) must have felt very
lonely at this time but he went to stay with his grandfather who was
extremely kind to him. Hewould sit Muhammad (peace and blessings be
upon him) on his favourite seat in the shade of the Ka'bah and
affectionately caress him.
When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless himand grant him peace)
was eight, Abdul-Muttalibalso died.
HIS UNCLE,ABU TALIB:
The Messenger of Allah then went to live with hisuncle, Abu Talib, the
full brother of his father, Abdullah. Abdul-Muttalib had told Abu
Talib to takegood care of the boy so he was always protective towards
him. He treated him with more kindness than he showed to his own sons,
Ali, Ja'far and Aqil.
DIVINE TRAINING:
As he grew up, the Messenger of Allah was protected by Allah Almighty.
He distanced himself from the obscenities and bad habits of the
Jahiliyyah. He outshone everyone in manliness, character, modesty,
truthfulness, and trustworthiness. He earned respect and the name
'trustworthy'. He respected family ties and shared the burdens of
others. He honoured his guests and demonstratedpiety and fear of God.
He always provided his own food and was content with simple meals.
When he was about fourteen years old, the Fijar War broke out between
the tribes of Quraysh and Qays. The Messenger of Allah was atsome of
the battles, passing arrows for his uncles to fire. He learned about
war and about horsemanship and chivalry during these tribal
encounters.
MARRIAGE TO KHADIJA(R.A.):
When the Messenger of Allah was twenty-five, he married Khadijah bint
Khuwaylid, a Qurayshi woman of excellent character who was then forty
years of age. She had a fine intellect, noblecharacter and great
wealth. She had been widowed when her husband, Abu Halah, died.
Khadijah was a businesswoman who hired men to trade goodsfor her and
gave them a share of her profits. The Quraysh were a merchantpeople.
She tested the truthfulness of the Messenger of Allah, his noble
character and his sincerity when he took some of her goods to Syria to
trade. When she was told about his outstanding competence on this
journey she expressed her desire to marry him although she had refused
the offer of many noblemen of the Quraysh. The Messenger of Allah also
wished to marry her. His uncle Hamzah conveyed the khutbah, the
marriage proposal, to Khadijah's family and they all readily agreed to
it. When the marriage took place Abu Talib delivered the khutbah at
the ceremony.
Khadijah was the first woman that the Messenger of Allah married and
she bore him all his children except Ibrahim.
REBUILDING THE KA'BAH:
When the Messenger of Allah was thirty-five, the Quraysh decided to
rebuild the Ka'bah. Apart from needing a new roof, they found that the
stone walls, that were higher than a man's head, had no clay to
bindthe stones together. Theyhad no alternative but to demolish the
building and erect it again.
When the rebuilding had reached the point where the traditional Black
Stone had to be put in place, they began to argue. Each clan wanted to
have the honour of carrying out this prestigious task. They began to
argue fiercely among themselves. During these pagan days far more
trivial issues than this could spark off a war.
They prepared to fight. The Banu Abdu'd-Dar brought a large bowl
filled with blood. They and the Banu Adi put their hands in the blood
and took a vow to fight to the death.
It was a sign of death and evil. The Quraysh remained in that sorry
state for several days, before agreeing that the first person to enter
the door of the mosque should make the decisionabout placing the Black
Stone. The first to enter was the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless
himand grant him peace). When they saw him, they said, 'This is the
trustworthy one. We are pleased. This is Muhammad.'
The Messenger of Allah called for a piece of cloth He took the stone
and placed it in the centre of the cloth. Then he said that each clan
should take a corner of the clothand lift it together. They did this,
bringing it to its position. He put the BlackStone in place with his
own hands, and then the building continued.
This was how the Messenger of Allah prevented a war from breaking out
among the Quraysh by a supreme demonstration of wisdom.
HILF AL-FUDUL:
The Messenger of Allah was present at the Hilf al-Fudul. This was the
most renowned alliance ever heard of in Arabia. Itwas formed because a
man from Zabid had arrived in Makkah with some merchandise and al-As
ibn Wa'il, one of theQuraysh nobles, bought goods from him and
thenwithheld payment. The Zabidi asked the Quraysh nobles for help
against al-As ibn Wa'il, but they refused to intervene because of his
position. The Zabidi then appealedto the people of Makkah as a whole
for support.
All the fair-minded youngmen were full of enthusiasm to put the matter
right. They met in the house of Abdullah ibnJud'an who prepared food
for them. They made a covenant by Allahthat they would unite with the
wronged man against the one who had wronged him until the matter was
settled. The Arabs called that pact Hilf al-Fudul, 'The Alliance of
Excellence'. They said, 'These people have entered into a state of
excellence.' Then they went to al-As ibn Wa'il and took from him what
he owed to the Zabidi and handed it over.
The Messenger of Allah was proud of this alliance. He held it in such
high esteem that, after receiving the message of Islam, he said,'In
the house of Abdullah ibn Jud'an I was present at an alliance which
was such that if I was invited to take part in it now in Islam, I
would still do so.' The Quraysh pledged to restore to everyone whatwas
their due and not to allow any aggressor to get the better of those
hehad wronged.
In Allah's wisdom, His Messenger was allowed to grow up unlettered. He
could neither read norwrite. Thus, he could never be accused by his
enemies of altering otherideologies. The Qur'an indicates this when it
says, 'Before this you did not recite any Book nor write it with your
right hand for then those who follow falsehood would have doubted.'
(29: 48)
The Qur'an called him 'unlettered' and said, 'those who follow the
Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, whom they find written down with
them in the Torah and Evangel.' (7:157)

Story,- The Boats of the Glen Carrig: Chapter 10

X
THE LIGHT IN THE WEED
NOW THE WIND was very violent from the sea, andthreatened to blow down
our tent, the which, indeed, it achieved at last as we made an end of
a cheerless breakfast. Yet, the bo'sun bade us not trouble to put it
up again; but spread it out with the edges raised upon props made from
the reeds, so that we might catch some of the rain water; for it was
become imperative that we should renew our supply before putting out
again to sea. And whilst some of us were busied about this, he took
the others and set up a small tent made of the spare canvas, and under
this he sheltered all of our matters like to be harmed by the rain.
In a little, the rain continuing very violent, we had near a
breaker-full of water collected in the canvas, and were about to run
it off into one of the breakers, when the bo'sun cried out to us to
hold, and first taste the water before we mixed it with that which we
had already. At that, we put down our hands and scooped up some of the
water to taste, and thus we discovered it to be brackish and quite
undrinkable, at which I was amazed, until the bo'sun reminded us that
the canvas had been saturated for many days with salt water, so that
itwould take a great quantity of fresh before all the salt was washed
out. Then he told us to lay it flat upon the beach, and scour it well
on both sides with the sand, which we did, and afterwards let the rain
rinse it well, whereupon the next water that we caught we found to be
near fresh; though not sufficiently so for our purpose. Yet when we
had rinsed it once more, it became clear of the salt, so that we were
able to keep all that we caught further.
And then, something before noon, the rain ceased to fall, though
coming again at odd times in short squalls; yetthe wind died not, but
blew steadily, and continued so from that quarter during the remainder
of the time that we were upon the island.
Upon the ceasing of the rain, the bo'sun called usall together, that
we might make a decent burial of the unfortunatelad, whose remains had
lain during the night upon one of the bottom-boards of the boat. After
a little discussion, it was decided to bury him in the beach; for the
only part where there was soft earth was in the valley, and none of us
had a stomach for that place. Moreover, the sand was soft and easy to
dig, and as we had no proper tools, this was a great consideration.
Presently, using the bottom-boards and the oars and the hatchet, wehad
a place large and deep enough to hold theboy, and into this we placed
him. We made no prayer over him; but stood about the grave for a
little space, in silence. Then, the bo'sun signed to us to fill in the
sand; and, therewith, wecovered up the poor lad, and left him to his
sleep.
And, presently, we made our dinner, after which the bo'sun served out
to each one of us a very sound tot of the rum; for he was minded to
bring us back again to a cheerful state of mind.
After we had sat awhile, smoking, the bo'sun divided us into two
parties to make a search through the island among the rocks, perchance
we should find water, collected from the rain, among thehollows and
crevasses; for though we had gotten some, through our device with the
sail, yet we had by no means caught sufficient for our needs. He was
especially anxious for haste, in thatthe sun had come out again; for
he was feared that such small pools as we should find would bespeedily
dried up by its heat.
Now the bo'sun headed one party, and set the big seaman over the
other, bidding all to keep their weapons veryhandy. Then he set out to
the rocks about the base of the nearer hill, sending the others to
thefarther and greater one, and in each party we carried an empty
breaker slung from a couple of the stout reeds, so that we might put
all such driblets as we should find, straight away into it, before
they had time to vanish into the hot air; and for the purpose of
bailing up the water, we had brought with us our tin pannikins, and
one of the boat's bailers.
In a while, and after much scrambling amid the rocks, we came upona
little pool of water thatwas remarkably sweet and fresh, and from this
we removed near three gallons before it became dry; and after that we
came across, maybe, five or six others; but not oneof them near so big
as the first; yet we were notdispleased; for we had near three parts
filled the breaker, and so we made back to the camp, having some
wonder as to the luck of the other party.
When we came near the camp, we found the others returned before us,
and seeming in a veryhigh content with themselves; so that we had no
need to call to them as to whether they had filled their breaker. When
they saw us, they set out to us at a run to tell us that they had come
upon a great basinof fresh water in a deep hollow a third of the
distance up the side of the far hill, and at this the bo'sun bade us
put down our breaker and make all of us to the hill, so that he might
examine for himself whether their news was so good as it seemed.
Presently, being guided by the other party, we passed around to the
back of the far hill, and discovered it to go upward to the top at an
easy slope, with many ledges and broken places, so that it was scarce
more difficult than a stair to climb. Andso, having climbed perhaps
ninety or a hundred feet, we came suddenly upon the place which held
the water, and found that they had not made too much of their
discovery; for the pool was near twenty feet long by twelve broad, and
so clear as though it had come froma fountain; yet it had considerable
depth, as we discovered by thrusting a spear shaft down into it.
Now the bo'sun, having seen for himself how good a supply of water
there was for our needs, seemed very much relieved in his mind, and
declared that within three days at the most we might leave the island,
at which we felt none of us any regret. Indeed, had the boat escaped
harm, we had been able to leave that same day; but this could not be;
for there was much to be done before we had her seaworthy again.
Having waited until the bo'sun had made complete his examination, we
turned to descend, thinking thatthis would be the bo'sun's intention;
but he called to us to stay, and, looking back, we saw that he made to
finish the ascent of the hill. At that, we hastened to follow him;
though we had no notion of his reason for going higher. Presently, we
were cometo the top, and here we found a very spacious place, nicely
level save that in one or two parts it was crossed by deepish cracks,
maybe half a foot to a foot wide, and perhaps three to six fathoms
long; but, apart from these and some great boulders, it was, as I have
mentioned, a spacious place; moreover it was bone dry and pleasantly
firm under one's feet, after so long upon the sand.
I think, even thus early, I had some notion of the bo'sun's design;
for I went to the edge that overlooked the valley, and peered down,
and, finding it nigh a sheer precipice, found myself nodding my head,
as though it were in accordance with some part formed wish. Presently,
looking about me, I discovered the bo'sun to be surveying that part
which looked over towards the weed, and I made across to joinhim.
Here, again, I saw that the hill fell away very sheer, and after
thatwe went across to the seaward edge, and thereit was near as abrupt
as on the weed side.
Then, having by this timethought a little upon the matter, I put it
straight to the bo'sun that here would make indeed a very secure
camping place, with nothing to come at us upon our sides or back; and
our front, where was the slope, could be watched with ease. And this I
put to him with great warmth; for I was mortally in dread of the
coming night,
Now when I had made an end of speaking, the bo'sun disclosed to me
that this was, as I had suspicion, his intent, andimmediately he
called to the men that we should haste down, and ship our camp to the
top of the hill. At that, the men expressed their approbation, and we
made haste every one of us to the camp, and began straightway to move
our gear to the hill-top.
In the meanwhile, the bo'sun, taking me to assist him, set-to again
upon the boat, being intent to get his batten nicely shaped and fit to
the side of the keel, so that it would bed well to the keel, but more
particularly to the plank which had sprung outward from its place. And
at this he laboured the greater part of that afternoon, using the
little hatchet to shape the wood, which he did with surprising skill;
yet when the evening was come, he had not brought it to his liking.
But it must not be thought that he did naught but work at the boat;
for he had the mento direct, and once he had to make his way to the
top of the hill to fix the place for the tent. And after the tent was
up, he set them to carry the dry weed to the new camp, and at this he
keptthem until near dusk; forhe had vowed never again to be without a
sufficiency of fuel. But two of the men he sent to collect
shell-fish--putting two of them to the task, because he would not have
one alone upon the island, not knowing but that there might be danger,
even though it were bright day; and a most happy ruling it proved;
for, a little past the middle of the afternoon, we heard them shouting
at the other end of the valley, and, not knowing but that they were in
need of assistance, we ran with all haste to discover the reason of
their calling, passing along the right-hand side of the blackened and
sodden vale. Upon reaching the further beach, we saw a most incredible
sight; for the two men were running towards us through the thick
masses of the weed, while, no more than four or five fathomsbehind,
they were pursued by an enormouscrab. Now I had thought the crab we
had tried to capture before coming to the island, a prodigy
unsurpassed; but this creature was more than treble its size, seeming
asthough a prodigious table were a-chase of them, and moreover, spite
of its monstrous bulk, it made better way over the weed than I should
have conceived to be possible--running almost sideways, and with one
enormous clawraised near a dozen feet into the air.
Now whether, omitting accidents, the men would have made good their
escape to the firmer ground of the valley, where they could have
attained to a greater speed, I do not know; but suddenly one of them
tripped over a loop of the weed, and the next instant lay helpless
upon his face. He had been dead the following moment, but for the
pluck of his companion, who faced round manfully upon themonster, and
ran at it with his twenty-foot spear. It seemed to me that the spear
took it about a foot below the overhanging armour of the great back
shell, and I could see that it penetrated some distance into the
creature, the man having, by the aid of Providence, stricken it in a
vulnerable part. Upon receiving this thrust, the mighty crab ceased at
once its pursuit, and clipped at the haft of thespear with its great
mandible, snapping the weapon more easily than I had done the same
thing to a straw. Bythe time we had raced up to the men, the one who
had stumbled was again upon his feet, and turning to assist his
comrade; but the bo'sun snatched his spear from him, and leapt forward
himself; for the crab was making now at the otherman. Now the bo'sun
didnot attempt to thrust thespear into the monster; but instead he
made twoswift blows at the great protruding eyes, and in amoment the
creature had curled itself up, helpless, save that the huge claw waved
about aimlessly. At that, the bo'sun drew us off, though the man who
had attacked the crab desired to make an end of it, averring that we
should get some very good eating out of it; but to this the bo'sun
would not listen, telling him that it was yet capable of very deadly
mischief, did any but come within reach of its prodigious mandible.
And after this, he bade them look no more for shellfish; but take out
the two fishing-lines which we had, and see ifthey could catch aught
from some safe ledge on the further side of the hill upon which we had
made our camp. Then he returned to his mending of the boat.
It was a little before the evening came down upon the island, that the
bo'sun ceased work; and, after that, he called to the men, who, having
made an end of their fuel carrying, were standing near, to place the
full breakers--which we had not thought needful to carry to the new
camp on account of their weight--under the upturned boat, some holding
up the gunnel whilst the others pushed them under. Then the bo'sun
laid the unfinished batten along with them, and we lowered the boat
again over all, trusting to its weight to prevent any creature from
meddling with aught.
After that, we made at once to the camp, being wearifully tired, and
with a hearty anticipation of supper. Upon reaching the hilltop, the
men whom the bo'sun had sent withthe lines, came to show him a very
fine fish, something like to a hugeking-fish, which they had caught a
few minutes earlier. This, the bo'sun, after examining, did not
hesitate to pronounce fit for food; whereupon they set-to and opened
and cleanedit. Now, as I have said, it was not unlike a great
king-fish, and like it, hada mouth full of very formidable teeth; the
useof which I understood the better when I saw the contents of its
stomach, which seemed to consist of nothing but the coiled tentacles
of squid or cuttle-fish, with which, as I have shown, the
weed-continent swarmed. When these were upset upon the rock, I was
confounded to perceive the length and thickness of some of them; and
could only conceive that this particular fish must be a very desperate
enemy to them, and able successfully to attack monsters of a bulk
infinitely greater than itsown.
After this, and whilst the supper was preparing, the bo'sun called to
some of the men to put up a piece of the spare canvas upon a couple of
the reeds, so as to make a screen against the wind, which up there was
so fresh that it came near at times to scattering the fire abroad.
This they found not difficult; for a little on the windward side of
the fire there ran one of the cracks of which I have made previous
mention, and into this they jammed the supports, and so in a very
little time had the fire screened.
Presently, the supper was ready, and I found the fish to be very fair
eating; though somewhat coarse; but this was no great matter for
concern with so empty a stomach as I contained. And here I would
remark, that we made our fishing save our provisions through all our
stay on the island.Then, after we had cometo an end of our eating, we
lay down to a most comfortable smoke; for we had no fear of attack,at
that height, and with precipices upon all sides save that which lay in
front. Yet, so soon as we had rested and smoked awhile, the bo'sun set
the watches; for he would run no risk through carelessness.
By this time the night was drawing on apace; yet it was not so dark
but that one could perceive matters at a very reasonable distance.
Presently, being in a mood that tended to thoughtfulness, and feeling
a desire to be alone for a little, I strolled away from the fire to
the leeward edge of the hill-top. Here, I paced up and down awhile,
smoking and meditating. Anon, I would stare out across the immensity
of the vastcontinent of weed and slime that stretched its incredible
desolation outbeyond the darkening horizon, and there would come the
thoughtto me of the terror of men whose vessels had been entangled
among its strange growths, and so my thoughts came to the lone
derelict that lay out there in the dusk, and I fell to wondering what
had been the end of her people, and at that I grew yet more solemn in
my heart. For it seemed to me that they must have died at last by
starvation, and if not by that, then by the act of some one of the
devil-creatures which inhabited that lonely weed-world. And then, even
as I fell upon this thought, the bo'sun claptme upon the shoulder, and
told me in a very hearty way to come to the light of the fire, and
banish all melancholy thoughts; for he had a very penetrating
discernment, and had followed me quietly from the camping place,
having had reason once or twice before to chide me for gloomy
meditations. And for this,and many other matters, I had grown to like
the man, the which I could almost believe at times, was his regarding
of me;but his words were too few for me to gather his feelings; though
I had hope that they were as I surmised.
And so I came back to the fire, and presently, it not being my time to
watch until after midnight, I turned into the tent for a spell of
sleep, having first arranged a comfortable spread of some of the
softer portions of the dryweed to make me a bed.
Now I was very full of sleep, so that I slept heavily, and in this
wise heard not the man on watch call the bo'sun; yetthe rousing of the
otherswaked me, and so I cameto myself and found the tent empty, at
which I ran very hurriedly to the doorway, and so discovered that
there was a clear moon in the sky, the which, by reasonof the
cloudiness that had prevailed, we had been without for the past two
nights, Moreover, the sultriness had gone, the wind having blown it
away with the clouds; yet though, maybe, I appreciated this, it was
but in a half-conscious manner; for I was put about to discover the
whereabouts of the men,and the reason of their leaving the tent. With
this purpose, I stepped out from the entrance, and the following
instant discovered them all in a clump beside the leeward edge of the
hill-top. At that, I held mytongue; for I knew not but that silence
might betheir desire; but I ran hastily over to them, andinquired of
the bo'sun what manner of thing it was which called them from their
sleep, and he, for answer, pointed out into the greatness of the
weed-continent.
At that, I stared out over the breadth of the weed,showing very
ghostly in the moonlight; but, for the moment, I saw not the thing to
which he purposed to draw my attention. Then, suddenly, it fell within
the circle of my gaze--a little light out in the lonesomeness. For the
space of some moments, I stared with bewildered eyes; then it came to
me with abruptness that the light shone from the lone derelict lying
out in the weed, the same that upon that very evening, Ihad looked
with sorrow and awe, because of the end of those who had been in
her--and now, behold, a light burning, seemingly within one of her
after cabins; though the moon was scarce powerful enough to enable the
outline of thehulk to be seen clear of the rounding wilderness.
And from this time, until the day, we had no moresleep; but made up
the fire, and sat round it, fullof excitement and wonder, and getting
up continually to discover if the light still burned. This it ceased
to do about an hour after I had first seen it; but it was the more
proof that some of our kind were no more than the half of a mile from
our camp.
And at last the day came. [ tobe continued....]

Imam Mahdi (as),- Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (May Allah hastens his graciousappearance): Sun BehindThe Clouds

Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (May Allah hastens his graciousappearance): Sun
BehindThe Clouds
Huda has sat in front of her computer, and her love out of curiosity
has pushed her to search inside some Islamic Web sites . During that
time, she has faced some questions about Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (May Allah
hastens his gracious appearance). And this haspushed her to look
deeply in her readings, but she has found herselfpowerless to solve
them. Therefore, she has brought her private copybook about Al-Imam
Al-Mahdi (May Allah hastens his gracious appearance), and she
hasrecorded all the questions in order to get enough and satisfied
answers. After she has finished, she has closed her computer. Then,
she has begun to look for hermother inside the house, but she has not
found her. Thus, she has gone to the garden, and she has found her
grandmother sitting there.
Huda: Oh! My grandmother, where is my mother, I have been looking for her?
Grandmother: She has gone to the neighbor, and she will come soon.
Huda: Well, I will sit with you for awhile, until the return of my
mother. But you have to tell me "why are you sitting alone?"
Grandmother: I like to enjoy the Sun light, because our bodies need
this kind of light.
Huda: But the sky is covered with clouds, and cloud has kept the Sun.
Grandmother: This does not form an obstacle. Though, light can reach
us. But can you tell me about the copybook in your hand?
Huda: It is a note book about Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (May Allah hastens his
gracious appearance); you have made me remember to ask you, mydear
grandmother.
Grandmother: I am at your command, with pleasure.
Huda: There are people who say that the Shiites believe in a hidden
Imam. And he has disappeared for more than one thousand year. Until
now, they talk about him and mention his favors and they are
continually calling Allah (SWT) to support him. And they are waiting
his appearance to fill the earth with justice. But nowadays he is
hidden. What is the benefit whichpeople will get from this
disappearance? And I have seen some web siteshave dared to say that
there is no difference between the existence ofAl-Imam Al-Mahdi (May
Allah hastens his graciousappearance) and his absence. In both cases,
there is no difference. The grandmother has smiled after she has heard
that speech.
Huda: Why do you laugh?
Grandmother: I have laughed about the bats' speech.
Huda: The bats' speech?
Grandmother: Yes, my dear. This question has made me remember a tale I
have heard from myteacher; when I have been at your age.
Huda: What is that tale?
Grandmother: I will answer these questions, and then I will narrate
the tale of "blind bat".
Huda: Well my grandmother. I am eager to hear you, and my pen is ready
to record your answers.
Grandmother: Huda you have to know that the main reasons behind asking
these wicked questions is that those people have weak faith and lack
of knowledge intheir God and his Holy Book. What I want to say:Is it
reasonable to say that anything we can notsee is useless?
Huda: Are there things we can not see them, andwe can get benefits from them?
Grandmother: Yes, my dear. I will give a simple example. Can you tell
me that there is a person hasseen the air which is considered the main
element of life?
Huda: No one has seen it.
Grandmother: If we can not see it, can we deny its effect in the life
of human beings?
Huda: Absolutely not.
Grandmother: Therefore, there is a similarity between the existence
ofAl-Imam Al-Mahdi (May Allah hastens his graciousappearance) and the
existence of air. All beings depend in her existence upon Him, but he
is hidden. His disappearance dose not mean that beings become
independent, and not in need of him? Absolutely, they are in need of
him in every minute, because the earth must have a successor from
Allah (SWT). Otherwise, the earth will be filled with chaos.
Huda: I can say that this isthe first benefit.
Grandmother: Yes, my dear. The existence of Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (May
Allah hastens his graciousappearance) is a source of getting knowledge
and faith. Therefore, whodoes not know the Imam of his era, he will
die as those who do not believein Islam in the earlier ages.
Huda: This is the second benefit.
Grandmother: You know my dear that Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (May Allah hastens
his gracious appearance) is the right Imam who is chosen by Allah
(SWT) in our era to be a witness for us in the Hereafter. If he is not
existed in our world, who will be a witness for us in the Hereafter?
Huda: This is the third benefit.
Grandmother: His existence among us is considered a source of safety
and stability for ourselves, because his existence as the existenceof
the prophet of Allah (Allah's blessings be uponhim and his progeny).
If we are assured of his existence, even if he is absent. We will know
that torture will be away from us and mercy will include us. And his
existence has to be a reliable source of safety and stability.
Huda: This is another great benefit.
Grandmother: The existence of Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (May Allah hastens his
gracious appearance) is a kind of mercy for us, he helps poor people,
guide the lost people, and save the believers. Do you see how many
sick man was recovered by the blessings of Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (May Allah
hastens his gracious appearance).
Huda: Are there any otherbenefits?
Grandmother: The benefits of Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (May Allah hastens his
gracious appearance) existence can not be counted, his existence is
giving hope to those who waiting him. Also, there are another
benefits, he is taking care of his Shiites and call Allah (SWT) to
send His blessings on them. Therefore, people will get great benefits
from his call which Allah (SWT) will never disappoint him at all.
Huda: I wonder how I forget all these benefits.
Grandmother: I have not finished until now. His existence is giving
vitalityto the message of Islam and continuing its existence and
keeping itssacred rules.
Huda: I have never imagined all these benefits.
Grandmother: And those who believe in his Imamate and wait for thelast
moment in their life, they will get Allah's blessings absolutely.
Huda: Praise be to Allah (SWT) for all these benefits and blessings.
Grandmother: I will end my speech with another great benefit. The
benefitwhich we get it from his existence as the benefit which we get
it from Suneven if it is covers by clouds. All beings like trees,
human beings, plants, lands need sun light. And if it is beyond
clouds: If night is continuing for ever, can we say that life will
continue in this world? The existence of Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (May Allah
hastens his gracious appearance) gives brightness to this world and
without him the world will be dark. Without him there is no light,
stability, etc. Can we live without the existence of sun?
Huda: I think I have got acceptable answer. Now, I am eager to hear
the tale of "The Blind Bat."
Grandmother: I have been told that there has been a blind Bat, who
flew during the brightness of the day to hunt insects to eat them.
Huda: How can this blind bat hunt them?
Grandmother: The bat has an unbelievable high sensitive ability to
hear. The bat produces ultrasound and when it hits certain things,
this ultrasound will go back to him. Thus, the bat will be able to
know the place of this thing and attack on it swiftly, and this bat
hates high sounds because these sounds will disturb him. Whenever the
feast has come, children group around the swings, and they have been
laughed loudly; therefore, the bat has disturbed from that.
Huda: What the bat has done to them.
Grandmother: The bat has cried loudly, don't play here. Go to your
home. I hate loud sounds.
Grandmother: But the children have not pay attention to him or obey
his order. The bat has decided to cut the swingsropes because they
have been an obstacles restrain his flying.
Huda: Has the bat done that?
Grandmother: Yes, the bat has cut the swing ropes into small pieces in
order to prevent them from playing with swingsand not tie them again.
Huda: This bat is an animal without heart or conscience.
Grandmother: Yes, my dear. This is the habit of wicked people.
Huda: Surely, the childrenhave become sad.
Grandmother: Off course my dear. But fortunately sun was seeing what happened.
Sun: I have to do something to prove for those children that I love
their laugh and their playing.
Huda: What can sun do?
Grandmother: Sun has cried loudly.
Sun: Do you think I will be silent without punishing you. Oh, blind bat.
Huda: What has sun doneto bring back happiness for children again?
Grandmother: Sun has sent its ropes of light to all children in order
to make new swings. The children have become very happy. The blind
bathas feared a lot when thelaughs of children have spread again and
the bat has wondered. Thus the blind bat has decided to cut sun ropes
also. But the blind bat can not do that because they have been very
strong. Whenever the bat has been flown and hits one of the sun ropes,
the bat has become very tired and fallen on the ground and had no
longer able to control himself.
Huda: What has happened then?
Grandmother: When the children have finished their play and sun has
set, the bat has got up and it has begun to fly without hearing their
laughs. Therefore, the bat has decided not to flyduring the brightness
of the day and the blind bathas begun to tell the animals about sun.
The bat has told them that sun is useless and harmful and many other
lies about sun. From that day whenever I hear someone talks about our
sun Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (May Allah hastens his gracious appearance) I
remember this tale.