Hajj - Articles|- Heart Touching Real Inspirational Hajj Story: Cobbler's Hajj

It is related that a noted Muslim scholar Abdullah bin Mubarak, had a
dream while he was sleeping near the Holy Kaaba in Makkah.
Abdullah bin Mubarak saw two angels' descend from the sky, and start
talking to each other.
One of the angels asked the other: "Do you know how many people have
come for Hajj this year?"
The other angel replied:"Six hundred thousand have come for Hajj."
Abdullah bin Mubarak had also gone for Hajj that year.
The first angel asked:"How many people's Hajj has been accepted?"
The second angel replied:"I wonder if anyone's Hajj has been accepted atall."
Abdullah bin Mubarak was grieved to hear that. He thought, "So many
people have come from all over the world, crossing so many obstacles
like rivers, jungles, desert and mountains, suffered so many
hardships, and meeting so many expenses. Would their effort be wasted?
Allah (SWT) does not let anyone's effort go to waste."
Abdullah bin Mubarak had thought only so far when he heard the other
angel speak: "There is a cobbler in Damascus. His name is Ali bin
al-Mufiq. He could not come for Hajj, but Allah (SWT) has accepted his
intention of Hajj. Not only will he get the reward for Hajj, but
because of him, all the Hajjis will be rewarded."
When Abdullah bin Mubarak woke up, he decided he would go to Damascus
and meet that cobbler whose Hajj intentions carried such a lot of
weight.
On reaching Damascus, Abdullah bin Mubarak inquired if anyone knew a
cobbler named Ali bin al-Mufiq. The town people directed him to a
house. When a man appeared from the houseAbdullah bin Mubarak greeted
him and asked his name. The man replied "Ali bin al-Mufiq."
Abdullah bin Mubarak asked: "What do you do for a living?"
Ali bin al-Mufiq replied: "Iam a cobbler." Then Ali bin al-Mufiq asked
the stranger's name that had come looking for him.
Abdullah bin Mubarak was a very well-known scholar of Islam, when
Abdullah bin Mubarak introduced him self, the cobbler was anxious to
find out why such a well known scholar was seeking him out.
When Abdullah bin Mubarak asked Ali bin al-Mufiq to tell him if he had
made any plans to go for Hajj. Ali bin al-Mufiq replied, "For thirty
years I have lived in the hope of performing the Hajj. This year I had
saved enough to go for Hajj, but Allah (SWT) did not will it, so I
couldn't make my intention translate into action."
Abdullah bin Mubarak was eager to find out how could this man's Hajjbe
accepted and blessed for all the people who went for Hajj that year
when he didn't go for Hajj in the first place. While talking to the
cobbler he could feel certain purity in his heart. Islam regards
greatness not in wealth or in power, but in civility, in good manners
and the goodness of heart.
Abdullah bin Mubarak further asked: "why could you not go on Hajj?" In
order not to disclose the reason, Ali bin al-Mufiq again replied "it
was Allah's (SWT) will."
When Abdullah bin Mubarak persisted, Ali bin al-Mufiq revealed:"Once I
went to see my neighbour's house. His family was just sitting down for
dinner. Although I was not hungry I thought my neighbour would invite
me to sit down for dinnerout of courtesy but I could see that my
neighbour was grieved about something and wanted to avoid inviting me
for dinner."
After some hesitation the neighbour told me: "I am sorry I cannot
invite you for food. We were without food for three days and I could
not bearto see the pain of hungerof my children. I went out looking
for food today and found a dead donkey. In my desperation I cut out
some meat from the deadanimal, and brought it home so that my wife
could cook this meat. It isHalal (lawful or permitted) for us
becauseof our extreme condition of hunger, but I cannot offer it to
you."
Ali bin al-Mufiq continued: "On hearing this, my heart bled with
tears. I got up and went home, collected the threethousand dinars I
had saved for Hajj, and gave my neighbour the money. I too had to go
hungry but that was to save money for Hajj, but Ithought helping my
neighbour during his difficult times was more important. Although I
stilldesire to go for Hajj if Allah (SWT) wills."
Abdullah bin Mubarak was greatly inspired by the cobbler's story and
told the cobbler of his dream.
Allah (SWT) is merciful and shows mercy to those who do likewise to
his creatures. This act of compassion on the part of the cobbler was
so pleasing to Allah (SWT) that it not only earned him the reward of
Hajj but was extended to all the people who came for Hajj.
Hajj is a journey that can ignite the soul to be reminded of the time
it was created and takes it beyond the dimensions of this life to the
time it will meet the creator.
The sincere performance of Hajj can transcend a person's day to day
life into a spiritual awakening of the highest magnitude. A successful
Hajj experience connects us to our creator and the greater compassion
of humanity.
The Pilgrimage to Makkah, is one of the essential elements of the
Islamic faith. It is obligatory on all believers provided they have
the financial capability and physical ability to endure the challenges
of the pilgrimage.
According to Islamic tradition the Holy Kaaba, a simple square cube
structure in Makkah , wasthe first house of worship established to
remind humanity of the One Supreme God. The structure was
reconstructed by ProphetIbrahim / Abraham (as) and his son Prophet
Ismail / Ishmael (as) morethan 3000 years ago.
And when We made the House (at Makkah) a destination for humankind and
a sanctuary, (saying): Take as your place of worship the place where
Abrahamstood (to pray). And We imposed a duty upon Abraham and
Ishmael, (saying): Purify My house for those who go around and those
who meditate therein and those who bow down and prostrate themselves
(in worship). Holy Quran (2:125)
The gathering of millions of faithful in Makkah during the days of
annual pilgrimage, Hajj isa fulfillment of Prophet Abraham's prayer.
And remember Abraham said: "My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and
feed its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the
Last Day."Holy Quran (2:126)
The Pilgrimage to Makkah is a sign of supreme significance. It was
Prophet Ibraham's unconditional commitment to Allah (SWT) that led him
to leave his wife Hagar and his infant son Ismael in this desolated
desert. Prophet Ibrahim / Abraham (as) was rewardfor his unwavering
submission to Allah (SWT), by a promise from Him to make this
uninviting land into a place of promise and plenty.
Muslims who visit Makkah for Hajj become part of Allah's (SWT) promise
to Prophet Ibrahim / Abraham (as). Like any other article of faith,
the pilgrimage can become meaningless if it is regarded as an end in
itself rather than a meansfor the attainment of a meaningful life.
Heart Touching Real Inspirational Hajj Story: Lost Pouch!
I was in Makkah during the season of Hajj and I saw a man from
Khurasan calling out to the people, "Pilgrims, people of Makkah, I
have lost a pouch that containsa thousand dinars. So whoever returns
the pouch will be rewarded by Allah (SWT) with good and saved from the
Hellfire and Allah's (SWT) bounty and favors will beacquired on the
Day of Judgement."
An old man from the people of Makkah approached him and said,
"Khurasani, our city is in very tough condition, and the days of Hajj
are few, and its season is appointed, and the doors of profit making
are closed. This money might fall into thehands of a believer who is
poor and old in age. Maybe he plans to give it back if you promise
that you will give him a little bit of money that is Halal (lawful or
permitted) for him to use."
The Khurasani asked,"How much does he want?"
Old man replied, "He wants one tenth of the money."
The Khurasani replied,"No, I will not grant him the money. Instead I
will take my case to Allah (SWT) and complain to Him on the day we
meet Him, and Allah (SWT) is sufficient for us and the best one to
trust in."
I realized that it was the old man who was poor, and he was the one
who had taken the pouch of dinars and wished to have a little portion
of it. So I followed him until hereturned to his home. My assumptions
were confirmed. I heard him calling onto his wife,"Lubabah!"
She said, "I am at your service, Abu Ghayth."
The old man said, "I found the owner of the dinars calling for it, and
he does not intend to give any reward to the person who finds it. I
said to him, 'Give us one tenth of the money,' and he refused and said
he would take his case to Allah (SWT). What should I do, Lubabah? I
must return it, for I fear my Lord and I fear that my sin is
multiplied."
The wife replied, "Oh man! We have been struggling and suffering from
poverty with you for the last 50 years, and you have four
daughters,two sisters, my mother and me, and you are the ninth. Keep
all the moneyand feed us, for we are hungry, and clothe us, foryou
know better our situation. Perhaps Allah (SWT) the Almighty will make
you rich afterwardsand you might be able to give the money back after
you have fed your children, or Allah (SWT) will pay the amount you owe
on the day when thekingdom will belong to the King (Allah)."
The old man exclaimed,"Will I consume Haraam (unlawful) after 86 years
of my life, and burn my organs with Hellfire after I have been patient
with my poverty, and become worthy of Allah's (SWT) anger, even though
I am close to my grave? No, by Allah (SWT), I will not do so!"
I left amazed at his condition and that of his wife.
Later I heard the owner of the pouch, man from Khurasan, calling out
again, and the old man repeated his advice. This time he asked for ten
dinars instead of hundred dinars. The Khurasani refused. The people
dispersed and left.
Later, once again, the Khurasani made the samecall. The old man came
again and said,"Khurasani, I said to you the day before yesterday to
reward the finder a hundred dinars and you refused. Then I advised you
to give him ten dinars and you refused. So will you give only one
dinar so that he can buy with half of it things he needs and with the
otherhalf sheep's milk so that he can give to the peopleand feed his
children?"
The Khurasani again refused. The old man saidangrily, "Come and take
your money so that I can sleep at night, for I have not been in a good
moodever since I found this money pouch."
So the owner of the pouch went with the old man and I followed them
until the old man enteredhis house, dug a hole, and pulled out the
money and said, "Take your money and ask Allah(SWT) to forgive me and
bless me from His bounty."
The Khurasani then said,"Old man, my father died - may Allah have
mercy on him - and left behind three thousand dinars and said to me,
'Take out a third of this money andgive it to a person from the people
who is most deserving of it.' By Allah (SWT), I have not seen a person
since I left Khurasan until now, who is more worthy of it than you. So
take it, may Allah's (SWT) blessing be upon you, and may He reward you
for the trust you kept and your patience during poverty."
The Khurasani man left without the money. The old man wept and prayed,
"May Allah bless the owner of the money in his grave, and may Allah
bless his son."
I left after the Khurasani but Abu Ghayth, the old man, brought me
back. He said, "I have seen you following me since the first day; you
have come to know of our situation yesterday and today. So this is a
gift from Allah (SWT) to all those attending."
The old man called his daughters, his sisters, and his wife and her
mother, and sat down and made me sit down. We were ten people. The old
man gave out the dinars one by one in order until he reached me and
said, "Here is a dinar." The process continued until the bag was empty
and I receiveda hundred dinars. So joy filled my heart because of the
provision they received, more than the joy I had because I received a
hundred dinars.
When I was leaving the old man said, "Young man, you are blessed. Keep
this money with you, for it is Halal (lawful or permitted). And know
that I used to wake up for Fajr (Early Morning) Prayer with this wet
shirt. After I was done I would take it off and give it to my
daughters so that they could pray, one by one. Then I wouldgo to work
between ZuhrPrayer and Asr Prayer and then I would come back at the
end of the day with what Allah (SWT) has given me of dates and dry
pieces of bread. Then I would take off my clothes for my daughters and
they would pray Zuhr and Asr, and the same would happen for the
Maghrib and Isha Prayers. And we did not ever expect to see this kind
of money. So may Allah (SWT) make us make good use of them, and may
Allah (SWT) bless the person in his grave and multiply the reward for
him."
So I told him goodbye and took the hundred dinars and used them to
write knowledge for twoyears. I used it to buy paper and pay rent.
"...And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make
a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide
him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his
trust in Allah, then He will suffice him ..." Holy Quran(65:2-3)

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Islamic Article |- Definition of udhiyah and ruling thereon

What is meant by udhiyah (sacrifice)? Is it obligatory or Sunnah?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The word udhiyah means an animal of the 'an'aam class (i.e.,
camel,cow, sheep or goat) that is slaughtered during the days of Eid
al-Adha because of the Eid and as an act of worship, intending to draw
closerto Allaah thereby.
This is one of the rituals of Islam prescribed in the Book of Allaah
and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him), and according to the consensus of the Muslims.
In the Qur'aan:
1 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only)"
[al-Kawthar 108:2]
2 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): Verily, my Salaah (prayer), my sacrifice, myliving,
and my dying are for Allaah, the Lord of the 'Aalameen (mankind,jinn
and all that exists).
He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the
first of the Muslims"
[al-An'aam 6:162]
The word nusuk (translated here as sacrifice) means sacrifice; this is
the view of Sa'eed ibn Jubayr. And it was said that it means all acts
of worship, including sacrifice, which is more comprehensive.
3 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies, that
they may mention the Name of Allaah over the beast of cattle that He
has given them for food. And your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God
Allaah), so you must submit to Him Alone (in Islam). And (O Muhammad)
give glad tidings to the Mukhbitoon [those who obey Allaah with
humility and are humblefrom among the true believers of Islamic
Monotheism]"
[al-Hajj 22:34]
In the Sunnah:
1 – It was narrated in Saheeh al-Bukhaari (5558) and Saheeh Muslim
(1966) that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
"The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sacrificed
two white rams speckled with black. He slaughtered them with his own
hand,said 'Allaahu akbar' and put his foot on their necks."
2 – It was narrated that 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased
with him) said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) stayed in Madeenah for ten years, offering sacrifice (every year
on Eid)." Narrated by Ahmad, 4935; al-Tirmidhi, 1507; classedas hasan
by al-Albaani inMishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 1475.
3 – It was narrated from 'Uqbah ibn 'Aamir (may Allaah be pleased with
him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
shared out sacrificial animals amongst his companions, and 'Uqbahgot a
sheep that was six months old. He said, "O Messenger of Allaah, I got
a sheep that is six months old." He said, "Offer it as a sacrifice."
Narrated by al-Bukhaari,5547.
4 – It was narrated from al-Baraa' ibn 'Aazib (mayAllaah be pleased
with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "Whoever offers a sacrifice after the prayerhas completed his
rituals(of Eid) and has followedthe way of the Muslims." Narrated by
al-Bukhaari,5545.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) offered
sacrifices, as did his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them).
And he said that sacrificeis the way of the Muslims.
Hence the Muslims are unanimously agreed that it is prescribed in
Islam, as was narrated by more than one of the scholars.
But they differed as to whether it is Sunnah mu'akkadah (a confirmed
Sunnah) or it is obligatory and it is notpermissible to omit it.
The majority of scholars are of the view that it is Sunnah mu'akkadah.
This is the view of al-Shaafa'i, Maalik and Ahmad according to his
most well-known view.
Others were of the view that it is obligatory. This is the view of
Abu Haneefah and one of theviews narrated from Ahmad. This was also
theview favoured by Ibn Taymiyah who said: "This is one of the views
narrated in the madhhab of Maalik, or it appears to be the view of
Maalik."
From Risaalat Ahkaam al-Udhiyah wa'l-Dhakaahby Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may
Allaah have mercy on him).
Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him)
said:"Udhiyah is Sunnah mu'akkadah for the one who is able to do it,
so a person should offer the sacrifice on behalf of himself and the
members of his household."

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Islamic Article |- Does the brother have the right to object to his sister’s marriage and to threaten to cut her off when her father agrees to it?

There is a Muslim woman who was married to a Muslim manand they had a
child, then soon after that the Shaytan caused her to slip, and she
started to go to nightclubs where she got to know a kaafir man and a
relationship developed. Then she took her son and went to live with
that man unlawfully, after leaving her religion and giving up Islam.
Then a year after that, she repented and left her boyfriend; she
entered Islam again and began to wear Hijaband pray, and she mended
her ways completely. She went back to her parents and asked them to
forgive her, and they forgave her.
Then a few years after that, that boyfriend became Muslim and he came
to her house and asked her father for her hand in marriage, and the
father agreed, as didshe. But her brother did not agree, and he was
very upset to see the man who had committed immoral actions with his
sister, and for whose sake she had left Islam and abandoned her
husband. It upset him to see him as his sister's husband, so he did
not agree to the marriage atall and he threatened to cut off all ties
with his sister if she married him,and said that he would never speak
to her againafter that day.
This behaviour upset his parents greatly; they do not want to see
their children fighting. Hence the father tried to remind his son of
the rights of kinship and tell him that it is not permissible to sever
those ties and that Allah has enjoined upholding those ties.
But the son refused to accept that and he said that it is within his
rightsto cut her off and that this is a right guaranteed by Islam.
My question is: is this a right that is guaranteed by Islam?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The blessing of guidanceis one of the greatest blessings that Allah,
may He be exalted, can bestow upon His slave. Itis obligatory for the
slave who has been guided to show a great deal of gratitude to his
Lord for this immense blessing. We are happy to hear of the repentance
of those who have repented and of the guidance of those who have been
guided. What has happened of that man being guided from kufr to Islam,
and that woman being guided and brought back to Islam, and givingup
living the life of the doomed people, is something that brings joy to
our hearts and weask Allah to make them steadfast in Islam and to set
their affairs straight.
If a Muslim who is not related feels happy to hear the news about
thissister being guided and coming back to her religion, then one
wouldexpect that her family would be the happiest of people, because
her leaving her religion, going away from them and agreeing to live
with a kaafir foreigner in an unlawful manner causes a great deal of
distress and it is something that many people could not bear. Hence we
advise this brother to fear Allah, may He be exalted, and to not be
hasty in his decisions and not be a cause of harm to his family or
cause division among them. In fact he may be a cause of something that
is even worse than that; he may be a cause of his sister going astray
a second time. No one knows what ideas of misguidance the Shaytaan may
instil in the minds of those who have been guided.
As this woman's father has agreed to let this man who has been guided
to Islam marry his daughter, the brother has no right to object to his
father and threaten to cut off his sister. Yes, he has the right to
express his opinion and he has the right to discuss the matter with
his family and his sister. But they do not have to comply with his
opinion or accept it.
In this case we say: this brother does not have the right to cut off
his sister, because her marrying that one who has been guided is not
haraam. What sin has hissister committed by agreeing to marry that
man, such that he has the right to cut her off?
Although we say that marriage to that man is permissible according
toIslam, and that the brother's objections carry no weight and he has
no right to cut off his sister if she agrees to marry him,
nevertheless we advise the father andthe sister to think again about
their agreeing to that man, and they should listen to the other side
and discuss the matter with wise people who are close to them and who
are aware of the background. It is also essential to investigate this
suitor and find out how sincere he is in his Islam before he comes
topropose to this sister, and they should find outwhether he really is
interested in Islam.
We ask Allah to guide everyone to that which is in the best interests
of the family and to help them to find the right way and to unite in
following it.
And Allah knows best.

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Abu-l Aas ibn ar-Rabiah- Biographies of the Companions (Sahabah)

Abu-l Aas belonged to the Abd ash-Shams clan of the Quraysh. He was in
the prime of his youth,handsome and very impressive looking. He was
the epitome of Arab chivalry and was endowed with all the
characteristics of pride, manliness and generosity.He took great pride
in the traditions of his ancestors.
Abu-l Aas inherited the Quraysh love for trade. The Quraysh of course
were known to be masters of the two annual trading expeditions, the
winter expedition to the south, to Yemen, and the summer expedition to
the north, to Syria.These two expeditions are mentioned in the Quran
in the chapter named after the Quraysh.
The caravans of Abu-l Ads alwaysplied between Makkah and Syria.Each
caravan was made up of two hundred men and a hundred camels. People
would entrust their wealth and their goods to him to trade on their
behalf because of his skill as a merchant, his honesty and his
trustworthiness.
The maternal aunt of Abu-l Aas was Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the wife
of Muhammad ibn Abdullah. She treated him like a mother would her own
son, with love and affection. Muhammad too was extremely fond of him.
The years went by quickly in the household of Muhammad and Khadijah.
Zanaib, their eldest daughter, soon grew up and blossomed forth like a
lovely flower. She was much sought after in marriage by the sons of
respectable Makkan nobles. And why not? She was one of the most
distinguished Makkan girls in lineage and social standing. She was
blessed with the most honorable father and mother. And she had the
finest morals and behavior.
Which one of these scions of Makkan nobility would win her hand? Abu-l
Aas ibn Rabi'ah was the one who did.
Abu-l Aas and Zaynab were only married a few years when the Divine
light of Islam radiated over Makkah. Muhammad, the father of Zaynab,
was now the Prophet of God, sent to convey the religion of guidance
and truth. He was commanded to convey the message of Islam first to
his family and nearest relatives. The first women to believe in him
and accept Islam were his wife Khadijah and his daughters Zaynab,
Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum and Fatimah. Fatimah was very young at the time.
Zaynab's husband however did not like leaving the religion of his
forefathers and he refused toadopt the religion which his wife now
followed although he was completely devoted to her and loved her
dearly with a pure and sincere love.
Before long, the confrontation between the Prophet, peace be upon him,
and the Quraysh developed and grew bitter. The Quraysh felt that it
was intolerable for their sons to remain married to Muhammad's
daughters. They also considered that it would be an embarrassing and
difficult situation for Muhammad if his daughters were to be returned
to his household. So they went to Abu-l Aas and said:
"Divorce your wife, Abu-l Aas, and send her back to her father's
house. We shall then marry you to any of the most charming and noble
women of the Quraysh you desire."
"No, by God," said Abu-l Aas firmly. "I shall not divorce my wife and
I do not wish to have inher place any woman in all the world."
Muhammad's other two daughters, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum were divorced
by their husbands and returned to his home. The Prophet in fact was
delighted when they came back to him and he had hoped that Abu-l Aas
would also return Zaynab to him except that at that time he had no
power to compel him to do so. The law forbidding the marriage of a
Muslim woman to a nonbelieving man was not yet inforce.
The Prophet, peace be on him, migrated to Madinah and his mission
became stronger. The Quraysh felt even more threatened by him ,red
went outto confront him at Badr. Abu-l Aas was compelled to go along
with the Quraysh army. He did not really have d desire to fight the
Muslims nor did he feel any inclination to join them. But his position
among the Quraysh- one of honor and trust - impelled him to go along
with their campaign against Muhammad. The battle of Badr ended in d
terrible defeat for theQuraysh and the forces of shirk. Some were
killed, some were taken prisoner and some managed to escape. Among
those, who were taken prisoner was Abu-l Aas, the husband of Zaynab.
The Prophet fixed amounts for the ransom of the prisoners of war
varying from one thousand to four thousand dirhams, according to the
wealth and social standing of the prisoner. Quraysh messengers went to
and fro between Makkah and Madinah bearing the ransom money to free
their relatives held in Madinah. Zaynab sent hermessenger to Madinah
bearing the ransom demand to free her husband. The ransom amount
included a necklace which her mother, Khadijah, had given to her
before she died. When the Prophet saw the necklace, his face at once
became covered with a veil of sadness and he felta surge of tenderness
for his daughter. He turned to his companions and said:
"Zaynab has sent this amount toransom Abu-l Aas. If you see fit to set
free her prisoner and return her possession to her, then do so."
"Yes," his companions agreed."We shall do whatever we can tosoothe
your eyes and make you happy."
The Prophet set one condition on Abu-l Aas before he freed him, that
he should send his daughter Zaynab to him withoutdelay.
As soon as he reached Makkah, Abu-l Aas began making arrangements to
carry out his promise. He ordered his wife to prepare herself for the
journey and told her that her father's messengers were waiting for her
just outside Makkah. He prepared provisions and a mount for her and
instructed hisbrother, Amr ibn ar-Rabi'ah, to accompany her and hand
her over personally to the Prophet's emissaries.
Amr slung his bow over his shoulders, took up his quiver of arrows,
placed Zaynab in her hawdaj and left Makkah with herin the broad light
of day, in full view of the Quraysh.
The Quraysh were furious. They pursued Zaynab and Amr until they
caught up with them. Zaynab was scared. Amr stood poised with his bow
and arrow and shouted:
"By God, if any man come near to her, I would plunge this arrow in his
neck". Amr was known to be an excellent marksman.
Abu Sufyan ibn Hath, who had bythis time joined the Quraysh group,
went up to Amr and said:"Son of my brother, put away your arrow and
let me talk to you."
This Amr did and Abu Sufyan went on: "What you have done is not
prudent. You left with Zaynab in full view of the people.All the Arabs
know the disasters we suffered at Badr at the handsof her father,
Muhammad. If you leave with his daughter in the open as you have done,
the tribes would accuse us of cowardice and they would say that we
have been humiliated. Return with her and ask her to stay in her
husband's house for a few days so that people could say that we
brought her back. Thereafter you can take her away quietly and
secretly from us and take her to her father. We have no need to detain
her."
Amr agreed to this and Zaynab returned to Makkah. A few days later, in
the middle of the night Amr took Zaynab and handed her over to the
Prophet's emissaries just as his brother had instructed.
After the departure of his wife, Abu-l Aas stayed on in Makkah for
several years. Then, shortly before the conquest of Makkah, he left
for Syria on a trading mission. On the return journey from Syria his
caravan consisted of some one hundred camels and one hundred and
seventy men.
As the caravan approached Madinah, a detachment of Muslims took them
by surprise. They impounded the camels andtook the men as captives to
the Prophet. Abu-l Aas however managed to escape. During the night
which was pitch black, Abu-l Aas entered Madinah fearful and alert. He
searched around until he came to Zaynab's house. He asked her
forprotection and she gave it to him.
At dawn, the Prophet, peace be on him, came out to the masjid to
perform the Dawn Prayer. He stood erect in the mihrab and said "Allahu
Akbar" to begin the Prayer. The Muslims behind him did the same. At
that point Zaynab shouted from the women's section of the masjid:
"O people! I am Zaynab the daughter of Muhammad. I have given
protection to Abu-l Aas. Dogive him your protection also."
When the Prayer was finished, the Prophet turned to the congregation
and said: "Have you heard what I heard?" "Yes, Messenger of Allah,"
they replied.
"By Him in Whose hand is my soul, I knew nothing of this untilI heard
what you heard. He is asking protection from the Muslims."
Back at home the Prophet said to his daughter: "Prepare a placeof rest
for Abu-l Aas and let him know that you are not lawful forhim." He
then summoned the men of the expeditionary force which had taken the
camels and the men of the caravan and said to them:
"You have taken the possessionsof this man. If you are kind to him and
return his property, we would be pleased. If however you do not agree
then the goodsis booty sanctioned by God which you have a right to."
"We would certainly return his possessions to him, Messenger of God,"
they replied and when Abu-l Aas came to collect his goods, they said
to him:
"You belong to the Quraysh nobility. You are the nephew of the
Messenger of God and his son-in-law. Would you accept Islam? We would
hand over all this wealth to you. You would then have for your own
enjoyment whatever wealth andpossessions the Makkans entrusted to you,
and stay with us here in Madinah."
"What an evil thing you are asking me do, to enter a new religion
while committing an actof treachery!" Abu-I Aas retorted.
Abu-l Aas returned to Makkah with the caravan and handed over all the
wealth and goods totheir rightful owners. Then he asked:
"O people of Quraysh! Is there any money left with me belonging to any
one of you which he has not taken?"
"No," came the reply. "And may God bless you with goodness. We have
indeed found you nobleand trustworthy."
Then Abu-I Aas announced:"Since I have now handed over to you what is
rightfully yours, I now declare that there is no godbut Allah and that
Muhammad isthe Messenger of Allah. By God, the only thing that
prevented me from declaring my acceptance of Islam while I was with
Muhammad in Madinah was my fear that you would think that I did so
only to appropriate your wealth. Now that I have discharged my trust
in this matter, I now declare that I am a Muslim..."
Abu-l Aas then left for Madinah where the Prophet received him
hospitably and returned his wifeto him. The Prophet used to say about
him: "He spoke to me and was truthful to me. He made promises to me
and remained faithful to his word."

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