Introduction to the Study of The Holy Quran — Page 123
123 The third Hajj arrived. Among the pilgrims from Medina was a large party of Muslims. Owing to Meccan opposition these Muslims from Medina wished to see the Prophet in private. The Prophet’s own thoughts were turning more and more to Medina, as a likely place for migration. He mentioned this to his closest relations but they tried to dissuade him from all thoughts of this kind. They pleaded that though Mecca was full of opposition, it offered the support of several influential relations. The prospects at Medina were all uncertain and, should Medina prove as hostile as Mecca, would the Prophet’s Meccan relations be able to help? The Prophet, however, was convinced that migration to Medina had been decreed. So he rejected the advice of his relations and decided to migrate to Medina. First Pledge of ‘Aqabah After midnight, the Prophet again met the Muslims from Medina in the valley of ‘Aqabah. His uncle ‘Abbas was with him. The Muslims from Medina numbered seventy-three, out of whom sixty-two belonged to the Khazraj tribe and eleven to the Aws. The party included two women, one being Ummi ‘Ammarah, of the Banu Najjar. They had been taught Islam by Mus‘ab, and were full of faith and determination. They all proved to be pillars of Islam. Ummi ‘Ammarah is an example. She instilled in her children undying loyalty to Islam. One of her sons, Habib, was taken prisoner by Musaylimah, the Pretender, in an encounter after the Prophet’s death. Musaylimah tried to unsettle Habib’s faith. "Do you believe Muhammad to be a Messenger of God?" he asked. "Yes," was the reply. "Do you believe me to be a Messenger of God?" asked Musaylimah. "No," replied Habib. Upon this Musaylimah ordered one of his limbs to be cut off. This done, he asked Habib again, "Do you believe Muhammad to be a Messenger of God?" "Yes," replied Habib. "Do you believe me to be a Messenger of God?" "No. " Musaylimah ordered another limb to be cut off Habib’s body. Limb after limb was cut off in this way and Habib’s body was reduced to many pieces. He died a cruel death, but left behind an unforgettable example of personal heroism and sacrifice for the sake of religious conviction. 139 Ummi ‘Ammarah accompanied the Prophet in several wars. This party of Medina Muslims, in short, attained to great distinction for their loyalty and faith. They came to Mecca not for wealth, but for faith; and they had it in abundance. Moved by family ties and feeling legitimately responsible for the safety of the Prophet, ‘Abbas thus addressed the party: O Khazraj, this my relation is respected here by his people. They are not all Muslims, yet they protect him. But he has chosen now to leave us and go to you. O Khazraj, do you know what will happen? All Arabia will be against you. If you realise the risks entailed by your invitation, then take him away; if you do not, then give up your intention and let him stay here.