Chief of the Prophets

Chief of the Prophets — Page 91

Chapter Six 91 Quraish Incites all Arabian Tribes When the Quraish failed in their scheme to rouse the people of Madīnah against the Muslims, they started inciting the tribes of the whole of Arabia, which resulted in raising a fire of hostility against Muḥammad sa and the Muslims throughout the entire country. The poor Muslims, who already feared the Quraish, now became extremely perturbed when all of Arabia turned into their adversaries. The tradition says: Muḥammad sa and his companions migrated to Madīnah. The Anṣār gave protection to them, and in turn all of Arabia collectively stood up against the Muslims. In that era, the Muslims would not even put off their arms at night, and during the day they would walk around armed, in case there was a sudden attack. They would say to each other, ‘Let us see if we live till such a time when we might be able to sleep at night in peace, without any fear except for the fear of God. ’ 1 Some days were so frightful for the Muslims that they had to be vigilant throughout the entire day and night. There is a tradition in both Bukhārī and Muslim that once Muḥammad sa said, “How good would it be if a righteous companion stands guard, so I could sleep a bit?” Look at the spirit of sacrifice of the Companions: When Muḥammad sa said these words, Sa‘d bin Abī Waqqāṣ ra immediately fixed his arms to stand guard. Muḥammad sa on hearing the clanking of arms said, “Who is this?” He replied, “O Messenger of Allah, it is I, Sa‘d bin Abī Waqqāṣ. I have come to stand guard. ” 2 1 Ḥākim, cited by Lubāb an-Nuqūli, Asbāb an-Nuzūl. 2 Bukhārī, Kitābut-Tamannī (Book about Wishing of Things), and Muslim (Virtues of Sa‘d bin Abī Waqqāṣ).