25. KA‘B IBN ZUHAIR IBN ABI SULMA’S ACCEPTANCE OF ISLAM.
KA‘B IBN ZUHAIR IBN ABI SULMA’S ACCEPTANCE OF ISLAM. HIS FATHER WAS THE AUTHOR OF SEVEN MU‘ALLAQAT (COMPILATION OF POEMS).
Ibn Ishaq related that when Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, returned from his expedition of Ta’if, Bujair Ibn Zuhair Ibn Abi Sulma wrote to his half- brother (from his father) Ka‘b Ibn Zuhair informing him that “Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had executed some poets who lampooned and harmed him while the remaining ones among the Quraish poets, Ibn Az-Ziba‘ra and Hubairah Ibn Abi Wahb had scattered in all directions. If you are still keen about your life, then hurry to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, for he does not kill anyone who comes to him repentant, but if you would not do that then betake yourself to any place on Earth where you will feel safe. Ka‘b wrote thus saying in poetry:
Won’t you give a message to Bujair from me? Do you accept what I said? Confound you! Tell us plainly if you will not implement what I say For what reason other than that has led you To a behavior (religion) I cannot find his father ever held And you cannot find your brother ever followed If you would not implement what I say, I shall not feel sorry Nor say if you stumble: Allah help you! Al-Ma‘moon (the Safe) has given you a full cup to drink And added a second draught of the same.
Ibn Ishaq related that then he sent it to Bujair. When the poem reached Bujair, he detested to conceal it from Allah’s Messenger,peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and he went and recited it to him. Upon hearing it, “AlMa’moon (the Safe) has given you a full cup to drink,” he said: “That is right, although he is a liar, I am truly Al-Ma’moon.” When he heard the stanza: “To a behavior (religion) I cannot find his mother or father ever held,” he commented: “That is right, neither his father nor mother held it.” Then Bujair also composed a poem in reply and sent it to Ka‘b saying:
Who would inform Ka‘b: do you have any interest What you are wrongfully blaming (me) I have resolved Turn to Allah alone and neither ‘Uzza nor Lat Then you will succeed and be safe On the day in which no one will succeed or be saved Among men except the Muslims with pure heart The religion of Zuhair is a nonentity And the religion of Abi Sulma is forbidden to me.
When he received the letter, he was deeply frightened and worried about his life. His foes around him spread rumors that he would be slain. When he saw himself in a dire situation, he wrote a poem in which he praised the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and he referred in it to his deep fright and the disturbing rumors of his enemies. Afterward, he headed for Madinah and stayed with a man from Juhaynah whom he knew. He took him to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, at the time of the morning prayer and he prayed along with him. Then they pointed out the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to him and said to him: “That is the Messenger of Allah, go to him and ask for your safety.” (The narrator added:) It was related to me that he rose and went to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings ofAllah be upon him, sat in front of him and placed his hands in his. Meanwhile, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, did not recognize him and said: “O Messenger of Allah, Ka‘b has come to you repentant and as a Muslim to seek safety. Would you accept it from him if I bring him to you?” Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Yes.” So he said: “Then O Messenger of Allah, I am Ka‘b Ibn Zuhair.”
Ibn Ishaq related that ‘Asim Ibn ‘Umar Ibn Qatadah narrated to me that an Ansari pounced on him and said: “O Allah’s Messenger permit me to chop off his head.” Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Let him be for he has come repentant.” He added: Ka‘b Ibn Zuhair became angry at the group of Ansar for what their man had done to him and because none among the Emigrants said anything concerning him except good.
By: Ibn Katheer
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