9. THE ACCEPTANCE OF ISLAM OF THE PROPHET’S UNCLE
The acceptance of Islam of the prophet’s uncle, ‘abbas ibn ‘abdul muttalib, abu sufyan ibn al-harith ibn ‘abdul muttalib, the prophet’s cousin, and ‘abdullah ibn abi umayyah ibn al-mugheerah al-makhzoomi
Ibn Ishaq related that ‘Abbas Ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib met Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, along the way. Ibn Hisham said that he met him at Juhfah while he was migrating on his horse. Meanwhile, he had stayed in Makkah overseeing his watering place, with the Messenger of Allah’s consent, as mentioned by Ibn Shihab Az-Zuhri.
Ibn Ishaq added: Abu Sufyan Ibn Al-Harith Ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib and ‘Abdullah Ibn Umayyah also met Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, on the way at Neeq-il-‘Uqab, somewhere between Makkah and Madinah, at which point they sought an audience with him. Umm Salamah spoke to him on their behalf. She said: “Allah’s Messenger, your cousin and your brother-in-law (would like to have your audience).” He said: “I do not have any need for them. As for my paternal cousin, he has denigrated me and it was my maternal cousin who said what he said concerning me in Makkah.” When the comment of the Messenger of Allah was conveyed to them, Abu Sufyan, who was with his son, said: “By Allah, he either grants me permission or I shall hold the hand of this son of mine and wander in the land until we both die of thirst and hunger.” When the news of his threat was conveyed to the Prophet, he became compassionate toward them and gave them permission. They were admitted into his presence and they both accepted Islam.
When Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, arrived at Marraz-Zhahran, he camped there as related by Al-Bukhari on the authority of Jabir, who said: “We were with Allah’s Messenger collecting Al-Kabathat Marraz-Zhahran. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Collect the black ones, for they are better.” Somebody said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Have you ever shepherded sheep?” He said, “Yes, every Prophet has been a shepherd.” Al-Baihaqi related on the authority of Abul-Waleed Sa’eed Ibn Meena, who said that when the warriors (sent to) Mu’tah were finished with their engagement, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, turned their attention toward Makkah. When they arrived at Marraz-Zhahran, he alighted at Al-‘Aqabah and sent a group of harvesters to harvest Al-Kabath.
“What is that?” I asked Sa’eed and he said: “It is the fruit of Al- Arak.” (The narrator continued): Ibn Mas‘ood also went with the harvesters. Whenever any of them picked a good seed, he tossed it in his mouth. The people began to laugh at Ibn Mas‘ood’s shanks as he climbed a tree. Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Do you marvel at the thinness of his shanks? By Him in Whose Hands is my soul, they are heavier than Uhud on the scale. It is recorded in the Saheehain on the authority of Anas, who said: Once we came upon a rabbit at Marraz-Zhahran. The people chased it until they became tired. I caught it and brought it to Abu Talhah, who slaughtered it and sent both its pelvic pieces (or legs) to the Prophet, which he accepted.
Al-Bukhari related from Ibn Hisham (who narrated) from his father that: When Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, set out (toward Makkah) during the Year of the Conquest (of Makkah) and this news reached (the polytheists of Quraish), Abu Sufyan, Hakeem Ibn Hizam and Budail Ibn Warqa’ came out to gather news about Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. They proceeded on their way until they reached Marraz-Zhahran. There they saw many fires as if they were the fires of ‘Arafah. Abu Sufyan said: “What is this? It looks like the fires of ‘Arafah.” Budail Ibn Warqa’ said, “ (Perhaps) it is the fires of Banu ‘Amr.” Abu Sufyan interjected: “Banu ‘Amr are less in number than that.” Some of the guards of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, saw them, caught up with them, captured them and brought them to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,. Then Abu Sufyan embraced Islam.
When the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, proceeded, he said to ‘Abbas: “Keep Abu Sufyan standing at the top of the mountain so that he may look upon the Muslims.” So ‘Abbas kept him standing (at that place) and the tribes accompanying the Prophet began to pass in front of him. A group passed by and Abu Sufyan asked: “‘Abbas, who are these?” ‘Abbas said: “They are (Banu) Ghifar.” Abu Sufyan said: “I have nothing to do with Ghifar.” Then (a group from) Juhainah passed by and he said something similar as above. Then (a group from) Sa’d Ibn Hudhaim passed by and he said something similar. Then (Banu) Sulaim passed by and he said something similar. Then came a group, the like of which Abu Sufyan had never seen before, so he asked: “Who are they?” ‘Abbas said: “They are the Ansar headed by Sa’d Ibn ‘Ubadah, the one holding the flag.” Sa’d said: “Abu Sufyan! Today is the day of a great battle, and today (what is prohibited in) the Ka‘bah will be permissible.” Abu Sufyan said: “O ‘Abbas! How excellent the day of destruction is!”
Then came another group (of warriors), which was the smallest; in it was Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his Companions and the flag of the Prophet was carried by Zubair Ibn Al‘Awwam. When Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, passed by Abu Sufyan, the latter said, (to the Prophet): “Do you know what Sa’d Ibn ‘Ubadah said?” The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, asked: “What did he say?” Abu Sufyan said: “He said such-and- such.” The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Sa’d told a lie. Today Allah will give superiority to the Ka‘bah, and today the Ka‘bah will be covered with a covering.” Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, ordered that his flag be hoisted at Al-Hajoon.
‘Urwah narrated Nafi’ Ibn Jubair Ibn Mut‘im said: I heard ‘Abbas asking Zubair Ibn Al-‘Awwam: “O Abu ‘Abdullah! Did Allah’s Messenger order you to hoist the flag here?” He replied, “Yes,” and added: “Allah’s Messenger ordered Khalid Ibn Al- Waleed to enter Makkah from its upper part, Kada’, while the Prophet himself entered from Kuday. Two men from the cavalry of Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed named Hubaish Ibn Al-Ash‘ar and Kurz Ibn Jabir AlFihri were martyred on that day.
Abu Dawood related on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas who narrated that in the Year of the Conquest, that ‘Abbas Ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib came to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, with Abu Sufyan Ibn Harb who accepted Islam at Marraz-Zhahran. ‘Abbas said to him: “O Messenger of Allah, Abu Sufyan loves pride, would you grant him something (to boost his ego) ?” Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, replied: “Whoever enters Abu Sufyan’s house is safe and whoever remains indoors is safe (as well).”
By: Ibn Katheer
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