CHAPTER 15: THE STORY OF HOW DIMAD EMBRACED ISLAM
THE STORY OF HOW DIMAD EMBRACED ISLAM
Imam Muslim narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas that he said, “Dimad arrived in Makkah – and he belonged to the tribe of Azd Shanoo‘ah and was skilled in exorcising Jinn from those who were possessed. He heard the foolish people of Makkah saying that Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) was possessed. Upon this he said, “If 1 were to come across this man, Allah, the Almighty, might cure him at my hand.” He met him and said, “O, Muhammad, I can exorcise, and Allah, the Almighty, cures whomever He wills at my hand. Do you desire (this)?” Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Praise be to Allah, we praise Him, ask His Help; and he whom Allah guides aright there is none to lead him astray, and he who is led astray there is none to guide him, and I bear witness to the fact that none is worthy of worship but Allah, He is One, having no partner with Him, and that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger.”
After this, he (Dimad) said, “Repeat these words of yours before me,” and the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) repeated them to him three times; and he said, “I have heard the words of soothsayers and the words of magicians, and the words of poets, but I have never heard such words as yours, and they reach the depths (of the ocean of eloquence); bring forth your hand so that I should take an oath of fealty to you on Islam.” So he took an oath of allegiance to him. The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Is it (this allegiance of yours) on behalf of your people too?” He said, “It is on behalf of my people too.” The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) sent an expedition and the flying column passed by his people. The leader of the flying column said to the detachment, “Did you find anything from these people?” One of the people said, “I found a utensil for water.” Upon this he (the commander) said, “Return it, for he is one of the people of Dimad.”
Ibn Ishaq related the names of the earliest of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, to embrace Islam, saying, “Then Abu ‘Ubaidah, Abu Salmah Al-Arqam Ibn Abil Arqam, ‘Uthman Ibn Madh‘oon, ‘Ubaidah Ibn Al-Harith, Sa‘eed Ibn Zaid and his wife, Fatimah Bint Al-Khattab, Asma’ Bint Abu Bakr, ‘A’ishah Bint Abu Bakr, who was still young, Qudamah Ibn Maz‘oon, ‘Abdullah Ibn Maz‘oon, Khabbab Ibn Al-Aratt, embraced Islam, ‘Umair Ibn Abi Waqqas, ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ood, Mas‘ood Ibn Al-Qari, Saleet Ibn ‘Amr, ‘Ayyash Ibn Abi Rabee‘ah and his wife, Asma’ Bint Salamah Ibn
Makhramah At-Taimi, Khunais Ibn Hudhafah, ‘Amir Ibn Rabee‘ah, ‘Abdullah Ibn Jahsh, Abu Ahmad Ibn Jahsh, Ja‘afar Ibn Abu Talib and his wife, Asma’ Bint ‘Umais, Hatib Ibn Al-Harith, his wife, Fatimah Bint Al-Mujallal and his brother, Hattab Ibn Al-Harith and his wife, Fukaihah Bint Yasar, Ma‘mar Ibn Al-Harith Ibn Ma‘mar Al-Jumahi, As-Sa’ib Ibn ‘Uthman Ibn Maz‘oon, Al-Muttalib Ibn Azhar Ibn ‘Abd ‘Awf and his wife, Ramlah Bint Abu ‘Awf Ibn Subairah Ibn Su‘aid Ibn Sa‘d Ibn Sahm, An-Nahham, whose name was Nu‘aim Ibn ‘Abdullah Ibn Aseed, ‘Amir Ibn Fuhairah, the freed slave of Abu Bakr, Khalid Ibn Sa‘eed, Umainah Bint Khalaf Ibn As‘ad Ibn ‘Amir Ibn Bayadah from Khuza‘ah, Hatib Ibn ‘Amr Ibn ‘Abd Shams, Abu Hudhaifah Ibn ‘Utbah Ibn Rabee‘ah, Waqid Ibn ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abd Manaf Ibn ‘Areen Ibn Tha‘labah At-Tameemi, the ally of Banu ‘Adiyy, Khalid Ibn Al-Bukair, ‘Amir Ibn Al-Bukair, ‘Aqil Ibn Al-Bukair (his name was Ghafil [unmindful] and so the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) named him ‘Aqil [discerning]), Iyas Ibn Al-Bukair Ibn ‘Abd Yaleel Ibn Nashib Ibn Ghiyarah Ibn Sa‘d Ibn Laith (they were the allies of Banu ‘Adiyy Ibn Ka‘b), ‘Ammar Ibn Yasir and Suhaib Ibn Sinan. Then the people entered Islam in groups, from among the men and women, until the religion of Islam became widespread in Makkah and widely discussed.
Ibn Ishaq said, “Then three years after the start of his Prophethood, Allah, the Almighty, commanded His Messenger (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) to preach the message of Islam openly and to patiently bear the harm inflicted on him by the pagans.” He added, “When the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, prayed, they would go to the ravines and offer their prayers in secret, hidden from their people. One day, while Sa‘d Ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, was praying with some others in the ravines of Makkah, some of the pagans came upon them and rebuked and denounced what they were doing, until eventually, they fought with them and Sa‘d, may Allah be pleased with him, struck one of the pagans with the jawbone of a camel and fractured his skull. This was the first blood spilt (by the Muslims) in Islam.”
The command of Allah (SWT) to His Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) regarding the conveyance of the message privately and publicly and His command to him to exercise patience, perseverance and to turn away from the ignorant lying adversaries after establishing the proofs against them and the sending of the greatest Messenger to them as well as a reminder of what he and his Companions confronted of enmity.
Allah (SWT) says: “And warn your tribe (O, Muhammad) of near kindred. And be kind and humble to the believers who follow you. Then if they disobey you, say: ‘I am innocent of what you do.’ And put your trust in the Almighty, the Most Merciful, Who sees you (O, Muhammad) when you stand up (alone at night for Tahajjud prayers). And your movements among those who fall in prostration (along with you to Allah in the five compulsory congregational prayers), verily, He only He, is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” (Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:214-220)
Allah, Most High, also says: “And verily, this (the Qur’an) is indeed a Reminder for you (O, Muhammad) and your people (Quraish people, or your followers), and you will be questioned (about it).” (Az-Zukhruf 43:44)
Allah (SWT) says: “Verily, He Who has given you (O, Muhammad) the Qur’an (i.e. ordered you to act on its laws and to preach it to others) will surely bring you back to the Ma‘ad (place of return, either to Makkah or to Paradise after your death, etc.).” (Al-Qasas 28:85)
It means that the One Who ordained and enjoined you the conveyance of the message will return you to Home of the Hereafter, which is the Ma‘ad, and then He will ask you regarding it (i.e. the conveyance of the message).
Allah, Most High, says: “Then surely, We shall question those (people) to whom it (the Book) was sent and verily, We shall question the Messengers.” (Al-A‘raf 7:6)
Verses and Ahadeeth regarding this issue are considerable. We have explored the issue in our book of At-Tafseer and therein we extensively discussed it while explaining the statement of Allah in Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’:
“And warn your tribe (O, Muhammad) of near kindred.” (Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:214)
And we cited copious Ahadeeth on that. From the Ahadeeth we cited is what is related by Imam Ahmad: From Ibn ‘Abbas who said: “When the Verse: “And warn your tribe (O, Muhammad) of near kindred” was revealed, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, came to the Hill of Safa, climbed it and then called out: “Ya Sabahahu!” The people gathered up to him. Those who could not come sent messengers to find out what has happened. Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, then addressed them thus:
“O Banu Abdul-Muttalib! O Banu Fihr! O Banu Ka‘b! What would you say if I told you that there is a band of horsemen in the valley wanting to attack you, would you believe me?” They all replied in the affirmative so he said to them: “Well, I am warning you of an imminent severe punishment!” Abu Lahab, (an uncle of the Prophet), Allah’s curse be on him, retorted: “May you be miserable for the rest of the day! Is this why you called us?!”
Then Allah revealed: “Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab, and perish
he!” (Al-Masad 111:1)
A similar narration is reported from the Hadith of Al-A’mash. Imam Ahmad also related from Abu Hurairah that: “When the Verse: ‘And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred’ was revealed, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, called all of the tribe of Quraish and addressed them thus: “O, assembly of the Quraish! save yourself from the Fire! O, assembly of Banu Ka‘b! save yourself from the Fire! O, assembly of Banu Hashim! save yourself from the Fire! O, assembly of Banu Abdul-Muttalib! save yourself from the Fire! O, Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad, save yourself from the Fire! For by Allah, I will not avail you in any way before Allah but you have ties of kinship which I wish to uphold.”
‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: “When the Verse: ‘And warn your tribe (O, Muhammad) of near kindred’ was revealed, Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) rose and said: ‘O, Fatimah Bint Muhammad! O, Safiyyah Bint Abdul-Muttalib! O, Banu Abdul-Muttalib! I cannot avail you in the presence of Allah (if you disobey Him). So, ask whatever you wish from my property.”
The purpose was so that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, could persist in calling to Allah night and day, privately and publicly without being distracted or deterred by obstacles; without being dissuaded or hindered by any hindrance. He would approach the people at their private and public assemblies; at their ceremonies and festivals and at points of Hajj rites. He kept calling those whom he met, both freeborn and slaves; weak and strong, rich and poor. In his perception, all of the creatures were equal in that regard. They transgressed against him and those who dared to follow him from among the weak echelon of the society. Severe torment came from the powerful aristocratic polytheists of Quraish, both in the form of statements and actions. The most severe of them (in opposition) was his uncle Abu Lahab whose real name was Abdul-Uzza Ibn Abdul-Muttalib and his wife, Umm Jameel ‘Arwa Bint Harb
Ibn Umayyah, Abu Sufyan’s sister.
Conversely however, his uncle, Abu Talib, differed considerably from Abu Lahab in the treatment of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was the most beloved to him. Naturally, he would be compassionate and nice to him. He would stave off harm and protect him. He opposed his people in that regard even though he was upon their religion and their ways. Allah filled his heart with the love of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, which was derived from natural feelings rather from Shari‘ah obligation. His
persistence on the religion of his people is from the wisdom of Allah. If Abu Talib had accepted Islam he would not have enjoyed such position of distinction and high opinion. They would not have held him in awe and high esteem. Rather, they would have transgressed against him and extended their evil hands and tongues to harm him.
“And your Lord creates whatsoever He wills and chooses.” (Al-Qasas 28:68)
Allah has divided His creatures into different kinds and species. These are two polytheist uncles – Abu Talib and Abu Lahab, yet, on the Day of Resurrection, one will be in shoal of Fire while the other will be in its lowest depth. Allah has revealed a chapter thereof in His Allah has divided His creatures into different kinds and species.
These are two polytheist uncles – Abu Talib and Abu Lahab, yet, on the Day of Resurrection, one will be in shoal of Fire while the other will be in its lowest depth. Allah has revealed a chapter thereof in His Book about Abu Lahab, which is recited on mimbars (pulpits) and read in sermons and speeches saying:
“He will be burned in a Fire of blazing flames! And his wife too, who
carries wood (thorns of Sadan which she used to put on the way of the
Prophet, or use to slander him).” (Al-Masad 111:3, 4)
Imam Ahmad related from Rabee‘ah Ibn ‘Ibad of Banu Ad-Deel who was a polytheist but later accepted Islam. He said: “During the period of Jahiliyyah, I saw Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in the market of Dhul-Majaz saying: “O people! Say la ilaha ill-Allah (there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah) so that you may be successful” while the people were gathered before him. Standing behind him was a clean-shaved man with squinted eye and with pony-tail hair who kept trailing him everywhere he went while retorting: “He is a childish liar.” I inquired from the people about his identity and they identified him as his uncle Abu Lahab.
As for Abu Talib, he was essentially affectionate and sympathetic by his nature as shall be gleaned from his actions, clemency and resoluteness in defending Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them.
‘Aqeel Ibn Abi Talib said: “The Quraish approached Abu Talib and said to him: ‘Your nephew has harmed our assemblies and places of worship, warn him to desist!’ Abu Talib said: ‘O ‘Aqeel! Go and bring me Muhammad.’ So I set off to search for him and I found him at Kabs (or he said: Hafsh). So I brought him under extreme heat of the midday. When he arrived at their presence, Abu Talib said to him: ‘This group of your uncles has alleged that you are disturbing them at their assemblies and places of worship, so desist from disturbing them.’ Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) lifted his gaze to the sky and said: ‘Do you see this sun?’ They replied in the affirmative, so he said: ‘I am not more able than you to abandon (this mission) even if upon the threat of a fireband.’ Abu Talib said: ‘My nephew has never lied before, so return!
Ya’qoob Ibn Utbah Ibn Mugheerah Ibn Al-Akhnas narrated that he was informed that when the Quraish told Abu Talib their grievance, he sent for Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) and said to him: “My nephew, your people have approached me with such-and-such complaints, so please spare me and yourself (from their trouble) do not place on me what neither me nor you is able to bear. Desist from such of your statements which are detestable to them.”
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, thought that his uncle had changed his mind, withdrawn his protection from him and was helpless to defend him. So he said: “O Uncle! By Allah, if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left so that I might give up this matter until Allah causes it to prevail or I die in its quest. I shall never do so.” Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, then wept and then turned to leave. When he saw the turn of event, Abu Talib called him: “My nephew!” When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, came back, he said: “Go and continue in your affair and say whatever you wish. By Allah, I shall never hand you over in return for anything.”
Ibn Ishaq said: “In that regard, Abu Talib recited this poem: (from a long rendition)
By Allah, they will never reach you with all their numbers
Until I am buried and sealed in the earth
Continue in your matter and no drawback shall reach you
A good news let that be for you and a comfort of your eyes
You invited me and I know you were only an adviser
You have spoken well and you have for a long time been trustworthy
You have presented a religion which I have known to be
One of the best religions ever practiced by mankind
But for reproach and my fear of blame
You would have found me manifestly tolerant to that
Imam Ahmad also related that Ibn ‘Abbas said: Abu Jahl said, “If I see Muhammad praying at the Ka‘bah, I will trample on his neck.” When the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, heard of that, he said, “If he does so, the angels will snatch him away.”
Ibn ‘Abbas also reported that Abu Jahl once passed by the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, while he was praying, so he said: ‘‘Have I not forbidden you from praying, O, Muhammad? You well know that there is no man who has a greater number of supporters than me.” The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, reprimanded him. Jibraeel then came down with a revelation: “Then, let him call upon his council (of helpers), We will call the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!” (Soorah Al-‘Alaq 96:17-18) By Allah, if he had called his supporters, he would have been held by severe punishment from the angels.
Ibn ‘Abbas also narrated that Abu Jahl said: “If I see Muhammad praying at the Ka‘bah, I will tread on his neck.” The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “If he does so, the angels will snatch him away.”
Ibn Jareer related from Abu Hurairah that Abu Jahl asked (the people) whether they had seen Muhammad placed his face on the ground (in prayer) in their presence. They all responded, “Yes.” So he said: “By Al-Lat and Al-‘Uzza if I see him pray, I will trample on his neck and I will daub his face with dust.” He came to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, while he was engaged in prayer, with the intention of trampling on his neck, (and the people say) that he came near him but turned upon his heels and tried to repulse something with his hands. It was said to him: ‘‘What is the matter with you?’’ He said: ‘‘There is between me and him a ditch of fire and terror and wings.’’ Thereupon, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “If he were to come near me, the angels would have torn him to pieces.” Then Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, revealed this Verse. (The narrator) said: I do not know whether it is the Hadith transmitted by Abu Hurairah or not: “Nay! Verily, man does transgress all bounds (in disbelief and evil deed, etc.). Because he considers himself self-sufficient.” (Surah Al-‘Alaq 96:6, 7) to the end of the Soorah.
Imam Ahmad also related that ‘Abdullah said: “I never saw Allah’s Messenger curse the Quraish except one day. He was engaged in prayer while a band of the ruffians from the Quraish was sitting in a gathering. Nearby was an intestine of a slaughtered camel. Some of them said: “Who would bring this intestine and place it on his back
(while in prostration)?” ‘Uqbah Ibn Abi Mu’ait said: “I will do it.” So he took the intestine and dropped it on the back of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, remained in prostration until Fatimah came and removed them from his back.
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “O, Allah take revenge on this company of the Quraish. ‘O, Allah! Take revenge on ‘Utba Ibn Rabee‘ah, Shaibah Ibn Rabee‘ah, Abu Jahl Ibn Hisham, ‘Uqbah Ibn Abi Mu’ait, Al-Waleed Ibn ‘Utbah, Ubayy Ibn Khalaf or Umayyah Ibn Khalaf.” (The sub-narrator Shu‘bah, is not sure of the last name.) ‘Abdullah added, “I saw all of them killed on the battlefield on the day of Badr and they were dragged and thrown into the Qaleeb (a well) at Badr except Ubayy Ibn Khalaf or Umayyah Ibn Khalaf for he was a fat man and he had been dismembered.” Al-Bukhari and Muslim have also related it from various chains.
By Ibn Katheer
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