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CONGRUITIES AND INCONGRUITIES BETWEEN THE BIBLE AND THE QUR'AN |
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The word of command for the emigration of Muslims had come: Say: « "O my Lord! Let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honour, and likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honour; and grant me from Thy Presence an authority to aid (me)."» (Surah 17/80)
Flight to Medina
The Muslims began to immigrate in 622 to Medina by permission of the Prophet. They were obliged to leave all their assets in Mecca. Once in Medina, they were settled in the neighboring villages.Other than those whose departure from Mecca had been thwarted, only Muhammad was left behind with Abu Bakr and Ali. The pagan Meccans were restless in view of the grouping of the Muslims in Medina as a growing hostile power. The prominent members of the Meccan community like Abu Sufyan met to decide on the situation. The resolution reached was the murder of the Prophet. In the meantime, Gabriel had informed God's Messenger of this development. « Remember how the Unbelievers plotted against thee, to keep thee in bonds, or slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home). They plot and plan, and Allah too plans; but the best of planners is Allah.» (Surah 8/30)
Upon Gabriel's warning, Muhammad, together with Abu Bakr, clandestinely left at night. When the pagans stormed the house that very night, they found in Muhammad's bed Ali and were stunned.
After a journey on camel back, with untold hardships, Muhammad reached Kuba, a village in Medina where he was received warmly. A mass of people were waiting for him. Everybody wanted to have him as his guest at his home. He said in return that he would be staying at the place in front of which his camel was to stop. He was finally accommodated at the house of Abu Ayyub Halid for 7 months until the termination of the construction of Masdjid Nabi (The Prophet's mosque).
Masdjid Nabi
After all sorts persecutions and molestations, Muhammad had finally dropped anchor at a place where the majority of its population were Muslim converts. The community needed a place of worship. The first mosque had been erected at Kuba, but there was no mosque in Medina. The construction work immediately started, and Muhammad himself was among the migrant workers. Adobes were used to make walls; they made use of palm trees for pillars and the thatched roof was of palm tree leaves and branches. The poorer subjects of the Muslim community would be able to stay there. They were taught by the Prophet himself. The expenditures were covered by the richer stratum of the population. The guests that came to present gifts were treated by Muhammad at his table and the contributions made were shared and distributed among his companions. There was no longer any discrimination between the poor and the rich; there was a perfect equality and brotherhood.
Brotherhood between the Medina inhabitants and the immigrants.
The Meccan Muslims had unreservedly devoted themselves to the cause of Muhammad and departed from Mecca leaving all their assets behind. They were referred to as the Muhadjirin (immigrants) while the Muslims of the Medina population were called Ansar. The latter did their best to accommodate them and share their food. Yet, this made them restless. The following verse was revealed in this connection. « But those who before them, had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith,- show their affection to such as came to them for refuge, and entertain no desire in their hearts for things given to the (latter), but give them preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls,- they are the ones that achieve prosperity »(Surah 59/9) « The solidarity between the immigrants and the Medina people turned into a brotherhood. The Believers are but a single Brotherhood.» (Surah 49/10)
Muhammad gathered the mass consisting of immigrants and the people of Medina and divided them into pairs before declaring them brothers. The pairs worked together and shared what they earned. There was no longer any discrimination between the poor and the rich, between the races, and between the black and the white. They were united to each other with love, affection and forbearance. The high morals had made them the most civilized community in the world. « The vanguard (of Islam)- the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds,- well- pleased is Allah with them, as are they with Him: for them hath He prepared gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: that is the supreme felicity. »(Surah 9/100)
Multiplicity of the Prophet's Wives
God's Messenger had married Khadijah with whom he remained for 25 years; she had borne him six children. Despite the fact that he enjoyed a sound health, he remained monogamous. Yet, after her death, he took many wives in line with God's wish, with a view to spreading Islam.
Polygamy was not Muhammad's invention. When the revelation of the Qur'an had begun, in Arabia, like everywhere else, polygamy was widely spread. Even though a man had more than one wife, the matrimonial tie was considered as consanguinity and propinquity. Such relationships were greatly needed for the spread of Islam. Muhammad had to make certain sacrifices in his personal life and by establishing matrimonial links his contacts would be assured better. Given the fact that half of the population consisted of females, he picked up women to whom he could teach the Qur'an. He therefore married widows having children and with women most of whom were past their prime. Had he been after the satisfaction of his lust, he would have surely preferred younger and attractive women. As a matter of fact, his matrimonial ties greatly contributed to the spread of Islam and many a clan were converted.
The method to which Muhammad had recourse in establishing matrimonial ties, in line with God's commandments.
Savdah
Savdah was Muhammad's second wife, one of the first converts subjected to heinous tortures; she could not bear it and had to take refuge with her husband to Ethiopia. However, upon her husband's death she had to return to Mecca. She had lost her 16 year son as well during a fight. As a recompense for the cruelties she had to go through Muhammad married her. She was 50 year old at the time, a rather advanced age for a woman.
Umm Salamah
Ummu Salamah was the fifth wife of Muhammad. Her father had been killed in the battle field and she was widowed with her four sons. She was a near relative of Khalid, commander of the pagan Meccan army. The latter was converted within two years' time.
Zaynab, daughter of Huzaimah
Zaynab was Muhammad's eighth wife. Her first husband was killed in the Badr battle and her second husband fell in the field during the Uhud battle. Muhammad made her his lawful wife; but she died three months after her marriage.
A'ishah
A'isha was Muhammad's third wife; she was the daughter of Caliph Abu Bakr, Muhammad's nearest friend. She had taken a good education and was an intelligent woman. To honor his friend, Muhammad married her even as a child, but the consummation of marriage took after she reached her puberty. She served him in more than one way. Thanks to her a good many traditions could be preserved.
Hafsah
Daughter of the second Caliph Omar, she was his fourth wife. She was widowed when her husband fell during the Uhud battle. Muhammad married her following Omar's suggestion, strengthening thus the kinship.
Zaynab, daughter of Djahsh
She was his seventh wife, daughter of his aunt and renowned for her beauty. The emancipated slaves in Arabia were treated as inferior subjects to the rest of the population; to root out this prejudice, Muhammad arranged a matrimonial tie between Zayd, the slave he had emancipated with his aunt's daughter, Zaynab. But there were continual disputes between the spouses. When Zayd divorced her in the end, Muhammad took her to wife as she felt humiliated. What induced Muhammad to this tie was a revelation (Surah 33/37). Thus Zaynab's humiliation had come to and end. In this way the Arab tradition 'the woman that the adopted son has divorced cannot marry the adoptive father' was abolished.
Djuveriyyah
Daughter of the hostile clan Mustalik and widow, she was the sixth wife of Muhammad. Her husband was killed in the battle against the Muslims. Enslaved, she had become Muhammad's wife. This had been a reason for the eventual conversion of the clan.
Umm Habibah
Daughter of Abu Sufyan, Muhammad's arch enemy and leader of the Meccan pagans, She was the ninth wife of Muhammad. Despite the objection of her father, she became a convert and immigrated to Ethiopia, where she had given birth to a child and lost her husband. Umm Habibah remained devoted to Islam and refused to go back to Mecca. Muhammad, in gratitude for her allegiance, had appointed Necasi, king of Ethiopia, a Christian, to act on his behalf and make Umm Habibah his (Muhammad's) lawful wife. Before this tie the following verse had been revealed: « It may be that Allah will grant love (and friendship) between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies. For Allah has power (over all things); And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.» (Surah 60/7) After this incident, Abu Suyan's hostility abated and Umm Habibah was converted following the conquest of Mecca.
Safiyyah
She was a Jewish girl from Haybar and the tenth wife of Muhammad. Her husband had died in the Haybar battle between the Muslims and the Jews and she had taken prisoner. Her answer was positive to Muhammad's offer: “Remain faithful to your religion and go back to your country, or if you prefer to stay, embrace the religion of Islam and become my wife.” This resulted in the fostering of new conversions.
Maria the Egyptian
She became Muhammad's eleventh wife. She was sent to him by the Egyptian king. Muhammad did not accept her as a concubine, and married her. This had created a positive impression among the Egyptian people.
Maymounah
She was Muhammad's twelfth wife. God's Messenger wanted that hostility with the pagan Meccans be resolved. Maymounah, a widow, had eight sisters married to the prominent personages of various clans who had some influence over the Meccans. This tie had alleviated the existing hostility with the Meccans.
Rewards for Muhammad's wives in the hereafter
Places that Muhammad's wives lived were far from being comfortable; they were agonizing deprivation places. They did not dwell in a palace. Their dwelling consisted of small rooms abutting on the wall of a mosque. The walls were of adobes, the thatched roof was made of the branches of palm trees. A kilim was spread on the ceiling against showers, and the floor was earth. Muhammad distributed the riches he received among his community; having set apart the due of children and wives, the rest was given away. He himself had a lifestyle poorer than his companions. In these sacrifices, all the family members had their shares. The former life of his spouses had been spent in wealth and plenty; they did complain now and then of their actual way of life, yet the lifestyle of Muhammad never changed. God Almighty warned Muhammad's wives as follows: « O Prophet! Say to thy Consorts: If it be that ye desire the life of this World, and its glitter,- then come! I will provide for your enjoyment and set you free in a handsome manner. But if ye seek Allah and His Messenger, and the Home of the Hereafter, verily Allah has prepared for the well-doers amongst you a great reward. »(Surah 33/28-29) None of the spouses wanted to get a divorce, they had preferred to life they had been promised. In their single dress and rooms with earth as floor, they experienced the bliss of serving God's beloved messenger and of contributing to the cause of Islam. They were not mere women, but spouses of the Prophet and mothers of believers. O Consorts of the Prophet! Ye are not like any of the (other) women (Surah 33/32); The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers. (Surah 33/6)
Badr, Uhud and Ditch Battles
Peace was the principal motto of Islam. The word 'Islam' means in fact, peace, security and serenity. But the cruelty had to be be averted by fighting. During the Muslim's stay in Mecca for 13 years, they had been subjected to untold miseries and persecutions. Despite this gross injustice, they were told to forbear and do their utmost to spread Islam without recourse to any harsh method. Only after they had immigrated to Medina were they allowed to go to war. « To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is Allah »(Srah 22/39, 40)
Battle of Badr
The pagan Meccans gathered an army of 1000 with a view to annihilating the Muslims that had immigrated to Medina, in 624. The Muslim army consisted of 300 men , deprived of the proper gadgets of war. In this battle, without any distinction between fathers, brothers and sons and the members of the same clan everybody fought against each other. For instance, one of Muhammad's uncles, Hamza fought on Muhammad's side, while another, Abbas, on the enemy side. God Almighty had foretold His Messenger that the victory would be his.« Soon will their multitude be put to flight, and they will show their backs. »(Surah 54/45)
The battle began in the wadi Badr. A handful of Muslims stood against a crowd of pagans armed from top to toe. The Messenger raised his hands and prayed God before the clash of weapons. By God's grace the pagans were to be defeated leaving behind many dead, wounded and prisoners. « It is not ye who slew them; it was Allah. when thou threwest (a handful of dust), it was not thy act, but Allah.s: in order that He might test the Believers by a gracious trial from Himself: for Allah is He Who heareth and knoweth (all things). »(Surah 8/17)
Battle of Uhud
The Meccan pagans could not wipe out the memory of their defeat from their minds. They intended now to launch an attack on Medina and do away with Muhammad and his band. The following year, an army of three thousand under the command of Abu Sufyan marched on to Medina. The army of their opponent was less than one fourth of theirs. The battle began on the skirts of the Uhud Mountain. At first, the Meccan army was routed. But, instead of tracking the enemy that fled, the winners indulged in collecting spoils and the arrow shooters had abandoned their position. The enemy regained their strength and launched a new attack which ended with their victory over the Muslims. The Prophet himself was wounded. This gave the Muslims a new ardor and stopped the onslaughts of the enemy. Hamza, Muhammad's uncle fell in the battle field.
Although the Meccans had the superiority, God had inspired them fear which made them return to Mecca without having taken a single prisoner. « So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: For ye must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith». (Surah 3/139)
Battle of Ditch
The name of this battle is derived from the ditch dig around Medina. The Meccan pagans, resolved to root out Muhammad and his converts, gathered a huge army of four thousand to which were joined also the neighboring Bedouin tribes, thus, raising the number to twelve thousand. Such a big force had never been seen. The Meccans confronted with such an unexpected sight were put out, but laid a siege. The confrontation was reduced to reciprocal throw of arrows. Days and weeks passed. The Muslims were in a critical condition. There was scarcity of food and water. The Beni Khrayza, Jews in Medina, in violation of their contract, began collaborating with the enemy. This caused great worry in Muhammad. But, before long, this worry turned into joy. A storm rose uprooting the enemy's tents and scattering their horses and camels which put them in a panic. They were put to rout. « And Allah turned back the Unbelievers for (all) their fury: no advantage did they gain; and enough is Allah for the believers in their fight. And Allah is full of Strength, able to enforce His Will. » (Surah 33/25)
Pact with Meccan Pagans
The Meccan Muslims had missed their country and the Kaaba. Six years had gone by. During this space of time, the pagans had engaged in battles to annihilate the Muslims. There were many Arab clans in the proximity of Medina who knew nothing about Islam. If a peace treaty were to be signed, Islam might easily be taught and preached to these clans.
In 628, Muhammad and his men numbering some 1400 people, set out to visit the Kaaba. Their intention being a peaceful visit, they did not take any weapon with them; they had been particular about the time they chose since Zilkade was the month in which all fights were prohibited. When they arrived in Hudaybiyah, they pitched camp. The Meccans hearing of their arrival got worried and started to prepare for war.
The peace talks first started by the advent of a delegation sent by the Meccans whose stipulations were refused. Now it was the Turn of the Muslims to reciprocate. Muhammad sent Utman, one of his companions, to Mecca. Not only did the Meccans not accept his proposals, but imprisoned him. Wherepon Muhammad, in vexation, began preparing for war. However, a compromise was reached between Muhammad and the Meccan leaders. Although the pact seemed at first sight against the grains of the Muslims, it was, in a sense a victory for them. The Prophet had been spreading his creed to the Arab clans and the number of the new converts far outnumbered those that had accepted Islam up until then. When the Pact of Hudaybiyah was violated in two years' time, the time for the conquest of Medina had come.
Conquest of Medina
The Meccans who had violated the pact were regretful. In order to reinstate the conditions of the pact, they sent to Medina their leader, Abu Sufyan. Abu Sufyan whose every word was obeyed was denied hospitality and even his daughter Umm Khulsum, now Muhammad's wife, had remained cool towards him. He had to go back to Mecca without coming to an agreement.
Muhammad had given orders to get prepared for the conquest of Mecca. The time had come to wipe out the idols in the Kaaba. To avoid any hostile encounter, Muhammad tried to carry out the conquest by stealth. The roads between Mecca and Medina had been cut off to prevent an intelligence that might be conveyed to the Meccans. The Meccans, on the other hand, uninformed about the oncoming attack would be taken unawares, and thus no blood would be shed. Muhammad sent word to all the converted clans to come to Medina.
In 630, an army of twelve thousand set out and pitched camp in the environs of Mecca. The size of the bonfire had scared the Meccan population, who sent Abu Sufyan to gather intelligence. At the sight of Muhammad's army, he preferred to choose Islam instead of stipulating any new offer. Muhammad sent him back to Mecca to announce his people that they show no resistance as the entire Meccan population would be immune to attacks. The majority of the Meccan population remained passive and the army entered the city without any opposition. By the grace of God, Mecca had been conquered. In the Kaaba and environs there were more than three hundred idols. Muhammad had them all destroyed. He then made a speech addressing the Meccan crowd. He read the following verse from the Qur'an: "This day let no reproach be (cast) on you: Allah will forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy! (Surah 12/92) and told them to go away.
At noon, at the prayer time, Bilali the Abyssinian mounted the roof of the Kaaba and called people to prayer. God's Messenger officiated. After the conquest, crowds of people from the surrounding clans rushed to Medina and swore allegiance. There was not a single clan left unconverted in Arabia, with the exception of a few Christian and Jewish communities. God's Messenger had not compelled them to accept the new faith as they were monotheists. « And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong (and injury): but say, "We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam)." »(Surah 29/46) He took them under his protection, only exacting a tribute from them. The Qur'an described the conversion as follows: « When comes the Help of Allah, and Victory,. And thou dost see the people enter Allah.s Religion in crowds, Celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and pray for His Forgiveness: For He is Oft-Returning (in Grace and Mercy).» (Surah 110/1-3)
Islam above all religion
« It is He Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all religion: and enough is Allah for a Witness.» (48/28) This verse predicted that Islam would replace all existing religions. Whether the Meccans were willing to accept it or not the verses in the Qur'an (Surah 9/33) had predicted the superiority of Islam.
I shall no longer be among you
« This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…» (Surah 5/3) This verse had been revealed right after the 'Farewell Address' of Muhammad. It meant that he had fulfilled his mission and was ready to go the way of all flesh. In his said address, Muhammad had said: 'I may no longer be among you soon.”
God's Messenger died 82 days after this address at the age of 63. He, like all the other prophets, was raised to God's presence.
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THE HOLY QUR'AN