THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 022 THE ALLEGIANCE AT AQABAH by Khadeijah A. Stephens Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com Muhammad.com Mosque.com Khadeijah A. Stephens Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem THE ALLEGIANCE AT AQABAH The Six Men from the Tribes of Khazraj and Aws of Yathrib (Medina) The time for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca had arrived once again and pilgrims set up camp at Mina before going on to Ka’bah. It had become customary for the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to journey to Mina each year and speak to the pilgrims about Islam, but all too often he and his message met with rejection. It was during this season, when the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was at Aqabah, that he met six men from the Yathrib (Medina) tribes of Khazraj and Aws. Those from the tribe of Khazraj were Asad Zurarah’s son, Awf Harith’s son, Rafi' Malik’s son, Qutbah son of 'Aamir. Those from the tribe of Aws were Uqbah son of 'Aamir and Jabir Abdullah’s son. The men were anxious to meet the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). There had been many times when they had heard the Jews speak of the expected Prophet and knew his time must be near at hand as the Jews had expressed their opinion that the signs heralding his appearance had reached their fulfillment. As they sat before him, Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) recited verses from the Koran and confirmed that he was the expected Prophet they had heard about. He spoke of the principals of Islam and as he did, the light of Islam was kindled in their hearts. The Khazrajites asked the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) many questions and his replies satisfied their hearts. None doubted that the man sitting before them was indeed the one the Jews awaited and turned to one another saying, "This is indeed the Prophet the Jews warned us about, don't let them be the first to reach him!" They remembered how the Jews had told them that when he came they would be destroyed on account of their worshipping more than one god, just as the people of Aad and Thamood had been in centuries past, and so they embraced Islam. Before they departed, the Khazrajites told the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), "We left our people because there are no other tribes like them torn apart by enmity and evil, perhaps Allah will unite them through you. We will return and invite them to Islam just as we have heard it, and if Allah gathers them together on your account, then no man will be greater than you!" The Allegiance at Aqabah The year after the six men from the Khazrajite and Awsite tribes embraced Islam, seven more men from Yathrib accompanied them and went to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and embraced Islam. From the tribe of Khazraj they were Mu’adh son of Al Harith who was the son of Afra, Dhakwan son of Abd Al Qays, Ubadah son of As-Samit, Yazeed son of Tha’laba, Al-Abbas Ubadah’s son, son of Nadalah. From the tribe of Aws they were Abdul Haitham At-Taihan’s son and Uwaim son of Sa’idah. The men were anxious to learn more about Islam and asked the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to send one of his Companions back with them to Yathrib to teach. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) chose Musab, Umair's son, who was the grandson of Hashim. When Musab reached Yathrib they lodged him with respect in the home of a wealthy man of good standing by the name of Asad, Zurarah's son. As the days passed more tribesmen came into the fold of Islam. One day chieftains of the two tribes, Sa’ad the son of Mu’adh and Usaid Hudair’s son heard that Musab was talking to some converts, so Usaid, somewhat indignant, approached the converts armed with his lance. Sa’ad however did not do so on the grounds that Asad was his maternal cousin. As Usaid approached the converts heard him curse and swear accusing Musab of being weak minded, and ordered him to stop his preaching. Musab sat calmly and invited him to sit down with him saying, “If you are pleased with what we say, you can accept it, if on the other hand you hate it you are free to reject it.” Usaid decided to sit down and thrust his lance into the sand and listened to Musab speak about Islam and heard him recite some verses of the Koran. Happiness spread over Usaid’s face and he asked how he could embrace Islam. The converts showed him how to make ablution and told him to put on pure clothes and then to bear witness that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, this he did and the converts showed him how to make two units of prayer to Allah. Usaid told Musab that if Sa’ad son of Mu’adh embraced Islam, his tribe would do likewise and that they should go and speak with him. When Sa’ad saw Usaid he noticed a remarkable change on his face and was puzzled by it. Sa’ad was receptive to the message Musab brought and he embraced Islam and then turned to his tribe and declared, “If you don’t believe in Allah and His Messenger, I will never speak to you again!” Day after day, people from his tribe embraced Islam until the only one person remained, and that was Al Usairim who delayed until the Day of Uhud when he sided with the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and fought against the unbelievers until he was martyred. The Seventy-Two Men of Yathrib When the time for the pilgrimage arrived in the following year - which was thirteen years after the prophethood - seventy-three men and two women whose names were Nusaiba daughter of Ka’b from the tribe of Najjar, and Asma the daughter of Amr from the tribe of the Bani Salamah, set forth in a caravan to Mecca. Unknown to the unbelievers of Yathrib in their caravan were the new converts who wanted to pledge their allegiance to the Prophet in person, who, when the time was right, slipped away unnoticed to meet the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). It was arranged that they would meet the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) on a certain hill at Aqabah at night in middle of Tashreeq (11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul Hijja). The happy band of pilgrims were accompanied by one of the hierarchy of Yathrib by the name of Abdullah Amr’s son who was the son of Haram. Abdullah had as yet to embrace Islam and as they journeyed together those who had already converted spoke to him about Islam and his heart was touched. Abdullah became one of those who took part with the pledging of allegiance at Aqabah. When they reached Aqabah the new Muslims pitched their tents anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Prophet, (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Three nights later, they made their way to the appointed hill. When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) accompanied by Al-Abbas arrived their was great happiness. On account of the increased hostilities toward the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his Companions in Mecca, the Prophet's thoughts turned to migrating with his Companions to Yathrib. However, his own migration was out of the question until Allah made it known to him. When Al-Abbas, the uncle of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) realized the Prophet's inclination he became concerned for his safety and reminded him that at least in Mecca his family loved and honored him, and that they had always stood by him against his enemies. On account of his concern, Al-Abbas turned to the party from Yathrib and asked, "If he inclines to live with you, will you support him with your life and body? If you cannot, tell me." Bara turned and said, "We have been born and raised as warriors". Just then Abu Al Haitham interjected saying, "O Prophet of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) we are on good terms with the Jews, after this pledge we shall have to break from them. Is it possible that you may leave us to return to your own City when your authority is realized?" The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) smiled reassuringly and said, "No, my blood is your blood. In life and death I will be with you and you with me, you are mine and I am yours." Ka’b then spoke saying, “We have heard your words O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and it is for you to speak and take from us any pledge you like regarding your Lord and yourself.” Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) recited verses from the Koran and spoke to them about belief then told them their pledge would be to hear and obey him in all circumstances, to spend in the Name of Allah in times of plenty and when restricted. To enjoin good and forbid evil deeds. To be obedient to Allah and fear none other. To defend in times of need and to protect him in the same way that they protect their family. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) then told them that if they adhered to this Paradise would be their reward. As they were about to take their pledge, Abbas son of Ubadah who was the son of Nadlah, stood up and asked, "My tribesmen, do you understand what is meant by such a pledge, it is a declaration of conflict against Arab and non-Arab alike. If you undertake this heavy responsibility, I swear by Allah, that there is good in this world for you and in the Hereafter.” His tribesmen replied that they had understood and pledged their allegiance. Abbas, son of Ubadah’s statement is one of great significance and has regrettably been misunderstood and misinterpreted by some Muslims - especially in the recently emerged bellicose, followers of Muhammad ibn Abd Al-Wahab and Ibn Taymia - who fail to understand one of the basic, elementary duties of a Muslim to his neighbor. It is not a call for Jihad or for hostilities to be levied against those who have not embraced Islam. Rather, it is obligatory upon all Muslims, especially those who have migrated to a foreign land, to tell their neighbors about Islam and demonstrate its teachings by leading an exemplary life in accordance with the Koran and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). From the gathering, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) chose twelve men to go out and preach. Nine belonged to the tribe of Khazraj and three from the tribe of Aws. They were: Rifa’a, Abdul Mundhir’s son. Al Aws Usaid son of Hudair. Sa’ad, Khaithama's son, later to be martyred during the Encounter of Badr. Asad, Zurarah's son, who would often lead the congregational prayer on Friday. Sa'ad, Rabi's son, later to be martyred during the Encounter of Uhud. Abdullah, Rawahah's son, a famous poet, martyred during the Encounter of Mu’tah. Sa'ad, Ubadah's son, a close Companion of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Mundhar, Umair's son, martyred at the Encounter of Bi'r Maunah. Bara Marur's son, spokesman during the Allegiance of Aqabah. Bara died before the migration of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Abdullah, son of Amr. Ubadah, Al Samit's son, a close Companion of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), transmitter of many prophetic sayings. Rafi, Malik's son, martyred at the Encounter of Uhud. The Koraysh Learn of the Allegiance at Aqabah The following morning, the Koraysh received word of the pledge. When the new converts learned the Koraysh had discovered their rendezvous with the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) they were fearful of an attack whereupon Abbas son of Nadlah said to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) “By Allah, who has sent you with the Truth, we are powerful enough to fight the people of Mina (meaning the Koraysh) tomorrow!” Whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied, “We have not been commanded to follow that course, return to your camps now.” So in obedience they returned to their tents and slept until morning. The next day, a large delegation of Koraysh chieftains and the arch-enemies of Islam approached the Yathrib unbelieving caravaners protesting, “O people of the Khazraj we have heard that you have come here to conclude a treaty with Muhammad and take him out of Mecca. By Allah we do not want to fight against you.” The unbelievers told the Koraysh that what they heard must be just a rumor because if there was any truth in the matter they felt certain they would have knowledge of it. Abdullah, Ubayy’s son who was the son of Salul was adamant and declared that the Yathrib tribesmen would never initiate anything unless he gave them clear orders. Meanwhile, the believers of Yathrib who had completed their pilgrimage and returned to Mecca remained silent about the matter. However, the Koraysh felt uneasy about the matter and started to scrutinize the affair and concluded that a pledge of allegiance had in fact taken place. However, by that time the new Muslims had left Mecca and were now well on their way back to Yathrib. The enraged Koraysh saddled their mounts and set off after them but the only one they caught up with was the elderly Sa’ad, Ubadah’s son whom they took hostage and subjected to severe torture. When Mut’im son of Adi and Harith, Harb’s son heard of Sa’ads plight they prevailed upon the Koraysh to release him stressing the importance of the trade relationship between them. Madinat Al Nabi Munwara, the Illumined City of the Prophet The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was satisfied that Yathrib, which in the years to come was renamed "Madinat Al Nabi" -- the City of the Prophet, later to be abbreviated as Medina -- was a safe haven for his Companions and ordered all those who were able to, to migrate to Medina. When the Koraysh learned of the impending migration they tried to prevent the Companions from migrating. However, they were unsuccessful and all but a few of the Companions migrated. The First Immigrant to Yathrib Abu Salamah's family originated from Yathrib, from the tribe of Asad, however some of his family had settled in Mecca under the protection and sponsorship of his uncle, the late Abu Talib. Not long after Abu Talib's death, Abu Salamah and his wife Hind better known as Umm Salamah the daughter of Abi Umayyah, from the tribe of Mughirah, a branch of the Makhzum tribe, and first cousin to the infamous Abu Jahl decided to migrate. Abu Salamah and Hind had been among the early converts and now that permission had been given to migrate they made preparations to migrate to the safety of Yathrib with their young son Salamah. When the time came to leave, Abu Salamah saddled his camel and seated his wife as she cradled her young son in her arms, and set off walking alongside the camel leading it by a rope. Almost immediately, men from Umm Salamah's tribe, the tribe of Mughirah, perceived their intent and rushed up to Abu Salamah, snatched the camel's rope from his hand saying, "You can do as you like! As for your wife, do you think we will allow her to go with you?" The Grief of Umm Salamah Umm Salamah was broken hearted and each day she would make her way to a nearby valley where she would weep for the family she had lost. A year or more had passed when one of Umm Salamah's cousins came across her in the valley and as he saw her weeping took pity on her so he returned to his tribesmen rebuking them saying, "You have separated her from her husband and child, why don't you let the poor woman go!" Umm Salamah's tribesmen relented and told her that she was free to go to her husband. Once again Umm Salamah's camel was saddled and she mounted then set off by herself for Yathrib. As she journeyed on to Tanim -- which lies approximately six miles outside Mecca – she was met by Othman, Talha's son who asked where she was going, and inquired if she was traveling alone. Umm Salamah told him that except for Allah she was traveling alone in hope of finding her husband and child. Othman was perturbed by her plight and offered to accompany her to Yathrib. Umm Salamah accepted Othman's kind gesture and so she continued her journey under Othman's protection. Later, Umm Salamah would say of Othman, "Othman is one of the most honorable Arabs I have ever met. When we stopped for a rest he would make my camel kneel for me so that I might dismount, and then withdraw, and tend to the camel for me. Then, he would distance himself from me and sleep. When evening came, Othman would bring my saddled camel to me, then, he would turn away so that I might settle myself. When I was ready he would take hold of the reins and lead us." The days passed and eventually they drew near to the village of Quba, which lies on the outskirts of Yathrib near the ancient lava flows. Othman told Umm Salamah that she would find her husband in the village and to enter it with the blessing of Allah. Now that Othman had accomplished his mission, he wasted no time and returned to Mecca knowing that Umm Salamah would soon be safely reunited with her husband. The Second Family to Migrate to Yathrib The migration of the Companions was accomplished in phases over an extended passage of time. Following Abu Salamah's migration, the next to migrate was Aamir, Rabia's son, with his wife Leila, the daughter of Hathma. The Migration of Omar Omar, Khattab's son, together with Ayyash, son of Abi Rab’ia, and Hisham, Al-As' son, decided to migrate together and agreed to meet each other by the thorn trees growing on land belonging to the Ghifar some six miles outside Mecca. It was a dangerous time, and so Omar told his companions that in the event of anyone's failure to reach the thorn trees by the following morning, whosoever was there must not wait, but go on as it would be understood that the missing party had been forced to stay behind. Omar and Ayyash reached the thorn trees and waited for Hisham to arrive. There was still no sign of Hisham as the time approached, so reluctantly they left for Quba where they stayed with the children of Amr, Auf's son. As they suspected, Hisham had been detained, and forced to outwardly apostatize. Abu Jahl Arrives in Yathrib Shortly after their arrival in Yathrib, Ayyash received two unexpected visitors who were, Abu Jahl and Harith, both of whom were his relatives. Abu Jahl, knowing how much Ayyash loved his mother, concocted a story about her that troubled Ayyash deeply. Abu Jahl told Ayyash his mother was greatly distressed by his leaving and had taken a vow that she would neither comb her hair, even if it became full of lice, nor would she sit in the shade of a tree but rather she would sit unprotected under the blazing heat of the sun until she saw her son again. The thought of his mother's suffering disturbed Ayyash greatly, so he went to Omar and told him of her vow. Omar knew well the tricks of Abu Jahl and warned him that in his opinion it was nothing but an attempt to seduce him from his religion and that he must be very careful of Abu Jahl and Harith. Ayyash could not be dissuaded and told Omar that he would return to release his mother from her vow and at the same time retrieve some of the money he had left behind. In a final effort to prevent Ayyash from returning to Mecca with Abu Jahl and Harith, Omar, in the spirit of true brotherhood, told him that he was willing to give him half of his wealth, if only he would stay. When Omar realized that Ayyash was not going to change his mind, he gave him his own camel telling him that it was well bred and easy to ride. Omar also advised Ayyash not to dismount and if he detected the slightest suspicion of treachery he could make good his escape on it. Ayyash thanked Omar and gave him the farewell greetings, then set off towards Mecca with Abu Jahl and Harith. After they had traveled some distance, Abu Jahl said, "My nephew, my camel is proving hard to ride will you let me ride with you?" Ayyash agreed and they made their camels kneel. No sooner had the camels knelt, than Abu Jahl and Harith attacked him, bound him tightly and took him back to Mecca where they forced him to apostatize. As Abu Jahl and Harith entered Mecca they called out, "O people of Mecca, deal with your fools in the same way we have dealt with ours!" The news of Ayyash's wretched condition reached Omar and he feared Allah would not accept the repentance of those who apostatized. Omar continued to be of the same opinion until the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) arrived sometime later in Medina and the following verses were sent down: "Say, 'O My worshipers, who have sinned excessively against themselves, do not despair of the Mercy of Allah, surely, Allah forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, the Most Merciful. Turn to your Lord and surrender yourselves to Him before the punishment overtakes you, for then you will not be helped. Follow the best of what has been sent down from your Lord before the punishment overtakes you suddenly, while you are unaware.'" Koran 39:53-55 When Omar heard these verses he wrote them down and sent it to Hisham who was also confined in Mecca. Hisham had difficulty reading so in desperation he supplicated saying, "O Allah, make me understand it!" Allah heard his supplication and Hisham realized that the verses referred to Ayyash and himself whereupon he mounted his camel and set out to rejoin the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) who had by then, migrated to Yathrib. THE ALLEGIANCE AT AQABAH 022 Back Cover Subtitles The Six Men from the Tribes of Khazraj and Aws of Yathrib The Allegiance at Aqabah The Seventy-Two Men of Yathrib The Koraysh Learn of the Allegiance at Aqabah: Madinat Al Nabi Munwara, the Illumined City of the Prophet The First Immigrant to Yathrib The Grief of Umm Salamah The Second Family to Migrate to Yathrib The Migration of Omar Abu Jahl Arrives in Yathrib