THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 060 TRIAL OF WEALTH & GIFTS FROM THE MUQAWQAS, PRIMATE OF THE EGYPTIAN COPTIC CHURCH by Khadeijah A. Stephens Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com Muhammad.com Mosque.com Khadeijah A. Stephens Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem Trial of Wealth & Gifts from the Muqawqas, Primate of the Egyptian Coptic Church The Trial of Wealth The months that followed the incident of Dhat-ur-Riqa were comparatively peaceful. The Muslims were now looked upon in a different light and their opponents were reluctant to initiate further major hostilities against them although there were a few minor incidents. The Muslim society had never enjoyed such affluence as they currently experienced, as each of the participants in the recent encounters received their fair share of the spoils of war including the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) for whom Allah had decreed should also receive a share. “And know that one fifth of whatever you take as spoils belong to Allah, the Messenger, kinsmen of the Messenger, the orphans, the needy, and the destitute traveler …” Koran 8:41 The newly found wealth had no effect on the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), rather, he either put it to one side in order to be sold in the cause of Islam, spent on the needs of his family or gave it to the needy whenever a situation arose. The Demanding Women In the room of each of the Prophet's wives hung a curtain to ensure their privacy when any of his Companions came to visit. One day, two migrant women from the Koraysh went to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) whilst he was in one of the rooms of his wives and asked him for some clothes that had been taken as spoils of war. They knew they would not come away empty handed for the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was known never to refuse a request, however, the women forgot in whose presence they were and became over-demanding, and raised their voices. Omar happened to be passing by and heard the raised voices so he knocked upon the door and asked permission to enter. When the two women heard Omar's voice they were struck with fear and rushed to hide themselves behind the curtain, whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) started to laugh. As Omar entered he said, "O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), may Allah fill your life with laughter!" Amidst his laughter, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) said, "It is indeed remarkable how quickly these women, who are still with me, hid behind the curtain when they heard your voice!" Omar humbly replied, "It is you they should be in awe of rather than me!" Then, Omar turned toward the curtain and said, "You are enemies of yourself, do you fear me rather than the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam)?" In a timid voice the reply came: "Yes, it is so because you are rough and harsh whereas the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) is not." "This is so, son of Khattab," said the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), "by Him in whose hand is my soul, if satan knew you were traveling upon a certain road, he would choose an alternate route to be alone." The Arrival of Gifts from the Muqawqas, Primate of the Coptic Church in Egypt Sometime before, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) sent a letter to the Coptic Christian leader of Alexandria, Egypt inviting him to Islam. Much to the Prophet's disappointment the reply he received was noncommittal. However, the response was not hostile, and the leader of the Christian church sent an assortment of generous gifts to him including honey, a mule the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) named Duldul, a donkey and two young Coptic Christian girls by the names of Maria (who became known as Maryam) and Sirin who were escorted by Hatib, Abi Baltaah's son. When Maryam arrived she was taken to live in the house in which Lady Safiya had stayed prior to the completion of her room being built adjoining the Mosque whereas Sirin was taken into the household of Hasan, Thabit Al Ansari’s son. Trial of Wealth & Gifts from the Muqawqas, Primate of the Egyptian Coptic Church 060 Back Cover Subtitles The Trial of Wealth The Demanding Women The Arrival of Gifts from the Muqawqas, Primate of the Coptic Church in Egypt