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022_Aqabah, page : 9
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
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