1142 — Abū Hafs Umar ibn Muhammad ibn Bakkār al-Qāfilāʾī also narrated to us, saying: Abū al-Asbagh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahmān ibn Kāmil al-Asadī narrated to us, saying: My father narrated to us, ⦗1661⦘ saying: Ulwān ibn Dāwūd al-Bajalī narrated to us, from al-Laythī—meaning Abū al-Musabbih—from Abū al-Zinād, who said:

When the polytheists intensified their persecution of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) in Mecca, he said to his uncle al-Abbās, “Uncle, go to Ukāz and show me where the Arab clans are encamped, so that I may call them to Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and ask them to protect and shelter me until I convey from Allah, Mighty and Majestic, that with which He has sent me.”

Al-Abbās replied, “Yes, I shall go with you and direct you to the clans’ encampments.”

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn said: He then related the account of how the Prophet presented himself to the tribes one by one, but none of them responded to him. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was accompanied by al-Abbās ibn Abd al-Muttalib, Abū Bakr al-Siddīq, and Alī ibn Abī Tālib (may Allah be pleased with them). He then departed from them. I have abridged the hadith.

He said in it: The following year, the six Khazrajī men met the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): Asad ibn Zurāra, Abū al-Haytham ibn al-Tayyihān, Abd Allah ibn Rawāha, Sad ibn al-Rabī, al-Numān ibn Hāritha, and Ubāda ibn al-Sāmit. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) met them at night during the days of Minā, near the Pillar of al-Aqaba. He sat with them and called them to Allah, Mighty and Majestic, to worship Him, and to support His religion, with which He had sent His prophets and messengers.

They asked him to recite to them some of what had been revealed to him, so he recited to them from Sūrat Ibrāhīm: “And when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, make this city secure’” [Ibrāhīm 14:35], continuing to the end of the surah. Their hearts softened and they humbled themselves when they heard what he recited, and they responded to him.

Al-Abbās ibn Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him) then passed by while they were speaking with the Prophet and he was speaking with them. Recognizing the Prophet’s voice, he asked, “My nephew, who are these people with you?”

He replied, “They are inhabitants of Yathrib from the Aws and Khazraj. I have called them to the same thing to which I called the clans before them, and they have responded to me and affirmed my truthfulness. They have also said that they will take me with them to their land.”

Al-Abbās dismounted and tethered his mount. He then said, “People of the Aws and Khazraj, this is my nephew, and he is the dearest of all people to me.” He then related the lengthy discussion that took place between them and al-Abbās.

He said: Asad ibn Zurāra, the youngest of the group, stood and said, among the things with which he addressed al-Abbās, “As for your statement that you cannot feel secure entrusting his affairs to us until you have taken solemn pledges from us, this is something we would not refuse anyone who sought it for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). Take whatever pledges you wish.”

He then turned to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said, “Messenger of Allah, stipulate whatever you wish for yourself, ⦗1663⦘ and whatever you wish for your Lord.”

The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “For my Lord, Mighty and Majestic, I stipulate that you worship Him and associate nothing with Him. For myself, I stipulate that you protect me from whatever you protect yourselves, your sons, and your wives from.”

They replied, “That shall be yours, Messenger of Allah.”

Al-Abbās then said, “You are bound to this by Allah’s covenant together with your own, and by Allah’s pledge together with your pledges, in this sacred month and this sacred city. You are pledging allegiance to him and to Allah, your Lord. Allah’s hand is above your hands. You shall strive earnestly to support him, strengthen him, and faithfully honor your covenant with him through the power of your hands, the forthright speech of your tongues, and the sincere counsel of your hearts. No coveted prospect that appears before you, nor any danger that threatens you, shall prevent you from doing so, and no harm shall come to him through you.”

They all replied, “Yes.”

He said, “O Allah, You are All-Hearing and a witness. My nephew has entrusted his blood to their care and charged them with protecting his person. O Allah, be a witness over them on my nephew’s behalf.”

The people were satisfied with what the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had pledged to them of himself, and the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was satisfied with them. They had asked him, “Messenger of Allah, if we give you this, what shall we receive?”

He replied, “You shall have Allah’s pleasure and Paradise.”

They said, “We are satisfied, and we accept.”

Ibn al-Tayyihān then turned to his companions and said, “Do you not know that this is the Messenger of Allah sent to you, and that you have believed in him and affirmed his truthfulness?”

They replied, “Indeed.”

He said, “Do you not know that he is in the sacred city, the place of his birth, among his clan and relatives?”

They replied, “Indeed.”

He said, “If you might ever forsake him or surrender him because of some affliction that befalls you, then do so now. All the Arabs will unite against you as though shooting from a single bow. But if you willingly sacrifice your lives, wealth, and children for Allah, Mighty and Majestic, then the reward with Allah is better than your lives, wealth, and children.”

They all replied, “No! We shall remain with him in fidelity and truthfulness.”

He then turned to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said, “Messenger of Allah, perhaps after we have fought the people for your sake, ⦗1664⦘ severed the alliances, bonds of protection, and ties of kinship between us and them, and war has driven us to its fiercest pitch and cast aside its veil before us, you will return to your own city and leave us after we have fought the people for your sake.”

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) smiled and said, “Your blood is my blood, and your inviolability is mine.”

Abd Allah ibn Rawāha said, “Abū al-Haytham, let us pass so that we may pledge allegiance to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).”

Abū al-Haytham preceded them in pledging allegiance and said, “Messenger of Allah, I pledge allegiance to you upon the same terms on which Moses son of Imrān took the pledge of the twelve chiefs of the Children of Israel.”

Abd Allah ibn Rawāha said, “Messenger of Allah, I pledge allegiance to you upon the same terms on which Jesus son of Mary took the pledge of the twelve disciples.”

Asad ibn Zurāra said, “Messenger of Allah, I pledge allegiance to Allah and to you, undertaking to fulfill my covenant through my fidelity, to prove the truth of my words through my deeds, and to support you.”

Al-Numān ibn Hāritha said, “Messenger of Allah, I pledge allegiance to Allah and to you, undertaking to advance in Allah’s cause without regard for anyone, whether near or distant. By Allah, if you wish, we will turn our swords against the people of Minā this very hour.”

The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, “I have not been commanded to do that.”

Ubāda ibn al-Sāmit said, “Messenger of Allah, I pledge allegiance to you that no critic’s reproach will deter me in Allah’s cause.”

Sad ibn al-Rabī said, “I pledge allegiance to Allah and to you, Messenger of Allah, that I shall disobey neither of you in any command, nor speak falsely to either of you.” ⦗1665⦘

The people returned joyfully to their city. They spread the revelation that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had given them, and their people responded well to them. The following year they came to him as seventy men.

That night, when Iblis saw them assembled, he gave a cry that was heard by the gathering of Quraysh. This occurred during the Days of Tashrīq. He called out, “People of Minā! Muhammad and the people of Yathrib have assembled to attack you and violate your sanctities!”

He made his voice sound like that of Munabbih ibn al-Hajjāj al-Sahmī.

Amr ibn al-Ās said: The first person to come to me in alarm, dragging his garment, was Abū Jahl. What had frightened him also frightened me, and I was seized by a fit of trembling. I rose to urinate, and when I had finished, Abū Jahl came and hurried me, saying, “Get up! Are you asleep? Has what frightened us not frightened you?”

He went to Utba ibn Rabīa and told him that the voice of Munabbih ibn al-Hajjāj had announced that Muhammad and the people of Yathrib had resolved to attack them and violate their sanctities.

Amr ibn al-Ās said: We came to a composed and dignified man who retained his presence of mind and had not been alarmed as we had—meaning Utba. Utba asked, “Did he come to you and tell you this?”

They replied, “No, but we heard his voice.”

He said, “Perhaps it was al-Khaythaūz—that is, Iblis the liar.” He then said, “Rise!”

The group set out toward the seventy. Amr said: By Allah, when they said “seventy,” we thought they meant seven hundred. We rushed toward the group at full speed. The first to reach them and address them was Abū Sufyān ibn Harb. He said, “People of Yathrib, how badly you have judged! You imagined that you could take our brother away without our consent or consultation, brazenly intruding upon us and asserting yourselves over us. If you thought we would accept or approve of that, how wretched is your judgment!”

Al-Numān ibn Hāritha replied, “We shall indeed take him away despite you. By Allah, if we knew that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had commanded us to take you with us, we would place a rope around your neck and drive you away in humiliation.”

Abū Sufyān drew back and said, “Such conduct is not customary for you. Had you said this before the assembled pilgrims, more than one person would have contradicted you. The Arabs know that we are the mightiest and best-protected people of al-Bathā. Have you no answer other than this?”

Abd Allah ibn Rawāha said, “Rather, you should leave us. That is the sounder judgment, better for preserving good relations, and more appropriate.”

Abū Sufyān asked, “And are we to leave him with you?”

Abd Allah ibn Rawāha replied, “Yes. You shall leave him among people whom he loves and who love him—people who will neither forsake him nor begrudge him their protection.”

Abū Sufyān asked, “Then what shall we tell our women?”

He replied, “Tell them:

[Long meter]

When we beheld the people guarding their Prophet,
Like lions defending their shelter and lair,

We turned away—a retreat that best preserved
The women and sons we would leave behind.

We saw no course but that, or death—
Release for us and lamentation.

⦗1667⦘

We said: the people’s withdrawal was an escape from death,
Or else came war, which knows bones and skulls.”

The dispute between the two groups grew so heated that they nearly rose against one another. When Abū Jahl saw this and feared disgrace because of their opponents’ large number and the small number of his own companions, he stepped forward and said, “People, we did not come for this! Be silent and listen to what I have to say; then accept it or reject it.”

The people fell silent, and he began an oration, saying, “Al-Lāt is our glory and al-Uzzā our protection. We are Allah’s people, dwelling within His veiled House and His sacred valley. Through it He has exalted our sanctity and defended our community. He has made us the custodians of His House and the destination of the pilgrimage routes, the bearers of the pilgrimage-season banners, the providers of water for the pilgrims, the keepers of the House, and the supporters of the needy. You neither deny nor dispute any of this.

“People of Yathrib, you have long been our brothers and neighbors. You loved us and we loved you, until you undertook against us something that we would never have undertaken against you, intruding brazenly upon us and infringing our rights. You then sought to take our brother away without our consent, consultation, or approval. Leave us to deal with him on terrain such as this and on a day like today. On other days, you may seek from him whatever you desire without provoking hostility or severing ties. These are days of tremendous sanctity whose rights must be observed; hostilities are suspended during them, and punishment for violating them comes swiftly.”

He then fell silent. Sad ibn Ubāda stood and said, “Praise be to Allah, who guided us out of misguidance, gave us sight after blindness, and rescued us through the light of Islam from the darkness of ignorance. We now worship one Lord and regard all rivals and idols besides Him as the religion of Satan—mere stones that people erected with their own hands and that possess no power either to harm or benefit them.

“People of Quraysh, you have spoken, but the worst speech is that which has no truth behind it. You claim that we have violated your sanctity regarding your brother’s son by answering his call, honoring his rank, and following his command. Yet in doing so, we have wronged neither you nor him, for this is the rank he holds among us. For his sake, we have already broken with people more closely related to us by lineage and kinship than you are. We did not seek their displeasure by doing so, nor did we desire your approval.

“If you have now rushed to mistreat him because of our relationship with him, you had long sought to do that while he lived among you, yet you could not reach him. Now that we have bound our covenant to his, you are even farther from reaching him. Our blood stands between you and his blood, and our lives between you and his life.

“If you are merely placating the people and are ashamed of incurring their anger, then after the commitment we have given him of ourselves, we fear Allah, Mighty and Majestic, far more, and we are far more zealous in fulfilling our covenants. There is no path to that which is beyond your reach.

“Nevertheless, in view of the ties of marriage and neighborly protection by which you might appeal to us, we will offer you a proposal. If you wish, pledge allegiance to him as we have, and we shall follow him together with you. If you dislike that and your concern is some reversal of fortune that you fear from the people, then seek assurances from your brother’s son, and we shall intercede for you, so that you may obtain from him what will make you feel secure tomorrow. But if this stems from envy and aggression, we shall be a shield for your brother’s son. If he triumphs, he remains your brother; otherwise, we shall perish defending him, while you remain safe and are spared the conflict. Let your own judgment suffice you, and show due forbearance.” ⦗1669⦘

When the clamor of the people increased, Utba ibn Rabīa stood and said, “People of the Aws and Khazraj, you are our brothers, neighbors, and relatives by marriage. You have taken a position regarding this man, but this is a matter about which we wish to think and deliberate before presenting our view to you. Grant us time to consult among ourselves until we agree upon a course that allows both us and you latitude and satisfaction.”

They replied, “That is for you to decide.”

Utba withdrew with his companions to one side and asked, “Did you see what I saw?”

Abū Jahl replied, “We saw what you saw.”

Utba said, “If you saw what I saw, then, by Allah, I heard words dripping with blood. I saw people who have set their hearts upon a tremendous prize that nothing else equals in their eyes, and they are ready to die for it this very hour. Are you willing to die?”

Abū Jahl, now inclined to continue the dispute, asked, “Are we to return with nothing?”

Utba replied, “By Allah, I think you will return either with nothing or with something that counts against you rather than for you. If you permit me, I shall address the people and approach them in a way that may induce them to give you a favorable response.”

Amr ibn al-Ās said: I spoke before the others and said, “Yes, Abū al-Walīd. Say whatever you wish. We shall follow your lead and will not depart from your judgment.”

Utba went to the people and said, “People of the Aws and Khazraj, relations between us and you have always been good. You acknowledge this of us, and we acknowledge it of you. You also know the rank Allah has granted us through the sanctity of this House, for He made us the custodians of its affairs and honored us through it. We do not want anything to reach you through our hands ⦗1670⦘ or our tongues that both we and you will regret when regret is of no benefit.

“You have taken a position regarding this man, although you know that what he calls to opposes all the people attending the pilgrimage season: he assails their religion, disparages their gods, and declares the judgment of their forefathers foolish. He presented himself to every tribe, yet none accepted him. By Allah, I cannot be sure that if someone were to cry out before all the assembled pilgrims and tell them where he and you are, they would not descend upon you as one. This is not a matter we should rush into while we are poised to depart under cover of darkness.

“We shall present to you the proposal upon which we have agreed. If you wish, leave us to deal with this man and establish a fixed period between us and you. We shall give you Allah’s covenant and solemn pledge, binding upon us and those who come after us, that we shall neither harm him nor treat him with anything but kindness, and shall do the same for every one of his Companions until that period ends. The period shall be three months.

“Any of his Companions who believe him and wish to travel to you and join you will not be obstructed, nor will anyone who follows him during these months. We shall not interfere with anyone who travels to you, nor with any of you who remains with him. During those months Allah may decree whatever He wills.”

The people looked at one another and said, “We have given the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) a commitment that we desire only to fulfill. Here is the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), hearing what you say. The decision is his, and the command is his; we possess no authority alongside him.”

When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had heard the words of the people of Yathrib and of Quraysh, he began an address. He opened by reciting the beginning of Sūrat al-Anām until he had recited ten verses, all of which concerned ⦗1671⦘ Quraysh. He then said:

“Those of the Aws and Khazraj who have embraced Islam, you have spoken correctly, been granted success, and pleased Allah and His Messenger. Quraysh has also spoken and made its request of you. Allah knows best what Quraysh intends by its words and its request. If they intend fidelity toward Allah and His Messenger, Allah will deal well with them, grant them their rewards in full, and increase them from His bounty. If they intend otherwise, Allah lies in wait for Quraysh and will grant His Messenger victory and sufficiency:

“‘Those before them had also plotted, but Allah struck at the foundations of their building, and the roof collapsed upon them from above, while the punishment came upon them from where they did not perceive’ [al-Nahl 16:26].

“Grant the people what they have requested. The harm that the Messenger of Allah endured from them in previous years lasted longer than the period they have requested. Therefore, grant it to them and take from them the covenants they have offered of themselves. In that lies relief for both you and them, a final excuse before Allah as regards them, and a proof against them.”

The people granted them what they requested, and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) returned with Quraysh.

The first Muslims to migrate to Medina were Abū Salama ibn Abd al-Asad al-Makhzūmī, Musab ibn Umayr of Banū Abd al-Dār, Ammār ibn Yāsir, Ayyāsh ibn Abī Rabīa—the maternal brother of Abū Jahl—Uthmān, Talha, al-Zubayr, Umar ibn al-Khattāb, Abd Allah ibn Umar, and a group of the Emigrants. During those months, a very great number embraced Islam and migrated. The Aws and Khazraj shared their wealth and homes with them. ⦗1672⦘

When the polytheists saw this, it weighed heavily upon them. They contemplated treachery until they assembled for that purpose at the Council House. Their leaders and nobles united upon the plot they intended. Iblis—may Allah curse him—came to them in the form of Surāqa ibn Jushum al-Mudlijī of Kināna, appearing before Quraysh in the guise of a man from Najd and wearing a mantle.

When they saw him, they asked, “Who are you?”

He replied, “An elder from Najd. I heard why you had assembled regarding this man and wished to attend. Perhaps you will not be without some useful counsel from me.”

Utba spoke and said, “I believe you should expel him from your midst and let the other clans rid you of him. If he prevails, that will benefit you; if not, the clans will have spared you the trouble and nothing will come of his cause.”

The Najdī replied, “That is not sound counsel. Have you not heard the sweetness of his speech and how he captures people’s hearts? I cannot be certain that if he settles among a clan and wins over their inclinations, he will not march with them against you and scatter your community.”

Another man said, “I believe he should be bound and imprisoned until his appointed time comes while he remains in confinement.”

The Najdī replied, “That is not sound counsel. Do you not know that he has devoted relatives and a household who will not accept that? War will then break out among you, weakening your cause and scattering your community.”

Abū Jahl said, “I have a proposal which, if you adopt it, is the right course.”

They asked, “What is it, Abū al-Hakam?” ⦗1673⦘

He said, “From these five clans of Quraysh, take one young man from each clan. Give every man a sword, and let them go to him where he sleeps at night and strike him simultaneously as though with the blow of a single man. His household will then be unable to kill them all. Responsibility for his blood will be divided among the tribes, and the matter will be settled through blood money.”

The Najdī said, “Excellent! He has found the right course.”

The Najdī—who was Iblis, may Allah curse him—then said:

[Basīt meter]

Counsel is of two kinds: one no guide discerns,
And one, like a sword’s edge, manifest and known.

Its beginning travels one day to its end,
And its end is glory and honor.

Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and informed him. At midday, the Messenger of Allah went to Abū Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and gave him the news.

Abū Bakr went out and encountered them as they were leaving the Council House. He walked alongside Iblis—may Allah curse him—for a time. Iblis then asked, “Where are you going?”

He replied, “To my companions in this valley.”

He then said, “Enemy of Allah! Praise be to Allah, who has made His religion triumphant and forsaken you!” Iblis then vanished from his sight.

This is the end of the hadith.

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn (may Allah Most High have mercy upon him) said: The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) then migrated, accompanied by Abū Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him).