There is also the hadith of Ibn ‘Umar: A man asked him about ‘Uthman, so he mentioned his virtues and then said, “Go and convey them to your companions at once,” meaning, “now.”

Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When the disbelievers of Mecca were fighting and found themselves hard pressed in battle, some would say to others, “Escape! Take heed!” But when Allah brought punishment upon them at Badr, they cried, “Escape!” So Allah Most High revealed: “But it was no time for escape.” (1) [That is, it was not] (2) the time for such a cry.

“They were astonished that a warner from among themselves had come to them, and the disbelievers said, ‘This is a lying sorcerer. Has he made the gods one God? This is truly a most astonishing thing.’” (4) (5)

“They were astonished” refers to the disbelievers whom Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, mentioned in His saying, “Rather, those who disbelieve...” “that a warner from among themselves had come to them,” meaning, a messenger from among themselves to warn them; “and the disbelievers said, ‘This is a lying sorcerer.’”

“Has he made the gods one God?” This was because ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) embraced Islam. That greatly distressed Quraysh, while the believers rejoiced at it. Al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah said to the council of Quraysh—their chiefs and nobles, who numbered twenty-five men, the eldest of whom was al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah—“Go to Abu Talib.”

So they went to Abu Talib and said to him, “You are our elder and our chief, and you know what these foolish ones have done. We have come to you so that you may judge between us and your nephew.” Abu Talib sent for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and summoned him. He said, “My nephew, these are your people, and they are asking you for a fair settlement. Do not incline wholly against your people.”

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “And what are they asking of me?” They said, “Stop speaking of our gods, and we will leave you and your God alone.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Will you give me one statement by which you will rule over the Arabs and the non-Arabs will submit to you?”

Abu Jahl said, “By your father, we will give it to you—and ten times its like!” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Say: There is no god worthy of worship but Allah.” [They recoiled] (3) from this and rose up, saying, “Has he made the gods one God? How can one god suffice for all creation?” (4)

“This is truly a most astonishing thing,” meaning, an amazing thing. The words for “astonishment” and “something astonishing” have the same meaning, just as they say: a man is described as karim or kuram, both meaning “generous”; kabir or kubar, “great”; tawil or tuwal, “tall”; and ‘arid or ‘urad, “broad.”