| By ,
on 23-08-2002 16:28
|
Views : 1184  |
Favoured : 24 |
Published in : , Articles |
By A.I MAKKI
There was an old Jew by name Shammas bin Qays during the time of the Holy Prophet (saws) who was a very tough opponent of Islam. It once happened that he passed by a group of Muslims from the tribes of Aws and Khazraj sitting in a group chatting amicably with each other.
It maddened the old Jew to see the Muslims of Madinah engaged in a happy conversation with one other. He also knew all about the earlier hostilities between these two tribes before the advent of Islam. He envied them for their friendship and the feeling of goodwill they now had for each other. He decided to do something about it, which would put an end to this good relations and harmony that existed between them. Accordingly, he hired the services of a young poet to recite poetry of a famous pre-Islamic war, which had been fought between the two tribes. A war, in which, the tribe of Aws had overcome those of Khazraj.
The young poet proceeded towards the group of people and started to recite the events of the war in verses of poetry. With this recitation, the wounds of the old battle were opened up and bitter memories were revived. The group of Muslims gathered there began to argue about the events of the old battle that had been fought with each other for nearly 120 years. Tempers flared, swords were drawn, and the Muslims of the two tribes lined up to settle old scores, which would be done through a trial of strength.
The news reached the Holy Prophet (saws) who immediately rushed to the spot straight in midst of the warring groups. He appealed to them with the words, "O Ansar, Allah! Allah! Will you respond to the call of Jahilyy even while I am in your midst? Will you do that even after Allah (swt) in His mercy has guided you into the fold of Islam, cleaned your hearts of disbelief, endeared you to each other, and united you all in a single brotherhood? Are you going to return to the days of disbelief of the pre-Islamic times?" The words of the Holy Prophet (saws) immediately cooled passions, and calmed down the tempers of Muslims gathered there. They threw away their arms, embraced one another, and began to weep in regret for the wrongs that they would have done to one another, if there had been a clash between them. Fortunately, the day had been saved by the will of Allah (swt) and quick action by the Holy Prophet (saws). They left the spot in the company of the Holy Prophet (s) united once again in their bond of faith.
The morals of this incident are not far to seek. The enemies of Islam thrive, wherever there is strife and discord among Muslims. In the past, the Holy Prophet (saws) had rushed to the aid of the Muslims and saved them from a situation that could have turned ugly. Today, we do not have the person of the Holy Prophet (s) in our midst to save us from the mischief of the enemies of Islam. However, we have his words safeguarded in well-preserved tradition that act as a guiding light to the Muslims of our times. It is the duty of every Muslim to study them with care and follow them to the best of his ability. (Qurtubi-adapted)
Last update : 23-08-2002 16:28
|
|
|
Users' Comments  |
|
Average user rating
 (0 vote)
|
|
Add your comment
|
Content List 
