BASED ON THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN 1426 LECTURE # 1

Abu Talib (a-s) And Lady Khadija (s-a)

EXAMPLES OF TRUE SACRAFICES OF EARLY ISLAM.

By: Brother Ali Ja’afary.

“In the Name of ALLAH the Merciful, the Compassionate”

INTRODUCTION:

When the Message of Islam was brought down as a revelation from ALLAH (swt) by the Angel Jibreel (a-s), to the seal and master of the Prophets; Prophet Muhammad (saww), it would change human development for all times. Islam brought nations out of the dark ages, it taught rather savage and nomad societies, the highest advancement in manners, moral conduct, ethics and humanism. In fact Islam is the single biggest event to shape mankind in all of the history of creation, never has one single movement changed so many lives, reached so many distances and transformed as many fields of thinking as Islam. The Islamic agenda, in all its perfection, is not only a religious movement, but is in fact a complete and comprehensive programme that touches absolutely all aspects of the human being. Islam’s positive and natural progression for mankind was and still is a crucial part of its existence.

As Islam was introduced, it changed humanity in its entirety, destroying the Paganistic superstitions that polluted and corrupted the social life of that time. It also re-introduced mankind to the true concept of Monotheism. However, such a change would not be brought out so easily, especially among a civilisation of warmongers and idol worshipers. Islam was to truly change mankind in its entirety and such change can appear to be a threat to the ignorant and simple minded.

Naturally such a great Message and Mission would shake up the social scene of that time, which brought out the best in some people and unfortunately, the worst in some others. Therefore the seal of the Prophets; Prophet Muhammad (saww) needed allies, friends, true supporters and followers in order to propagate the Holy and Divine Message. Through all the hardships that our Holy Prophet (saww) and the first Muslims suffered at the hands of the polytheists of Macca, those who did choose to support him are undoubtedly of the best of believers.
 

 ABU TALIB, A TRUE MUSLIM:  

A- A Historical Proof:

After the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) was orphaned at a very young age, Abu Talib (a-s) would take him under his care and at that point Abu Talib (a-s) saw the great light of Prophethood in his young nephew Muhammad (saww). Abu Talib (a-s) said: “My father read all the books. He had said: From my progeny there will be a prophet. I wish I live until that moment to believe in him. Whoever of my progeny attains him is to believe in him.” (Sheikhul Abtah p.22, Al-Ghadeer, Vol.7 p.348, al-Abbas p.18, 21)

Abu Talib (a-s) would take very good care of his nephew, with kindness and love. He and Prophet Muhammad (saww) would become inseparable, so much so, that one day when Abu Talib (a-s) was leaving for trading in Syria, young Muhammad saw him getting ready to leave and rushed to his side with tears in his eyes and said: “O Uncle, to whom will you leave me? Neither a father nor a mother I have”. This brought a flood of tears to Abu Talib’s eyes and he said: “By ALLAH, I won’t go without Him. I won’t part from him nor will he part from me ever”.

Many years later, when the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) announced his Prophethood to all, many Maccans opposed the revelation and the Holy Mission. They tried everything in their power to try to stop this Divine evolution. However, Abu Talib (a-s) stood firm by the side of his nephew in support of his message, Abu Talib a true monotheist and as a true Muslim sacrificed all in order to protect the Divine Message of Islam and it’s Prophet; Prophet Muhammad (saww). Here we must remember that one of the great historical events in mankind, which was also narrated to us in the Holy Qur’an. When the father of Abu Talib (a-s); Abdul Muttalib lead the people to safety, when Ebraha came to Macca to destroy the Kaba, whenever Abdul Muttalib in his true solid monotheism beliefs which were handed down to him from a great chain leading up to Prophet Ibrahim (a-s), prayed to ALLAH (swt) for protection of the great Kaba. ALLAH (swt) sent down protection against Ebraha and his army which included an elephant to knock down the Kaba’s walls. Small birds dropped pebbles of clay on the army which literally pulverized them.

“In the Name of ALLAH the Merciful, the Compassionate. Have you not considered how your LORD dealt with the possessors of the elephant? Did HE not cause their war to end in confusion, and send down (to prey) upon them birds in flocks, casting against them stones of backed clay, so HE rendered  them like straw eaten up?” (The Noble Qur’an 105 Al-Fil-1 to 5)

Without any doubt that such a strong heritage in monotheism was surely passed down to Abu Talib (a-s) from his father Abdul Muttalib and his ancestry leading up to Prophet Ibrahim (a-s).

 B-A –Logical Proof (Scientific):

We can undoubtedly see through historical events during the lifetime of Abu Talib, that he was not only a monotheist, but he also was one who embraced Islam. Let us now take a logical look at comparisons to the actions and life of this great Muslim Abu Talib (a-s):

Let us imagine that we have a son who we love more than anyone in the world. Let us say that one day he decides he wants to play in a sport team, after some time (1-2 years) he shows absolute great promise in the particular sport he has chosen, as a matter of fact all the experts say he has a great gift and could very well be the best at that sport in the world. Of course a parent knowing this will invest all his time, actions and sacrifices to his son, in order that he achieves his full potential. Our love for our son has not changed, we do not love him more or less, however, we do believe in his potential and therefore we support him in this matter completely.

Now imagine we have the same son who we love as much, however, after playing a particular sport for a certain length time, shows no real potential and perhaps he is even less qualified than many of his team mates. If he was to tell us that he wanted to be a professional player, we would not be able to give him the same support, for in this case we would not believe in his potential. However, our love for him would not change in any way. We would probably try to persuade him to go after another goal, this because we do truly love our son and certainly don’t want to see him get hurt or fail terribly. In other words, the influence of our love for our son would not in any way obstruct our logic. No proper and good hearted human being can possibly support someone, in any given situation, without belief in the cause. For hypocrisy cannot be an element of fuel for sacrifice and in the case of Abu Talib (a-s), he sacrificed all in protecting the divine message of Islam.

So logically, we all can understand that in no way could Abu Talib (a-s) sacrifice so much in defending the Message and the cause of Islam, without believing in Islam and being a Muslim and true believer. He himself said when addressing the polytheist: “I swear by the House of ALLAH that you have told lies! We will never give up Muhammad (saww); we struggle and fight for him, we support him until we are killed around him. For him we ignore our wives and children”. (sharh Nahjol Balagha, vol.3 p.316, 334, vol.1 p. 305-306, Al-Hujja p. 84, Sheikhhul abath p. 47-48, A’yan ash-Shia, vol. 39 p. 151. Biharul Anwar, vol. 6 p.595)

SAYEEDA KHADIJA (s-a): A SUPERB AND SUBLIME BELIEVER.

Sayeeda Khadija (s-a) literally and truthfully lived and died for Islam, her sacrifice and never ending struggle in the Path of ALLAH (swt) is truly one of the greatest and inspiring stories in the history of mankind. She started her life as a princess of Macca and her life ended as a princess of Islam. She was the first woman to embrace Islam, she was the best wife of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww), she was among the 4 best women of the world and of Paradise, she was the mother of Sayeeda Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a), the Mistress of all women of the world and of paradise and she was the grand mother of 11 of the Holy Imam (a-s).

The Marriage between Prophet Muhammad (saww) and Sayeeda Khadija (s-a) was divinely decreed by ALLAH (swt), their union was not of an usual meeting of two people. As we all know, the Seal of the Prophets (a-s); Prophet Muhammad was the first human created of a special light, ALLAH (swt) created him uniquely and his life on earth was to an event of great mercy and compassion for all mankind and all the 12 terrestrial leaders, who were created in a similar method would come from his progeny. We can surely understand that Khadija (s-a) had a very important role in the future of Islam. For ALLAH (swt) chose her to be the wife of the Master of the Prophets; Prophet Muhammad (saww). And in their union they would be gifted with the blessing of their daughter Sayeeda Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a) for who the Prophet said: “As for my daughter Fatimah, she is the mistress of all women”. (Bihar Al-Anwar vol.10).

Khadija (s-a) was a woman of wealth and upon embracing Islam she would give all her wealth and her support to Islam. It was by her support that Islam survived through the blockade, which made her an essential part of the survival of Islam; this made her an indispensable maker of Islamic History.

Sayeeda Khadija (s-a) was of a pure heart, she was a perfect example of Qalb Saleem. She was free of jealousy and envy. Her generosity and kindness was enormous, she gave all her material goods, all her time, all her efforts to the Path of ALLAH (swt). Sayeeda Khadija (s-a) was a glowing example in all the possible ways of a true Mu’mina.

As the Great Mercy and Compassion of ALLAH (swt) was always on his beloved Messenger Muhammad (saww) and his most loving wife Sayeeda Khadija (s-a), ALLAH (swt) would fill their lives with the ‘Beacon of Light’ Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a), the Mistress of all women of the world and of paradise. This Miracle would come about when the Holy Prophet (saww) would be commanded by ALLAH (swt) to leave Khadija (s-a) for a certain period of time, during this time he (saww) would fill his days and nights with deep worship, fasting and prayers, ALLAH (swt) would send Angel Jibreel (a-s) and Mikael (a-s) down with heavenly food to break the Prophet’s (saww) fast and order him to rush to Khadija’s (s-a) house. That’s when this great Miracle happened. This is narrated in many Sunni books as well.

Therefore we understand that Sayeeda Khadija’s (s-a) life was not an ordinary life, she was one of the important keys at the start of Islam and until the end of time, not only because of all her great contributions and efforts to the Path of ALLAH (swt), but also because she is the great mother of Imam Hasan and Imam Hussayn (a-s) and the 9 Imams (a-s) from the progeny of Imam Hussayn (a-s) and her light along with the great light of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) are shinning in the heart of our current Imam; Imam Al-Hujjah Al-Mahdi (a-s) (Allahumma ‘ajjil farajahu-sh-sharif).

The year 619 would be remembered as the year of sadness, after Abu Sufian and his gang of cold hearted haters of truth, put an economic blockade on the Bani Hasheem and forced out to the dessert, both the loving wife of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) and the first woman to embrace Islam. Khadija (s-a) and Abu Talib would stay firm in their faith and support the Prophet (saww). After 3 years of living in the most harsh conditions the blockade was lifted, however, the suffering took its toll on the benefactress of Islam; Sayeeda Khadija (s-a), she became ill and departed this transient world, but a few days after the death of Abu Talib the one who was the protector of Prophet Muhammad (saww) since childhood. These events would be of extreme sadness for Prophet Muhammad (saww), Sayeeda Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a) and Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s).

Both Abu Talib and Sayeeda Khadija (s-a) are perfect examples for all what true sacrifice and effort in the Path of ALLAH (swt) is. Ayatullah Shaykh Ja’far Subhani reports in his book the Message: ‘The pressure and hardships suffered by them assumed unprecedented dimensions. The heart-rending cries of the children of Bani-Hashim reached the ears of the stone hearted people of Macca, but had no effect on them. The severity of the action of Quraysh in implementing their covenant did not diminish the patience and the fortitude of the Holy Prophet of Islam (saww) and the Muslims. Eventually the piteous clamouring of the infants and the children, and the tragic condition of the Muslims aroused the sentiments of some persons’ (Ref: The Message p. 262-263. Ayatullah Shaykh Ja’far Subhani)

The above narration, without a doubt, reminds us all of the master of Martyrs Imam Hussayn (a-s) and his ‘the Great Sacrifice’ in the path of ALLAH (swt) in Karbala, when he (a-s), his family, his companions and his supporters were forced into the dessert lands of Karbala, the treacherous and cursed Ibn Sa’d would have all access to water cut off to all who were with Imam Hussayn (a-s). The hunger and thirst became unbearable for the woman, children and infants. Their cries, wailing and weeping shook the earth just imagine that day, bodies of the true believers dead on the dessert ground, the heartless army of Shaïtins attacking the Holy Imam (a-s) and his supporters, like hungry wolves. These terrible beasts watched Imam Hussayn (a-s) and his followers, their wives and sisters; their children and their babies’ dying of hunger and thirst as they gulped down water and would continuously attack all on the field. This very small group of true believers and lovers of ALLAH (swt); who defended Tawheed and the holy Qur’an against a ferocious army of 33,000 gutless killers.

When the Holy Imam (a-s) stood alone among the dead bodies of his companions, his brothers, the sons of his brothers and his sons, surrounded by the enemy forces, he entered the tent one last time to find his baby son dying of thirst, this he could not bare, he picked up his baby Ali-e-Asghar and brought him to the front line, held him up high in hopes of getting water for his baby. Imam Hussayn (a-s) said: “O’People! If you think that I am guilty of any crime or sin, this baby has done nothing to anyone, he has not had milk or water for 3 days; please can you spare just a few drops of water. If you suspect me of anything I can leave him here and you can return him to his mother with his thirst quenched”. It is narrated that many of the soldiers began to weep and cursed their commanders, Ibn Sa’d fearing a revolt, ordered a heartless murdering thug by the name of Hurmula, who shot a 3 prong arrow into the neck of the infant, Ali-e-Asghar looked at his father, smiled and stopped breathing forever. Imam Hussayn (a-s) smeared his face with the blood of his baby. Imam Hussayn (a-s) could not take his dead baby son back to his mother, who was waiting anxiously at the door of her tent, so he buried him there in the burning sand of Karbala.

This was a narrative on some people who gave their all for Islam; they gave absolutely all they had in order to be closer and nearer to ALLAH (swt). On this night we remember the great Muslim Abu Talib (a-s), we remember the mother of the believers Sayeeda Khadija (s-a) and as we do every day of our lives we remember Imam Hussayn (a-s). As-Salam Alayka ya Aba Abdi’llah, As-Salam Alayka ya bna Rasuli’llah, As-Salam Alaykum wa Ramatullah wa Barakatuh.