Gaza Siege Vs. Makkah Siege
By Muhammad Mus`ad Yakut
Muhammad Mus`ad Yakut**
Between two sieges, and two Muslim communities, the first in the early Islamic era, and the second in our recent times, the Jewish became furious at Muslims in Palestine, and the pagan worshippers became furious at the Companions in Makkah. It was one siege in the past and another one in the present. Out of these two sieges, the following words were inspired.
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Quraish got angry, as Muslims succeeded in their journey to Habashah and got the support and protection of An-Najashi. `Umar and Hamza embracing Islam intensified their anger. Moreover, Islam started to spread among tribes outside Makkah, such as Ghefar, Najran, Azad, Shanw’a and others.
Makkah leaders met upon an invitation from Abu Jahl to compose a document in which they agreed to unite against Hashim and Al-Mutalab Families. The document included the following:
1. Not to marry off or get married with them.
2. Not to sell them or buy from them [Ibn Hisham 350/1]
3. Not to speak to them.
4. Not to sit with them.
5. Not to halt these provisions till they present the Messenger of Allah, Peace and Blessings be upon him, to them. [Zad Al M`ad 20/3].
They contracted and agreed on that oppression, then they fixed the document to the inside wall of Kabaa, like what tyrants do in our times when they add a religious mask to their unfair judgments. [or like what traitor leader did when he sentenced a Muslim scholar to death, then the tyrant issued a legal opinion by advocate religious authority that authorized the killing of the Muslim scholar, who requested to adhere to Islamic Law, and the legal opinion was issued on the basis of the following Quranic Verse: “The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed, crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off from opposite sides. This is their disgrace in this world and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter” [5:33]
When Quraish started to implement the oppressing document, Banu Hashim and Banu Abdul Mutalib sided with Abu Talib ibn Abd Al Mutalib in a wonderful family solidarity with the Messenger, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him. They refused to present the Prophet, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him, to Quraish leaders, which was the only condition of Quraish to cancel the document and raise the siege.
Hashim and Abdul Mutalib Families, including their Muslims and disbelievers, gathered around the Prophet, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him, and all of them entered into Abu Talib Mountain Pass (a place between two mountains, connected to Abi Qabis Mountain. Abu Talib Family gathered in this narrow place, so it turned into a large prison. The entire family united with the Messenger, except Abu Lahab, who stood against his family, and sided with Quraish.
Danger Triangle
Early Muslims suffered a collection of calamities, including social boycott, military prison and economic siege all together at one time. This unfair triangle continued from Muharam of the 3rd year before Hijrah to Muharam of the 1st year before Hijrah, which is called the sadness year. Social boycott meant: no visits, no marriage, no speech! Military prison meant: closing the mountain pass on them, so it became a real prison. Economic siege meant: polytheists preventing food and drinks to reach Muslims without others. They stressed on these points. Abu Lahab even ordered to increase prices for Muslims without others. He said, “O group of merchants! Increase prices for Muhammad’s Companions, so they don’t buy any thing from you. You know how I keep to my promise. I guarantee that no loss will fall on you” [Ar-Rawad Al-Anif 159/2]
When a Muslim came to Makkah merchants to buy something to keep his kids barely alive, they prevented him, or sold him the commodity for many times more than its real price, so he came back sad, because he did not find anything to stop his kids’ hunger. However, they kept patient, sacrificing for Allah’s sake, buying Allah’s Paradise, trading with Allah, and followed the Way of Allah, Glory be to Him, without paying attention to hunger or starvation. Polytheists agreed on preventing any food aids to Muslims. Abu Jahl was watching the movement of the afflicted people in this siege.
Between Generous and Wicked
In such settings, the essence of men is revealed, and the generous are distinguished from the wicked. This affliction has uncovered for us the names of the noble men, such as Hisham ibn Umru, Zuhair Ibn Abi Amayah, Mut`am Ibn `Idi, Zam`ah Ibn Al-Aswad and Al-Buhturi Ibn Hisham.
One time, Abu Jahl captured Hakim ibn Hizam Ibn Khuwaylid ibn Asd, in the company of a servant, carrying wheat to his aunt, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, who was staying with the Messenger of Allah, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him, in the mountain pass. Seeing him, Abu Jahl held him firmly and said:
- Are you carrying food to the Family of Hashim? By Allah, I will not leave you go with your food till I expose you in Makkah!
Abu Al Buhtiri ibn Hisham came and said to Abu Jahl:
- What do you want from him?
Abu Jahl said: “He is carrying food to the Family of Hashim.”
Abu Al Buhtiri said: “It was food deposited with him for his aunt and she asked him for it. Do you want to prevent him from giving her food back? Let him go! [Ibn Hisham 1/352]. Abu Jahl refused to let the man go till he fought with Al Buhtiri. Abu Al Buhtiri took a jawbone for an animal, hit Abu Jahl, injured him and beat him severely, while Hamzah ibn Abd Al Mutalab was watching closely. The polytheists hated to let such news reach the Messenger of Allah, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him, and his Companions, so that they rejoice over them. The Messenger of Allah kept in the siege, preaching his people day and night, secretly and openly, showing Allah’s Order to all people.” [Ibn Hisham 1/352]
The siege was tightened over time, and polytheists intensified their boycott and embargo, till Muslims were obliged to eat the leaves of the trees. Polytheists used to hear the children voices and wailing sighs coming from the mountain pass, but no reliever or noble man responded, except those we mentioned earlier.
The poems of Abu Talib were circulated among the tribes, criticizing this gross unfairness, and condemning those who claim that they are the protectors of the Holy Mosque and the masters of nobility and generosity, while they do not take care of applying this dissolute document in Allah’s Sacred City.
In fact, these poems showed for Arabs the conditions of the Families of Hashim and Al Mutalib, and what they are suffering from boycott, siege and starvation!
In fact, the picture of Quraish shook, and the blood of strength and magnanimity, to save Muslims from this odious enemy, moved in their veins.
In fact, the information weapon had an initial role to lift the siege. Some words act like magic. In his poem, ending with Arabic “b” sound in its rhythm, Abu Talib composed the following about the document:
O you tell Lu’ai and specially Bani Ka`b
If they don’t know that we found Muhammad
A prophet like Moses as mentioned in the early scriptures
And that he is supported by Allah so people love him
And the document you stuck will be your misfortune
Wake up…wake up before it goes out of control
And both the guilty and the innocent become the same
Don’t follow the cunning of the talebearers
Don’t cut our relations after cordiality and intimacy
Don’t start a fierce war, or you’ll taste the worst in the war
We swear by the Lord of the Ka`ba
That we will not betray Ahmad under any circumstances
Even we join a bloody fight
Don’t you see us imprisoned in a narrow mountain pass?
Don’t you know that our father Hashim was brave?
And he advised us to be competent in wars and fights
So we will not be bored from war till it becomes bored from us
And we will not complain of calamities
But you will see us firm and wise
While other people are torn from panic
[Ibn Hisham 1/352]
Beginning of the Relief
After 3 years from imposing the siege on Muslims, during which the polytheists plotted against Muslims, Allah, Glory be to Him, plotted for His Religion as well, and stimulated chivalry in the hearts of some people among the noblemen of Quraish, in order to revoke this document and overthrow the power of Abu Jahl and his family, because they resulted in staining the picture of Quraish and practiced apparent oppression against innocent people in Allah’s Sacred City.
Hisham ibn Amru Al-Hashimi was the leader and mover of the revolution. He is that noble man, who used to take his camel, overburdened with food, under the cover of the night, and pushed it towards the opening of the mountain pass to aid the weak and support the afflicted. You’ll never miss goodness in humans, even If they are disbelievers.
Hisham went to Zuhair Ibn Umayah Al-Makhzumi, whose mother was Atikah bint Abd Al-Mutalib. He said, “O Zuhair! Do you accept to eat food, wear clothes and marry women, while your uncles live where you know, without being able to sell, buy, marry or marry off? I swear by Allah that if they were the uncles of Abu Al Hakim ibn Hisham and you called him to the same thing he called you to, he would never respond to you!”
He said, “Woe to you Hisham! What can I do? I'm just one man. If only I had another one, by Allah I would proceeded to revoke it until I get it revoked.
He said, “I found this man!”
He said, “Who is this?”
He said, “Me!”
Zuhair said to him, “Find us a third man” [Ibn Hisham 1/375].
Hisham went to Al-Mut`am Ibn `Adi and said to him, “O Mut`am! Do you accept to leave two groups of Ibn Abd Manaf until they have starved, while you’re witnessing that and agreeing with Quraish on it? By Allah, if you only unleash them, they will hasten to save them.
He said, “Woe to you! What can I do? I’m just one man!”
He said, “I found a second one!”
He said, “Find us a third one.”
He said, “I did.”
He said, “Zuhair ibn Umayah.”
He said, “Find us a fourth man” [Ibn Hisham 1/375]
“He went to Al Buhturi ibn Hisham and asked him the same questions that he directed to Al-Mut`am ibn `Adi. He said: will any body support us to do this? He said: yes? He asked: Who are they? He said: Zuhair ibn Umayah, Mut`am ibn Adi and myself. He said: find us a fifth one” [Ibn Hisham 1/376].
“He went to Zam`ah ibn Al Aswad ibn Al-Mutalib ibn Asad and talked to him about their kinship and rights. He said: are there other people supporting us in this regard? He replied: yes, then he mentioned their names” [Ibn Hisham 1/376].
“They agreed to meet in Khatm Al Juhun in Makkah heights at night. They agreed and contracted to plot for revoking the document. Zuhair said: I’ll be the first one of you to speak. In the morning, they went to their meeting place. Zuhair ibn Umayh walked in his suit and circumambulated the Ka`aba seven times then he advanced towards people and said: “O people of Makkah! Do you agree to eat food and wear clothes while Hashim Family are starving, not selling or buying? By Allah, I’ll not stop till this unfair oppressive document is revoked!! [Ibn Hisham 1/376].”
“Speaking from the corner of the mosque, Abu Jahl said: you’re liar. By Allah, it will not be revoked!”
At this time, Zam`ah ibn Al-Aswad said, “By Allah, you’re more lying. We did not accept writing this document.” Abu Al-Buhturi said: “Zam`ah is true, we don’t accept or state what was written in the document.”
Al-Mut`am ibn `Udi said: Both of you are true and whoever says anything else is a liar. We declare that we’re free from this document and from what was written in it”
Hisham ibn `Amru said the same.
Abu Jahl said: “This must be deliberately plotted in another place!!” [Ibn Hisham 1/376]
The Miracle
Meanwhile, Abu Talib came to them and said, “O Tribe of Quraish! My nephew told me that Allah ordered the woodworm to destroy Quraish document, so it left nothing in the document except the Name of Allah, and removed words of unfairness, abandonment and defamation. Come to your document. If you find it as my nephew said, stop your boycott towards us and retract its conditions. If he were a liar, I would submit my nephew to you. People said: we agree. They contracted to carry out what they agreed with Abu Talib. When they checked the document, they found it exactly as the Messenger of Allah, Peace and Blessings be upon Him, said. This made them more evil. [See: Ibn Hisham 1/377]. At this time, they revoked the document. The first one to destroy it was Al-Mut`am ibn `Udai.
Muslims came out of the mountain pass after they had successfully passed the test. They did not accept a degrading compromise. They did not surrender to idolatry, but they became more active than before entering the mountain pass. The Prophet, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him, came out to practice calling for Allah with higher determination, and the proof is his journey to At-Taif to call its people to Islam in the same year.
As they sow, so let them reap
Quraish people experienced a taste of their own medicine. Ad-Dukhan Chapter was revealed to tell about a starvation that will prevail in Makkah people. The Messenger of Allah invoked Allah against them saying: “O Allah! Help me against them with barren years like those of the seven years of Joseph” [Bukhari: 4435]. Therefore, they were afflicted with starvation that affected everything to the extent that they ate the dead and the skins. People started to see as If there is a smoke between the earth and the sky by the effect of hunger. [Bukhari: 4435]
Allah, may He be Exalted and Glorified, says: {Then wait you for the Day when the sky will bring forth a visible smoke, covering the people: this is a painful torment} [44: 10-11].
Glory be to Allah! As they sow, so let them reap. And the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it.
Muslims grasped the reward for their patience on this siege, out of which they made an educational incubator and fiducial camp, where they learned patience and persistence and experienced hunger and crises.
On the other hand, polytheists got curse and failure: their reputation was spoiled and they were afflicted with starvation and drought, and were stricken by the Divine Law.
So people should know that the siege is an old weapon that evildoers practiced against Muslims; Americans practiced it against the people of Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan; and Zionists practiced against Muslims in Palestine!
O my nation...O Palestine! Have glad tidings!
The relief and the building of the state came after the siege in Abu Talib mountain pass; and the relief and the building of the state will come after Gazah siege as well! As Allah punished the polytheists by barren years like those of Joseph after they had imposed siege on Muslims, have glad tidings with years that will strike the Jewish. As they sow, so let them reap. If Abu Lahab plotted against Muslims though he was next of kin to the Prophet, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him, President (so-and-so) conspired in Gaza siege, though he is among our compatriots. History repeats itself. May Allah curse the besiegers! May Allah paralyze the hands of all those who contributed to the siege of believers, like Baghaid Ibn `Amer, the writer of the document, whose hand was paralyzed!
General Recommendations
1- Contribute to lifting the siege off Muslims, and whoever sees denied unfair siege, he should change it by his acts; and if he can’t, he should change it by his words; and if he can’t, he should change it by his heart, which is the weakest degree of belief.
2- Resist boycott by boycott. Diamond cuts diamond. Take the initiative to boycott the products of the enemy and intensify your boycott as they intensify their siege on your brothers.
3- Move among people to expose the unfairness of the siege like Hisham ibn Amru did. Support the believers like Al Mut`am ibn Udai did. Take the initiative to announce the truth in squares like Zuhair ibn Umayah declared publicly. Use your gifts, arts and poems in such conditions as Abu Talib did. You should become jealous on your religion and you should be overwhelmed by magnanimity. Those noble men were among idol worshippers; what about you and you’re the worshipper of Allah, the Most Gracious?
4- Read the interpretation of the meaning of Ad-Dukhan Chapter and conclude lessons and examples.
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**An Egyptian writer and preacher, member of association of Muslim scholars, and general supervisor on Nabilarhma website…the article is cited from Islam Message website. (Click here)