VI- Prophet's Biography

Lesson 93

Al-`Aqabah Pledges to Isra'

[27] The Prophet's offering his message to the tribes, and the first pledge of Al-`Aqabah

 When the Messenger (SAWS) found that the disbelievers of Quraysh would not stop resisting him and obstructing him from delivering his Lord’s message, he began, inspired by Allah, to offer himself to other chiefs of the Arabs so that he might find support and protection needed for delivering the message and performing the Da`wah (calling to Islam).

 Consequently the Prophet (SAWS) used to go out in the seasons of the Arabs especially Hajj season and seek their markets where they went for trade and bragging, to call them to Allah's path, reciting the glorious Qur’an to them, and asking them to support him so that he could preach his Lord’s message.  They have not answered him until it once happened that a delegation from Al-Aws tribe came from Yathrib (Al-Madînah Al-Munawwarah, also called Tîbah).  They wanted to have an alliance with Quraysh to help them against their cousins, Al-Khazraj.  When the Prophet (SAWS) learned of their coming, he met them and said to them, “Do you want something better than what you came for?  I am the messenger of Allah. He sent me to the people in order to call them to worship Him (SWT) and not to associate anything with Him.”  Then he recited to them some verses of the Qur’an and mentioned to them the doctrines of Islam.  Some of them inclined to accept Islam, and others refused, so they all left to Al-Madînahwithout embracing Islam yet.

 During the season of Hajj, a group of Al-Khazraj came and the Messenger (SAWS) met them and called them to embrace Islam, and to support him in his mission.

 This group consisted of six men.  They all accepted Islam, and promised to meet the Prophet in the next Hajj season.  They were the first to accept Islam from the Arabs of Al-Madînah, and they were: As`ad ibn Zurârah, `Awf ibn ul-Hârith, Râfi` ibn Mâlik, Qutbah ibn `Âmir, ``Uqbah ibn `Âmir, and Jâbir ibn `Abdullâh.  The following year, five of them came, among twelve men of Al-Khazraj and two of Al-Aws. 

 They met with the Prophet (SAWS) at Al-Aqaba and the rest of them embraced Islam.  They all pledged allegiance to the Messenger (SAWS) that that they will not associate with Allah anything, and will not steal, nor commit adultery, nor kill their children, nor come up with (i.e., bring) all-evident calumny they fabricate between their hands and their legs, nor disobey you in anything beneficent. (TMQ, Al-Mumtahanah: 12).. 

He sent with them a companion to teach them the Qur’an and rulings of the religion.  Therefore, Islam spread rapidly in the houses of Al-Madînah and became the talk of the people in their gatherings and clubs.  This pledge was called “the first pledge of Al-`Aqabah.”

[28] The second pledge of Al-`Aqabah and the migration of some Muslims to Al- Madînah

 During the next Hajj season following the first pledge of Al-Aqaba, a lot of the people of Al-Madînah came to Makkah; so the Prophet (SAWS) met them and promised to meet them at night at Al-`Aqabah.  He ordered them to keep the matter secret so that no one of the disbelievers knew of it.  They secretly attended at midnight. The Messenger's uncle, Al-`Abbâs, who was still following the religion of Quraysh, accompanied the Prophet to be absolutely certain of their loyalty and faithfulness. 

 When they gathered, Al-`Abbâs said, “My nephew is still in protection from his people, so if you can fulfill your pledge to him and defend him against his enemies, then carry out this responsibility and its consequences or leave him in the protection of his people.” Their chief said “Verily we intend to fulfill our pledge to be truthful and to sacrifice ourselves for the Messenger of Allah.”  They asked the messenger (SAWS) to tell them the terms of the pledge. 

 He said, “I make a condition for my Lord that you worship him alone, associating nothing with him, and as for myself that you protect me from what you protect your women and children.”  They made their pledge.  They were seventy-three men; sixty of Al-Khazraj and eleven of Al-Aws, and there were two women with them. 

 This pledge is called “the second pledge of Al-`Aqabah.”  The Prophet then chose twelve leaders: nine from Al-Khazraj and three from Al-Aws.  He said to them, “You are sponsors over your people, each over his tribe.”  When they returned to Al-Madînah, Islam spread more there than the first time.

 When Quraysh knew of this pledge, they intensified their offense towards towards the Muslims in Makkah. Consequently the Prophet advised them to migrate to Al-Madînah. They snuck out to it individually and in groups, until there were none left except Abu-Bakr As-Siddîq and `Ali ibn Abu-Tâlib, and a few others who could not migrate.

 As for Abu-Bakr he wanted to migrate, but the Prophet (SAWS) asked him to wait until Allah gives him permission to migrate.  Abu-Baker, may Allah be pleased with him, waited and prepared two camels; one for himself, and one for the Prophet (SAWS).

 [29] Isrâ' and Mi`râj (The night journey and ascension to the heaven)

 Shortly before the migration of the Prophet (SAWS) to Al-Madînah, he was blessed with Isrâ' and Mi`râj. As for Isrâ', it is  the Prophet's night journey from the Holy Mosque where the sacred Ka`bah is, to the Al-Aqsâ mosque in Jerusalem, so that Allah (SWT) could show the Prophet some of his wondrous signs suitable for his superior status

 The Prophet (SAWS), ordered by Allah, rode Al-Burâq which is a riding creature but unlike our animal beasts.  Allah (SWT) has subjected this Al-Burâq to the Prophet to honor and glorify him.  The length of Al-Burâq’s step is as far as Al-Burâq can see.  He took the Prophet at night from the holy mosque in Makkah to the Al-Aqsâ mosque in the same night.  Prophet Muhammad entered the mosque and led all the Prophets (PBUT) in prayer. 

 As for Al-Mi`râj it was after the Prophet (SAWS) had left the Al-Aqsâ mosque.  He rode the Al-Burâq and ascended to the heavens.  Whenever he reached a heaven, Jibrîl would ask for the heaven to be opened for them.  Then they were asked, “Who are you?  And who is with you?”  Jibrîl would answer “It is me Jibrîl and this is Muhammad.”  It was asked, “Did he become a Messenger?” He said, “Yes,” then it was opened for them with welcome and prayer for good, until they reached the seventh heaven. 

 After that the Prophet (SAWS) went to “Sidrat Al-Muntahâ” (Lotus tree of the farthest limit) where he saw what the human mind can not comprehend. Then Allah (SWT) revealed to His Prophet what He revealed.  He (SWT) prescribed for him and his people fifty prayers each day and night.  Then the Prophet descended to the sixth heaven where he met with Mûsâ (SAWS).  The Prophet told him what was prescribed for him and his people. 

 He (Mûsâ) advised him to go back to his Lord and ask him to reduce them because his people would not bear that.  The Prophet kept going back and forth between his Lord; glory be to Him, and Mûsâ (SAWS) until Allah (SWT) made the compulsory prayers five in deed and fifty in the reward.

 After that the Prophet (SAWS) went back to Makkah at the same night.  In the morning, he went to Quraysh in their place of gathering and told them what happened.  Some people did not believe him.  Some Muslims whose faith was weak apostatized.   

They asked him to describe the Aqsâ mosque and he did perfectly. Then they asked him about their trade caravan which was on the way.  He told them the number of its camels and its conditions and the time it should arrive, and it was all as he said. 

 However, this clear evidence did not stop them from their disbelief and stubbornness except those whom Allah (SWT) guided and held firm on Islam.  In the morning following Isrâ', Jibrîl came to the Prophet (SAWS) and showed him how and when to perform the five prayers.       

The prayer before that was two Rak`as (units) in the morning and two in the evening, as was the prayer of the Prophet Ibrâhîm, peace be upon him and our Prophet.