EVENTS

617 CE / Boycotting the Muslim Community.  8th Year of Prophethood

Important events and incidences that took place

Having withdrawn to a valley on the eastern outskirts of Makkah, the believers found themselves part of the stifling siege. The supply of food was almost stopped and the people in confinement faced great hardships. The idolaters used to buy whatever food commodities entered Makkah so as to ensure those who were being boycotted wouldn’t receive any. The boycotted were so overstrained that they eventually began to eat leaves of trees and skins of animals in order to survive.

Cries of little children suffering from hunger could be heard. It was only on a few occasions that meagre quantities of food would be smuggled to them by some compassionate Makkans. During ‘the prohibited months’ when hostilities traditionally ceased, they would leave their confinement and buy food coming from outside Makkah, although, food stuff was unjustly overpriced so that their financial situation would still make them fall short.

Despite all odds, the Prophet persisted in his call with his determination and bravery never being weakened. He continued to go to the Ka’bah to pray publicly and used every opportunity to preach to outsiders who visited Makkah for business or on pilgrimage during the sacred months.

LESSONS & WISDOMS

617 CE / Boycotting the Muslim Community

A closer look at the events; in search of deeper meanings and drawing lessons

If one ponders over the incredibly arduous state the Muslims were in and yet their determination in adhering to their belief, one cannot help but feel immense gratitude towards them. It was their sacrifice and unrelenting strength that enabled millions of people who came after them to adopt and live the Islamic faith. God had thus decreed that His religion be saved through such great individuals.

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At one point between year eight and ten in Makkah the Quraysh decided to send a delegate to Yathrib to consult the Jewish rabbis about the Prophet. The rabbis informed them of three questions to ask Muhammed and said “if he tells you of them, then he is a Prophet sent by God, but if he tell you not, then he is a liar”.  When questioned the Prophet replied that he would inform them tomorrow but did not end the statement with ‘God willing’. What followed was fifteen days of taunting and frustration as no revelation came. Then followed revelation reproaching him for his distress on account of what his people said, and telling him the answers to their three questions. The long wait he had to endure was explained in the words: And say not of anything: verily I shall do that tomorrow, except thou sayest: if God will. The delay in revelation had in fact served as a proof to his enemies of his Prophethood as it showed that he was dependent on an external source for guidance and not  his own self.

EDICTS & RULINGS

617 CE / Boycotting the Muslim Community

Revelation and rulings particular to this year

At one point between year eight and ten in Makkah the Quraysh decided to send a delegate to Yathrib to consult the Jewish rabbis about the Prophet. The rabbis informed them of three questions to ask Muhammed “if he tell you of them, then he is a Prophet sent by God, but if he tell you not, then he is a liar”. They answers to these questions was revealed to the Prophet fifteen days later in the Quranic chapter al-Kahf:

Regarding the people of the cave, God revealed,

Do you consider that the Companions of the Cave and Ar-Raqim were one of the most remarkable of Our Signs?

When the young men took refuge in the cave and said, ‘Our Lord, give us mercy directly from You and open the way for us to right guidance in our situation.’

So We sealed their ears with sleep in the cave for a number of years.

Regarding the far traveller who reached the ends of the earth in the east and the west,

They will ask you about Dhu’l-Qarnayn. Say: ‘I will tell you something about him.’

We gave him power and authority on the earth and granted him a way to everything

Regarding the soul, God revealed in chapter al-Isra,

They will ask you about the Ruh. Say: ‘The Ruh is my Lord’s concern. You have only been given a little knowledge.’

CONTENTIOUS NARRATIVES

617 CE / Boycotting the Muslim Community

Polemical rebuttals particular to this year

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