Abdullah bin Ubay bin Sulool was a very prominent personality of Madinah. He was an intelligent, experienced and a very shrewd person. He had developed a great influence over the tribes of Aus and Khazraj. Whenever these warring tribes took up arms against each other, Abdullah bin Ubay bin Sulool intervened to bring about peace between them. All his efforts were directed to the fact that he be acknowledged the leader of Madinah. He had succeeded in this quest for fame to the extent that he was often addressed as the 'Prince of the Ansaar'.
Preparations were well under way for a magnificent coronation. A crown
had been made for the occasion. It was at this stage that Rasulullah
arrived in Madinah. In due course, nearly all the people of Madinah including
the Jews acknowledged Rasulullah
as their leader, and as the supreme authority on matters affecting the
whole population of Madinah.
Abdullah bin Ubay bin Sulool's hopes of becoming king of Madinah and
ambitions were dashed to the ground. But being a cunning person, he did
not confront Rasulullah
and show his rivalry openly. He and his followers accepted Islam only by
name, in the heart they rejected Rasulullah
and his teaching. They were ever ready to turn against the Muslims at the
first opportunity. They were a source of considerable danger to the new
born commonwealth. Towards them (munafiqeen) Rasulullah
always showed the greatest patience and forbearance, hoping in the end
to win them over to Islam.
When the Quraish of Makkah heard of the recognition of Islam and the
acceptance of the leadership of Rasulullah
in Madinah, they were furious and turned to tactics of plotting and conspiracy.
They sent threatening ultimatums to Abdullah bin Ubay bin Sulool and the
Mushrikeens (infidels) of Madinah that unless they fought and drove out
Rasulullah
, the Quraish would attack Madinah and kill all their young men and take
their women folk.
In response to this threat, Abdullah bin Ubay bin Sulool gathered the
depleted number of kuffar of Madinah and incited them to over power Rasulullah .
On hearing this Rasulullah
went over to the gathering and addressed the people. He told them that
it would be a foolish act to pay attention to the threat of the Quraish
as this would bring disaster against all of them. He stressed the need
for peace, since any attack against the Muslims of Madinah would only destroy
their own kith and kin of the Aus and Khazraj tribe who had embraced Islam
in great numbers. He reminded them of the 'Treaty' which had been signed
by all the parties of Madinah. If however, the Quraish persisted
on their plan to attack Madinah, the Muslims would be prepared to repulse
them.
The determination of Rasulullah
left Abdullah bin Ubay bin Sulool dumb-founded. He decided that it would
be in his own interest to work from within the Muslims fold to pursue his
worldly ambitions. With a group of his followers, he embraced Islam. These
Munafiqeen began to spy on the Muslims and sow seeds of mutiny, revolt
and mischief. They befriended the Jews and assured them that they were
their ally against the Muslims. When in the company of the Muslims they
expressed piety and holiness. The Qur'aan refers to this group of people
as:
'Of the people there are some who say: we
believe in Allah and in the last Day;' but they do not
(really) believe'.
'They seek to deceive Allah and those who believe
but they only deceive themselves and realise (it)
not'.
(Surah: Baqarah v:8:9)
The Qur'aan refers to their activities as :
When they meet those
who believe, they say: 'We
believe;' but when
they are alone with their evil
ones, they say:
'We are really with you. we (were)
only
jesting.'
(Surah: Baqarah v:14)
The Muslims now had to contend with deception and danger of attacks
from three fronts: (1) the Kuffar of Makkah; (2) the Jews in and around
Madinah, inspite of the 'Treaty' with Rasulullah
and (3) the munafiqeen who reared their heads to strike whenever the opportunity
presented itself.
After the revelation of Surah 'Munafiqun' the Muslim began to tread
cautiously and kept a very close watch on the activities of the Munafiqeen.
Madinah developed into a center of the Muslim Empire. More and more
Muslims were drawn towards Madinah and Rasulullah
vigorously expounded the principles of Islam to his faithful followers.
Rasulullah
began to put into effect the Islamic administrative machinery which was
to make Islam one of the greatest power of the world. It was a blessing
for the Muslims to lead a chaste and Allah fearing life. Rasulullah
's
teachings of the 'Five Pillars of Islam'
changed the concept of life of the Arabs.
The five daily salaah was well established in Masjid-e-Nabawi. This brought about a close congregational spirit and harmony among Muslims. Saum (fasting) and Zakaah became compulsory. In this way, the feelings of compassion for the needy and less privileged were inculcated. The just laws of 'Nikah' (marriage), divorce and inheritance made family life secure and very pleasant.
Gambling, usury, vulgarity, intoxication, adultery. stealing, killing
were punishable by stringent Islamic laws. While Islam continued to grow,
Rasulullah
did not relax at any time from the ever lurking danger from the Kuffar,
munafiqeen and the enemies of Islam.
It was during this period that a Jew of great learning and intellect, Hazrat Abdullah bin Salaam (R.A.) accepted Islam.
Contents of the biography of the Prophet Muhammed
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