I have some questions of Islam

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format_quote Originally Posted by Brother Shadow

Salaam Brothers and sisters. Thanks for reading my thread.

I just have some questions of Islam, and I was wondering if you guys can help me out.

Well here is my first question:

After the second bayah at Aqabah, all the Muslims from Medina successfully escaped Makkah uncaptured by Quraish except for one man. Who was he?

Thanks, I would like to know who was this certain man.

And if you guys don't mind can I post more questions?

Salaam,
Brother Shadow

Islamic Advocacy in Practice — 92: A Profitable Deal
Adil Salahi, Arab News

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) told his companions in Makkah to immigrate to Madinah, it did not take them long to leave. Indeed they started immediately, leaving in small groups or individually so that the Quraysh would not be alerted to their plan. Within a few weeks the only ones left in Makkah were the Prophet and his own family, Abu Bakr, Ali, Zayd ibn Harithah, Suhaib and a few who were imprisoned and persecuted by their own clans. The Prophet awaited God’s order and he told Abu Bakr to stay behind so that they would travel together. Ali and Zayd were needed for some tasks, while Suhaib hoped to accompany the Prophet. However, when the Prophet had to leave, he moved very quickly with Abu Bakr, leaving all the others behind, including the Prophet’s wife, Sawdah and his daughters. On learning of the Prophet’s departure, Suhaib felt that he should not stay on. He decided to leave, but the people of Makkah were watching his moves, realizing that he would try to escape them.

Suhaib was a former slave who proved his value in running his master’s business, bought his freedom and stayed on in Makkah as an ally of his former master’s tribe. He soon became very rich. When he left Makkah on his own, he was chased by a group led by Abu Jahl. As they were about to catch up with him, he stopped to speak to them. He made it clear that he was prepared to fight them to the bitter end. On the other hand, he was willing to buy himself off by letting them have all his wealth. They accepted and he told them where they could find his money, so they left him alone. When Suhaib arrived in Madinah and the Prophet learned of the deal he made with his pursuers, he commented: “Suhaib has made a profitable deal.” Needless to say, the Prophet was referring to the reward Suhaib would receive from God for sacrificing his wealth in order to join the Prophet and be among his followers.

There are several reports mentioning Suhaib’s case. One report mentions that he put out his arrows and told them that as a good marksman, he would hit them with all his 40 arrows before they could catch up with him, and then he would fight them with his sword. Alternatively, he would buy himself by offering them money. They accepted his offer, pledging upon their honor to let him go. One report suggests that he went back to Makkah with them to dig out the gold he buried there. This was the first part of the deal the Prophet described as “profitable”, while the other part is Suhaib’s reward. In fact, this deal is mentioned in the Qur’an: “There is also a kind of man who would willingly sell himself, seeking God’s pleasure. God is most compassionate to His servants.” (2: 207)

The immigration to Madinah caused many companions of the Prophet to endure hardship more than what is normally involved in taking one’s family and belongings to settle in a different town or country. Abd ibn Jahsh, better known as Abu Ahmad, was married to Al-Fari’ah bint Abu Sufyan whose family took a hostile attitude to Islam. In fact, Abu Sufyan was soon to become the Quraysh leader in its war against the Prophet and the Muslims. When Abu Ahmad decided to immigrate, his wife tried to persuade him not to do so, but he insisted. In addition to such opposition at home, Abu Ahmad had to contend with another difficulty. He was blind, but he could go everywhere in Makkah without a guide. The displacement was particularly hard for him. He could never hope to be able to know a new place as well as he knew Makkah. Yet he insisted on leaving Makkah and joining the Prophet and the Muslim community there.

Abu Ahmad was a fine poet and belonged to a family of distinction. His mother was Umaymah bint Abd Al-Muttalib, the Prophet’s paternal aunt. His brother, Abdullah ibn Jahsh, made the arrangements for their trip, taking his family with him. Thus, their family home was closed as no one was left behind. A few days later, a group of the notables of Makkah, including Abu Jahl, Utbah ibn Rabee’ah and Al-Abbas ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, passed by it and noticed that it was abandoned. Utbah was tearful, realizing that the exodus was bound to bring further trouble for the Quraysh. His fears were soon to come true, with several clashes, including three major military encounters, taking place between the Muslim community and the Quraysh within the next five years. Abu Jahl turned to Al-Abbas, the Prophet’s uncle, and said: “This is all the fault of your own people.”

For the Jahsh family, it meant additional trouble. Soon after their departure, Abu Sufyan sold their house in Makkah, taking its price. However, when Makkah fell to Islam, eight years later, Abu Ahmad made a complaint, demanding the return of his house. The Prophet gave some instructions to Uthman ibn Affan, and he took Abu Ahmad aside to speak to him. Abu Ahmad did not pursue his demand any further. It is clear that Uthman advised him that the Prophet wished him to stop his demand and he complied.

Another person for whom the immigration was far from easy was Damrah ibn Jundub, whose name is also reported as Damrah ibn Al-Ees, or ibn Abu Al-Ees. When the Prophet told his companions to immigrate to Madinah, some of those who were in weaker positions felt that they were exempt. Damrah felt that the exemption applied to him as he was of poor health and almost blind. However, he listened to the Qur’anic verses that say: “To those whom the angels gather in death while they are still wronging themselves, the angels will say: ‘What were you doing?’ They will answer: ‘We were oppressed on earth’. (The angels) will say: ‘Was not God’s earth so spacious that you might have migrated to settle elsewhere?’ Such will have their abode in Hell, a certainly evil end. Excepted are the men, women, and children who, being truly helpless, can devise nothing and can find no way. These God may well pardon, then, for God is indeed most lenient, much-forgiving.” (4: 97-99) When he reflected on these verses, he said: “I may have lost my eyesight, but I am certainly not helpless. I have money and slaves.”

He gave orders to his servants to prepare his departure, saying: “I want to leave this land of idolaters.” They did so. He then left Makkah with his family and slaves. However, his illness got the better of him and he died on the way. Some reports suggest that he died only a short distance from Makkah, close to the mosque of Al-Taneem. It was in reference to him that the following verse was revealed: “Anyone who migrates for God’s cause will find on earth many places for refuge and great abundance. He who leaves his home, fleeing from evil unto God and His Messenger, and is then overtaken by death, his reward is reserved for him with God. God is Much-Forgiving, Merciful.” (4: 100)