Marvelous Stories from the Life of Muhammad by Mardijah Aldrich Tarantino

Author:Mardijah Aldrich Tarantino
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kube Publishing Ltd
Published: 2012-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

1. Glory to (God)

Who did take His Servant

For a Journey by night

From the Sacred Mosque

To the Farthest Mosque,

Whose precincts We did

Bless, — in order that We

Might show him some

Of Our Signs: for He

Is the One Who heareth

And seeth (all things). (Sura 17 Al-Isra’ 1)

12

The Cave

Makka was bustling with tribes from all over Arabia as the month of yearly pilgrimage came to a close. Proud Bedouin Arabs with their proud camels had come from the West. The Bani Dhakwan and the idolaters from Taif were offering elaborate sacrifices to their goddess Al-Lat. The Bani Hawazin and the Bani Amir had completed the circular ritual around the Ka’ba and were heading northwards to the desert. As night fell on the city, the Makkan merchants, like fat cats, their purses bursting with gold, returned to the comforts of their homes.

Meanwhile, ‘Abbas, who had done pretty well for himself, invited the Prophet and his companions to his home for a celebration. It had been a long time since the Believers had tasted such a feast.

‘Bring me my Oud,’ called out ‘Abbas when the food had been cleared away, ‘and I’ll sing you a ballad that will wipe the wrinkles off a dried raisin. Mind you join in the chorus.’

Suddenly, the merriment was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. ‘Abbas hastened to answer, and cries of welcome greeted the newcomer. ‘Ali and Zayd did not recognise him at first. He was not dressed in Makkan tunic and his manner was almost frantic. He glanced furtively behind him as the door closed, and examined the faces of those present as if to assure himself there were no enemies. The Prophet, observing this, signalled for the companions to retire to another room, and sent ‘Ali and Zayd to fetch fresh milk and a platter of dates.

‘Who is he? Where is he from?’ whispered Zayd.

‘It’s Mus’ab, don’t you remember?’ answered ‘Ali. ‘Last year, after the pilgrimage, our Messenger sent him to Madina along with seven new Believers who were returning home. He has remained in that city all year, teaching them the prayers and the Sacred Verses. And now, here he is back in Makka.’

When Zayd and ‘Ali returned with the tray of dates, Mus’ab was speaking urgently in a low voice:

‘They are ready to meet with God’s Messenger tonight at midnight, in the glen of ‘Aqaba… seventy Believers from Madina!’

‘Seventy? I’d heard there were only seven,’ interrupted ‘Abbas.

‘God be praised, now there are seventy. They wish to offer their homes and protection to God’s Messenger and to the Believers from Makka.’

‘Praise be to God, whose intervention comes at the most unexpected times,’ exclaimed the Prophet. ‘May God reward you, Mus’ab, for all you have done.’ Muhammad rose and wrapped his cloak about him. ‘And now, Uncle, I ask your permission to leave. It is late and it would be dangerous to keep these valiant followers waiting.’

‘Not so fast!’ interrupted ‘Abbas. ‘I will not allow you to go sauntering off alone in the dead of night to that godforsaken and dangerous place.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.