The Conference of the Quraish to Prevent the Spread of Islam – The Seerah of Rasullullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) – Part Forty Two

When the Quraish saw that Islam was progressing day by day, they assembled before Waleed bin Mugheerah, who was one of their seniors and elders.

Waleed addressed them and said, “The Haj season has almost arrived, in which people will soon come to you from different lands. They have heard news regarding Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) (and will soon enquire from you regarding him). Hence, we need to unite and decide on one opinion regarding him, and we should all agree on this one opinion. We should not differ in our view regarding him, as this will lead to some of us contradicting others (and this will not be good for us).”

The Quraish addressed Waleed bin Mugheerah by his kunyah (filial title) saying, “O Abu Abd-e-Shams! Why do you not decide on the opinion that we should all agree to regarding Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)?” Waleed replied, “You first present your suggestions before me. I will listen (and I will then decide on the opinion that is best).”

The people then began to put forward their suggestions regarding the view that they should have regarding Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

Some people suggested (Allah forbid), “We will say that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is a soothsayer.” Waleed commented, “You are wrong. By Allah! He is not a soothsayer! I have seen and understood soothsayers very well. The speech of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) does not resemble the humming noises and style of speech of the soothsayers.”

Some people then suggested that they should hold the view of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) being mad. Waleed replied, “No, he is not mad. I am fully aware of the reality of insanity and mental illnesses. There are no signs of insanity in him.”

People then suggested that they should hold the view of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) being a poet. Waleed remarked, “I am well acquainted with the different types and styles of poetry. His speech has no relation to poetry.”

The people then forwarded the suggestion of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) being a sorcerer. Waleed commented, “He is not a sorcerer. I have seen sorcerers and their sorcery. He does not recite incantations and blow, nor fasten knots like the sorcerers do.”

The people finally surrendered saying, “O Abu Abd-e-Shams! Then what should we say regarding him?”

When the people asked Waleed what opinion they should have regarding Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he replied, “By Allah! There is a unique sweetness in the words of Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) when he recites the Qur’aan Majeed. The roots of his speech (the Qur’aan Majeed) are incredibly lush and its branches are fruit-bearing (in other words, Islam is like a fruit-bearing tree. Its roots are strong and firmly embedded in the ground and its branches extend towards the sky and are laden with fruit).”

Waleed continued, “If you make any of these claims against Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), it will immediately be recognized as being false and baseless. Nevertheless, I think that the most appropriate opinion is for us to say that he is a sorcerer, and his speech is also sorcery as it is creating disunity between family members. It is creating disunity between father and son, a man and his brother, a husband and wife.” Saying this, the meeting came to a close and the Quraish departed.

When the season of haj arrived and people from other areas and lands began coming to Makkah Mukarramah, the Quraish posted people onto the various roads and pathways to warn those who passed by of Rasululah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) by saying, “This man is a sorcerer, beware of him.”

However, this strategy of the Quraish did not bring any harm to Islam. On the contrary, those coming into Makkah Mukarramah from far and wide became well acquainted with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). (Rowdhul Unf 2/12-16)

In regard to Waleed bin Mugheerah, it is mentioned that Allah Ta‘ala had bestowed him with abundant wealth, productive farms and many sons who remained at his side at all times to support and assist him. He was puffed up with pride and remained arrogant because of his wealth and influence. Hence, in it is in reference to Waleed bin Mugheerah that Allah Ta‘ala revealed the following verses of Surah Muddatthir:

ذَرْنِي وَمَنْ خَلَقْتُ وَحِيدًا ‎﴿١١﴾‏ وَجَعَلْتُ لَهُ مَالًا مَّمْدُودًا ‎﴿١٢﴾‏ وَبَنِينَ شُهُودًا ‎﴿١٣﴾‏ وَمَهَّدتُّ لَهُ تَمْهِيدًا ‎﴿١٤﴾‏ ثُمَّ يَطْمَعُ أَنْ أَزِيدَ ‎﴿١٥﴾‏ كَلَّا ۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ لِآيَاتِنَا عَنِيدًا ‎﴿١٦﴾‏ سَأُرْهِقُهُ صَعُودًا ‎﴿١٧﴾‏ إِنَّهُ فَكَّرَ وَقَدَّرَ ‎﴿١٨﴾‏ فَقُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ ‎﴿١٩﴾‏ ثُمَّ قُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ ‎﴿٢٠﴾‏ ثُمَّ نَظَرَ ‎﴿٢١﴾‏ ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَبَسَرَ ‎﴿٢٢﴾‏ ثُمَّ أَدْبَرَ وَاسْتَكْبَرَ ‎﴿٢٣﴾‏ فَقَالَ إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا سِحْرٌ يُؤْثَرُ ‎﴿٢٤﴾‏ إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا قَوْلُ الْبَشَرِ ‎﴿٢٥﴾‏ سَأُصْلِيهِ سَقَرَ ‎﴿٢٦﴾

And leave Me and the one whom I had created alone (i.e. do not be concerned, I will personally deal with him). It is I who granted him abundant wealth and sons who are present (in his gatherings), and I made life smooth and comfortable for him (by bestowing upon him worldly honour). Then (in spite of all of this), he desires that I bestow him with more. Never! He has been opposed to our signs (verses or proofs). I will compel him to climb a mountain of Jahannum named Sa’ood (and then hurl him down repeatedly). Indeed, he deliberated and plotted. So, let him be cursed. How he plotted! And again, let him be cursed! How he plotted! Then he glanced about. Then he scowled and assumed a furious countenance. Then he turned away and displayed arrogance and said, “This (Qur’aan) is nothing but sorcery that is being transmitted (through the generations). This is nothing but the word of a human being.” (Allah Ta‘ala says,) I will soon put him into Saqar (the fire of Jahannum). And what can let you know what Saqar is? It neither spares (anything inside it from burning) nor leaves (any disbelievers outside). It will disfigure the skins. Appointed over it are nineteen (angels as wardens). (Surah Muddatthir v. 11-26)