بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allâh, the Most
Beneficent, the Most Merciful
THE LIFE OF PROPHET
صلى اهلل عليه وسلم
MUHAMMAD
1
Religions of the Arabs
Introduction of Idols into the Arabian Peninsula
Most of the Arabs had complied with the call of
Ismael (as) and professed the religion of his father
Ibrahim (as). They had worshipped Allâh (swt),
professed His Oneness and followed His religion a
long time until they forgot part of what they had
been reminded of.
Session 3: Religions of the Arabs
Idol Worship
The people followed Ibrahim’s religion, until the
time of a chief of Khuzaa‘a, namely ‘Amr bin Luhai.
He was renowned for righteousness, charity,
reverence and care for religion, and was granted
unreserved love and obedience by his tribesmen.
He returned back from a trip to Syria where he saw
people worshiping idols; something he approved
of and believed to be righteous since Syria was the
centre of Messengers and Scriptures. So, he
brought with him an idol (Hubal) which he placed
in the middle of Al-Ka‘bah and called people to
worship it. That is how Ismael’s religion changed. 3
Session 3: Religions of the Arabs
Idol Worship
"The Prophet said,
'I saw Amr bin Luhai Al-Khuzaa’i dragging his
intestines in the (Hell) Fire . . . '"
Volume 4, Book 56, Number 723:
Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 56:
Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions
Judaism
Judaism was introduced into Yemen by As‘ad Abi
Karb.
His son Dhu Nawas attacked the Christian
community in Najran and ordered them to embrace
Judaism.
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Session 3: Religions of the Arabs
Judaism
When they refused, he ordered that a pit of fire be
dug and all the Christians be thrown in to burn.
Estimates say that 20 thousand Christians were
killed in that massacre.
Session 3: Religions of the Arabs
The Story Of The People Of The Ditch,
The Magician, The Monk And The Boy
Book 55: The Book of Zuhd and Softening of Hearts
Chapter 17: The Story Of The People Of The Ditch, The Magician, The Monk
And The Boy
Sahih Muslim
This hadith relates to Dhu Nawaas and the
massacre of Christians in Yemen.
Session 3: Religions of the Arabs
In retaliation for the massacre of
Christians in Yemen, the Roman Emperor sent a
message to the King of Abyssinia (also a
Christian), for assistance.
The King of Abyssinia then sent an army lead by a
general named Aryaat.
Aryaat invaded Yemen and fought with Dhu Nawas
and defeated him.
Aryaat ruled over Yemen for a while, but later he
was killed by men loyal to Abraha Al-Ashram.
Abraha (an Abyssinian Christian) took over as ruler
of Yemen.
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Session 3: Religions of the Arabs
Abraha wanted to change the
religion of the people and force them to become
Christians, and since the Arabs were attached to
Al-Kaaba, he decided to build a rival Christian
version of Al-Kaaba in Yemen.
One man didn’t like this idea of the cathedral, so he
went into Al-Qullais, defecated in it and then he
took his waste and spread it all over the walls,
then he ran away.
Abraha was told the person who did this was from
the people of the Ka’bah in Makkah to which the
Arabs made pilgrimage.
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Session 3: Religions of the Arabs
Abraha got so furious that he
decided to get rid of Al-Kaaba.
Abraha made it to the outskirts of Makkah.
There were some shepherds and camels grazing
there, Abraha took possession of them.
They belonged to the grand-father of Rasool Allah
(saw), Abdul Muttalib. Abdul Muttalib came out of
Makkah to meet with Abraha.
Abdul Muttalib happened to be a friend of Nufail,
who was captured as a prisoner of war.
Nufail during the journey, became friends with a
man called ‘Unais’. 9
Session 3: Religions of the Arabs
Unais was a very important figure
in Abraha’s army; he was the driver of the
elephant. So Abdul Muttalib came to Nufail and told
him that he wanted to meet with Abraha.
Nufail told him that he will arrange a meeting
through his friend Unais. Abdul Muttalib told the
interpreter: “Abraha has taken possession of 200
of my camels, and I want them back.”
Abraha responded: “When I saw you, I had so
much respect for you, but I have lost it all. I am
coming to destroy your honour and the honour of
your fathers; I am coming to destroy the centre of
your livelihood. I am coming to destroy Al-Kaaba,
and you are asking me about camels?” 10
Session 3: Religions of the Arabs
Abdul Muttalib responded,
“I am the owner of the camels, so I am responsible
for them, and this house belongs to Allah, and
Allah will protect it.”
Abraha ordered Abul Muttalib’s camels to be
returned back to him.
Abdul Muttalib went back to Makkah and he told
the people of Makkah
“Do not fight. Withdraw out of Makkah .”
Allah sent an army of birds, every bird carrying
with it stones that were sent on the army of
Abraha, that destroyed them all. This event was
recorded in Surah Al-Feel. 11
Session 3: Religions of the Arabs
