Stories of the Prophets , part 28 - Prophet Nuh (Noah) , Part 7

The Disbelievers' Arguments

First they accused Noah of being only human like themselves.
“The chiefs of the disbelievers among his people said: "We see you but a man like ourselves."'
(Ch 11:27 Quran)
He, however, had never said anything other than that. He asserted that, indeed, he was only a
human being; Allah had sent a human messenger because the earth was inhabited by humans. If it
had been inhabited by angels Allah would have sent an angelic messenger. The contest between
the polytheists and Noah continued. the rulers had thought at first that Noah's call would soon
fade on its own. When they found that his call attracted the poor, the helpless and common
laborers, they started to verbally attack and taunt him: 'You are only followed by the poor, the meek and the worthless.'
Allah the Almighty told us:
"Indeed We sent Noah to his people (he said): "I have come to you as a plain Warner that you
worship none but Allah, surely, I fear for you the torment of a painful Day." the chiefs of the
disbeliveers among his people said: "We see you but a man like ourselves, nor do we see any
follow you but the meanest among us and they too followed you without thinking. And we do not
see in you any merit above us in fact we think you are liars." (CH 11:25-27).

Stories of the Prophets , part 27 - Prophet Nuh (Noah) , Part 6

Division Among Noah's People

The people listened to him in silence. His words were a shock to their stagnating minds as it is a
shock to a person who is asleep under a wall which is about to fall and who is vigorously
awakened. This person may be alarmed and may even become angry although the aim was to save
him.
Noah's people were divided into two groups after his warning. His words touched the hearts of
the weak, the poor, and the miserable and soothed their wounds with its mercy. As for the rich,
the strong, the mighty and the rulers they looked upon the warning with cold distrust. They
believed they would be better off if things stayed as they were. Therefore they started their war of
words against Noah.

Stories of the Prophets , part 26 - Prophet Nuh (Noah) , Part 5

Noah's Reasoning with his People

Allah in His Mercy sent His messenger Noah to guide his people. Noah was an excellent speaker
and a very patient man. He pointed out to his people the mysteries of life and the wonders of the
universe. He pointed out how the night is regularly followed by the day and that the balance
between these opposites were designed by Allah the Almighty for our good. The night gives
coolness and rest while the day gives warmth and awakens activity. The sun encourages growth,
keeping all plants and animals alive, while the moon and stars assist in the reckoning of time,
direction and seasons. He pointed out that the ownership of the heavens and the earth belongs
only to the Divine Creator. Therefore, he explained to this people, there cannot have been more
than one deity. He clarified to them how the devil had deceived them for so long and that the time
had come for this deceit to stop. Noah spoke to them of Allah's glorification of man, how HE had
created him and provided him with sustenance and the blessings of a mind. He told them that idol
worshipping was a suffocating injustice to the mind. He warned them not to worship anyone but
Allah and described the terrible punishment Allah would mete out if they continued in their evil ways.

Stories of the Prophets , part 25 - Prophet Nuh (Noah) , Part 4

Commentary - Idolatry

Worshipping anything other than Allah is a tragedy that results not only in the loss of freedom; its
serious effect reaches man's mind and destroys it as well. Almighty Allah created man and his
mind with its purpose set on achieving knowledge the most important of which is that Allah alone
is the Creator and all the rest are worshippers (slaves). Therefore, disbelief in Allah, or
polytheism, results in the loss of freedom, the destruction of the mind, and the absence of a noble
target in life. (By worshipping anything other than Allah, man becomes enslaved to Satan, who is himself a creature and becomes harnessed to his own baser qualities).
Into this environment Allah sent Noah with His message to his people. Noah was the only
intellectual not caught in the whirlpool of man's destruction which was caused by polytheism.

Stories of the Prophets , part 24 - Prophet Nuh (Noah) , Part 3

Various Hadith describing the Origin of Idolatry

Ibn Abbas explained: "Following upon the death of those righteous men, Satan inspired their
people to erect statues in the places where they used to sit. They did this, but these statues were
not worshiped until the coming generations deviated from the right way of life. Then they
worshipped them as their idols."
In his version, Ibn Jarir narrated: "There were righteous people who lived in the period between
Adam and Noah and who had followers who held them as models. After their death, their friends
who used to emulate them said: 'If we make statues of them, it will be more pleasing to us in our
worship and will remind us of them.' So they built statues of them, and , after they had died and
others came after them, Iblis crept into their minds saying:'Your forefathers used to worship them,
and through that worship they got rain.' So they worshipped them."
Ibn Abi Hatim related this story: "Waddan was a righteous man who was loved by his people.
When he died, they withdrew to his grave in the land of Babylonia and were overwhelmed by
sadness. When Iblis saw their sorrow caused by his death, he disguised himself in the form of a
man saying: 'I have seen your sorrow because of this man's death; can I make a statue like him
which could be put in your meeting place to make you remember him?' They said: 'Yes.'
So he made the statue like him. They put it in their meeting place in order to be reminded of him.
When Iblis saw their interest in remembering him, he said: 'Can I build a statue of him in the home
of each one of you so that he would be in everyone's house and you could remember him?'
They agreed. Their children learned about and saw what they were doing. They also learned about
their remembrance of him instead of Allah. So the first to be worshipped instead of Allah was
Waddan, the idol which they named thus."
The essence of this point is that every idol from those earlier mentioned was worshipped by a
certain group of people. It was mentioned that people made picture sand as the ages passed they
made these pictures into statues, so that their forms could be fully recognized; afterwards they
were worshipped instead of Allah.
It was narrated that Umm Salmah and Umm Habibah told Allah's Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
about the church called "Maria" which they had seen in the land of Abyssinia. They described its
beauty and the pictures therein. He said: "Those are the people who build places of worship on
the grave of every dead man who was righteous and then make therein those pictures. Those are
the worst of creation unto Allah." (Sahih al Bukhari).

Stories of the Prophets , part 23 - Prophet Nuh (Noah) , Part 2

Noah's People - Idolaters

For many generations Noah's people had been worshipping statues that they called gods. They
believed that these gods would bring them good, protect them from evil and provide all their
needs. They gave their idols names such as Waddan, Suwa'an, Yaghutha, Ya'auga, and Nasran,
(These idols represented, respectively, manly power; mutability, beauty; brute strength, swiftness,
sharp sight, insight) according to the power they thought these gods possessed.
Allah the Almighty revealed:
"They (idolaters) have said: "You shall not leave your gods nor shall you leave Wadd, nor
Suwa, nor Yaghuth, nor Ya uq nor Nasr (names of the idols)." (CH 71:23 Quran).
Originally these were the names of good people who had lived among them. After their deaths,
statues of them were erected to keep their memories alive. After sometime, however, people
began to worship these statues. Later generations did not even know why they had been erected;
they only knew their parents had prayed to them. That is how idol worshipping developed. Since
they had no understanding of Allah the Almighty Who would punish them for their evil deeds,
they became cruel and immoral.

Stories of the Prophets , part 22 - Prophet Nuh (Noah) , Part 1

Variation on the Birth of Noah

He was Noah Ibn Lamik, Ibn Mitoshilkh, Ibn Enoch, Ibn yard, Ibn Mahlabeel, Ibn Qinan, Ibn
Anoush, Ibn Seth, Ibn Adam the Father of Mankind (PBUH). According to the history of the
People of the Book, (refers to the Jews, and Christians, so called by Allah because they received
Revealed Books, Taurat, Zabur and Injeel. These names are translated 'Torah, Psalms, and
Gospels' respectively, but the books that are extent are corrupt. Of the Revealed Books, ONLY
the Quran remains exactly as it was revealed).
The period between the birth of Noah and the death of Adam was 146 years. (According to
Genesis 5 (new Revised Standard Version), Noah was born one hundred and twenty six years
after the death of Adam. Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "The
period between Adam and Noah was ten centuries." (Sahih Bukhari, Noah was born 1056 years
after Adam's creation (or after he left the Garden of Eden). Thus, this hadith does not contradict
the previous statement from the People of the Book as it may first appear to do. The reader
should keep in mind, however that any statement or narratives taken from the People of the Book
are not necessarily credible. This was taken from Genesis 5).

Stories of the Prophets , part 21 - Prophet Idris (Enoch) , Part 1

Allah has praised Enoch, describing him as being a prophet and truthful:
"Mention in the Book (Quran) Idris (Enoch). Verily! He was a man of truth (and) a prophet. We
raised him to a high station". (Ch 19:56-57 Quran).

Birth and Teachings

Enoch was born and raised in Babylon following the teachings and religion of Prophet Adam
(pbuh) and his son Seth (pbuh). Enoch was the 5th generation of the Prophet Adam. He called the
people back to his forefathers religion, but only a few listened to him, while the majority turned
away.
Prophet Enoch and his followers left Babylon for Egypt. There he carried on his mission, calling
people to what is just and fair, teaching them certain prayers and instructing them to fast on
certain days and to give a portion of their wealth to the poor.

The Wise Sayings of Prophet Enoch

He was the first of the Children of Adam to be given prophethood after Adam and Seth (peace
upon them). It is reported that he was the 1st to invent the basic form of writing. Some of his wise
sayings are:
"Happy is he who looks at his own deeds and appoints them as pleaders to his Lord."
"None can show better gratitude for Allah's favors than he who shares them with others."
"Do not envy people for what they have as they will only enjoy it for a short while."
"He who indulges in excess will not benefit from it."
"The real joy of life is to have wisdom."

Stories of the Prophets , part 20 - Prophet Adam , Part 20

Successor After Adam 

After Adam's death, his soth Seth (Shiith) took over the responsibilities of prophethood, according to a hadith narrated by Abu Dhar. Abu Dhar narrated that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Allah sent down one hundred and four psalms, of which fifty were sent down to Seth." (Sahih al Bukhari) When the time of his death came Seth's son Anoush succeeded him. He in turn, was succeeded by his son Qinan, who was succeeded by Mahlabeel. The Persians claim that Mahlabeel was the King of the Seven Regions, that he was the first one to cut down trees to build cities and large forts and that he built the cities of Babylonia. He reigned for a period of forty years. When he died his duties were taken ov er by his son Yard, who on his death, bequeathed them to his son Khonoukh, who is Idris (pbuh) according to the majority of the scholars.

Major pillars of Masjid-e-Nabwi

Map of the major pillars at the front of Masjid-e-Nabwi

The diagram above is a plan view of the front part of Masjid-e-Nabwi and identifies pillars (ustuwaanah) where a significant event or act occurred (the pillars themselves are not important). Note that the position of these pillars was the same as in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).

1. Ustuwaanah Hannanah (the weeping pillar):

Ustawaanah Hannanah – Photo:Qurancomplex.gov.sa

This is also called the Ustuwaanah Mukhallaq. This is the most blessed of the pillars for this was the Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) place of salah. On this spot there once used to grow a date palm tree. Before the advent of the mimbar, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used to lean on it while delivering the khutbah (sermon). When the mimbar was made the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used it for the khutbah. It so happened when the change took place, such a bitter sound of weeping was heard from the tree that the whole masjid echoed; and those in the masjid started weeping. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) then said: “The tree cries because the zikr of Allah was near it, and now that the mimbar is built it has been deprived of this zikr in its immediate vicinity. If I did not place my hand on it, it would have cried thus till the Day of Qiyamah.” Afterwards the tree dried up and was buried.

2. Ustuwaanah Sareer:

Ustawannah Sareer – Photo:Qurancomplex.gov.sa

‘Sareer’ means sleeping place. It is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used to make i’tikaaf here also, and used to sleep here while in i’tikaaf. A platform of wood used to be put here for him to sleep on.

3. Ustuwaanah Tawbah:

Ustawaanah Tawbah – Photo:Qurancomplex.gov.sa

Also known as Ustuwaanah Abu Lubabah. Abu Lubabah (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of the famous Sahaba. Before Islam, he had much dealings with the Jews of Banu Quraizah. When they acted treacherously during the Battle of the Trench and were taken captive he told them that they were to be killed by making a sign across his throat. After having done that he become so grieved at this indiscretion that he could not rest.

He entered the masjid at this spot where a date-tree used to stand. He bound himself to the trunk saying: “As long as my repentance is not accepted by Allah, I shall not untie myself from here. And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) himself must undo my bonds.” When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) heard this he said: “If he had come to me I would have begged forgiveness on his behalf. Now he had acted on his own initiative, I cannot untie him until his repentance has been accepted.”

For many days he remained tied there, except for salah and the call of nature. At such times his wife and daughter used to untie him and then again tied him to the tree. He remained without food and drink as a result of which his sight and hearing were affected. Then after a few days one morning while the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was in tahajjud prayer in the house of Umme Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him), he received the good news that his tawbah had been accepted. The Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with him) conveyed the news to him, and wanted to untie him but he refused, saying: “As long as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) does not untie me with his blessed hands, I shall not allow anyone else to do so.” When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) entered for Fajr salah he untied him.

4. Ustuwaanah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):

Ustawaanah Aisha – Photo:Qurancomplex.gov.sa

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used to say his prayers here and afterwards moved to the place at Ustuwaanah Hannanah. It is also called the Ustuwaanah Qu’rah. The reason for this is that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: “In this masjid is one such spot that if people knew the true blessed nature thereof, they would flock towards it in such in a manner to pray there they would have to cast such lots (i.e. Qu’rah).”

People asked her to point out the exact spot which she refused to do. Later on, at the persistence of Abdullah bin Zubair (may Allah be pleased with him) she pointed to this spot. Hence it is called Ustuwaanah Aisha, because the Hadith is reported by her and the exact spot was shown by her. It is a fact that Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) very often used to pray here.

5. Ustuwaanah Ali (may Allah be pleased with him):

Ustawaanah Ali – Photo:Qurancomplex.gov.sa

Also known as Ustuwaanah Mah’ras or Hars. ‘Hars’ means to watch or protect. This used to be the place where some of the Sahaba (may Allah be pleased with them) used to sit when keeping watch or acting as gatekeepers. Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) used to be the one who mostly acted as such, for which it is often called Ustuwaanah Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) entered the masjid from the door of Aisha’s (may Allah be pleased with her) room, he passed this spot.

6. Ustuwaanah Wufood:

Ustawaanah Wufood – Photo:Qurancomplex.gov.sa

‘Wufood’ means delegations. Whenever deputations arrived to meet the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) on behalf of their tribes, they were seated here and here he used to meet them, conversed with them and taught them Islam.

7. Ustuwaanah Jibraeel:
This was the usual place where Jibraeel (upon him be peace) used to enter to visit the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Today it cannot be seen as it lies inside the Sacred Chamber of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).

8. Ustuwaanah Tahajjud:
It is reported that this was the spot where late at night a carpet was spread for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to perform tahajjud prayer, after all the people had left. It is currently covered by a bookcase but this historic photo shows what exists behind it:

Historic photo of the prayer niche marking the spot

And this is the small mehrab (prayer niche) that also exists inside the Rawdah Mubarak itself:

The mehrab inside the Rawdah Mubarak

---

References:  How to perform Ziyaarah – Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat, Ziyarah & Salawat – Fisabilillah Publications

Stories of the Prophets , part 19 - Prophet Adam , Part 19

Adam's Death 

Abdullah Ibn Al Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal narrated that Ubai Ibn Kab said: "When Adam's death was near, he said to his children: "O my children, indeed I feel an appetite for the fruits of Paradise."

So they went away searching for what Adam had requested. They met with the angels, who had with them his shroud and what he was to be embalmed with. They said to them: "O Children of Adam, what are you searching for? What do you want? Where are you going?"

They said: "Our father is sick and has an appetite for the fruits of Paradise."

The angels said to them: "Go back, for your father is going to meet his end soon."

So they returned (with the angels) and when Eve saw them she recognized them. She tried to hide herself behind Adam. He said to her. "Leave me alone. I came before you; do not go between me and the angels of my Lord." So they took his soul, embalmed and wrapped him, dug the grave and laid him in it. They prayed on him and put him in his grave, saying: "O Children of Adam, this is your tradition at the time of death.""

Before his death Adam reassured his children that Allah would not leave man alone on the earth, but would sent His prophets to guide them. The prophets would have different names, traits and miracles, but they would be united in one thing; the call to worship Allah alone. This was Adam's bequest to his children. Adam finished speaking and closed his eyes. Then the angels entered his room and surrounded him. When he recognized the Angel of Death among them, his heart smiled peacefully.

Stories of the Prophets , part 18 - Prophet Adam , Part 18

Adam Preaches to His Children

Adam was utterly grief stricken by the loss of his two sons. One was dead, the other was won over by the devil. Adam prayed for his son and turned to mundane matters for he had to toil for his sustenance. At the same time he was a prophet advising his children and grandchildren, telling them about Allah and calling them to believe in Him. He told them about Iblis and warned them by recounting his own experience with the devil and of how the devil had tempted Cain to kill his brother.

Adam's Successor, Seth 

Years and years passed, Adam grew old and his children spread all over the earth. Muhammad Ibn Ishaq related that when Adam's death drew near, he appointed his son Seth to be his successor and taught him the hours of the day and night along with their appropriate acts of worship. He also foretold to him the floor that would come.

Abu Dhar narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Allah sent down 104 psalms, of which 50 were sent down to Seth."