Contents
Translator's Note - 1
Publisher's Note - 3
Biography of Ibn Katheer - 3
1. The Story of Habil and Qabil (Able and Cain) - 4
2. Harut and Marut - 10
3. Dwellers of the Town - 21
4. Story of the Heifer - 25
5. Moses and AI-Khadir - 27
6. The Story of Qarun (Korah) - 36
7. Bilqis (Queen of Sheba) - 41
8. The Story of Saba' (Sheba) - 47
9. `Uzair (Ezra) - 51
10. Dhul Qarnain - 56
11. Gog and Magog - 64
12. People of the Cave - 69
13. The Believer & The Disbeliever - 76
14. People of the Garden - 80
15. The Sabbath-Breakers - 83
16. Story of Luqman - 86
17. People of the Ditch - 95
18. Barsisa the Worshipper (The Renegade) - 98
19. Owners of the Elephant - 100
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. We cannot find words to praise Him, AS He only sees fit how laudation should be addressed to Him. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils within ourselves and the evils of our bad deeds. Whosoever Allah guides will never be led astray, and whosoever He leads astray will never find guidance. We bear witness that there is no god but Allah, the One without any associate, and We bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger and bondman, peace and blessings be upon him, his kith and kin, his Companions and all those who follow their guidance until the Day of Judgment.
Given the significance of these stories, not a small number of Muslim scholars exerted efforts to compile, verify and comment on them. Ibn Katheer (May Allah rest his soul) is a pioneer in that respect. His voluminous Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah (The Beginning and the End) relates the stories of Allah's prophets and world nations since the beginning of history. Truly, he successfully managed to find the relationship between the details cited in the Glorious Qur'an and the Prophetic Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) that explained and clarified the incidents that took place. He also tried his best to portrait the characters of heroes of our stories and their relevant backgrounds. So doing, he presented a lively easy account of these stories of the Glorious Qur'an.
Here, I must admit that translating this book Stories of the Qur'an was not an easy thing. As the original book of Ibn Katheer was full of details, the translation underwent some abridgment, without impairing the contents of the book. Also, I have left out most of the Invented Hadiths, Al-Mawdu `at, that were 'falsely' attributed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) throughout the book (by other than Ibn Katheer of course!). However, it goes without saying that the style of the Arabic language is totally different from that of English. This forced me to make so many changes in the form of presenting the text with a view to rendering it more readable and easily understood by our dear reader.
In conclusion, I would like to thank all those who helped to publish this book. I pray to Allah to accept all our efforts as sincere deeds done solely for His Sake, for it is He alone Whose reward is of any real significance.
Translator Ali As-Sayed Al-Halawani
All Praise is due to Allah and much peace and many blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, his companions, his followers and those who disseminate his call until the Day of Judgment.
Here we are with the book Stories of the Qur'an by AI-Hafiz Isma` il Ibn Katheer Ad-Dimashqi (May Allah rest his soul), taking a tour throughout the stories mentioned in the Glorious Qur' an pertaining to which Allah the Almighty says: {Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding}. (Yusuf, 111) Yes, in order to find admonition, lessons and exemplary models!
This book of ours handles the stories that are cited in the Glorious Qur'an, gathered from the book titled, Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah (The Beginning and the End). The book also covers a number of stories that were not included in Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah, such as that of Harut and Marut. Also, stories of Allah's Prophets and Messengers (Peace be upon them all) are not included here as they are already detailed in Ibn Katheer's other book Stories of the Prophets. One should know that Dar Al-Manarah issued three successive releases of this valuable book during the years 2000-2001.
We would like to thank `Ali As-Sayed Al-Halawani for his efforts in translating and revising this work. Great appreciation is due also to Sa`id Fares, our respected reviser, under whose guidance and supervision the subject matter took proper form.
Finally, all Praise and Thanks are due to Allah, MostHigh.
Dar Al-Manarah Director, M. `Uthman
`Imad Ad-Deen Isma`il Ibn `Umar IbnKatheer Al-Basri Ad-Dimashqi was
born in 700 A.H., or shortly afterwards. After the decease of his
father, Ibn Katheer, aged seven then, headed for Damascus, accompanied
by his elder brother. He owed much of his learning to Ibn Ashginah,
Al-Amadi, Ibn `Asakir and others, may Allah be pleased with them all. He
immensely revered Ibn Taimiyah, may Allah bless his soul, whose views
he believed, defended and mostly abided by, particularly as regards
divorce. It was on account of this
Ibn Katheer was widely acclaimed for the sublime degree of learning that he so admirably attained. Scholars have unanimously attested to his well-versedness, particularly in the fields of the exegesis of the Glorious Qur'an, Hadith and history. Ibn Habeeb describes him as "the leader of all men engaged in the exegesis (of the Qur'an). He amassed and categorized all (the knowledge) he heard. People marveled at his fatwas and benefited from his teachings. His fatwas grew widely popular all across the country. He was renowned for his precision and was proclaimed as the beacon of history, Hadith and exegesis (of the Qur'an)." Ibn Hijji, one of his students, owed: "Of all our contemporaries, he (Ibn Katheer) was the best at memorizing authentic Hadiths and the most knowledgeable as to assessing the degree of reliability and honesty of Hadithnarrators as well as authentic and non-authentic Hadiths. His comrades and mentors acknowledge every word of the above. I would frequently visit him, and every time I was in his company I benefited from him."
Ibn Katheer lost his eyesight shortly before he died in 774 A. H. He was buried at the Sufis cemetery along with his mentor Ibn Taimiyah. Among his best-known works is his masterpiece in history Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah (The Beginning and the End) .He also interpreted part of Al Bukhari's Sahih (book of authentic Hadiths). By and large, Ibn Katheer's admirable knowledge and well-versedness are best manifested to whoever reads his two best celebrated masterpieces; his interpretation and his book of history.
Allah the Almighty says:
{And (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him) recite to them (the Jews) the
story of the two sons of Adam (Habil and Qabil) in truth; when each
offered a sacrifice (to Allah), it was accepted from the one but not
from the other. The latter said to the former: "I will surely kill you."
The former said: "Verily, Allah accepts only from those who are Al-
Muttaqun (the pious)." "If you do stretch your hand against me to kill
me, I shall never stretch my hand against you to kill you: for I fear
Allah, the Lord of the `Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists)."
"Verily, I intend to let you draw my sin on yourself as well as yours,
then you will be one of the dwellers of the Fire; and that is the
recompense of the Zalimin (polytheists and wrong-doers);" So the Nafs
(self) of the other (latter one) encouraged him and made fair- seeming
to him the murder of his brother; he murdered him and became one of the
losers; Then Allah sent a crow who scratched the ground to
Narrated As-Sadiy on the authority of Abu Malik and Abu Salih after Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) and on the authority of Ibn Mas`ud and other Companions that Adam (Peace be upon him) used to get the male brought by one birth married to the female brought by the other. Hence, it was supposed that Abel would get married to Cain's sister who was better and more beautiful than anyone else. At the same time, Cain wanted to keep her for himself. Adam (Peace be upon him) ordered him to allow' Abel to marry her, but he totally refused. Then, Adam (Peace be upon him) ordered both (Abel and Cain) to offer a sacrifice to Allah Almighty. Meanwhile, Adam set forth towards Mecca to perform Pilgrimage. Just before leaving, Adam tried to entrust (the affairs of) his children to the heavens, the earth and finally to the mountains, but all declined to shoulder the (heavy) trust. Thereupon, Cain accepted the trust and after Adam went away they (Abel and Cain) offered their sacrifices to Allah. Abel offered a fat she- goat, while Cain offered a bundle of bad plants. Later, a fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice offered by Abel and left untouched that of Cain. Cain became livid with rage and said to his brother: I will kill you so as not to marry my sister, Abel said: {Verily, Allah accepts only from those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious)}.
'Abdullah Ibn `Amr (May Allah be pleased with both of them) said: By Allah! The murdered (Abel) was stronger (than the murderer, Cain), but he refused to stretch his hand against his brother to kill him due to his piety and God-fearing.
Abu Ja`far Al-Baqir mentioned that Adam (Peace be upon him) was present there when they offered their sacrifices. After Abel's sacrifice was accepted, Cain said to his father, Adam: "It was accepted only from him because you invoked Allah for his sake." And, he secretly intended something against his brother. One day, Abel was late and Adam sent Cain to look for him. The two brothers met and Cain said: "Your sacrifice was accepted and mine was not." Abel said: "{Verily, Allah accepts only from those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious)}." Cain got angry and hit his brother with an iron rod and Abel fell dead at once.
It was said: Cain killed Abel by throwing a rock at his head while he
was asleep. It was also said: Cain choked Abel violently and bit him to
death as beasts do. However, Abel's saying when Cain threatened to kill
him: {If you do stretch your hand against me to kill
Allah the Almighty says: {Verily, I intend to let you draw my sin (on yourself) as well as yours, then you will be one of the denizens of the Fire; and that is the recompense of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)}. (Al-Ma'idah, 29) i.e. I do not intend to fight against you though I am myself far stronger and tougher than you are, but you will {draw my sin on yourself as well as yours}, i.e. you will bear the sin of murdering me along with your previous sins.[1]
[1] As for the Prophetic Hadith that was transmitted by some other narrators that reads: "The killer will bear all sins of the slain", no one even knows its degree of validity: whether it be Authentic, Good, or even Weak. It cannot be found in any of the Prophetic Hadith Compilations. Narrated Imam Ahmed, Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi on the authority of Sa'd Ibn Abu Waqqas his statement upon the ordeal of `Uthman Ibn `Affan that reads: I testify that Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: "There will be soon a period of turmoil in which the one who sits will be better than one who stands and the one who stands will be better than one who walks and the one who walks will be better than one who runs." Someone said: 'Allah's Messenger! What is your opinion if someone entered my home and stretched his hand to kill me?' Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: 'Be just like the son of Adam (Abel). "Narrated by Ibn Mardwiyah after Hudhaifah Ibn Al-Yaman in another wording as saying: "Be just like the best of Adam's two sons."
Imam Ahmed transmitted after Mu`awiyah and Waki` their saying: We
were told by Al-A ` mash on the authority of `Abdullah Ibn Murrah after
Masruq after `Abdullah Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) as
saying: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "None (no human being) is
killed or murdered (unjustly), but a part of responsibility for the
crime is laid on the first son of Adam who invented the tradition of
However, there is a cave, called the "Blood Cave", in a mountain located to the northern part of Syria. It is thought to be the scene of the crime where Cain killed his brother Abel. The people living there came to know this through the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) and only Allah Almighty knows the validity or realness of this. .Al-Hafiz Ibn `Asakir mentioned in the biography of Ahmed Ibn Katheer that "He (Ahmed) saw in a dream Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him), Abu Bakr, `Umar and Abel. Ahmed came to know from Abel who took an oath of that-it was his own blood (that was spilt there (in that very cave)). Abel said that he had asked Allah Almighty to make the invocations and supplications offered in that place acceptable. Allah accepted his own invocations and His Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) believed in that and said: I (Allah's Messenger), Abu Bakr and `Umar used to visit that place every Thursday. "However, it is to be stated that this narration represents only a vision. Even if it were true, no religious ruling can ever be based on such a thing; and Allah knows best!
Allah Almighty says: {Then, Allah sent a crow who scratched the ground to show him how to hide the dead body of his brother. He (the murderer) said: "Woe to me! Am I not even able to be as this crow and to hide the dead body of my brother? "Then he became one of those who regretted}. (Al-Ma'idah, 31) Some interpreters said: "After Cain had killed his brother, he carried him on his back for a full year (not knowing what to do with his brother's corpse!)." Others said: He carried him on his back for one hundred years till Allah Almighty sent two crows who fought against one another. One of them was killed. The murderer scratched the ground to hide the body of the dead crow. Seeing him doing that, Cain said: Woe to me! Am I not even able to do as this crow and to hide the dead body of my brother? Then, he buried the body of his dead brother and covered it with earth.
Historians said: Adam became very sick at heart and felt great sorrow for his dead son, Abel. Mujahid said: Cain was brought punishment very soon afterwards. On the same day he killed his brother, Abel, his foot was tied up to his thighbone and his face was forcibly directed up to the sun disk. His face used to go where the sun goes as a way of punishment and penalty in return for what he had done to his own brother. Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: "There is no sin more recurring punishment (very rapidly) in the present life, along with what awaits for its doer in the Hereafter, than transgression and severing the ties of relationship. "
Historians said: Adam did not die till he saw from among his progeny and offspring four hundred thousand persons (400,000). Only Allah knows best!
Allah, the Almighty says: {It is He Who has created you from a single person (Adam), and (then) He has created from him his wife [Hawwa' (Eve)], in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her. When he had sexual relation with her, she became pregnant and she carried it about lightly. Then when it became heavy, they both invoked Allah, their Lord (saying): "If You give us a Salih (good in every aspect) child, we shall indeed be among the grateful." But when He gave them a Salih (good in every aspect) child, they ascribed partners to Him (Allah) in that which He has given to them. High be Allah, Exalted above all that they ascribe as partners to Him}. (Al-A'raf, 189, 190) Adam was mentioned first to draw the attention of the reader of the Qur'an, then whom was mentioned second was the whole race of mankind. This is done by way of mentioning the whole race of mankind after mentioning the forefather thereof; Allah the Almighty says: {And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth). Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge and lodged it) in a safe lodging (Womb of the woman)}. (Al-Mu'minun, 12, 13); and in: {And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the Shayatin (devils)}. (Al-Mulk, 5) Where it is well-known that the "lamps as missiles" are not the same as lamps of adornment, but He turned from a single category or person to the whole race.
Adam (Peace be upon him) was. the father of mankind. He was created by the Hand of
In the Night Journey Hadith that can be found in the two Sahihs -Al- Bukhari and Muslim -Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "So the gate was opened and we went over the nearest heaven and there we saw a man sitting with some people on his right and some on his left. When he looked towards his right, he laughed and when he looked towards his left he wept. Then he said, 'Welcome! 0 pious Prophet and pious son!' I asked Gabriel: 'Who is he?' He replied: 'He is Adam and the people on his right and left are the souls of his offspring. Those on his right are the people of Paradise and those on his left are the people of Hell and when he looks towards his right he laughs and when he looks towards his left he weeps. " (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Regarding the Prophetic Hadith that reads: "Then, I passed by Yusuf (Joseph) and I found him to be granted half of beauty."Some scholars explained that it means that he was given half of the beauty Adam was granted. Indeed, this is very suitable and convincing! That Allah, the Almighty created Adam, fashioned him by His Hand and breathed into him out of His Soul, for all these Allah the Almighty must have created the best of all things.
It was narrated on the authority of `Abdullah Ibn 'Umar and' Abdullah
Ibn 'Amr that: When Allah the Almighty created Paradise, the Angels
said: "'Our Lord! Make this for us for You created for mankind the
present world in which they eat and drink.' Allah the Almighty said: 'By
My Glory and Loftiness! I will not equalize between the pious from
among those whom I created with My Hand, and those whom When I said "Be
", they were!" It was narrated in the two Sahihs -Bukhari and Muslim
-that Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's
Messenger (Peace be upon him) as saying: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious
created Adam in His own image with His length of sixty
Allah the Almighty says:
{They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us). "And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew. And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far better would have been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!}. (Al-Baqarah, 102, 103)
Narrated Al-`Ufi in his interpretation on the authority of Ibn `Abbas
(May Allah be pleased with him) pertaining to Allah's Statement {They
followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in
the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the
Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that
came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of
these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We
are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from
us)."...} When Sulaiman lost his kingdom, great numbers from among
mankind and the jinn renegaded and followed their lusts. But, when Allah
restored to Sulaiman his kingdom and the renegade came to follow the
Straight Path once again, Sulaiman seized their holy scriptures which he
buried underneath his throne. Shortly after, Sulaiman (Peace be upon
him) died. In no time, the men and the Jinn uncovered the buried
scriptures and said: This was a book
Narrated Ibn Abu Hatim: I was told by Abu Sa' id Al-Ashaj after Abu Usamah after Al-A' mash after Al-Minhal after Sa'id Ibn Jubair after Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) as saying: Asif was Sulaiman's scribe. He knew the Greatest Name of Allah and used to write what he was ordered to by Sulaiman, then, bury it underneath the throne. After Sulaiman's death, the devils got it out and wrote between each two lines magical and blasphemous things. They said: "this is what Sulaiman used to apply and act upon." The ignorant among the people regarded Sulaiman as a disbeliever and continued to insult him till Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was sent with the Glorious Qur'an that reads: {They followed what the, Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}.
Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Abu As-Sa'ib Salamah Ibn Junadah As-Sawa'i after Abu Mu`awiyah after Al-A`mash after Al-Minhal after Sa`id Ibn Jubair on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) as saying: When Sulaiman wanted to answer the call of nature or to make love with any of his wives, he used to give his ring to a woman called Al-Jaradah. When Allah the Almighty wanted to afflict Sulaiman, he gave his ring to that woman. Afterwards, Satan came to her in the form of Sulaiman and took the ring from her. When Satan put the ring on, all mankind, the jinn and Devils submitted to him. Then, Sulaiman came seeking his ring from her and she said: "You are a liar, you are not Sulaiman." Thus, Sulaiman knew that it was a test from Allah the Almighty. Upon this, the devils were free to do whatever they wished. So, they wrote down books of black magic and blasphemy which they buried underneath the throne of Sulaiman. After Sulaiman's death, they uncovered these books and said to the people: Verily, Sulaiman used to prevail with the help of these books. Consequently, the people declared their innocence of Sulaiman and declared him to be a disbeliever till the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) who came with the Qur'anic Verse that reads:
{Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}. Then, Ibn Jarir
As-Sadiy said: Allah's Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin
(devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman
(Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils)
disbelieved}, i.e. the devils used to listen stealthily to the talks of
the angels concerning what happens to those on earth: death, unseen
matters or divine ordainments. Then, they come down to inspire the
soothsayers with it and the latter would tell the people with it. The
people believe in them and regard them trustworthy. Time after time, the
soothsayers trusted the devils who later on used to add to each word
one-hundred lies of their own. The people started to write down these
matters and it circulated among the Children of Israel that the Jinn
know the Unseen. Sulaiman moved quickly and gathered all these writings
and put them in a chest and buried it
Narrated Ar-Rabi' Ibn Anas: the Jews used to ask Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) about matters from the Torah, and every time they ask him, Allah reveals to him that with which he defeats and overcomes them. Thereupon, they said: Muhammad knows what has been revealed to us better than we do! Then, they asked him about sorcery and Allah revealed His Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut}. And He informed His Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) that the devils wrote a book about sorcery and soothsaying and buried it under Sulaiman's throne. Verily, Sulaiman was not knowledgeable about the Unseen. When he died, the devils got that magic out and deceived the people by saying: this is the knowledge which Sulaiman used to secretly keep from you. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) informed the Jews of that narration and they went out lowering their heads defeated and humiliated.
Mujahid said pertaining to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut}, the devils used to listen stealthily to the discussions of the angels and add to what they heard two-hundred lies. Then, Sulaiman seized what they wrote and after his death they regained it and taught it to the people, it was nothing but blackmagic.
Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Al-Qasim after Hussein Ibn
Al-Hajjaj after Abu Bakr after Shahr Ibn Hawshab[1] as saying: The
devils used to write sorcery down when Sulaiman was absent. "They wrote:
whosoever wants to do such and such, he should stand facing the sun and
say such and such. And, whosoever wants to do such and such, he should
stand giving his back to the sun and say such and such." They wrote this
in a
[1] Shahr Ibn Hawshab is a Weak (i.e. not trustworthy) Narrator.
Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Muhammad Ibn`Abdel A`la AsSan` ani
that he was told by Al-Mu`tamir Ibn Sulaiman who said: I heard ` Imran
Ibn Jarir who narrated from Abu Majliz as saying: Sulaiman (Peace be
upon him) took from every living creature a covenant. So when any person
gets afflicted with anything, he (Sulaiman) asks Allah with that
covenant and the person recovers. Unfortunately, the people added to
this sorcery and magic and said: this is what Sulaiman Ibn Dawud used to
act upon. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed His Saying: {They
followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in
the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did lot disbelieve, but the
Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that
came town at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of
these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We
are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)."
And from these (angels) people earn that by which they cause separation
between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by
Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them
not.
Narrated Ibn Abu Hatim: I was told by `Isam Ibn Rawwad after Adam after Al-Mas`udi after Ziyad the freed slave of Ibn Mus` ab after Al-Hasan pertaining to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, as saying: one-third of poetry, one-third of sorcery (magic), and one-third of soothsaying. And, he said: I was told by AI-Hasan Ibn Ahmed after Ibrahim Ibn `Abdullah Ibn Bshshar Al- Wasiti after Surur Ibn Al-Mughirah after `Abbad Ibn Mansur after Al- Hasan pertaining to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, as saying: they were the Jews who followed what they gave out in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Peace be upon him). Prior to that the people knew sorcery, but it was only followed in the lifetime of Sulaiman.
That was a summary of the sayings and narrations of the godly earlier scholars concerning this and it is obvious that there is no clear contradiction between any of them, may Allah guide us all to the Right and Straight Path of His!
Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, i.e. the Jews who were given an earlier Divine Scripture -gave their backs to it and rejected Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and followed {what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic)},what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic), i.e. what was narrated and related by the devils {in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}.
It is true that magic existed before the time of Sulaiman Ibn Dawud
(Peace be upon them) because magicians were found in the lifetime of
Musa (Moses) (Peace be upon him) and that Sulaiman came after Musa
(Peace be upon them both). Allah the Almighty says: {Have you not
thought about the group of the Children of Israel after (the time of)
Musa (Moses)? When they said to a Prophet of theirs, "Appoint for us a
king and we will fight in Allah's Way." He said, "Would you then refrain
from fighting, if fighting was prescribed for you?" They said, "Why
should we not fight in Allah's Way while we have been driven out of our
homes and our children (families have been taken as captives)?" But when
fighting was ordered for them, they turned away, all except a few of
them. And Allah is All-Aware of the Zalimun (polytheists and
wrong-doers)}. (Al-Baqarah, 246) then, Allah mentioned the story in
which, {and Dawud (David) killed Jalut (Goliath),
Allah the Almighty says: {and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife), i.e. the Jew falsely claimed that Allah Almighty revealed magic on the tongues of Gabriel and Michael to Sulaiman Ibn Dawud, but Allah belied them and showed their falsehood. Moreover, Allah informed His Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him) that neither Gabriel, nor Michael has descended with magic and He declared the innocence of Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) from sorcery and black magic. Allah told the whole people that magic is nothing but the work of devils who teach it to the people in Babylon. And, that the two men who used to teach it to the people there were called Harut and Marut.
The Related Hadith (And Comments)
Narrated Imam Ahmed (May Allah rest his soul) in his Musnad: I was
told by Yahya Ibn Bakir after Zuhair Ibn Muhammad after Musa Ibn Iubair
after Nafi after `Abdullah Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them)
that he heard Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) as saying: "When
Adam (Peace be upon him) was put down on earth, the angels said: 0 Lord!
{Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed
blood, -while we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You}.
(Al-Baqarah, 30) They continued: Our Lord! We obey You more than man
does. Allah the Almighty said to them: Appoint two angels from amongst
you to descend to earth. The angels said: Our Lord! (We chose) Harut and
Marut. They went down to earth where the flower appeared to them in the
form of the most beautiful woman on earth. They asked her to have
sexual intercourse with them. But, she said: only after you disbelieve
in Allah. They refused and she went away for a while. Then, she came
back holding a child in her arms and they asked her for the second time.
She said: first, you must kill this boy. They refused to and she went
away for a while and then, came back holding a glass of wine. They asked
her for the third time. She said: First, you must drink this glass of
wine. They drank the wine, committed adultery with her and finally
killed the boy. When they restored their conscience, the woman said: By
Allah! After you
(Narrated by Imam Ahmed) The same was narrated by Abu Hatim Ibn Hibban in his Sahih after Al-Hasan after Sufyan after Abu Bakr Ibn Abu Shaibah after Yahya Ibn Bakir. However, this Hadith is an Unfamiliar[2] one from this Chain of Transmission.
[2] The Unfamiliar Hadith: That is narrated only by one narrator even if he were in one class. Many scholars name the Unfamiliar Hadith as (the Single). (Translator) All its narrators are trustworthy but the one named Musa Ibn Iubair.
Very Important:
Many scholars and transmitters narrated various stories and narrations pertaining to the story of Harut and Marut, but all the details they mentioned could be traced down to the narrations made by the Children of Israel. However, there is not a single Hadith or Narration that can be traced down to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the infallible one who says nothing but the truth. In addition, the text of the Glorious Qur'an does not relate this story in details, and thus we believe in what is mentioned in the Glorious Qur'an as it is without any increase or decrease. Finally, Allah knows best!
Allah Almighty says: {But neither of these two taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us) "}, Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: they used to warn anyone who came to them to learn magic and say to him: {We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)}, that they knew what is good, bad, belief and disbelief and thus they knew that magic is of disbelief. Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) continued: if they could not dissuade him, they told him to go to such and such place. There he could find Satan who teaches him. The same time one is taught magic, his belief (symbolized as light) gets out of his body and he could see it flying away in the sky. Upon this, he would say: woe to me! In addition: Al- Hasan Al-Basri said: the two angels were sent with magic to teach the people as a test for them and Allah took their covenant that they do not teach anybody {till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)"}. (Narrated by Ibn Abu Hatim)
Narrated Qatadah: The Covenant was taken from them that they don't
teach anyone till they say: {We are only for trial, so disbelieve not
(by learning this magic from us)}.
In the interpretation of this Qur'anic Verse, Sunaid Ibn Hajjaj narrates after Ibn Juraij his saying: there is no one who practices magic but a disbeliever. As for the word "trial", it means a test and an ordeal.
Some scholars found a textual proof in this Verse that whosoever practices magic; he becomes a disbeliever. This is supported by the Prophetic Hadith that has been narrated by Al-Hafiz Abu Bakr Al- Bazzar after Muhammad Ibn Al-Muthanna after Mu'awiyah after Al- A'mash after Ibrahim after Hammam on the authority of 'Abdullah as saying: "Whosoever attends himself to (or comes to) a soothsayer or a magician and believes in what he says: he will become a disbeliever in what has been sent to Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ". (An Authentic Hadith)
Allah the Almighty says: {And from these (angels) people learn that
by which they cause separation between man and his wife}, i.e. the
people learns from Harut and Marut the magic by which they cause
separation between man and his wife though they (the man and his wife)
have some kind of affinity and passion. This is caused by cunning of the
devils as transmitted in Imam Muslim's Sahih from the Hadith narrated
by Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) says: "Iblis
places his throne upon water; he then sends detachments (for creating
dissension); the nearer to him in rank are those who are most notorious
in creating dissension. One of them comes and says: I did so and so. And
he says: You have done nothing. Then one amongst them comes and
Allah the Almighty says: {But they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave}, Abu Sufyan Ath-Thawri said: they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Decree. In addition, Muhammad Ibn Ishaq said: they could not thus harm anyone except in case Allah enables them to do so.
Al-Hasan Al-Basri (May Allah be pleased with him) said: {But they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave}, i.e. whomsoever Allah wants to be affected, he will be affected. And, whomsoever Allah does not want to be affected, he will not be affected. In addition, they cannot harm anyone except by Allah's Leave and Decree.
Allah the Almighty says: {And they learn that which harms them and profits them not}, i.e. they learn that which harms their religion and faith and profits them not. Allah says: {And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter}, i.e. the Jews who took magic instead of following Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) knew that anyone who did as what they have done, he would have not share in the Hereafter. Allah Almighty says: {And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew. And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far better would have been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!}, that they took magic instead of following Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), {And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far better would have been the reward from their Lord} , i. e. if they had believed in Allah and His Messengers and did not violate His Boundaries, they would have received a far better reward from Allah Almighty. This is compatible with Allah's Saying that reads: {But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: "Woe to you! The Reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain except those who are As Sabirun (the patient in following the truth) "}. (Al-Qasas, 80)
Some scholars found textual proof that a magician is a disbeliever in
the Qur'anic Verse that reads: {And if they had believed and guarded
themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah}. Other scholars
viewed that a magician is not a disbeliever, but his neck
It was narrated that Al-Walid Ibn 'Uqbah had a magician who used to make shows before him. He used to cut off a man's head, then calls it to get back to its proper place. The people said: Glory be to Allah! The magician revives the dead. However, a man from the pious migrants saw him and intended something. The next day he came and cut the magician's head and said: if he is truthful, he can revive himself! And, he recited Allah's Statement that reads: {Will you submit to magic while you see it}. (Al-Anbiya', 4) Consequently, Al-Walid raged because the migrant did not ask for his permission first (to kill the magician), he imprisoned him for a while, then set him free. Allah knows best!
Imam Abu Bakr Al-Khallal said: One of the princes used to have a magician who makes shows of his magic and one day Jundub came and killed him saying: I believe he was a magician.
Allah the Almighty says:
{And put forward to them a similitude: the (story of the) dwellers of
the town, when there came Messengers to them. When We sent to them two
Messengers, they belied them both; so We reinforced them with a third,
and they said: "Verily we have been sent to you as Messengers." They
(people of the town) said: "You are only human beings like ourselves and
the Most Gracious (Allah) has revealed nothing. You are only telling
lies." The Messengers said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent as
Messengers to you." And our duty is only to convey plainly (the
Message)." They (people) said: "For us, we see an evil omen from you: if
you cease not, we will surely stone you, and a painful torment will
touch you from us."They (Messengers) said: "Your evil omens be with you!
(Do you call it "evil omen") because you are admonished? Nay, but you
are a people Musrifun (transgressing all bounds by committing all kinds
of great sins, and by
'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas, Ka'b Al-Ahbar and Wahb Ibn Munabih and many others narrated a story of a town called Antioch (Antakiyah), governed by the king Antikhis Ibn Antikhis. This king used to observe idol worship. Allah Almighty sent him three Messengers whom he severely belied. The Messengers were: Sadiq, Masduq and Shalom.
It is evidently apparent that they were Messengers sent by Allah the Almighty. Qatadah claimed them to be messengers sent by Jesus Christ. The same view was held by Ibn Jarir after Wahb after Ibn Sulaiman after Shu' aib Al-Jiba'i who added that: those messengers were called: Shimon, Jonah and Paul and the town was called Antioch. This view is groundless because the people of Antioch when received three of the disciples of Jesus Christ (Peace be upon him) -were the first to believe in him at that very time. Thereupon, Antioch was one of the first four towns in which there first existed Christian Patriarchs. These four towns were Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria and Rome. However, the people of these towns were not destroyed, whereas the people of the aforementioned town in the Qur'anic verses were totally annihilated, following the killing of their companion whom Allah sent to admonish them. Allah the Almighty says: {It was but one Saihah (shout) and lo! They (all) were still (silent, dead and destroyed)}. (Ya-Sin, 29) There is no contradiction between the two interpretations, if the case was that the three Messengers of Allah were sent to the earlier dwellers of Antioch and that they were belied, the matter which incurred complete destruction. Then, their land was re-inhabited and during the lifetime of Jesus (Peace be upon him) the new dwellers believed in his three messengers.
Allah the Almighty says: {And put forward to them a similitude} i.e. for your people 0 Muhammad (Peace be upon him). {The (story of the) dwellers of the town, when there came Messengers to them. When We sent to them two Messengers, they belied them both, so We reinforced them with a third} i.e. We supported them with a third Messenger, {and they said: Verily we have been sent to you as Messengers}. The people of the town said that the Messengers were only human beings and they set aside the idea that Allah Almighty might send human beings as His Messengers to mankind. The Messengers asserted that Allah knows that they have been sent to them and that if they lie to Him, He would certainly give them the severest of all punishment. They added: {our duty is only to convey plainly (the Message)} i.e. what they were sent with and that guidance and misleading are in the Hand of Allah the Almighty Alone. {They (people) said: For us, we see an evil omen from you} i.e. from what you have brought us. {If you cease not, we will surely stone you} with bad words and stones as well; {and a painful torment will touch you from us} i.e. they threatened them with afflicting humiliation (bad words) and killing (stoning to death). {They (Messengers) said: Your evil omens be with you!} i.e. they will badly affect you. {(Do you call it "evil omen ") because you are admonished?} i.e. because we reminded you with guidance and invited you to it you threatened us with killing and afflicting humiliation. {Nay, but you are a people Musrifun} i.e. you transgress all bounds by committing all kinds of sinful deeds, and by disobeying Allah.
Allah the Almighty says: {And there came a man running from the farthest part of the town} to support the Messengers and to declare his faith in them. {He said: 0 my people! Obey the Messengers. Obey those who ask no wages of you (for themselves), and who are rightly guided} i.e. they invite you to the absolute truth without asking wages or reward for themselves of you. Then he invited them to worship Allah Alone, and not to worship other than Him that can do nothing in this present life or in the Hereafter. {Then verily, I should be in plain error} i.e. if I abandoned the worship of Allah and worshipped anything else besides Him.
Then, the believing man said to the three Messengers: {Verily! I have
believed in your Lord, so listen to me!}, i.e. you should listen to my
statement and bear witness to this before your Lord. Or, 0 my people!
Listen to my declaration of faith of these
Narrated Ath-Thawri after `Asim Al-Ahwal after Abu Majlaz his saying: The name of that believing man was Habib Ibn Murriy who was said to be a carpenter, or rope-maker, or shoe-maker. It is also said that he used to observe his religious rituals in an isolated cave. `Abdullah Ibn
`Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: He was Habib, the carpenter who was afflicted with leprosy. He was charitable, but killed at the end at the hands of his own people. Then, Allah the Almighty says: {Enter Paradise} i.e. when he was killed by his people, Allah Almighty admitted him into Paradise. When he saw of the pleasures and joys therein, he said: {Would that my people knew? That my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the honored ones!}, i.e. to believe in what I have believed in and thus gain what I have just obtained. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: He advised his people during his life saying: {O my people! Obey the Messengers}, and after his death {Would that my people knew? That my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the honored ones!}. In addition, Qatadah said: The believer always gives counseling because of what he sees of the rewards granted by Allah {Would that my people knew? That my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the honored ones!}, i.e. he wished that his people would know the honor Allah bestowed on him. Qatadah added: By Allah! Allah did not admonish or even blame those people after killing him (the believing man) {It was but one Saihah (shout) and lo! They (all) were still (silent, dead, destroyed)}. Allah the Almighty says: {And We sent not against his people after him a host from the heaven, nor was it needful for Us to send (such a thing)}, i.e. it was not needful for Allah the Almighty to send against them a host from the heaven to avenge the Messengers.
Mujahid and Qatadah said: This means that Allah did not send them another Message. Ibn Jarir said: The first interpretation looks more proper because Allah the Almighty says after this: {nor was it needful for Us to send (such a thing)}, i.e. Allah was not in need to send such a thing to punish them when they belied His Messengers and killed His godly man, {It was but one Saihah (shout) and lo! They (all) were still (silent, dead, destroyed)}.
Finally, all these indicate that the town mentioned in the Qur'anic verses was not Antioch because the people of Antioch believed in
Allah and followed the messengers of Jesus (Peace be upon him). Moreover, Antioch was said to be the first town to declare faith in Jesus (Peace be upon him).
Allah the Almighty says:
{And (remember) when Musa (Moses) said to his people: "Verily, Allah commands you that you slaughter a cow." They said, "Do you make fun of us?" He said, "I take Allah's Refuge from being among Al- Jahilun (the ignorant or the foolish). " They said, "Call upon your Lord for us that He may make plain to us what it is!" He said, "He says: 'Verily, it is a cow neither too old nor too young, but (it is) between the two conditions', so do what you are commanded " They said, "Call upon your Lordfor us to make plain to us its color." He said, "He says: 'It is a yellow cow, bright in its color, pleasing the beholders." They said, "Call upon your Lord for us to make plain to us what it is. Verily, to us all cows are alike. And surely, if Allah wills, we will be guided." He [Musa (Moses)] said, "He says: 'It is a cow neither trained to tilt the soil nor water the fields, sound, having no other color except bright yellow. ' "They said, "Now you have brought the truth." So they slaughtered it though they were near to not doing it. And (remember) when you killed a man and fell into dispute among yourselves as to the crime. ButAllah brought forth that which you were hiding. So We said: "Strike him (the dead man) with a piece of it (the cow)." Thus Allah brings the dead to life and shows you His Aya: (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) so that you may understand}. (Al-Baqarah, 67-73)
'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas, `Ubaidah As-Salmani, Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid,
As-Sadiy and other earlier scholars said: An old man from among the
Children of Israel was very rich, and he had some nephews who wished he
would die soon to inherit him. One day, one of them on purpose murdered
him at night and threw him on the road -or at the door of one of his own
brothers. In the morning, the people found the dead body and they
Ibn 'Abbas,'Ubaidah, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, As-Sadiy, Abu Al-`Aliyah and others said: If they were to slaughter any cow, they would fulfill the purpose thereof. But, they made it difficult for themselves (by asking so many questions thereof), and thus Allah the Almighty made it difficult for them (by stipulating so many conditions for the desired cow). They asked about its description, color and age; and they were answered with what was scarce and dear (in a way to make it hard for them to find it). The point is that they were commanded to slaughter neither a too old cow, nor a too young, but (it is) between the two conditions. This view was held by Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Abu Al-`Aliyah, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah and others. Then, they pressed themselves with their questions through asking about its color. And they were answered to make it {yellow cow, bright in its color, pleasing the beholders}, which is very rare and dear.
Then, they asked: {They said, "Call upon your Lord for us to make plain to us what it is. Verily, to us all cows are alike. And surely, if Allah wills, we will be guided." He [Musa (Moses)] said, "He says: 'It is a cow neither trained to tilt the soil nor water the fields, sound, having no other color except bright yellow.' "They said, "Now you have brought the truth." So they slaughtered it though they were near to not doing it}. It is said that they could not find a cow with all these descriptions but with a man who was righteous and good to his father. They asked him to submit it to them, but he refused. They tried to seduce him as to its price till they offered him what equals its wieght in gold. But, he refused. Then, they offered him an amount of gold that equals its weight ten-times. Finally, he accepted their offer and submitted it to them. Then, Musa (Peace be upon him) commanded them to slaughter it {So they slaughtered it though they were near to not doing it} i.e. while they were hesitant.
Allah, the Almighty says:
{And (remember) when Musa (Moses) said to his boy-servant: "I
will not give up (travelling) until I reach the junction of the two seas
or (until) I spend years and years in travelling." But when they
reached the junction of the two seas, they forgot their fish, and it
took its way through the sea as in a tunnel. So when they had passed
further on (beyond that fixed place), Musa (Moses) said to his
boy-servant: "Bring us our morning meal; truly, we have suffered much
fatigue in this, our journey." He said: "Do you remember when we betook
ourselves to the rock? I indeed forgot the fish,; none but Shaitan
(Satan) made me forget to remember it, it took its course into the sea
in a strange (way)!" [Musa (Moses)] said: "That is what we have been
seeking;" So they went back retracing their footsteps; Then they found
one of Our slaves, on whom We had bestowed mercy from Us, and whom We
had taught knowledge from Us; Musa (Moses) said to him (Al-Khadir): "May
I follow you so that you teach me something of that knowledge (guidance
and true path) which you have been taught (by Allah)?" He (Al-Khadir)
said: "Verily you will not be able to have patience with me! And how can
you have patience about a thing which you know not;" Musa (Moses) said:
"If Allah wills, you will find me patient, and I will not disobey you
in aught;" He (Al-Khadir) said: "Then, if you follow me, ask me not
about anything till I myself mention of it to you;" So they both
proceeded, till, when they embarked the ship, he (Al-Khadir) scuttled
it; Musa (Moses) said: "Have you scuttled it in order to drown its
people? Verily, you have committed a thing Imr (a Munkar -evil, bad,
dreadful thing); " He (Al-Khadir) said: "Did
[1] Narrated Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Allah forgives my followers those (evil deeds) their own selves may whisper or suggest to them as long as they do not act (on it) or speak." (Sahih Al-Bukhari) Narrated Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "If somebody eats something forgetfully while he is fasting, then he should complete his fast, for Allah has made him eat and drink." (Sahih Al-Bukhari) Some of the People of the Book said: the one who met Al-Khadir was Musa Ibn Misha Ibn Yusuf Ibn Ya` ub Ibn Ishaq Ibn Ibrahim, father of the Prophets. But, the most authentic view is that he was Musa Ibn `Imran, the Prophet sent by Allah to the Children of Israel.
Narrated Imam Al-Bukhari: I was told by Al-Hamidi after Sufyan after `Amr Ibn Dinar
Allah the Almighty says: {And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the town}, As-Suhaili said: they were Asram and Sarim sons of Kashih. {And there was under it a treasure belonging to them}, i.e. the treasure was gold, or some kind of knowledge. However, the most likely view is that it was some kind of knowledge inscribed on a golden board.
Al-Bazzar said: I was told by Ibrahim Ibn Sa'id Al-Jauhari after Bishr Ibn Al-Mundhir ufter Al Harith Ibn 'Abdullah Al-Yahbasi after 'Iyad Ibn `Abbas Al-Ghassani after Ibn Hujairah after Abu Dharr as saying: "The treasure mentioned in Allah's Book (the Glorious Qur'an) was a solid golden board where it was inscribed: I wondered at the one who affirmed faith in the Divine Decree and then he exerted himself; and I wondered at the one who remembered Hell-Fire and then he laughed; and I wondered at the one who remembered death and then he became heedless of the meaning of 'There is no god but Allah.'" The like was narrated by Al-Hasan Al-Basri, ` Umar the freed slave of `Afrah and Ja`far As-Sadiq.
Allah's Saying: {And their father was a righteous man}, i.e. their seventh or tenth grandfather. However, this proves that the righteousness of the father benefits his own children and their children.
Allah's Saying: {as a mercy from your Lord} , this is a textual proof that Al-Khadir was a Prophet and that he did not do anything out of his own desire but as ordered by Allah the Almighty.
The real name, lineage and status of Al-Khadir are controversial. This can be added to the very important question: is he still alive?
Al-Hafiz Ibn `Asakir said: He is said to be Al-Khadir son of Adam. Ibn Qutaibah said: His name was Balya -or Aylya -Ibn Malakan Ibn Faligh Ibn `Abir Ibn Shalikh Ibn Arfakhshdh Ibn Sam Ibn Noah (Peace be Upon him).
Isma`il Ibn Abu Uwais said: His name was Al-Mu`amir Ibn Malik Ibn `Abdullah Ibn Nasr Ibn Lazd.
Others said: He is Khadrun Ibn `Amyaiyl Ibn Al-afiz Ibn AI-`Iys Ibn Ishaq Ibn Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him). There are so many other views pertaining to his name and lineage.
Imam Al-Bukhari said: I was told by Muhammad Ibn Sa'id Al-Asbahani after Ibn Al-Mubarak after Mu`amir after Hammam on the authority of Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Al-Khadir was named so because he sat over a barren white land, it turned green with plantation after (his sitting over It)."
Qabisah narrated on the authority of Ath-Thauri after Mansur after Mujahid as saying: Al-Khadir was named so because everything around him used to turn into green when he stands for prayer. It was stated earlier that Moses and Yusha` (Peace be upon them) went back retracing their footsteps, till they reached the rock. There they saw a man covered with a green garment (or covering himself with his own garment). Moses greeted him. Al-Khadir replied saying: "How do people greet each other in your land?" Moses said: "I am Moses." He asked: "The Moses of Banu Israel?" Moses replied in the affirmative and added: "May I follow you so that you teach me of that knowledge which you have been taught... etc."
The Story Indicated His Prophethood in Four Aspects:
First: Allah the Almighty says: {Then they found one of Our slaves, on whom We had bestowed mercy from Us, and whom We had taught knowledge from Us}. (Al-Kahf, 65)
Second: Moses says to Al-Khadir: {Musa (Moses) said to him (Al- Khadir): "May I follow
Third: Al-Khadir intentionally killed the boy. He would not do that without an inspiration from Allah Almighty ordering him to. This incident can stand as a separate proof that Al-Khadir was a Prophet. It can stand as well, as a proof that he was infallible. Al-Khadir killed the boy because he was inspired that the boy would be a disbeliever when he grows up and that his parents would follow him due to their earnest love for him. So he killed him to save the faith of the parents. This indicated that he was an infallible Prophet.
Fourth: When Al-Khadir interpreted and explained for Moses the actions he took and clarified everything to him he added: {As a mercy from your Lord. And I did them not of my own accord}, i.e. I did not do that out of my desire, instead, I was ordered to by divine inspiration. All these indicated his Prophethood and infallibility.
Is Al-Khadir Still Alive?
The majority of scholars said: "Al-Khadir is still alive because he was the one who buried Adam (Peace be upon him) after the Deluge and thus he was affected by the invocation of Adam that he who buries him will live long." Some people said: "he is still alive because he drank of the spring of life."
There are so many narrations and stories on which those who viewed the existence of Al-Khadir today based their opinion. But, all the narrations and Hadiths pertaining to that issue are weak and invented and those who narrated them are not infallible.
Sheik Abu Al-Faraj Ibn Al-Jawzi refuted all these Hadiths and proved them all to be invented, and he proved the Chains of Transmission of the narrations and stories of the Prophet's Companions and followers to be weak and fallible. Indeed, Ibn Al-Jawzi was very powerful and authentic in doing so.
As for those who claimed Al-Khadir to be dead such as Imam Al-
Bukhari, Abu Al-Husain Ibn Al-Munadi and sheik Abu Al-Faraj Ibn Al-
Jawzi, they held as their textual proofs what follows: Allah the
Almighty says: {And We granted not to any human being immortality before
you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)): then if you die, would they live
forever?}. (Al-Anbyia', 34) So if Al-Khadir was a human being, he would
be affected by this ruling: he is mortal, he must die. Allah the
Almighty says: {And (remember) when Allah took the Covenant of the
Prophets, saying: "Take whatever I gave you from the Book and Hikmah
(understanding of the Laws of Allah), and afterwards there will come to
you a Messenger (Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) confirming what is with
you; you must, then, believe in him and help him." Allah said: "Do you
agree (to it) and will you take up My Covenant (which I conclude with
you)?" They said: "We agree." He said: "Then bear witness; and I am with
you among the witnesses (for this)"). (Al 'Imran, 81) Ibn 'Abbas (May
Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah took the Covenant of all the
Prophets to believe in Muhammad and support him if he appears during
their lifetimes. In addition, they should take the Covenant of all their
own nations to believe in him and support him in the same way.
Thereupon, were Al- Khadir a Prophet or a Wali (protector or guardian),
he would be involved in that
Imam Ahmed narrated: I was told by Shuraih Ibn An-Nu'man after Hashim after Mujalid after Ash-Shi'bi after Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! Were Moses alive, he would do nothing but follow me." This is the decisive view which the earlier Qur'anic Verse indicates that all Prophets -if they happen to live during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad -are ordered to follow him and practice his own Shari `ah. On the Night Journey, he (Peace be upon him) was raised far above them all.[2] When they descended to Jerusalem and the time for Prayer was due, he (Peace be upon him) was ordered to lead them all (in Prayer). This showed that he is the greatest Imam and the last Prophet who is most honored and respected (May Allah grant him and them all mercy).
[2] I.e. Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (a lote-tree of the utmost boundary
over the seventh heaven beyond which none can pass). (Translator)
Thereupon, if Al-Khadir were alive, he would be joining forces with
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and he would follow his religion
in every minute detail. This is Prophet `Isa (Jesus (Peace be upon him))
when he will descends by the end of time, he will rule over the whole
world in accordance with this honorable legislation of Prophet Muhammad
(Peace be upon him). However, there is nothing to certify that Al-Khadir
has met together with Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in a single
day or even witnessed any fight with him against the polytheists or the
infidels. On the day on which the Battle of Badr was fought, the
Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) cast a glance at the infidels,
and they were one thousand (1000) while his own Companions were three
hundred and nineteen (319). Allah's Prophet (Peace be upon him) turned
(his face) towards the Qiblah. Then, he stretched his hands and began
his supplication to his Lord: 'O Allah! Accomplish for me what Thou hast
promised to me. 0 Allah! Bring about what Thou hast promised to me. 0
Allah! If this small band of Muslims is destroyed, Thou will not be
worshipped on this earth.' He (Peace be upon him) continued his
supplication to his Lord, stretching his hands, facing the Qiblah, until
his mantle slipped down from his shoulders. So Abu Bakr (May Allah be
pleased with him) came to him, picked up his mantle and put it on his
shoulders. Then he (Abu Bakr) embraced him from behind and said: 0
Prophet of Allah! This prayer of yours to your Lord will suffice you,
and He will fulfil for you what He has promised you. So Allah, the
Glorious and Exalted, revealed
Some people claim that Al-Khadir was present during all these past events but no one could see him because he was invisible. Obviously, this claim is groundless and is based only on illusions. Indeed, if he was still alive during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), he would certainly join him in his fight against the polytheists of the tribe of Quraish. See the following Hadith: Narrated Sa'd (May Allah be pleased with him): "On the Day of Uhud I saw on the right side of Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) and on his left side two persons dressed in white clothes and whom I did not see before nor after that, and they were Gabriel and Michael (may Allah be pleased with both of them)." (Sahih Muslim)
In addition, 'Abdullah Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with both of
them) said: "Once the Prophet (Peace be upon him) led us in the `Isha'
(Night) Prayer during the last days of his life and after finishing it
(the Prayer) (with Taslim, i.e. final salutation) he said: 'Do you
realize (the importance of) this night? Nobody present on the surface of
the earth tonight will be living after the completion of one hundred
years from this night. ", (Sahih Al-Bukhari) And, `Abdullah Ibn `Umar
(May Allah be pleased with both of them) narrated: "Allah's Messenger
(Peace be upon him) led us in the `Isha' (Night) Prayer at the latter
part of the night and when he had concluded it by salutations he stood
up and said: 'Have you seen this night of yours? At the end of one
hundred years after this (night) none would survive on the surface of
the earth (from among my Companions).' Ibn `Umar said: People were (not
understanding) these words of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him)
which had been uttered pertaining to one hundred years. Allah's
Messenger (Peace be upon him) in fact meant (by these words) that on
that day none from amongst those who had been living upon the earth
(from amongst his Companions) would survive (after one hundred years)
and that would be the end of this generation." (Sahih Muslim) And, Jabir
Ibn `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: "I heard
Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) as saying
Allah the Almighty says:
{Verily, Qarun (Korah) was of Musa's (Moses) people, but he behaved
arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which
the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. Remember
when his people said to him: "Do not exult (with riches, being
ungrateful to Allah). Verily Allah likes not those who exult (with
riches, being ungrateful to Allah). "But seek with that (wealth) which
Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not
your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world,' and do good as Allah
has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah
likes not the Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes and sins,
oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupters)." He said: "This has
been given to me only because of the knowledge I possess." Did he not
know that Allah had destroyed before him generations, men who were
stronger than him in might and greater in the amount (of riches) they
had collected? But the Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists,
sinners) will not be questioned of their sins (because Allah knows them
well, so they will be punished without being called to account). So he
went forth before his people in his pomp. Those who were desirous of the
life of the world, said: "Ah, would that we had the like of what Qarun
(Korah) has been given! Verily he is the owner of a great fortune." But
those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: "Woe to you! The
Reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and
do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain except those who are
As-Sabirun (the patient in following the truth). "So We caused the
earth to swallow him and his dwelling place. Then he had no group or
party to help him against Allah, nor was he one of those who could save
themselves. And those who had desired (for a position like) his position
the day before, began to say: "Know you not that it is Allah Who
enlarges the provision or restricts it to whomsoever He pleases of His
slaves. Had it not been that Allah was
Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) held the opinion that Qarun (Koran) was a paternal cousin to Musa (Peace be upon him). This view is supported by many other narrators, including Ibn Juraij who added that he is Qarun Ibn Yashar Ibn Qahith, while Musa was the son of `Imran Ibn Hafith. Ibn Juraij went further and rejected the viewpoint of Ibn Ishaq that he was a paternal uncle to Musa (Peace be upon him).
Qatadah said: He was called "An-Nur" (the light) for he had a melodious voice while reciting the Torah (Taurat), but he became a hypocrite just like
As-Samiri who became a hypocrite too. Thus, Qarun was destroyed because of his transgression due to the wealth and riches he had.
Shahr Ibn Haushab said: he dragged his garment out of pride and arrogance (conceit).
Allah the Almighty mentioned the numerousness of his wealth and riches so that its keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. It was also said: the keys were made of leather and that they used to be carried on sixty mules. Allah knows best!
However, he was advised by the godly men from among his people
saying: {Do not exult} i.e. do not be arrogant or conceited with riches,
being ungrateful to Allah the Almighty. {Verily Allah likes not those
who exult (with riches, being ungrateful to Allah). "But seek with that
(wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter}
they advise him to direct his endeavors to gain Allah's Reward in the
Hereafter as it is the best of all rewards. But, {and forget not your
portion of lawful enjoyment in this world}, i.e. take thereof with your
money what is made lawful to you and have the possible lawful joys of
this present life. And {do good as Allah has been good to you}, i.e. do
good to the creation of Allah Who has been good to you. And {seek not
mischief in the land}, i.e. do not harm the people regarding whom you
were commanded to do good. If you harm them, He will punish you and take
back what He has granted you {Verily, Allah likes not the Mufsidun
(those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants,
mischief-makers, corrupters)}. His answer to this good advice of his
people was nothing but: {He said: This has been given to me only because
However, Allah the Almighty refuted his statement saying: {Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations, men who were stronger than him in might and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected? But the Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) will not be questioned of their sins (because Allah knows them well, so they will be punished without being called to account)}, i.e. We have destroyed before him generations because of their sins and bad deeds and that they were stronger than Qarun and they had more riches and children than him. So, if what he said was true, We would not punish anyone of those who had more riches than him and his wealth and riches would not be a proof of Our love or care for him. Allah the Almighty says: {And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us (i.e. please Allah), but only he who believes (in the Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds (will please Us),. as for such, there will be twofold reward for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings Paradise) in peace and security}. (Saba', 37) and, He says: {Do they think that in wealth and children with which We enlarge them. We hasten unto them with good things. Nay, [it is a Fitnah (trial) in this worldly life so that they will have no share of good things in the Hereafter] but they perceive not}. (AlMu'minun, 55,56). Allah's answer to Qarun's claims confirms our interpretation of his saying, {This has been given to me only because of the knowledge I possess}. But as for those who claimed that he was a chemist or that he knew the Greatest Name of Allah the Almighty and that he used it to collect wealth, all these are fallacies and not true. For chemistry cannot change the reality of something, and the Greatest Name is of no effect if it is pronounced by a disbeliever. And, Qarun was inherently a disbeliever and apparently a hypocrite. Moreover, the context of the advice given by his people and his answer to them do not support that claim.
Almighty Allah says: {So he went forth before his people in his pomp}, many interpreters mentioned that he went forth before his people in great luxuries (servants, clothes and riding animals). When those who were desirous of the life of the world saw him, they wished to have the same and wondered "what a great fortune he has!" When their saying reached the ears of the godly righteous men they said to them: {Woe to you! The Reward of Allah is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds}, i.e. the Reward of Allah in the Hereafter is better and higher than this.
Allah the Almighty says: {So, We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place. Then, he had no group or party to help him against Allah, nor was he one of those who could save themselves}, when Allah the Almighty mentioned his setting forth in his pomp, He said {So, We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place}. As transmitted by Imam Al-Bukhari, Allah's Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "While a man was walking, clad in a two-piece garment and proud of himself with his hair well-combed, suddenly Allah made him sink into the earth and he will go on sinking into it till the Day of Resurrection. " (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Narrated Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) and As-Sadiy that Qarun gave a prostitute a sum of money to say to Musa (Peace be upon him) while he is accompanied with other people that he (Musa) committed with her (adultery). It is said that she did it and consequently, Musa (Peace be upon him) trembled with fear and he performed two Rak`ahs (bowing in prayer) and then said to her: By Allah! Tell me, who hired you to do this? She said: It was Qarun who hired me to do that. Then, she sought Allah's Forgiveness and repented to Him. Upon that, he (Musa (Peace be upon him)) prostrated himself and invoked Allah against Qarun. Allah the Almighty revealed to him that He subjugated the earth to obey him. Musa (Peace be upon him) commanded the earth to swallow Qarun and his dwelling place. And it was! Allah knows best!
It was also said: That when Qarun went forth before his people in his
pomp: guards, mules and clothes, he passed by Musa (Peace be upon him)
while he was reminding the people of Allah. When the people saw him, the
faces of most of them turned towards him. Musa (Peace be upon him)
called him and said: Why do you do this? Qarun replied saying: O Musa!
You have been favored with Prophethood and I have been favored with
riches. If you want, you may go forth and invoke Allah against me, and I
would invoke Him against you. Thereupon, both of them went forth and
Musa (Peace be upon him) said: Would you like to begin? Qarun said: Yes,
and he made his invocations but they were not answered. When Musa
(Peace be upon him) invoked Allah the Almighty
It was narrated from Qatadah that he said: "They would sink into the earth till the Day of Resurrection." Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "They sank into the earth till they reached the seventh earth."
Allah the Almighty says: {Then he had no group or party to help him against Allah, nor was he one of those who could save themselves}, i.e. he could not help himself or get help from others. Allah the Almighty states: {Then he will have no power, nor any helper}. (At- Tariq, 10) When the people saw what happened to Qarun and his treasures of sinking into the earth and complete destruction, those who had desired for a position like his position the day before regretted and thanked Allah the Almighty and hence they said: {Had it not been that Allah was Gracious to us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us up (also)! Know you not that the disbelievers will never be successful}.
Then, Allah the Almighty informs us that {That home of the Hereafter}, i.e. Paradise is prepared only for those {who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes} and then He says: {And the good end is for the Muttaqun (the pious and righteous persons)}. This story of Qarun might have taken place before they get out of Egypt for Allah the Almighty says: {So, We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place}, or it might have taken place after that during the Diaspora. Allah knows best!
However, Almighty Allah mentions the dispraise of Qarun in several
Verses on the Glorious Qur'an. Allah says: {And indeed We sent Musa
(Moses) with Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, .verses, lessons, signs,
revelations, etc.), and a manifest authority. To Fir'aun (Pharaoh),
Haman and Qarun (Korah), but they called (him): "A sorcerer, a liar!"}.
(Ghafir, 23, 24) and, in Surah Al-'Ankabut after mentioning 'Ad, Thamud,
Pharaoh, Haman and Qarun, He says: {And (We destroyed also) Qarun
(Korah), Fir'aun (Pharaoh), and Haman. And indeed Musa (Moses) came to
them with lessons, clear Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs,
revelations, etc.), but they were arrogant in the land, yet they could
not outstrip Us (escape Our punishment). So, We punished each (of
Imam Ahmed, in his Musnad, reported that once the Prophet (Peace be upon him) remembered the prayer and said: "He who observes it regularly and properly, it will be light, evidence and salvation for him on the Day of Resurrection. And, he who does not observe it regularly and properly, there will neither be -for him -light, nor evidence, nor salvation. And, on the Day of Resurrection, he will be (gathered) with Qarun, Fir'aun (Pharaoh), Haman and Ubaiy Ibn Khalaf".
Allah the Almighty says:
{He inspected the birds, and said: "What is the matter that I see not
the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? "I will surely punish him
with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear
reason." But the hoopoe stayed not long: he (came up and) said: "I have
grasped (the knowledge of a thing) which you have not grasped and I have
come to you from Saba' (Sheba) with true news." "I found a woman ruling
over them: she has been given all things that could be possessed by any
ruler of the earth, and she has a great throne. I found her and her
people worshipping the sun instead of Allah, and Shaitan (Satan) has
made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and has barred them from
(Allah's) Way: so they have no guidance." [As Shaitan (Satan) has barred
them from Allah's Way] so they do not worship (prostrate themselves
before) Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the
earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. Allah, La ilaha
illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the
Supreme Throne! [Sulaiman (Solomon)] said: "We shall see whether you
speak the truth or you are (one) of the liars."Go you with this letter
of mine, and deliver it to them, then draw back from them, and see what
(answer) they return." She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is delivered to
me a noble letter. "Verily it is from Sulaiman (Solomon), and verily,
it (reads): In the Name of Allah, the Most
Allah the Almighty narrates what had happened between Sulaiman and
the hoopoe. All kinds of birds had pioneers or chosen ones who were
charged with certain tasks and
One day, Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) wanted the hoopoe, he missed him and did not find him in his appointed position so, he said: {What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?} i.e. he is not here, or I can not see him. {I will surely punish him with a severe torment} Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) threatened that he would punish him with some kind of penalty; {or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason} i.e. a clear excuse that may save him from my punishment. Allah the Almighty says: {But the hoopoe stayed not long} i.e. his absence was not so long, then {he (came up and) said} to Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) {I have grasped (the knowledge of a thing) which you have not grasped} i.e. I got to know that which you did not; {and I have come to you from Saba' (Sheba) with true news}. That {I found a woman ruling over them: she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler on earth, and she has a great throne}, he is describing the status of the kings and rulers of Sheba in the Yemen: they had a mighty and glorious kingdom along with strong and competent troops. During that period, their king died and left no heirs but a daughter whom they raised as their queen.
Ath-Tha`labi and others mentioned that after her father's death, the people appointed a man under whose rule corruption and mischief prevailed. She proposed to him in marriage and he married her. At their first night together she gave him wine till he got drunk and then she beheaded him and hanged his head on her door. Thereupon, the people raised her over the throne as their queen. She was Bilqis Bint As-Sairah. Her father was called Al-Hudhad, or Shurahil Ibn Dhi Jadan Ibn As-Sairah Ibn Al-Harith Ibn Qais Ibn Saifi Ibn Saba' Ibn Yashjub Ibn Ya `rub Ibn Qahtan. Her father was one of the noblest kings. He refused to get married to Yemeni women. It is said that he got married to a woman from the Jinn whose name was Raihanah Bint As-Sakan who gave birth to that woman whose name is Balqamah, to be known later as Bilqis.
Ath-Tha`labi transmitted on the authority of Sa`id Ibn Bashir on the
authority of Qatadah after An-Nadr Ibn Anas after Bashir Ibn Nahik,
after Abu Hurairah that Allah's
Ath-Tha`labi said: I was told by Abu `Abdullah Ibn Qabhunah on the authority of Abu Bakr Ibn Jarjah after Abu Bakrah as saying: Once, Bilqis was mentioned before Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) who said: "Such people as ruled by a lady will never be successful." (That sub-Narrator, Isma`il Ibn Muslim is Meccan and he is regarded by the Scholars of Hadith as Weak, i.e. not an authentic narrator).
It is mentioned in Sahih Al-Bukhari from the narration of `Auf on the authority of Al-Hasan, after Abu Bakra that: When Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) was informed that the Persians had crowned the daughter of Khusrau as their ruler, he said, "Such people as ruled by a lady will never be successful." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
And, his saying: {She has been given all things} that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, {and she has a great throne} i.e. the chair she sits on was ornamented and studded with various jewels, pearls, gold and other magnificent things. Then, he mentioned their disbelief in Allah the Almighty and their worship of the sun instead of Allah and the deceivement of Satan to them by making their deeds look fair-seeming in their eyes, and barring them from Allah's Way, {So they do not worship (prostrate themselves before) Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal} i.e. He knows all secrets and revealed matters whether material or immaterial. {Allah, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!} i.e. the Greatest Throne which none from among His creatures ever has.
Thereupon, Sulaiman sent the hoopoe with a letter calling them to
obey Allah and His Messenger, to repent and submit themselves to his
kingship and power. He sent them: {Be you not exalted against me} i. e.
do not let your pride prevent you from obeying me, {but come to me as
Muslims} i.e. true believers who submit to Allah with full submission.
The hoopoe dropped the letter near her and waited to see what she was
going to do. However, she gathered the nobles, princes and ministers to
have mutual consultation, {She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is
delivered to me a noble letter}, then she first read its title {Verily
it is from Sulaiman (Solomon)}, then she read the rest thereof {and
verily, it (reads): In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most
Merciful: Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true
believers who
When they heard the news, they rushed declaring their full submission
and perfect obedience and willingness to accompany their queen in her
leaving for meeting Sulaiman (Peace be upon him). When he (Peace be upon
him) heard of their coming and their intention to present themselves
before his hand, he said to those (Jinn) from among his present hosts if
they would bring him her throne before she manage to come: {A`Ifrit
(strong one) from the jinn said: I will bring it to you before you rise
from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and
trustworthy for such work) i.e.
Then, Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) ordered her throne to be altered and disguised to test her mentality and understanding, saying {that we may see whether she will be guided (to recognize her throne), or she will be one of those not guided. So when she came, it was said (to her): Is your throne like this? She said: (It is) as though it were the very same}, this is due to her understanding and clear insight that she set aside the possibility that it was her own throne for she has just left it far away in the Yemen, and that she did not know that there is any who can do this marvelous act of removing it to Jerusalem.
Allah the Almighty says pertaining to Sulaiman (Peace be upon him)
and his people {And (Sulaiman (Solomon)) said: Knowledge was bestowed on
us before her, and we were submitted to Allah (in Islam as Muslims
before her). And that which she used to
It was said: That when Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) wanted to marry her he asked mankind about a way of removing the hair from her legs, and they mentioned the razor, but she feared thereof. Then, he (Peace be upon him) consulted the Jinn who made the bath for him. Thus, he was the first to enter the bath.
At-Tha`labi and others said: When Sulaiman married her he returned the kingdom of Yemen to her and he used to visit her there and stay for three days a month then comes back to Jerusalem on the flying carpet. In addition, he ordered the Jinn to build him three palaces in the Yemen: Ghamdan, Salhin and Bitun. And, Allah knows best!
Ibn Ishaq transmitted after some scholars on the authority of Wahb Ibn Munabih that Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) did not marry her, but he got her married to the king of Ramadan and let her ruling over the Yemen again, and he (Peace be upon him) subjected to her the king of the Jinn in Yemen to build her the aforementioned three palaces. This narration is not authenticated like the previous one, and Allah knows best!
Allah the Almighty says:
{Indeed there was for Saba' (Sheba) a sign in their dwelling-place
-two gardens on the right hand and on the left,; (and it was said to
them:) "Eat of the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him.' A
fair land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord! But they turned away (from the
obedience of Allah), so We sent against them Sail AI-'Arim (flood
released from the dam), and We converted their two gardens into gardens
producing bitter bad
Scholars of genealogy -among them was Muhammad Ibn Ishaq -said: the name of Saba' is `Abd Shams Ibn Yashjub Ibn Ya`rub Ibn Qahtan. He was the first to take captives and he was very generous to the people. As-Suhaili said: it is said that he was the first person to be crowned, and some scholars said he was Muslim and that he composed poetry in which he brought good news to the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). This last saying was attributed to Ibn Didya in his book titled: [At-Tanwir fi Maulid Al-Bashir An-Nadhir]
Imam Ahmed said: I have been told by Abu `Abdur Rahman, after `Abdullah Ibn Luhai` ah, after `Abdullah Ibn Da`lah saying: I heard `Abdullah Ibn Al-`Abbas as saying: A man asked Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) about Saba', whether it was a man, a woman, or a name of a land? He (Peace be upon him) said: Verily, he was a man to whom ten sons were born. Six thereof inhabited the Yemen andfour Sham (Syria). Those in Yemen were: Madhhaj, Kindah, Al-Azd, Al-Ash `ariyun, Anmar and Himyar. And those who inhabited Syria were: - Laghm, Judham, `Amilah and Ghassan." The Questioner was Farwah Ibn Musaik Al-Ghatifi.
This means that the term Saba' covers all these tribes; among them also were At-Tababi `ah (Sing. Tubba` ) in the Yemen. Their kings used to put crowns on as were done by kings of Persia. The Arabs used to call whomsoever rules over the Yemen and Hadramaut "Tubba`", as they used to call kings of Sham (Syria) and the Arab Peninsula "Caesar", and the ruler of Persia "Khusrau", the ruler of Egypt Fir` aun (Pharaoh), the ruler of Abyssinia "Negus", and the ruler of India "Ptolemes", and Bilqis was from among the Himyar kings who ruled the Yemen. They lived in happiness and easiness, with abundance of sustenance: fruits, plants, etc. and they were righteous people who followed the Straight Path, but when they altered the Grace of Allah and denied it, they inevitably incurred to themselves and their peoples destruction and devastation.
The point is, when they replaced guidance with misguidance and prostrated themselves before the sun instead of Allah the Almighty, the matter which took place during the era of Bilqis and her ancestors and that which continued till Allah sent over them a flood released from the dam. Allah the Almighty explained: {But they turned away (from the obedience of Allah), so We sent against them Sail Al-`Arim (flood released from the dam), and We converted their two gardens into gardens producing bitter bad fruit, and tamarisks, and some few lote-trees. Like this We requited them because they were ungrateful disbelievers. And never do We requite in such a way except those who are ungrateful (disbelievers)}.
Many scholars mentioned that the Dam of Ma'rab was built to keep
water behind two great mountains, and when the water raised, the people
began to implant orchards and fruitful trees and many kinds of
vegetables. It is said that the originator of the darn was Saba' Ibn Ya`
rub who changed the course of seventy valleys forcing them to pour out
water therein. In addition, he forced the water to get out from thirty
springs or holes, but he died before completing it. So, the tribe of
Himyar perfected it and it was of the space of one square league.
Thereupon, they were living in happiness and abundance. Qatada and
others said: the woman (from among them) would go putting a basket on
her head, and it would be filled with fresh, ripe fruits, and they said
that the air they breathed was so clean and pure that neither flies, nor
harmful germs were found in their land. Allah the Almighty says:
{Indeed there was for Saba' (Sheba) a sign in their dwelling -placetwo
gardens on the right hand and on the left; (and it was said to them:)
Eat of the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him. A fair land
and an Oft-Forgiving Lord!} (Saba', 15) and, {And (remember) when your
Lord proclaimed: If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping
none but Allah), I will give you more (of My Blessings); but if you are
thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily My punishment is indeed severe}.
(Ibrahim, 7) But, when they adorned other than Allah the Almighty and
arrogantly dealt with His Grace -the stages (of journey) between them
were easy in which they used to travel safely both by night and day -and
asked Him to make the stages between their journeys longer and severer.
Thus, they asked to turn the good into what is bad like the Children of
Israel who asked Allah the Almighty to turn Manna and quails into
herbs, cucumbers, Fum (wheat or garlic), lentils and onions. Thereupon,
they were deprived that great blessing and comprehensive grace; their
land was destroyed
Allah the Almighty says: {So We made them as tales (in the land), and We dispersed them all totally} i.e. after the destruction of their gardens, properties and land, they needed to travel and move away. Thus, they scattered in different parts of the land as some of them moved to the Hejaz, and Khuza' ah moved to Mecca. Some of them also moved to Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, they were the first to inhabit it. Then, they were followed by three tribes from the Jews: the Banu Qainuqa', Banu Quraizah, and Banu An-Nadir. The Jews made coalitions with the Aus and Khazraj and lived there (till the time of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)). Some of them, moved to Sham (Syria) and afterwards they converted to Christianity: Ghassan, Amilah, Bahra', Lukham, Judham, Tanukh, Taghlub, and others.
Muhammad Ibn Ishaq, in his The Prophet's Biography [Kitab As- Sirah],
said that the first to quit the Yemen before the Sail Al-'Arim (the
flood released from the dam) was' Amr Ibn 'Amir Al-Lukhami. Lukham was
the son of 'Adyi Ibn Al-Harith Ibn Murrah Ibn Azd Ibn Zaid Ibn Muha' Ibn
'Amr Ibn 'Uraib Ibn Yashjub Ibn Zaid Ibn Kahlan Ibn Saba'. It is said
also by Ibn Hisham: Lukham Ibn 'Adyi Ibn 'Amr Ibn Gharib Ibn Saba'. Ibn
Ishaq said: the reason behind his moving from Yemen as I was told by Abu
Zaid Al-Ansari that he saw a mouse or rat digging beneath the dam of
Ma'rab which was used to keep the water behind, so he realized that the
dam would not stand so long, so he intended to move from the Yemen.
However, he tricked his people by ordering his youngest son to slap him
on the face before the people. The son did what he was ordered to and
'Amr said: I would never live in a place where my youngest son slapped
me on the
Finally, they departed from the land of 'Ak and dispersed in the lands. Ibn Jafnah Ibn 'Amr Ibn 'Amir went to Sham (Syria), Al-Aus and Al- Khazraj went to Yathrib (Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah), Khuza'ah went to Marran, Azd As-Sarah went to As-Sarah, and Azd 'Amman went to 'Amman, then Allah the Almighty sent the flood against the dam and it was totally collapsed. The Glorious Qur'an bears witness to this incident.
As-Sadi narrated the like and Muhammad Ibn Ishaq said that 'Amr Ibn `Amir was a priest. Others said that his wife was Tarifah Bint Al-Khair Al-Himyariyah and that she was a priestess. She foretold the destruction of their country as if they saw an indication in that rat or mouse, so they did what they did, and Allah knows best! His whole story was mentioned in the Exegesis on the authority of `Ikriamh after Ibn Abu Hatim.
However, not all the people of Saba' moved from the Yemen after the collapsing of the dam, but the majority thereof stayed there. Only the people of the Dam (Ma'rab) went away and dispersed in the land. This is expressed in the Hadith mentioned earlier that was narrated by `Abdullah Ibn `Abbas, that the majority of the Yemenites did not movem from the Yemen. Only four tribes quitted and six tribes stayed. They continued to live there and the ruling was kept by them and the Tababi`ah till they were deprived of their own self-ruling -for about seventy years -by the army sent by the Negus under the command of Abraha and Aryat. Then, it was regained by Saif Ibn Dhi Yazan AI- Himyari shortly before Prophet Muhammad's birth. Then, Allah's Prophet (Peace be upon him) sent to the Yemen `Ali Ibn Abu Talib and Khalid Ibn Al-Walid, then Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari and Mu`adh Ibn Jabal to invite the people to embrace Islam. Then, Al-Aswad Al-`Ansi seized the Yemen and drove out the deputies of Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him). During the era of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, Al-Aswad Al-`Ansi was killed and the Muslims had the upper hand in the Yemen.
Allah the Almighty says:
And, {And the Jews say: 'Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their saying with their mouths, resembling the saying of those who disbelieved aforetime. Allah's Curse be on them how they are deluded away from the truth!}. (At-Taubah, 30)
Al-Hafiz Abu Al-Qasim Ibn 'Asakir said: He is 'Uzair Ibn Jarwah, or Ibn Suraiq Ibn 'Adiya Ibn Ayyub Ibn Darzna Ibn 'Ura Ibn Taqyi Ibn Usbu' Ibn Finhas Ibn EI-'Azir Ibn Hamn Ibn 'Imran. Also, he is said to be 'Uzair Ibn Smkha. Some narrations state that his grave is located in Damascus. Then, Al-HafizIbn 'Asakir narrated on the authority of Abu Al-Qasim AI-Baghawi after Dawud Ibn `Amr after Hibban Ibn `Ali after Muhammad Ibn Kuraib after his father after `Abdullah Ibn `Abbas as saying: I do not know whether Tubba` was a cursed one or not? And, I do not know whether `Uzair was a Prophet or not? Then, he narrated the like from the Hadith of Mu'amil Ibn Al-Hasan on the authority of Muhammad Ibn Ishaq As-Sajizi after `Abder Razzaq after Mu`amir after Ibn Abu Dhu'aib after Sa`id Al-Maqbaari on the authority of Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him).
Then, he narrated from Ishaq Ibn Bishr -whom is rejected -after Jubair and Muqatil after Ad-Dahha, on the authority of `Abdullah Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) as saying: `Uzair was -while a young boy -among those captivated by Bikhtinassar. When he was forty,
Allah the Almighty granted him wisdom. And, none was more knowledgeable than he, pertaining to the Torah, and he was mentioned with the train of Messengers and Prophets till his name was erased by Allah the Almighty when he asked about the Divine Decree. (This Hadith is Weak and Rejected) and Allah knows best!
Ishaq Ibn Bishr narrated after Sa`id after Abu `Urubah after Qatadah after Al-Hasan
Ibn Ishaq Ibn Bishr said: I was told by Sa`id Ibn Bashir after Wahb
Ibn Munabih: `Uzair was a wise, pious worshipper. One day, he went out
to look after some of his properties, when he finished he passed by a
ruined place where he was scorched by the blazing sun. So, he entered
that ruined place riding on his donkey. He got off the donkey holding
two baskets, one full of figs and the other full of grapes. He sat down
and brought out a bowl in which he squeezed the grapes and soaked the
dried bread he had therein. He ate thereof and then slept on his back,
relying his two legs against a wall and started to gaze at the ceiling
of the house. He saw some decomposed bones and said: {Oh! How will Allah
ever bring it to life after its death?} He did not doubt Allah's
Omnipotence to do this, but he said it in exclamation. Upon this, Allah
the Almighty sent the Angel of Death who seized his soul, and thus Allah
caused him to die for a hundred years. And, after one hundred years,
Allah the Almighty sent to him an Angel who first created his heart to
make him heedful, then, he created his two eyes to enable him to see and
realize how Allah the Almighty revive the death. Then, the Angel
continued to complete his creation once more while he was looking. The,
he clothed his bones with flesh, skin and hair. Then, he breathed the
soul into him. All this while he is looking and perfectly heedful. The
Angel asked him saying: {How long did you remain (dead)? He (the man)
said: (Perhaps) I remained (dead) a day or part of a day} that he was
caused to die in the afternoon and then was given life again by the end
of day while the sun was still in the sky; that's why he said: {or part
of a day} i.e. not even a whole day. The Angel said: {Nay, you have
remained (dead) for a hundred years, look at your food and your drink}
i.e. the dried bread and the squeezed grapes that did not alter or turn
bad, {they show no change} , and the grapes and the figs did not change
as well. As if he began to deny the matter by his heart, the Angel said:
do you deny what I have said? {and look at your donkey!} he looked at
his donkey and found his bones to be decomposed and became totally
ruined. The Angel called upon the donkey's bones and they answered his
call and gathered together from all directions till he was made one
whole again -while 'Uzair was looking -and he clothed them with flesh,
skin and hair. Then, the Angel breathed life into it and it roused
erecting his ears and head towards the sky thinking the Last Hour had
come. That was stated in His Saying: {and look at your donkey! And thus
We have made of you a sign for the people. Look at the bones, how We
bring them together and clothe them with flesh}. And {When this was
clearly shown to him, he said, I know (now) that Allah is Able to do all
things} .Then, he rode on his
'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Thus he
was as said by Allah the Almighty: {And thus We have made of you a sign
for the people} i.e. for the Children
Was He a Prophet?
It is well known that 'Uzair was one of the Prophets sent to the Children of Israel; he came during the interval between Dawud and Sulaiman, and Zakariya and Yahya. At his time, none from among the Children of Israel happened to memorize the Torah, Allah the Almighty inspired him to commit it to his heart and then he recited it to the Children of Israel. Wahb Ibn Munabih said: Allah the Almighty ordered an Angel to descend with light to throw on 'Uzair .In doing this, he copied the Torah letter by letter till he was finished.
Ibn 'Asakir narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) that he asked' Abdullah Ibn Salam about Allah's Statement: {The Jews say: 'Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah}. (At-Taubah, 30) why did they say so? Ibn Salam mentioned his ('Uzair's) writing down of the Torah out of his memory, and the saying of the Jews that Musa (Moses) could not get them the Torah but in a book, and that 'Uzair got it without a book. Thereupon, some of them said: 'Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah. For this reason, many scholars say: there was a discontinuation pertaining to the transmission of the Torah at the time of 'Uzair. This is very likely if 'Uzair was not a Prophet which is adopted by 'Ata 'Ibn Abu Rabah and Al-Hasan Al- Basri, and that was narrated by Ishaq Ibn Bishr after Muqatil Ibn Sulaiman after 'Ata 'Ibn Abu Rabah as saying: that period witnessed nine things: Bikhtinassar, Sanaa garden, Saba' garden, Owners of the Ditch, Gasura, Owners of the Cave, Owners of the Elephant, Antioch, and Tubba'.
Ishaq Ibn Bishr said: I was told by Sa'id after Qatadah after Al-Hasan as saying: That period witnessed the issues of 'Uzair and Bikhtinassar. Moreover, it is transmitted in the Sahih Muslim that Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: "l am most akin to the son of Mary among the whole of mankind and the Prophets are of different mothers, but of one religion, and no Prophet was raised between me and him (Jesus Christ). "
Wahb Ibn Munabih said: He was raised between Sulaiman and 'Isa
(Jesus) (Peace be upon them). Ibn 'Asakir narrated after Anas Ibn Malik
and' Ata 'Ibn As-Sa'ib as saying: 'Uzair was raised during the time of
Musa Ibn 'Imran, and that he asked for permission to meet with Musa
(Peace be upon him), but he refused because of his asking about the
As for what was narrated by Ibn 'Asakir and others on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas, Nuf AI-Bakali, Sufyan Ath-Thawri and others that he asked about the Divine Decree and consequently his name was erased from among the names of the Prophets. It is a rejected and unauthentic Hadith that it is likely to be copied from the tales and stories that were invented by the Israelites.
Narrated 'Abdul Razzaq and Qutaibah Ibn Sa' id after Ja'far Ibn Sulaiman after Abu 'Imran Al-Juni after Nuf Al-Bakali as saying: 'Uzair said to his Lord: 0 Lord! You fashioned the creation, and You mislead whom You will and guide whom You will. It was thus said to him: Turn away from this! But, he returned back. It was again said to him: Turn away from this or your name as a Prophet would be wiped out; I am not to be questioned about My Doing, while they (all creatures) are brought into account pertaining to what they do.
The Group, all but At-Tirmidhi, narrated from the Hadith of Yunus Ibn Yazid after Az-Zuhri after Sa'id and Abu Salamah after Abu Hurairah; also it was narrated by Shu' aib after Abu Az-Zinad after Al-A'raj after Abu Hurairah as saying: Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: "An ant had bitten a Prophet (one amongst the earlier Prophets) and he ordered that the colony of the ants should be burnt. And Allah revealed to him: Because of an ant's bite you have burnt a community from amongst the communities which sings My glory ". This Prophet was narrated to be 'Uzair by Ishaq Ibn Bishr after Ibn Juraij afterMuhammad Ibn 'Abdel Wahhab Ibn Mujahid after his father; also this was narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) and Al-Hasan AI-Basri. Allah knows best!
Allah the Almighty says:
{And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say: "I shall recite to you
something of his story." Verily, We established him in the earth, and We
gave him the means of everything. So he followed a way. Until, when he
reached the setting place of the sun, he found it setting in a spring of
black muddy (or hot) water. And he found near it a people. We (Allah)
said (by inspiration): "O Dhul-Qarnain! Either you punish them, or treat
them with kindness." He said: "As for him (a disbeliever in the Oneness
of Allah) who
Was He a Prophet?
Allah the Almighty praised Dhul-Qarnain in the Glorious Qur'an for his justice. He ruled over the easts and wests and many regions where he subjected their peoples and ruled them with perfect justice. The most likely opinion is that he was just a king.
Also, he was said to be a Prophet, or a Messenger. However, the most unlikely opinion thereof was that he was an Angel. The latter was narrated after the Leader of the Faithful, 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) who heard a man calling another saying: 0 Dhul-Qarnain! He ('Umar) said: Shut up! Was it not enough with you to name yourselves after the Prophets, that you take names after those of the Angels?"
It is reported that' Abdullah Ibn 'Amr said: Dhul-Qarnain was a Prophet. Conversely, Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: "I do not know whether Tubba' was a cursed one or not? And, I do not know whether Hudud (the Prescribed Penalties) are expiatory for their people or not? And, I do not know whether Dhul-Qarnain was a Prophet or not?" (This Hadith is Odd and Strange)
Al-Azraqi and others mentioned that Dhul-Qarnain embraced Islam at the hands of Ibrahim (Abraham) (Peace be upon him) and that he circumambulated around the Ka' bah with him and his son, Isma'il (Peace be upon them). Also, it was narrated after 'Ubaid Ibn 'Umair and his son, 'Abdullah and others: that Dhul-Qarnain set out on foot to perform Pilgrimage. Upon hearing this, Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) welcomed him and invoked Allah for his sake and gave him advice as well. In addition, Allah the Almighty subjugated for Dhul-Qarnain the clouds to carry him wherever he wished. Allah knows best!
Why was he called "Dhul-Qarnain" (i.e. Owner of the two horns)?
This is a controversial issue, that there is not a definite known reason behind this. Some said: he had something on his head that looked like two horns. Wahb Ibn Munabih said: He had two horns of brass on his head. (This interpretation is very weak)
Some scholars from among the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) said: This is because he ruled over Persian and Roman territories. It was also said: that he reached the first ray of the rising sun on the east and that on the west and he ruled over all that was in between. (The latter opinion is more likely true, which is the saying of Az-Zuhari)
Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: He had two braids of hair that he used to fold up and thus was called "Dhul-Qarnain". And, Ishaq Ibn Bishr narrated that the grandfather of 'Umar Ibn Shu' aib said: Dhul-Qarnain, once, invited a tyrant king to the way of Allah. The king hit him on the head and broke one of his horns. Dhul-Qarnain invited him again and the tyrant broke the second horn. Thus, he was called "Dhul-Qarnain" .
Narrated Ath-Thawri that 'Ali Ibn Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased
with him) was once asked about Dhul-Qarnain. He replied saying: He was a
rightly-guided and pious man. He invited his people to Allah, but they
hit him on his horn (side of the head) and he was killed. Allah the
Almighty resurrected him and he invited them again, again they hit him
on his second horn and he was killed (for the second time). Allah the
Almighty revived him and thus he was called "Dhul-Qarnain". In other
narrations, it was narrated by Abu
What's his Name?
Scholars disagreed regarding his name. Az-Zubair Ibn Bakkar narrated after' Abdullah Ibn, Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him): His name was 'Abdullah Ibn Ad-Dahhak Ibn Ma'd; or Mus'ab Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn Qinan Ibn Mansur Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn Al-Azd Ibn Ghauth Ibn Nabt Ibn Malik Ibn Zaid Ibn Kahlan Ibn Saba' Ibn Qahtan.
It has been narrated in a Hadith that he was from the tribe of Himyar and that his mQther was Roman, and he was called the Philosopher for the excellence of his mentality. However, As-Suhaili said: his name was Marzaban Ibn Marzabah. This was mentioned by Ibn Hisham who mentioned in another location that his name was: As-Sa'b Ibn Dhi Mara'id who was the grandfather of the Tababi'ah and it was him who gave the verdict to the benefit of Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) pertaining to the well of As-Sab' .
It was said: He was Afridun Ibn Asfiyan who killed Ad-Dahhak. Al- Qass Ibn Sa' idah Al-Iyadi said in his famous sermon: 0 folk of Ayad Ibn As-Sa'b! Dhul-Qarnain ruled over the west. and east, subjugated the Jinn and mankind, and he lived for two thousand years. However, all this was just like a twinkle of the eye.
Ad-Daraqutni and Ibn Makula mentioned that his name was Hirmis, or Hirwis Ibn Qitun Ibn Rumi Ibn Lanti Ibn Kashaukhin Ibn Yunan Ibn Yafith Ibn Nuh (Noah (Peace be upon him)), and Allah knows best!
Ishaq Ibn Bishr narrated after Sa'id Ibn Bashir on the authority of Qatadah as saying: Alexander was (called) Dhul-Qarnain, his father was the first Caesar, and he was from among the offspring of Sam Ibn Nuh (Noah (Peace be upon him)).
At this conjecture one should distinguish between two people who were
called Dhul-Qarnain. The first is our pious Dhul-Qarnain while the
second is Alexander Ibn Philips Ibn Masrim Ibn Hirmis Ibn Maitun Ibn
Rumi Ibn Lanti Ibn Yunan Ibn Yafith Ibn Yunah Ibn Sharkhun Ibn Rumah Ibn
Sharfat Ibn Tufil Ibn Rumi Ibn AI-As far Ibn Yaqz Ibn Al-'lis Ibn Ishaq
Ibn Ibrahim (Peace be upon him). This lineage was stated by Al-Hafiz
Ibn' Asakir in his Tarikh (History). Moreover, he was the Macedonian,
Greek, Egyptian leader who established Alexandria and basing on whom the
Romans set their
Allah's Saying: {And they ask you about Dhul--Qarnain} was revealed because the people of Quraish asked the Jews of something about which they would ask the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to test his knowledge. The Jews told them: Ask him about a man who traveled through the earth, and about some young men who set out and no one knew what happened to them? Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed the stories of the Owners of the Cave and that of Dhul-Qarnain. Thus, He said: {Say: I shall recite to you something of his story}, i.e. enough and sufficient news about him and his status. Then, He said: {Verily, We established him in the earth, and We gave him the means of everything}, i.e. Allah the Almighty expanded his kingdom and provided him with what might enable him to gain what he wished to. Narrated Qutaibah that 'Ali Ibn Abu Talib was once asked about Dhul-Qarnain: how could he reach the east and west? 'Ali replied: The clouds wert subjugated for him, the means (of everything) were provided to him, and he was given extension pertaining to the light. 'Ali added: Do you want me to go on? The man became silent and thereupon, 'Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) became silent.
Narrated Abu Ishaq As-Subai'i after 'Amr Ibn 'Abdullah Al-Wada'i: "I heard Mu'awiyah as saying: four persons ruled over the earth: Sulaiman Ibn Dawud the Prophet (Peace be upon them), Dhul-- Qarnain, a man from the people of Hulwan, and another man. Someone said: was it Al-Khadir? Mu'awiyah said: No."
Az-Zubair Ibn Bakkar narrated that Sufyan Ath-Thawri said: I have
come to know that four persons ruled over the whole earth: two of them
were believers and the other two were disbelievers. The believing two
were: Prophet Sulaiman and Dhul-Qarnain. And,
Narrated Ishaq Ibn Bishr after Sa' id Ibn Abu 'Urubah after Qatadah after Al-Hasan as saying: "Dhul-Qarnain was a king after Namrud. He was a pious, righteous Muslim who traveled through the east and west. Allah the Almighty prolonged his life and granted him victory over the enemies and to ge1 hold of their properties. He conquered the land, subjugated the people and traveled through the earth till he reached the east and west. Allah the Almighty says: {And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say: "I shall recite to you something of his story." Verily, We established him in the earth, and We gave him the means of everything}, i.e. knowledge of seeking the means of fulfilling things. Ibn Ishaq said: Muqatil claimed that he used to conquer the lands and collect treasures, and used to offer the people two choices: whether they embrace his religion and follow him, or they be killed.
Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid, Sa'id Ibn Jubair, 'Ikrimah, 'Ubaid Ibn Ya' la, As- Sadyi, Qatadah and Ad-Dahhak said: {and We gave him the means of everything}, i.e. knowledge. Qatadah and Matar Al-Warraq said: This means landmarks, locations, milestones and traces of the land. 'Abdur Rahman Ibn laid Ibn Aslam said: this means languages as he used not to conquer a people but he first speaks with them in their own language. The most possible and true explanation is that he knew all means through which he could fulfill his need or desire. As he used to take from every conquered region the provisions that enabled him to seize the next region, and so on.
Some scholars from among the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) mentioned that he spent one thousand and six hundred years traveling through the land inviting people to the worship of Allah the Almighty Who has no partner in His Dominion. But, it seems that there is some exaggeration in specifying that lengthy period, and Allah knows best!
Allah's Statement {So he followed a way. Until, when he reached the setting place of the sun} i.e. he reached the place that no one can ever overpass, and he stood on the edge of the western ocean called Oqyanus wherein the islands called Al-Khalidat "The Eternal Ones". There, he could watch the setting of the sun. {He found it setting in a spring of black muddy (or hot) water}, i.e. the sea or ocean, as one who stands ashore sees the sun as if it rises from and sets in the sea. For this he said {he found it}, i.e. as he thought.
Imam Ahmed narrated after Yazid Ibn Hamn after Al-'Awwam Ibn Haushab as saying: I
Dhul-Qarnain is Seeking the Eye of Life:
Ibn 'Asakir reported a lengthy narration in which: Dhul-Qarnain had a friend from among the Angels called Ranaqil. Dhul-Qarnain asked him: Do you know the place on earth called "the Eye of Life"? The Angel described to him its location. Dhul-Qarnain set out seeking it appointing Al-Khadir as his harbinger. Al-Khadir came upon it in the land of darkness and he drank thereof. But, Dhul-Qarnain did not make it. However, Dhul-Qarnain met with a group of Angels in a palace there and he was given a stone. When he returned to his army, he asked the scholars who put it on a scale and put on the other one thousand stones of the like (weight and shape). However, the scale containing the first stone tilted. He, then, asked Al-Khadir who put on the other scale a single stone and a handful of dry dust. Al-Khadir's scale tilted this time. He then commented saying: "This is like the son of Adam, he is never satisfied till he is buried (covered with dust)". Thereupon, the scholars prostrated themselves before him as a sign of respect and honor; and Allah knows best!
[1] These are not the inhabitants of Turkey. (Translator) Then, Allah
the Almighty informs us that Dhul-Qarnain gave verdicts pertaining to
the people of that region {We (Allah) said (by inspiration): "0
Dhul-Qarnain! Either you punish them, or treat them with kindness." He
said: "As for him (a disbeliever , in the Oneness of Allah) who does
wrong, we shall ! punish him, and then he will be brought back unto his
Lord, Who will punish him with a terrible torment (Hell)} i.e. he tastes
the torment in this present life and in the Hereafter. He began with
the torment of the present life for its more difficult in the sight of
the disbeliever. {But as for him who believes (in Allah's Oneness) and
works righteousness he shall have the best reward, (Paradise), and we
(Dhul-Qarnain) shall speak unto him mild words (as instructions)} where
he started with the reward of the Hereafter which is most important and
he added thereto kindness, i.e. justice, knowledge and faith. Allah the
Almighty says {Then he followed another way}, i.e. he followed a way to
return back from the west to the east. Some say that it took him twelve
years to return to the east. {Until, when he came to the rising place of
the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We (Allah) had
provided no shelter against the sun}, i.e. they do not have houses or
any shelters to save them from the blazing sun. Some
It was narrated after' Ubaid Ibn 'Umair, his son 'Abdullah and others
that Dhul-Qarnain performed Pilgrimage on foot. Upon hearing that,
Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) met him and on their meeting he invoked
Allah for his sake, and advised him. It was said also that he was
brought a horse to ride, but he said: I do not ride (on the back of
horses) in a land wherein Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him). Hence,
Allah the Almighty subjugated for him the clouds, and Ibrahim (Peace be
upon him) gave him the glad tidings pertaining to this. The clouds used
to carry him anywhere he wished for. Allah the Almighty says: {then, he
followed (another) way. Until, when he reached between two mountains, he
found, before (near) them (those two mountains), a people who scarcely
understood a word}, i.e. they were ignorant. It was said that they were
the Turk,[1] cousins of Gog and Magog. However, they told him that Gog
and Magog wronged them and practiced mischief in their land. They
offered him a tribute for that he builds a barrier (dam) preventing them
from raiding over them. He refused to take the tribute they offered him
finding sufficiency in that which Allah the Almighty has given him, so
{He said: "That (wealth, authority and power) in which my Lord had
established me is better (than your tribute)}. Then, he asked them to
bring him men and tools to erect the barrier between them. Gog and Magog
could only reach them from that place located between two
mountain-cliffs. The other paths were either vast seas, or high
mountains. Consequently, he erected it using iron and molten copper: he
put iron instead of bricks and molten copper instead of clay. Allah the
Almighty commented, {So they (Gog and Magog) could not scale it} with
escalators, {or dig through it} with axes or picks. {(Dhul-Qarnain)
said: "This is a mercy from my Lord} i.e. Allah the Almighty decreed
this to be a mercy from Him to His slaves that they no longer assaulted
by Gog and Magog. {But when the Promise of my Lord comes} i.e. the time
He decided for them (Gog and Magog) to demolish it and get out attacking
mankind near the Last Hour, {He shall level it down to the ground} this
will inevitably take place. As He says {And the Promise of my Lord is
ever true}, and {Until, when Gog and Magog are let loose (from their
barrier), and they swoop down from every mound. And the true promise
(Day of Resurrection) shall draw near (of fulfillment). Then (when
mankind is resurrected from their graves), you shall see the eyes of the
disbelievers fixedly staring in horror. (They will say): Woe to us! We
were indeed heedless of this nay, but we were Zalimun
Narrated Abu Dawud At-Tyalisi after Ath--Thawri saying: I have been informed that the first human being to shake hands (with someone else) was Dhul-Qarnain. Moreover, it was narrated on the authority of Ka'b Al-Ahbar that he said to Mu'awiyah: Dhul-Qarnain on his deathbed told his mother, after his death, to prepare food and gather the women of the city and invite them to eat save anyone who lost any of her children (she should not eat thereof). The mother did as she asked, and none of them stretched a hand towards the food. She said: Glory be to Allah! Did you all lost children? They answered: By Allah! Yes we did. And, this was a great condolence for her.
Ishaq mentioned after Bishr Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn Ziyad after some of the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) the will of Dhul-Qarnain, an eloquent and lengthy advice, and that he died at the age of three thousand years. (This is very odd and strange)
Ibn 'Asakir said: I was informed that he lived for about thirty-six years. Others said: he lived for thirty-two years and that he came seven hundred and forty years after Dawud (David) (Peace be upon him). He came after Adam (Peace be upon him) with five thousand and one hundred eighty-one years and that his reign lasted for sixteen years. But, that which he related is true as for the Macedonian Alexander and not our Dhul-Qarnain. He thus mixed the former with the latter and this is perfectly wrong.
Among those who mixed them and declared both to be just one, was Imam 'Abdul Malik Ibn Hisham (Narrator of the Prophet's Biography), which was denied and rejected by Al-Hafiz Abu Al-Qasim As-Suhaili. He severely refuted his sayings and set clear boundaries between the two persons as mentioned earlier. He said: May be some of the former kings called themselves "Dhul-Qarnain" following the example of the first true one; and Allah knows best!
Allah the Almighty says:
{They said: "O Dhul-Qarnain! Verily Ya'juj and Ma 'juj (Gog and
Magog) are doing great mischief in the land. Shall we then pay you a
tribute in order that you might erect a
And, {Until, when Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) are let loose (from their barrier), and they swoop downfrom every mound}. (Al- Anbiya', 96)
No doubt; "Gog and Magog are from among the children of Adam (Peace be upon him). In proof of this, comes the Hadith that is transmitted in the two Sahihs (Bukhari and Muslim) from Al-A'mash, after Abu Salih, after Abu Sa' id Al-Khudri who narrated the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to have said: "Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection), 'O Adam!' Adam will reply, 'Labbaik wa Sa'daik, and all the good is in Your Hand.' Allah will say: 'Bring out the people of the fire.' Adam will say: 'O Allah! How many are the people of the Fire?' Allah will reply: 'From every one thousand, take out nine-hundred-and ninety-nine.' At that time children will become hoary headed, every pregnant female will have a miscarriage, and one will see mankind as drunken, yet they will not be drunken, but dreadful will be the Wrath of Allah." The Companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) asked, "O Allah's Messenger! Who is that (excepted) one?" He said, "Rejoice with glad tidings; one person will be from you and one-thousand will be from Gog and Magog." The Prophet (Peace be upon him) further said, "By Him in Whose Hands my life is, hope that you will be one-fourth of the people of Paradise." We shouted,
"Allahu Akbar!" He added, "I hope that you will be one-third of the people of Paradise.We shouted, "Allahu Akbar!" He said, "I hope that you will be half of the people of Paradise." We shouted, "Allahu Akbar!" He further said, "You (Muslims) (compared with non Muslims) are like a black hair in the skin of a white ox or like a white hair in the skin of a black ox (i.e. your number is very small as compared with theirs)." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
This Hadith denotes the numerousness of their numbers and that they
are a hundred-fold the number of all mankind. Moreover, they are from
among the offspring
However, all these claims are groundless and cannot stand the slightest refutation. But, the correct view is that: they are from among the children of Adam (Peace be upon him) and that they bear the same qualities and shapes. Allah's Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Allah created Adam, making him 60 cubits tall. When He created him, He said to him, "Go and greet that group of angels, and listen to their reply, for it will be your greeting (salutation) and the greeting (salutations of your offspring. " So, Adam said (to the angels), As- Salamu 'Alaikum (i.e. Peace be upon you). The angels said, "As- Salamu' Alaika wa Rahmatu-l-lahi" (i. e. Peace and Allah's Mercy be upon you). Thus the angels added to Adam's salutation the expression, 'Wa Rahmatu-l-lah.' Any person who will enter Paradise will resemble Adam (in appearance and figure). People have been decreasing in stature since Adam's creation." This Hadith blocks the way before those who falsely claim things that are groundless.
[1] The 'Turk' here does not mean those of Turkey. (Translator) A Very Important Question:
The answer is that: They will never be punished until they are given warning. Thereupon, if they were existing before the time of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and Messengers were sent to them, thus, they were given warning. And, if no Messengers were sent to them, they would be treated as "People of the Fitrah" and those to whom the Message of Islam did not reach or be conveyed. However, it is indicated by the Hadith transmitted by some of the Companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) that he said: "Those and the like will be tested on the pathways of the Resurrection: and whoever responds to the caller, he will enter Paradise. And, whoever refuses, he will enter the Fire." However, testing them neither necessitates their salvation, nor contradicts with the saying that they will enter Hell-fire.
For Allah the Almighty reveals to His Prophet (Peace be upon him) what He wills of the Unseen, and hence, He informed him that they will be from among the people of Hell and that their nature denies the truth and submission thereto, as they do not respond to the caller till the Day of Judgment. This indicates that, they would be more stubborn in rejecting the truth if they were to come to know it in this present life. In the pathways of Resurrection, some of those who used to belie the truth in the present life will submit themselves to the truth. Almighty Allah says: {And if you only could see when the Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) shall hang their heads before their Lord (saying): "Our Lord! We have now seen and heard, so send us back (to the world), that we will do righteous good deeds. Verily! We now believe with certainty "}. (As-Sajdah, 12) However, the Prophetic Hadith indicating that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) invited them on the Night Journey to embrace Islam and they refused, this Hadith is an invented and fabricated one. The one who fabricated it was the liar, `Amr Ibn As-Subh.
The (Dam) Barrier:
It was mentioned earlier that Dhul-Qarnain has built it out of iron
and copper and elevated it to a very high point that is equal to the
very lofty mountains. However, there is no on earth an equal building in
terms of loftiness or benefiting to mankind. Imam
It was mentioned that the Caliph, Al-Wathiq sent some messengers with messages to different kings to allow them travelling from one country to another till they reach the dam and stand on its reality.
When they came back to the Caliph, they described it to him saying that it has a huge door with many locks. It is a very high and tight building and that the remnants of its building materials and tools are kept there in a tower. Also, there are still guards keeping an eye on it. They added that its location is on the northern-east side of the earth. It was also said that their land is very spacious and that they live on farming and hunting and that their numbers are countless.
How can we compromise between the Qur'anic Verse that reads: {So they (Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog)) could not scale it or dig through it}. (Al-Kahf, 97) and the Prophetic Hadith that is transmitted by Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim on the authority of Mother of the Believers, Zainab Bint Jahsh (May Allah be pleased with her) as saying: That the Prophet (Peace be upon him) once came to her in a state of fear and said: ('None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. Woe unto the Arabs from a danger that has come near. An opening has been made in the wall of Gog and Magog like this," making a circle with his thumb and index finger. Zainab Bint lahsh said: ('0 Allah's Messenger! Shall we be destroyed even though there are pious persons among us?" He said: "Yes, when the evil persons will increase." And in another narration: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Allah has made an opening in the wall of the Gog and Magog (people) like this, and he made with his hand (with the help of his fingers." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The answer is that: this means one of two things: the first is that
this is an indication of the opening of gates of evil and turmoil and
hence, this is a mere example set for us. The
Allah desires to send them against mankind, they dig it till they could see the sun rays (through it) and their leader says: 'Go back and you will finish it tomorrow, if Allah wills!' On the next day, they find it as they had left the day before and they dig through it and come against mankind. They will drink (every drop of water they pass by). The people will resort to strongholds. And, Gog and Magog will throw their arrows towards the sky. When they come back to them stained with what looks like blood, they will say: 'we have defeated the people on earth and those in the heaven as well.' Then, Allah the Almighty sends against them worms in their necks that kill them all. Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: 'By Whom in Whose Hand Muhammed's soul rests! Living creatures of the earth would go fat and be thankful due to eating their flesh and (drinking their) blood. ", Imam Ahmed transmitted it also on the authority of Hasan Ibn Musa after Sufyan after Qatadah. At-Tirmidhi transmitted the same Hadith on the authority of Abu, Awanah after Qatadah, then he said: it is a Strange Hadith that reached us from none but this Chain of Transmission.
Allah the Almighty says:
{Do you think that the people of the Cave and the Inscription (the
news or the names of the people of the Cave) were a wonder among Our
Signs? (Remember) when the young men fled for refuge (from their
disbelieving folk) to the Cave. They said: "Our Lord! Bestow on us mercy
from Yourself, and facilitate for us our affair in the right way!"
Therefore, We covered up their (sense of) hearing (causing them to go in
deep sleep) in the Cave for a number of years. Then We raised them up
(from their sleep), that We might test which of the two parties was best
at calculating the time period that they had tarried. We narrate unto
you (0 Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) their story with
The reason behind the revelation of these verses and those relating the story of Dhul-Qarnain was cited by Muhammad Ibn Ishaq in his biography of the Prophet: that the people of Quraish sent to the Jews asking them for things to test the Prophet (Peace be upon him) with. The Jews said: ask him about a group of people who disappeared in the past and none has any knowledge about them; about a man who traveled through the land; and about Ar-Ruh (the Spirit). Thereupon, Almighty Allah revealed His Statement, {And they ask you (0 Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) concerning the Ruh (the Spirit); Say: "The Ruh (the Spirit) is one of the things, the knowledge of which is only with my Lord. And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little"} (Al-Isra', 85) and, {And they ask you about Dhul- Qarnain. Say (0 Muhammad (Peace be upon him)): "I shall recite to you something of his story"} (Al-Kahf, 83) and here He says: {Do you think that the people of the Cave and "Ar-Raqim" the Inscription (the news or the names of the people of the Cave) were a wonder among Our Signs?}, i.e. they are not more amazing than what We have given you of the great news, astonishing signs and gigantic wonders. However, a cave is a hole in the mountain. Mentioned Shu' aib AlJiba'i: their cave was called "Haizam". As for "Ar-Raqim", Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I do not know what it means! Some scholars such as Ibn Jarir and others said: it is the record where their news and names are written thereafter. It was also said: it is the name of the mountain their cave was in. However, many other things were said pertaining to this, but the knowledge thereof rests only with Allah the Almighty Who knows the best! Shu'aib Al-Jiba'i said: their dog was called "Himran".
The fact that the Jews knew about them nullifies the claim of some
interpreters that they were after Jesus (Peace be upon him) and that
they were Christians. However, it is clear
Allah the Almighty says: {And their dog stretching forth his two forelegs at the entrance [of the Cave or in the space near to the entrance of the Cave (as a guard at the gate)]}, i.e. their dog which accompanied them when they abandoned their people did not enter the cave with them, instead, it stayed at the entrance stretching forth his two forelegs thereat. This is for it was highly disciplined and also as a sign of honor to them because the angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog. Thus, the dog was blessed because he was in their company. However, many tales and narrations were invented with regard to the dog's name and color.
Scholars differed on the location of this cave. Some of them said: It
is in the land of Aylah (i.e. Jerusalem). Others said: It is in the
land of Ninawa. And others said: it is in the Sham (Syrian territories)
which is more proper and Allah knows best![1] After Allah the Almighty
gave us perfect and complete description of them and made us as seeing
them, He said: {Had you looked at them, you would certainly have turned
back from them in flight, and would certainly have been filled with awe
of them}, i.e. because of the dignity and loftiness of their appearance.
The addressed her is not only Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) but
also all mankind because it is a human nature to feel awe when seeing a
magnificent or dignified thing. Then, Allah the Almighty awakened them
(from their long deep sleep) after three-hundred and nine years; then a
As for the people of the city, it was said that they could not see their place in the cave. Or, they could not enter the cave because of their cowardice, or feeling their lofty dignity. However, they (the people of the city) disputed among themselves about their case, some of them said: {Construct a building over them}, i.e. block the cave's gate to prevent them from getting out or anyone from touching them with harm. But, those who won their point said: that will be blessed because its nearness to these righteous and godly people. This was common in the previous eras and periods prior to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). But, Islam rejects this deed (building places of worship over the graves of anyone even if it is a Prophet): the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "May Allah curse the Jews and Christians for they built the places of worship at the graves of their Prophets." The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was warning (Muslims) against what the previous nations used to do with the graves of their pious people.
Then, He says: {(Some) say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them,' and (others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth, guessing at the unseen,' (yet others) say they were seven, and the dog being the eighth}, as Allah cited the dispute of the people among themselves as to their number. He cited three sayings, the first two He refuted and the third He stated, a matter which indicates that the third is the true one. However, Allah guided His Prophet (Peace be upon him) to the good manners to be followed in such a case: that one should say "Allah knows best!" For this, Allah the Almighty says: {My Lord knows best their number}.
His Statement: {None knows them but a few}, from among the people. (So debate not (about their number) except with the clear proof (which We have revealed to you)}, i.e. an easy debate and do not exert yourself in such matters. {And consult not any of them (people of the Scripture -Jews and Christians) about (the affair oj) the people of the Cave}, as He concealed their number from the very beginning of the story, saying: {Truly they were young men who believed in their Lord (Allah)}. (Al-Kahf, 13) So, if there was any benefit in mentioning their number, Allah the Almighty would certainly revealed it to us from the very beginning!
Allah the Almighty says: {And never say of anything, "I shall do such
and such thing tomorrow." Except (with the saying), "if Allah will!"
And remember your Lord when you forget and say: "It may be that my Lord
guides me unto a nearer way of truth than this "}, this is a great and
high moral lesson taught by Allah the Almighty that when anyone wishes
to do something, he should say "If Allah wills", because man cannot know
what is hidden with Allah for tomorrow or for the future. Abu Hurairah
(May Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Prophet (Peace be upon
him) as saying that "Sulaiman lbn Dawud, the Messenger of Allah,
observed: I will have an intercourse with seventy wives during the
night; all of them will give birth to a male child who will fight in the
cause of
Allah the Almighty says: {And remember your Lord when you forget}, for forgetting may be caused by the Devil, and remembering Allah gets the Devil out of one's heart and thus he remembers what he has forgotten. {And say: "It may be that my Lord guides me unto a nearer way of truth than this"}, i.e. if there were controversies and disputes about something, one should resort to Allah Who can facilitate it and make it so easy. Then, Allah the Almighty says: {And they stayed in their Cave three hundred (solar) years, adding nine}, i.e. for lunar years. {Say: Allah knows best how long they stayed}, i.e. if you are asked about this and you do not know exactly the answer, you should only attribute the matter to Allah the Almighty {With Him is (the knowledge on the Unseen of the heavens and the earth}, i.e. He knows the Unseen and gives knowledge thereof to none but Whom He wishes from among His creatures; {How clearly He sees, and hears (everything)!}, i.e. He puts everything in its proper place with His Perfect Knowledge and Justice. Then, He says: {They have no Wali (Helper, Disposer of affairs, Protector) other than Him, and He makes none to share in His Decision and His Rule}, i.e. He is the only Disposer of affairs and He is the King Who rules over everything.
[1] On the sixties, an archeologist called Muhammad Tayseer Zabyan discovered a cave in Jordan, six miles away from Amman, in a region called" Ar-Rajeeb" whose description goes with that which is mentioned in the verses. The great scholar, Abu Al-A' la Al-Maududi visited it and agreed with many scholars who viewed the same opinion. And, I myself visited it in 1986. (Majdi M. Ash-Shahawi)
Allah the Almighty says:
{And put forward to them the example of two men: unto one of them We
had given two gardens of grapes, and We had surrounded both with
date-palms; and had put between them green crops (cultivated fields).
Each of those two gardens brought forth its produce, and failed not in
the least therein, and We caused a river to gush forth in the midst of
them. And he had property (or fruit) and he said to his companion, in
the course of mutual talk: "I am more than you in wealth and stronger in
respect of men."
Some scholars said: This is a mere example that has not necessarily
taken place in real life. But, the majority of scholars hold that it
really took place and happened in this present life of ours. His
Statement, {And put forward to them the example}, i.e. for the
polytheists of Quraish as they wear pride and show arrogance to the weak
and poor. This is like Allah's Statement that reads, {And put forward
to them a similitude: the (story of the) dwellers of the town, [it is
said that the town was Antioch (Antakiya)], when there came Messengers
to them}. (Ya-Sin, 13) It is well-known that one of these two men was a
believer, while the other was a disbeliever. It is also said that each
one of them was very rich. The believer spent all his riches and wealth
in the Cause of Allah. Conversely, the disbeliever, though granted
gardens and orchards (of which are the two gardens mentioned in the
Glorious Qur'an in full details), He diverted from Allah's Path. His two
gardens contained grapes and date-palms surrounding his plants and
grapes, along with overflowing rivers and water streams running
everywhere along with his property. The fruits of his trees and plants
were numerous and countless (only by Allah's Grace), and the sight of
his gardens was very pleasant. However, the owner of the two gardens
Then, the disbeliever said: {And I think not the Hour will ever
come}, as he put his perfect trust in the vain pleasures of this life of
ours and belied the existence of the everlasting Hereafter. Then, he
said: {and if indeed I am brought back to my Lord, (on the Day of
Resurrection), I surely shall find better than this when I return to
Him}, i.e. if there is indeed a Hereafter and a Last Day, he will find
there better than what he has been given in the present life. As he was
deceived by what he was given and thought that Allah the Almighty
granted him all these blessings because He loves him and favors him to
other people. The same was said by Al-'As Ibn Wa'il in His Saying: {Have
you seen him who disbelieved in Our Ayat (this Qur'an and Muhammad
(Peace be upon him) and said: "I shall certainly be given wealth and
children [if I will be alive (again)]." Has he known the Unseen or has
he taken a covenant from the Most Gracious (Allah)?} (Maryam, 77, 78).
And, Almighty Allah says pertaining to the one He granted with
blessings, {And truly, if We give him a taste of mercy from Us, after
some adversity (severe poverty or disease, etc.) has touched him, he is
sure to say: "This is due to my (merit); I think not that the Hour will
be established. But if I am brought back to my Lord, surely, here will
be for me the best (wealth) with Him "} (Fussilat, 50) and, {Then, We
verily, will show to the disbelievers what they have done, and We shall
make them taste a severe torment} (Fussilate, 50), and Qarun (Korah)
said, {This has been given to me only because of the knowledge I
possess}. (Al-Qasas, 78) i.e. for Allah knows that I deserve it. But,
Allah the Almighty says: {Did he not know that Allah had destroyed
before him generations, men who were stronger than him in might and
greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected? But the Mujrimun
(criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) will not be questioned
of their sins (because Allah knows them well, so they will be punished
without being called to account)}. (Al-Qasas, 78) And, Allah the
Almighty says: {And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring
you nearer to Us (i.e. please Allah), but only he who believes (in the
Islamic Monotheism), and does
When this ignorant was deluded by what he has been given in this present life, he denied the Hereafter and claimed that if it is to be there, he would find that which is better than what he was first given. When his companion (the believing man) heard him saying so, he said to him {during the talk with him}, i.e. during their debate. {Do you disbelieve in Him Who created you out of dust (i.e. your father Adam), then out of Nutfah (mixed semen drops of male and female discharge), then fashioned you into a man?}, i.e. do you disbelieve in the Day of Resurrection while you know that He, Allah, is Him Who created you out of dust, then out of Nutfah, then fashioned you in stages till you became a sound and well-erected man with hearing, sight, understanding and organs you transgress with! Then, how could you deny the Resurrection while you know that Allah is capable of creating you out of nothingness. {But as for my part, (I believe) that He is Allah, my Lord}, i.e. I believe in other than what you believe in or even think of. As {(I believe) that He is Allah, my Lord, and none shall I associate as partner with my Lord}, i.e. I do not worship other than Him and I believe in that He will resurrect the dead and gather the scattered and rotten bones together, and I know that there is no partner with Allah in His Dominion or creation, and that there is no god but Him.
Then, he guided him towards what should have been said upon entering the garden saying: {It was better for you to say, when you entered your garden: 'That which Allah wills (will come to pass)! There is no power but with Allah!'}, for this, it is better for anyone who becomes admirer of any of his wealth, household, children or status, he should say these words: (That which Allah wills (will come to pass)! There is no power but with Allah!).
Then, the believer said to the disbeliever: {If you see me less than
you in wealth, and children. It may be that my Lord will give me
something better than your garden}, i.e. in the Hereafter. {And will
send on it Husban (torment, bolt) from the sky}, i.e. torment or heavy
rain that uproots its trees and plants, {then it will be a slippery
earth}, i.e. soft dust that does not grow plants or anything. {Or the
water thereof (of the gardens) becomes deep-sunken (underground)} that
is opposite to the overflowing water, {so that
(a) One should not sell himself out to the luxuries of this present life of ours and should not be deluded thereof. Moreover, one should trust what is in Allah's Hand more than what is in his own hand. One should put his entire trust in Allah Alone. Obedience of Allah should be one's first and final goal. Anyone who prefers anything to Allah and His obedience surely will be tormented thereof. (b) One should whole-heartedly accept the advice of his compassionate brother, as in rejecting his counselor advice there rests complete destruction and perfect ruin. (c) Regretting goes in vain if the Divine Decree is already done.
Allah the Almighty says:
{Verily, We have tried them as We tried the people of the garden,
when they swore to pluck the fruits of the (garden) in the morning.
Without saying: Insha'Allah (If Allah wills). Then there passed by on
the (garden) a visitation (fire) from your Lord at night and burnt it
while they were asleep. So the (garden) became black by the morning,
like a pitch dark night (in complete ruins). Then they called out one to
another as soon as the
This is an example set by Allah the Almighty for the polytheists of Quraish as He favored them with sending the honorable and great Prophet, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), but they belied him and rejected what he had brought them. Almighty Allah, says: {Have you not seen those who have changed the Blessings of Allah into disbelief (by denying Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his Message of Islam), and caused their people to dwell in the house of destruction? Hell, in which they will burn, -and what an evil place to settle in!}. (Ibrahim, 28, 29) Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: They are the polytheists of Quraish whom were likened to the people of the garden that contained various fruits and plants that were ripe and the time of their harvesting has come. Thus, He, Glory be His, says: {When they swore} secretly {to pluck the fruits of the (garden)} i.e. to harvest it; {in the morning} in order not to be seen by either a poor, or a needy and be forced to donate to or give them any of its fruits. So, they swore to this without saying "If Allah wills". Consequently, Allah the Almighty disabled them and sent over their garden fire that burnt it and left nothing thereof. He, Glory be His, says: {Then, there passed by on the (garden) a visitation (fire) from your Lord at night and burnt it while they were asleep. So the (garden) became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (in complete ruins)}.
Allah the Almighty says: {Then they called out one to another as soon
as the morning broke}, i.e. they got up in the morning and they called
out one to another saying: {Go to your tilth in the morning, if you
would pluck the fruits}, i.e. go early to your garden and pluck the
fruits before the poor and needy persons come to ask you for charity.
The story
`Ikrimah and Ash-Shu`abi said: {And they went in the morning with strong intention}, i.e. rage and bad intention against the poor. {But when they saw the (garden), i.e. when they reached their garden and found what had happened to it, upon this {they said: Verily, we have gone astray}, i.e. we have lost our way to our own garden, then they said: {Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!}, i.e. we have been punished because of our bad intentions and were deprived of the blessing of our tilth.
And, {the best among them said} Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him), Mujahid and others said: He was the best and the most moderate and just one among them all. {Did I not tell you: why say you not: Insha'Allah (If Allah wills)}, it was said: To say a good word instead of what you have intended. {They said: "Glory to Our Lord!
Verily, we have been Zalimun (wrong-doers)." Then they turned one against another, blaming. They said: "Woe to us! Verily, we were Taghun (transgressors and disobedient)}, they regretted and showed sorrow when both could do them nothing, and they confessed their sinful deed after they had been punished and all that went in vain.
It was said: That they were brothers and they inherited that garden from their late father who used to give much and much in charity. But, when they possessed the garden they denied the acting of their late father and intended to deprive the poor of its fruits. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty punished them and gave them the severest of penalties. For this, Allah the Almighty commanded that charity must be taken out of fruits and it is preferably to be paid on the day of harvesting. He says: {Eat of their fruit when they ripen, but pay the due thereof (its Zakah, according to Allah's Orders l/lOth or 1/20th) on the day of its harvest}. (Al-An'am, 141)
It was said: They were from the Yemen, from a town called "Darwan". It was also said: They were from Abyssinia. Allah knows best!
Allah the Almighty says: {Such is the punishment}, i.e. like this We punish whose who disobey Our Command and does not show kindness to the needy from among Our creatures. {But truly the punishment of the Hereafter is greater} than that of the present life {if they but knew}.
{And ask them (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) about the town that was by the sea; when they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday): when their fish came to them openly on the Sabbath day, and did not come to them on the day they had no Sabbath. Thus We made a trial of them, for they used to rebel against Allah's Command (disobey Allah). And when a community among them said: "Why do you preach to a people whom Allah is about to destroy or to punish with q severe torment?" (The preachers) said: "in order to be free from guilt before your Lord (Allah), and perhaps they may fear Allah." So when they forgot the remindings that had been given to them, We rescued those who forbade evil, but We seized those who did wrong with a severe torment because they used to rebel against Allah's Command (disobey Allah). So when they exceeded the limits of what they were prohibited, We said to them: "Be you monkeys, despied and rejected"}. (Al-A' rat, 163-166)
And, {And indeed you knew those amongst you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday). We said to them: "Be you monkeys, despised and rejected." So We made this punishment an example to their own and to succeeding generations and a lesson to those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious)}. (Al-Baqarah, 65, 66)
And, {Or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers}. (An-Nisa', 47)
'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid,' Ikrimah, Qatadah, As-Sadiy and others
said: they were the people of Aylah. Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased
with him) added: it was located
Allah the Almighty says: {So when they forgot the remindings that had been given to them}, i.e. were heedless towards the godly preachers, {We rescued those who forbade evil}, i.e. the preaching sect, but {We seized those who did wrong}, i.e. doers of the sinful deed, {with a severe torment}, i.e. a painful punishment, {because they used to rebel against Allah's Command (disobey Allah)}. Then, Allah explained the torment that befell them saying, {So when they exceeded the limits of what they were prohibited, We said to them: "Be you monkeys, despised and rejected}.
It should be noted here that the third group were not mentioned with those given salvation even though they despised the sinful deed, with their hearts, because they should have compelled their organs (hand or tongue) to act thereupon and declare their rejection of the wrongdoers' act. So, they were saved with the preachers because they themselves did not commit the sinful deed, rather they rejected it with their hearts.
Narrated 'Abdur Razzaq after Juraij after a man (whose name is not known) after 'Ikrimah after Ibn 'Abbas; and Malik transmitted from Ibn Ruman, Shaiban, Qatadah and 'Ata 'Al-Kharasani what means: Those who committed the sinful deed were abandoned by the rest of the people of the town. Some of them declared their rejection and denial of their deed. They did not listen to the preachers. Afterwards, they used to stay the night apart from the rest of the people of the town and there were doors or barriers between them and the rest of the people who were anticipating the befalling of punishment over them. One day, their doors did not open till the noon. The people got anxious and sent one of them to see what happened to them from above the barrier. When he looked he found them turned into monkeys with tails, shouting. They opened the doors (barrier) and the monkeys recognized their relatives while their relatives could not recognize them. Thereupon, the preachers said: Did not we forbid you from doing this? The monkeys made a sign with their heads denoting: Yes. Then, 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) wept and said: verily, we see many wrong-doings which we do not reject or deny or even make a comment!
Narrated Al-'Ufi after Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) saying: the young men of the town were turned into monkeys, while the old men into pigs. Moreover, Ibn Abu Hatim narrated from MujaQid after Ibn 'Abbas his saying: they did not live long and they left no offspring. Also, Ad-pahhaq narrated from Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him): no monster has lived more than three days. In addition, they did not eat, drink or leave offspring.
Allah the Almighty says:
{And indeed We bestowed upon Luqman AI-Hikmah (wisdom and religious
understanding) saying: "Give thanks to Allah."And whoever gives thanks,
he gives thanks for (the good of) his own self. And whoever is
unthankful, then verily, Allah is All-Rich (Free of all needs), Worthy
of all praise. And (remember) when Luqman said to his son when he was
advising him: "O my son! Join not in worship others with Allah. Verily,
joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed. And
We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His
mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and
his weaning is in two years -give thanks to Me and to our parents. Unto
Me is the final destination. But if they (both) strive with you to make
you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge,
then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly, and
follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in
obedience.Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you
used to do. "O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a
grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or
in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Verily, Allah is Subtle (in
bringing out that grain), Well-Aware (of its place). "O my son!
Aqim-As-Salat (perform As-Salat), enjoin (on people) AlMa'ruf (Islamic
Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar
(i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists of all kinds and
all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever befalls you.
Verily, these are some of the important commandments (ordered by Allah
with no exemption). "And turn not your face away from men with pride,
nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not any
arrogant boaster." "And be moderate (or show no insolence)
He is Luqman Ibn 'Anqa' Ibn Sadun. Or, as stated by As-Suhaili from Ibn Jarir and Al-Qutaibi that he is Luqman Ibn Tharan who was from among the people of Aylah (Jerusalem).
He was a pious man who exerted himself in worship and who was blessed with wisdom. Also, it is said that he was a judge during the lifetime of Prophet Dawud (Peace be upon him). And, Allah knows best.
Narrated Sufyan Ath-Thawri from Al-Ash'ath after 'Ikrimah on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) as saying: He was an Ethiopian slave who worked as a carpenter. Qatadah narrated from' Abdullah Ibn Az-Zubair as saying: I asked Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah about Luqman. He said: "He was short with a flat nose. He was from Nubia"
Narrated Yahia Ibn Sa' id Al-Ansari after Sa' id Ibn Al-Musayib his saying: Luqman belonged to the black men of Egypt. He had thick lips and Allah the Almighty granted him wisdom but not Prophethood. AlAwza'i said: I was told by 'Abdur Rahman Ibn Harmalah: that a black man came to Sa' id Ibn AI-Musayib asking him for charity. Sa' id said: do not feel distressed for your black color because there were from among the best of all people three blackmen: Bilal Ibn Rabah, Mahja' (the freed-slave of 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab), and Luqman, the wise who was black, from Nubia and whose lips were thick.
Narrated Al-A'mash after Mujahid: Luqman was a black huge slave, thick-lipped, and cracked-footed. 'Umar Ibn Qais said: "Luqman was a black slave, thick-lipped and cracked-footed. It happened while he was preaching some people, a man came to him and said: aren't you the one who used to look after the sheep with me at such and such place? Luqman said: yes, I am! The man said: then, what made you of that position? Luqman said: telling the truth and keeping silent regarding what does not concern me." (This Hadith was narrated by Ibn J arir after lbn Hamid after Al-Hakam)
Ibn Abu Hatim said: I was told by Abu Zar' ah that he was told by
Safwan after Al-W alid after 'Abdur Rahman Ibn Abu Yazid Ibn Jabir who
said: "Allah the Almighty raised Luqman's status for his wisdom. A man
used to know him saw him and said: Aren't you the slave of so and so who
used to look after my sheep not so long in the past? Luqman said: yes!
The man said: What raised you to this high state I see? Luqman said: the
Narrated Ibn Wahb: I was told by 'Abdullah Ibn 'Ayyash Al-Fityani after' Umar, the freed slave of 'Afrah as saying: "A man came to Luqman, the wise and asked: Are you Luqman? Are you the slave of so and so? He said: "Yes!" The man said: You are the black shepherd! Luqman said: As for my black color, it is obviously apparent, so what makes you so astonished? The man said: You became frequently visited by the people who pleasingly accept your judgments! Luqman said: 0 cousin! If you do what I am telling you, you will be like this. The man said: What is it? Luqman said: Lowering my gaze, watching my tongue, eating what is lawful, keeping my chastity, undertaking my promises, fulfilling my commitments, being hospitable to guests, respecting my neighbors, and discarding what does not concern me. All these made me the one you are looking at."
One day Abu Ad-Darda' mentioned Luqman the wise and said: He was not granted wisdom because of wealth, children, lineage, or given habits, but he was self-restrained, taciturn, deep-thinking, and he never slept during the day. In addition, no one has ever seen him spitting, clearing his throat, squeezing the lemon, answering the call of nature, bathing, observing trivialities, or foolishly laughing. He was very eloquent and well-versed. He did not weep or cry when all his children died. Finally, he used to frequent the princes and men of authority to mediate and think thoroughly and find admonition. So, because of all these he was granted that great wisdom.
Some people claimed that he was offered Prophethood, and that he feared not to be able to carry out its requirements and obligations. Thus, he chose to have wisdom for it is easier -this cannot be totally true -and Allah knows best! 'Ikrimah also narrated that: Luqman was a Prophet.1
1This narration is very weak for the sub-narrator, Al-Ja' fi is mentioned by Imams Al-Bukhari and An-Nasa'i among the Weak Narrators.
However, the majority of scholars are of the view that he was a wise
man and not a Prophet. Moreover, he was mentioned in the Glorious Qur'an
and was highly praised by Allah the Almighty Who narrates his advice to
his own son in which he says: {O my son! Join not in worship others
with Allah. Verily, joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm
(wrong) indeed}, so he forbade his son and warned him against joining
others in worship with Allah. Imam Al-Bukhari said: I was told by
Qutaibah after Jarir
Then, Allah informs us of His advice to mankind to take care of parents. He states their rights on the children and orders us to be kind with them even if they were polytheists. But, one should not obey them if they invite him to join others in worship with Allah. Then Allah resumes Luqman's advice to his son saying: {O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Verily, Allah is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well-Aware (of its place)}, i.e. he forbids him to do wrong to the people even in the slightest way, for Allah will bring it forth and bring him to account on the Day of Resurrection. Allah Almighty says: {Surely! Allah wrongs not even of the weight of an atom (or a small ant)} (An-Nisa', 40) and, {And We shall set up balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And Sufficient are We to take account} (Al-Anbiya', 47) and, he told him if that wrong deed was equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, or if it was in a solid rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth for He knows its exact place, {Verily, Allah is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well-Aware (of its place)}. Allah Almighty also says: {And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record} (Al-An'am, 59) and, {And there is nothing hidden in the heaven and the earth but it is in a Clear Book (i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz)} (An-Naml, 75) and, {the All-Knower of the Unseen, it will come to you; not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant) or less than that or greater escapes His Knowledge in .the heavens or in the earth but it is in a Clear Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz)} (Saba', 3).
As-Sadiy claimed that the rock mentioned in the Verse is that which lies beneath the
Allah the Almighty says: {nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not any arrogant boaster}, here, Luqman forbids his son to strut in his walk. Allah the Almighty says: {And walk not on the earth with conceit and arrogance. Verily, you can neither rend nor penetrate the earth, nor can you attain a stature like the mountains in height}. (Al-Isra', 37) i.e. you will neither be able to tread the whole earth, nor penetrate it with your fast walking or strong footsteps, nor will you be as high as mountains with your showing-off or arrogance. So, know yourself well, for you are only a human being (created to worship Allah Alone). The Prophetic Hadith states: "While a man was walking, dragging his dress with pride, he was caused to be swallowed by the earth and will go on sinking in it till the Day of Resurrection." (Transmitted by Imam Al-Bukhari in his Sahih) Another Prophetic Hadith states that: "Beware dragging your dress with pride, for this is boastfulness which is not loved (liked) by Allah " Allah the Almighty says: {Verily, Allah likes not any arrogant boaster}.
After Luqman forbids his son to walk boastfully, he orders him to be
moderate in his walking, saying: {And be moderate (or show no insolence)
in your walking}, i.e. do not walk fast or too slow, rather take a
course in-between, {And the (faithful) slaves of the Most Gracious
(Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and
Narrated Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "When you hear the crowing of cocks, ask for Allah's Blessings for (their crowing indicates that) they have seen an angel. And when you hear the braying of donkeys, seek Refuge with Allah from Satan for (their braying indicates) that they have seen a Satan." (Transmitted by Imam Al-Bukhari in his Sahih). For this, it is forbidden to raise one's voice needlessly. But, raising the voice with the Adhan (the Call to Prayer) and in the battlefield is permitted.
These are the pieces of advice given by Luqman to his son that are mentioned in the Glorious Qur'an. Many others have been mentioned in a book titled Hikmat Luqman (Luqman's Wisdom). From this valuable book, we cite the following: Narrated Imam Ahmed that Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with both of them) said: We were told by
Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) that: "Luqman, the wise used to say: If anything was entrusted to Allah, He would preserve it."[1]
[1] This narration has a weak sub-narrator in its chain, i.e. Qaz'ah Ibn Suwaid Ibn Hujair AI-Bahili (as mentioned in An-Nasa'i's Weak and Rejected Narrators) Narrated Ibn Hatim that Al-Qasim Ibn Mukhaimirah reported that Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: "Luqman said to his son when he was advising him: "0 my son! Beware of masking for it is treason by night and dispraise during the day. "
Narrated Damurah after As-Sariy Ibn Yahia as saying: Luqman said to his son: "On my son! Verily, wisdom has brought the indigent to the courts of kings. "
I was told by my father after 'Abdah lbn Sulaiman after Ibn Al-Mubarak after 'Abdur Rahman Al-Mas' udi after 'Aun Ibn 'Abdullah as saying: Luqman said to his son: "0 my son! If you come to a people's setting, start them with salutation (Saying As-Salamu 'Alaikum (Peace be with you)), then, take a side and do not utter a word till they speak. If you find them observing the Remembrance of Allah, join them. But, if they observe anything else, turn away from them and seek others (who remember Allah Almighty). "
I was told by my father after 'Amr Ibn 'Uthman after Damurah Ibn Hafs Ibn 'Umar as
Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "Take care of the black men for three from among them are of the people of Paradise: Luqman the wise, Negus and Bilal (the Caller to Prayer)." (However, this Hadith is odd and rejected).
Imam Ahmed, in his book Az-Zuhd (Asceticism), mentioned Luqman' s biography and many other valuable things. He said: I was told by Waki' after Sufyan after an unidentified man after Mujahid as saying: Allah's Statement: {And indeed We bestowed upon Luqman Al - Hikmah}, i.e. wisdom and religious understanding. He added: he was not a Prophet. The same was narrated by Wahb Ibn Munabih.
Waki' told us after Sufyan after Ash'ath after 'Ikrimah after Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) that he said: Luqman was an Ethiopian slave.
Aswad told us after Hammad after 'Ali Ibn Yazid after Sa'id Ibn Al- Musaiyb as saying: Luqman was a tailor.
Saiyar told us after Ja'far after Malik Ibn Dinar as saying: Luqman said to his son: "0 my son! Take Allah's Obedience as your trade, and you will gain profits without having any merchandises."
Yazid told us after Abul Ashhab after Muhammad Ibn Wasi' as saying: Luqman said to his son: "0 my son! Fear Allah and do not let the people notice that you fear Him to gain honor (from them) while your heart is sinful."
Yazid Ibn Hamn and Waki' told us after Abul AShhab after Khalid
ArRab'i as saying: "Luqman was an Ethiopian slave who worked as a
carpenter. One day, his master ordered him to slaughter a goat and bring
him the most pleasant and delicious two parts thereof. Luqman did so
and brought him the tongue and heart. The master asked: Did not you find
anything more pleasant than these? Luqman said: No! After a while, the
master ordered him to slaughter a goat and to throw the most malignant
two parts thereof. Luqman slaughtered the goat and threw the tongue and
heart. The master exclaimed and said: I ordered you to bring me the most
delicious parts thereof and you brought me the tongue and heart, and I
ordered you to throwaway the most malignant parts thereof and you threw
the tongue and heart, how can this be? Luqman said:
Dawud Ibn Rashid told us after Ibn Al-Mubarak after Mu'amir after Abu 'Uthman, a man from Basrah, as saying: Luqman said to his son: "0 my son! Do not wish for befriending a fool that he may think you approve his foolishness. And, do not take the wise man's rage easily that he may abstain from you."
Dawud Ibn Usaid told us after Isma'il Ibn 'Ayyash after Damdam Ibn Zar'ah after Shuraih Ibn 'Ubaid Al-Hadrami after 'Abdullah Ibn Zaid as saying: Luqman said: "Verily, Allah's Hand is on the mouths of wise men; none of them speaks but with what Allah assigned for him."
'Abdur Razzaq told us that he heard Ibn Juraij as saying: I used to mask my head at night and `Umar said to me: Did not you hear that Luqman had said: masking during the day is humiliation and at night is dispraise. So, why do you mask yourself at night? He said: "Luqman was not indebted."
I was told by Hasan after Al-Junaid after Sufyan as saying: Luqman said to his son: "0 my son! I have never regretted because of keeping silent. If words are silver, silence is golden."
I was told by 'Abdul Samad and Waki' after Abul Ashhab after Qatadah as saying: Luqman said to his son: "0 my son! Set apart with evil and it will set apart with you, for evil begets nothing but evil."
Narrated Imam Ahmed: I was told by 'Abdur Rahman Ibn Mahdi after Nafi' Ibn 'Umar after Ibn Abu Malikah after 'Ubaid Ibn 'Umair as saying: Luqman said to his son when he was advising him: "0 my son! Choose between gatherings (of people) precisely! If you find a gathering in which Allah is mentioned, sit yourself with them. Thus, if you are knowledgeable, your knowledge will benefit you; but, if you are ignorant, they will teach you; and if Allah wishes to do them good, you will be benefited therewith. 0 my son! Do not sit in a gathering in which Allah is not mentioned! Because if you are knowledgeable, your knowledge will not benefit you; and if you are ignorant, they will add to your ignorance; and if Allah wishes to afflict them with harm, you will be afflicted with them. 0 my son! Do not rejoice at seeing a strong man who sheds the blood of the faithful, for Allah appoints for him a killer that does not ever die."
`Abdur Razzaq told us after Mu'amir after Ayyub after Abu Qulabah as saying: Luqman was once asked: Who is the best one in terms of patience? He said: It is the one who practices no harm after observing patience. Those who asked him said: Who is the best one in terms of knowledge? He said: It is he who adds to his own knowledge through the knowledge of others. They asked: Who is the best from among the whole people? He said: It is the wealthy. They said: Is it the one who has properties and riches? He said: No! But, it is the one if whose good was sought, he would not hold it back or prevent it. And, it is the one who does not need anything from others.
Narrated Sufyan Ibn 'Uyaynah: Luqman was asked: Who is the worst of all people? He replied: It is the one who does not feel shame if found committing a sinful deed.
Abu As-Samad told us after Malik Ibn Dianr as saying: I found some pieces of-wisdom as follows: "Allah Almighty scatters and wastes the bones of those who give religious opinions that go with the people's lusts and desires." And, "There is no good for you that you learn something new while you do not practice what you have learnt previously. This is like a man who gathere.d a pile of dry wood, then tried to carry it but couldn't. Thereupon, he collected a second one."
'Abdullah Ibn Ahmed said: I was told by Al-Hakam Ibn Abu Zuhair Ibn Musa after Al-Faraj Ibn Fudalah after Abu Sa'id as saying: Luqman said to his son: "0 my son! Let only the pious men eat your food, and consult the scholars over your affairs." These were what Imam Ahmed quoted from the wisdom of Luqman, and I added some that he did not transmit and indeed, he -Imam Ahmed -quoted things that I did not. And, Allah knows best!
Ibn Abu Hatim said: I was told by my father after Al-'Abbas Ibn Al-
Walid after Zaid Ibn Yahya Ibn 'Ubaid Al-Khuza'i after Sa'id Ibn Bashir
after Qatadah as saying: Allah Almighty enabled Luqman to choose between
Prophethood and wisdom and he
Sa'id said: I heard Qatadah as saying: It was said to Luqman: How did you prefer wisdom to Prophethood when you were enabled to choose between them? He said: If Allah were to assign me with Prophethood, I would accept it and try hard to win His Pleasure, but He enabled me to choose. I feared of being too weak for Prophethood, so I chose wisdom.
This narration is not perfectly authentic or sound for that sub-narrator, Sa' id Ibn Bashir, is not a trustworthy one. However, many from among our earlier scholars, foremost among whom were: Mujahid, Sa'id Ibn Al-Musayyb and Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) were of the viewpoint that Allah's Statement that reads: {And indeed We bestowed upon Luqman Al-Hikmah (wisdom)}, means: discretion and religious understanding. Thereupon, he was not a Prophet and nothing has been revealed to him Al-Wahi (Divine Inspiration).
Allah the Almighty says:
{By the heaven holding the big stars. And by the Promised Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And by the Witnessing day (i.e. Friday), and by .the Witnessed day (i.e. the Day of 'Arafat (Hajj) the ninth of Dhul- Hijjah]. Cursed were the people of the Ditch (in the story of the Boy and the King). Of fire fed with fuel. When they sat by it (fire). And they witnessed what they were doing against the believers (i.e. burning them). And they had no fault except that they believed in Allah, the All- Mighty, Worthy of all Praise! To Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth! And Allah is Witness over everything. Verily, those who put into trial the believing men and believing women (by torturing them and burning them), and then do not turn in repentance (to Allah), then they will have the torment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the burning Fire}. (Al-Buruj, 1-10)
Muhammad Ibn Ishaq claimed that they lived after the advent of Jesus
(Peace be upon him), but other scholars disagreed with him claiming them
to live before him (Peace be upon him). However, many scholars
mentioned that this incident was repeated more than once. There is a
Prophetic Hadith narrating the story of those mentioned in the Glorious
Qur'an. Imam Ahmed said: I was told by Harnrnad Ibn Salamah after Thabit
Some scholars claimed that the incident of the ditch was recurred or repeated in the past more than once. Ibn Abu Hatim said: I was told by my father after Abul Yaman after Safwan Ibn 'Abdur Rahman Ibn Jubair as saying: the incident of the ditch took place in the Yemen during the lifetime of Tubba'. And, it took place in Constantinople during the lifetime of Constantine who set the fires in which he threw the Christians who were sticking to the religion of Jesus (Islamic Monotheism). It also took place in Iraq, in the land of Babylon during the lifetime of Bikhtinassar who erected an idol and ordered the people to prostrate themselves before it. Daniel, 'Izrya and Mashayl refused and thereupon, he set a great fire and threw them into it. However, Allah Almighty saved them from the fire and caused the nine men who transgressed over them to fell into the fire they themselves made.
Concerning Allah's Statement that reads: {Cursed were the people of the Ditch}, As-Sadiy said: There were three ditches: one in Sham (Syria), another in Iraq, and the third in the Yemen. (Narrated by Ibn Abu Hatim)
Allah the Almighty says in His Glorious Qur'an:
{(Their allies deceived them) like Shaitan (Satan), when he says to man: "Disbelieve in Allah." But when (man) disbelieves in Allah, Shaitan (Satan) says: "I am free of you, I fear Allah, the Lord of the `Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!" So the end of both will be that they will be in the Fire, abiding therein. Such is the recompense of the Zalimun (i.e. polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers in Allah and in His Oneness)}. (Al-Hashr, 16, 17)
Ibn J arir said that 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud interpreted the Qur'anic Verse that reads: {(Their allies deceived them) like Shaitan (Satan), when he says to man: "Disbelieve in Allah." But when (man) disbelieves in Allah, Shaitan (Satan) says: "I am free of you, I fear Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!" So the end of both will be that they will be in the Fire, abiding therein. Such is the recompense of the Zalimun (i.e. polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers in Allah and in His Oneness)}. (Al-Hashr, 16, 17)
The same story was narrated by the Leader of the Believers, 'Ali Ibn
Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) in another wording. Ibn Jarir
said: I was told by Khallad Ibn Aslam, on the authority of An-Nadr Ibn
Shamil after Shu'bah, after Abu Ishaq, after 'Abdullah Ibn Nahik saying:
I heard 'Ali as saying: A monk worshipped Allah Alone for sixty years.
Satan exerted himself to seduce him, but could not. He went to a woman
and touched her with evil (maddened her). The woman had brothers whom
were visited by Satan who told them to take her to that monk to receive
treatment and cure. They took her to the monk and he treated her.
Afterwards, she stayed for a while at his cell (house). One day, he was
attracted to her and he committed adultery with her. She got pregnant
and he killed her (to conceal his first crime). Her brothers came (after
knowing the matter) and Satan appeared again for the monk and said: I
am your friend, I did not find a solution or way to mislead you, but
(finally) I set you up. So, obey me and I will save you from this.
Prostrate yourself before me and you will be saved. The monk did so.
Then, Satan said: {"I am free of you, I fear Allah, the Lord of
the`Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)! "} .(Al-Hashr ,16) This
is the interpretation of Allah's Saying: {(Their allies deceived them)
like Shaitan (Satan), when he says to man: "Disbelieve in Allah."
Allah the Almighty says:
{Have you (0 Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) not seen how your Lord dealt with the owners of the Elephant? [The Elephant army which came from Yemen under the command of Abraha Al-Ashram intending to destroy the Ka`bah at Makkah]. Did He not make their plot go astray? And He sent against them birds, in flocks. Striking them with stones of Sijjil (baked clay). And He made them like (an empty field on stalks (of which the corn has been eaten up by cattle)}. (Al-Pil, 1-5)
At -Tabari said: The first one to tame elephants was Ifridun Ibn Athqiyan who killed Ad-Dahhaq. He was the first to use saddle for horses. But, the first one to tame and ride on horses was Tahmuris, the third king on earth. It is also said that Isma'il Ibn Ibrahim (Peace be upon them) was the first to ride horses. It is probably that he was the first one to ride on them from among the Arabs, and Allah knows the best.
It is said: Though the elephant is so huge, he fears from cats. Thereupon, some warlords, during their fight against the Indians, brought some cats to the battlefield the matter that forced the elephants to bolt.
Ibn Ishaq said: the governor or viceroy, Abraha Al-Ashram built a huge and very lofty churcb, and wrote to the king of Abyssinia, Negus that "I have built you a church that is unprecedented, and I am intending to divert pilgrimage from Mecca to Abyssinia " .
Al-Suhaili said: Abraha Al-Ashram subjugated the Yemenites to build
that mean church and forced them to taste several sorts of humiliation.
He used to cut off the hand of the one who comes late for labor till the
sun rises. He took many valuable things from the palace of Bilqis to
add thereto. He took marbles, precious stones, and valuable luggage.
Moreover, he erected gold and silver crosses, built ebony and ivory
pulpits, and raised the church's stature and expanded its width.
Afterwards, when Abraha was killed, whosoever tried to take anything out
of its body or ornaments, the Jinn were reluctant
Ibn Ishaq said: When the Arabs heard of the letter of Abraha sent to Negus, a man from Kinanah got angry. He set out till he reached the church where he urinated on its walls.l No body noticed him, and upon that he returned home safely. The news reached Abraha who asked about the doer. He was answered: this was done by one of those Arabs who perform pilgrimage to the Ka'bah at Mecca when he heard of your declared intention that you would divert pilgrimage from their Sacred House to your (recently-built) church. He (the Arab) got angry and came to excrete therein declaring it to be unqualified (to the event). Upon hearing this, Abraha burst with rage and took oath that he would demolish the Ka'bah. Then, he ordered the Abyssinians (Christians) to get prepared for war. He led a big expedition against Mecca accompanying an elephant or elephants in his train. The Arabs heard of the news and they were terrified, but they decided to fight him when the news was affirmed that he intended to destroy the Sacred House. A man from among the noblemen of Yemen called Dhu Nafar set out for him accompanied with his own clan and those who answered his call to fight against Abraha. The two parties met, Dhu Nafar and his followers were defeated and he himself was taken as a prisoner of 'war. He was then brought before Abraha who was about to kill him, but Dhu Nafar said: "0 king! Don't kill me, I may be of any use to you." Abraha did not kill him and he kept him tied up in custody. Then Abraha went on intending what he set out for. He arrived at the land of Khath'am where he encountered with Nufail Ibn Habib Al- Khath' ami who was leading his two tribes -Shahran and Nahis-along with his followers from among the Arabs. Nufail was defeated and taken as a prisoner of war to be brought before Abraha. Abraha intended to kill him, but Nufail said: "0 king! Don't kill me. I may guide you to the destination you desire. Here you are! My pledge of allegiance. `Abraha set him free and took him as a guide. When they passed by Ta'if, there came to him Mas' ud Ibn Mu' tab Ibn Malik Ibn Ka' b Ibn 'Amr Ibn Sa'd Ibn 'Auf Ibn Thaqif along with his followers who said: "0 king! We are nothing but your slaves, we listen and obey, no hostility is ever there between you and us, and our House is not that which you want -i.e. Al-Lat -you only want the House in Mecca. Hence, we send with you someone who leads you thereto.
1 As a sign of showing anger and mockery.
Ibn Ishaq said: When Abraha arrived at Al-Maghmas, he sent a man
called Al-Aswad Ibn Maqsud with a cavalry dispatch. Al-Aswad seized some
of the Arab's property which included two hundred camels that belonged
to 'Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet's uncle, who was, then, the principal
man among the nobility. Upon this, Quraish, Kinanah and Hudhail decided
to fight against Abraha, but they comprehended that they cannot afford
that and thus quitted the idea. Then, Abraha sent Hanatah Al-Himiari to
Mecca ordering him to ask about the chief of the people and tell him: "I
(the king) did not come to fight against you, I only came to destroy
the Sacred House. If you do not stand in our way, we will not harm any
of you all. `Abraha added to his messenger: 'And if he showed his desire
not. to fight, bring him to me.' When Hanatah entered Mecca, he asked
about its chief and master. He was told: it is 'Abdul Muttalib Ibn
Hashim. He saw him and thus delivered the message. 'Abdul Muttalib said:
"By Allah! We do not intend to fight. Really we cannot afford it. This
is the Sacred House of Allah and His Khalil (friend) Ibrahim (Peace be
upon him), only Him Alone can protect it if He wills to." Upon hearing
this, Hanatah said: "Come with me to meet with him (Abraha), he ordered
me to do so." 'Abdul Muttalib set out for him accompanied with some of
his sons till they approached the camp. He asked about Dhu Nafar who was
a friend of his. He entered upon him in his prison and said: "0 Dhu
Nafar! Can't you do anything for us in this plight of ours?" Dhu Nafar
said: "What can a prisoner do while waiting for death to come either in
the morning of at night? All that 1 can do is to send to the stableman
of the elephant, Anis, who is a friend of mine to recommend you, say a
good word of you, intercede for you before him, and to seek permission
for you to meet with Abraha." 'Abdul Muttalib said: "That's enough with
me." Dhu Nafar sent to Anis saying: Verily,
Ibn Ishaq said: It is said that when 'Abdul Muttalib entered upon Abraha he was accompanied with Ya'mur Ibn Nafa'ah Ibn 'Adiy Ibn Ad-Dail Ibn Bakr Ibn 'Abd Manah Ibn Kinanah the chief of the Banu Bakr tribe and Khuwailid Ibn Wa'ilah the chief of the Hudhail tribe who offered Abraha one-third of the properties of Tihamah district in return for his going back and leaving the Ka'bah alone. But, Abraha refused their offer. Ibn Ishaq added: "I am not certain about the authenticity of this!"
When 'Abdul Muttalib returned home he told the Quraishites about what happened between him and Abraha and ordered them to evacuate Mecca and move to the mountains. Then, he accompanied with some men stood holding the ring of the Ka 'bah' s door invoking Allah and seeking His Aid against Abraha and his troops.
Ibn Ishaq said: then, 'Abdul Muttalib let the door's ring and set out with his companions to the mountains seeking shelter and awaiting for what would happen next. In the morning, Abraha got prepared to enter Mecca, and got his elephant and troops prepared. The elephant's name was Mahmoud. When he was directed towards Mecca, Nufail Ibn Habib came near him and whispered in his ear: Kneel down Mahmoud and go back home safe, you are in Allah's Sacred Town. He let go his ear and the elephant kneeled down.
Nufail Ibn Habib went away and climbed up the mount till he was far and safe. The Abyssinians beat the elephant forcing him to stand up to his feet, but he refused. They hit his head with axe-like weapons, but he refused. They tried their best to force him to stand up to his feet, but they could not. They directed his face back towards the Yemen and he stood up and ran thereto. They directed him towards the Sham (Syria) and then towards the east and he stood up to his feet and ran thereto. They again directed him towards Mecca, but he refused. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty sent upon them birds from the seaside resembling hawks. Each bird held three stones: one in his beak and two in his two legs. The stones were like chick-peas and lentils, and none from among the Abyssinians was hit by a stone, but he was killed. Moreover, the birds did not hit them all. The rest of them fled away seeking the way they first came from and asking about Nufail Ibn Habib to guide them back to Yemen.
Ibn Ishaq said: the Abyssinians fled away while death pursuing them on every path and in every way and Abraha was hit with a stone as well. They carried him and his body began to tear up part after part till they reached San'aa. After a short while, his chest cracked (as claimed by historians) and he died.
Ibn Ishaq said: I have been told by Ya' qub Ibn 'Utbah that that year was the first in which measles, small-box, and bitter trees such as colocynth and African rue appeared in the Arab Peninsula.
Ibn Ishaq said: When Allah the Almighty sent His Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), He reminded the Quraishites with His Grace and Favor bestowed on them through defeating the Abyssinians and defying them saying: {Have you (0 Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) not seen how your Lord dealt with the owners of the Elephant? [The Elephant army which came from Yemen under the command of Abraha Al-Ashram intending to destroy the Ka'bah at Makkah]. Did He not make their plot go astray? And He sent against them birds, (Ababil) in flocks. Striking them with stones of Sijjil (baked clay). And He made them like (an empty field of) stalks (of which the corn has been eaten up by cattle)}.
Then, Ibn Hisham and Ibn Ishaq started to interpret this Surah and
the next stated as follows: Ibn Hisham said: The word "Ababil" means "in
flocks", though the Arabs never
Narrated 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them): Their beaks were like those of the birds and their legs were like those of the dogs. In addition, 'Ikrimah transmitted: their heads were like those of the lions and they came from the seaside and their color was green. Also, 'Ubaid Ibn 'Umair said: they were marine black birds, holding stones in their beaks and legs. 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said also: they looked like the Phoenix, and the smallest stone they carried was equal to the head of a human being and other stones were equal to camels. The same view was held by Yunus Ibn Bakir after Ibn Ishaq. Some interpreters said: The stones were too small. Allah knows best!
Ibn Abu Hatim said: Abu Zar'ah told us on the authority of Muhammad Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn Abu Shaibah after Mu'awiyah after Al-A'mash after Abu Sufyan after 'Ubaid Ibn 'Umair saying: When Allah the Almighty wanted to destroy the owners of the elephant He sent against them birds in flocks from the seaside resembling hawks, each one of them carried three stones: one in his beak and two in his two legs. They flew over till they were directly above the .army, then they screamed and let go of the stones. The stones used to cut off or crack whom they hit from his head to his toes. In addition, Allah the Almighty sent a severe wind that hit the stones and added to their speed and strength, the matter that caused the majority of the army to perish.
Ibn Ishaq said as stated earlier that not all of them were hit by the stones. Rather, some of them managed to return to the Yemen and related to their people what had happened to them and to the whole army. And Abraha himself was hit with the stones and was carried till he reached the Yemen where he died, may Allah the Almighty damn him!
Narrated Ibn Ishaq saying: I was told by `Abdullah Ibn Abu Bakr after
Samurah after 'A'ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) that she said:
"I have seen the rider and
In his Tafsir (interpretation), An-Naqqash mentioned that the flood carried away their dead bodies and threw them into the sea. At the same year of this great incident, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was born. Some scholars say that it took place two years' prior to his (Peace be upon him) birth.
Then, Ibn Ishaq cited the poetry the Arabs composed pertaining to that great incident in which Allah the Almighty made victorious His Sacred House which He wanted to grant honor, dignity, purification and respect through sending His Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and the Legislation He sends with him. One of the fundamental pillars of this Legislation is the Prayer whose Qiblah direction would be made to the honorable Ka' bah. That which Allah the Almighty did to the owners of the elephant was never for the sake of the Quraishites themselves. As the Christians who were represented in the Abyssinians were really nearer to the Ka' bah than the polytheists of Quraish, but the victory was granted to the Sacred House itself in preparation for the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
Added Ibn Ishaq and others: After the death of Abraha, the Abyssinians were ruled by his son, Yaksum, then by his brother, Masruq Ibn Abraha who was their last king.
The incident of the elephant took place in Al-Muharram, 882 according to the Roman Calendar. Following the death of Abraha and his succeeding two sons, the Abyssinian rule over the Yemen came to an end, the church built by Abraha was deserted. No one could even approach it for it was built over the burial place of two idols -that of Ku'aib and his wife. The two idols were made of wood, their height was about sixty cubits and they were touched with the jinn. For this very reason, no one could take the risk to come near the church or to take anything of its building or ornaments fearing the evils of the jinn. It stayed deserted till the time of the first Abbaside Caliph, As-Saffah whom the news of the riches found inside the church reached. He sent his ruler over the Yemen, Al-'Abbas Ibn Ar-Rabi' to destroy it and bring him all the precious objects he might find there.
Finally, one should raise his hands to Allah the Almighty and supplicate, saying: "0 Allah! All the Praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth. And all the Praises are for You; You are the Keeper of the Heavens and the Earth. All the Praises are