UMAR BN ALKHATTAB 012: Makkans Deliberate As the season for annual pre-Islamic pilgrimage drew close, Abu Abdu Shams, one of the elders of Makkah, gathered other elders and addressed them thus: “People of Quraysh, as the season approaches, people will be arriving from all over the place and they must have heard about Muhammad. So, you had better agree what to say about him. We must guard against having conflicting opinions, for then, you belie one another.” One of the people said, “You have debated with Muhammad and listened to him. You, tell us what in your view we should say.” Abu Abdu Shams, replied, “No. I prefer to listen to your views.” One of the crowd said. “Then we shall say he is a soothsayer.” Abu Abdu Shams said sharply, “He is certainly not that. We have known soothsayers. What Muhammad says is nothing like their rhymes.” Another person said, “We’ll say he is a mad man.” Abu Abdu Shams, again said, “No, he’s not mad. We have seen madness and what it does. It is nothing like its seizure or hallucination.” “Then, let’s say he’s a poet.” Another said from the elders. To this also Abu Abdu Shams cut in, “No, we know everything about poetry and its different meters. Muhammad’s words are unlike poetry.” “Then, he’s a magician. That’s what we shall say." Another elder said. Abu Abdu Shams turned to him and said, “He is not. We have seen magic and magicians. Muhammad has nothing of their trickery.” A man rose and said, “What shall we say, then, Abu Abdu Shams?” Abu Abdu Shams answered gently, “What Muhammad says is certainly beautiful. It is like a date tree with solid roots and rich fruits. Every one of your suggestions is bound to be recognized as false.”
Posted on: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 15:19:30 +0000
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