The life of the Prophet Muhammad - Ibn Kathir - volume 2 of 4

36 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
worship what you do if you'll worship what we do. Let's just co-operate, you and
us, in the whole thing!'
"Regarding them God revealed, 'Say: "0 you disbelievers! I will not worship
what you worship"' (siirat al-Kzfian; CIX; v.1-2).
"When Aba Jahl heard reference to the al-zaqqiim tree, he said, 'Do you know
what this al-zaqq*
is? It is dates mashcd in butter!' He added, 'Bring it along;
we'll enjoy it! '
"And so God revealed, 'The zaqqiim tree is the food of sinners"' (surat
al-Dukhan; XLIV, v.43-4).
Ibn Ishaq also related, "Al-Walid b. al-Mughira was standing talking with the
Messenger of God (SAAS) who was addressing him, wishing to convert him to
Islam, when Ibn Umm Maktam, that is, the son of 'Atika, daughter of 'Abd
Allah b. 'Ankatha, passed by. Ibn Umm Maktiim, who was blind, addressed the
Messenger of God (SAAS) and began asking him to recite the Qusan. This so
upset the Messenger of God (SAAS) as to anger him, and this was because he
was interfering with his efforts to convert al-Walid to Islam as he was hoping.
"When the blind man persisted, he turned away from him frowning and
ignored him. And so God Almighty sent down, '. . . and he frowned and turned
away when the blind man came to him ...' up to the words, '... exalted,
purified'" (siirat 'Abasa; LXXX, v.1-14).
It is also said that the person who was talking to the Messenger of God
(SAAS) when Ibn Umm Makmm came along was Umayya b. Khalaf. But God
knows best.
Ibn Ishsq then related the names of those who returned to Mecca from the
migration to Abyssinia. They did so when news reached them of the adoption of
Islam by the Meccans. This information was incorrect, though there was a reason
for it.
What is well established in the sahih collections of traditions and elsewhere is
that the Messenger of God (SAAS) sat down one day with the polytheists and
God revealed to him, "By the star whe11 it sets, your companion has not gone
astray" (siirat al-Najm; LIII, v.1-2). When he had recited this siirat completely,
he prostrated in prayer as did the Muslims, polytheists and spirits all.
But that (the prostrations of the polytheists along with the Muslims) had a
reason which is mentioned by exegetes in their commentary on the words of
Almighty God, "And we did not send before you any messenger or any prophet
without him wishing something and the devil then influencing his wish; and so
God annuls whatever the devil has inspired, and affirms His own signs. And God
is knowledgeable, wise" (siirat al-Haj; XXII, v.52). They then refer to the story
of the gharaniq.6
6. The word seems to have two possible connotations. It can mean either a high-flying crane or
a particularly attractive young person, male or female. At issue here are two verses said, in the