Hayatus Sahabah - The Lives of the Sahabah - Part 1 of 3

question Cyou about the creation of the earth). Thereafter, Allaah turned
(His attention) to the sky, which was smoke, and said to it, as well as to
, the earth, "Come to Us (submit to us) willingly or unwillingly." Both
replied, "We shall come willingly." Within two days, Allaah then made
them (the skies) into seven skies, and issued a suitable command to
(the angels occupying) each sky. Allaah decorated the sky of the world
with lanterns (stars) and made them a means of protection (to be used
to pelt the Shayaateen who attempt to eavesdrop on the conversations
of the angels)). This is the decree of the Mighty, the Wise. If they (the
KuTaar) turn away, then say, "I warn you of a punishment like the
punishment of the Aad and Thamud." {Surah HaaMeem Sajdah, verses
1-13)
Utba exclaimed, "Enough! Do you have nothing else to say?" Rasulullaah @%%
replied, "No." Utba then left. When he met with the other members of the
Quraysh, he said to them, "I told him everything you wanted me to tell him." "Did
he give you a reply?" they enquired. Utba started saying, "Yes," but then quickly
said, "No!" He added, "By the Being Who made the Kabah a place of worship! I
understood nothing from what he said except that he warns us of a punishment
like the punishment that afflicted the Aad and the Thamud." To this the people
said, Woe to you! A man speaks to you in Arabic and you cannot understand
what he says!" Utba replied, "No (I cannot help it)! By Allaah! I understood
nothing except mention of the punishment that afflicted the Aad and Thamud." ( I)
Other authorities including Bayhaqi have reported a narration from Haakim in
which it is added that Utba also said to Rasulullaah w, "If it is leadership that
you want, we will all anchor our flags for you (it was the practice in those times
that leaders would have the flags of their tribes anchored at their homes) so that
you become our leader for as long as you live."
This narration also adds that Utba placed his hand on the mouth of Rasulullaah
@@ when Rasulullaah @@ reached the verse:
If they (the Kuffaar) turn away, then say, "I warn you of a punishment
like the punishment of the Aad and Thamud." (Surah HaaMeem Sajdah,
verse 13)
He then bade Rasulullaah @@ for the sake of their family ties that he should
recite no further. After leaving the company of Rasulullaah @%%, Utba stayed at
home and did not venture to meet the other members of the Quraysh. To this
Abu Jahal commented, "0 Quraysh! By Allaah! It appears as if Utba has taken to
the religion of Muhammad and likes his food. There can be no other reason for
this but that he has become poor. Let us go to see him."
When they arrived to meet Utba, Abu Jahal said, "we have come only because you
have taken to the religion of Muhammad and have taken a liking to his talk. If
you have become impoverished, we shall collect money for you so that you
(1) Abd bin Humayd in his Musnad from Ibn Abi Shayba.