18.06.2017 Views

An Invitation to Peace

http://www.islamicglobe.com

http://www.islamicglobe.com

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

<strong>An</strong> <strong>Invitation</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Peace</strong><br />

regarding future events in extremely clear terms while in the most<br />

unlikely circumstances. The confidence and clarity with which these<br />

things have been announced and the way they have then come about,<br />

often against the heaviest odds, are signs for those who will accept.<br />

Abu Lahab<br />

The Prophet had an uncle by the name of Abu Lahab. This man hated<br />

Islam <strong>to</strong> such an extent that he would follow the Prophet around in<br />

order <strong>to</strong> discredit him. <strong>An</strong>yone he saw the Prophet speaking <strong>to</strong> he<br />

would go <strong>to</strong> and ask him what he had said, and then go about<br />

contradicting him. He faithfully said the exact opposite of anything<br />

Muhammad would say just <strong>to</strong> spite him. He was clearly someone who<br />

would not leave any s<strong>to</strong>ne unturned or let any chance go by <strong>to</strong> try <strong>to</strong><br />

prove Muhammad was not who he said he was. From the moment the<br />

Prophet summoned all of his clansmen for the first time <strong>to</strong> deliver the<br />

warning he had received from God, Abu Lahab had angrily opposed<br />

him saying, “May you have destruction for the rest of your day!” The<br />

Qur’an then revealed a small chapter, addressing Abu Lahab. It said:<br />

“Destroyed be the hands of Abu Lahab and destroyed he is!<br />

Neither his wealth will avail him nor his earnings! He will soon enter a<br />

Fire of great flames and his wife, the carrier of firewood. Around her<br />

140<br />

neck will be a rope of palm fibre!”<br />

This chapter said very clearly that Abu Lahab was condemned <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong><br />

Hell. In other words, it was saying he would never change and would<br />

die a disbeliever. Abu Lahab went on <strong>to</strong> live for a full ten years after the<br />

revelation of this chapter. All he had <strong>to</strong> do now <strong>to</strong> prove the Qur’an<br />

was wrong was <strong>to</strong> say, ‘The Qur’an says I’m never going <strong>to</strong> believe, that<br />

I’m going <strong>to</strong> Hell and so will die a non-Muslim. Well, I believe in<br />

140<br />

Qur’an 111:1-5<br />

64

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!