The 24th of ZilHijjah marks the anniversary of the auspicious occasion of victory of Islam over Christianity in the vent of Mubahila – a challenge of religious debate and calling up God’s curse on liars. The historical event of Mubahila also reveals the exalted status of the Ahl-e-Bayt(as) This is the day of victory of Muslims over Christians and was such an important event that ever since it has been celebrated as a day of Eid by Muslims.

The event of Mubahila happened in 9th or 10th AH (two traditions)

Historical perspective of Eid-e-Mubahila

Najran was a fertile land located in the Northern mountainous region of Yemen about 20 Kms from Sanaa. Between 40,000 to 70,000 Christians inhabited the land divided into 73 small towns. They were idol worshipers historically just like the Arabs but a priest named Femeon, a constructor by profession, preached Christianity in the area of Najran and soon all the population converted to Christianity and Najran became a powerful center of activities of Christians. They also constructed a church and named it 'Kaba-e-Najran'. They prayed and offered various offerings there which resulted in an annual income of about two hundred thousand Dinars which was used for the priest who lived and studied there.

After the conquest of Makkah when Islam started spreading rapidly and the warring groups came under the flag of Islam, the Holy Prophet(sawaw) starting sending emissaries to the tribes who had not yet accepted Islam. In 10 AH a similar message was sent to the Christians of Najran and they were offered either to accept the teachings of Islam or live in the protection of Muslims and give 'Jazia' - fee for protection services. When the bishop of Najran received this message, he invited all the scholars and influential people of Najran and asked them to brainstorm how to respond to this situation. This news spread rapidly among the masses and some people got infuriated as well but the bishop of Najran pacified them and advised them to be mindful of the military might of the Islamic regime and try to find a peaceful solution.

Christian mission heads to Madina

After deliberations, it was finally decided to send a mission to Madina and have a dialog with the Muslims. A 60 member delegation headed by Aqib Saidawar and Abu Haris bin Alqama started off for Madina. Abu Haris bin Alqama was considered as the greatest bishop and scholar of the Christian world at that time and Aqib Saidawar was the biggest strategist and negotiator of the time. When the delegation reached Madina, the people got impressed by their lavish dressing and pomp and show since it was the first time that a mission had arrived in such a manner.

When they entered the Masjid-e-Nabawi, the Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) looked at the precious stones, gold and silk clothes that they were wearing and turned away his face and did not pay any attention to them. After a while when no one noticed their pomp and show, they got out of the Masjid-e-Nabawi and met some people outside and asked them as to why they were invited by the Muslims and then treated in this manner. The companions mentioned that they did not have a clue about that but if they would consult Imam Ali(as), he would be able to tell them what was going on. They took the delegation with them and arrived at the house of Imam Ali(as) and mentioned about the whole incidence to him. Imam Ali(as) said to the delegation that they were wearing dresses of silk and ornaments of gold which depicted their superior mentality and that they should take them off and dress simply. Only then the Prophet(sawaw) would allow them to visit him and entertain them. When they followed the instructions of Imam Ali(as), they were allowed to visit the Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) and have discussions with him.

Proposal of Mubahila

After exchange of views on several issues including the status of Hazrat Isa(as), the delegation did not seem willing to accept the observations about the incorrect beliefs of Christianity and the logical explanations proving the incorrectness of their beliefs. At that time Allah(swt) send down the famous Ayat-e-Mubahila of the Quran:

Glorious Quran Chapter 3 Verse 61-63:

Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and our selves and your selves, then let us pray earnestly and bring about the curse of Allah on the liars" (61). Most surely this is the true story, and there is no god but Allah,' and most surely Allah is the Mighty, the Wise (62). But if they turn back then surely Allah knows the mischief makers (63)

Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) recited this Ayat and invited them for Mubahila - praying to Allah(swt) to destroy and banish the liars.

Mubahila became necessary since the Christian delegation was adamant to accept the truth. After some hesitations the delegation asked to be given one day to reconsider their options and then accepted to have the Mubahila after two days. In their consultations among themselves, the grand bishop Abu Harisa told his companions that if tomorrow, Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) brings his companions and his tribesmen and military might with him for Mubahila then they should accept the challenge without fear but if he brings only the members of his family, then never accept the challenge.

Whom did Prophet(sawaw) take with him

The Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) selected a place close to Madina for the Mubahila which was then cleaned and prepared by Hazrat Salman Farsi(ra) and the next day the Christian delegation reached the designated place. A number of Muhajireen and Ansaar also gathered at the site. As per the Quranic instructions, the Holy Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) took with him Imam Hasan(as) and Imam Hussain(as) representing “Our Sons”, Bibi Fatima(sa) representing “Our Women” and Imam Ali(as) representing “Our selves” and headed towards the site in a manner that Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) was leading the group holding Imam Hasan(as) and Imam Hussain(as), Bibi Fatima(sa) was behind him and Imam Ali(as) was at the very end.

Saad bin Abi Waqas relates that when the Ayat-e-Mubahila was sent down, Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) called Imam Ali(as), Bibi Fatima(sa), Imam Hasan(as) and Imam Hussain(as) and said "O my Allah(swt), these are my Ahl-e-Bait" . (Sahih Muslim, Vol.2, Page 287).

Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) sat down under a tree with these weighty personalities and said that when I pray to Allah, all of you should say 'Aameen'. When the Christian delegation saw a woman, two children and only one man with the Prophet(sawaw), they got scared and worried and Abu Harisa chanted "O my Christian friends, I am seeing such bright faces that if they pray that God move this mountain from its place then the mountain will be moved. I warn you, do not have Mubahila with them or you all will be destroyed and banished."

The Christian delegation was still amazed and frightened when the brother of Abu Harisa, Karz ibn-e-Alqama stated that "O my fellows, it appears that Mohammad(sawaw) is the same last apostle and prophet that has been mentioned in our sacred books. We should not have Mubahila with them because anyone who had Mubahila with the prophets in the past as well was destroyed. Look around you and observe that the signs of your destruction are appearing." When they looked around, they observed that the entire atmosphere had changed and it appeared that a furious storm is in the offing.

Result of Mubahila

Witnessing this, they backed off from the contest and requested that they be allowed to practice their faith freely and their friendship be accepted. Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) accepted their request and asked Imam Ali(as) to write the agreement according to which the Najran tribes accepted to pay 'Jazia' and live under the protection of the Muslims.

The prestigious status of Ahl-e-Bayt(as) was proven since through them the event of Mubahila was won and their infallibility was established. It was established that Imam Ali(as), Bibi Fatima(sa), Imam Hasan(as) and Imam Hussain(as) are the Ahl-e-Bayt(as).

It was established that Imam Hasan(as) and Imam Hussain(as) were the sons of Prophet Muhammad(sawaw), bibi Fatima(sa) was sufficient to represent all women on the side of Islam and Imam Ali(as) enjoyed the status of Nafs-e-Payamber(sawaw).

This victory is a unique one in the history of this world.

References

The event of Mubahila is mentioned in al-Mustadrak (3:150); Sunan Bayhaqi (7: 63); Tafseer al-Mizaan (commentary of verses 3:61-63), Al-Qummi commentary (vol.1, p. 104); Sahih Muslim (vol. 4, p. 1871); Sunan al-Tirmizi (vol. 5, p. 638); Shawahid al-Tanzeel (vol. 1, p. 155; al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah (p. 148); al-Kamil fil Tareekh (vol. 2, p. 393), Ghayatul Maryam (p 300), Sahih Muslim (v 4 p 1285) etc.

Qur'anic verses and hadiths of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and sayings in Arabic, Persian and English.

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