Eid-E-Mubahila- A Fresh Perspective

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Heartiest greetings on Eid-E-Mubahila.  

Even though event marks victory of Muslims over Christians of Najran, its celebration remains somewhat restricted to Imamis only. Non-Imamis unfortunately don’t attach much significance to the event, little-realizing that Muslims have paid a very heavy price for adopting apathetic attitude towards the event of Mubahila. They need to realize relevance of the event in the contemporary world. Everyone knows that Muslim nations are not doing well. Most of them have been puppets of western world for long. The relation between the followers of Islam and Christianity can’t be described as cordial at all. Followers of both the religions remain apprehensive to each other. There are a number of countries where Christians and Muslims have been at loggerhead for the past several decades. In some countries, Muslims are oppressed severely whereas in several others Christians are subject to constant persecution. Names of  Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan,Thailand,China,Syria,Bangladesh,Indonesia,Mynamar, Sudan,Iraq,Afghanistan,Chechanya ,Palestineand Philipines can be taken in this context. The grim situation continues to remain unabated despite efforts at international level to dispel doubts responsible for  strained Christian-Muslim relation.    

    

 The history of Christian-Muslim has been very complex in nature .Christians have viewed Islam in a variety of ways. Those living in Europe and North America have different views about Islam as compared to those who have lived historically amidst or in proximity to Muslims. Christians often perceive Islam as a political, economic and theological threat. Views of Ronald Trump are the latest example. Similarly, a section of Muslims brand Christianity as an ongoing crusade against Islamic world. Ironically, such people don’t appreciate the value of dialogue and discussions. They should read event of Mubahila. History reveals that Najran was a fertile land  of Yemen . About 40,000 Christians inhabited the land. They were idol worshipers. A priest Femeon  preached Christianity in the area and soon all the population converted to Christianity and Najran emerged as a powerful center of Christians. After conquest of Mecca, the Holy Prophet started sending emissaries to the tribes who had not yet accepted Islam. In 10 A.H. a similar message was sent to the Christians of Najran.The Bishop of Najran  invited all the scholars and influential people and  asked them to think and find a solution. Some Najranis  got infuriated but the Bishop  pacified them and advised them to be mindful of the military might of the Islamic regime and try to find a peaceful solution. After much deliberations, it was decided to send a mission to Madina and have a dialogue  with the Muslims. A 14 member delegation headed by Aqib Saidawar and Abu Harisa proceeded to meet the holy Prophet with pomp and show . Abu Harisa was considered as the greatest Bishop and scholar of the Christian world at that time and Aqib Sadawar was the biggest strategist and negotiator of the time. After exchange of views on various issues, the delegation did not accept the logical explanations given by Muslims. At this stage, Allah sent down the famous Ayat-e-Mubahila of the Quran:

“And unto him who dispute with thee therein after the knowledge hath come unto thee, Say ! (O' Our Apostle Muhammad !) (Unto them) come ye, let us summon our sons, and (ye summon) your sons, and (we summon) our women and (ye) your women, and (we summon) ourselves and then let us invoke the curse of God on the liars !” The Holy Prophet   recited the ‘Ayat’(verse) and invited them for Mubahila - praying to God to destroy and banish the liars.
The Prophet selected a place close to Medina for the Mubahila and on 24^th Zil Hijj  the Christian delegation reached the designated place. The  Holy Prophet  took with him Imam Hasan , Imam Hussain , Bibi Fatima and Imam Ali. He   sat down under a tree and said that when I pray to God, you all should say\'Ameen'. When the Christian delegation saw a woman, two children and only one man with the Prophet, they got scared and worried. Abu Harisa said\"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."
Brother of Abu Harisa, Karz ibn-e-Alqama also stated my fellows, it appears that Mohammad 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 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 offing. Witnessing the changes, delegation backed off from the contest and requested that their friendship be accepted. The Prophet accepted their request.

The event needs to be examined more than the victory of Islam. It should also be viewed as triumph of the character of the Prophet and his companions. Muslims should ponder as to what kind of character they are exhibiting in the modern world ? Are they true followers of what the Holy Prophet and his progeny preached ?The situation is just the opposite. In the name of Islam, rulers of Muslim nations are sponsoring bloodshed. They bow down their head against Western Powers. They also persecute Imamis and followers of Ahle-bait. Christians have been using the deviation of Muslims from Shariat-e-Muhammadi to their advantage. They control the middle-East and have also contributed to the growth of Salafi ideology to distort the picture of true Islam. This could be as a retaliation of their defeat at the hands of the Holy Prophet and progeny at the event of Mubahila. Christians learnt from Mubahila as to how could they check Islam by supporting Israel and fanaticism in Islam in the name of purifying it. They encouraged propagation of Islam through Salafi Ideology that has no regard for the holy Prophet and his progeny. Christians realized from Mubahila that they could never match the might of Islam so long as its followers tread on the path shown by the Holy Prophet and his Ahle-bait. The British with the help of spies and agents found Ibn Abdul Wahab to divide Muslims and they succeeded in their bid as well. They got installed Sauds and they did the maximum damage to the teachings of the Holy Prophet. On the other hand, Muslims have fallen  prey to well- laid trap of Christians  and continue to ignore the message emanated from Mubahila. It is high for initiating the process of rethinking by both Christians and Muslims. There is need to begin a new understanding based on a reciprocal willingness to listen and learn how to co-exist ?The Holy Prophet and his progeny never preached intolerance or oppression. He always advocated a society based on justice and equity. He exhibited the same principles at Mubahila. There is need to portray correct picture of Islam by highlighting the character of the Prophet and his companions at the event of Mubahila to dispel doubts surrounding Islam thanks to western media that always derive pleasure in distorting the religion of Hazrat Muhammad(S).

( References available on request. Photo Courtesy Google Images)