Ali (A.S.)     - The Miracle of Muhammad (S.A.W.
Who is this Ali?
The genealogy of Ali (A.S.)
Abu Talib (A.S.) - The Obliger of Islam.
The Birth of Ali (A.S.)
Ali (A.S.) - Under the guidance of the Prophet (S.A.W.)
The personality of Ali (A.S.)
The fate of Ali (A.S.)'s followers.
Ali (A.S.) - As viewed by the historians
The proclamation of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
The death of Khadija (S.A.)
The death of Abu Talib (A.S.)
The Hijrat
The Prophet (S.A.W.) in Madina
The marriage of Fatema (S.A.)
The battle of Badr
The battle of Ohad
The battle of Khandaq
The treaty of Hudaibia
The battle of Khaibar
The conquest of Mecca
The battle of Hunain
The despatch of Surah Baraat
Mubahela (Maledictory Conflict)
The expedition to Yemen
The last Hajj
Ghadeer -e-Khum
The Last days of the Prophet (S.A.W.)
The will of the Prophet (S.A.W.)
The death of the Prophet (S.A.W.)
The conspiracy of Saqifa
Abu Bakr becomes Caliph
The regime of A bu Bakr
The usurping of Fadaq
The death of Fatema (S.A.)
   

THE DESPATCH OF SURA BARAAT

 

Though many of the Meccans had embraced Islam and called themselves Muslims they still worshipped their idols secretly and performed many of their old rites which Islam had forbidden. The Prophet (S.A.W) received a revelation in the form of Sura Baraat from Allah forbidding these people from doing such unIslamic rites. As the Prophet (S.A.W) himself could not go to Mecca he deputed Abu Bakr to carry the Sura to Mecca and recite it before the pilgrims, and explain to them its significance and its meanings. Abu Bakr taking his friend Umar and some three hundred people with him left for Mecca. The Prophet (S.A.W) also gave him two hundred camels to sacrifice them on his behalf. Hardly Abu Bakr had gone some distance when the Prophet (S.A.W) received another revelation from Allah asking the Prophet (S.A.W) to either proceed himself with the mission or send somebody who was from him. As the Prophet (S.A.W) could not go himself he asked Ali (A.S.) to rush and take the Sura Baraat from Abu Bakr and fulfil the mission himself. The Prophet (S.A.W) also gave his own camel Ghadzba to Ali (A.S.) so that it may take Ali (A.S.) faster to catch Abu Bakr. The Prophet (S.A.W) also instructed Ali (A.S.) to take Abu Bakr with him, but if he refuses to accompany him then ask him to return.

Ali (A.S.) met Abu Bakr at Ara and gave him the Prophet (S.A.W)’s message. Abu Bakr though handed over the Sura to Ali (A.S.) but refused to accompany him and taking Umar with him returned to the Prophet (S.A.W) to ask him as to why did the Prophet (S.A.W) humiliate him. Abu Bakr was so hurt by this act of the Prophet (S.A.W) that he broke down when he came before him. The Prophet (S.A.W) replied, "I have acted as per the orders of Allah." [Khasaes-e-Nisaee page 62].

Ali (A.S.), on reaching Kaaba, read Sura Baraat to the pilgrims and declared, "I have been ordered by the Prophet (S.A.W) to tell you :-

(1) That no one shall henceforth go round the Kaaba in nude.
(2) That all the agreements signed by the Prophet (S.A.W) with many of the tribes stand cancelled from to day.
(3) That from this year no infidel will be allowed to visit the Kaaba."

Towards 9 A.H. missions from various parts of Arabia came to the Prophet (S.A.W) and embraced Islam, except the Christians of Najran, a city of Yemen, who still doubted his mission and turned down all his invitations. Finally they agreed to send a deputation of fourteen learned people who would meet the Prophet (S.A.W) and know from him his mission. The delegation was led by three famous scholars, Abdul Masseb, Aquib Sayeed and Abdul Harris. On reaching Madina they changed their clothes and wore rich silken garments and golden rings to impress the Prophet (S.A.W). When the Prophet (S.A.W) saw them coming in this garb he instead of welcoming them turned his face away from them. Disappointed by the Prophet (S.A.W)’s attitude they went to Usman and complained about the Prophet (S.A.W)’s treatment. Usman brought them to Ali (A.S.) for his advice. Ali (A.S.) seeing them in rich garments advised them to change their dresses and wear their original priestly dresses. The delegates accordingly wore their priestly dresses and again went to the Prophet (S.A.W) who answered their salutations and said, "By the Lord who has appointed me as His messenger, I could see the Satan accompanying you when you first came to meet me"