أدرك غيرُ المسلمين قوةَ المسلمين وعزتَهم في فترةٍ وجيزة، فتبيّن لهم أن قوتهم متجذّرةٌ في قلوبٍ لا تعرف التضحيةَ في سبيل الإسلام، قلوبٍ تحمّلت كلَّ أنواع الأذى والاضطهاد، وقلوبٍ كانت دائمًا مستعدةً لبذل الروح نفسها في سبيل الإسلام. ها هم في المدينة يتمتعون بدينهم ويطبّقون أحكامه، دينٌ كان يبلغ كلَّ يومٍ آفاقًا جديدة، والمسلمون يشعرون بالرضا الحقيقي والسعادة.

The non-Muslims became aware of the strength and power of the Muslims within a short period of time. They realized that their strength was deeply rooted in hearts never short of sacrifice in the way of Islam, hearts that endured all types of pain and persecution, hearts that were always ready to give up life itself for Islam. There they were in Madinah enjoying their Deen and implementing its rules, a Deen that was reaching new heights each day with the Muslims feeling true contentment and happiness.

لم يستطع أعداء الإسلام أن يهضموا هذا، فبدأت علامات الاستياء تظهر جليةً على اليهود المجاورين. وازدادت مخاوفهم، فأخذوا يعيدون النظر في موقفهم تجاه محمدٍ ﷺ وأصحابه، إذ أصبح المسلمون أكثر ثباتًا، واستجاب لدعوة الإسلام كثيرٌ من الناس. وكان اليهود غاضبين من أولئك الذين أسلموا منهم، إذ خشوا أن يتسلل الإسلام إلى صفوفهم وينتشر فيهم، فهاجموا الإسلام وعقائده وأحكامه. ونشب جدالٌ حادٌّ وحربٌ نفسيةٌ بين المسلمين واليهود، وقد تطورت هذه المنازعة لتصبح أشدّ عنفًا بكثير من تلك التي عانى منها المسلمون مع قريشٍ في مكة.

The enemies of Islam could not digest this, and signs of revulsion began to outwardly manifest themselves in the neighboring Jews. Their fears grew and they began to rethink and reconsider their position towards Muhammad (pbuh) and his Sahabah now that the Muslims were becoming unshakable and many people were responding to the call of Islam. The Jews were enraged by those amongst them who converted to Islam. They feared that Islam would infiltrate their ranks and spread among them and so they attacked Islam, its beliefs and rules. Heated argument and a war of nerves ensued between the Muslims and Jews, this was to develop into a much fiercer dispute than the Muslims had to endure with the Quraysh in Makkah.

كان التآمر والنفاق، ومعرفتهم الخفية بأخبار الأنبياء والرسل السابقين، أهمَّ الأسلحة التي استخدمها اليهود في حربهم الفكرية ضد محمد ﷺ وصحابته. فقد تظاهر بعض أحبارهم باعتناق الإسلام، وجالسوا المسلمين، وأظهروا التقوى تصنّعًا. وسرعان ما بدت عليهم علامات الشك والحيرة، فأخذوا يسألون النبي ﷺ أسئلةً يرجون بها أن تزعزع يقين المسلمين في عقيدتهم، وفي رسالة الحق التي يقوم عليها الإسلام.

Conspiracy, hypocrisy and their furtive knowledge of the former Prophets and Messengers were the main weapons used by the Jews in their intellectual war against Muhammad (pbuh) and his Sahabah. Some of their rabbis pretended to embrace Islam, sat with the Muslims and faked their piety. Soon they were to show signs of doubt and uncertainty by asking Muhammad (pbuh) questions in the hope of shaking the conviction of the Muslims in their ‘Aqeedah and the Message of Truth which Islam stood for.

ويهود کے ساتھ اوس و خزرج کا ایک گروہ بھی شامل ہو گیا جنہوں نے منافقانہ طور پر اسلام قبول کیا تھا، اس امید پر کہ مسلمانوں کے درمیان دشمنی اور الجھن پیدا کریں۔ یہودیوں اور مسلمانوں کے درمیان بحث بعض اوقات جسمانی تصادم میں بدل جاتی تھی، باوجود اس کے کہ ان کے درمیان عہد موجود تھا۔

The Jews were joined by a group of the ‘Aus and Khazraj who embraced Islam hypocritically in the hope of causing animosity and confusion amongst the Muslims. The argument between the Jews and Muslims turned into physi- cal confrontation at times despite the oath between them.

ومن الأمثلة الواضحة على عناد اليهود وبغضهم ما انعكس في غضب أبي بكر في إحدى المرات، مع العلم بأن أبا بكر كان معروفًا بالحكمة والصبر وهدوء الطبع. يُروى أن أبا بكر دعا يهوديًا يُدعى فنحاص إلى تقوى الله والدخول في الإسلام.

A vivid example of the Jewish stubbornness and hatred was reflected in Abu Bakr’s loss of temper on one occasion, bearing in mind that Abu Bakr was a man noted for his wisdom, patience and calm character. It is reported that Abu Bakr called on a Jew named Finhas to fear Allah and embrace Islam.

قال فنحاص: «نحن لسنا فقراء بالنسبة إلى الله، بل هو الذي يتذلل لنا؛ نحن أغنياء عنه وهو محتاج إلينا. فلو كان غنيًّا عنا لما طلب منا أن نُقرضه أموالنا، كما يزعم نبيكم، إذ ينهاكم عن الربا ويبيحه لنا. ولو كان غنيًّا عنا لما أعطانا الربا.» وكان فنحاص يشير إلى قول الله ﷻ:

Finhas replied, “We are not poor compared to Allah but He humbles Himself to us; we are independent of Him while He needs us. Were He independent of us He would not ask us to lend Him our money as your prophet pretends, prohibiting you to take interest and allowing us to. Had He been independent of us He would not have given us interest.” Finhas was referring to Allah’s I saying,

﴿مَن ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً﴾ [البقرۃ: ٢٤٥]

“Who is he that will lend to Allah a goodly loan so that He may give it increase manifold?” [Al-Baqarah, 2:245].

لم يتمالك أبو بكر غضبه، فاشتد به الغيظ حتى لطم فنحاص على وجهه وقال: "والذي نفسي بيده، لولا العهد الذي بيننا لضربت عنقك يا عدو الله!".

Abu Bakr could not control his anger, and was so enraged that he hit Finhas in the face and said, “By Him in whose hands my destiny rests, were it not for the treaty between us, I would cut off your head, you enemy of Allah!”.

وقد اشتد الجدال بين المسلمين واليهود وطال لفترة من الزمن. وفي هذه الأثناء، وصل إلى المدينة نحو ستين راكبًا من نصارى نجران. ولا بد أنهم سمعوا بالعداوة بين اليهود والمسلمين، وأملوا أن يتعمق الشقاق بينهما حتى تسود النصرانية وتتخلص من الديانتين، إذ كانتا كلتاهما تنازعانها السيادة بحسب زعمهما. وكانت هذه الجماعة من النصارى على صلة بكل من المسلمين واليهود.

The argument between the Muslims and Jews became very heated and went on for quite sometime. Meanwhile, about sixty Christian riders from Najran arrived in Madinah. They must have heard about the animosity between the Jews and Muslims and hoped that the rift would deepen so that Christianity could come to reign and rid itself from both religions, which were both challenging it for supremacy according to their claims. This group of Christians were in touch with both the Muslims and the Jews.

اعتبرهم رسولُ اللهِ ﷺ، مع اليهودِ، «أهلَ الكتابِ»، ودعاهم جميعاً إلى الإسلامِ. وتلا عليهم ﷺ قولَ اللهِ

Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) regarded them, together with the Jews, as ‘People of the Book’ and invited them both to Islam. He (pbuh) recited to them Allah’s I saying,

قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلَّا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ [آل عمران، 3:64].

“Say (O Muhammad): “O people of the scripture (Jews and Christians) : Come to a word that is just between us and you, That we worship none but Allah, and we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims.” [Al-Imran, 3:64].

سأل اليهودُ والنصارى النبيَّ ﷺ عن الأنبياء الذين يؤمن بهم، فتلا عليهم قولَ الله تعالى:

The Jews and the Christians asked him (pbuh) about the Prophets he believed in and he recited to them Allah’s saying,

{قُولُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ} [البقرة، 2:136]

“Say, “We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim, Isma’eel, Isaac, Jacob, and to Al-Asbat (twelve sons of Jacob), and that which has been given to Moses and Jesus, and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam)” [Al-Baqarah, 2:136].

لم يجدوا ما يقولونه له بعد ذلك. كانت قلوبهم تقبل الدليل وتتجلى لهم الحقيقة، لكنهم لم يؤمنوا بسبب المجادلة مع اليهود والنصارى، إذ كانوا يخشون على مناصبهم وسمعتهم ومكانتهم، وقد اعترف بعضهم بذلك فعلاً. وقد رُوي أن أبا حارثة، وهو رجل من أحد الوفود النصرانية من نجران وأحد أعلم العلماء، اعترف لصديق له بأنه مقتنع بما قاله محمد ﷺ، ولما سأله صديقه عما يمنعه من الإيمان، أجابه: «ما فعله بنا هؤلاء القوم (الرومان أو البيزنطيون)، فقد منحونا الألقاب، وأعطونا المرتبات، وأكرمونا، وهم معارضون له تماماً، ولو قبلته لأخذوا منا كل ما ترى». وهذا يدل على أن الذي حال بينهم وبين الإيمان الحق هو العناد والكبر، والمنفعة الشخصية الأنانية والحقيرة والمصلحة الذاتية. ثم دعا رسول الله ﷺ النصارى إلى المباهلة، أي الدعاء المتبادل باللعنة إن خالفوه، وتلا عليهم قول الله تعالى: ﴿فَمَنْ حَاجَّكَ فِيهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَنِسَاءَنَا وَنِسَاءَكُمْ وَأَنْفُسَنَا وَأَنْفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَلْ لَعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ﴾.

They could find nothing more to say to him. Their hearts would accept the evidence and the Truth was revealed, but they would not believe out of Debating the Jews and Christians fear for their positions, reputation and status, some of them in fact admitted this. It has been narrated that Abu Harithah, an individual from one of the Christian delegations from Najran and one of the most knowledgeable scholars, confessed to a friend that he was convinced by what Muhammad (pbuh) had said, and when his friend asked him what prevented him from believing, he replied, “The way these people (the Romans or Byzantines) treated us. They have given us titles, paid us subsidies, and honored us. But they are absolutely opposed to him, and if I were to accept him they would take from us all that you see.” This proved that what prevented them from true belief was pig-headedness, stubbornness, selfish and petty personal benefit and interest. Then the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) invited the Christians to a mutual invocation of a curse if they opposed him and he read to them Allah’s saying,

فَمَنْ حَاجَّكَ فِيهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَنِسَاءَنَا وَنِسَاءَكُمْ وَأَنْفُسَنَا وَأَنْفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَلْ لَعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ ﷺ [آل عمران، ٣:٦١].

“Then whoever disputes with you concerning him (Jesus) after (all this) knowledge that has come to you, Say: “Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves - then we pray and invoke the Curse of Allah upon those who lie.” [Al-Imran, 3:61].

فَتَشَاوَرُوا فِيمَا بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ أَعْلَنُوا أَنَّهُمْ قَرَّرُوا أَلَّا يَلْجَؤُوا إِلَى السَّبِّ، وَأَنْ يَتْرُكُوهُ ﷺ عَلَى دِينِهِ بَيْنَمَا يَعُودُونَ هُمْ إِلَى دِينِهِمْ. وَبِالإِضَافَةِ إِلَى ذَلِكَ طَلَبُوا مِنْهُ ﷺ أَنْ يُرْسِلَ رَجُلًا أَمِينًا يَسْتَطِيعُ الْفَصْلَ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي مَسَائِلَ مَالِيَّةٍ مُعَيَّنَةٍ كَانَتْ مَوْضِعَ خِلَافٍ بَيْنَهُمْ. فَأَرْسَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ بْنَ الْجَرَّاحِ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَفْقَ الإِسْلَامِ.

They took council among themselves after which they declared that they had decided not to resort to cursing and to leave him (pbuh) to his Deen while they would return to theirs. In addition to this they asked him to send a man whom he (pbuh) could trust to decide between them in certain financial matters in dispute among them. So the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sent Abu ‘Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah to judge between them according to Islam.

إنّ قوّة الدعوة الإسلامية، وقوّة العقيدة الإسلامية، وقوّة الحجّة المنبثقة من الحقّ، استطاعت أن تُفحم جميع الحجج التي أثارها المنافقون واليهود والنصارى. فسرعان ما تلاشت مفاهيمهم غير الإسلامية، ولم يبقَ إلا الإسلام بوصفه المبدأ الغالب والصحيح في ذاته، وصار الناس يتداولون أحكامه باستمرار ويدعون غيرهم إليه. وترسّخ الإسلام، وعلا لواؤه في جميع الأمور الفكرية والحكمية. ومع ذلك، ظلّت قلوب المنافقين واليهود منطوية على الحقد تجاه المسلمين، يحسدونهم ويحتقرونهم أكثر فأكثر. ومع هذا، فقد غلب سلطان الإسلام في المدينة، وسادت على كل شيء قوّة المجتمع الإسلامي واستقراره وأساسه المتين. وقد أفلحت الغزوات المتعددة وإظهار المسلمين لقوّتهم في إسكات كل العقول المريضة. فعلت كلمة الله تعالى، وأُرغم أعداء الإسلام على السكوت والخضوع لسلطان الإسلام.

The force of the Islamic Da’wah, the power of the Islamic belief and the strength of argument emanating as it did from the Truth managed to defeat all the arguments raised by the hypocrites, the Jews and the Christians. Their non-Islamic concepts soon vanished and only Islam remained as the overriding and inherently correct ideology, with people now continuously discussing its rules and inviting others to it. Islam became deeply rooted and its banner engulfed all ideological and ruling matters. However, the hearts of the hypocrites and the Jews remained bent on hatred towards the Muslims, begrudging and despising them all the more. Nevertheless, the authority of Islam in Madinah and the stability and solid foundation of the Islamic society dominated everything. The various expeditions and the show of strength displayed by the Muslims effectively managed to silence all sick minds. The Word of Allah (swt) reigned supreme and the enemies of Islam were forced to remain quiet and to submit to the authority of Islam.