Al-Mubahila

AL Mubahalah or Mubahila

Sixty chiefs and `Ulama of Najran, headed by Sayyid, Aqib, and Usquf (religious personalities) ofthe region in the 10th year A.H. came to Medina to clarify their religious and political stance vis-avisIslam which had spread over the Arab peninsula and to engage in discussions with theMessenger (s) of Allah to realize the essence and truth of Islam.After lengthy discussions which have been presented in details in Ibn Husham's "Sirah" 573/1, noagreement was reached on the position and standing of Jesus. The Christians of Najran believed inthe divinity of Jesus and considered him as the son of God. This is while, based on the explicitwording of the Holy Qur'an (3:59), the Messenger (s) of Allah considered him as a prophet and theservant of God. At the end of the discussions, the Prophet (s) suggested that the two sides engage in"mubahalah", in other words, to invoke divine malediction for the lying side. The following versewas descended in this regard:"But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say:come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and our near people andyour near people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars."(3:61)

The 10th (and some say the 24th) of Dhul-Hijjah was chosen for "mubahalah". The Messenger (s)of Allah ordered that in a field outside Medina a thin black "aba" (men's loose sleeveless cloak openin front) be used as a shade between two trees. The Christian chiefs and dignitaries of Najran in orderly ranks on one side of the field, on the other side, the Prophet, together with `Ali, Fatimah,Hasan and Husayn came from the direction of Medina to the shade. Along this path, the Prophet(s), holding the hand of `Ali, Hasan and Husayn walked in front with Fatimah behind them (c.f."Majm`a al-Bayan". Interpretation of the Mubahalah Verse). With such simplicity and grandeur,they reached the shade and stood below the "aba". The Holy Prophet (s) recited the "tathir verse"and addressed the "ahl al-bayt" by saying: "I will invoke malediction for them and you say`amin'." Seeing such glory and grandeur, the Najran chiefs lost their self-confidence and felt thatthey were very puny and could not stand against Prophet Muhammad (ﺼﻟﻰﷲﻋﻟﻴﻪ ﻮﺴﻟﻣ) and his Household. They,therefore, accepted to pay "jaziyyah" and offered to give in to peace. On behalf of the Holy Prophet(s), the commander of the Faithful, `Ali, signed a peace treaty with the Christians.The Christians were to annually offer twelve thousand exquisite clothes, a thousand mithqal ofgold, and some other items to remain Christians under the umbrella of Islam.On the basis of the "mubahalah verse", Sunni interpreters such as Zamakhshari, Baydawi, ImamFakhr Razi and others regard `Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Husayn (peace be upon them all) superiorto all other people and argue that Hassan and Husayn are the sons of the Messenger (s) of Allah.The term "anfusina" in the "mubahalah verse" proves the unity of the heart and soul of ProphetMuhammad and `Ali. The Holy Prophet (s) stated: "`Ali is of me and I am of `Ali." ("Fadail al-Khamsah" 343/1). The "mubahalah tradition" has been recounted in different books of "sirah"and history with various wordings. These include those of Tirmidhi ("Sahih" 166/2) which quotesS`ad ibn Abi Waqqas as follows: "When the mubahalah verse was recited, the Holy Prophet (s)summoned `Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn and said: `O Allah, these are the Members of myHousehold." This tradition has been narrated by Hakim Nishaburi in "Al-Mustadrak" 150/3 andBayhaqi in "Sunan" 63/7. Hakim regards this tradition as authentic.