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Prophecies about the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
Hayat Al-Qulub Volume 2, A Detailed Biography of Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)
By: Allamah Muhammad Baqir Al-Majlisi
There are some reliable traditions regarding Qur’anic verses stating that the Almighty Allah had taken oaths from past prophets about Prophet of the last age and of his legatees and would ask them to testify to their prophethood and Imamate. It is said that Abdullah bin Salam used to say: “By Allah we know the Prophet Muhammad more than we know our own sons, because we have read his description in our holy books and have no doubt about it at all, while there can be some doubt about our sons.”
Sayyid Ibn Tawus has related from Hassan bin Thabit that he used to say: “I remember that when I was seven years old, a Rabbi on a hillock was calling other Jews to gather. When all of them assembled, he said: “Tonight a star has arisen which testifies to the appearance of the Prophet of last era, Ahmad Mujtaba (S).”
Imam Hasan (a.s.) is reported to have narrated in a lengthy tradition that a group of Jews came to the Messenger of Allah (S) and one who was learned among them asked some questions. When the Holy Prophet (S) replied to his queries, he became a Muslim. Then he brought out a white paper showing all the replies given by the Holy Prophet (S).
Then he said: “O Messenger of Allah (S), by the One who appointed you as His Messenger, I have copied these questions and answers from the Divine tablets revealed to His Eminence, Musa (a.s.). I had seen so many of your signs in the Torah that I had begun to doubt its being the Divine Book. Forty years ago I had removed your name from Torah. But when I looked again in the Book, it was there! I have read in Torah that no one except you would be able to answers these questions, Jibraeel would be standing on your right, Mikaeel on your left, your legatee in front of you.”
His Eminence, (S) said: “You are right. These two angels on my right and left are Jibraeel and Mikaeel and this is my legatee Ali bin Abi Talib, standing in front of me.” It was mentioned earlier that prior to this, the group which testified to his Messengership was the group of Tubba.
It is mentioned in a good tradition that Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) said: Tubba had brought two tribes named Aws and Khazraj from Yemen to Medina and made them settle there. He had also told them: “Wait for the prophet who will be born soon. I have heard his virtues. He will be appointed as Messenger of Allah (S) in Mecca and he will migrate to Medina.
If I remain alive till his time I will put faith in him and fight on his side against his enemies.” It is also mentioned in another reliable tradition from the same Imam (a.s.) that the Jews had read in their religious books that the migration of Muhammad (S) would be between the mountain of Uhad and Eer.
So they went out in its search and climbed a mountain called Hadaad and it is the same called Uhad. They dispersed on all sides of that mountain. Some settled in Fadak and some in Khyber and some in Teema. Those who were living in Teema, after some time, desired to meet their friends. So they rented some camels from a Bedouin belonging to the tribe of Qays. The Bedouin said: “I am taking you through the valley between Eer and Uhad.”
They said: “Inform us when you reach that spot.” When he arrived in the middle of Jubbe Medina he informed them: “This is Mount Uhad and that is Mount Eer.” They dismounted their camels and said: “We have reached our destination. Now we do not need your camels. You may go wherever you please.” Then they wrote to their friends living in Fadak and Khyber: “We have reached the place we were searching for and now all of you may also come here.”
They wrote back: “At present we are well established here and reside in our own houses with properties. It is difficult for us to move from here. We are not very far from you.” So they settled in Medina, built houses, obtained property and cattle etc. When Tubba came to know that they had become very rich he attacked them to seize their wealth but they took shelter in a castle. Tubba arrived there with a big army and surrounded that fort.
The Jews used to pity the poor. At night the army men of Tubba were throwing some dates and barely over the wall of the fort for those who were inside. When Tubba came he also felt pity for them and gave them amnesty.
When they came out of the fort, Tubba told them: “I like your cities very much and I want to live with you.” They said: “This is not an appropriate place for you because this is the place of migration of the last prophet and until he arrives, no king can take control of this place.” He said: “I will leave some of my relatives here and wish that when that prophet appears they should help him.”
Thus he left the tribes of Aws and Khazraj with those people to settle in Medina. Slowly their population increased much. Finally they overwhelmed the Jews and snatched away their property and wealth etc. The Jews told them: “When Prophet Muhammad (S) will arrive we will also drive you out from our houses snatched by you.” But when the Holy Prophet (S) arrived, the Ansar became Muslim but the Jews turned infidels. Almighty Allah has hinted this in the Holy Qur’an:
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“…and aforetime they used to pray for victory against those who disbelieve, but when there came to them (Prophet) that which recognized, they disbelieved in him; so Allah’s curse is on the unbelievers.”[15]
It is mentioned in another authentic tradition explaining this verse that the same Imam was asked by the people about this and he said that it was a group who lived in a time between Muhammad (S) and Isa (a.s.) which used to threaten idol worshippers that: Very soon a prophet will arrive who will break your idols and deal with you thus and thus. But when the Holy Prophet (S) arrived, they themselves turned disbelievers.
Qutub Rawandi (r.a.) has narrated that when Tubba came to Medina they killed three hundred and fifty Jews and intended to destroy Medina when an old Jew aged two hundred and fifty years told him: “O King! It does not befit a man like you to kill people in a fit of anger and it is not in your power to destroy this city.” “Why?” asked Tubba.
That old man replied: “Because a prophet will be born in Mecca in the progeny of Ismail (a.s.) who will migrate to Medina.” Upon this Tubba stopped killing them and went to Mecca, put a covering on Kaaba and gave food to people over there and also composed a poem which meant: “I testify that Ahmad is the Messenger of Allah Who is the Creator of the entire Universe. If I live long enough till his arrival, doubtlessly I will be his vizier and his cousin.”
They say Tubba was a short stature man and some say he was of medium height. Ibn Shahr Ashob has narrated that when Tubba first thought of destroying Kaaba, he fell severely ill and doctors could not help him. One of his viziers told him that the cause of his illness was his bad intention regarding Kaaba; so he gave up that intention and recovered. Then he covered Kaaba with a covering and began to respect and honor the holy house. Then he came to Medina and put faith in His Eminence, Muhammad (S).
He settled four hundred of his companions in Medina so that they might await Prophet’s arrival for helping him. He also wrote a letter in the name of the Holy Prophet (S) and gave it to his vizier. He wrote therein that he was a believer in him and that he was in the community of the Holy Prophet (S) and requested the Holy Prophet (S) to intercede in his favor on Judgment Day. The letter began as follows: This is a letter from Tubba to the Prophet of the last era, Muhammad son of Abdullah.
The Holy Prophet (S) was born one hundred years after Tubba’s death. When Prophet Muhammad (S) was appointed and when many people of Medina put faith in him the above mentioned letter was sent to the Holy Prophet (S) through one Abu Laila. When the Holy Prophet (S) had gone to the tribe of Bani Salim, Abu Laila approached him with that letter.
Immediately on seeing him the Holy Prophet (S) exclaimed: “Are you Abu Laila? Have you brought Tubba’s letter?” Abu Laila was wonderstruck. The Holy Prophet (S) told him: “Give it to me,” and asked Amirul Momineen (a.s.) to read it out to him. He read it out. The Holy Prophet (S) said thrice: “Bravo, worthy brother!” Then he brought Abu Laila to Medina.[16]
Qays bin Saidah Ayadi was one of those who believed in the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (S). It is narrated through authentic reports that Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) said that after the Holy Prophet (S) conquered Mecca, he was sitting one day, near Kaaba when a group of people came to him. His Eminence, asked: “To which community do you belong?” They replied: “Bakr bin Wail.” The Prophet asked: “Do you know about Qays bin Saidah Ayadi? Where is he now?” They said: “He has expired.”
The Holy Prophet (S) said: “Praise is only due to the Lord of life and death who is to make everyone taste death. I feel like seeing Qays bin Saidah addressing people from the top of his red camel in the bazar of Ukaz saying: O people! Please assemble, keep quiet and listen attentively. Then remember and then act accordingly and while acting also teach others. Verily everyone who is born will die and who is dead will not return to this world. Doubtlessly there are bounties in the sky and lessons on the earth.
Allah has made the high ceiling of sky over your heads for you and He made the carpet of earth for you. He made the moving stars move and made the day and night follow one another. He created seas around the earth the depth whereof is not known. I tell you truly that all this is not a plaything. Behind all this are wonderful events of the Hereafter.
Why do not those who go from this world come back? Are they happy living there or are they asleep or have been kept asleep? I say on oath of Allah! There is a religion of Allah which is better than your religion.” The Holy Prophet (S) said: “May Allah shed His Mercy on Qays as he will rise up alone on Judgment Day because he was the only Faithful man in his community.”
Then the Holy Prophet (S) asked the people: “Does anyone of you recall his poetry?” One of them recited some couplets which were about Faith in the Last Day and the Final gathering. They were so full of wisdom that whenever anyone of that tribe came to the Holy Prophet (S) he used to ask him to recite those couplets and listened to them attentively.
It is mentioned that he (Tubba) lived for sixty years; that he was the first man in his community to believe in Judgment Day and who knew the Holy Prophet (S) with his entire lineage and used to give all the glad tidings of his arrival. His addresses contained glad tidings about Prophet’s arrival.
It is mentioned in books of Shias and Sunnis that Zain bin Nafel was fully aware of the religion of the Jews and the Christians. As he did not like either of the religions, he came out of Mecca in search of Millate Hanifah (the upright faith) and passing through the Arab isles like Moosal, reached Syria.
Whenever he learned about any knowledgeable religious scholar or a monk he went to him until he came to know about a monk in Balqa who was known to have complete information about Christianity. He went to him and inquired about the real religion.
He replied: “At present, it seems no one has full information about it, because that original Faith is very ancient. But very soon, in the city from where you have come, a prophet will appear who will be following that original religion. So hasten back to your place because the time of the arrival of that prophet is very near. May be he has already appeared.”
Upon this he returned hastily but got killed on the way. Waraqa bin Naufal who also believed like him wept very much when he heard about his death and recited an elegy. It is mentioned in another report that people asked the Holy Prophet (S) whether he prayed for his salvation? The Prophet (S) replied in the affirmative and also asked others to pray for his salvation as he would stand up alone on Judgment Day because he had already believed in his prophethood and was martyred in search of the true faith.
In another narration, it is said that according to Ibn Abbas: When the Holy Prophet (S) got Kaab bin Asad of Bani Quraiza arrested and wanted him to be executed, he said: “O Kaab, did the advice of Ibn Hawash the Rabbi not benefit you, who had come from Damascus and used to say: I have given up wine and luxury, I have adopted abstemiousness and started eating dates in anticipation of the prophet, the time of whose advent has arrived; he will migrate from Mecca and come to Medina.
His food will be dry bread and dates and he will ride a bare-backed mule. There will be redness in his eyes and the mark of prophethood will be embossed between his two shoulders. He will carry his sword on his shoulders and not care for any enemy. His dominion will extend to every place where the hooves of the horses can reach.”
Kaab said: “O Muhammad, it is so. If the Jews had not said that I brought faith under the threat of death, I would have indeed accepted (your) faith. But I have lived on the Jewish faith so far and I shall die on it. “The Messenger of Allah (S) said: ‘Come and execute him.’ The executioner stepped forward and cut off his head.
It is mentioned in yet another reliable tradition that Almighty Allah revealed to Isa (a.s.): Inform Bani Israel so that they may put Faith in Me and in My unlettered Messenger whose lineage will live in Paradise with your mother Maryam (a.s.). Blessed is one who puts Faith in him. Tuba is for one who puts Faith in him. Isa (a.s.) asked: My Lord! What is Tuba? Came the reply: Tuba is a tree in Paradise beneath which flows a canal.
One who drinks even a mouthful from it once, never again becomes thirsty. Isa (a.s.) requested: My Lord! let me drink a mouthful from it. The Almighty Allah revealed: O Isa! Its water is prohibited for all prophets until the last prophet drinks from it and similarly it is inaccessible to all Ummahs until the people (Ummah) of the Last Prophet drinks from it.
Qutub Rawandi has narrated that a resident of Mecca went to Syria with a trade caravan prior to the advent of the Holy Prophet (S). He says that when we entered Baara market a monk called us from his worship room to inquire if there was anybody who belongs to Mecca? He was informed that there was.
Then he asked: Was Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib born, because this was the month for his arrival? He is the last prophet and he will appear from the Sanctuary of Allah and will migrate to a place where there are many date trees, hillocks and salt lands. The narrator says: When we returned to Mecca and inquired about any new event or a wonderful thing. People said: “Yes. Muhammad bin Abdullah, the Amin (honest) has appeared and he claims to be the Messenger of Allah (S).”
It is reported by Abu Salam that one day the Holy Prophet (S) was before his appointment as the Messenger of Allah (S), proceeding to Abtah when he saw two men who looked like travelers. They said: “Assalaamu alaik.” The Holy Prophet (S) responded to the Salam. Then one of the two said: “Laa ilaaha illallaah. So far I have never met anyone who gave the answer of proper Salam, except you.” Then the other one asked: “Is there anybody in this city whose name is Ahmad and Muhammad.”
Then he was asked: “Are you a resident of Mecca?” He replied: “Yes, I was born there and am living there.” That man made his camel kneel down. He came to His Eminence, removed cloth from his back and saw the seal of Messengership and then said: “I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah (S), and will appear with Jihad. Can you give me some provision?” The Holy Prophet (S) went home and brought some bread and dates.
He took the same and told his companion: “I am thankful to Allah who held death from me until I obtained provision from a prophet.” Then the Holy Prophet (S) asked him: “Do you need anything else?” He replied: “I desire that you pray to Allah so that He allows meetings between you and me.” His Eminence, prayed likewise and that man returned to his town.
Abdullah bin Masud has related that once the Holy Prophet (S) went with his companions to a worship hall of the Jews and saw some Jews reciting a part of Torah that described his virtues. When they saw the Holy Prophet (S), they stopped reciting. A sick man was lying in a corner of that worship hall. He asked: “Why did you stop reciting?” They said: “As we had come to the description of the virtues of the last prophet we stopped reading.”
That man got up, took up Torah in his hands and loudly read out the signs and virtue and said: “I give witness to the oneness of Allah and also testify that you are the Messenger of Allah (S).” With these words he died. His Eminence, said: “This man must be bathed in the manner of Muslims.” The companions bathed and shrouded him; performed funeral prayer and then buried him.
It is related that when Abdul Muttalib went to Yemen, he met a Rabbi who knew Zabur (Psalms of David). He said: “Can you permit me to observe some parts of your physique?” Abdul Muttalib replied: “You may observe any part except the private organs.” Then that man first looked into one hole of Abdul Muttalib’s nose. Then he looked at the other one.
Then he said: “I testify that you have kingdom in one hand and prophethood in the other. So far as we know the promised light will appear in the people of Bani Zuhra. Have you asked for the hand of any of their women?” Abdul Muttalib said: “No.” Thereafter Abdul Muttalib married Malah, daughter of Wahab bin Abde Manaf bin Zuhra.
According to another narration, Jubair bin Motam says: I used to harass the Prophet most. When I felt that people would kill him, I went out of Mecca and camped in a monastery where they entertained me for three days. When they felt that I did not intend to go back, they asked: “Perhaps you are facing some danger.”
He replied: “I am a resident of the city of Ibrahim (a.s.). My cousin has claimed that he is the Messenger of Allah (S). Our community has given him much trouble and wants to kill him. I have left that place so that I may not be there at that time of his murder.” They sketched a picture and asked: “Is he like this?” Jubair said: “I have never seen any face which resembles him more than this.” They said: “If it is really so, no one can ever kill him.
He is the Messenger of Allah (S) and the Lord will surely give him victory over them.” Jubair says: When I returned to Mecca, I heard that His Eminence had migrated to Medina. Then I asked them: “Wherefrom did you get this picture?” They said: “His Eminence, Adam (a.s.) had asked Allah to show him the face of His Messenger. Allah sent to him the pictures of all the prophets (a.s.). Those pictures were safely deposited in the treasury of His Eminence, Adam (a.s.) in Maghrib. Zulqarnain fetched them out and handed over to Danial (a.s.).”
Jurair bin Abdullah Bajali his reported that the Holy Prophet (S) once gave me a letter for Zulkalaa Humeri. When I handed it over to him he respectfully read it, then arranged a big provision for journey and set out with an army to meet the Holy Prophet (S). On the way we reached a monastery and entered it. The monk asked Zulkalaa where he was going. He replied: “To the prophet who has appeared in Quraish: that this man is a messenger of the Prophet who came to me.” The monk said: “This is the time when he might have expired.”
I asked him: “How could you know about his demise?” He answered: “Before you came here, I was reading the book of Danial and had reached upto the narration about Muhammad’s virtues, age and demise etc. According to it this is the time of his death. On hearing this Zulkalaa returned from there and I came to Medina. I learned that the Holy Prophet (S) had breathed his last exactly on that day.
Ibn Shahr Ashob and others have written that Kaab bin Lavi bin Ghalib used to assemble his people every Friday. Quraish used to call Friday “Aroobah”. Kaab gave it the name of Jumma (day of gathering). Well, Kaab used to gather his community on Friday and address them: “My friends! Hear and remember. Know and understand that the days and nights are passing over you. The earth is a resting cradle for you and the sky is a firm ceiling above your heads. On the surface are pegs of mountains and the stars are signs for you.
Those who will come will become like those who have passed away. So do good to your near ones, honor you sons-in-law and give good training to your sons. Have you ever seen a dead man coming back to the world or has any corpse come out alive from the grave? Rather you keep houses for others. It is not as you think that they will not become alive in the hereafter, may you rejoice in the caretaking and beautification of the Holy Sanctuary.
Very soon, from your blissful Sanctuary, a prophet will arise whose name will be Muhammad (S). He will show you good things and teach you better habits. By Allah! If I remain alive till his time, I will bear all troubles to reach him and will help him in his affairs.” It is said that Kaab had read about the Holy Prophet (S) in the scriptures of Ibrahim (a.s.).
Sayyid Ibn Tawus has, referring to the book of Durratul Akleel, mentioned that Ibnan Nastoor was a great Christian scholar that lived in Syria and Eliya. It is said that king Harqal of Rum, who was well versed in astrology once went to Eliya. One day he felt very gloomy there. One of his special scholars asked: “Why do we observe this change in your temperament?”
He replied: “Last night I pondered over the stations of the stars and learned that a king is born who is already circumcised.” The scholars said: “It is the Jews who perform circumcision. So write to the king of Madayan so that he may kill all of them.” In the meanwhile, a messenger arrived from the king of Ghinan who had conveyed the news of the appointment of the Holy Prophet (S).
Also a messenger had come from the Holy Prophet (S). Harqal ordered: “Ask him whether the prophet who has come from Allah is circumcised or not?” They said: “Yes, he is circumcised.” Then he asked: “Do all in the community of that prophet perform circumcision?” They replied in the affirmative. Then Harqal said: “He is the same king about whom I have seen in astrology.” Thereafter he wrote a letter to the governor of Rum who also was, like him, knowing astrology well. He himself proceeded to the city of Humus. There he received the reply of the governor of Rum wherein he had written that whatever he had derived from astrology was correct. One who has appeared is both a king and a prophet.
Knowing this, Harqal entered the fort of Humus and closed its gates. Then he called great men and scholars of Rum outside the fort and from the parapet addressed them: “O people of Rum! If you want success, prosperity and salvation, put faith in the prophet who has appeared in Arab land.” When they heard these words, they became angry and rushed out to kill him. But all the gates of the fort were closed. So they returned. When Harqal became disappointed about their becoming faithful he called them again and told them: “I only wanted to test you about your religion. I am now convinced that you are firm in your belief and cannot turn.” Upon this they bowed before him and expressed their happiness.
Qutub Rawandi etc. have mentioned that it is mentioned in the First Book of Torah that an angel came to Ibrahim (a.s.) and said: “You will get a son in this old age, whose name is Ishaq (a.s.).” Ibrahim (a.s.) said: “I wish, Ismail (a.s.) lived till that time, so that O Lord, he would serve Your Holy House.” Allah said: “I will grant him grace and will make him great. Twelve great men will be born from him. I will create many communities from them.”
It is also mentioned at another place in Torah that the Almighty Allah manifested His word and argument from the side of Mount Sina and radiated from Saaeer and appeared from Mount Faraan. Saaeer is a mountain whereon Allah had talked with His Eminence, Musa (a.s.).
Saaeer is a mountain in Syria where Musa (a.s.) was born. It is mentioned in the Book of Haiquq that a great man would arrive hallowing from Yemen to Mount Faraan and thereby the sky would get beautified. He would fill the earth with radiance and death would be moving before him. And it is mentioned in the Book of Hizqil that Allah addressed Bani Israel: I have helped the sons of Qidar through angels and will destroy your religion through them. He will take you up in his Faith and, due to your anger and prejudice, kill you and he will fulfill My wish regarding your fate, because I will make Muhammad (S) appear near him so that the sons of Qidar may obey him. He will kill their enemy and the Almighty Allah will help him through angels in the battlefields of Khandaq and Hunain.
And it is mentioned in the Fifth Chapter that (O Musa I will, for Bani Israel, raise a prophet like you from among their brothers and I will put My Words in his mouth. His brothers are from the progeny of Ismail (a.s.). It is mentioned in the books of Haiquq and Danial that Almighty Allah will manifest His book from Yemen and His Holiness from Mount Faraan when it will get filled with the hallowing of Allah and the praise of Ahmad and he will own the earth with awe and authority. His radiance will brighten the earth and his army will spread throughout lands and seas.
And it is mentioned in the Book Shaya in praise of the Holy Prophet (S) that: He is My servant and My selected one. I will shed My spirit on him. My justice will be exhibited to people through him. He will make the blind seeing and the deaf hearing. He will not be inclined to futile things and he is the radiance of Allah and that it will never diminish till he establishes My argument in My Land. The pretexts of the pretenders will be nullified through him.
It is also mentioned at yet another place that the sign of his kingship will be found on his shoulder and at another place in the book of Shaya it is mentioned that I was asked to get up and see what I could see. I said: I see two riders arriving. One is riding a donkey and another, a camel. One is telling the other that Babel has fallen down along with its idols. And it is mentioned in the Psalms of David that: O Lord! Send the reviver of traditions who may show the people that Isa is a man – not God. And the signs of Muhammad (S) are found at many places therein.
And it is mentioned in Injeel that Masih (a.s.) told his companions: I am going and very soon Farqaleet is to arrive with the True spirit who will not speak or say anything of his own but whatever he will say will be Divine revelation. He will witness about me and you. All of us will go to him. He will inform you about everything. And it is mentioned in the story of Yuhanna that Masih (a.s.) said that Farqaleet will not come until I go.
When he comes, he will reprimand people for their sins. He will not say anything on his own. He will say only that which he will hear from Allah. And he will, very soon, bring the true religion for you and will inform you about events and unseen things. In another report it is mentioned that Farqaleet is the spirit that will be sent by Allah with my name. He will teach you everything. And I pray to Allah that He may send another Farqaleet who may remain with you for everything.
It is mentioned in another report that a man is to depart from you and that Farqaleet will arrive after him who will reveal secrets to you. He will explain them to you. It is mentioned at yet another place that when the oppressors apprehended Yahya (a.s.) to kill him, he sent his pupils to His Eminence, Isa (a.s.) conveying that: I await for you. Will you come to me or I should look out for somebody else?”
He sent a reply that: “I tell you with full confidence and sure truth that no woman has delivered child better than Yahya.” Verily It is mentioned in Torah and other books of the prophets that some arrived after some until Yahya came. And now I tell that Elia will arrive after me. Accept my word if you please. One who has ears capable of hearing may hear that Ahmad (S) will be in place of Elia (a.s.) and it is explained that what is meant by Elia is Ali. Some have said that the reason of mentioning Ali (a.s.) is that he will manage the religious affairs both during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (S) and also after his passing away.
And one of the revelations of Allah to Adam (a.s.) is that: I am the Lord of Becca that is Mecca. Those who reside there, are My neighbors and its visitors are My guest. I will make it inhabited by the people of the heaven and the people of the earth will arrive in it in big numbers raising slogans of Takbir (Allahu Akbar) and Thalabiyah (hallowing God). So one who visits it just for pleasing Me will be like one who visited Me and who came to My house and then it will be for Me to reserve My kindness for him.
And I will make this house the cause for the description, greatness and status of one of your sons, that is, Ibrahim (a.s.) and make his hands build this house and will make rooms for him in this house and will make water (Zamzam) flow for him and will issue ordinance about the lawful and the unlawful for him and I will convey the intelligence about the Holy Sanctuary to people through him and make its (Mecca’s) valleys full of people until, from your sons, comes that prophet whose name is Muhammad (S) and who is the last Messenger and I will make him the resident and the trustee of house (Kaaba).
It is one of the miracles of the Prophet that Allah has guarded his name (Muhammad). That is none before him had this name even though people had, for ages, heard glad tidings about his arrival. It is reported from Suraqa bin Jasham that: I went to Syria with three fellows. We camped there near a spring. All around that stream were some trees and also a Christian monastery. The Christian saw us from his place and asked us who we were. We replied that we belonged to the tribe of Mudhir. He asked again: “Which Mudhir?” We said: “Mudhir of Hazaf.”
He said: “Very soon a prophet will be born among you whose name will be Muhammad (S).” When we returned to our homes, each of us got a son and we named the children Muhammad. It is mentioned in another report that the disbelievers of Quraish sent Nasr bin Harth and Al-Qama bin Abi Muit to Medina to inquire about the prophethood of Muhammad (S). They asked about it from Rabbis who described the virtues of the Holy Prophet (S) and then asked who from your community have followed him?
They said: “The poor and the weak have believed in him.” Then one of those scholars cried out in a loud voice: “He is the prophet whose praise we have read in Torah. The people of his community will be his greatest enemies.”Ibn Shahr Ashob has written that once Talha went to a monk in the bazar of Basra. The monk asked him: “Has Ahmad arrived?
He must appear in this month.” And Amme Kalaano ameeri (the younger uncle of Ameeri) said to Abdur Rahman bin Auf: “Do you want me to give you some glad tiding which is better than your trade? Verily the Almighty Allah has, last month, sent a prophet and has revealed a Book on him. He prevents people from idol worship and invites them to Islam. Return soon.”
Then he wrote a letter addressed to the Holy Prophet (S) wherein was some poetry meaning: I give witness of the Allah who is the Lord of Musa (a.s.) and you have been appointed in Batha. So kindly recommend for me before your Lord. When Abdur Rahman reached the Holy Prophet (S) he asked: “Have you brought any letter for me from anybody?” Abdur Rahman said: “Yes, I have.” Then he submitted that letter and message to the Holy Prophet (S).
Aws bin Harith Ibn Thalaba gave information about the appointment of the Holy Prophet (S) three hundred years before his arrival, and asked his family members to follow the Holy Prophet (S). The Holy Prophet (S) said about him: “May Allah have mercy on him. He died on the true religion of Islam, and he called upon people to help me in the age of ignorance.”
Sulaym Ibn Qays Hilali has in his book mentioned that when we were returning from Siffeen with Amirul Momineen (a.s.), His Eminence, camped near the monastery of a Christian monk. A handsome and good nature old gentleman came out of that monastery with a letter. He came to His Eminence, and saluted him. His Eminence, responded to the Salam and said: “Welcome, my brother Shamun bin Hamum! How are you? May Allah have mercy on you.”
He said: “O Amirul Momineen (a.s.)! Chief of the faithful and the leader of the Muslims and the legatee of the Prophet! I am in health. Doubtlessly, I belong to the progeny of His Eminence, Isa’s (a.s.) best companion, Shamun bin Yuhanna who was the dearest to him among the twelve companions.
Isa (a.s.) had entrusted to him his books, knowledge and wisdom and that knowledge has always existed in his progeny and all of them followed the religion of Isa (a.s.). They neither became deniers nor did they make any changes in the religion. I have those books with me, which were recited by Isa (a.s.) and noted down by my grandfather, Shamun. Those books contained the events of the kings after the time of Isa (a.s.).
It is also written in them that from among the sons of Ismail, son of Ibrahim (a.s.) will be born a man in the Arab land called Tahama. It will be a part of the city of Mecca and the name of that great man will be Ahmad; whose eyes will be wide, eyebrows joined, he will have a camel, a mule, a stick and a crown. He will have twelve Imams. Then he described his birth and appointment (as prophet) and migration and also mentioned the people who would help the Holy Prophet (S) and those who would fight with him.
He also said about his life span and about all that was to happen after his demise in his people until the coming down from heaven of His Eminence, Isa (a.s.). Those books also contain the names of those thirteen persons from the progeny of Ismail (a.s.) who would be, after him, the best and the dearest of all creation in the sight of Allah and that the Creator of the universe would endear his friends and consider his enemies as His enemies.
One who will obey him would be guided rightly and one who would oppose him would tread the path of misguidance. His obedience would be Allah’s obedience and his opposition would be like opposing Allah. The names, lineage and virtues of those pious souls are also written therein and also that who of them would live how long and who would remain present and who would go into occultation, until His Eminence, Isa (a.s.) would descend and pray behind him.
He will ask Isa (a.s.) to lead the prayer but Isa (a.s.) would reply: You are the Imam and nobody should overtake you. Then he would come forward and lead the congregation. The first of them will be the best and the highest. His reward will be equal to the reward of all others. The reward of those who will be guided by him will also be great. His name will be Ahmad. He will be the Messenger of Allah (S). His other names will be Muhammad, Yasin, Fattah, Khatam, Hashir, Aaqib, Mahi and Qaid. He will be the Messenger, friend and trustee of Allah. Allah will talk with him kindly and mercifully. Whenever and wherever will be a mention of Allah his mention will also be there.
He will have the highest status in the creation and he will be the dearest to Allah. Allah has not created any proximate angel, Messenger or Prophet better than him and dearer to Him. Allah will make him sit on His Arsh (Divine throne) on Judgment Day and will accept his recommendation for whosoever he would recommend. The pen (Qalam) will write on the slate (Lauh) with his name. After him his legatee is the greatest, who will be his flag bearer on Judgment Day and will his Wasi, vizier and caliph in his Ummah. After him, he (Ali) will be dearest to Allah in His creation. His name is Ali bin Abi Talib. After the Prophet, he is the ruler and guardian of every faithful.
After him there will be twelve Imams in the progeny of Ali and his two sons will be synonymous with the two sons of Harun (a.s.) viz. Shabbar and Shabbir. There will be nine Imams from the progeny of his younger son. His last son will be one behind whom Isa (a.s.) will offer prayers. These books also contain the names of those who will be the king and who would remain hidden. The one from them who will appear first will fill up all cities with justice and equity. He will be the ruler of east and west until he wins over all religions.
When your prophet appeared, my father was alive. He testified him and believed in him. He had become very old then and could not even move. When the time of his death arrived, he informed me that Prophet’s legatee and caliph whose name is mentioned in these books will come after three usurper caliphs. The names and tributes and titles of usurper caliphs are also mentioned in these books.
When they come to this place, O my dear son, you should go to him, believe in him and be loyal to him and fight with his enemies because his Jihad is the Jihad of the Prophet (S). His friend is the friend of the Prophet and his enemy is the enemy of Prophet.
These books also contain the names of those misguided caliphs belonging to Quraish who will be inimical to the family of the Holy Prophet (S), who will make false claims and deprive them of their rights and will discard them and threaten them. The books mention the names of all of them, their attributes, period of their rule and their behavior with the progeny of the Holy Prophet (S). O Amirul Momineen (a.s.), stretch out your hand so that I may pay allegiance to you.
I give witness to the Oneness of Allah and to the prophethood of Muhammad (S) and testify that you are his legatee and caliph and you are the witness and argument of Allah on the creation and on the earth. And I testify that Islam is the religion of Allah and I discard every religion except Islam because Islam is the religion selected by Allah for His friends. It is the religion of Isa, son of Mary (a.s.) and of all the prophets. My forefathers were all following this religion.
I have adopted your guardianship (Wilayat) and the love of your friends and I am disgusted with your enemies and I accept the Imamate of your sons, show disgust to their enemies and opponents and also those who claim their rights and who oppress them, be they of the earlier people or the later. Then he took the hand of His Eminence, and accepted his loyalty. Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said: Give me this letter which you like much.
Then he asked one of his companions to go with the monk along with a translator who would translate that letter into Arabic and write it down. When that translator brought that letter to His Eminence, he (Ali (a.s.)) asked Imam Hasan (a.s.) to bring the book which he had given to him earlier.
When Hasan (a.s.) brought that book His Eminence, said “Read it as I have written it as dictated by the Holy Prophet (S).” Then he asked that man to see the translated letter. When compared they found that there was no difference even of a dot between the two. It was as if one person had read out and two had written simultaneously. Amirul Momineen (a.s.) thanked Allah and said: I am thankful to God who, if He had considered it proper and expedient He would not have allowed dispute in the Ummah.
I thank Allah who did not leave previous scriptures without my mention therein and who has dignified my name in the eyes of his friends. Upon this the Shias of His Eminence, who were with him became very happy. Their thankfulness and faith also increased due to this event.[17]
Notes:
[14] Period without a prophet.
[15] Surah Baqarah 2:89
[16] The author says that the events of Abu Laila have been described in detail at the end of the first volume of this book.
[17] The author says that good tidings about the birth and appointment of the His Eminence, are innumerable. Many of them will be included henceforth in this and in the subsequent volumes.
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