.webp "The Quraysh’s plotting to Kill the Prophet") |
| The Quraysh’s plotting to Kill the Prophet |
The message of Islam was growing stronger, and the Quraysh leaders felt their grip on power slipping. They had tried everything to discredit Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). From spreading lies to enforcing a harsh boycott, from physical persecution to public ridicule, their efforts had failed to extinguish the light of Islam. Instead, the Prophet’s message resonated more deeply among the people, and the pledges of support from Yathrib (later Medina) further infuriated the Quraysh.
Desperation crept into their hearts. They realized that if Muhammad (PBUH) left Makkah and joined the supportive people of Yathrib, his movement could grow beyond their control. This was a threat they could not afford to ignore. It was then that they conceived their most sinister plot yet: the assassination of Muhammad (PBUH).
In the dead of night, the chieftains of Quraysh gathered in their council house, Dar an-Nadwah. The most influential men of the tribe—Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyan, and others—sat in a circle, their faces grim with determination.
“What more can we do?” Abu Jahl began, his voice laced with frustration. “This man continues to defy us. He has divided our people, insulted our gods, and now seeks allies in Yathrib. If he succeeds, we are finished!”
The others murmured in agreement. For years, they had underestimated Muhammad (PBUH), dismissing him as a mere troublemaker. But now, his influence had grown beyond their control.
“We must kill him,” another elder declared. “It is the only way to end this madness.”
“But how?” asked one of the younger men. “If we kill him, Banu Hashim will rise against us to avenge their clansman. Blood will flow endlessly in Makkah.”
The room fell silent as the leaders contemplated the consequences. It was Abu Jahl who finally broke the silence, his eyes gleaming with malice.
“We will strike together,” he proposed. “We will choose one strong young man from each clan to carry out the deed. They will attack him as one, striking him down with their swords. In this way, the blood guilt will be shared among all the tribes, and Banu Hashim will have no choice but to accept compensation instead of seeking revenge.”
A wicked smile spread across the faces of the leaders as they nodded in agreement. It was a clever plan, ruthless and calculated. They decided to act quickly, before Muhammad (PBUH) could leave Makkah.
Unbeknownst to the Quraysh, their plotting did not escape Allah’s knowledge. As they schemed in the shadows, Allah revealed their plans to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through Angel Jibril and commanded him to leave Makkah.
The Prophet (PBUH) understood the gravity of the moment. The time had come to leave his birthplace, the city he loved dearly, for the sake of his mission. With full trust in Allah’s protection, he began making preparations.
That night, the Quraysh surrounded the Prophet’s (PBUH) home, swords in hand, ready to strike. They were confident their plan would succeed, but they underestimated the wisdom and courage of the Prophet (PBUH).
Inside the house, Muhammad (PBUH) devised a bold plan to outwit his enemies. He asked his young cousin, Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA), to sleep in his bed, wrapped in his green cloak. This would deceive the Quraysh into thinking he was still inside, buying precious time for the Prophet (PBUH) to escape.
Ali (RA), ever loyal and fearless, agreed without hesitation. He understood the danger but was willing to sacrifice his life for the Prophet (PBUH) and the cause of Islam.
Meanwhile, the Prophet (PBUH) recited verses from Surah Yasin as he prepared to leave:
“And We have put a barrier before them and a barrier behind them, and We have covered them, so they cannot see” (36:9).
Then, in an extraordinary act of divine protection, the Prophet (PBUH) walked out of his home, passing directly through the ranks of the assassins. Their eyes were veiled, and they did not notice him.
As dawn approached, the Quraysh burst into the Prophet’s (PBUH) home, ready to strike. To their shock and fury, they found only Ali (RA) in the bed. The young man sat up calmly, meeting their angry glares without fear.
“Where is Muhammad?” they demanded, but Ali (RA) refused to answer. Realizing they had been outsmarted, the Quraysh erupted in rage.
They immediately sent out search parties, offering a generous reward for anyone who could capture the Prophet (PBUH). Skilled trackers and bounty hunters combed the area, determined to find him.