Book: Dalail an-Nubuwwah by Bayhaqi

Chapter of the Ghazwah of al-Raji'

In the story of 'Asim ibn Thabit ibn Abi al-Aqlah and Khubayb ibn 'Adi from the historical records and biographies.

Reported Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz:

According to Abu Abdullah al-Isbahani, narrated by al-Hasan ibn al-Jahm, who narrated from al-Husayn ibn al-Faraj, who narrated from al-Waqidi, describing the Ghazwah of al-Raji' which took place in Safar, at the head of thirty-six months. Al-Raji' was located seven miles from 'Usfan.

Al-Waqidi reported that Musa ibn Ya'qub, from Abu al-Aswad, mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent the companions of al-Raji' to Makkah to inform him [about a news related to Quraysh. They traveled via Najdiyyah until they reached al-Raji' where the Banu Lihyan intercepted them.]

Reported Abu Amr Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Adib:

According to Abu Bakr Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Isma'ili, narrated by al-Haytham al-Duri, through al-Manii' who narrated from Mansur ibn Abi Muzahim, who narrated from Ibrahim ibn Sa'd.

[1] This was mentioned by the author after Badr and recounted here. Referring to sources, see Ibn Hisham's Sirah (3:120), al-Waqidi (1:354), Ibn Sa'd's Tabqat (2:55), Sahih al-Bukhari (4:67), al-Tabari's Tarikh (2:538), Ibn Hazm (176), 'Uyun al-Athar (2:56), al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya (4:62), and al-Nuwairi (17-133).

[2] Additional information from al-Waqidi's Maghazi (1:354).

Transmission of a Hadith

Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz informed us, saying: Isma'il ibn Muhammad ibn Al-Fadl ibn Muhammad Al-Bayhaqi informed me, saying: My grandfather related to us, saying: Abu Thabit Muhammad ibn Ubaydullah Al-Madinī informed us, saying: Ibrahim ibn Sa'd related from Ibn Shihab, saying: Amr ibn Usayd ibn Jarīyat at-Thaqafī, who was an ally of Banu Zuhrah and a companion of Abu Hurayrah, narrated: Abu Hurayrah said, "The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, sent ten [men] with 'Asim ibn Thabit al-Ansari, the grandfather of 'Asim ibn 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab, and they headed until reaching Haddah between Ushfān and Makkah. They were mentioned to a tribe from Huthayl called Banu Lihyan, so they pursued them with nearly a hundred mounted men. They followed their tracks until they found their date-pits in a house they had halted at. They said: 'They intend to go to Yathrib (Madinah).' So, they followed their tracks. When 'Asim and his companions sensed them, they approached a place where the people surrounded them. They said to them: 'Come down and surrender with your hands, and we give you the guarantee and pact that we will not kill any of you.' 'Asim ibn Thabit, the leader of the group, said: 'By Allah, I will not surrender the life of a polytheist into captivity. O Allah, inform Your Prophet about us.' So, they pelted them with stones, and they killed 'Asim and seven of his companions. Three of them who were under the guarantee and pact of safe conduct were Hubayb, Zaid ibn Ad-Dithinnah, and another man. When they had secured them, they had nooses from their saddles and bound them with them. The third man said: 'This is the first treachery! By Allah, I will not accompany you, as I have an example to follow, and you intend to kill them.' Consequently, they stabbed him to death. They set out with Hubayb and Zaid ibn Ad-Dithinnah until they caught them at Makkah after the Battle of Badr. Banu Al-Harith ibn 'Amir ibn Nawfal bought Hubayb, who was the one who killed Al-Harith ibn 'Amir ibn Nawfal on the day of Badr. Hubayb stayed as their captive until they collectively agreed to kill him. He borrowed a weapon from one of the daughters of Al-Harith. [Note: This part is not found in the authentic narration.]

The Story of Khubayb ibn Adiyy: A True Muslim Martyr

One day Khubayb ibn Adiyy was captured without his knowledge. When he realized, he found himself sitting calmly with his captors. Khubayb recognized the woman who had inadvertently sheltered him and exclaimed, "Are you afraid I will kill him? By God, I would never do such a thing!" Amazed by Khubayb's character, the woman testified, "I have never seen a captive better than Khubayb. I watched him eat grapes, though he was chained with iron, and there is no fruit in Makkah better than this. He would say, 'This is sustenance provided by Allah to Khubayb.' When they took him out of the sacred precinct to execute him, Khubayb requested, 'Let me perform two Rak'ah (prayer units).' After praying, he addressed his captors, 'If I did not fear that you would think I feared death, I would have prolonged my prayer. O Allah, count them one by one, and kill them all. Leave none alive.

Khubayb's firm faith in the face of danger inspired awe. He prayed for his killers to be defeated and approached Paradise without hesitation, for he was a true believer in the Almighty, regardless of the circumstances. Indeed, Khubayb's steadfastness to the end is a reminder of the power of faith and the divine assistance that comes to the aid of the righteous.

Martyrdom and Divine Intervention

When Khubayb was martyred by Abu Sufyan's tribe, it triggered a swift divine response. Allah sent a creature similar to a lion from behind, protecting Khubayb from his aggressors. They could not harm him. This incident exemplifies how Allah safeguards His chosen ones, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

This poignant tale, narrated by Imam al-Bukhari in his Sahih collection, underscores the courage and faith of Khubayb ibn Adiyy, a symbol of unwavering commitment to Islam in the face of adversity.

Transmission of Hadith

Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz informed us, saying: Abu Ja'far Al-Baghdadi narrated to us, saying: Muhammad ibn Amr ibn Khalid narrated to us, saying: My father told us, saying: Ibn Lahi'ah informed us, saying: Abu Al-Aswad narrated from Urwah ibn Az-Zubayr.

The Mission of Asim ibn Thabit

Abu Al-Husayn ibn Al-Qattan informed us, saying: Abu Bakr ibn Attab narrated to us, saying: Al-Qasim ibn Abdullah ibn Al-Mughirah informed us, saying: Ibn Abi Uways told us, saying: Isma'il ibn Ibrahim ibn 'Uqbah narrated from Musa ibn 'Uqbah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent Asim ibn Thabit and Marthad ibn Abi Marthad as scouts from his Companions. They went to Makkah to gather intelligence about the Quraysh. They traveled towards Najdiyah and when they reached Rijj, they mentioned those who were killed or captured, and then transmitted a hadith regarding the supplication of Khubayb: "O Allah, I do not look except towards the face of an enemy. O Allah, if You have not decided to send back your Messenger, then convey my greetings to him." Thereupon, Jibril came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and informed him of this.

The Martyrdom of Khubayb

In another narration by Musa ibn 'Uqbah, it was claimed that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said while sitting on the day Khubayb was killed: "Peace be upon you, Khubayb. Quraish killed him, and I am uncertain if Zaid ibn Ad-Dathinah was with him or not." They also claimed that they falsely accused Ibn Ad-Dathinah of nobility and sought to test him, but he only increased in faith and steadfastness.

Urwah and Musa further narrated that when Khubayb was raised on the wooden scaffold, they called out to him, asking if he preferred to be with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), to which he responded: "No, by Allah, I do not wish that even a thorn should hurt him."

Additional Source

In the campaign narrated by Ibrahim ibn Musa, also mentioned by Abu Dawood in the chapter on Jihad, regarding the man who was taken captive. Musa ibn Isma'il narrated from Ibrahim ibn Sa'd, from Az-Zuhri, and from Abu Al-Yaman via this chain. This account can be found in the biography of Ibn Hisham and also cited by Ibn Kathir in "Al-Bidaya wa-Nihaya" (4:62-63).

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

They sought protection from him, and laughed at him. So they increased in fierce verses which he recited, and we narrate them from the narration of Ibn Ishaq, if God wills.

Names of the Six Men

• Asim ibn Thabit ibn Abi al-Aqlah
• Khubaib ibn Adi
• Zaid ibn al-Dathinah al-Bayadi
• Abdullah ibn Tariq, ally of the Banu Zafar tribe
• Khalid ibn al-Bukayr al-Laythi
• Murthad ibn Abi Murthad al-Ghanawi, ally of Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib

Encounter with the Prophet Muhammad

From among them, a group of men from Adal and al-Qara sought an audience with the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, declaring their conversion to Islam. They requested knowledgeable companions to be sent with them for guidance. The Messenger of Allah sent some individuals with them until they reached Raje' where an ambush was set for them.

Confrontation at Raje'

At Raje', the three men who had surrendered were released; however, others engaged in combat until they were killed. Abdallah ibn Tariq removed his hand from his sword's hilt and was attacked with stones while reaching for another weapon. Khubayb and Zaid were taken to Makkah. Khubayb was bought by the family of Hujayr ibn Abi Ihab and was killed by Harith ibn Amir, while Zaid was bought by Safwan ibn Umayyah and was killed by his father. Nis'tas killed the man who claimed that Amr ibn Umayyah buried Khubayb.

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz informed us that Abu Al-Abbas Muhammad ibn Ya'qub reported to us that Ahmed ibn Abdul-Jabbar narrated to us, saying that Yunus ibn Bukayr reported from Ibn Ishaq, who said that Asim ibn Umar ibn Qatada reported:

A group of people from Adal and Al-Qarah came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in Al-Madinah after the Battle of Uhud. They said: "We have embraced Islam, so send some of your companions with us to teach us about the religion and recite the Quran for us." So the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent Khubayb ibn Adi with them. He recounted their story with a similar meaning to what Musa ibn Uqba mentioned earlier but added: "At that time, when Asim ibn Thabit was killed, they wanted to take his head to sell it to Safiyya bint Sa'd the martyr. When her sons were injured in Uhud, she vowed: 'If you manage to reach his head, I will drink wine in his skull.' However, they were prevented by the back. So, when there was distance between them and him, they said: 'Leave him until evening, so that he deteriorates, and then we will take him.'" Allah then sent a jungle beast that carried Asim away. Asim had made a covenant with Allah that no polytheist would touch him in his life, and Allah prevented them from what they wanted to do to him after his death. Ibn Ishaq narrated: "Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say: 'Allah protects the believer, and He prevents them from what they wanted to do after his death.'"

It is also reported by Ibn Ishaq that Khubayb said at the time of facing the Pagans:

"Indeed, the tribes have gathered around me, and they are glaring, they have gathered... all their enemies. All of them are fierce in their enmity, fighting against me because I am a prisoner."

Reflections of a Brave Warrior

In this powerful passage, the speaker expresses his steadfastness and devotion in the face of adversity. The passage begins with the speaker describing how his family and loved ones have gathered, yet he turns to God alone to share his feelings of isolation and distress, accepting the challenges that lie ahead.

Key Points:

• The speaker's steadfastness in the face of difficulty and danger.
• His reliance on God in times of trial.
• The speaker's willingness to face death with courage and faith.

The speaker reflects on the sacrifices he has made and acknowledges that his ultimate fate lies in the hands of God. He is resolute in his commitment to face whatever may come, be it disbelief or death, with unwavering faith and trust in God.

Significance:

This passage highlights the themes of courage, faith, and submission to the divine will, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience and trust in times of adversity.

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Key Points:

• The transient nature of life and the certainty of death are highlighted.
• Moses ibn Uqba warns against engaging in needless conflict, preferring peace.
• A poetic verse by Hassaan ibn Thabit is mentioned, emphasizing the inevitability of death if he does not fight.

English Translation:

"The ebb from its stead... death is certain and life is vain. Everything preordained by God descends... the individual and the masses shall return to Him. If I don't fight you, my mother will surely blame me. Moses ibn Uqba added: People are conquered without fighting. Then Ibn Ishaq and Moses ibn Uqba mentioned verses recited by Hassaan ibn Thabit in their narrative, which includes the abundant mention of..."

Annotations:

• Ma'abil: plural of ma'bilah, a broad and long spearhead.
• Ham al-Ilah: divine decree, here referring to the action of God.
• A'il: active participle of the verb 'ali, meaning to return or revert.
• Habil: lost or deprived, invoking death upon oneself if unwilling to fight.
• Hassan's Verse: questioning the eyes for not shedding tears, comparing it to pearls precipitating from the chest.

Transmission Chain

Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Muqri informed us, saying: Al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq reported to us, saying: Yusuf ibn Ya'qub al-Qadi told us, saying: Ahmed ibn Isa narrated to us, saying: Abdullah ibn Wahb reported to us, saying: Amru ibn al-Harith informed us, that Abdul Rahman ibn Abdullah al-Zuhri narrated to him, from Buraydah ibn Sufyan al-Aslami, that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent Asim ibn Thabit to the Banu Lihyan at Rijj, mentioning their story where they tried to capture him but Allah sent a man to defend him.

Khubaib ibn Adi

Khubaib ibn Adi supplicated when he was captured, requesting the Prophet's greeting to be conveyed to him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) responded to his greeting. When he was about to be executed, he faced the direction of prayer, and even his executioner was moved by his devoutness in prayer.

Testimony of Ma'wiya, the Freedwoman of Juhyr ibn Abi Ihab

Ma'wiya, the freedwoman of Juhyr ibn Abi Ihab, mentioned that Khubaib was imprisoned in Makkah. She witnessed him eating grapes larger than his head, a miraculous provision in dire circumstances when grapes were scarce.

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Umayyah al-Dimri reported: His father narrated to him from his grandfather that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, sent him on a mission by himself. He said: "I came to a place called Khushabat Khubayb, split off from it while being watchful of the enemy, then released it and it fell to the ground. I rushed forward and took shelter for a while, then turned around, as if the earth had swallowed him."

Abu Zakariya ibn Abi Ishaq informed us: Abdullah ibn Ya'qub narrated to us that Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab informed us that Ja'far ibn Awn reported from Ibrahim ibn Isma'il, mentioning it in the same meaning except that he said: "I took shelter not far away and did not see Khubayb, as if the earth had swallowed him, and Khubayb was not mentioned until then."

Source: "Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya" (4:67).

This narration was also transmitted by the scholar Ibn Kathir in his work, "Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya" (4:67).