Article: The Powerful Effect of the Glorious Qur’an on the Disbelievers

by: Molana Ebrahim Rawat

 

 

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم الحمد لله الذي نزل أحسن الحديث كتبا متشابها مثاني تقشعر منه جلود الذين يخشون ربهم ثم تلين جلودهم وقلوبهم إلى ذكر الله والصلاة والسلام على محمد الذي كان يتأثر بالقرآن وعلى آله وصحبه الكرام أما بعد قال الله تعالى وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ تَرَىٰ أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوا مِنَ الْحَقِّ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ

 

Introduction

The Qur’an is the powerful word of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala which establishes its own routes through the hearts of man, just as rivers make their own routes. In this article, I elaborate on this point by relating incidents highlighting the Glorious Qur’an’s powerful effect on the hearts of the disbelievers.

 

Surah al Najm compels the Crowd to Prostrate

It was during Ramadan of the fifth year of the mission. The Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam left to the Haram of Makkah Mukarramah where a large gathering of the Quraysh were assembled, including their leaders and elders. The Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam recited Surah al Najm to the crowd. When he recited the Ayat al Sajdah, he fell into prostration. It was the absolute power of the Glorious Qur’an and its extreme eloquence, coupled with the heart-rending, melodious recitation of the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that compelled all those present to prostrate before Allah, the Almighty. The entire crowd—the Muslims and the polytheists—fell into prostration, except two people viz. Umayyah ibn Khalaf and Muttalib ibn Abi Wada’ah. The former lifted a handful of sand and prostrated upon it, feeling that sufficient; he was later killed as a disbeliever during the Battle of Badr. The latter was blessed with Islam at a later stage. He, Sayyidina Muttalib radiya Llahu ‘anhu, regretted his action of not prostrating and determined, “I will never abandon Sajdah there ever again.”[1]

 

The Qur’an Towers above all

Walid ibn al Mughirah once approached the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. The latter recited the Qur’an to him and it seemed as if he softened towards it. He later observed:

 

فوالله ما فيكم رجل أعلم بالأشعار مني ولا أعلم برجزه ولا بقصيده مني ولا بأشعار الجن والله ما يشبه الذي يقول شيئا من هذا ووالله إن لقوله الذي يقول حلاوة وإن عليه لطلاوة وأنه لمثمر أعلاه مغدق أسفله وإنه ليعلو وما يعلى وإنه ليحطم ما تحته

By Allah, no one is more acquainted with poetry, its poetic meters, and the poetry of the Jinn than I. By Allah, this does not resemble poetry in the least. By Allah, the speech he [the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam] recites contains a sweetness and is covered with an effulgence. Its upper section produces fruits while its roots are moist. It towers above all; none can dominate it. It certainly crushes everything below it.”[2]

 

This is the testimony of a disbeliever who never embraced Islam. The blessed words of the Glorious Qur’an left him totally mesmerised and awestruck.

 

My Heart nearly flew away

Jubair ibn Mut’im radiya Llahu ‘anhu arrived in Madinah Munawwarah after the Battle of Badr to pay ransom for the captives of Badr. He was a polytheist at the time. He heard the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam reciting Surah al Tur in the Maghrib prayer. The Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam recited these verses:

 

أَمۡ خُلِقُواْ مِنۡ غَيۡرِ شَيۡءٍ أَمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡخَٰلِقُونَ  أَمۡ خَلَقُواْ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَۚ بَل لَّا يُوقِنُونَ أَمۡ عِندَهُمۡ خَزَآئِنُ رَبِّكَ أَمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡمُصَۜيۡطِرُونَ

Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Rather, they are not certain. Or have they the depositories [containing the provision] of your Rabb? Or are they the controllers [of them]?[3]

 

Jubair ibn Mut’im radiya Llahu ‘anhu comments, “When he reached these verses, my heart nearly flew away.”[4] This powerful recitation captivated his heart and led him towards Islam.[5]

 

Two verses of Surah al Zilzal are Sufficient

Sayyidina Sa’sa’ah ibn Muawiyah radiya Llahu ‘anhu came to the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam who recited to him only two verses:

 

فَمَن يَعۡمَلۡ مِثۡقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيۡرٗا يَرَهُۥ وَمَن يَعۡمَلۡ مِثۡقَالَ ذَرَّةٖ شَرّٗا يَرَهُۥ

So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it. And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.[6]

 

These verses had such a tremendous effect on him that he commented, “This is sufficient for me. I do not care if I do not hear anything besides it.”[7]

 

The Jinn are impressed

At the advent of Nubuwwah, the jinn were banned from listening to the reports in the heaven and bolts of fire were sent against them. They discussed the matter and decided to travel the east and west of the world to find out what the problem was. The group that travelled in the direction of Tihamah intending Suq ‘Ukaz passed by the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam who was leading his Companions in Salat al Fajr at Nakhlah. They listened attentively to his recitation of the Glorious Qur’an and commented, “This is what caused a barrier between us and the reports of the heaven.”

They returned to their people and related, “Indeed, we have heard an amazing Qur’an. It guides to the right course, and we have believed in it.  And we will never associate with our Rabb anyone.” Upon this, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala revealed Surah al Jinn upon His beloved[8]:

 

قُلۡ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ أَنَّهُ ٱسۡتَمَعَ نَفَرٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ

Say, [O Muhammad], “It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened.”[9]

 

Abu Bakr’s Captivating Recitation

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu was a soft-hearted person. When he would recite the Glorious Qur’an, he would become emotional and cry profusely. Moreover, his melodious touching recitation attracted the women and children of the polytheists of Makkah. The polytheists grew worried that their women and children would be indoctrinated by his recitation and thus persecuted him to the extent that he decided to leave Makkah and travel to Abyssinia to worship Allah freely.

He journeyed towards Abyssinia but was met at Bark al Ghamad by Ibn al Daghinah who convinced him to return to Makkah Mukarramah under his protection since he viewed him as an invaluable asset to the community. Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu accepted his protection and accordingly returned.

The Quraysh leaders accepted the protection extended by Ibn al Daghinah with the strict condition that Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu does not worship and recite Qur’an openly. Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu complied for a few days but could not contain his desire to worship and recite publicly so he built a prayer room on his veranda and began praying there and reciting audibly, attracting the women and children of the polytheists.

The polytheists complained to Ibn al Daghinah of this practice of Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu. Ibn al Daghinah spoke to him to either abide strictly to the covenant or revoke his protection. “I revoke your protection and am pleased with Allah’s protection,” said Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu to him.^[10]

This report notes that the Qur’an’s powerful impact on the hearts of people was quite evident, which frightened the polytheists. Realising the undeniably persuasive effect the Qur’an has on the hearts, the polytheists instructed the people not to listen to the Glorious Qur’an and to make a noise when it is being recited.

 

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَا تَسۡمَعُواْ لِهَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَٱلۡغَوۡاْ فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَغۡلِبُونَ

And those who disbelieve say, “Do not listen to this Qur’an and speak noisily during [the recitation of] it that perhaps you will overcome.”[11]

 

Quraysh Leaders listen secretly to the Qur’an

Although they instructed others not to listen to the Qur’an, the Speech of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala had a forceful attraction which drew them towards it. The Messenger of Allah’s salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam recitation only added to the magnetism.

Abu Sufyan ibn Harb (at the time a disbeliever), Abu Jahl ibn Hisham, and Akhnas ibn Shuraiq leave at night individually and secretly to listen to the Messenger’s salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam recitation. Each of them sat somewhere by the house of the Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam to listen, being totally unaware of the presence of the others. They spent the entire night listening to his melodious recitation. At dawn, they dispersed and landed up on the same road. They blamed one another and instructed one another not to repeat this, fearing that others might be affected. However, the next night they all returned and listened secretly to his recitation. This happened for three nights.[12]

 

Al Najashi and the Bishops Cry

A group of about a hundred Muslims emigrated to Abyssinia on the guidance of the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam to flee the disbelievers’ persecution. The Makkans were upset at this and sent two ambassadors to compel the Abyssinian king to return the Muslims to Makkah. After presenting their valuable gifts, including animal hide, a horse, and a silken robe to the king, the Makkan ambassadors implored al Najashi to send back the Muslims, whom they referred to as apostates, to Makkah as they had invented a new religion. The patricians, who had already been bribed by the Makkan ambassadors, supported their plea. To their surprise, al Najashi became upset and refused to accede to their request until he hears the Muslims’ side of the story.

The Muslims were summoned to the court and were determined to speak the plain truth, no matter what happens. Their spokesperson and leader, Jafar ibn Abi Talib radiya Llahu ‘anhu, explained how they were astray and how Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala favoured them by sending a Messenger to them who taught them excellent actions and sublime character. He went on to explain the persecution they faced owing to their conversion and their consequent emigration to Abyssinia to be saved from oppression.

Al Najashi asked him if he had memorised any of the revelation, and after receiving a positive response, requested him recite some to him. Sayyiduna Jafar radiya Llahu ‘anhu recited the opening verses of Surah Maryam. Totally captivated by the words of the Glorious Qur’an, al Najashi listened attentively in silence. The profound effect the Glorious Qur’an had on the hearts of the audience was evident from the abundant tears shed by al Najashi and his bishops until it wet their beards.[13]

The verse of the Glorious Qur’an amplifies this:

 

وَإِذَا سَمِعُواْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ تَرَىٰٓ أَعۡيُنَهُمۡ تَفِيضُ مِنَ ٱلدَّمۡعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُواْ مِنَ ٱلۡحَقِّۖ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱكۡتُبۡنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ وَمَا لَنَا لَا نُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَا جَآءَنَا مِنَ ٱلۡحَقِّ وَنَطۡمَعُ أَن يُدۡخِلَنَا رَبُّنَا مَعَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ فَأَثَٰبَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا قَالُواْ جَنَّٰتٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَاۚ وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ

And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognised of the truth. They say, “Our Rabb, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses. And why should we not believe in Allah and what has come to us of the truth? And we aspire that our Lord will admit us [to Paradise] with the righteous people.” So Allah rewarded them for what they said with gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of the doers of good.^[14]

 

The Delegation of al Najashi

Mufassirin mention under the above verse that al Najashi sent a delegation to the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam to listen to his speech and observe his character. One report affirms that the delegation comprised of twelve men, seven monks and five priests. When the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam recited the Qur’an to them, they wept in humbleness and embraced Islam.[15]

 

The Hearts of the Communists are softened

In 1987, Qari’ ‘Abdul Basit rahimahu Llah visited America. Someone asked him whether he had ever seen one miracle of the Glorious Qur’an to which he replied, “Just one miracle? I can relate thousands which I have seen with my own eyes.” The man asked him to relate some. Qari’ ‘Abdul Basit rahimahu Llah went on to relate an event from the time of Jamal Abdul Nasser, the president of Egypt.

Communism was at its height at the time. Once, while on tour of the Soviet Union, Nasser was pressured heavily to become a communist and spread the doctrine in his country. He was promised that the Soviet Union would make Egypt a technological giant if only Nasser would renounce Islam and introduce Communism as the state religion. Abdul Nasser politely refused and thus ended this particular tour. He reached home but was restless that he had not defended Islam as sufficiently as he should have because he was not knowledgeable enough.

Abdul Nasser was invited to the Soviet Union again after a few years (maybe in 1970). This time, he requested Qari’ ‘Abdul Basit rahimahu Llah to come to Moscow with him. Qari’ ‘Abdul Basit was surprised because he had never imagined that he would ever be required in the Soviet Union, a land whose government and people refused to acknowledge Allah.

On this occasion, Jamal Abdul Nasser courageously introduced Qari’ ‘Abdul Basit to the Soviet heads of state, telling them that he would recite the Glorious Qur’an, the Book of Islam. Qari’ ‘Abdul Basit closed his eyes and started reciting Surah Taha, the same part of the Glorious Qur’an that had made one of the worst enemies of Islam, Sayyiduna ‘Umar ibn al Khattab radiya Llahu ‘anhu, bow to Islam.

After reciting two ruku’s, as Qari’ ‘Abdul Basit opened his eyes and looked up, he saw the miracle of the Glorious Qur’an in front of his eyes. Four to five heads of the Communist Party were in tears. Jamal Abdul Nasser smiled and asked, “Why are you crying?” to which one of them replied, “We don’t know. We have not understood a word but there is something in this Qur’an that has melted our hearts and compelled us to cry. We don’t know what has done this.”

Qari’ ‘Abdul Basit explains that this was an amazing miracle that he saw in front of him. These were people who did not know the Glorious Qur’an, did not accept the Glorious Qur’an, and could not understand the Glorious Qur’an, yet Allah affected their hearts through the recitation of the Glorious Qur’an.[16]

 

Conclusion

These incidents highlight the Glorious Qur’an’s powerful effect on the hardest of hearts, the hearts of disbelievers and arch enemies of Islam. May Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala soften our hearts to the Glorious Qur’an and enlighten our hearts and minds with it.

Ebrahim Rawat (Trichardt)

28 Sha’ban 1445 (10 March 2024)

 

 

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[1] Al Lu’lu’ al Maknun, vol. 1 pg. 315-316; Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith: 1070, 1067, 3853; Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 15464.

[2] Al Lu’lu’ al Maknun, vol. 1 pg. 228-229; al Mustadrak, Hadith: 3926; Dala’il al Nubuwwah, vol. 2 pg. 198-199.

[3] Surah al Tur, 52:35-37.

[4] Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith: 4854.

[5] Tafsir Ibn Kathir, commentary of 52:35.

[6] Surah al Zilzal, 99:7-8.

[7] Al Lu’lu’ al Maknun, vol. 1 pg. 322; Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 20593.

[8] Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 449; Sharh al Nawawi.

[9] Surah al Jinn: 1.

[10] Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith: 2175.

[11] Surah Fussilat, 41:26.

[12] Al Lu’lu’ al Maknun, vol. 1 pg. 308–310; Sirat Ibn Hisham, vol. 1 pg. 352-353; Dala’il al Nubuwwah, vol. 2 pg. 206.

[13] Al Lu’lu’ al Maknun, vol. 1 pg. 372-381; Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 1740.

[14] Surah al Ma’idah, 5:83–85.

[15] Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah al Ma’idah, 5:82-83; Tafsir al Tabari, 5:83.

[16] Qari Abdul Basit and the Communists: A Story of a Miracle of the Qur’an | IlmGate.