Messenger of Allah, has there come upon you a day more terrible than the day of Uhud. He said: I have experienced from thy people and the hardest treatment I met from them was what I received from them on the day of `Aqaba. I betook myself to Ibn `Abd Yalil b. `Abd Kulal with the purpose of inviting him to Islam, but he did not respond to me as I desired. So I departed with signs of (deep) distress on my face. I did not recover until I reached Qarn al-Tha`alib. Where I raised my head, lo! near me was a cloud which had cast its shadow on me. I looked and lo! there was in it the angel Jibril who called out to me and said: God, the Honoured and Glorious, has heard what thy people have said to thee, and how they have reacted to thy call. And He has sent to thee the angel in charge of the mountains so that thou mayest order him what thou wishest (him to do) with regard to them. The angel in charge of the mountains (then) called out to me, greeted me and said: Muhammad, God has listened to what thy people have said to thee. I am the angel in charge of the mountains, and thy Lord has sent me to thee so that thou mayest order me what thou wishest. If thou wishest that I should bring together the two mountains that stand opposite to each other at the extremities of Mecca to crush them in between, (I would do that). But the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) said to him: I rather hope that God will produce from their descendants such persons as will worship Allah, the One, and will not ascribe partners to Him.
Narrated by It has been narrated on the authority of `A'isha, the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ), who said to the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him):
Context
In this hadith, A'isha, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), inquires about the most difficult day he faced. The Prophet recounts the day of 'Aqaba, where he faced rejection while inviting people to Islam. Despite the hardship, he expresses hope for future generations who will worship Allah alone, showcasing his resilience and compassion.
Modern Application
This principle of hope in the face of adversity resonates today, encouraging individuals to remain optimistic and work towards positive change, even when faced with challenges. It serves as a reminder that perseverance can lead to a brighter future.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Community, Prophetic Conduct, and Divine Revelation because it reflects the Prophet's (ﷺ) experiences with his community, his conduct in adversity, and the divine support he received during challenging times.
[Remember] when you [fled and] climbed [the mountain] without looking aside at anyone while the Messenger was calling you from behind. So Allah repaid you with distress upon distress so you would not grieve for that which had escaped you [of victory and spoils of war] or [for] that which had befallen you [of injury and death]. And Allah is [fully] Acquainted with what you do.
Why [is it that] when a [single] disaster struck you [on the day of Uhud], although you had struck [the enemy in the battle of Badr] with one twice as great, you said, "From where is this?" Say, "It is from yourselves." Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.
If you do not aid the Prophet - Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, "Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us." And Allah sent down his tranquillity upon him and supported him with angels you did not see and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah - that is the highest. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
And mention, [O Muhammad], the brother of 'Aad, when he warned his people in the [region of] al-Ahqaf - and warners had already passed on before him and after him - [saying], "Do not worship except Allah. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a terrible day."
This hadith is #4522 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Jihad and Expeditions. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It has been narrated on the authority of `A'isha, the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ), who said to the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him):.