Hadhrat Rabee'ah bin Ibaad (r.a.) belonged to the Banu Deel tribe who had all accepted Islaam after passing through the Period of Ignorance. He narrates that during the Period of Ignorance, he saw Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) in the marketplace of Dhul Majaaz saying to those gathered around him, "0 people! Say 'Laa Ilaaha Illalaah' and you will be successful." Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) was being trailed by squint albeit handsome man whose hair was divided into two locks. He followed Rasulullaah wherever he went and said to the people, "He (Rasulullaah) is an irreligious man and a liar."
Hadhrat Rabee'ah bin Ibaad (r.a.) says that when he asked about the man, he was informed that the man was Abu Lahab the uncle of Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) (1)
(1) Ahmad and Bayhaqi as quoted in A/ Bidaaya wan Nihaaya (Vo1.3 Pg.41). Haythami (Vo1.6 Pg.22) and Ibn Hajar (FatlhulBaari Vo/.7Pg. 156) have commented on this narration.
According to another narration, Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) used to run away from Abu Lahab who persistently hounded him. Other narrations also mention that as people used to attack Rasulullaah (s.a.w.), there would be no one to say anything. However, he would never remain silent (nothing would prevent him from propagation). (2)
(2) Ibn Is'haaq as quoted in A/ Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vol. 3 Pg. 138). Abdullah bin Ahmad and Tabraani have also narrated a similar report from Hadhrat Rabee'ah (r.a.) Haythami has commented on the Sanad(see Vol. 6 Pg. 36).
Hadhrat Taariq bin Abdillaah (r.a.) narrates that he was in the Dhul Majaaz marketplace when a man passed by wearing a shawl with red threads. He was saying to the people, "0 people! Say 'Laa Ilaaha Illalaah' and you will be successful." He was being trailed by another man who had injured his (the first
man's) heels and legs, causing them to bleed. The second man was saying, "0 people! Do not follow him because he is a liar!" When Hadhrat Taariq bin Abdillaah asked the people who the men were, he was told, "He (the first man) is a man from the Banu Haashim who claims to be Allaah's Rasul and the other is his uncle Abdul Uzza (Abu Lahab)." (3)
(3) Tabraani. Haythami has commented on it in Vo1.6 Pg.23.
A person from the Banu. Maalik bin Kinnana tribe narrates that he saw Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) in the Dhul Majaaz marketplace saying to the people, "0 people! Say 'Laa Ilaaha Illalaah' and you will be successful." Abu Jahal threw sand into the face of Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) saying, "Do not let this man deceive you into leaving your religion. He wants you to forsake your gods. He wants you to forsake Laat and Uzza." However, Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) paid no attention to him.
When the narrator was asked to describe Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) he said, "He was wearing two shawls with red threads. He was of medium height with a well-built body and extremely handsome face. His hair was very black and thick and his complexion was exceptionally fair." (4)
(4) Ahmad with a reliable chain of narrators as mentioned by Haythami 0101.6 Pg.21). AlBidaaya wan Nihaaya (Vo1.3 Pg.139) quotes a narration of Bayhaqi without the description of Rasulullaah (s.a.w.).
Bidaaya wan Nihaaya mentions that although a narrator may be mistaken by naming Abu Jahal, it is possible that it was sometimes Abu Jahal and sometimes Abu Lahab who took turns to harass Rasulullaah (s.a.w.)
(From Hayatus Sahabah by Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Khandhlawi)
