The Role of Holy Imams in Revival of Religion
The Narratives of the "gharaniq" Fable in the Caliphate School
The commentators of this issue have said in an interpretation of the fifty second verse of the Suah Haj:
"And we did not send before you any apostle or prophet, but when he desired, the Shaitan made a suggestion respecting his desire; but Allah annuls that which the Shaitan casts, then does Allah establish His communications, and Allah is Knowing, Wise".
Tabari, the Imam of the caliphate schools commentators has narrated the narratives and saying related to the interpretation of the words '---Arabic text---' and '---Arabic text---' and divides them into two parts: 290
A-Part one of Tabaris narratives in interpretation of '---Arabic text---' and '---Arabic text---'
In this part Tabari mentions narratives which hold the view that because of the Prophets great interest and fervour in converting his tribe, he thought to himself that he should speak to them according tot heir inclination regarding their idols and gods, and at times he even disliked speaking ill of them for this very reason. To enlarge upon this opinion Tabari seeks proof for it in the following group of narratives.
- Tabari relates the first narrative from Mohammad ibn Ka'b Gharzy and Mohammad ibn Gahis. These two say: One day the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) attended one of the assemblies of the Quraish. On that day he was hoping that something would not be revealed to him which would cause the Quraishites hatred and aversion. At that time, however, the Lord inspired in him the Surah Najm. The Prophet recited it as it was until he came to the verse.
'---Arabic text---'
and it was there that satan inspired him to add:
'---Arabic text---'
He spoke these words and then continued on with reciting the rest of the Surah. At the end of the surah he prostrated and everyone present also placed their foreheads on the ground and prostrated with him while only Valib ibn Moghaireh - because of old age and lack of strength to bend over - took a handful of dirt from the ground and prostrated on it. Everyone was happy with what they heard. The Quraishite idolators said: "We know that Allah gives life and death and possesses the power to create and sustain but our gods have intercession with Him. Now that you have set aside a part for them we will follow you!."
These two narrators then said: That night when Gabriel appeared to the Prophet, he recited the surah for Gabriel. When he came to the words that Satan had inspired in him. Gabriel said: "I did not reveal these words to you!" The Prophet said "Then I calumniated them and have ascribed words to God which he has not spoken?".
It was for this reason that the Lord revealed the following to the Prophet (s.a.w): 291
"And surely they had purposed to turn you away from that which We have revealed to you, that you should forge against Us other than that, and then they would certainly have taken you for a friend".
The occurance left the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) saddened and depressed until these verses were revealed: 292
"And We did not send before you any apostle or prophet, but when he desired, the Shaitan made a suggestion respecting his desire; but Allah annuls that which the Shaitan casts, then does Allah establish His communications, and Allah is Knowing, Wise".
The narrator then says: The Muslim Emigrants who had migrated to the land of Abyssinia heard the rumour that the entire Meccan population had become Muslims. Because of this they started out to return to their tribe. They said: "Our own people are better and dearer to us". Upon arriving at Mecca, however, and joining their tribe they saw that when the above mentioned verses were annuled they had once again turned away (from Islam and the Muslims). 293
2- This narrative has only been related from Mohammad ibn Ka'b Gharzy, and he says: The Holy Prophet (s.a.w) saw his tribe turning away from him and it was extremely distressing for him to see them keeping aloof from Divine commands and that which was revealed from God. Because of this, he hoped and desired his heart that something be revealed to him from God that create closeness, affinity and unity between himself and his tribe. It was also because of his concern for them and the avidity in his heart for their guidance that he wished the severity of the revelations (regarding the prohibition of the tribes corruption and wrong doings) would change to moderation.
At the time when these hopes gained strength and he spoke to himself about them in his heart, the lord revealed to him the Surah "Najm"
'---Arabic text---'
This revelation continued until the noble verse:
'---Arabic text---'
when Satan inspired him to say those very things which he desired and hoped would be revealed for his tribe and that was:
'---Arabic text---'
When the idolators heard these words they listened to them because it made them happy that the Prophet mentioned their Gods. Also, the believers did not detract from their affirmation of the Prophet and did not lose their belief in that which he brought from God. They did not accuse him, of error or lapse. The Surah continued and it reached the part which required a prostration at its end and then was finished. The Prophet prostrated and the believers prostrated along with him in affirmation of their Prophet while the idolators present in the mosque joined them because of the eulogy made regarding their gods. Therefore, there was no one in the mosque left who had not prostrated, believer or idolator. Only Valid ibn Moghaireh couldn't bend over because of his old-age and inability and because of this he took a handful of dirt and prostrated on the palm of his hand. Then the people left the mosque and went their separate ways. The Quraishites left the mosque in a happy mood because of these remarks, and were saying: Mohammad remembered our gods with the best of statements and among that which he recited was this passage:
'---Arabic text---'
reports of this all-inclusive prostration reached Abyssinia and the prophets followers who had migrated there were informed of it and it was even said that the Quraishites had accepted Islam. A group of them started out for Mecca and also a few remained where they were.
Gabriel appeared to Mohammad and said: O' Mohammad what have you done? You read for the people (as the Quran) which I did not bring to you and you said things which had not been revealed to you". The Prophet became extremely sad and apprehensive because of this remark and was frightened of the Lord!
Afterwards, God revealed certain verses to him. He was kind to his prophet and consoled him, making the weight of the occurance easier for him to bear. He informed him that; "Also before you no messenger of prophet hoped or desired for something that the Satan didn't interfere in his desire and inspire him to speak certain things. While of course afterwards the lord abrogates the satanic expressions and strengthens his own verses. This means that you are like the previous prophets and apostles". Then the lord revealed the following:
'---Arabic text---'
in this way eliminating the Prophets sadness and grief and replacing the fear in his heart with security, and abrogating the satanic inspirations;