Abd Allah ibn Ubayy: Difference between revisions
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==Conversion== |
==Conversion== |
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Soon after the entry of Muhammad in Medina, most of the population converted to [[Islam]]. Seeing large numbers convert, Ibn Ubayy followed suit, as, according to [[Maxime Rodinson]], "he thought it wiser to join than to stand out against it."<ref name="RM156" /> There remains a possibility, however, that he may have converted out of a "genuine sympathy with monotheist ideas fostered by his friendly relations with the Jews."<ref>Rodinson (2002) p. 157</ref> Islamic opinion traditionally views |
Soon after the entry of Muhammad in Medina, most of the population converted to [[Islam]]. Seeing large numbers convert, Ibn Ubayy followed suit, as, according to [[Maxime Rodinson]], "he thought it wiser to join than to stand out against it."<ref name="RM156" /> There remains a possibility, however, that he may have converted out of a "genuine sympathy with monotheist ideas fostered by his friendly relations with the Jews."<ref>Rodinson (2002) p. 157</ref> Islamic opinion traditionally views Abd-Allah's conversion as insincere, and he later earned a reputation as the "leader of the hypocrites."<ref name="M285">al-Mubarakpuri (2002) p. 285</ref><ref name="EIU" /> Ibn Ishaq relates "that some of the Helpers were not altogether convinced of the political wisdom of supporting the apostle: these came to be regarded as paying lip-service to Islam, but hiding treachery in their hearts, and they were known and reviled as 'the Hypocrites'."<ref name="Ibn Ishaq" /> |
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==Banu Qaynuqa== |
==Banu Qaynuqa== |
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==Other controversy== |
==Other controversy== |
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During the expedition of [[Banu Mustaliq]], the incidence of a quarrel between the [[Ansar]] and the [[Muhajirun]] was used by |
During the expedition of [[Banu Mustaliq]], the incidence of a quarrel between the [[Ansar]] and the [[Muhajirun]] was used by Abd-Allah to try to undermine Muhammad's authority. According to [[Montgomery Watt]], Muhammad practiced "great restraint" throughout his dealings with Ibn Ubayy.<ref name="EIU" /> Abd-Allah was also a central figure in spreading and magnifying rumors concerning Muhammad's wife, Aisha, during the return from the Banu Mustaliq expedition. Shortly after this, Muhammad presented Qur'anic verses which denied the rumors and criticized those who had spread them.<ref name="EIA">{{cite encyclopedia | author= Watt, M | title=Aisha bint Abi Bakr | encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia of Islam]] Online | editor= P.J. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs | publisher= Brill Academic Publishers | id=ISSN 1573-3912}}</ref> |
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==Illness and death== |
==Illness and death== |
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Revision as of 00:24, 22 February 2007
 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. |
Abd-Allah ibn Ubayy (or ibn Salul in reference to his mother) was a chief of the Arab tribe Banu Khazraj and one of the leading men of Medina (then known as Yathrib). Upon the arrival of Muhammad, Ibn Ubayy became a Muslim, though the sincerity of that conversion is disputed. Because of repeated conflicts with Muhammad, Islamic tradition has labelled him a Munafiq (hypocrite) and "leader of the Munafiqūn".[1]
Position in Medina
Ibn Ubayy had led the Khazraj tribe on the first day of the fidjar (lit. "sacreligious") war. He did not participate on the second day of the fidjar. Neither did he participate in the Battle of Bu'ath, due to a quarrel with another leader over the unjustified execution of some Jewish hostages. He occupied a high status in pre-Islamic Medinan society, and his supporters aimed for him to become the king of Medina. This aim was not realised, however, due to the arrival of Muhammad in 622.[1][2] According to Ibn Ishaq, Ibn Ubayy was "a man of great authority in Medina before the advent of the apostle and who remained a continuing thorn in the flesh of his success." [3]
Conversion
Soon after the entry of Muhammad in Medina, most of the population converted to Islam. Seeing large numbers convert, Ibn Ubayy followed suit, as, according to Maxime Rodinson, "he thought it wiser to join than to stand out against it."[2] There remains a possibility, however, that he may have converted out of a "genuine sympathy with monotheist ideas fostered by his friendly relations with the Jews."[4] Islamic opinion traditionally views Abd-Allah's conversion as insincere, and he later earned a reputation as the "leader of the hypocrites."[5][1] Ibn Ishaq relates "that some of the Helpers were not altogether convinced of the political wisdom of supporting the apostle: these came to be regarded as paying lip-service to Islam, but hiding treachery in their hearts, and they were known and reviled as 'the Hypocrites'."[3]
Banu Qaynuqa
In 624, Muhammad lay siege to the tribe of Banu Qaynuqa for 15 days, eventually forcing their surrender. Ibn Ubayy, who had been in league with the Banu Qaynuqa in pre-Islamic times, appealed to Muhammad for leniency to be shown to them.[1] Ibn Ubayy grabbed hold of the top of Muhammad's breast plate as he turned away, provoking his anger.[6] "Let me go," Muhammad said. Ibn Ubayy replied:
"No, by Allah! I shall not let you go until you deal kindly with my allies. Four hundred men without armour and three hundred with, who have always defended me from both Red and Black [that is to say against all-comers]. Will you then slay them in the space of a morning? By Allah, in your place I would fear a reversal of fortune!"[6]
This threat by Ibn Ubayy came while he yet wielded some power. Muhammad yielded in the light of his demand, leaving Banu Qaynuqa 3 days to leave the city.[6] Muslims traditionally see this event as evidence of Ibn Ubayy's hypocrisy, for it had been only a month since his conversion, yet he was already contesting Muhammad's decision by interceding for his former allies.[5]
In the consultations preceding the approaching Meccan attack on Medina in 625, Ibn Ubayy had favored Muhammad's original plan to defend from the strongholds inside Medina itself. Some young Muslims, however, argued that the Meccans should be fought outside of the city. Persuaded by the latter, Muhammad adopted an offensive strategey. Critical of the change in plan, Ibn Ubayy withdrew himself from the Muslim army along with 300 followers, retiring to the strongholds,[1] and according to Islamic tradition, proclaiming: "We do not know why we shall kill ourselves."[7] Although the Muslim army had been subsequently defeated, Muhammad had not been killed. Nor did the Meccans enter Medina, as, Rodinson suggests, doing so would relinquish the advantage given to Muhammad's opponents in the wake of his defeat, and reforge the very unity of the population which had been jeapordised by the Meccan victory.[8]
Banu Nadir
Up until the aftermath of the Battle of Uhud, Ibn Ubayy had mainly expressed his opposition to Muhammad through vocal criticism. For the two years following, however, he actively intruiged against him.[1] When Muhammad ordered the Banu Nadir to leave Medina on the basis of perceived enmity against him, Ibn Ubayy persuaded them not to comply, promising them the support of 2,000 men to resist Muhammad. What resulted was a 2 week siege upon the Banu Nadir, ending in their surrender. The support promised never materialized. Afterwards, the Banu Nadir were expelled from Medina.[9]
Other controversy
During the expedition of Banu Mustaliq, the incidence of a quarrel between the Ansar and the Muhajirun was used by Abd-Allah to try to undermine Muhammad's authority. According to Montgomery Watt, Muhammad practiced "great restraint" throughout his dealings with Ibn Ubayy.[1] Abd-Allah was also a central figure in spreading and magnifying rumors concerning Muhammad's wife, Aisha, during the return from the Banu Mustaliq expedition. Shortly after this, Muhammad presented Qur'anic verses which denied the rumors and criticized those who had spread them.[10]
Illness and death
Ibn Ubayy participated in the expedition of Hudaybiyya, but did not attend the one thereafter in Tabuk due to ill health. He died shortly afterwards, in 631. The funeral prayer was conducted by Muhammad himself.
Abd-Allah ibn Ubayy left behind several daughters and a son also called Abd-Allah, all of whom became devout Muslims.[1]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h Watt, M. "`Abd Allah b. Ubayy b. Salul". In P.J. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs (ed.). Encyclopaedia of Islam Online. Brill Academic Publishers. ISSN 1573-3912.
{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) - ^ a b Rodinson (2002) p. 156
- ^ a b The earliest biography of Muhammad, by ibn Ishaq
- ^ Rodinson (2002) p. 157
- ^ a b al-Mubarakpuri (2002) p. 285
- ^ a b c Rodinson (2002) p. 173
- ^ al-Mubarakpuri (2002) p. 298
- ^ Rodinson (2002) p. 182
- ^ Vacca, V. "Nadir, Banu'l". In P.J. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs (ed.). Encyclopaedia of Islam Online. Brill Academic Publishers. ISSN 1573-3912.
{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) - ^ Watt, M. "Aisha bint Abi Bakr". In P.J. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs (ed.). Encyclopaedia of Islam Online. Brill Academic Publishers. ISSN 1573-3912.
{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)
References
- Rodinson, Maxime (2002). Muhammad: Prophet of Islam. Tauris Parke Paperbacks. ISBN 1860648274.
- al-Mubarakpuri, Saif-ur-Rahman (2002). al-Raheeq al-Makhtoom, "The Sealed Nectar". Islamic University of Medina. Riyadh: Darussalam publishers. ISBN 1591440718.