Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Hazrat Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was among the first women to embrace Islam. Abu Jahal would persecute and torture her.
When Abu Jahal and the other leaders of Makkah Mukarramah would see Hazrat Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), they would say, “If the deen of Islam contained any goodness and excellence, then Zinneerah would not have preceded us in accepting it.”
In regard to this, Allah Ta‘ala revealed the following verse:
وَ قَالَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا لِلَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَوۡ کَانَ خَیۡرًا مَّا سَبَقُوۡنَاۤ اِلَیۡه
And the disbelievers said to the believers, “If this deen was any good, they would not have preceded us to it.” (Surah Ahqaaf v. 11)
The disbelieving leaders of Makkah Mukarramah failed to realise that if they possessed any goodness in their hearts, then they themselves would have preceded others towards goodness and the true deen and they would not lag behind in embracing the true deen. They failed to understand that if the leaders and wealthy people of society refuse to accept the advice and the guidance of the Ambiyaa, and the poor people whose hearts are pure from the love for prestige and wealth accept the teachings and invitation of the Ambiyaa, then this does not prove that the true message is false. Rather, it is a clear proof of the pride, arrogance and haughtiness of those who reject this deen.
The poor and weak people embracing the truth does not bring dishonour to the truth. Instead, by them accepting the truth, they raise themselves from being downtrodden and insignificant and secure the lofty ranks of honour.
As for the wealthy and the leaders, then by them refuting the truth, they dishonour and disgrace themselves in the eyes of those who possess insight. Indeed, if the wealthy and influential do not hesitate to accept the truth – such as Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat ‘Abdur Rahmaan bin ‘Auf (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) – then this further enhances their honour and status.
Nevertheless, due to the torture and persecution that Hazrat Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was made to suffer, she lost her eyesight. The disbelievers of Makkah Mukarramah claimed that their idols, Laat and ‘Uzza, had rendered her blind.
In response, Hazrat Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) said to these disbelievers, “Laat and ‘Uzza do not even know who worships them. My blindness was destined by none other than Allah Ta‘ala. If He wishes, He will restore my sight.”
Through the power of Allah Ta‘ala, when she awoke the next morning, her eyesight was restored. Seeing this, the disbelievers of Makkah Mukarramah remarked, “Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has cast a spell of magic over her.”
Eventually, Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) purchased her and set her free.
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/231-232)
