The Prophetic Biography: The Jinn Listening to the Qur’an and Embracing Faith The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) returned from Ta’if heading toward Mecca. He found no goodness among the people of Ta’if—but he found all goodness with God. While still on the road, he reached a place called Batn Nakhlah, near Mecca, and sat there reflecting on his situation. How could he now enter Mecca, when the leaders of the tribe of Thaqif had already sent a horseman to inform Quraysh that Muhammad had come to them? According to Arab custom, such a visit could be interpreted as seeking their support against Quraysh, which made him appear, in the eyes of Quraysh, as an enemy—almost in a state of war. As he contemplated his situation, God guided him. He sent Zayd ibn Harithah to a man named ‘Abdullah ibn Urayqit, who worked in the service of Abu Bakr (may God be pleased with him). When ‘Abdullah came to the Prophet, he was asked to approach Al-Mut‘im ibn ‘Adi, a distant relative of the Prophet through their shared ancestor ‘Abd Manaf. Although not a close cousin, Al-Mut‘im was a respected leader of his people. The message conveyed was that Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib wished to enter Mecca under his protection, so that Quraysh would not harm him. At this point, one might ask: since believers are taught to rely upon God, why did the Prophet seek the protection of a polytheist instead of relying solely on divine protection? The answer is that the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) is both a lawgiver and a perfect example for Muslims. His actions form part of religious guidance. The primary source of Islamic law is the Qur’an, followed by the Sunnah in its three forms: his sayings, his actions, and his tacit approvals. If the Prophet had refused to seek protection or had not migrated in secrecy, such actions would have been considered impermissible for Muslims. But he did migrate secretly, and here he sought the protection of Al-Mut‘im ibn ‘Adi—thereby allowing weaker members of the Muslim community to seek protection from non-Muslims when necessary. In contrast, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may God be pleased with him) migrated openly, challenging Quraysh, and the Prophet did not object. However, ‘Umar was not a lawgiver. Our role model is the Messenger of God, who did not burden his community beyond its capacity: “We have not sent you except as a mercy to all creation.” When the message reached Al-Mut‘im, he replied: “Tell Muhammad to come; I grant him my protection.” When Zayd was sent to ‘Abdullah, the Prophet stood in prayer, reciting the Qur’an. During this time, a group of jinn listened to his recitation. The Prophet then proceeded to the house of Al-Mut‘im ibn ‘Adi, who welcomed him and treated him generously. At sunrise, Al-Mut‘im took up his sword and instructed his six sons to arm themselves. He said: “Rise, Muhammad.” He placed two sons on the Prophet’s right, two on his left, and two behind him, escorting him to the Ka‘bah. When Quraysh saw Al-Mut‘im, the leader of Banu Nawfal, surrounding Muhammad with his sons, they became furious and assumed he had embraced Islam. Abu Sufyan approached him calmly and asked: “Are you offering protection or following him?” Al-Mut‘im replied: “I am offering protection.” Abu Sufyan said: “Then we honor the protection you grant.” The Prophet performed the circumambulation around the Ka‘bah and then returned home. Quraysh understood that harming him would mean declaring war against the entire clan of ‘Abd Manaf. The Prophet never forgot the favor of Al-Mut‘im ibn ‘Adi—even after his death as a non-believer. Before the Battle of Badr, when seventy polytheists were taken captive, the Prophet said: “If Al-Mut‘im ibn ‘Adi were alive and asked me about these captives, I would release them for him.” The Jinn Listening to the Qur’an Before entering Mecca, while the Prophet was praying at Batn Nakhlah—grieved and distressed—God willed to console him. If the people of Ta’if had rejected his message, God would send to him a group of jinn to believe in it. By divine will, a group of noble jinn from Nineveh (the land of the Prophet Jonah, in present-day Iraq) were brought to Batn Nakhlah. They were seven in number. When they heard the Qur’an being recited, they were amazed by its beauty and eloquence. They said: “Listen attentively.” Then they declared: “By God, this is neither the speech of jinn nor of humans.” It is said that God caused a nearby tree to indicate their presence to the Prophet. Their leader, named Zawba‘ah, said: “I will go and speak to him—stay where you are so that we do not frighten him.” He then took human form and approached the Prophet. He greeted him and said: “I heard you reciting words that are neither from jinn nor from mankind. I am a leader among the jinn, and my companions are nearby so as not to alarm you.” The Prophet said: “Call them to come.” When they came and greeted him, the Prophet invited them to believe in God. They accepted Islam and promised to return to their people and bring them back to pledge allegiance. God says in the Qur’an: “And when We directed to you a group of jinn listening to the Qur’an. When they attended it, they said, ‘Listen attentively.’ And when it was finished, they returned to their people as warners. They said, ‘O our people, we have heard a Book revealed after Moses, confirming what came before it. It guides to the truth and to a straight path. O our people, respond to the caller of God and believe in him; He will forgive your sins and protect you from a painful punishment. And whoever does not respond to the caller of God cannot escape on earth, and he will have no protectors besides Him. Those are in clear error.’” (Qur’an 46:29–32) Their Return with Their People The next day, the leader of the jinn returned with the seven who had pledged allegiance. They sought permission to enter and came in human form. He said: “Messenger of God, we have called our people as you instructed, and they have responded. They have all come from Nineveh to pledge allegiance to you—all the tribes of the jinn of Iraq are present.” The Prophet asked: “Where are they?” He replied: “We left them at Mount Al-Hajun.” The Prophet said: “Stay there; I will come to them.” According to narrations, the Prophet went out—either alone or accompanied by ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud on a later occasion. When they approached Al-Hajun, the Prophet drew a line on the ground and instructed Ibn Mas‘ud: “Sit here and do not cross it. Do nothing until I return, and do not be afraid.” God says: “They almost crowded over him in masses” (Qur’an 72:19), meaning they gathered densely, pressing upon one another in their eagerness to listen. Ibn Mas‘ud described the scene: “I saw nothing but layers of darkness upon darkness, as they filled the space between me and the sky, blocking my view of the Messenger.” The Prophet spent the entire night with them until dawn, teaching them. At daybreak, Ibn Mas‘ud heard their murmuring voices as they began to disperse like passing clouds. They pledged allegiance to the Prophet, greeted him, and then departed.