How the angels protected the Prophet (PBUH)

Abu Sarah · Mar 26, 2007

How the angels protected the Prophet saw

Allaah, may He be exalted, guaranteed to protect His Prophet :saw:

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him),
as He said (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allaah will protect you from mankind” [al-Maa’idah 5:67].

One of the ways in which He protected His Prophet was by subjugating His angels to protect and guard him. So they hid him from the sight of the wife of Abu Lahab, and she did not see him.

The evidence for this is the report narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas, who said: “When the words ‘Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab’ [al-Masad 111:1 – interpretation of the meaning] were revealed, the wife of Abu Lahab came when the Messenger of Allaah was sitting with Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr said to him, ‘Why do you not move out of her way so that she will not harm you, O Messenger of Allaah?’ The Messenger of Allaah :saw:

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘There will be a barrier between me and her.’ She came and stood over Abu Bakr and said, ‘O Abu Bakr, your companion has lampooned us.’ Abu Bakr said, ‘No, by the Lord of this House, he has not spoken poetry and he does not utter verse.’ She said, ‘You are speaking the truth.’ When she went away, Abu Bakr (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, ‘Did she not see you?’ He said, ‘No, an angel was covering me until she went away.’”

(Narrated by al-Bazzaar in al-Musnad, 1/68; he said this hadeeth has a hasan isnaad. It was also classed as hasan by Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Baari, 8/958).

(b) Among the ahaadeeth that have been narrated concerning her, may Allaah curse her:

From Jundub ibn Sufyaan (may Allaah be pleased with hhim), who said: “The Messenger of Allaah :saw:

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fell ill and did not stay up and pray Qiyaam for two or three nights; then a woman came and said, ‘O Muhammad! I hope that your shaytaan has left you! I have not seen him coming near you for two or three nights!’ Then Allaah revealed the words (interpretation of the meaning): ‘By the forenoon (after sunrise). By the night when it darkens (and stands still). Your Lord (O Muhammad) has neither forsaken you nor hates you” [al-Duha 93:1-3].”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4667; Muslim, 1797).

Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar said: the words “a woman came” refer to Umm Jameel bint Harb, the wife of Abu Lahab. We have already stated this in Kitaab Qiyaam al-Layl. (Fath al-Baari, 8/921).

Further evidence of the angels guarding the Prophet :saw:

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) by the command of Allaah is to be seen in another incident with Abu Jahl, which was reported by Imaam Muslim (may Allaah have mercy on him) in his Saheeh from Abu Hurayrah, who said: Abu Jahl asked, “Does Muhammad rub his face in the dust (i.e. does he prostrate when he prays at the Ka’bah) when he is among you?” He was told, “Yes.” He said, “By al-Laat and al-‘Uzza, if I see him doing that, I will step on his neck or I will rub his face in the dust.” Then the Messenger of Allaah :saw:

(peace and blesings of Allaah be upon him) came and prayed. He (Abu Jahl) had claimed that he would step on his neck, but suddenly all they saw was that he was running away, raising his hands to protect himself. It was said to him, “What is the matter with you?” He said, “There is a ditch of fire and terror and wings between me and him.The Messenger of Allaah :saw:

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If he had come near me, the angels would have snatched him piece by piece.” Then Allaah revealed the words (interpretation of the meaning):

“Nay! Verily, man does transgress (in disbelief and evil deed).

Because he considers himself self-sufficient.

Surely, unto your Lord is the return.

Have you (O Muhammad) seen him (i.e. Abu Jahl) who prevents

A slave (Muhammad) when he prays?

Tell me if he (Muhammad) is on the guidance (of Allaah)

Or enjoins piety?

Tell me if he (Abu Jahl) denies (the truth, i.e. this Qur’aan) and turns away?

Knows he not that Allaah does see (what he does)?

Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock —

A lying, sinful forelock!

Then let him call upon his council (of helpers).

We will call out the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!

Nay! (O Muhammad)! Do not obey him (Abû Jahl).”

[al-‘Alaq 96:6-19]

(Narrated by Muslim, 2797).

And Allaah knows best.

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid