سَنَدْعُ الزَّبَانِيَةَ ﴿١٨﴾

We will call out the guards of Hell!

`And they are the angels of torment. This is so that he may know who will win -- Our group or his group'

Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn Abbas said, "Abu Jahl said,

`If I see Muhammad praying at the Ka`bah, I will stomp on his neck.'

So this reached the Prophet , who said,

لَئِنْ فَعَلَ لَأَخَذَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَة

If he does, he will be seized by the angels.''

This Hadith was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i in their Books of Tafsir.

Likewise, it has been recorded by Ibn Jarir. Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Jarir, all recorded it from Ibn `Abbas with the following wording:

"The Messenger of Allah was praying at the Maqam (prayer station of Ibrahim) when Abu Jahl bin Hisham passed by him and said,

`O Muhammad! Haven't I prevented you from this'

He threatened the Prophet and thus, the Messenger of Allah became angry with him and reprimanded him.

Then he said,

`O Muhammad! What can you threaten me with By Allah, I have the most kinsmen of this valley with me in the large.'

Then Allah revealed,

فَلْيَدْعُ نَادِيَهُ

سَنَدْعُ الزَّبَانِيَةَ

Then let him call upon his council. We will call out the guards of Hell!''

Ibn `Abbas then said,

"If he had called his people, the angels of torment would have seized him at that very instant.''

At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Sahih.''

Ibn Jarir recorded from Abu Hurayrah that Abu Jahl said, "Does Muhammad cover his face with dust (i.e., from prostration) while he is among you all''

They (the people) replied, "Yes.''

Then he said, "By Al-Lat and Al-`Uzza, if I see him praying like this, I will stomp on his neck, and I will certainly put his face in the dust.''

So the Messenger of Allah came and he began praying, which made it possible for Abu Jahl to stomp on his neck. Then the people became surprised at him (Abu Jahl) because he began retreating on his heels and covering himself with his hands.

Then it was said to him, "What's the matter with you''

He replied, "Verily, between me and him is a ditch of fire, monsters and wings.''

Then the Messenger of Allah said,

لَوْ دَنَا مِنِّي لَاخْتَطَفَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عُضْوًا عُضْوًا

If he had come near me, the angels would have snatched him limb by limb.

The narrator added;

"Allah revealed an Ayah, but I do not know whether it is concerning the Hadith of Abu Hurayrah or not:

كَلاَّ إِنَّ الإِنسَـنَ لَيَطْغَى

Nay! Verily, man does transgress. to the end of the Surah.''

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Muslim, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Abi Hatim all recorded this Hadith.