People of the Ditch

The lie of the scholar/monk to the boy falls under the three types of acceptable lies, a situation of war.

A beast blocked the path of the people. The boy said: “O Allah, if the monk is dearer to you, then kill the beast.” He threw the stone, hit the beast, and it died. (The people came to celebrate him as a great hero.)

Notice the natural inclination of the boy–to help the people. He’s attached to the people, he knew the truth, and wanted to help the people. Note also his bias towards the monk–when he made du’a, he asked about the monk. He didn’t say “O Allah, if the magician is more hated to you” or “O Allah, if the magician is more beloved to you”. He ties his love of Allah to his love of the monk. Subhanallah.

During the time of these people, they had a king who claimed he was Allah–similar to how Fir’aun, in the Qur’an, claims to be Allah.

There is no oppresser that maintains his power without magic.

Even today? you might ask.

Even today.

In the Qur’an, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

Translation: Moses said “Throw ye (first).” So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them: for they showed a great (feat of) magic (Surah Al-Araf, 7:116).¹

When the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) first claimed prophethood, Abu Dhar sent his brother to Mecca to investigate and see information he could turn up. His brother investigated and returned. He said (to the meaning of): “A person claims prophethood. The people call him a liar.” Abu Dhar said (to the meaning of): “that’s not enough information, I will go myself and find out more.” (Bear in mind this is a time and place where whole tribes convert or fight Islam whole-scale based on their leaders.) Abu Dhar (radiallahu ‘an) returned to Mecca. Back then, the ka’bah was a holy site. He figured the Prophet, whoever he was, would eventually end up there. So he lurked around, looking at people. But he didn’t know what the Prophet looked like, and he didn’t ask.

Expect several posts on tafseer and lessons from the story of the People of the Ditch, the background to Surah Burooj.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Qur’an:

Translation: By the promised Day (of Judgment), by one that witnesses, and the subject of the witness: woe to the makers of the pit (of fire), fire supplied (abundantly) with fuel. Behold! they sat over against the (fire), and they witnessed (all) that they were doing against the Believers. And they ill-treated them for no other reason than that they believed in Allah, Al-Aziz (Exalted in Power), Al-Hameed (Worthy of all Praise)! (Surah Burooj, 85:2-8)¹