Muhammad the Prophet of Mercy

13.
Do not listen to this Qur’an!

The
chiefs of Quraish well perceived the overpowering influence the Noble Qur’an
had on souls. They failed to overcome it themselves. They resisted it, not with
reason, sound argument, or facts, but by making loud insolent noises; singing
and joking in the midst of its recitation so that even true listeners may not
be able to hear.

They were too proud to
believe and incited people not to listen to the Qur’an, saying, as the Noble
Qur’an relates:

(“Do
not listen to this Qur’an, and make noise in the midst of (reciting) it that
you may overcome.”)1

They went to extremes in obduracy, and to further frustrate the
Messenger r
and stop him from inviting them to Islam, told him: Our hearts are under
coverings, so none of your words reach us. In our ears is deafness, so we hear
nothing of your preaching. Between you and us is a barrier, so leave us alone
and persist in your way for we shall persist in ours.2The Noble Qur’an quotes their words, saying:

(“Our
hearts are within coverings from that to which you invite us, and in our ears
is deafness, and between us and you is a barrier, so work (on your way). Indeed,
we are working (on our way).”)3

It was only near the end of the fifth year of prophethood that
the Prophet r
was able to recite the Qur’an to them in their assemblies and gatherings, and
it only happened by way of surprise, without anyone discerning his intention
before he r
began the recitation.4

In Ramadan of the fifth year, the Prophet r
went to the Sanctuary, where there was a large assembly of the chiefs and
dignitaries of Quraish. Suddenly he r rose among them and began
reciting Surat An-Najm.

It was the first time they had heard the Words of Allah, for
they had persisted in what they had advised one another: (“Do
not listen to this Qur’an, and make noise in the midst of (reciting) it that
you may overcome.”)5

But when the Prophet r
surprised them with the recital of the
Surah and the Holy Words of Allah struck their ears – the most
fascinating they had ever heard – he r captivated their
feelings.

They all forgot their previous advice and listened attentively,
thinking of nothing else, to such an extent that when the Prophet r
reached the powerful, awe-inspiring images in the last Ayat of this
Surah, and then recited: (So fall you down in
prostration to Allah, and worship Him (alone))6 and prostrated himself, none of them could restrain themselves
and they all fell down in prostration.

In reality, it was the wonderful moment of truth that cleaved
through the obdurate souls of these proud scoffers, and they could not help but
prostrate themselves.

They stood aghast when they realized that the Words of Allah had
conquered their will and made them do the very thing they had been trying hard
to annihilate. Severe reproach and blame followed from every side from their
co-Mushrikin who had not been present on the scene. They began to
fabricate lies and calumniate the Prophet r, alleging that he had
praised their idols and ascribed to them the power of intercession.

They brought forth this glaring
falsehood to establish an excusable justification for prostrating themselves
with the Prophet r, because they were people addicted to
lying and intrigue.7