Recently I have been listening to some lectures regarding Al-Ghurabaa and the hadith which mentions them and this morning while reading some news from websites which I subscribe to I came across something that is truly strange which made me remember the Ghurabaa.
But first a brief background on the topic.
The Arabic word “Ghurabaa`”, is the plural of the word “Ghareeb” which is a derivative of the word “Gharaba” – which means, “to go away, depart, absent o.s., withdraw (from), leave (s.o., s.th.)”. The word “Ghareeb” means, “strange, foreign, alien, extraneous” (see Hans Wehr Dictionary).
It has been reported from the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him (pbuh), which has been authenticated by al-‘Allaamah al-Muhaddith al-Albaani in his Sahih al-Jami’ as-Sagheer – that he (pbuh) said:
“Indeed Islam began as something strange. And it will return as something strange the way it began. So give glad tidings to the strangers”.
At the time of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) he had many staunch enemies who wanted to destroy Islam and kill him. Even people from his own family. There are to many to mention here so I will only use 'Umar ibn Al Khatab as an example.
‘Umar ibn Al Khattab was a feared and well respected man from the Banu Adi clan from among the Quraish. He came from a middle class family from Mecca. He was one of the early opponents of the religion of Islam and was very much feared by many if not all men of the region.
At that time, Islam was being taught in private due the fear of persecution from the Quraish.
One day the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) made a Du'a (invocation) to Allah:
“O Allah! Give Islam strength through one of the men you love more: ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab or Amr ibn al Hisham(Abu Jahl)”
One day 'Umar bumped into Umm Abdullah who was running around frantically having the plan to leave Mecca because of the persecutions. He asked her, “Why are you running around?” She responded, “You have caused us too much pain for worshiping Allah.” To her shock ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab told her, “have peace on your journey.” Umm Abdullah told her brother that she ran into ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab, and her brother responded “He’s going to kill us.” Islam began to soften the heart of ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab.
One day ‘Umar went to visit the Haram. Once there he saw the Prophet (pbuh) praying in front of his eyes. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was reciting Surah Haqqah(the Reality). Soon after listening to it he thought to himself “By Allah, this is poetry as the Quraish have said.” Right when he said this; Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) recited:
“That this is verily the word of an honoured Messenger,
It is not the word of a poet, little is it that you believe!” (Quran 69:40-41)
Surprised by the verses, he thought to himself “He must be a soothsayer.” Another accusation made by the Quraish. As soon as he said that; the next verses recited were:
“Nor is it the word of a soothsayer , little is that you remember!
This is the Revelation sent down from the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)” (Quran 69: 42-43)
Later on in life, when speaking of this moment, ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab said “This is when Islam entered my heart.”
‘Umar was a man known for determination and his anger, made a sudden decision to kill the prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Even though Islam was slowly entering his heart; the hatred he had for the new religion still existed.
On his way to kill the prophet (pbuh)he ran into Na’im ibn Abdullah who began to talk to him. When Na’im found out that ‘Umar wanted to kill the Prophet; he told ‘Umar that maybe he should speak with his sister or take care of his own backyard as we would say today implying that his sister was Muslim in order to ward him of from killing the prophet (pbuh).
When he came near his sister’s house he heard the recitation of the Quran. Upon entering he asked his sister and her husband “Have you left the faith of your forefathers?”. He then began to attack his sister and her husband. Upon seeing the blood of his sister; he felt guilty. He had become the 'Umar with a softer heart already. Had this not been the case he would have killed his sister and her husband.
He apologized to his sister and her husband, and requested to read the words of the Quran. His sister said “you are not clean go wash your self.” Upon reading the verses of Surah Ta ha; Islam began to enter his heart again.
He then continued on to go and visit the Prophet. While 'Umar was at his sister’s house; Na’im ibn Abdullah went and warned the Prophet and his companions of ‘Umar’s intentions.
When ‘Umar got to the house-sword in hand. The uncle of the prophet Hamza ibn Abdul - Mutallib said, “I will kill him with his own sword.”
The Prophet(pbuh) told him, “No, go hide.” When ‘Umar entered the Prophet (pbuh) grabbed ‘Umar by the collar and shook him; then asked him, “O Ibn Al Khattab, Why have you not accepted Islam?” ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab responded:
“I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”
The Muslims that were hiding began yelling Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest). This became so loud that it could be heard through out Mecca. Till this day, when a person accepts Islam, upon him finishing his deceleration the people yell Allahu Akbar.
After years of secretly spreading Islam, from that moment on, Islam began being preached in the open.
The young Abdullah Ibn Umar, the son of ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab, who secretly was already Muslim at a very young age could not be happier. When he found out he began running through the streets yelling “'Umar has left the religion of your forefathers.”
As you can see it was such a big deal when he left the falsehood for the truth. This was a strange thing to do since he was one of the biggest enemies and opposers of Islam.
Today many people are leaving the falsehood for the truth and some of them were the biggest opposers of Islam.
The following article regarding one of Islam biggest opposers, none other than Daniel Streich, who has just embraced Islam, who was famous for his campaign to stop the building of minarets and mosques in Switzerland and eventually Europe, and now wants to build the most beautiful mosque in Europe, in Switzerland.
This conversion has been mentioned in many news papers and forums and blogs both Muslim and non Muslim, but not once have I found it in any of the main British, American or Australian papers. What are they afraid of. Could it be the truth? Could it be the fact that Daniel Streich is a Ghareeb (stranger)? and is proving the worlds view of Islam is incorrect?
Even anti - Islamic forums and websites have mentioned this and the most they can say is he is crazy or needs to see a psychiatrist. The excuse of people who have not yet properly looked into Islam from valid sources or those who don't want to look into it because of the hatred that the media has sown into their hearts.
I say it is clear that he is very sane. He is very opened minded and man enough to admit being wrong and to accept the truth by letting his hatred for Islam, which he was taught to hate and fight against, fade away and fully embrace Islam.
One of the many articles out there can be found here and is reproduced below.
Swiss antagonist of minarets embraces Islam
RENOWNED Swiss politician Daniel Streich, who rose to fame for his campaign against minarets of mosques, has embraced Islam.A member of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) and a well-known politician, Daniel Streich was the first man who had launched a drive for imposition of ban on mosques minarets, and to lock the mosques in Switzerland. The proclamation of Streich’s conversion to Islam has created furore in Swiss politics, besides causing a tremor for those who supported ban on construction of mosques minarets.
Streich propagated his anti-Islamic movement far and wide in the country, sowed seeds of indignation and scorn for Islam among the people, and paved way for public opinion against pulpits and minarets of mosques.
But now Streich has become a soldier of Islam. His anti-Islam thoughts finally brought him so close to this religion that he embraced Islam. He is ashamed of his doings now and desires to construct the most beautiful mosque of Europe in Switzerland.
The most interesting thing in this regard is that at present there are four mosques in Switzerland and Streich wants to lay the foundation for the fifth one. He wishes to seek absolution of his sin of proliferating venom against Islam. He is thinking of a movement contrary to his previous one to promote religious tolerance and peaceful cooperative living, in spite of the fact that ban on mosques minarets has gained a legal status.
This is the greatest quality of Islam that it comes up with even greater vigour, when it is faced with confrontation.
Abdul Majeed Aldai, the president of OPI, an NGO, working for the welfare of Muslims, says that Europeans have a great desire to know about Islam. Some of them want to know about the relationship between Islam and terrorism; same was the case with Streich.
During his confrontation, Streich studied the Holy Quran and started understanding Islam.
He wished to be hard to Islam, but the outcome was otherwise. Aldai further says.
Recently the question of ban on minarets was put to voting in Switzerland, wherein the Swiss nationals gave the issue a legal status.
As per voting results 42.5 per cent people voted in favour of the minarets and 57.5 per cent supported the ban, while the Muslim population in Switzerland is only 6 per cent. The most wondrous thing in this regard, therefore, is the support of 42.5 per cent of population for only six per cent Muslims.
The analysts claim that ban on minarets and Islamic rituals has attracted the people towards Islam.
Streich was an important member of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP). His importance could be estimated from his influence on party’s policy making, in which he always had a prominent role. His movement against minarets was aimed at gaining political attention and interest. He won the slot of military instructor in the Swiss Army due to his popularity.
Born in a Christian family, Streich had a comprehensive study of Islam merely to malign and confront, but Islamic teachings had a deep impact on him. Eventually he de-linked himself from political activities and he embraced Islam. Streich has termed the SVO activities against the Muslims as satanic.
He says that he used to read the Bible and often went to chapel, but now he recites the Holy Quran and offers his prayers five times a day. He further says that he cancelled his party membership and made public his conversion. Streich says that he has found the truth of life in Islam, which he could not find in Christianity.
On the other hand the Swiss military authorities have feared that Streich, who was once a military instructor, might reveal army secrets to the Muslims.
An SVP National Council member says that Streich as military instructor could be dangerous.
However, a spokesman of Swiss Army while rejecting this impression said that the performance of our military was more important than that who instructed it.
However, from within their own ranks, a man is now working for the promotion of Islam and its teachings. The law of a country can ban minarets but not minds and hearts.
