36. Description Of The Saying Of Rasoolullah On Poetry

Someone enquired from Aisha radiyallahu anha: Did Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam recite poetry? She replied, He sometimes as an example recited the poetry of Abdullah ibn Rawahah (and sometimes of other poets). He sometimes recited this couplet of Tarfah: "Sometimes that person brings news to you whom you have not compensated." Abu Hurayrah Radiyallahu anhu reports that Rasulullah sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: "The most truthful couplet recited by a poet is that of Labeed bin Rabi'ah: 'verirly be aware, besides the Almighty everything else is futile'. And Ummayyah bin Abis-Sault was about to accept Islaam" Jundub bin Sufyaan Radiyallahu 'Anhu relates: "Once a stone hit the Mubaarak fingers of Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam and injured them, they became covered in blood. Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam thereupon recited this couplet: 'You are but a finger, no damage has overcome you, besides covering you in blood. This is not fruitless, for reward has been obtained in the path of Allah'". Baraa ibn Aazib radiyallahu anhu was once asked, You all deserted Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam and ran away in the Battle of Hunayn? He replied, No, Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam did not turn away, except a few people in the army who were in a hurry (many of whom were from the tribe of Sulaym and a few newly converted youth of Makkah) turned away when the people of the tribe of Hawaazin began to shower arrows. Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam (with whom there naturally were the great Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum) was riding a mule Abu Sufyan ibn Al-Haarith ibn Abdul Muttalib radiyallahu anhu was leading it by its reins. Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam was reciting the following couplet: Verily, without doubt I am a Prophet. I am from the children (grandsons) of Abdul Muttalib Anas radiyallahu anhu reports that Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam went to Makkah for Umratul Qada. Abdullah ibne Rawahah radiyallahu anhu (throwing his sword over his shoulder and holding the reins of the camel of Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was walking ahead of him reciting these couplets: "O non-believers clear his path (and leave today. Do not prohibit Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam from entering Makkah as you had done last year) for today we shall smite you. We will take such action against you that we will separate the brain from its body. And will make a friend forget a friend." Umar radiyallahu anhu stopped him and said, O Ibne Rawahah, in the presence of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam and the Haram of Allah you are reciting poetry? Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said, Leave him O Umar, these couplets are more forceful than showering arrows onto them Jabir ibn Samurah radiyallahu anhu says, I attended the assemblies of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam more than a hundred times, wherein the Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum recited poetry and related stories of the Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islamic era). Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam silently listened to them (and did not forbid them). At times he smiled with them Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu relates from Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam that the best words from among the poets of Arabia is that of Labeed, "Verily be aware, that everything besides the Almighty Allah will perish." Amr ibn Shareed radiyallahu anhu reports that his father said, I once accompanied Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam and sat behind him on a conveyance. I recited a hundred couplets of Umayyah ibn Sault to Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam. After reciting a couplet Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said "continue" till I recited a hundred couplets. In the end Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said, "He (Umayyah) was close to accepting Islam." Aisha radiyallahu anha says, Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam would place a mimbar (pulpit) in the Masjid for Hassaan ibn Thaabit, so that he stands upon it and recites poetry on the praises of, and on behalf of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam, or said that he used to defend Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam (in reply to the accusation of the kuffar). Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam would say, "May Allah assist Hassaan with Ruhul Qudus till he defends, or praises, on behalf of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam."