Eid al-Mubahila "Let us invoke the curse of God on the liars!" (3:61)
This Quranic verse refers to the famous event of ' Mubahila ' which took place in the 10th year after the Hejira to Mecca against the Christians of Najran.
A deputation of 60 Christians of Najran headed by Abdul Masih their chief monk priest came and discussed with the Prophet the personality of Jesus. The Prophet told them not to deify Jesus for he was only a mortal created by God, and not God Himself. Then they asked who the father of Jesus was. By this, they thought that since he was born without a father the Prophet would helplessly accept Jesus' father being God himself. In reply to this question was revealed the Verse:
“Verily, similitude of Jesus with God is as the similitude of Adam; He created him out of dust then said He unto him Be, and he became.”
When the Christians did not find that this was the sharpest argument they had ever heard, the top-mentioned verse was revealed enjoining upon the Holy Prophet to call the Christians to mubahila (a debate). To this the Christians agreed. They agreed to returned home and have the mubahila the next day.
Early next morning the Prophet sent Salman al-Farsi to the open place that was fixed outside the city for the historic event to erect a small shelter for himself and those he intended to take along with him for the contest.
At the appointed hour, the Christians witnessed the Prophet entering the field with Hussain in his lap, Hasan holding his finger, and Fatima walking beside him followed by Ali. The Prophet, on reaching the appointed spot, stationed himself with his daughter, her two sons and her husband, raising his hands towards the heaven said:
“Lord these are the People of my House.”
The Chief Monk, on learning who each of the holy ones were that Mohammed had assembled there, addressed the huge crowd of the people who had gathered on the spot, and addressed them saying:
“By God, I see the faces which, if they pray to God for mountains to move from their places, the mountains will immediately move!
O believers in the Jesus of Nazareth, I will tell you the truth that should ye fail to enter into some agreement with Mohammad and if these souls, whom Mohammad has brought with him, curse you, ye will be wiped out of existence to the last day of the life of the earth!”
The Christians readily agreed to the advice counseled by their Leader. They beseeched the Prophet to give up the idea of the agreed debate and requested for themselves to be allowed to continue their faith rather than being put to death and offered to pay ' Jizya', the special tax for non-Muslim subjects of Muslim rule.
Did you know?This feast is the origin of the phrase "the mountain coming to Mohammed." On this day, Muslims congratulate each other on their keen powers of argument and practice honing their sharp grasp of logic. Shiites, for whom the family of Mohammed is especially dear, make special cakes and dishes to honor the members of Mohammed's family on this day.
Topic: Eid al-Mubahala - Feast of Cursing the Christians (Nov 30 2010/24 dhu al-Huja)