The Noblest Citizen of Makkah
e Noblest Citizen of Makkah
By his thirtieth year, the would-be-Prophet had secured for himself a satisfying life, wealth, love, and respect for his fellow beings (1). They regarded him as a wise nobleman, the one who would never tell a lie, even as a joke, and he was the most honest keeper of trust. People looked for him to settle their disputes.
At the beginning of the 7th century, there were heavy rains in Makkah, and the Holy Kaaba building was washed away by the floodwater. The Quraish started the project to rebuild the Kaaba in the year 605 AD on its foundation but a dispute arose among the tribes at the time of placing the holy stone called "Hajr-e-Aswad" on the wall. Each tribe wanted the exclusive honor of lifting the holy black stone and fixing it in its place. A never-ending tribal war seemed imminent. However, the elders of Quraish decided to wait till morning and appoint as arbitrator
the one who shall be the first to enter a certain gate into the Holy Kaaba. So they started to wait for the morning. To their happiness, the first man to appear on the scene was Mohammad (PBUH). Seeing him they exclaimed with joy: Here is Al-Ameen,... "Here is As-Sadiq. We trust his wisdom. We have full faith in him". He listened to them. Each one narrated the achievements of their forefathers in the service of the Holy Kaaba, justifying their claim to get the honor of placing the holy black stone at its specified place. It was indeed a very difficult matter to decide, especially when the claimants were so many and so tricky. He thought for a while then settled this very sensitive matter most amicably to the satisfaction of everyone. He placed the Hajr-e-Aswad on a piece of cloth and asked all the tribal chiefs to lift it to the desired height all at the same time. Then he took out the stone and he fixed it at its place properly, where we find it now. Thus every tribe had an equal share in that unique honor and the dispute was resolved, which otherwise could flare into tribal war.
For such great qualities of head and heart, the people of Makkah regarded him as the wisest and the noblest son of Makkah. To the children he was the most beloved and favorite uncle, to the destitute and needy he was the most helpful brother, to the orphans and widows he was the most reliable protector. Even after the Revelation, when the whole of Arabia had become his enemy, no one ever raised a finger on his character. There was no contradiction in his words and deeds. If he was destined to be the last prophet of Allah (PBUH), no doubt he was raised for the job. When he started preaching Islam, even his staunchest enemies could not dare call him a liar or doubt his integrity. True, the strength of character of a leader is his greatest asset.
The mount where the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) received his first revelation from the Creator of the worlds.
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