Part 1 · Page 204
Soothsayers, Jewish Scholars, and Monks Knew of His Coming
English rendering of the source section
Local English translation from the Arabic text; the preliminary Jubayr report and the indexed discussion are preserved in their printed-page order.
This local English rendering may condense the Arabic narration and editorial notes. It is not a complete published English edition. Consult the Arabic source for exact wording and context.
Read the corresponding Arabic section‘Uthman ibn Abi Sulayman ibn Jubayr ibn Mut‘im narrated from his uncle Nafi‘ ibn Jubayr, from his father Jubayr ibn Mut‘im, who said: “Before revelation came to him, I saw the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, standing on his camel at ‘Arafah with the people, apart from his own clan, until he departed with them. This was a divine enabling granted to him.”
‘Uthman ibn Abi Sulayman ibn Jubayr ibn Mut‘im narrated from his uncle Nafi‘ ibn Jubayr, from his father Jubayr ibn Mut‘im, who said: “Before revelation came to him, I saw the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, standing on his camel at ‘Arafah with the people, apart from his own clan, until he departed with them from there. This was a divine enabling granted to him.”
Ibn Ishaq said: Jewish scholars, Christian monks, and Arab soothsayers had spoken of the Messenger of Allah before his mission, as its time drew near. The Jewish scholars and Christian monks knew from their scriptures descriptions of him and his time, and from the covenant their prophets had made with them concerning him. The Arab soothsayers learned of him through the jinn, who stole fragments of hearing from heaven before they were barred by shooting stars. A soothsayer would occasionally mention something about his affair, but the Arabs paid it little attention until Allah sent him and the events they had described occurred; then they recognized them.
[1] This was so that the Messenger would not miss the reward of pilgrimage and standing at ‘Arafah. Jubayr reportedly said when he saw him there, “This man is a Hums; why is he not standing with the Hums where they stand?” [2] Quraysh said when shooting stars increased, “The Hour has come.” ‘Utbah ibn Rabi‘ah said, “Look at al-‘Ayyuq: if it is struck, the Hour is near; otherwise not.”