Inside Masjid an Nabawi – The Silent Sentinels that have Stories to Tell | Part 2

Third: Abu Lubabah’s Pillar (Pillar of Repentance/Penitence / Ustuwanah al-Tawbah) The Pillar of Abu Lubabah is perhaps the pillar with the most riveting backstory. This incident is referenced not only in Sahih al-Bukhari but also in the sirah by Ibn Ishaq. Located on the east-west axis to the northeast of the Prophet’s mihrab, it is alternately called “The Pillar of Repentance” or Ustuwanah al-Tawbah, and the “Pillar of Abu Lubabah” or Ustuwana Abu Lubabah. Situated in the first row of pillars of the Rawdah closest to Mihrab al-Nabi, it is the fourth pillar from the minbar as you approach the Sacred Chamber. The color of the marble used on this row is different from the rest of the pillars in the Rawdah. This pillar is linked to the compelling story of the venerable companion Abu Lubabah, who was entrusted with a secret by the besieged tribe of Banu Qurayza in 5 AH following the Battle of the Trench. Abu Lubabah, belonged to the Banu Aws Jewish tribe, who had close ties to the Banu Qurayza—another Jewish tribe from Madinah. The latter had betrayed the Muslims after promising to be their allies. For their treachery, the Prophet ﷺ and his army laid siege to the fortress of Banu Qurayza for 25 days. After resigning themselves to defeat, they sent a message to the Prophet ﷺ asking him to send Abu Lubabah to them so that they might confer and consult him about this impenetrable impasse. With the permission of the Prophet ﷺ, Abu Lubabah entered the fortress and decided to negotiate with them. They asked his advice as to whether they should surrender and submit to the command of the Prophet ﷺ. He answered in the affirmative, but ran his finger across his throat, indicating that the move could cost them their lives and that there was a strong possibility they would be executed. With this gesture, he confirmed what they already knew. They would be sentenced to death for treason and for their disloyalty. No sooner had he said this, he regretted it intensely as he felt he had betrayed the Prophet ﷺ by revealing the tactics of the Muslim faction. Grieved by his indiscretion, he later said, “I had not even moved from my spot that it dawned on me that I had betrayed Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.” The following verses of the Qur’an were revealed concerning this incident:

“O you who have believed, do not betray Allah and the Messenger or betray your trusts while you know [the consequence]. And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward.” [Surah al-Anfal, 8:27-28]

Abu Lubabah was so distressed by this action of his, that he left the fortress without meeting the Prophet ﷺ. Anguished, he went to Masjid al-Nabawi and tied himself up securely to a palm trunk in the mosque. He vowed not to untie himself or allow anyone else to do so, until the Prophet ﷺ himself untied him or asked for his forgiveness to be sent down from heaven. He bound himself to the trunk saying, “As long as my repentance is not accepted by Allah, I shall not untie myself from here. Or the Prophet ﷺ himself does not undo my bonds.” When news of this reached the Prophet ﷺ he said, “A tribulation befell him; had he come to me, I would have asked for his forgiveness. But having made his choice, I am not one to release him before he is forgiven by Allah.” He thus remained bound to the palm trunk for six days. His wife or daughter would come and untie him to perform wudhu and salah, and would subsequently tie him up again. One night the Prophet ﷺ was at the home of one of his wives, Umm Salama. On this particular night, Angel Jibril brought down the following verse announcing his forgiveness,

“And [there are] others who have acknowledged their sins. They had mixed a righteous deed with another that was bad. Perhaps Allah will turn to them in forgiveness. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” [Surah al-Tawbah, 9:102]

This revelation made the Prophet ﷺ smile. Umm Salama asked him what had made him smile. He replied that Abu Lubabah had been forgiven. She asked, “Shall I convey the good news to him?” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “If you wish.” She went to the door of her house, which was adjacent to Masjid al-Nabawi and cried, “Rejoice Abu Lubabah, for Allah has forgiven you from above the seven heavens!” The Companions rejoiced upon hearing this and rushed to convey the joyful news to him, and wished to untie him but he refused, saying, “As long as the Prophet ﷺ does not untie me with his blessed hands, I shall not allow anyone else to do so.” Subsequently, when the Prophet ﷺ entered the masjid for fajr salah he did indeed free Abu Lubabah himself. It is recommended that visitors who come to Masjid al-Nabawi stand before or near the pillar and ask for Allah’s forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ also performed his optional prayers at this location. After fajr, the Prophet ﷺ would spend time with the homeless and the poor companions who would be waiting for him near this pillar. He would also recite verses that were revealed during the night and talk with them until sunrise. Fourth: Pillar of the Bed (Ustuwanah Al-Sarir) “The Pillar of the Bed” or Ustawanah al-Sarir marks the spot where the Prophet used to sleep during his itikaaf or seclusion. Situated furthest south in the enclosure around the Prophet’s Chamber, it marks the place where the Prophet not only slept, but also performed spiritual retreat during the last ten days of Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ assiduously performed itikaf during these last days of Ramadan each year after the migration to Madinah, with the exception of one year. The Pillar of the Bed is the southernmost of the three pillars incorporated in the railing surrounding the Sacred Chamber, closest to the Qibla. This pillar demarcates the approximate area which was usually used by the Prophet as a resting venue. His bed was made of palm fronds, and his cushion was made of leather and stuffed with palm fibre. A tradition related from Ibn Umar states that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to sit for itikaf here and a cot made of dried date leaves was placed here with a pillow beside the lamps, as well as a platform of wood for him to sleep. Fifth: Pillar of Ali ibn Abi Talib  (Pillar of the Guard / Ustuwanah al-Hars) This pillar is associated with the guarding of the mosque and is also known for its connection to Ali ibn Abi Talib. It is the middle pillar of the three incorporated in the enclosure around the Sacred Chamber. It marks the site of the door from which the Prophet ﷺ would enter Masjid al-Nabawi from the chambers of A’ishah. Prominent Companions would faithfully stand guard at this sanctuary, during the days when they feared attacks, hence appropriating the name “Pillar of the Guard”. Sometimes, some of the Companions of the Prophet used to watch, protect and act as gatekeepers for the Prophet ﷺ here outside the Bab al-Tawbah, which allowed direct access to the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ residential quarters east of the mosque. The pillar is also referred to as the “Pillar of Ali” (Ustuwanah Ali ibn Ali Talib) because Ali used to never miss an opportunity to often fervently guard the Prophet ﷺ and would also perform his prayers at this spot. The house belonging to Ali and the daughter of the Prophet ﷺ Fatima, was situated next to the house of A’ishah. The Pillar of the Guard, has an embossed calligraphic sign marking the actual location of the guard’s column, as it is one of the major columns of Prophet’s mosque. A’ishah narrates, “The Prophet ﷺ was vigilant one night and when he reached Madinah, he said, ‘I wish that a pious man from my Companions guard me tonight!’ Suddenly we heard the clatter of arms. He said, ‘Who is it?’ A voice replied, ‘I am Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas and have come to guard you.’ So, the Prophet (PBUH) slept (that night).” (al-Bukhari) The companions continued to stand guard until the following verse was revealed,

“O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.” [Surah al-Ma’idah 5:67]

When the above verse was revealed, the Prophet ﷺ told his Companions that he no longer needed people to oversee him as Allah had promised to protect him. Sixth: Pillar of Delegations  (Ustuwanah al-Wufood) This pillar was labelled ‘Wufood’ as the term means delegations. It is located north of the guards’ pillar and it marks the spot where the Prophet used to communicate and hold counsel with envoys from various tribes and receive delegations. Historically, located at the edge of the shaded area of Masjid al-Nabawi, it was also known as Majlis al-Qalawah (“Seat of the Nobles”), since the chieftains, leaders and learned Companions also used to deliberate and have consultations here. Whenever deputations who represented their tribes arrived to meet the Prophet ﷺ, they would be honorably seated here, and he not only conversed with them, but also taught them the tenets of Islam. The Pillar of Delegations is the northernmost pillar of the three incorporated within the railing encompassing the Sacred Chamber. Between it and the Pillar of the Guard, there is a door that the Prophet ﷺ would sometimes use to enter the mosque. The Prophet ﷺ would lean against a palm trunk in this exact location while cordially welcoming the numerous delegations that came to accept Islam and swear allegiance to him. This was particularly predominant during the year 9 AH, which came to be known as the Year of the Delegations. About this year, Ibn Kathir says, “When the blessed Prophet ﷺ conquered Makkah and returned from Tabuk, the tribe of Thaqif embraced Islam and swore allegiance at the hands of the Prophet ﷺ. Delegations then came to Madinah from every corner of the Peninsula.^’ An incident mentioned in the Qur’an regarding a delegation from Banu Tamim is said to have occurred at this location. Zaid Ibn Arqam narrates this incident, “A large group of Arabs gathered and said, ‘Take us to this man. If he is a Prophet, then we are the most fortunate to be with him, and if he is a king, we will live in his kingdom.’ I came to the blessed Prophet ﷺ and notified him.’ Then they came by his house (by the door where the pillar is now located) and started calling out, ‘Muhammad! Muhammad!’ Thereafter, the following verses were revealed, ‘Indeed, those who call you, [O Muhammad], from behind the chambers – most of them do not see reason. And if they had been patient until you (could) come out to them, it would have been better for them.’” (Surah Hujirat – 49:4-5) This revelation was an admonishment to those who would call out to the Prophet ﷺ somewhat crudely from behind the houses that belonged to the wives of the Prophet ﷺ. The Other Two Notable Pillars Seventh: Pillar of the Night Vigil / Night Prayer (Ustuwanah al-Tahajjud) This pillar is significant as the Prophet would perform the tahajjud (late-night) prayers here. The Pillar of the Night Prayer is situated behind the house of Fatima and Ali next to “Niche of the Night Prayer” (Mihrab al-Tahajjud) inside the Sacred Chamber. The mihrab is built into the back wall of the chamber. It is also thus called because the Prophet would offer tahajjud prayers on a reed mat at this location. One night, he was noticed by a man who immediately stood behind him to pray with him. Another joined them, then another, and another until a crowd of people had gathered. On seeing them, the Prophet ﷺ rolled up his mat and retired to his chambers. In the morning, the Companions were curious and asked him why he stopped praying after they joined him in prayer. To this he replied,

“I feared that the night prayer would be made obligatory upon you and you would be unable to observe it.” (al-Nasai, 1614)

It is reported that this was the spot where late at night, after all the people had left, a carpet was spread for the Prophet ﷺ to perform tahajjud prayer. It is currently covered with ceramic tiles and the area now has bookshelves. Eighth: Pillar Of Jibril (Square Pillar of the Tomb/ Ustwanah Muraba’at al-Qabr) This pillar is located within the wall surrounding the Prophet’s grave and is believed to be where the angel Jibreel stood during prayers. The “Square Pillar of the Tomb” (Ustuwanah Murb’a al-Qabr) stands inside the burial area of the Prophet ﷺ behind its exterior wall and cannot be viewed from the outside. It is in line with the Pillar of Delegations. It was erected in later years to mark the door of Fatima’s house. This was accessed from the alleyway between the houses of Fatima and A’ishah. The Prophet ﷺ used this door to visit Fatima and her husband, Ali ibn Abi Talib. It is also known as the Pillar of Jibril because it was the preferred place where Jibril used to enter to visit the Prophet ﷺ with revelation. He would often be seen sitting in this place having adopted the appearance of the companion Dihyah Al-Kalbi. Today, it is inaccessible as it lies inside the Sacred Chamber of the Prophet ﷺ. In conclusion, it can be surmised that the unspeakable beauty of these pillars lies not only in their inimitable constructional beauty and in their sublime colors but in the engaging, fascinating, and spellbinding stories they tell. These pillars signify and encompass incidents that played such a vital role in the early days of Islam. The next time we offer homage, pay our respects to our beloved Prophet ﷺ and perform worship at Riyadh al-Jannah, let us stop to ponder and reflect on the silent testimony of these impressive, imposing and beautifully crafted pillars. They are not just architectural masterpieces or structural edifices of this beautiful mosque but also witnesses to important events in the sirah of the Prophet, as they hold deep historical and spiritual significance for all Muslims. As we turn the pages of the annals of Islamic history, these columns let us envision vital incidents in our Prophet’s ﷺ lifetime. Furthermore, we experience once again occurrences that are connected to crucial events and key figures who played such an important role in our Prophet’s ﷺ life 1,400 years ago. By reflecting on the stories of these pillars we can hope to follow in his footsteps, reminisce upon and lucidly visualize these valuable experiences even today. In this “piece of heaven on earth” we can thus avail of this golden opportunity of contemplating on the profound encounters of these imposing personalities, and relive how cataclysmic events in Islamic history were created in this area of Masjid al-Nabawi more than a thousand years ago. Sources:

Masjid Nabawi Pillars

https://madainproject.com/notable_pillars_in_rawdah_riyad_ul_jannah