📌 Satan’s Interference During the Bayʿat al-ʿAqabah and the Prophet’s ﷺ Response
Authored by: Dr. Rida Abdullah Pasha (ḥafiẓahullāh)
❖ Question:
What was the role of Satan during the Bayʿat al-ʿAqabah?
❖ Answer:
It is narrated from Sayyidunā Kaʿb ibn Mālik (RA):
“When we gave our pledge (Bayʿah) to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Satan cried out from the top of the mountain pass in a loud voice:
‘O people of the camps! Will you now confront Muhammad ﷺ? Indeed, the irreligious ones are with him, and they have gathered to fight you!’
Kaʿb (RA) said:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then declared:
هَذَا أَزَبُّ الْعَقَبَةِ، هَذَا ابْنُ أَزْيَبَ
قَالَ ابْنُ هِشَامٍ: وَيُقَالُ: ابْنُ أُزَيْبَ
أَتَسْمَعُ أَيُّ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ، أَمَا وَاللَّهِ لَأَفْرُغَنَّ لَكَ
“This is the venomous creature of the mountain pass; this is the offspring of a serpent!”
Ibn Hishām said: He is also referred to as Ibn Uzayb.
The Prophet ﷺ continued:
“Do you hear, O enemy of Allah? By Allah, I shall soon deal with you!”
📚 [Musnad Aḥmad: 3/361–362]
❖ Explanation:
- Satan attempted to sabotage the Bayʿat al-ʿAqabah by raising alarm among the Quraysh and surrounding tribes, accusing the Muslims of conspiring with outsiders.
- The Prophet ﷺ identified this interruption as satanic mischief, referring to the voice as “the venomous one of the pass” and “the son of a snake,” which metaphorically emphasizes Satan’s treacherous and deceptive nature.
- The Prophet’s ﷺ firm and fearless response, “By Allah, I will soon be free for you!” illustrates his unwavering confidence in Allah’s support and his mission’s truth.
