‘GREATER PUNISHMENT’

‘GREATER PUNISHMENT’ In ancient Arabia, poetry held a similar position to modernday journalism. If a matter needs broader attention today, it is disseminated through newspapers and digital media, whereas poetry served this purpose in ancient Arabia. During the time of the Prophet, notable poets were residing in Makkah, such as Ka’b bin Zuhair, Abdullah bin al-Ziba’ra, and Hubayra bin Abi Wahab. They composed poems to insult and denigrate the Prophet. However, when Makkah was conquered in the 8th year after Hijrah, they fled out of fear of retaliation. Hubayra passed away as a non-believer (Ibn Hisham, Al-Sirah, Vol. 2, p. 420), while the other two eventually became ardent supporters of Islam. Upon their departure from Makkah, the Prophet did not allow his followers to pursue them or offer rewards for their capture. Instead, he prayed for their guidance and created circumstances to awaken their conscience, encourage repentance, and lead them to embrace Islam. Further details regarding this matter can be found in the books of Seerah (Biography of the Prophet). In summary, both poets, Ka’b bin Zuhair and Abdullah bin al-Ziba’ra eventually embraced Islam. Subsequently, they began composing poetry praising the Prophet, shifting their focus from abusive language to supportive expressions. Their acceptance of Islam signified a rejection of their previous actions. Their remarkable talents, previously employed against Islam, were now utilized to advocate for the faith.