Event of the mubahala facts for kids

This picture shows the Muslim group (Hasan, Muhammad, Ali, Fatima, Husayn) from behind.

The Event of the Mubahala was a special meeting that happened around the year 632 CE. It was an attempt to solve a big religious disagreement between Muslims and Christians in Medina, a city in the Arabian Peninsula. The leader of the Muslims, Prophet Muhammad, suggested this meeting. The idea was to ask God to show who was telling the truth about their beliefs.

The Christian group came from a place called Najran. They were debating with Prophet Muhammad about the nature of Jesus. They disagreed on whether Jesus was human or divine. According to most Islamic stories, the Christian group decided not to go through with the challenge. Instead, they made a peace agreement with Muhammad.

This event is very important for Shia Muslims. This is because Prophet Muhammad was joined by his daughter Fatima, her husband Ali, and their two sons, Hasan and Husayn. These family members are central to Shia beliefs. Their presence at this event showed their high religious status alongside Muhammad.

What Does Mubahala Mean?

The word mubahala (مُبَاهَلَة) comes from an Arabic word meaning 'to curse'. In this context, it means 'asking God to remove His mercy from someone who is lying'. It's like making a very serious promise and asking God to punish you if you're not telling the truth. This was a very serious way to try and settle a disagreement in Islamic law.

The Historical Event

Around the year 631-632 CE, Prophet Muhammad sent letters to leaders in nearby areas. He invited them to learn about Islam. One letter went to the Christian community in Najran. A group of Christians from Najran then traveled to Medina to meet Muhammad. They wanted to understand his claims of being a prophet.

After discussions, a peace agreement was made. The Christians agreed to pay a yearly tax called jizya. This tax allowed them to continue practicing their own faith and manage their own affairs. They did not have to become Muslims or join Muslim military efforts. This was one of the first agreements of its kind in Muslim history. Later, during the time of Caliph Umar, the Christians of Najran were asked to leave the Arabian Peninsula.

The Challenge of Mubahala

In Medina, Prophet Muhammad and the Christian group discussed the nature of Jesus. The Christians believed Jesus was divine, while Muslims believe he was a human prophet. The Quran, the holy book of Islam, explains that Jesus's birth was miraculous, like Adam's, but he was still human.

When the discussions reached a point where they couldn't agree, Prophet Muhammad was instructed by God to propose the mubahala. This instruction is found in verse 3:61 of the Quran, which says:

فَمَنْ حَآجَّكَ فِيهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا۟ نَدْعُ أَبْنَآءَنَا وَأَبْنَآءَكُمْ وَنِسَآءَنَا وَنِسَآءَكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وَأَنفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ
And if anyone argues with you about this, after the knowledge that has come to you, say, "Come! Let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves. Then let us pray earnestly, so that God's curse may fall upon those who lie."

This verse meant that both sides would gather their most important family members. Then, they would all pray to God to curse the side that was not telling the truth.

Who Participated in the Challenge?

The Mubahala Mosque in Medina, present-day Saudi Arabia

There are different historical accounts about what happened next. Some reports say that the Christian group did not accept the challenge. They might have thought that Muhammad was truthful, or they might have been worried about the strength of the Muslims. These reports suggest they simply negotiated a peace treaty instead.

However, many other reports say that Prophet Muhammad did appear for the mubahala challenge. He was accompanied by his closest family members, as mentioned in the Quranic verse. These family members were his daughter Fatima, her husband Ali, and their two sons, Hasan and Husayn. This group is often called the 'People of the Cloak'.

When the Christian delegation saw Muhammad arrive with his family, they were deeply impressed. They decided to withdraw from the challenge and instead agreed to the peace treaty. They believed that if Muhammad was willing to bring his own family to such a serious prayer, he must be confident in his truthfulness.

The People of the Cloak

Some stories about the mubahala say that Prophet Muhammad, Ali, Fatima, Hasan, and Husayn stood together under a cloak. Because of this, these five individuals became known as the ahl al-kisa, which means 'people of the cloak'.

On this occasion, Muhammad also identified these four family members as his ahl al-bayt, or 'people of the house'. Their inclusion in this very serious religious challenge, as Muhammad's witnesses, greatly increased their importance and religious standing within the Muslim community.

Why is it Important for Shia Muslims?

Verse 3:61 of the Quran, also known as the verse of mubahala, inscribed in the shrine of Husayn in Karbala, located in Iraq

For Shia Muslims, it is a firm belief that Prophet Muhammad was joined by Ali, Fatima, Hasan, and Husayn for the mubahala. Shia scholars explain that in the Quranic verse (3:61):

• 'Our sons' refers to Hasan and Husayn.
• 'Our women' refers to Fatima.
• 'Ourselves' refers to Muhammad and Ali.

This event is very important for Shia Muslims. They use it to show the special status and leadership roles of the 'People of the Cloak'. They believe that if 'ourselves' refers to both Muhammad and Ali, it means Ali shares a similar high authority with Muhammad. This unique participation of only these family members highlights their special connection to Muhammad's prophetic mission.

Eid of the Mubahala

The Eid of the Mubahala (عِيْد ٱلْمُبَاهَلَة) is a special day for Shia Muslims. They celebrate this event every year on the 21st or 24th of Dhu al-Hijja in the Islamic calendar. The date changes each year on the Gregorian calendar because the Islamic calendar is based on the moon.

Here are some recent and upcoming dates for the Eid of Mubahala: