How Angels Protected the Prophet

Praise be to Allah.

The idea that one of the jinn used to protect the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) from the wife of Abu Lahab needs real evidence. The person who said this has to produce evidence for it. Perhaps he is confused, because what was reported was that the angels, by the command of Allah, protected the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) from the wife of Abu Lahab, as we shall see.

Allah, may He be exalted, guaranteed to protect His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), as He said (interpretation of the meaning): “Allah will protect you from mankind.” [5:67]. One of the ways in which He protected His Prophet was by subjugating His angels to protect and guard him. So they hid him from the sight of the wife of Abu Lahab, and she did not see him. The evidence for this is the report narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), who said: “When the words ‘Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab’ [111:1 – interpretation of the meaning] were revealed, the wife of Abu Lahab came when the Messenger of Allah  (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was sitting with Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). Abu Bakr said to him, ‘Why do you not move out of her way so that she will not harm you, O Messenger of Allah?’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘There will be a barrier between me and her.’ She came and stood over Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and said, ‘O Abu Bakr, your companion has lampooned us.’ Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘No, by the Lord of this House, he has not spoken poetry and he does not utter verse.’ She said, ‘You are speaking the truth.’ When she went away, Abu Bakr ((may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘Did she not see you?’ He said, ‘No, an angel was covering me until she went away.’” [ al-Bazzaar in al-Musnad].

(b) Among the ahaadeeth (narrations) that have been narrated concerning her, may Allah curse her:

From Jundub ibn Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) fell ill and did not stay up and pray Qiyam (late night voluntary prayers) for two or three nights; then a woman came and said, ‘O Muhammad! I hope that your shaytan has left you! I have not seen him coming near you for two or three nights!’ Then Allah revealed the words (interpretation of the meaning): ‘By the forenoon (after sunrise). By the night when it darkens (and stands still). Your Lord (O Muhammad) has neither forsaken you nor hates you.” [93:1-3] [al-Bukhaari and Muslim].

Al-Hafiz ibn Hajar said: the words “a woman came” refer to Umm Jameel bint Harb, the wife of Abu Lahab. We have already stated this in Kitab Qiyam al-Layl. [Fath al-Baari].

Further evidence of the angels guarding the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) by the command of Allah is to be seen in another incident with Abu Jahl, which was reported by Imam Muslim (may Allah have mercy on him) in his Saheeh from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: Abu Jahl asked, “Does Muhammad rub his face in the dust (i.e. does he prostrate when he prays at the K’abah) when he is among you?” He was told, “Yes.” He said, “By al-Laat and al-‘Uzza, if I see him doing that, I will step on his neck or I will rub his face in the dust.” Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came and prayed. He (Abu Jahl) had claimed that he would step on his neck, but suddenly all they saw was that he was running away, raising his hands to protect himself. It was said to him, “What is the matter with you?” He said, “There is a ditch of fire and terror and wings between me and him. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If he had come near me, the angels would have snatched him piece by piece.” Then Allah revealed the words (interpretation of the meaning):

“Nay! Verily, man does transgress (in disbelief and evil deeds).

Because he considers himself self-sufficient.

Surely, unto your Lord is the return.

Have you (O Muhammad) seen him (i.e. Abu Jahl) who prevents

A slave (Muhammad) when he prays?

Tell me if he (Muhammad) is on the guidance (of Allah)

Or enjoins piety?

Tell me if he (Abu Jahl) denies (the truth, i.e. this Quran) and turns away?

Knows he not that Allah does see (what he does)?

Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock —

A lying, sinful forelock!

Then let him call upon his council (of helpers).

We will call out the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!

Nay! (O Muhammad)! Do not obey him (Abu Jahl).” [96:6-19]

And Allah knows best.