Reliable Fatwas Reliable Fatwas
The following is a Hadith narration describing an authentically reported incident in which Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) gave Dawah, via a messenger, to a tyrant who was evidently brainless, even before a form of “light” descended upon him:
Hadhrat Anas ibn Malik (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) once sent a man to one of the Fir’auns (i.e. tyrannical ruler) of the Arabs (saying):
“Call him to me (i.e. give him Dawah).”
The man replied:
“O Rasulullah! He is even more wicked than that (i.e. than the original Fir’aun).”
So he (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“Go to him and call him to me.”
So he went to him and said to him:
“The Messenger of Allah is calling you.”
He (the tyrant) replied:
“The Messenger of Allah? And who is Allah? Is he (made of) gold? Or is he (made of) silver? Or is he (made of) copper?”
So he returned to Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and informed him saying:
“I had already told you, O Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) that he is even more wicked than that.”
He (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied:
“Return to him and call him (again).”
So he went to him and repeated to him the first statement and he (the tyrant) repeated something similar to his first response. So he returned back to Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and informed him (again). He (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“Go back to him and call him (again).”
So he went back to him for the third time.
While they were repeating the conversation, Allah sent a cloud above his (the tyrant’s) head. It thundered, lit up, and a lightning shot down taking out the scalp (and brains) of his head.
(Regarding this incident) Allah revealed the verse:
“Allaah sends bolts of lightning to strike whomsoever He wills while they are disputing about Allaah. Allaah is Fiercely Powerful.” (Surah Ra’d, verse 13)
[This incident is recorded by Tabarani, Abu Ya’laa and others. The version in al-Bazzaar has an authentic chain]
