By the blessings of Quran and Sunnah, companions having taste of poetry
gathered from different areas in the presence of the Prophet and recited
panegyrics and in the same way, they cut off the foundations of polytheism and
deviation. And like hunting falcons, they hunted down the hearts and ears.
These associations gathered around His Eminence during journeys as well as
when he was in Medina. They were like a hundred members of battalion armed
with drawn swords of couplets and casting arrows of poems in defense of the
realm of Islam. They debated and performed Jihad on the path of God, through
their tongues. They were persons like Abbas, uncle of the Holy Prophet
(s.a.w.a.), Kaab bin Malik, Abdullah bin Rawaha, Hassan bin Thabit, Nabigha
Joadi, Zirar Asadi, Zirar Qarashi, Kaab bin Zubair, etc.
These religious spirits controlled the hearts of the members of the society
and dominated the nerves, skin and the soul and were merged with spirit and
nature of people. So much so that it dominated the selves of Muslims of that time
and in religious matters, also, they showed modesty and defended it.
In spite of the fact that they were ladies behind veil, but through novel
poetry, innovation and beautiful couplets themselves defended the Prophet. For
example:
1. Ummul Momineen – Malika – Her Eminence, Lady Khadijatul Kubra
(s.a.), daughter of Khuwailad, honorable wife of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). She
composed extremely beautiful couplets. Among her poems are couplets regarding
a camel, which rubbed its head on the feet of the Prophet and due to the miracle
of His Eminence, spoke up and mentioned the excellence of His Eminence.
“The camel spoke up in order to mention the excellence of Ahmad. He
requested and said: It is from the existence of this personality that mother of the
towns – Mecca – has got nobility. This is Muhammad, and he is the best
messenger prophet. He is the intercessor and the best of those who walked the
earth. O those, who are jealous, die in your own jealousy and only he is the
beloved of God, and except him, there is no other favorite one among the
people.”1
2. Khunsa binte Amr – granddaughter of Imrul Qays, had composed a large
number of couplets and experts of poetry have consensus that before her and after
her, no poet stronger than her is seen. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was amazed at
her couplets and asked her to recite couplets for him.2
3. Umme Salma – wife of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
4. Umme Ayman3– servant of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
5. Ayesha, wife of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.). She had memorized a large number
of couplets and she used to say: “I narrate twelve thousand couplets of Labid.”
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) asked her to recite a couplet and said: “Recite your
couplets.” Among the couplets that she recited, was the following:
“At that time when impure gold is tested on a touchstone; without any doubt,
its impurity becomes clear; and counterfeit gold becomes clear from pure gold.
Ali (a.s.), among us, is like a touchstone.”4