Back to search

Is the story circulating online true, which narrates Abu Jahl's threat to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to step on his head while he was prostrating at the Kaaba, and then Abu Jahl seeing a trench of fire and angels, and the interpretation of the verses "Then let him call his associates. We will call the Zabaaniyah (guards of Hell)" and "No! Do not obey him. Prostrate and draw near [to Allah]," in this context, and what is the ruling on disseminating it?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

This incident is true and has been narrated by several Hadith scholars. The mentioned interpretation of the verses from Surat Al-Alaq is correct. Ibn Kathir mentioned that the verses were revealed concerning Abu Jahl when he threatened the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, for praying at the Kaaba. So, Allah forbade him from his action and threatened him with torment. It was reported that Abu Jahl threatened to step on the Prophet's neck while he was praying, but the Companions were surprised to see him retreating in fear because he saw a trench of fire, a terrifying sight, and wings between him and the Prophet. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, confirmed that the angels would have seized Abu Jahl if he had approached, and that Allah revealed the verses {No! Indeed, man transgresses} to the end of the surah. And His saying, the Almighty: {No! Do not obey him} means that the Prophet should not obey Abu Jahl in his prohibition from worship, and that Allah will protect him and grant him victory.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy