‘I am afraid these pebbles would testify against me’

On the occasion of Fathh (the fall of) Makkah, the Prophet, peace be upon him, entered Makkah to find little to no resistance. His return is hallmarked to be one where no blood was shed. However, one of the deepest symbolic acts he performed upon his return was to ask Bilal, a former Abyssinian slave, to climb to the roof of the Kab'ah and deliver the call to prayer (adhaan). To the Quryash, this was like directing a dagger straight into their heart. They, who despised slaves, the destitute and weak, could only bring themselves to look upon such individuals with derision. Consequently, the mere sight of a black man standing on the roof of the Ka’bah (former home to their idolatry) and delivering the adhaan sent shock waves through Makkah.

Sitting nearby watching the scene unfold with horror were three chiefs of the Makkan oligarchy, namely: Abu Sufyan b. Umayyah, who was chief of the Quraysh (and the only one in the group that had recently embraced Islam), Attab b. Usayd, and Harith b. Hisham. Upon witnessing the historic event, Attab could not help but say, “[my recently deceased father] was honored by God as he is spared from hearing this!" Harith remarked, “By God, if I knew for sure that Muhammad was on the path of truth, I would not hesitate in following him [thereby implying that Muhammad (p.b.u.h) was not on the path of truth].” To this Abu Sufyan retoted, “I wouldn’t utter a word. For if I do, I am afraid these pebbles would testify against me!” A statement which reflected his new-found belief in the special relationship Muhammad (p.b.u.h) shared with the Creator of the world.

The Prophet (p.b.u.h), who was far away from the group at the time and could not possibly have overheard, soon came upon them and said, “I know of what was said." He then proceeded to relay what they had uttered amongst themselves. Shocked, both Harith and Attab shouted in one voice, “We bear witness that you are indeed God’s messenger, for no one else could have heard what we said!” Later that day, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) addressed them saying, “O Quraysh, through Islam God wants to erase from your hearts your false pride and boasting over ancestors. Know well that all of mankind have descended from Adam and Adam was created of earth.”