Mubahala, like a clear mirror, separates truth from falsehood and, as a spiritual exercise, bears witness to the veracity of the Divine invitation. This text, relying on verses 61 to 63 of Surah Al-Imran, delves into this magnificent event in which the noble Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) confidently summoned the People of the Book to a Divine trial. This examination, with a profound outlook on the historical, theological, and social layers of the event, endeavours to clarify the position of Mubahala in proving monotheism and the exposure of polytheism and falsehood. The present text, by linking Quranic meanings to historical and psychological analyses, opens a pathway towards a deeper understanding of this unparalleled occurrence.
Mubahala, like a battlefield of the spirit, is the place where truth and falsehood are subjected to Divine scrutiny before the eyes of creation. The Noble Quran, in verse 61 of Surah Al-Imran, commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to invite the People of the Book to this exercise:
فَمَنْ حَاجَّكَ فِيهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَنِسَاءَنَا وَنِسَاءَكُمْ وَأَنْفُسَنَا وَأَنْفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَلْ لَعْنَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ
"So whoever disputes with you concerning him [Jesus] after the knowledge that has come to you, say: Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then let us earnestly pray, and invoke the curse of Allah upon the liars."
This verse, like a Divine decree, directs the Prophet (peace be upon him) to invite the Christians of Najran to a unique trial. The presence of children, women, and close relatives in this summons signifies the Prophets complete confidence in his truthfulness, as if by bringing the dearest of his own to the field, he demonstrates his steadfast faith. Mubahala, like a spiritual vessel, places both sides of the dispute before Divine judgment, so that truth shines like the sun and falsehood falls into the shadow of disgrace.
In this context, Ibtihal is not a mere curse but a spiritual manifestation and exercise to prove the truth. This word, like a key, opens the gates of truth and indicates that Mubahala is a stage for the demonstration of sincerity and faith. The Divine curse, attributed in the verse to the liars, is a consequence descending upon the deceivers rather than outright disbelievers; this distinction, like a clear line, emphasises the importance of truthfulness in this test. The use of liars instead of disbelievers indicates that Mubahala is a judgement based on truth and falsehood rather than superficial faith or disbelief.
Mubahala, like a radiant lamp, illuminated the truth of the Divine invitation and positioned the Prophet (peace be upon him), accompanied by the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), including Hasan and Husayn (peace be upon them), Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her), and Imam Ali (peace be upon him), against the People of the Book. This event was not merely a test to prove veracity but also a pivotal moment that exhibited the exalted status of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) within the Islamic Divine system.
The People of the Book, especially the Christians, regarded themselves as possessors of esoteric knowledge, perfections, and spiritual authority status of Jesus (peace be upon him). This sense of superiority, rooted in theological interpretations of Jesus as a divine figure, influenced other religions and peoples. Christians and Jews, particularly monks and synagogue leaders, denied contemporary prophets such as Zakariya (peace be upon him) and considered themselves superior to them. This arrogance acted as a wall preventing the acceptance of truth and rendered Mubahala a decisive response.
The Nine Egyptian gods, such as Amun, representing the Pharaohs, cast a heavy shadow over other religions and peoples. These gods, regarded as extraterrestrial beings, were believed to govern the earth, and belief in their authority led to polytheism and deviation in the regional religions. This influence, like a roaring river, engulfed other cultures and beliefs and resulted in the reproduction of polytheism in various forms.
In the twentieth century, some global powers, such as America, made claims of communication with celestial beings to achieve scientific and industrial progress. These claims, akin to a revival of the polytheistic Egyptian beliefs, represented an attempt to integrate religion and science for the sake of acquiring authority. This approach demonstrated the ongoing human tendency to seek power from sources beyond Divine truth.
The People of the Book, with polytheistic claims and assertions of superiority, embarked on a path of deviation, and Egyptian gods, like colossal idols, led religious beliefs toward polytheism. Mubahala, by refuting these claims, reflected the truth of monotheism like a mirror and exposed the falsity of polytheism.
Throughout history, kings and religious scholars have maintained a mutual alliance: kings have utilised religious knowledge for legitimacy, and scholars have relied on royal power for support. This bond, observed across various civilisations from ancient Persia to modern times, has acted as a chain binding true religion and compelling people to passive acceptance.
The general populace, due to ignorance and inclination towards superficial appearances, has either accepted this alliance, denied it, or remained silent towards it. This condition, like fertile soil, has facilitated the continuation of corruption and hindered social reform. Ignorance, like a fog, has clouded the eyes of truth-seekers and obstructed the path to guidance.
The union between power and religious knowledge acts as a sturdy wall preventing the blossoming of truth, and the ignorance of the people fortifies this wall further. Mubahala, by unveiling these deviations, paved the way for a return to truth.
The Noble Quran regards Mubahala as a true story and emphasises the Oneness of God:
إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْقَصَصُ الْحَقُّ ۚ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
"Indeed, this is the true narration, and there is no deity except Allah. And indeed, Allah is the Exalted in Might, the Wise."
This verse, like a radiant torch, introduces Mubahala as a truthful account that displays monotheism in opposition to polytheism. The attributes Exalted in Might and Wise signify Divine power and wisdom in this judgment and invalidate polytheistic claims such as the nine Egyptian gods.
Polytheistic rituals, such as rubbing oneself with the symbol of the god Atum to gain success, were widespread in ancient Egypt as signs of spiritual decay. These rituals, rooted in superstition, distanced humanity from truth and led to ignorance. The Noble Quran condemns such deviations by referring to the ignorance of most people (أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ, Al-Maidah: 103).
The Pharaoh, who initially represented the gods and later independently claimed divinity, exemplifies human arrogance and deviation. This claim, like a poisonous wind, diverted societies from awareness and truth, leading to polytheism and corruption.
Mubahala, like a clear mirror, recounted the story of truth and, by emphasising monotheism, invalidated polytheistic claims. Egyptian gods and superstitious rituals faded before Divine truth, and the Noble Quran explicitly declared the Oneness of God.
In the modern era, human corruption has prevailed over reform efforts. This corruption, observable among all peoples and religions, stems from distance from truth and inclination towards polytheism and superstition. Modern Egypt, once the centre of civilisation, has descended into decline due to corruption and mismanagement. Groups claiming religious devotion who attained power lost public trust through wrongful conduct and were marginalized.
Religious acts, such as the prayer for rain (Salat al-Istisqa), if performed without sincerity and inner purity, not only yield no results but may cause adverse outcomes. Consuming forbidden things and impurity, like poison, weaken the faith and prayers of the believers and prevent acceptance. This reality, as a lesson, emphasises the importance of sincerity and purity in religious deeds.
Human beings, as travellers on the path of truth, are obliged to resist corruption with honesty and sincerity. Hypocrisy and insincerity, like pests, block the path to reform and prevent fulfilment of Divine duty. Although complete reform of the world may not be achievable, sincere endeavour, like a seed, can keep hope for change alive.
The Noble Quran, in verse 63 of Surah Al-Imran, emphasises God's knowledge of the corrupt:
فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِالْمُفْسِدِينَ
"So if they turn away, indeed, Allah is Knowing of the corrupters."
