Al-Tawba Pillar

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Al-Tawba pillar (Arabic: أسطوانة التوبة, pillar of repentance) known also as the Pillar of Abu Lubaba, is a significant marker within the Prophet's Mosque. It holds historical importance as the place where Abu Lubabah, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad (s), sought repentance after his transgression during the Battle of Banu Qurayzah. Abu Lubabah bound himself to this pillar until his repentance was accepted. It is recommended to offer prayers in its vicinity.

Al-Tawba pillar
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A view of the al-Tawba pillar with al-Sarir pillar on the left.
General Information
Other Namespillar of Abu Lubaba
PlaceMedina, al-Masjid al-Nabawi
History
EventsAbū lubāba tied himself to this pillar for repentance until his repentance was accepted.
Current State
StatusThe fourth pillar from the Prophet's pulpit, the second pillar from the Prophet's grave, and the third pillar from the direction of the Qibla

Location

The Pillar of Tawba is situated within the Rawdat al-Nabi section of the Prophet's Mosque.[1] It's positioned two pillars away from the Prophet's grave.[2] When considering the mosque's layout, the pillar is the fourth one from the Prophet's pulpit and the third from the Qibla wall.[3] Adjacent to it is the al-Qur'a Pillar, and notably, the door to the Prophet's house, often referred to as the "Door of Repentance" (Bab al-Tawbah), aligns with the level of the al-Tawba Pillar.[4]

Abu Lubaba's repentance

Following the Battle of the Trench, where the Banu Qurayza broke their alliance with the Muslims and sided with the enemy, their fortress was besieged. In a desperate attempt to influence the outcome, the Banu Qurayza requested that Abu Lubabah, a trusted companion of the Prophet Muhammad, be allowed to consult with them.

Upon reaching the Banu Qurayza, Abu Lubabah in response to their intent of submission to the Prophet (s), he pointed to his throat and showed them that they would be killed if they surrender. According to Abu Lubaba before taking a step he was overwhelmed by guilt and remorse, he immediately sought forgiveness by binding himself to a pillar within the Prophet's Mosque and swore that he would not allow anyone but the Prophet to remove him from that pillar.[5]

After six,[6] seven[7] or 20 nights[8] a verse of Quran was revealed,[Explanatory Notes 1] and his repentance was accepted.[9]

Virtues

Tradition holds that the Prophet Muhammad (s) primarily offered his nafila prayers near the Pillar of Repentance.[10] Following morning prayers, he would often sit by this pillar, engaging in conversation with the poor and weak until sunrise. During these gatherings, he would share newly revealed Quranic verses.[11] Historical accounts also indicate that the Prophet occasionally performed i'tikaf near this pillar[12] and placed his bed behind it.[13]

According to hadiths, it is recommended for pilgrims of Medina to stay in this city from Wednesday to Friday and fast and perform their prayers near Al-Tawba pillar on Wednesday.[14] It is also recommended to say prayers,[15] pray[16] and seek blessings from this pillar.[17]

Gallary

Notes

  1. Yamānī,Mawsūʿa makka al-mukarrama, vol. 2, p. 423.
  2. Ibn Zabāla, Akhbār al-Madīna, p. 102.
  3. Ansārī, Imārah wa tawsiʿat al-Masjid al-Nabawīī, p. 70.
  4. Qāʾidān, Tārīkh wa āthār-i Islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna, p. 203-206.
  5. Wāqidī, al-Maghāzī, vol. 2, p. 509; Ibn Hishām, al-Sīra al-Nabawīyya, vol. 4, p. 196-197; Ibn Saʿd, al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā, vol. 4, p. 376; Ansārī, Imārah wa tawsiʿat al-Masjid al-Nabawīī, p. 70.
  6. Ibn Hishām, al-Sīra al-Nabawīyya, vol. 2, p. 237.
  7. Wāqidī, al-Maghāzī, vol. 2, p. 509.
  8. Ibn Kathīr, al-Bidāya wa l-nihāya, vol. 4, p. 137.
  9. Wāḥidī, Asbāb al-nuzūl, p. 157; Zamakhsharī, Tafsīr al-kashshāf, vol. 2, p. 213; Ṭabrisī, Majmaʿ al-bayān, vol. 4, p. 823.
  10. Samhūdī, Wafāʾ al-wafā, vol. 2, p. 180.
  11. Ḥalabī, al-Sīra al-Ḥalabīyya, vol 2, p. 664.
  12. Ḥillī, Kitāb al-sarāʾir, vol.1, p. 652.
  13. Ibn Zabāla, Akhbār al-Madīna, p. 102.
  14. Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 4, p. 558; Ḥillī, Kitāb al-sarāʾir, vol. 1, p. 652.
  15. Ibn al-Mashhadī, al-Mazār, p. 65.
  16. Ṣadūq, Man lā yaḥḍuruh al-faqīh, vol. 2, p. 572.
  17. Amīnī, al-Ghadīr, vol. 5, p. 124; Subḥānī, al-Zīyāra fī l-kitāb wa al-sunna, p. 40.
  1. یَا أَیُّهَا الَّذِینَ آمَنُوا لاَ تَخُونُوا اللهَ و الرَّسُولَ وَتَخُونُوا أَمَانَاتِکُم وَأَنتُم تَعلَمُونَ , O believers, betray not God and the Messenger, and betray not your trusts and that wittingly (Quran: 8:27)
  2. This is the pillar of Abu Lubaba, and is known as "al-Tawba".

References

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