This area, at the foot of Mount Safa was the approximate area where Daarul Arqam (The house of Arqam) was located. It was here in the initial period of Islam that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) secretly preached Islam.
- The house belonged to a Sahabi named Arqam bin Abu Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him). For some time after the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) proclaimed his Prophethood, this house was the secret centre of propagation. It was here that the Muslims gathered to perform salat and to learn about Islam. As it was a short walk away from the Ka’
bah and its bustling crowds, the pagans who lived nearby did not take notice of the many people who used to gather here.
- Daarul Arqam was also known as Daarul Khaizaraan. It was here that the following verse from Surah al-Anfal was revealed: “
O Prophet, Allah is sufficient for you, and for those who follow you among the believers.”
[8:64]
Historic photo of the Daarul Arqam area
- When Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) wanted to take his Shahadah (declaration of the faith of Islam) he asked Khabbab (may Allah be pleased with him) where he would find the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Upon hearing of his desire to accept Islam, Khabbab (may Allah be pleased with him) exclaimed,“
Umar, I have hope that Allah hath chosen thee through the prayers of His Prophet, whom yesterday I heard pray: ‘
O Allah, strengthen Islam with Abu Hakam (Abu Jahal) the son of Hisham or with Umar the son of Khattab!”
. “
O Khabbab,”
said Umar, “
where will Muhammad now be, that I may go to him and enter Islam?”
Khabbab (may Allah be pleased with him) told him that he was at the house of Arqam near the Safa Gate with many of his companions.
- Umar went to Safa, knocked at the door of the house, and said who he was. The Sahabah had been warned that he was coming but they were struck by the subdued tone of his voice. One of the companions went to the door and looked through a chink and came back in some dismay. “
O Messenger of Allah”
he said, “
it is indeed Umar and he is girt with his sword”
. “
Let him come in,”
said Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him). “
if he has come with good intent, we will give him a wealth of good;
and if his intent be evil, we will slay him with his own sword.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) agreed that he should be admitted and, advancing to meet him, he seized him by the belt and pulled him into the middle of the room saying, “
What has brought thee here, O son of Khattab? I cannot see thee desisting until Allah sent down some calamities upon thee”
. “
O Messenger of Allah,”
said Umar, “
I have come to thee that I may declare my faith in Allah, and in his Messenger and in what he has brought from Allah”
. “
Allahu-Akbar!,”
said the Prophet, in such a way that every man and woman in the house knew that Umar had entered Islam;
and they all rejoiced.
- Because the valour and courage of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was acknowledged by all, it was after his conversion to Islam that the Muslims started performing salah in the open and Islam was propagated in public.
