The Day Truth Stood Firm: The Story of Mubāhalah

In the scorching sun of the Arabian desert, a momentous encounter was about to take place — one that would be remembered for centuries as the Day of Mubāhalah, a divine test of truth and falsehood.

The Christian delegation from Najrān, respected leaders and scholars of their faith, had travelled to Madinah to meet with the Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him and his family). Their discussions were courteous yet firm, centring on one fundamental question: the nature of Prophet ʿĪsā (Jesus, peace be upon him). The Christians insisted he was the Son of God. The Prophet responded with clarity, citing the Qur’ān:

“Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust, then said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was.” (Qur’ān 3:59)

Unwilling to accept the Prophet’s position, the Christians continued to argue. It was then that the verse of Mubāhalah was revealed:

“And whoever disputes with you concerning him 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 pray earnestly and invoke the curse of Allah upon the liars.’” (Qur’ān 3:61)

The stage was set. The next day, both sides were to bring their most truthful representatives for the solemn act of mutual invocation — a sincere prayer to God to curse the liars.

On the day of Mubāhalah, the Christians arrived with their dignitaries, expecting the Prophet to appear with his companions and tribesmen. But what they witnessed shook them to the core.

The Prophet (pbuh) came forward with none but his closest family: al-Ḥasan and al-Ḥusayn (his grandsons), Lady Fāṭimah al-Zahrāʾ (his daughter), and Imam ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (his cousin and son-in-law). He held the hands of the children, Fāṭimah walked beside him, and ʿAlī followed behind.

The Christian leader, seeing the faces of light and truth, trembled. “By God,” he whispered, “I see faces who, if they asked Allah to move a mountain, He would do so. If they raise their hands in supplication, we shall be destroyed.”

They withdrew, refusing the Mubāhalah, and instead signed a treaty of peace.

Thus ended the Day of Mubāhalah — not with curses, but with truth unmistakably triumphant. A moment forever engraved in the hearts of believers, when the Ahl al-Bayt (pbut) stood as the embodiment of divine truth and purity.