The Wrestler Was Defeated

The Wrestler Was Defeated

Our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم used to demonstrate his miraculous glory and power on various occasions for different reasons and wisdoms. One of the wisdoms behind the repeated manifestation of miracles was that people might accept the truthfulness of his Prophethood and embrace Islam. In Makkah, there was a man named Rukānah, who was extremely strong and an expert wrestler. People would come from far and wide to wrestle him, but they would always lose.

One day, he encountered the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم on a mountain path or ravine in Makkah. The noble Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم invited him to embrace Islam, instilling fear of Allah Almighty in him.

Rukānah asked, "O Muhammad! Do you have any sign that proves your truthfulness?"

The Messenger of Allah  صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied, "If I throw you down in wrestling, will you then believe?"

Rukānah replied, "Yes."

(According to one narration, Rukānah himself had demanded the wrestling match.)

The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, "Ready yourself for wrestling."

Rukānah responded, "I am ready."

Then the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم approached him and threw him to the ground. Rukānah was astonished because, in his eyes, it was impossible for anyone to defeat him. He gave another challenge for a wrestling match, and the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم wrestled him a second time and then a third time, throwing him down each time. Rukānah was bewildered and said, "Indeed, your affair is very astonishing!" According to a narration, he embraced Islam at that very moment, while another narration states that Rukānah embraced Islam on the occasion of the Conquest of Makkah.[1]

Note: Wrestling is permissible, praiseworthy, and a source of reward if it is not merely for amusement and play, but rather for building physical strength and self-defence, provided that it is with proper covering of those parts of the body which must be concealed. Wrestling in which short clothing is worn and thighs are exposed is impermissible.[2]

The noble Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم did not regularly engage in wrestling. Defeating a famous wrestler like Rukānah was certainly due to the miraculous status of the holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم ; otherwise, even great wrestlers had never defeated him. In light of this miraculous event, we learn a few things:

• One should not let any opportunity pass to invite people to goodness.
• Even when meeting someone on the road, one should invite them to goodness in a suitable manner.
• If one has self-confidence and faith in Allah Almighty, one does not feel hesitation or fear in accepting difficult goals. If these things are lacking, one does not even have the resolve to accomplish small objectives.
• Every individual should be spoken to according to their interests and field, so that one can reach their heart, allowing the person to easily understand and accept the statement or argument.
• Expressing one's status, ability, strength, or knowledge should not be for pride and arrogance, but with a good intention and noble purpose. Furthermore, if someone asks us for proof of our statement or stance, we should not become angry or emotional.
• If we satisfy someone once, but despite that they repeatedly demand reassurance and satisfaction, we should not express frustration or annoyance; rather, we should satisfy them completely with patience and forbearance.
• Even if we win repeatedly against someone, we should not become arrogant or boastful. This has always been the practical teaching of our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم .
• Merely inviting others to goodness and virtue verbally is not enough; sometimes, practical efforts are also required.
• Any defeat that opens a person's eyes, shows them the truth, provides an opportunity to think correctly, brings them to the right path, and becomes a cause for benefit in the Hereafter – that “defeat” is, in reality, a victory.
• Truth is always victorious against falsehood.
• Even small efforts from a person can lead to great and beneficial results.