Thrown in the fire…

The Miracle of Ibrahim, for Abu Muslim.

When Al-Aswad (False Prophet) gained a considerable following in Yemen, he sent for Abu Muslim Al-Khaulaanee رضي الله عنه. when Abu Muslim came before him, Al-Aswad haughtily asked, “Do you bear witness that I am indeed the Messenger of Allah?” Abu Muslim said, “I do not hear.” Al-Aswad said, “Do you bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم?” Abu Muslim said, “Yes.” Al-Aswad repeatedly asked the two questions, and Abu Muslim repeatedly gave the same answers for both. So furious did Al-Aswad become that he ordered for Abu Muslim to be thrown into a large fire.

Some people gathered to witness the event, but to everyone’s utmost shock, the fire did not harm or burn Abu muslim Al-Khaulaanee in the least. Someone, trying to save Al-Aswad from embarrassment, said to him, “Send this man away, for if he stays, he will cause your followers to turn against you.” Al-Aswad, fearing Abu Muslim and being certain, based on his prior experience, that he would not be able to kill him, ordered him to leave Yemen.

Abu Muslim رضي الله عنه headed towards Al-Madeenah, and by the time he arrived there, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم had already passed on, and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه had been appointed as his Khaleefah. Having tied his riding animal to the door of the Masjid, Abu Muslim went inside and began to pray. ‘Umar رضي الله عنه noticed the stranger, went to him, and said, “Where are you from?” Abu Muslim رضي الله عنه humbly replied, “I am from the inhabitants of Yemen.” ‘Umar رضي الله عنه, who had heard about Abu Muslim’s story but had never met Abu Muslim before, asked, “What Happend to the man that ‘The Liar’ tried to burn with fire?” Abu muslim replied, “That was ‘Abdullah ibn Thaub,” using a Kunyah so as to avoid ‘Umar’s praise. But ‘Umar رضي الله عنه, always perceptive and a good judge of men, said, “I ask you by Allah, are you him?” Abu Muslim رضي الله عنه could not lie, so he simply answered in the affirmative. ‘Umar رضي الله عنه hugged him and cried, and he then seated Abu Muslim رضي الله عنه between himself and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه. And then ‘Umar رضي الله عنه said, “All praise is for Allah, Who has delayed my death enough for Him to allow me to see among the nation of Muhammad a person for whom Allah cause the same thing to occur as He caused to occur for Ibraaheem عليه سلام the Khaleel of Allah (For Ibraaheem عليه سلام too was thrown into a large fire, and Allah protected him from being harmed or burned by it; and instead, the fire was coolness for him).”

source: Asadul-Ghaabah and Al-Istee’aab