Basic HTML Version
67
ISLAM BEING INTRODUCED TO ARABIAN TRIBES AND INDIVIDUALS
In Dhul Qa‘dah, the tenth year of Prophethood, i.e. July 619, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) ,
returned to Makkah to resume his activities. The time for pilgrimage to Makkah was approaching so
he hastened to introduce people b oth tribes and individuals to Islam and call upon them to embrace
it, just as it was his practice since the fourth year of his Prophethood.
On the authority of Az-Zuhri, of the tribes that Islam was introduced to, we could speak of Banu
‘Amir bin Sa‘sa‘ah, Muharib bin Khasfa, Fazarah, Ghassan, Murrah, Haneefah, Saleem, ‘Abs, Banu
Nasr, Banu Al-Buka’, Kindah, Kalb, Al-Harith bin Ka‘b, Udhrah and people of Hadrmout. Islam was
not introduced to them in one single year but rather repeatedly from the fourth year till the last pre-
migration season of pilgrimage. They however, remained obdurate and none of them responded
positively.
The following is a resume of aspects relating to the Prophet’s appeals as regards the new faith he
was preaching:
1. He visited a sept of Banu Kalb known as Banu ‘Abdullah. He called them to Allâh’s Message
and entreated them to accept it for the sake of Allâh Who had chosen a beautiful name for
their father, but without avail.
2. He called on Bani Haneefah in their habitation, but received very repugnant treatment.
3. He addressed Bani ‘Amir bin Sa‘sa‘ah in their encampment, calling them to abandon idolatry
and join him. One of them called Buhairah bin Firras, answered him back: “Should we give
you allegiance and Allâh give you power over your opponents, will you give us right to
inheritance and succeed you in power?” The Prophet replied: “The whole affair lies in Allâh’s
Hands. He gives the power to whomever He desires.” The man commented: “Do you expect
us to incur the wrath and vengeance o f the Arabs without the least hope of leadership? We
can in fact readily dispense with your offers.”
When Banu ‘Amir returned to their habitations, they narrated the story to an elderly man who had
lingered behind because he was too old. They told him, “A young man of Quraish of Bani ‘Abdul
Muttalib, claiming that he is a Prophet, contacted us, asked for support and invited us to embrace
his religion.” The old sheikh was struck by the news, and wondered if there was no way of making
amends for the loss of that opportunity and swore, “He is really Ishmaelite (he descends from
Ishmael). He is the Truth (he is a real Prophet). How did it happen that you misjudged his words?”
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was not dismayed at all. He persisted in his mission for the
fulfillment of which he had been commissioned to strive despite all odds. He did not confine his
efforts to the tribes but also conducted contacts with individuals from some of whom he was able to
receive a favourable response. Moreover, later in the same season, some of them did believe in his
Prophethood and entered the fold of Islam. The following list included some of those early converts:
1. Swaid bin Samit . He was an intelligent discreet poet from Yathrib (Madinah). During his
stay in Makkah for pilgrimage (or lesser pilgrimage), he encountered the Prophet (Peace be
upon him) who invited him to embrace Islam. At this invitation, Swaid imparted to the
Prophet some sound words from Luqman’s wisdom. The Prophet approved of that wisdom
but told theman that he had something far better. He recited some verses from the Qur’ân,
the man listened meditatively and the words appealed to his originally pure nature and
accepted Islam as his faith at once. He was killed in the battle of Bu‘ath. That was in the
eleventh year of the Prophethood.
2. Eyas bin Mu‘adh. He was still a youth from Aws tribe. He came as a member of delegation
seeking alliance with Quraish against another rival tribe dwelling in Madinah, Al-Khazraj. The
Prophet (Peace be upon him) met them and advised them to follow a better course than that
they had in mind. He introduced himself and Islam to them, apprised them of his mission
and narrated some verses from the Noble Qur’ân. Eyas’s heart immediately absorbed the
Divine Message and agreed with the Prophet (Peace be upon him) . Abul Haisar Anas bin
Rafi‘, a member of the delegation disapproved of the boy’s behaviour and silenced him by
hurling some dust into his face. The people then left Madinah after having failed in
establishing alliance with Quraish. Shortly after arrival in Madinah, the boy breathed his last
acclaiming Allâh’s Name and celebrating His Glory.
3. Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari. He used to live in the suburbs of Yathrib. News of the Islamization of
Swaid bin Samit and Eyas bin Mu‘adh reached him and constituted a turning point in his life
Click on View to read this book online under free books www.islamicbulletin.com