CHAPTER 4: NEW MUSLIMS – PART 1
The conduct of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, with new Muslims
Introduction:
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was extremely eager for people to be guided to Islam, to the point that Allah Said to him (what means): «Perhaps, [O Muhammad], you would kill yourself with grief that they will not be believers.» [Quran: 26:3]
Allah The Almighty Also Said (what means): «Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, [and] out of sorrow.» [Quran: 18:6]
At-Tabari (a scholar) said: “Allah meant by that; Perhaps, O Muhammad you would kill and destroy yourself over the people who told you: ‘We will not believe you until you bring forth a spring from the ground’, out of their defiance against their Lord.”You would destroy yourself” because they do not believe in the Book that was revealed to you or believe that it is from Allah, out of eagerness and sadness from their turning away and rejecting belief in you.” (Tafseer At-Tabari (194/15).)
Allah has described him as being eager for the guidance of all people, when He said (what means): «Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves [i.e. whom you know well]. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you, for the believers full of pity, kind, and merciful.» [Quran: 9:128]
As-Si’di (a scholar) said: “The words: “It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty” mean that anything that is difficult upon you is difficult upon him. The words: “He is anxious over you” mean that he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, loves all goodness for you, and strives his hardest to make all good reach you. He is very eager to guide you to faith, he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, hates any evil for you, and he strives to keep you away from it.
The words: “For the believers full of pity, kind, and merciful.” mean that he
is more merciful than parents with their children.”(Tafseer As-Sa’di (356/1).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, struck the example of his eagerness for the people to be saved from the punishment of Allah, when he said: “The example of myself and the people is like a man that lit a fire, and when it lit up the surroundings, moths and insects began to fall into it. He tries to pull them away, but they plunge into it despite him. So I am holding on to you [to prevent you] from [falling into] the fire, but you are still plunging into it.”(Reported by Al-Bukhari (6483) and Muslim (2284) on the authority of Abu Hurayrah.)
Ibn Hajar (a scholar) said: “This narration shows the mercy and eagerness of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to save his nation, as Allah Says (what means): «For the believers full of pity, kind, and merciful.»”(Fat-h Al-Baari (318/11).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, cried many times because of his nation:
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-’Aas (a Companion) narrated:
“The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, once recited the saying of Allah regarding Abraham (which means): «My Lord! They have misguided many of mankind. If anyone follows me, he is with me; but if anyone disobeys me, You are Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.» as well as the saying of Jesus (which means): «If You punish them, they are Your slaves. If you forgive them, You are the Almighty, the All-Wise.» He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then raised his hands and said: “O Allah! My Nation, my Nation!” And he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, cried.
Allah then said: “O Gabriel, go to Muhammad, and your Lord knows best – and ask him, ‘What makes you cry?’” So Gabriel came to him and asked him, and the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, informed him of what he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, had said. Allah then said: “O Gabriel, go to Muhammad and tell him, ‘We will please you regarding your Nation, and We will not cause you sadness.”(Reported by Muslim (202).)
The face of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, glowed with joy when people converted to Islam:
In the story of ‘Adiyy ibn Haatim (a Christian chieftain who accepted Islam) it is stated: “When the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, saw him he jumped up out of happiness and he did not put an upper garment on until he took the oath from him.” (Reported by Maalik in his book Al-Muwatta’ (1156) and ‘Abdur-Razzaaq in his book Al-Musannaf (12646).)
Anyone who ponders over the authentic biography and narrations of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, finds that his conduct with new Muslims, in all stages, was the best and most perfect. Let us mention some of the noble examples and blessed guidance, so that we may understand some of the meanings of Allah’s statement (which means): «And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.» [Quran: 21:107]
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, supplicated to Allah to guide those whom he sensed had goodness in them:
Abu Al-Hasan ibn Battaal (a scholar) said: “The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was happy when people entered into Islam, and he used to supplicate for those he hoped would repent. Thus, many people for whom the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, prayed for guidance became Muslims.”(The explanation of Ibn Battaal on the book of Al-Bukhari (149/9).)
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbas (a Companion; the Prophet’s cousin) narrated that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “O Allah, strengthen Islam by the most beloved of these two men to You; Abu Jahl, or ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab.” He (Ibn ‘Abbas) then said that ‘Umar was the more beloved of the two to Allah.”(Reported by At-Tirmidhi (3681).)
This was in the beginning, and then after that he specified ‘Umar with the supplication. ‘Aa’ishah (the wife of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) narrated that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “O Allah, strengthen Islam by ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab specifically.”(Reported by Ibn Hibban (6882).)
‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab became Muslim after the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, prayed for him, even though many people had given up hope that he would accept Islam. Some of them had even said: “’Umar will not become Muslim until his donkey becomes Muslim.”(Ibn Hisham in his book As-Seerah An-Nabawiyyah (295/1).)
Thus, the supplication of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, for ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab had a great effect in his conversion to Islam.
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also prayed for the mother of Abu Hurayrah:
Abu Hurayrah (a Companion) reported:
“I used to call my mother to Islam when she was a polytheist. I spoke to her one day but she said something about the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, that I hated.
I went to the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, crying and said: “O Messenger of Allah, I used to call my mother to Islam, and she would refuse. Today I called her, but she spoke to me about you in a way that I hated, so ask Allah to guide the mother of Abu Hurayrah.” The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “O Allah, guide the mother of Abu Hurayrah.” I left feeling hopeful about the supplication of the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. When I arrived at the door, I found it closed and my mother heard the sound of my footsteps, and said: “Stay where you are, Abu Hurayrah.”
I heard the sound of water, and then she took a bath, put on her garment and veil, and then opened the door. She said: “O Abu Hurayrah, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.” I hurried to the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, crying out of joy, and I told him, “O Messenger of Allah, glad tidings, for Allah has answered your supplication, and guided the mother of Abu Hurayrah!” So he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, praised Allah and said good words.
I said: “O Messenger of Allah, ask Allah to make me and my mother beloved to all the believers, and to make them beloved to us.” He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “O Allah, make this slave of Yours and his mother beloved to the believers, and make them love the believers.” So there is no believer that hears about me, even though he does not see me, except that he loves me.”(Reported by Muslim (2491).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also supplicated for the tribe of Daws:
Abu Hurayrah reported: “At-Tufayl ibn ‘Amr (a tribal chieftain) came to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and said: ‘The tribe of Daws is destroyed, they have been disobedient and refused (to believe), so supplicate to Allah against them.’ The people thought he would supplicate against them, but he said instead: ‘O Allah, guide (the tribe of) Daws and bring them.’”(Reported by Al-Bukhari (2937) and Muslim (2524).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to praise Allah and become happy at their becoming Muslim
Anas (a Companion) said: “Once a Jewish boy who used to serve the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, fell sick. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, went and paid him a visit. He sat by the boy’s head and said to him: ‘Accept Islam.’ The boy looked towards his father, who was also present, and the father said: ‘Obey Abu Al-Qaasim,’ and so the boy accepted Islam. When the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, left, he was saying: ‘All praise is due to Allah Who saved him from the Hellfire.’”(Reported by Al-Bukhari (1356) and Abu Dawood (3095).)
In another narration in this regard:
It was reported that Huwaytib ibn Abdul ‘Uzza (a Companion) said:
“When the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, entered Makkah in the year of the conquest, I became extremely scared. I left my home, and sent my children to different locations where they would be safe. I went to the garden of ‘Awf and waited, and I happened to come across Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari (a Companion). We were friends once and friendship is always a means of protection, but when I saw him, I ran away from him. He called out, ‘Abu Muhammad!’ I replied: ‘At your command.’ He said: ‘What is wrong with you?’ I answered: ‘Fear.’
He said: ‘There is no fear upon you, for you are safe by the safety of Allah.’ I returned to him and greeted him, and he told me, ‘Go home.’ I asked: ‘Is there a way to my house? By Allah, I do not think I will make it home before I am found and killed, or they will enter my house and kill me. Even my children are scattered in different locations.’ He said: ‘Gather your children in one place and I will go with you to your house.’ He went with me and began to call out that Huwaytib is under his protection and should not be harmed. Then Abu Tharr went to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and informed him, so he said: ‘Are not all of the people safe except for the ones I have ordered to be killed?’
I felt safe at that point and told my children to return home, and then Abu Tharr came to me. He said: ‘O Abu Muhammad, until when? Until what point? You have missed all the battles and you have missed a great deal of benefit! Nevertheless, a great deal of good remains, so go to the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, become Muslim and you will be safe. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is the best of people, the best at maintaining ties of kinship and the most forbearing of people. His nobility is your nobility and his honour is your honour.’
I told Abu Tharr: ‘I will go out with you to meet him.’ So we went out until we came to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, at Al-Bat-haa’ and with him were Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. I stood in front of him and greeted him and he returned the greeting. I said: ‘I bear witness that there is no one worthy to be worshipped but Allah, and that you are the Messenger of Allah.’ So the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘All praises are due to Allah Who has guided you.’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was very happy at my becoming Muslim, and I participated in the battles of Hunayn and At-Taif with him, and he gave me 100 camels from the spoils of Hunayn.” (Reported by Al-Hakim (6130).)
By Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid
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