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EXTERNAL LINKS |
EXTERNAL LINKS
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ABU DHARR
A man of the Bani Ghifar named Abu DhArr – his tribe lived
to the North West of Mecca, not far from the Red Sea – had already heard of the
Prophet and of the opposition to him. Like most of his tribesman, Abu DhArr was
a highwayman: but unlike them he was a firm believer in the Oneness of God, and
he refused to pay any respect to idols. His brother Unays went to Mecca for some
reason, and on his return he told Abu DhArr that there was a man of the Quraysh
who claimed to be a Prophet and who said there is no god but God, and his people
had disowned him in consequence. Abu DhArr immediately set off for Mecca, in the
certainty that there was a true Prophet, and on his arrival those of the Quraysh
who manned the approaches [of expected pilgrims] told him all he wished to know
before he had time to ask [even though they spoke against the Prophet]. Without
difficulty he found his way to the Prophet’s house. The Prophet was lying asleep
on a bench in the courtyard, with his face covered by a fold of his cloak. Abu
DhArr woke him and wished him good morning. “On thee be peace!” Said the
Prophet. “Declaim unto me thine utterances,” said the Bedouin. “I am no poet,”
said the Prophet, “but what I utter is the Koran, and it is not I who speak but
God who speaketh.” Recite for me,” said Abu DhArr, and he recited a surah,
whereon Abu DhArr said: “I testify that that there is no god but God, and that
Muhammad is the messenger of God.” “Who are thy people”?” said the Prophet, and
at the man’s answer he looked him up and down in amazement and said: “Verily God
guideth whom he will.” It was well known that the Bani Ghifar were mostly
robbers. Having instructed him in Islam the Propjet told him to return to his
people and await his orders. So he returned to the Bani Ghifar, many of whom
entered Islam through him. Meantime he continued his calling as highwayman, with
special attention to the caravans of the Quraysh [who were mostly opposed to the
Prophet]. But when he despoiled a caravan he would offer to give back what he
had taken on condition they would testify to the Oneness of God and the
prophethood of Muhammad. (Lings, 1983, p.53-54) ABU DHARR
A man of the Bani Ghifar named Abu DhArr – his tribe lived
to the North West of Mecca, not far from the Red Sea – had already heard of the
Prophet and of the opposition to him. Like most of his tribesman, Abu DhArr was
a highwayman: but unlike them he was a firm believer in the Oneness of God, and
he refused to pay any respect to idols. His brother Unays went to Mecca for some
reason, and on his return he told Abu DhArr that there was a man of the Quraysh
who claimed to be a Prophet and who said there is no god but God, and his people
had disowned him in consequence. Abu DhArr immediately set off for Mecca, in the
certainty that there was a true Prophet, and on his arrival those of the Quraysh
who manned the approaches [of expected pilgrims] told him all he wished to know
before he had time to ask [even though they spoke against the Prophet]. Without
difficulty he found his way to the Prophet’s house. The Prophet was lying asleep
on a bench in the courtyard, with his face covered by a fold of his cloak. Abu
DhArr woke him and wished him good morning. “On thee be peace!” Said the
Prophet. “Declaim unto me thine utterances,” said the Bedouin. “I am no poet,”
said the Prophet, “but what I utter is the Koran, and it is not I who speak but
God who speaketh.” Recite for me,” said Abu DhArr, and he recited a surah,
whereon Abu DhArr said: “I testify that that there is no god but God, and that
Muhammad is the messenger of God.” “Who are thy people”?” said the Prophet, and
at the man’s answer he looked him up and down in amazement and said: “Verily God
guideth whom he will.” It was well known that the Bani Ghifar were mostly
robbers. Having instructed him in Islam the Propjet told him to return to his
people and await his orders. So he returned to the Bani Ghifar, many of whom
entered Islam through him. Meantime he continued his calling as highwayman, with
special attention to the caravans of the Quraysh [who were mostly opposed to the
Prophet]. But when he despoiled a caravan he would offer to give back what he
had taken on condition they would testify to the Oneness of God and the
prophethood of Muhammad. (Lings, 1983, p.53-54)
ABU DHARR
A man of the Bani Ghifar named Abu DhArr – his tribe lived
to the North West of Mecca, not far from the Red Sea – had already heard of the
Prophet and of the opposition to him. Like most of his tribesman, Abu DhArr was
a highwayman: but unlike them he was a firm believer in the Oneness of God, and
he refused to pay any respect to idols. His brother Unays went to Mecca for some
reason, and on his return he told Abu DhArr that there was a man of the Quraysh
who claimed to be a Prophet and who said there is no god but God, and his people
had disowned him in consequence. Abu DhArr immediately set off for Mecca, in the
certainty that there was a true Prophet, and on his arrival those of the Quraysh
who manned the approaches [of expected pilgrims] told him all he wished to know
before he had time to ask [even though they spoke against the Prophet]. Without
difficulty he found his way to the Prophet’s house. The Prophet was lying asleep
on a bench in the courtyard, with his face covered by a fold of his cloak. Abu
DhArr woke him and wished him good morning. “On thee be peace!” Said the
Prophet. “Declaim unto me thine utterances,” said the Bedouin. “I am no poet,”
said the Prophet, “but what I utter is the Koran, and it is not I who speak but
God who speaketh.” Recite for me,” said Abu DhArr, and he recited a surah,
whereon Abu DhArr said: “I testify that that there is no god but God, and that
Muhammad is the messenger of God.” “Who are thy people”?” said the Prophet, and
at the man’s answer he looked him up and down in amazement and said: “Verily God
guideth whom he will.” It was well known that the Bani Ghifar were mostly
robbers. Having instructed him in Islam the Propjet told him to return to his
people and await his orders. So he returned to the Bani Ghifar, many of whom
entered Islam through him. Meantime he continued his calling as highwayman, with
special attention to the caravans of the Quraysh [who were mostly opposed to the
Prophet]. But when he despoiled a caravan he would offer to give back what he
had taken on condition they would testify to the Oneness of God and the
prophethood of Muhammad. (Lings, 1983, p.53-54)
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