The Da’wah To Islam by Sheikh Ahmad Mahmoud

When Abu Talib, the uncle of the Messenger 􀁕, and the Messenger’s wife Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) both died in the same year, the misfortune for the Messenger 􀁕 became greater due to their death. The Quraysh had reached the point of inflicting harm on the Messenger 􀁕, which they never did before the death of his uncle, to the point they threw dust on his head. The Messenger 􀁕 used to say; “Quraysh did not do anything more hateful to me, except after Abu Talib died.” [Sirah of Ibn Hisham]. When Abu Talib died, the Messenger 􀁕 went to Taa’if seeking the support and protection of its people. He went to a group of people from the Banu Thaqeef, who at that time, were the leaders and chiefs of the Thaqeef. He spoke to them about supporting Islam and standing beside him, against anyone who opposed him from his people. They rejected his offer and transmitted the news of his arrival to his people, even though he asked them to keep this visit secret. He was not able to enter Makkah, except under sanctuary.

The Messenger 􀁕 used to stand at the doors of the homes of tribes, saying; “O such and such tribe. I am the Messenger of Allah sent to you.

He orders you that you worship Allah and do not associate partners with Him; and that you should leave anything else from these idols, and believe in me and trust me. Protect me until I can clarify what Allah has sent me with.” [Sira Ibn Hisham]. His uncle Abu Lahab, used to stand behind him, answer back to him and reject whatever he said. None of them accepted. They used to say: “Your people know you better and they do not follow you.” They talked to him and argued, and he talked to them and invited them to Allah 􀀬 saying:

“O my Lord! If you had willed, they would not have been like this.” It was mentioned in the Sira of Ibn Hisham; Az-Zuhri narrated that the Rasool of Allah 􀁕 went to Kinda in their place of residence (at Mina) and offered himself to them, and they rejected him. He also narrated that he 􀁕 went to the homes of the Banu Kalb and they did not accept his offer; and that he went to the homes of the Banu Hanifah and asked them to give him support and protection, but their response was the ugliest from amongst the Arabs. He also came to Banu ‘Amir b. Sa’sa’ah and invited them to Allah 􀀬, and offered himself to them. One man amongst them, known as Bayharah b. Firas said: “By Allah! If I could take this young man from the Quraysh, I can surely conquer the Arabs.” Then he said:

“What do you think, if we give you bai’ah on your matter, and then Allah makes you victorious, will we have the power after you?” The Messenger 􀁕 said:

“The power belongs to Allah and He will place it where He wills.” Bayharah replied: “Are we to expose our throats to the Arabs in defence of you, and then when Allah makes you victorious, the power should go to someone else. Then we have no need for your power.” The Messenger 􀁕 remained like this. Whenever the people gathered in the pilgrimage season, he 􀁕 would come to them and invite the tribes to Allah 􀀬, and call them to Islam. He 􀁕 offered to them himself, and whatever he 􀁕 brought from Allah 􀀬 of guidance and mercy. No sooner did he 􀁕 hear of the coming of an Arab person of reputation and prestige, he 􀁕 would turn to and invite him to Allah 􀀬, and offer what was revealed to him 􀁕. The tribes whom the Messenger of Allah 􀁕 visited, invited and offered himself to them, though none of them responded, their names are the following:

1 Banu ‘Amir b. Sa’sa’ah 2 Muhaarib b. Khasfah 3 Fazaarah 4 Ghassan 5 Murrah 6 Hanifah 7 Sulaym 8 ‘Abas 9 Banu Nadhr 10 Banu al-Bukaa 11 Kindah 12 Kalb 13 al-Harith b. Ka’b 14 ‘Uzrah 15 al-Hadaaremah This list is according to what Ibn Sa’d mentioned in his “at-Tabaqaat” (The Generations).