(radiy-Allahu 'anhu)

Hatred Changed into Love

(d. 20 A.H)

It has been pointed out that the best and most effective way of preaching is through the preacher's own conduct and action rather than his speech or words. This axiom is best exemplified in the spread of the message of Islam, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. For it was the attitude of the Muslim men of religion and trade towards the natives and their behaviors which caused these natives to enter the fold of Islam of their own free will. In the story of the conversion of our today's hero we have an interesting testimony to the effectiveness of action and exemplary behavior in preaching. For, to our hero, "There was no one on earth more hateful than Muhammad (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam)". But after his encounter with Prophet Muahmmad (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam), he declared " "Now you are the most beloved one to me."

Let us now see the full story of our hero, Thumamah ibn Uthal (radiy-Allahu 'anhu) . Thumamah ibn Uthal was a king of the people of Yamamah (the area around Riyadh today)  and was a man of great influence. When, in the sixth year of Hijra (628 G.), Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) decided to send letters and emissaries to the rulers in and around Arabia (including Emperors of Persia and the Byzantine Empire), our hero Thumamah ibn Uthal received the Prophet's message with contempt and rejection. Not only that, he even decided to kill Prophet Muhammad (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) were it not for an uncle of his, who convinced him to change his mind. However, Thumamah's hatred for Muhammad (sall-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) was not abated. He took every opportunity to kill the companions of Prophet Muhammad (sall-Llaahu'alayhi wa-sallam) who were unfortunate to come to his reach. This infuriated the Prophet; hence, he declared Thaumamah a public enemy who should be killed on sight (whenever and wherever he was seen).

To our hero's good luck, he was unknowingly captured by a group of Muslim scouts in one of their rounds to watch for the potential invaders of Madinah. Thumamah was taken to the Prophet's Masjid waiting his decision. When the prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) came out of his residence, he noticed Thumamah bound to a pillar in the Masjid. He asked his companions, "Do you know whom you have captured ? " No, O Messenger of Allah." He said, "This is Thumamah ibn Uthal. Be kind to him and treat him well." For thought the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) was infuriated by Thumamah, our hero was now at his mercy and in a sense a guest to him. Besides, the prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) hoped that through good treatment Thumamah might change his hostile attitude towards Islam. The Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) went to his family and asked them to collect all the food they could and take it to Thumamah. Then he ordered that our hero's she-camel be milked for him to drink her milk in the morning and at nightfall. The prophet was to these things without meeting Thumamah. When he talked to him later, he addressed him, " What's the news, Thumamah?" "I have good news. If you kill me, you will be punishing someone who killed some followers of yours. If you set me free, I will be grateful. If it is money that you want, I have plenty of it." The Prophet left Thumamah a couple of days. Then he asked him the same question to which he received the same reply from Thumamah. He left him in his place receiving the same good treatment. Then he talked to him a third time. Asking the same question and hearing the same answer. So he ordered that Thumamah be set free.

Our hero apparently was impressed by the type of treatment he received and the type of life he observed as a prisoner. So when he was set free he went out of the town where he found some water. He dismounted, bathed and cleaned himself. Then he went back to the prophet's Masjid. As soon as he arrived there he publicly announced his conversion to Islam by loudly making the declaration of the faith. Then he addressed himself to Prophet Muhamma (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam), "I swear by Allah there was no one more hateful to me on earth than you. Now your sight is the dearest to me. By Allah your religion was the most detested to me, and now it has become the most beloved to me. I never hated a place like your town and now it is the most pleasant to me." He continued, "I killed some of your followers earlier. What should I do to pay for that?" The Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) replied, "Don't worry, Thumamah, by embracing it Islam absolves you of all pat crimes and sins." Upon hearing that, our hero became happy, and he decided to put his life and property at the service of the Message and Islam. Then he informed the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) that he was on his way to Makkah to perform 'Umrah (minor pilgrimage), upon which he was instructed by the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) to follow the Islamic procedures in that regard. And our hero went to Makkah which he entered loudly reciting Talbiyyah (Labbaik-Allahumma Labbaik) the Makkans were greatly disturbed to hear those prayers publicly recited in defiance of them. Many withdrew their swords in an attempt to kill our hero. But they stopped when they recognized his identity for fear of his people. For at that time much of the food supplies to Makkah came from Yamamah, our hero's homeland. Our hero confidently performed the rituals of the 'Umrah (minor pilgrimage) and let for his homeland.

Upon his return to his land, he gave orders that no more food supplies be sent to the pagans of Makkah. The pagans uffered greatly from the boycott. They faced starvation. So they wrote to Prophet Muhammad (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) beseeching him to intercede for them with our hero. As always, despite all the atrocities committed by the pagans of Makkah against him and his followers, the Prophet's merciful nature made him write to our hero to lift the boycott  and continue the food suppliers to the Makkahns, which orders Thumamah willingly obeyed. Thus the second instance of economic sanctions in Arabia was lifted at the orders of Prophet Muhammad (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam)

Take From the Book of

Heroes of Islam

Prof. Mahmoud Esma'il Sieny

King Saud  University

Riaydh, K.S.A

Darussalam published