Manners in Speech

Truth should be unclouded by prejudice A few years before the Muslims had emigrated to Madinah, Mus’ab ibn Umayr was sent there by the Prophet. On reaching Madinah, he quietly began communicating the teachings of Islam to its inhabitants by reciting the Qur’an to them. Saad ibn Muadh, who was at that time chieftain of the Banu Abd al-’Ashhal tribe, became incensed over Musab ibn Umayr’s activities. So one day, armed with a spear, Saad went in search of Musab. Near a well on the outskirts of the town he found the Muslim from Makkah talking to a crowd of people about Islam. Approaching the group, Saad ibn Muadh asked in an angry tone: “Who has brought this foreigner here so that he may lead the weak members of our society astray? Do you want something we revile to take root in our households? After today, I do not wish to see you here again.” One Asad ibn Zararah, who had accepted Islam and belonged to the tribe of Sa ad ibn Muadh, then spoke up. “My cousin,” he began, “listen to what this man has to say. If it is unreasonable, you can reject it, and if it appears reasonable, you may accept it.” Saad ibn Muadh then mellowed somewhat and asked what it was that Musab taught. In reply, Musab recited the first part of the Quranic chapter al-Zukhruf. Saad’s anger melted away on hearing the Qur’an recited, his whole frame of mind changed and in a few days he was led to accept Islam. Now he himself began to preach Islam among the Banu Abd al-Ashhal. The following is part of what he said to them: “If anyone, young or old, male or female, is in doubt about his religion, let him bring us better guidance so that we may accept it. By God, we must bow our head to what we have now received. (ABU NU‘AYM)