Calling Mankind to the Truth

Failure to reform should never elicit curses Tufayl ibn Amr Ad-Dawsi, who had come to Makkah on the pilgrimage to the Holy Ka’bah, was addressed by some members of the Quraysh, who said, “You, who have come to our town, must be told that there is a man here” – by whom they meant the Prophet – “who has left our religion and divided our community. His words have a spell-binding effect, separating father from son, and brother from brother. We do not wish him to do with you as he has done with us. Do not speak to him or listen to what he says.” Tufayl says that he went to the Ka’bah with cotton in his ears, so that he would be unable to hear anything Muhammad said. Then he thought: I have a mind of my own; I am able to judge what is said, whether it is good or bad, why should I not listen to him? If what he says seems sound, I will accept it; if not, I will have nothing to do with it. He went, therefore, to see the Prophet, who recited to him some verses from the Qur’an. “Truly,” said Tufayl, “I have never heard anything so beautiful or so balanced.” He then accepted Islam and went back to his people in order to communicate to them the message of Islam: but only one of them, Abu Hurayrah, became a believer. Tufayl went back once again to Madinah, where he told the Prophet of the obstinacy of his people. He asked the Prophet to curse them, but the Prophet just prayed for their guidance: “Lord, guide the people of Daws.” “That was not the prayer I meant,” cried Tufayl. “Go back to your people,” the Prophet told Tufayl. “Communicate to them the message of Islam and be gentle with them. You will find many amongst them like yourself. “ (IBN ABDIL BARR)