The Prophetic Method

THE PROPHETIC METHOD family. An interdict stopped intermarriage and commercial relations. On learning of this, the Banu Hashim moved to the place known as Shi’b Abi Talib. While this interdict was in force, preaching was confined to those affected, and the Prophet took full advantage of it. These restrictions, however, came to an end temporarily in the sacred months. The Prophet’s family used to benefit from this period of respite in that they could conduct transactions. Then, gathering the meat of sacrifice, they would dry it for the rest of the year. But the Prophet would use this time differently: he would go to tents where various tribes were staying and communicate the message of Islam to them. Imagine how precarious the Prophet’s situation was when he emigrated from Makkah to Madinah. Yet even during this journey, he did not miss a single opportunity to preach Islam to those he encountered. When he reached Ghamim, for instance, he communicated the message of Islam to Baridah ibn Hasib, who then—along with eighty members of his family—accepted Islam. On reaching the mountain pass of Rakubah, he met two men whom he told about Islam and who accepted the Faith. When the Prophet asked them their names, they said they belonged to the tribe of Aslam and were bandits. For this reason, they explained, they were called “Muhanan” or “The Two Despicable Ones.” “No,” the Prophet told them, “you are two honourable ones.”80 The Prophet Muhammad inculcated in his companions the same attitude. It was not to be their aim to conquer