The Prophet in Makkah

THE PROPHET IN MAKKAH My people, let us hurry and be the first to follow this man, for by God, the People of the Book used to tell us that a Prophet would arise from the Sacred Territory and that his time has drawn nigh.114 The Aws and Khazraj had become intellectually prepared for the coming of an Arab Prophet. Therefore, it was comparatively easy for them to accept him when he came. As far as the people of Makkah were concerned, however, and most of their compatriots, the truth could only be seen regarding who controlled the Ka’bah. In ancient Arab tradition, the Ka’bah was considered a king’s crown. However, its symbolism was of a higher order than a crown, for the latter brings with it only political power, whereas one who held sway over the Ka’bah was heir to a wealth of spiritual tradition. Therefore, as the following conversation between Dhu’l Jawshan al-Dubba’i and the Prophet shows, Arabs, in their simplicity, could think of truth only in terms of who was in control of the House of God, the Kaaba in Makkah: “Why don’t you accept Islam,” the Prophet said to Dhu’l Jawshan, “so that you may be counted among the first to have done so?” Dhu’l Jawshan said that he would not. The Prophet asked why. “I have heard that your people are after your blood,” Dhu’l Jawshan said. “Have you not heard about their defeat at Badr?” the Prophet asked. Dhu’I Jawshan said that he had. “We are only showing you the path of guidance,” the Prophet said. Dhu’I Jawshan said that he would not accept Islam until