The Aptitude of the Arabs

“These people are intellectuals, men of letters,” the Prophet said when he heard this. “They are cast in the mould of prophets. How wonderful are their words.” (Kanzul Ummal, Vol. I, p. 69) Dhamad, a practising exorcist belonging to the tribe of Banu Azdashanawa, once came to Makkah. People there told him about the Prophet. “He is possessed by an evil spirit,” they said. Dhamad went to see the Prophet, thinking that he might be able to cure him. But when he heard the Prophet’s words, his attitude changed. “I have heard soothsayers and conjurors,” he said. “I have seen the works of poets. But I have never come across anything of this nature. Give me your hand,” he said to the Prophet. “Let me swear allegiance to you.” As was his custom, the Prophet did not give a long talk on this occasion. Actually this was all he said: “Praise be to God. We praise Him and seek help from Him. One whom God guides, no one can send astray, and one whom God sends astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is none worthy of being served save God. He has no equal.” (Muslim) In these few words Dhamad found a wealth of meaning. “Say that again,” he requested the Prophet. “Your words are as deep as the ocean.” (Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah, Vol. III, p. 36) For an Arab there was no question of any discrepancy between words and deeds. He himself was true to his word, and he expected others to be the same. As soon as he comprehended the truth of a matter, he accepted it. According to the Prophet’s biographer, Ibn Ishaq, the Banu Sa’ad tribe sent Dhaman ibn Tha’alaba to the Prophet on their behalf. He arrived in Madinah, set his camel down near the gate of the mosque and tied it up. Then he went inside. The Prophet was sitting there with his companions. Dhamam was a brave and intelligent man. He stood in front of the gathering and asked: “Who among you is the son of Abdul Muttalib?” “I am,” the Prophet replied. “Muhammad,” Dhamam said, “I am going to ask you a few questions, and am going to be quite severe in my questioning. I hope you won’t mind.” “Not at all,” the Prophet replied. “You can ask what you like.” “Will you swear to me by the name of your God and the God of those before