The Aptitude of the Arabs

Seerah as a Movement you, and the God of those who will come after you that God has sent you as His prophet?” “By God, yes,” the Prophet replied. “Will you swear to me,” Dhamam continued, “by the name of your God, and the God of those before you, and the God of those who will come after you, that God has told you to exhort us to worship Him alone and ascribe no partners to Him; that He has commanded you to tell us to forsake idol-worship, and all the things that our forefathers used to worship?” “By God, yes,” the Prophet replied. “I ask you to swear to me,” Dhamam said once again, “by the name of your God and the God of those before you, and the God of those who will come after you that has God commanded that we should pray five times a day.” Dhamam then asked about Zakat, Fasting, Hajj (Pilgrimage), and all the other injunctions of Islam, framing each question in the same manner. When he had finished his questioning, and the Prophet had given him the same simple answer to every question, Dhamam spoke these words: “I bear witness that there is none worthy of being served save God, and Muhammad is the Prophet of God. I shall discharge these obligations, and I shall avoid the things you have prohibited. I shall do no more and no less.” (Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah, Vol. V) He mounted his camel and rode away. When he reached his people, he told them what had happened. Before a single day had passed, all the men and women who had been awaiting his homecoming, had accepted Islam. There was not a trace of hypocrisy in these people. They knew only acceptance or denial—nothing in between. When they made a promise, they fulfilled it, come what may. No threat of loss of life or property could prevent them from converting their words into actions. Such was the nature of the Arab temperament. Historians have described the speeches of both the Aws and Khazraj—the two tribes of Madinah—on the occasion of the Second Oath of Allegiance as having all the lustre which distinguished their race. Abbas ibn ‘Ubaida had this to say: “People of Khazraj, do you know what you are committing yourselves to, swearing allegiance to this man? You are committing