Factors Working in Favour of Dawah

result of stubbornness or expediency on their part. Rather, it was genuinely difficult for them to understand how any religion which differed from that of the patrons of the holy Kabah could be the true religion. Arab tribes living in the vicinity of Jewish areas were generally free of such restrictive creeds. They had often heard from the Jews that it was written in their scriptures that a prophet would come among the Arabs. As the historian Tabarani explains, that was why it was easier for the people of Madinah to see the truth of Islam: “When the Ansar1 heard the teachings of the Prophet, they remained silent. Their hearts were satisfied that what he preached was true. They had heard from the People of the Book2 what the Final Prophet would be like. They recognized the truth of his message. They confirmed his teachings, and believed in him.” When the Prophet went to the fair of ‘Ukaz and, entering the tent of the Banu Kanda, explained his teachings, this is what one youth had to say in reply: “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 near.” (Abu Naim Fi Ad-dalail) The Aws and Khazraj had become mentally prepared, then, for the coming of an Arab Prophet. When he came, it was comparatively easy for them to accept him. But as far as the people of Makkah were concerned, and most of their compatriots along with them, the truth could only be seen in terms of who controlled the Kabah, the House of God in Makkah. In ancient Arab tradition, the Kabah was thought of as a King’s crown. In fact, its symbolism was of a higher order even than that of a crown, for the latter brings with it only political power, whereas one who held sway over the Kabah was heir to a wealth of spiritual tradition as well. The following 1 The Ansar were the people of Madinah who helped the Prophet and his companions after their emigration to Madinah. The Jews and the Christians.