Here’s an Idea

Here’s an Idea

1986 7 July 6-7 Here’s an Idea (440) In the lifetime of the Prophet, the then chieftain of Medina, Abu al Haytham – an idolator – Came to Mecca. With him were some youths of the Banu Abd al Ashhal, among whom was one Iyas ibn Muadh, who later became a Muslim. Their purpose in coming to Mecca was to seek the alliance of the Quraysh in their struggle against their Medinan rivals – the Khazraj. When the Prophet Mohammad heard of their arrival, he went to see them. “Would you like to hear about something better than what you came for?” He asked them. “What’s that?” they enquired. “I am God’s Messenger,” the Prophet explained. “He has sent me to mankind, to call them unto Him and to urge them to worship Him, ascribing no partners unto Him. He has revealed unto me a Book.” He then recited some of the Quran to them, and explained the teachings of Islam. Hearing the Prophet’s words, Iyas ibn Muadh exclaimed, “My people, this is indeed much better than what we came for.”

In those days Mecca was the cultural, religious, social and commercial capital of the Arabian peninsula. People used to flock there for various purposes. Most people came pilgrimages, but many also had political motives for making the trip to Mecca. It is clear from biographies of the Prophet that, whenever he heard of the arrival of such a group, he used to go and see them, and tell them about Islam. Some would accept the message, others would reject it; but while the Prophet and his companions remained in Mecca, everyone who came to that town at least heard about Islam.

Much the same situation exists today, here in modern India. People nowadays come from all over the world to the Indian subcontinent. Some come for education, others for tourism; some have commercial purposes in mind, others are engaged in social activities. The vast majority of these foreign visitors are non-Muslims. To many, India has become the Mecca of the modern world. So the opportunities which were open to the Prophet Mohammad and his companions in ancient times, are extant here today.

Sadly, however, it is people of other faiths who have availed of these opportunities, while Muslims have done very little in this regard. Following the example of their Prophet, they should have gone to these foreign visitors and offered to show them something better than what they came for – Islam. Were they to do so, they would surely find some people, like Iyas ibn Muadh, who would convey the message to their own people, affirming that Islam was indeed better than what they had originally had in mind.