Islam the Touchstone of Virtue

Islam the Touchstone of Virtue

1987 4 April 16 Islam the Touchstone of Virtue (365) While the Prophet was living in Mecca, he went to the Banu Amir bin Sasa’a to call them to God and to ask them to assist him in his preaching of the True Word. One of them, whose name was Bayharah bin Faras, got up and asked: “If we assist you in this, and then God grants you victory over your opponents, shall we have a share in power?” The Prophet answered: “Power belongs to God. He gives it unto whom He wills.” The questioner then asked: “Should we, in support of you, make our chests a target for the whole of Arabia, only for power to be in the hands of others when God makes you victorious? We have no need of your religion?” Hearing this, the rest of the tribe rejected the Prophet’s appeal.

But not everyone the Prophet approached showed such a lack of sympathy for his cause. In fact, those who showed such an aversion for the Islamic ideal were in the minority. An incident which took place during the latter days of the Prophet in Mecca clearly shows how positive an element was always at hand to respond favourably to the Prophet’s appeals. The incident in question concerns the acceptance of Islam by some people from Medina – a conversion promptly challenged by Abbas bin Ebadap bin Nadhlal Ansari, one of a group of people who had gathered around the Prophet. He arose and declared that the tribe of Khazraj had no idea of the terms on which they were swearing allegiance to this man. They retorted that they did know to what they were committing themselves, and why. “Well,” he carried on, “You are committing yourselves to war against the red and the white i.e. Arabs and non-Arabs. Your wealth will be destroyed and your best people will be killed.” Their reply to this was: “We accept him regardless of the destruction of our wealth and the slaughter of our best men.” Then turning to the Prophet, they asked, “And what can we expect to gain, Messenger of God, if we are faithful?” “Paradise,” replied the Prophet. “Extend your hand,” they said. The Prophet did so and accepted their allegiance.

To think nothing of the world is true wisdom

1987 4 April 16 To think nothing of the world is true wisdom (36) “If a person makes a will that his wealth should be given to the most intelligent of people, then it should be given to the one who has most renounced worldly pleasure.” Thus spoke Imam Shafi’