Post by Islamic Revival on Oct 14, 2004 1:33:01 GMT -5
In the sixth year after hijrah Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) sent eight letters to various rulers throughout the Arabian peninsula, inviting them to Islam. one of those letters was to Thumama ibn Uthal, the head of the powerful Banu Hanifah. After receipt of the letter, Thumamah was consumed by anger and rejected the letter outright, vowing to kill the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Later through this rage Thumamah ordered the killing of several Muslims, and this action led to Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) declaring that Thumamah could be killed lawfully for his actions.
Shortly after these events Thumamah took the decision to make Umrah to Makkah and make a sacrifice to the idols that he worshipped, but on the way to Makkah he was apprehended and held captive by the Muslims and brought to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina. When Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) heard that Thumamah had been caught he cleverly made a point of providing well his needs (food and sustenance) and visiting him in his captivity. Rather than treat him harshly as he deserved, Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made a point of inviting him to Islam in a calm and measured manner enquiring: “What do you have to say for yourself?” to which Thumamah responded: “If you want to kill in reprisal, you can have someone of noble blood to kill. If, out of our bounty, you want to forgive, I shall be grateful. If you want money in compensation, I shall give you whatever amount you ask”.
Rather than take compensation or his life, Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) eventually let him free and he shortly thereafter embraced Islam, declaring: “I have killed some of your men – I am at your mercy, what will you have done to me?”<br>
“There is now no blame on you Thumamah” replied Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam), “Becoming a Muslim obliterates past actions and marks a new beginning”. He was instructed to continue and to make Umrah, only now according to the commands and method of Islam, which he duly did. You can only imagine the response of Quraysh when they saw an influential leader brazenly declaring his Islam amongst them and undertaking his Umrah according to Islamic law, and making his sacrifice to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) only. At first they threatened to kill him! only when they realised the importance of his tribe and region to them in terms of trade and provisions did they divert from that plan. Nevertheless Thumamah returned to his people and did implement a boycott of Quraysh which forced a rise in prices and scarcity in some provisions. This continued until eventually the leaders of Quraysh wrote to Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) requesting that he stop the boycott. This was duly done and Thumamah followed the instruction of the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to end the boycott.
The forces of the Banu Hanifah were active in fighting the rebellion of Musaylamah the liar after the death of Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam), Thumamah had indeed taught and led them well in Islam.
Similar to the life of At-Tufayl ibn amr ad-Dawsi of the Daws tribe, Thumamah ibn Uthal proved to have a significant impact upon the establishment and spread of Islam in his region. The worth of a sincere influential leader of his community cannot be underestimated. So where are those influential and leading Muslims today that can eagerly seek the reward and help shoulder the work to re-establish this deen?
From www.ramadhan.org