The Conquest of Makkah (3)

The idolaters of Tayef, the very people who had driven the Preacher of Islam from their midst with violence and contempt now sent a deputation to pray forgiveness and ask to be numbered amongst his followers. They begged, however, for temporary preservation of their idols. As a last appeal they begged for one month’s grace only. But this even was not approved. The Prophet said Islam and the idols could not exist together. They then begged for exemption from the daily prayers. The Prophet replied that without devotion religion would be nothing. At last they submitted to all that was required of them. They, however, asked to be exempted from destroying the idols with their own hands, this was granted. The Prophet selected Abu Sufian and Mughira to destroy the Tayefites idols, the chief of which being the notorious idol of Allat. This was carried out amidst cries of despair and grief from the old women of Tayef.

The conversion of this tribe of Tayef is worthy of notice. This tribe which previously had proved hostile to the new faith was noted among the Arabs for its idolatrous priesthood. A small detachment under Ali was sent to reduce them to obedience and to destroy their idols. The prince of the tribe was Adi, the son of the famous Hatim, whose generosity was spoken of all over the peninsula of Arabia. On the approach of the Muslim force, Adi fled to Syria leaving his sister with some of his principal clansmen, to fall into the hands of the Muslims. These were conducted by Ali with every sign of respect and sympathy to Al-Madienah. When the daughter of Hatim came before the Prophet she addressed him in the following words: “O: Apostle of God, my father is dead; my brother, my only relation has fled into the mountains, on the approach of Muslims. I cannot ransom myself; I count on your generosity for my deliverance. My father was an illustrious man, the prince of his tribe; a man who ransomed prisoners protected the honour of women fed the poor consoled the afflicted and was deaf to no appeal”. “Your father”, answered the Prophet, “had the virtues of a true Muslim: if it were permitted to invoke the Mercy of God on any whose life was passed in idolatry, I would pray to God for mercy for the soul of Hatim.” Then, addressing the Muslims around him, he said; “The daughter of Hatim is free her father was a generous; God loves and rewards the merciful” With the daughter of Hatim, all her people were set at liberty. She proceeded to Syria, and related to her brother the generosity of Muhammad”, Adi, touched by gratitude, hastened to Al-Madienah where he was kindly received by the Prophet. He professed Islam and returned to his people and persuaded them to abandon idolatry. They all submitted and became devoted Muslims[1].

Hitherto no prohibition had been enforced against idolaters entering the Ka‘bah or performing their offensive rite within the sacred boundaries. Towards the end of the ninth years of the Hijra, during the month of pilgrimage Ali was delegated by the Prophet to read a proclamation that ran as follows: That the male should cover from the navel to the knee and the female all her body except her face, hands and feet. (Tran.) Abu Hurairah reported: “During the Hajj for which Abu Bakr was appointed the leader by Allâh's Messenger (peace be upon him), before the Farewell Hajj, Abu Bakr sent me (Ali) with a group to announce the Day of Nahr - the 10th of Zhul-Hijjah - and to proclaim: “No idolater nor any naked person shall be allowed to perform tawaf of the Ka'bah after this year.” [Al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 26, Number 689] [such a disgraceful custom was practiced by the heathen Arabs], any treaty with the Prophet shall continue in force, but four months are allowed to every man to return to his territories; after that there will be no obligation on the Prophet except towards those with whom treaties have been concluded[2].

The vast multitude who had listened to the above declaration returned to their homes and before the following year was over the majority of them were