Abu Tharr embraces Islam – II

09/07/2009| IslamWeb

Lessons and benefits to be learned (continued):

-         The courage of Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him, and his firmness upon the truth: he declared his reversion to Islam among the gatherings of the Quraysh out of defiance to them, and in order to declare the truth. It seems that he understood that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) ordered him to conceal his matter not as an obligation, but rather out of concern for him. Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him, informed the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) by doing what he did and showing that he could endure the consequences of declaring his embracing of Islam, and hence, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) approved of what he did. This teaches us that it is permissible to speak the truth before the one whose harm is feared, although remaining silent is also permissible. This can be determined by weighing up the various conditions and purposes and according to this, the reward is determined.
-         Abu Tharr’s stance was beneficial to the Da‘wah (Islamic call), and he participated in confronting the psychological war that was being waged by the people of the Quraysh. It was a moral strike that perfectly struck the disbelievers of Makkah, and it occurred due to the courage of Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him, and his endurance. He was bleeding and yet he stood up again to declare his Islam.
-         Al-‘Abbaas’ defense of the Muslims and his efforts to save Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him, from the harm of the Quraysh was evidence that he sympathized with the Muslims. His way of warding off the aggression showed his deep knowledge about the souls of the disbelievers of Makkah. He warned them of the perils that may endanger their trade when their caravans would pass by the tribe of the Ghifaar.
-         Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him, responded to the security measures that the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) adopted in Makkah. In spite of the fact that Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him, was closely attached to the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) loved him and was keen on meeting him, he responded to his order to leave Makkah and return to his people. He was keen on reforming and guiding his people and on calling them to Islam. He started with his brother, mother and then his people.
-         In spite of the great achievement of Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him, in the field of Da‘wah and his effect on his people and his ability to convince them to revert to Islam, he was not fit for the office of ruler. It was narrated on the authority of Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said, “O Messenger of Allah, will you not appoint me to a public office?” The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) stroked his shoulder with his hand, and said: “Abu Tharr, you are weak and authority is a trust and on the Day of Judgment it will be a cause of humiliation and regret except for the one who fulfils its obligations and [properly] discharges the duties attendant thereon.” [Muslim] Every person has his own specialty and field in which he performs his duty properly. His success in Da‘wah and convincing people with the truth of Islam does not mean that he is fit for every task.
-         Abu Tharr entrusted rulership to the master of the Ghifaar tribe, Aymaa’ bin Rahdhah, even though Abu Tharr preceded him in Islam and had a great rank, and this is an indication of the administrative skill of not micro-managing. It also shows his appreciation of people and placing everyone in his correct position.
-         Abu Tharr’s outstanding success in giving Da‘wah: half of the tribe of the Ghifaar embraced Islam because of his efforts in Da‘wah and the other half also did so after the Hijrah (emigration). Attempts of deformation campaigns, the propaganda war and the intellectual quarantine that was practiced by the disbelievers against the Islamic Da‘wah at its outset failed. The voice of the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) was stronger than theirs; his means in conveying Da‘wah were better than theirs, and his firm adherence to his sublime principles was far greater than what his enemies expected. The Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) did not stay at home or sit in a corner concealing his Da‘wah to protect himself from his enemies. Rather, he underwent exploits with himself through going to the tribes of the Arabs before they reached Makkah. He would recite the Quran loudly at Al-Masjid Al-Haraam to let those who still had life in their hearts and even a trace of freedom and defiance to hear, so that the light of guidance might penetrate their minds and hearts. Some of those people were Dhimaad Al-Azdi, ‘Amr bin ‘Abasah, Abu Tharr Al-Ghifaari, At-Tufayl bin ‘Amr Ad-Dawsi and Al-Husayn the father of ‘Imraan bin Al-Husayn, may Allah be pleased with them. This is clear evidence of the failure of the defamation campaigns that were launched by the people of the Quraysh against the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ). We ought to learn lessons and examples from this.

Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him, embraces Islam – I

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