An Islamic Treasury of Virtues
17. Calling Mankind To The Truth
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told that there is a man here” – by whom they
meant the Prophet – “who has left our religion and
divided our community. His words have a spell-
binding effect, separating father from son, and
brother from brother. We do not wish him to do
with you as he has done with us. Do not speak to
him or listen to what he says.” Tufayl says that he
went to the Ka’bah with cotton in his ears, so that
he would be unable to hear anything Muhammad
said. Then he thought: I have a mind of my own; I
am able to judge what is said, whether it is good or
bad, why should I not listen to him? If what he says
seems sound, I will accept it; if not, I will have
nothing to do with it. He went, therefore, to see the
Prophet, who recited to him some verses from the
Qur’an. “Truly,” said Tufayl, “I have never heard
anything so beautiful or so balanced.” He then
accepted Islam and went back to his people in order
to communicate to them the message of Islam: but
only one of them, Abu Hurayrah, became a
believer. Tufayl went back once again to Madinah,
where he told the Prophet of the obstinacy of his
people. He asked the Prophet to curse them, but the
Prophet just prayed for their guidance:
