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only natural that, as the Muslims achieved a majority in Madinah,
they should become influential in the city’s affairs. And so it was
that, asTabari has reported, “theMuslims were themost influential
people in the city.” (
At Tabarani
)
F
actors working
in
favour of
D
awah
There are always some who resist the corruption of the world they
live in, and remain attached to their own true natures. This is true
of every day and age, but it was especially true of the Arabs when
the Prophet commenced his mission. Besides the simple way of life
to which they were accustomed, there was the legacy of the religion
of Abraham, which made many inclined to seek out the truth, and
turn away from idol-worship. Such people were commonly known
as Hanif, or upright. Qus ibn Saida and Waraqa ibn Naufal were
among these “hunafa.” So was Jundub ibn ‘Amr ad-Dawsi. During
the period of ignorance that preceded Islam, he was known to have
said:
“I know that there must be a Creator of all this creation, but I
do not know who He is.”
When he heard about the Prophet, he came with 75 of his fellow
tribesmen and accepted Islam. Abu Dharr Ghefari was another
such person. As soon as he heard about the Prophet, he sent his
brother to Makkah to find out more about him. One sentence of
the report that Abu Dharr’s brother later submitted ran as follows:
“I saw a man whom people call irreligious. I have never seen
anyone who more resembles you.”
(Muslim)
People such as these had no trouble in understanding the truth
of the Prophet’s message.
The preacher of God’s word is like a planter who goes out to
sow seeds. If sometimes his seeds fall on barren ground, there are
other times when they fall in places which produce a good yield,
without the planter even knowing it.
Certain people took a considerable time to accept Islam. This
