The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 259
VIII - Expansion of Preaching 259 Moreover, use of the word ‘seven’ in these narrations is also an insinuation towards the absolute manifestation of hidden powers. In Arabic the number seven is used in the expression of absolutism. By alluding to the city of Naṣībain in Syria, it appears as if the indication is that after Arabia, Islāmic victories shall be brought about from Syria. ُ وَاللّٰه ُ اَعْلَم Spread of Islām in the Daus Tribe In early times, in addition to the personal endeavors of the Holy Prophet sa , a substantial means by which the propagation of Islām took place was that when a tribesman converted, through him, Islām would gradually spread to the rest of his tribe. Or, when the Muslims would travel from Makkah, they would take the rays of this light along with them. For example, in the Banū Ghifār, through Abū Dharr Ghifārī ra , in Abyssinia due to the immigrants to Abyssinia, and in the Ash‘ar tribe of Yemen due to Abū Mūsā Ash‘arī ra , Islām had been introduced. Now, by the grace of Allāh, its influence had reached another tribe as well. Ṭufail bin ‘Amr was a revered chieftain of the Daus tribe, and was also a poet. He came to Makkah to attend a festival, and when the Quraish saw him, they were concerned that by meeting Muḥammad sa he may become a Muslim. For this reason, they went to him and said: “You have come to us in a time when a man has spurred grave disorder and rift. His beliefs disunite father and son, brother from brother, and husband and wife. We are fearful that you might become influenced by his spellbinding words. As such, we forewarn you, do not be lured into his thoughts. ” Ṭufail said: The Quraish warned me about this so forcefully that I believed them, and became greatly fearful, so much so that in order to protect myself, I plugged my ears to ensure that this magician’s voice does not reach my ears unpredictably, lest I fall victim to a trial. One morning, I went to Masjid-e-Ḥarām and saw the Holy Prophet sa offering his prayers in one corner. This sight seemed admirable to me, so I gradually approached him. The power of God was such as although my ears were plugged, I could still begin to faintly hear, and in my heart I said, “May my mother forsake me 1 , I am a sensible man, and possess the aptitude 1 Meaning, ‘May I die’. This is an Arabic idiom used upon the perpetration of a mistake, etc. , and the intent is to express that this is such an act as dying is better than it. (Author)