Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 420
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 420 460): We cannot but see throughout the earnestness of Muhammad’s belief, and his conviction that a spiritual illumination had been vouchsafed to him, bringing with it knowledge and certainty, where to the Christian, as he conceived, all was speculation and conje cture. A year later, Khalid was directed to lead a delegation to that section of Bani Harith of Najran who were not parties to the treaty and to call on them to embrace Islam. They all responded to his invitation and professed their belief in Islam. On receiving his report, the Holy Prophet summoned Khalid to return along with a deputation from the tribe, which accordingly visited Medina and were kindly and courteously received. The supremacy of Islam being thus widely recognised in the south of Arabia, the Holy Prophet sent forth a band of officers charged with the instruction of the people and the collection of the public dues. Over them, he placed Muaz bin Jabal, who had by thi s time fulfilled his mission at Mecca. The Holy Prophet instructed them, ‘Deal gently with people and be not harsh; put them not in fear, but rather cheer them. ’ This was the key - note of the instructions that he always gave to public functionaries. The pilgrimage came round again. Five days before the commencement of the Month of Pilgrimage the Holy Prophet, followed by a vast multitude, set out on the journey to Mecca. All his wives accompanied him. One hundred camels, marked by his own hand for sac rifice, were led in solemn order. A stop was made at Dhul Haleefah where the whole company assumed the