The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 9
9 to preach the message of Islam was Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra. The view of Hadrat Ab u Bakr ra with respect to Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra did not prove false and only after a few days of preaching, he accepted Islam. In this manner, he joined the as-s a biq u nal-awwal u n 7 or that pioneer group of Islam which the Holy Quran has praised in admirable words. The degree of honour and respect that he possessed in Arabia can be understood from the incident that when the Holy Prophet sa journeyed to Makkah on the basis of a vision, and the Makkans, blinded by their malice and enmity, refused to grant him permission to perform the ‘umrah , 8 the Holy Prophet sa proposed that an esteemed person should be sent to the Makkans to negotiate the matter. When Hadrat ‘ Umar ra was selected for this, he replied, “O Messenger of Allah, I am prepared to go, but if there is anyone in Makkah who can negotiate with the Makkans then it is Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra because he holds special regard in their eyes. Hence, if someone else were to go, there cannot be as much hope for success in him as opposed to if Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra went. ” The Holy Prophet sa also considered this view as being correct and consequently sent Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra for the task. It can be understood from this incident that Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra was looked upon with special honour even by the disbelievers. 7. The foremost among the believers. [Publishers] 8. A lesser pilgrimage to the Holy Ka‘bah, in which some of the rites of hajj are left out.