The Message of Islam — Page 27
Invitation from Madinah 27 had appointed him His Messenger, and had charged him with a message for mankind, they gave him a ready and eager hearing. They were convinced of his truth and declared their faith in him and in his message, agreeing to convey it to their fellow townsmen upon their return to Madinah. The next year, twelve of them, representing both Aus and Kharaj, who were persuaded of the truth of the Prophet saw, came on pilgrimage and had a secret meeting with him in which they formally pledged their allegiance to him. They also requested him to send someone to Madinah who might instruct them in the doc- trine and teachings of Islam and help them to carry the Prophet’s message to their brethren. The Prophet saw chose Mus’ab ra bin Umair for this purpose and dispatched him to Madinah. When the next season of the pilgrimage came, a large and representative delegation from Madinah, seventy men and two women, met the Prophet saw and assured him that not only were their people in Madinah ready to receive and give shelter to their brethren in faith from Makkah, but that they were eager and would be greatly honoured to receive the Prophet saw himself if he decided to go to Madinah. On this occasion, the Prophet saw was accompanied by his uncle, Abbas, who though he had not yet accepted Islam, was fond of the Prophet saw and was anxious for his safety. He warned the Madinah delegation that they were undertaking a heavy responsibility in inviting the Prophet saw to Madinah. The leader of the delegation replied that they had carefully considered all the implications involved in their invita- tion, and they would guard the Prophet saw with their lives. The Prophet saw decided that the Muslims of Makkah would migrate to Madinah, and that for himself he would await God’s command.