Chief of the Prophets

Chief of the Prophets — Page 221

Chapter Ten Year of Delegations Farewell Pilgrimage (Ḥajjatul-Wadā‘) Demise of Muḥammad sa Year of Delegations, 9 A. H. and 10 A. H. As mentioned before, the chief of Ṭā’if, ‘Abd Yalail, represented his nation in accepting Islam in Madīnah. The same year, the delegation of Banū Tamīm appeared before Muḥammad sa. The measure used by them to judge the truth of Muḥammad’s claim is unique. They presented their orators and poets to compete with the orators and the poets of Muḥammad sa. When the orators and the poets of Muḥammad sa presented the subject of the Unity of God and the exposition of the Islamic teachings in a very simple but impressive manner, it had a deep impact on Banū Tamīm, and they accepted Islam. Around the same time, Ka‘b bin Zuhair, a famous poet of Arabia, who always used to arouse people against Muḥammad sa by reciting poetic verses, appeared before Muḥammad sa with his famous Qaṣīdah al-Burdah , a poem in praise of Muḥammad sa , and accepted Islam. It is the same Qaṣīdah that became known by the name of Bānat Su‘ād. The same year, many chiefs of Yemen, Mahra, Oman, Bahrain, and Yamāmah accepted Islam through letters or by sending delegations. The Christians of Mahra and Yemen also accepted Islam this year. Muḥammad sa sent a missionary to Al-Mundhir, the chief of Bahrain, who immediately accepted Islam. Also in the same year, a delegation came from Yamāmah that included Musailamah the Liar. According to a tradition of Sahīh Bukhārī narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās ra , Musailamah the Liar said: If Muḥammad appoints me as his successor, I will follow him. The Messenger of Allah sa met him in the company of Thābit bin Qais and said: