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Among the most intelligent people in Arabia at that time was someone called Amar bin Al Aas – may Allah be pleased with him – who was later to become an eminent companion. He describes the manner in which he accepted Islam. He narrates:

 

When we had returned from the Battle of the Trench to Mecca (remember that he was not a Muslim at that time), I then gathered a few people from the Quraish whom I used to seek advice from in the past. I then addressed them, “You are aware of the religion of Muhammad and his followers are growing in strength day by day and this is also clearly seen by you. There is also no doubt that for other Arabs to now stop this is becoming impossible day by day. Hence, if we wish to stop this new religion, then we need to cut if from its roots and base as soon as possible. As long as we delay in this action, the more dangerous it is going to prove for us. At the beginning, this person Muhammad was alone and now, there are many people who follow him. If he is not stopped now, then very soon, this religion will take over the world. And if this happens, his followers will certainly trample us underfoot. You people who are present here, I also wish to inform you that I also have a plan to counter act this. Possibly, you people might agree with my plan and will also try to assist me in this regard.”

The plan of Amar bin al Aas

 

They then asked him what his plans were and what he had in mind. He replied, “My plan is that we should visit the King of Abyssinia. We should also agree to stay a few days with him. If in that period, Muhammad invades our people, we will still be in Abyssinia. We will also be grateful to the King of Abyssinia than being grateful to Muhammad. If however, our nation is victorious against the Muslims, then we can raise our heads high and this will be very good news for our nation.”

 

Those who sat in this gathering were very pleased with this suggestion. They also mentioned that this plan was such in which there was only good for them and there was no harm caused to them.

 

Amar bin Al Aas also asked them to gather a few items which would be given as a gift to the King as well. Amar bin Al Aas was also under the impression that the King would become happy with these gifts and also afford them respect and status. They felt that one of the valuable things was leather. They all then gathered a lot of leather and travelled to Abyssinia.

 

Amar bin Al Aas narrates, “As we travelled along, we also met an emissary of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, namely Hadrat Sayyiduna Amar bin Ummayyah Dhamri – may Allah be pleased with him. When I saw him, I informed my companions that I will inform Najaasi to hand over this person to us because he has left the religion of his fathers and has betrayed us. If Najaasi agrees to our request, I will have him killed immediately. When I complete this task, the Quraish will also be very happy at my action. They will also find peace that one of the emissaries of Muhammad – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – has been killed and I will also feel that I have fulfilled their right.”

 

He continues, “After saying this, we then entered the court of Najaasi. As per the tradition of the time, all of us then fell in Sajdah in front of Najaasi. Najaasi then said to me, ‘Welcome to my friend. Have you brought any present from your country for me?’

 

“I then informed him that indeed we had brought a large amount of leather. When we presented this to him, he was very pleased. I then decided to throw my arrow at him because he was so happy. When a person is happy, he agrees to many things. I then informed him, ‘O King! Just now, I saw a person leaving your esteemed court who is our enemy and also an emissary. We would appreciate if you can him over to us to be killed because they have certainly caused great problems and troubles to our elders.’

 

However, when Najaasi heard this, he slapped his own face. I thought that maybe he had actually broken his own nose.

 

I then mentioned to him that if I had thought that this would make him angry, I would never have suggested this in the first place.

 

He then said, ‘Do you wish to kill an emissary of that person to whom the same messenger has come who used to come to Moosa – peace be upon him.’ (in words Jibraeel Ameen).”

 

I then asked, “O respected King, is Muhammad the same like Moosa?”

 

He replied, ‘O Amar, may you be destroyed. Accept my advice and follow Muhammad. I swear by Allah Almighty that he is indeed the true Prophet and he will certainly overcome his enemies as Moosa – peace be upon him – overcame Pharaoh and his army.”

 

I then asked that if this was the case, then he would have no problem accepting my allegiance to Islam at his hands. He happily agreed to this. He then stretched out his hands and I swore allegiance to Islam at his hands and entered the folds of Islam. When I returned to my friends, my attitude towards the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and towards Islam had completely changed.

 

I also kept silent about everything and when I returned a few days later I visited Madina Shareef to meet the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. As I travelled, I also met Khalid bin Waleed and ‘Uthman bin Talha – may Allah be pleased with them – who were also coming from Mecca Shareef. (This was few days before the conquest of Mecca Shareef).

 

I then asked him, “What is you intent O Abu Sulayman?”

 

He replied, “Without doubt the religion of Muhammad has become extremely powerful and without doubt, he is certainly a Prophet. I swear by Allah Almighty that I am going to accept Islam. How long can I go on fighting something which is the truth?”

 

I then finally also revealed that I am also going to Madina Shareef with this intention.

 

When we approached the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, Hadrat Khalid bin Waleed – may Allah be pleased with him – first approached him, then Hadrat ‘Uthman bin Talha – may Allah be pleased with him – and finally, I approached the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and said to him, “O Prophet of Allah! I am swearing allegiance to you on this condition that all my previous sins are pardoned. I cannot say anything about my future actions. And I also swear never to commit these again.”

 

The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – replied, “O Amar! Swearing allegiance to Islam nullifies all previous sins and transgressions; in the same manner, migration (for the sake of Islam) also cancels all previous sins”.

 

I then made Bai’at and returned home. (Musnad Imam Ahmed, Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah, 6/403)