(Sayyiduna Tufail bin ‘Amr Dawsi [radhiyallahu ‘anhu] – Part Two)
When Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reached his town, and his elderly father approached him, he said, “Keep away from me, O my father, for I am not from you and you are not from me.” His father asked, “Why, my dear son?” He replied, “I have embraced Islam and followed the religion of Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).” His father immediately responded: “My dear son, my religion is your religion!” Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thus advised him to take a bath and cleanse his clothes, after which he will teach him whatever he knew. His father did so, and thereafter recited the shahaadah.
His wife subsequently came to him as well, and he told her the same. She also embraced Islam. She asked, “Is there any reason for me to fear Zush-Sharaa (an idol of the Daws tribe)?” Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “No, I guarantee you that.”
Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) also invited his mother to Islam, however she regrettably did not accept. He thereafter turned towards his tribe, inviting them towards Islam. Initially, it was only Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) who had responded and accepted Islam, whilst the rest of his tribe rejected his call.
After being rejected by his tribe, Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) returned to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in Makkah Mukarramah and said, “O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the Daws (tribe) have disobeyed and rejected, and fornication and interest are rife amongst them, so curse them!” The people around Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thought that he may curse them, and thus exclaimed, “The Daws are destroyed!” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instead made du‘aa for them saying, “O Allah! Guide the Daws, and bring them (into Islam)!” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then advised Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thus, “Return to your people, invite them (towards Islam), and adopt a kind and gentle approach with them.”
Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then returned to his tribe, and continued propagating Islam to them. In the interim, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had migrated to Madeenah Munawwarah. In the seventh year after hijrah, Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) proceeded to Madeenah Munawwarah taking along with him seventy to eighty households of the Daws tribe, comprising around 400 individuals in total.
Upon reaching Madeenah Munawwarah, they performed the Fajr Salaah behind Sayyiduna Sibaa’ bin ‘Urfutah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). He recited Surah Maryam in the first rakaat, and Surah Mutaffifeen in the second. After having completed the salaah, someone mentioned to them that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was in Khaibar, but will be returning (shortly). Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) exclaimed, “I can never hear that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is at a certain place without going to that very place myself!” They thus set out for Khaibar.
When they reached there, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) welcomed them and said, “Welcome to the most handsome of people in appearance, the sweetest in speech, and the greatest in trustworthiness.” They then remained there with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). When the war ended, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) allocated a share of the spoils of war for them as well.
Thereafter, Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) returned to Madeenah Munawwarah with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and resided there until the demise of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
(Saheeh Bukhaari #2937, #4392 & #6397, Seerah Ibni Hishaam vol. 1, pg. 383, Tabaqaat ibn Sa’d vol. 4 pg. 240, Al-Istee‘aab vol. 2, pg. 761, Usdul Ghaabah vol. 2, pg. 485, Al-Isaabah vol. 3, pg. 424 and Sharhuz Zurqani vol. 5, pg. 183)
(to be continued)
Lessons:
1. Every person is familiar with the name of Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). However, not many are aware that is was through the effort of Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), that Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) came into the fold of Islam. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) went on to narrate thousands of ahaadeeth from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Due to him being the cause for all this good, Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will also receive the reward for all these narrations and the benefit acquired therefrom. We too should endeavour to encourage others towards Deen, thereby acquiring the reward of the good that they may do thereafter.
2. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was an embodiment of mercy, thus he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) preferred to make du‘aa for the guidance of the Daws tribe rather than cursing them. He also advised Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to return to them and invite them to Islam in a kind and gentle manner. Kindness and compassion go a long way in drawing people closer to Deen, and harshness distances them from Deen.
3. Sayyiduna Tufail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) displayed great courage and exhausted all efforts in inviting his people towards Islam despite their initial resistance. His unwavering efforts resulted in a huge number of households eventually accepting Islam at his hands. This burning concern for the guidance of mankind is one of the sterling qualities of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).
