HAMZA ACCEPTS ISLAM
Once, Abu Jahl happened to pass by the Prophet (r) near the mount of Safa. He insulted
the Prophet (r) and heaped all manners of indignities upon him but the Prophet (r) of God
did not mind at all. After a little while, Hamza returned from a hunting spree with his bow
hanging by his shoulder. Hamza was essentially a warrior, the bravest and the most coura-
geous amongst the Quraysh. A slave woman belonging to ‘Abdullah Ibn Jad’an told him what
had happened to his nephew. Hamza angrily turned back to the holy Mosque where Abu
Jahl was sitting with his friends. Going straight to Abu Jahl, Hamza proceeded to strike his
bow upon his head, saying, “Would you dare to insult and abuse him when I follow his reli-
gion and say what he says?” Abu Jahl kept quite while Hamza, returning to his nephew,
declared himself a convert to Islam. The Quraysh were put to a great loss by the conversion
of a man of unquestionable character and legendary courage. (Ibn Hisham, Vol. I, pp. 291-
92)
PROPOSAL OF ‘UTBA TO THE PROPHET (r)
The number of the Prophet’s followers increased daily, threatening to turn the tide against
Quraysh who as a tribe, chose to stay at the other end of the spiritual spectrum and there-
fore, took the situation as highly embarrassing. But they were unable to do anything to alter
the course of Islam. ‘Utba Ibn Rabia, the old and wise aristocrat of the Quraysh realized that
he must find a way to patch up the differences with the Prophet (r). He consulted the Qu-
raysh for some concessions with him so that he might give up his mission. The Quraysh felt
that it was a workable proposition and allowed 'Utba to negotiate with the Prophet (r) on
their behalf.
‘Utbah went to the Prophet (r) and sat by his side. Then he said, “O my nephew, you
know the worthy position you enjoy among us. But you have created a rift in your people by
ridiculing them, insulting their gods as well as their religion, declaring their forefathers as
heathens and denying their customs. Now, listen to me, I will offer you some proposals that
will hopefully include one which will merit your acceptability.”
“O Abu Walid,” replied the Prophet (r), “Go on, I am listening.”
‘Utbah continued, “My Nephew, if you want to have wealth by what you preach, we will
collect enough of it that you will be the richest of us. If you desire honor, we will make you
our chief and leave every decision to your choice. If you aspire for kingship, we will recog-
nize you as our monarch. And if you are possessed of a ghost or a jinn for which you have no
remedy, we will find a competent physician for you and spend our wealth lavishly until your
health is completely restored.”
The Prophet (r) listened patiently. When ‘Utbah had finished talking, he asked him, “Is it
all that you have to say?" to which ‘Utba replied “Yes”.