Risky Path of Islam
The way leading to Allah and Islam was becoming ever more dangerous. Makkah had be-
come so unsafe and vulnerable for the Muslims that acceptance of Islam meant taking one’s
life in one’s hand.
The story of Abu Dharr Ghifari’s conversion to Islam as told by ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas shows
how perilous it had become even to call upon the Prophet (r) in those days.
“When Abu Dharr heard of the advent of the Prophet (r) , he said unto his brother: ‘Pro-
ceed to that valley and enlighten me about the man who claimeth to be a Prophet (r) and
to receive communication from Heaven. Listen to some of his sayings and then return unto
me.’ So the brother went forth, reached the Prophet (r) and heard some of his sayings.
Thereafter, he returned to Abu Dharr and said unto him: ‘I found that he enjoineth the
highest principles of morality and that his speech is not poetry.’ - But (Abu Dharr) said: You
have not been able to satisfy me.
“Thereupon he took some provisions, together with an old waterskin full of water, and
proceeded to Makkah. Then he went to the mosque (K’aba) and began exploring for the
Prophet (r) for he knew him not and was reluctant to ask about him and thus he spent part
of the night. Thereupon ‘Ali saw him and recognized the same to be a stranger and when
Abu Dharr met ‘Ali, he went with him (to the latter’s house). Until daybreak, neither of the
two asked any questions of each other. Then once again he (Abu Dharr) went with his wa-
terskin and his provisions to the mosque and allowed that day to pass ‘til evening without
finding the Prophet (r), although the latter saw him from there. Then he returned to his
resting-place. While in there, ‘Ali passed by him and said: “Is it not time that a man should
know his abode?” And his remarks made him rise and finally brought him to his house, with
neither of the two asking any questions of each other, too. And on the third day ‘Ali did
likewise, and he (‘Abu Dharr) stayed with him.
Thereafter ’Ali said: “Will you not tell me what had brought you here?”
Abu Dharr answered: “I will do so only if you promise me that you will guide me right”,
whereupon ‘Ali agreed outright. After that, Abu Dharr told him all.
Then, ‘Ali said: “Behold, it is true, and he is indeed an Prophet (r) of God! Tomorrow
morning, you follow me. If indeed I see any danger for you, I will stop as if to pass water; but
if I go on, then follow me and enter in whichever place I do.” Abu Dharr did so, following ‘Ali
until he finally found the Prophet’s house and entered in it together with him ‘Ali. Then he
listened to some of the Prophet’s sayings and embraced Islam on the spot.
Thereupon the Prophet (r) said unto him: “Return unto your people and inform them about
me and await my bidding.”
After which, Abu Dharr said: “By Him in whose hand is my soul, indeed I shall loudly proc-
laim the truth among them!”