Among the beautiful aspects of the Prophetic biography (Seerah)
is the testing and vetting of men.
Every new mission requires supporters to uphold it,
and dedicated individuals who strive and sacrifice for its sake.
It is never sufficient to rely merely on good intentions when gathering followers and forming ranks,
lest the mission be infiltrated and its core principles distorted.
For this reason, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to vet strangers coming from outside Mecca,
keep the identities of his followers concealed,
and address these visitors with utmost wisdom and extreme caution.
'Amr Ibn 'Abasah al-Sulami (may Allah be pleased with him) relates:
"During the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), I used to believe that people were in deep error
and stood on nothing of truth while worshipping idols.
Then I heard of a man in Mecca who was delivering profound news,
so I mounted my riding camel and journeyed to him.
I found the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, keeping a low profile,
while his people were acting insolently and aggressively toward him.
I used tact and discretion until I managed to enter upon him in Mecca,
and I asked him: 'What are you?'
He replied: 'I am a Prophet.'
I asked: 'And what is a Prophet?'
He answered: 'Allah has sent me.'
I asked: 'With what message has He sent you?'
He said: 'He sent me to uphold family ties, break the idols,
and proclaim the absolute oneness of Allah, associating nothing with Him.'
I said to him: 'Who is with you in this matter?'
He replied: 'A free man and a slave.'"
He did not name anyone specifically,
nor that they were distinct groups among the people;
he simply meant that Abu Bakr and Bilal were with him at that time
among those who believed in him.
"I said: 'I am ready to follow you.'
He said: 'You cannot do so at the present time.
Do you not see my vulnerable state and the hostility of the people?
Rather, return to your family,
and when you hear that I have prevailed, come to me.'"
'Amr may well have practiced a form of calling to the faith,
spreading news of the miracles of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him,
as well as his noble character and greatness.
He continued: "So I returned to my family,
and eventually the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, arrived in Medina.
While I was among my people,
I began seeking out news
and asking travelers after he arrived in Medina,
until a group of people from Yathrib—from the residents of Medina—came to me.
I asked them: 'What has become of this man who arrived in Medina?'
They said: 'The people are rushing eagerly to him,
and his tribe sought to kill him, but they were unable to do so.'
So I traveled to Medina and entered upon him,
and I asked: 'O Messenger of Allah, do you recognize me?'
He replied: 'Yes, you are the one who met me in Mecca.'"
Thus the Chosen One recognized him and did not fail to remember him,
which demonstrates his exceptional discernment
and his meticulous attention to everyone who entered and left his presence,
reflecting the sharp alertness and profound awareness required of a caller to Allah.
He said: "I replied: 'Indeed, that is so.'
Then I said: 'O Prophet of Allah, teach me from what Allah has taught you and of which I am ignorant;
teach me about the prayer.'
He said: 'Perform the dawn prayer...' to the end of the hadith."
Thus the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, welcomed him warmly,
rejoiced at his arrival,
and then taught him the rulings of ablution and prayer.
And Allah is the Granter of success.
Among the beautiful aspects of the Prophetic biography (Seerah)...