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Among the beautiful aspects of the Prophetic biography (Seerah)

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is the testing and vetting of men.

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Every new mission requires supporters to uphold it,

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and dedicated individuals who strive and sacrifice for its sake.

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It is never sufficient to rely merely on good intentions when gathering followers and forming ranks,

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lest the mission be infiltrated and its core principles distorted.

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For this reason, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to vet strangers coming from outside Mecca,

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keep the identities of his followers concealed,

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and address these visitors with utmost wisdom and extreme caution.

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'Amr Ibn 'Abasah al-Sulami (may Allah be pleased with him) relates:

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"During the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), I used to believe that people were in deep error

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and stood on nothing of truth while worshipping idols.

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Then I heard of a man in Mecca who was delivering profound news,

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so I mounted my riding camel and journeyed to him.

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I found the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, keeping a low profile,

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while his people were acting insolently and aggressively toward him.

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I used tact and discretion until I managed to enter upon him in Mecca,

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and I asked him: 'What are you?'

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He replied: 'I am a Prophet.'

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I asked: 'And what is a Prophet?'

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He answered: 'Allah has sent me.'

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I asked: 'With what message has He sent you?'

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He said: 'He sent me to uphold family ties, break the idols,

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and proclaim the absolute oneness of Allah, associating nothing with Him.'

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I said to him: 'Who is with you in this matter?'

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He replied: 'A free man and a slave.'"

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He did not name anyone specifically,

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nor that they were distinct groups among the people;

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he simply meant that Abu Bakr and Bilal were with him at that time

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among those who believed in him.

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"I said: 'I am ready to follow you.'

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He said: 'You cannot do so at the present time.

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Do you not see my vulnerable state and the hostility of the people?

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Rather, return to your family,

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and when you hear that I have prevailed, come to me.'"

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'Amr may well have practiced a form of calling to the faith,

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spreading news of the miracles of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him,

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as well as his noble character and greatness.

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He continued: "So I returned to my family,

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and eventually the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, arrived in Medina.

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While I was among my people,

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I began seeking out news

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and asking travelers after he arrived in Medina,

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until a group of people from Yathrib—from the residents of Medina—came to me.

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I asked them: 'What has become of this man who arrived in Medina?'

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They said: 'The people are rushing eagerly to him,

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and his tribe sought to kill him, but they were unable to do so.'

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So I traveled to Medina and entered upon him,

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and I asked: 'O Messenger of Allah, do you recognize me?'

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He replied: 'Yes, you are the one who met me in Mecca.'"

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Thus the Chosen One recognized him and did not fail to remember him,

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which demonstrates his exceptional discernment

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and his meticulous attention to everyone who entered and left his presence,

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reflecting the sharp alertness and profound awareness required of a caller to Allah.

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He said: "I replied: 'Indeed, that is so.'

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Then I said: 'O Prophet of Allah, teach me from what Allah has taught you and of which I am ignorant;

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teach me about the prayer.'

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He said: 'Perform the dawn prayer...' to the end of the hadith."

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Thus the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, welcomed him warmly,

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rejoiced at his arrival,

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and then taught him the rulings of ablution and prayer.

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And Allah is the Granter of success.

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Among the beautiful aspects of the Prophetic biography (Seerah)...