Thumāmah Bin Uthāl (RA)

In the sixth year of Hijrah, a group of Sahabah radhiyallahu ‘anhum were sent on a mission by our beloved Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam to a place called Najd. The tribe of Banu Hanifah lived in this area, and their leader was Thumamah Bin Uthal radhiyallahu ‘anhu. At that time, he was an idol worshipper and a great enemy of Islam. He was captured and brought before Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in Madinah. Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ordered that he be tied to a pillar in the Masjid and instructed the Sahabah radhiyallahu ‘anhum to treat him with kindness.

The next day, when Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam passed by Thumamah, he asked him, “O Thumamah! What do you think of me?” Thumamah replied, “I only think good of you. If you decide to take my life, then I am deserving of it. And if you are kind towards me, then I will be grateful. And if you desire wealth, then ask for whatever you wish.” Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam remained silent and went away.

The following day, Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam passed by Thumamah again and asked him the same question. By this time, Thumamah had begun to realise how caring and kind Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was. He again replied, “If you are kind towards me, then I will be grateful.” Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam remained silent and went away.

As the days passed, Thumamah had the opportunity to spend time in the Masjid of Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He was also able to stay in the company of Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and the Sahabah radhiyallahu ‘anhum. He closely observed them performing Salah, listened to the recitation of the Glorious Qur’an, and saw how the Muslims worshipped Allah Ta’ala. The peaceful spiritual environment and the kindness shown towards him began to have a positive effect on Thumamah.

On the third day, Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam asked Thumamah the same question once again. Thumamah replied, “I have the same answer that I gave to you yesterday.” Thumamah had now developed a strong belief in the excellent character of Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and hoped that he would be freed. Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam then ordered that Thumamah be released and said, “O Thumamah, I have forgiven you and set you free.”

The three days Thumamah spent in the Masjid had caused him to develop a love for Islam. He had been deeply touched by the noble character of Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and the Sahabah radhiyallahu ‘anhum. As soon as he was set free, Thumamah went towards a garden of date-palm trees close to the Masjid. He took a bath and then returned to the Masjid.

There, he embraced Islam and said, “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is His Messenger.” He then turned towards Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and said, “By Allah, O Muhammad! There was no face on the surface of the earth more disliked by me than yours, but now your face has become the most beloved face to me. By Allah, there was no religion more disliked by me than yours, but now it is the most beloved religion to me. By Allah, there was no town more disliked by me than your town, but now it is the most beloved town to me.”

Thumamah radhiyallahu ‘anhu went on to devote the rest of his life to Islam and to following the teachings of our beloved Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. His story shows how kindness, excellent character, and the company of righteous people can have a profound effect on a person’s heart and bring them closer to Allah Ta’ala.