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The Effect of Inviting Famous Disbelievers to Islam on the Psyche of Muslims

Worrying about the disbelief of disbelievers is a good thing but so is worrying about the Islam of Muslims especially if our zealousness regarding the former could be affecting the psyche of the latter. I sometimes worry about why it is that Muslims want certain disbelievers to become Muslim so badly. Is it because they admire so much the intellect and or good character of the person and, therefore, hope that such a person would do no less than accept Islam? Or is it because they believe that by the person becoming Muslim, it will greatly aid Islam?

The second reason worries me more than the first. An incident from the seerah that always stands out for me regarding this issue is the statement of our beloved prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to Khalid bin Walid (ra) as mentioned through the letter written to Khalid by his brother Al-Walid bin Walid (ra), during Umrat Al-Qada (which was agreed during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah a year earlier). Khalid's brother said,

“In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Compassionate. I know nothing more strange than your antipathy for Islam, being as intelligent as you are. Could anyone disregard something like Islam?”

Al-Walid continued in his letter that after Allah's Messenger enquired, “Where is Khalid?” and “Could someone like him disregard Islam?” Al-Walid replied that Allah would bring him. However, it is the words of our beloved prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) after this that stand out for me the most. Allah's Messenger said,

“If he were to put his energy and bravery to work with the Muslims it would be better for him...”

Allah's Messenger did not say that Khalid's Islam would be better for Islam but, instead, he said that Khalid's Islam would be better for Khalid, and how could it be anything different when we are in need of Islam and Islam is not in need of us. How could it be anything different when Allah Ta'ala did not even give credit to the Muslims after the Battle of Badr and, in fact, reminded them through Surah Al-Anfal that victory is only from Him. Furthermore, what about what Allah's Messenger said during a short speech at the doors of the Ka'ba, during the Conquest of Makkah: words that many Muslims have been repeating during the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah,

“Praise be to Allah Who has fulfilled His Promise and He has helped His servant and He has defeated the opposing parties alone.”

صَدَقَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ...

In fact, the reason given by Umar (ra) when he was the khalifah of the Muslims for removing Khalid (ra) from his post of leader of the army was, “I did not fire Khalid bin Walid (ra) because I am angry with him or because of a betrayal of trust or responsibility but the reason was that he was becoming a fitnah for the people and I wanted the people to know that it is Allah who gives victory.”

Therefore, the Islam of disbelievers, or even our Islam, is good for them and good for us. We are in need of Islam and of Allah. Islam and Allah are not in need of us. Understanding this will not only help us to not become disheartened if such disbelievers do not become Muslim but it will also help us to put our hope where it should be put: in Allah, the One Who truly deserves it. If we want the aid and victory that Allah gave to the sahaba who came before us then we should follow the sunnah of our beloved Messenger the way that they did, and make sure to make plenty of sincere du'aa so that we understand what that sunnah truly is.

Even when Allah's Messenger (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did hope for certain people to become Muslim, it was during a time when the Muslims were short of man-power. Before Umar's conversion there may have been around 100 Muslims in Makkah altogether. Before Khalid's conversion there may have been a few thousand. These were the only Muslims on the whole of planet Earth. Yet, even though our population now is over a billion and we are not short of man-power, we are still putting our hope in disbelieving intellectuals, celebrities, sports personalities and politicians becoming Muslim! In fact, many such people do nothing but muddy the waters and cause more confusion as they try to make Islam compatible with their previous lifestyle or beliefs.

As for the first reason why some Muslims may want certain disbelievers to accept Islam, I am reminded of a statement by Abu Hudhayfah ibn Utbah ibn Rabi’ah (Hind’s brother-may Allah be please with them) when he saw his father, one of the leaders of Quraysh who was killed in the Battle of Badr, being thrown into a well along with the other leaders who had tortured and oppressed the Muslims in Makkah.

When observing this scene, he looked distressed and sad. On seeing this, our beloved prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked him if he was upset at his father's fate. Abu Hudhayfah replied, “I swear O Messenger of Allah, I have no problems with my father's fate, but I once knew him as a man of reason, judgement and goodness, and hoped those qualities would lead him to Islam. When I saw what his fate was and how he had died in disbelief despite my hopes for him, I was saddened.”

Abu Taalib despite his wisdom, good character and immense service to his nephew, our beloved Messenger, died on kufr while Malik ibn 'Awf, one of the the leaders of Ta'if, who had encouraged his people to fight the Muslims in the Battle of Hunayn, died as a Muslim.

These and countless other examples should help us to better understand Allah Ta'ala when He tells us in the Qur'an,

“You surely cannot guide whoever you like ˹O Prophet˺, but it is Allah Who guides whoever He wills, and He knows best who are ˹fit to be˺ guided.”(TMQ 28:56)

(Translation seems correct and similar to the tafsir of Ibn Kathir).

Wal-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin (July 2022)

Umm Hafab

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