8-8-2013

Episode 51: The Amazing Story of Tufayl Bin 'Amr From Daws

Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

 The Amazing Story of Tufayl Bin ‘Amr

In the 10th year of Prophethood, there was a man called Tufayl, a leader of the tribe of Daws. He was considered a great intellectual by his people. Quraysh recognised his status amongst his people- when he came to Makkah, all the leadership gathered to welcome him. They made him aware of the situation in the Makkah, with Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) claiming Prophethood. They wanted to warn him not to approach the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) as they anticipated the consequences of him potentially accepting Islam. Tufayl recounts that they forbade him from meeting the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), to the point where he stuffed his ears with cotton before going to the Haram. He saw the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) praying near the Ka’ba and became intrigued.

 

Tufayl stood close to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), but he could not hear what he was saying. When Tufayl heard the Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) words, he was impressed. Tufayl questioned what was wrong with himself: being an intelligent man who could tell the difference between good and bad, he wondered why he could not listen to what Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had to say for himself. He followed the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) home and asked him to present his thoughts so he could decide for himself. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) recited the Quran to him. Tufayl accepted Islam.

 

He vowed to return to his people and invite them to Islam. The first person he met was his father. He explained that things had changed and on further enquiry as to the reason why, his father accepted Islam. Tufayl said the same to his wife, who also accepted Islam. However, the rest of the people did not accept the message. Tufayl returned a few days after to Makkah, where he asks the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to make dua against them for preferring idolatry. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), however, raised his hands and instead asked for the people of Daws to be guided. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) advised Tufayl to return to his people and to be gentle and kind with them.

 

Tufayl returned to his people and spoke to them about Islam. 8 years later, at the Battle of Khaybar time, he meets the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in Madina with his people who had accepted Islam. He arrived with 70 or 80 families from Daws. He stayed in Madina until the victory over Makkah.

 

Tufayl died an honourable death as a martyr in battle.