Dhimaad Al-Azdi came to Makkah. He was affected by the polytheists’ allegations against the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). He belonged to the tribe of the Azd Shanoo’ah, and would treat those who were afflicted with madness. He heard the foolish people of Makkah say that Muhammad, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was mad, and so he said, “If I were to come across this man, Allah might cure him through me”.
Later, he met him and said, “Muhammad, I can treat the one who is under the influence of a charm, and Allah cures the one whom He wills through me. Do you want [this]?” Upon this the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Indeed, all praise is due to Allah. We praise Him and seek His help. He whom Allah guides to the truth, there is none to lead him astray, and he whom He leads astray, there is none to guide him to the truth. I testify that there is none truly worthy of worship but Allah, He is One, having no partner with Him, and [I testify] that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger”.
Having heard this, Dhimaad said, “Repeat these words before me.” The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) repeated them to him thrice. Dhimaad said, “I have heard the words of soothsayers, the words of magicians, and the words of poets, but I have never heard such words as yours. They reach the depth [of the ocean of eloquence]. Give me your hand so that I may take the oath of allegiance to you in Islam.”
So he took an oath of allegiance to him. The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) asked: “Is it [this allegiance of yours] on behalf of your people too?” He replied, “It is on behalf of my people too.”
When the Islamic state was established in Madeenah and the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) began dispatching military expeditions, one of them passed by the people of Dhimaad. The leader of the expedition said to the army, “Did you take anything from these people?” One of them said, “I took a utensil for water.” Upon this the commander said, “Return it, for these are from the people of Dhimaad.” [Muslim]
Lessons and Benefits of Dhimaad Embracing Islam:
A- The claims of the Quraysh, which were meant to defame the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and which accused him of madness were, in fact, what urged Dhimaad to go to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) in order to treat him. Thus, the media war that was launched by the people of Makkah became a reason for the reversion of Dhimaad, may Allah be pleased with him, and his people to Islam.
B- The traits of patience and forbearance were manifest in the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). Dhimaad, may Allah be pleased with him, offered to treat the ‘madness’ of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and this should have enraged the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). However, the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) faced the situation calmly and with great forbearance. This aroused the admiration and respect of Dhimaad, may Allah be pleased with him, for the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ).
C- The significance of this introduction with which the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) would begin some of his speeches. It included the glorification of Allah The Almighty and a conformation of the dedication of worship to Him Alone. Hence, the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) would make it an introduction to his speeches and sermons.
D- The effect of the eloquence of the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) as the speech of the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) came out of a heart full of faith, certainty and wisdom. Accordingly, his speech forced its way into the hearts and attracted them to the faith.
E- The quickness of Dhimaad’s reversion to Islam is evidence that Islam is the religion of Fitrah (innate natural disposition). If souls are freed from all internal and external pressures, they will certainly be affected, and will respond either through hearing something impressive or admiring an upright attitude.
F- The keenness of the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) on spreading his Da‘wah (call). When he saw the sincere faith of Dhimaad, may Allah be pleased with him, his enthusiasm for Islam and his strong conviction, he took the oath of allegiance on behalf of his people from him.
G- The importance of calling others to the way of Allah The Almighty is clear in the aforementioned narration. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) lined this to personal adherence to Islam. He took the oath from Dhimaad, may Allah be pleased with him, to adhere to the religion. Moreover, he took from him the oath of allegiance to call his people to Islam.
H- Preserving favor and maintaining friendly relations with the people of favor. “Return it, for these are from the people of Dhimaad.”
I- The Hadeeth includes some of the methods of nurturing that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) used in his dialogue with Dhimaad, may Allah be pleased with him such as in his calculated speech, his manner of dialogue and his direct guidance. Some of these traits were crystallized in the personality of the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) as a mentor, like his forbearance, patience and encouraging others to do numerous good deeds.
