Prophet Muhammad's emphasis on dialogue and reasoning: Part 2
Despite persecution by the Meccan oligarchy that saw its vested interests in exploiting fellow human beings were in danger, the message of Islam spread, through the patience, endurance, and rational teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUU), who invited people to ponder. In the face of logic and reasoning, the pressures, tortures and even killing of early Muslims by the pagan Arabs were useless. Even the 3-year economic and social boycott imposed by the pagan Arabs on the Prophet and the neo Muslim community was useless, thanks to the devotion and loyalty of the Prophet's uncle and guardian, Abu Taleb (A.S), who took his nephew and all Muslims under his care and protection in the gorge outside Mecca, known till this day She'b Abi Taleb. Soon God ordered the Prophet to migrate to Medina, and this heralded the start of a new phase in the history of Islam. Earlier several groups of people from this city, which was then called Yathreb had visited Mecca, and on being impressed by the rational teachings of the Prophet had given their allegiance to him. They now welcomed him and through dialogue with other Arabs, as well as with the Jews and Christians, the message of Islam began to spread. Many of the pagans, the Jews, and the Christians, embraced the truth of Islam. Of those who didn't, and were neither hostile, the Prophet made pacts of neutrality with them and gave them time to contemplate and decide. Many did become Muslims, while the evil ones that plotted against him, by the command of God, after sealing the argument with them, he permitted them to leave Medina.
So rational were the words of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that the two constantly warring Arab tribes of the Aws and Khazraj soon became Muslims, buried their differences, and assembled under the banner of the universal brotherhood of Islam to defend the cause of righteousness.
When the pagan Arabs of Mecca, at times in collaboration with the intransigent Israelites, imposed battles on the Prophet, the Muslims rallied to the defence of Islam, and thanks to the valour of Imam Ali (A.S), victories were ensured. In 8 AH, when Mecca peacefully surrendered to the Prophet and the pagan Arabs were fearful that he would punish them for their past misdeeds, the Messenger of Mercy again showed clemency by declaring general amnesty. When the one of his companions named Sa’d Ibn Ebad behaved arrogantly against the Meccans, shouting today is the day of revenge and killing, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at once assigned Imam Ali (A.S) to raise the banner and declare: “Today is the day of mercy and forgiveness.” Then Prophet told the people of Mecca: “I say to you what my brother Prophet Joseph had said to his erring brothers: today there is no blame and no reproach; God forgive you and He is the All-Compassionate, the All-Merciful.
Once, when a certain person named Safwan ibn Umayyah, who had fled Mecca on the Prophet's arrival, but later returned and sought protection from the Prophet, requesting two months' time to think about Islam, he was given by the Messenger of Mercy, 4 months to reflect on realities. He was so amazed that he soon embraced the truth of Islam. This is how the Prophet won hearts and minds. It was his habit during the season migrations of nomadic tribes to Mecca, to speak with the chieftain and others about the message that God had entrusted to his for the guidance of humanity.
His equal treatment of all and his convincing discourse that all Prophets have been sent by God in lands, but with the same universal message of monotheism and virtue, made lasting impression on the minds of all those who came into contact with him, and thus many embraced the truth of Islam.
Source: irib.ir
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