The Islam of Hazrat Amr bin Abasah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)

Hazrat ‘Amr bin ‘Abasah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is a Sahaabi of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) who brought imaan in the early days of Islam. Hazrat Amr bin Abasah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) explains the story of how he accepted Islam. He says:

From the very beginning of my life, I had nothing to do with idol worship and I did not like idol worship. I knew and understood that idols could not help nor harm anyone, because idols are just pieces of stone.

One day, I met a knowledgeable person, who was either a Jew or a Christian, and said to him, “Tell me – which religion is the best religion?” He replied, “A man will soon appear in Makkah Mukarramah. He will invite people away from idol worship towards believing in the oneness of Allah. The religion which he will bring will be the best religion. If you find this man, then make sure that you follow him and accept his religion.”

From that day, I continued to think about the city of Makkah Mukarramah. Whenever a person would come from Makkah Mukarramah or go to Makkah Mukarramah, I would ask him regarding the news of Makkah, until I finally received the news that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had appeared in Makkah Mukarramah.

As soon as I heard that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had appeared, I went to Makkah and met him in secret. On meeting him, I asked him, “Who are you?” He replied, “I am the Nabi of Allah.” I asked, “Did Allah Ta‘ala send you as His Nabi?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Yes, Allah Ta‘ala sent me as His Nabi.” I then asked, “What message did Allah Ta‘ala send you with?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Allah Ta‘ala sent me with the message that you should believe in Him as one god and not join any partner with Him. You should destroy idols and be good to your family and relatives.”

I then asked, “In regard to this deen of Islam, who are the people who are with you?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “With me are a free man and a slave.” When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said ‘free man’, he was referring to Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), and when he said ‘slave’, he was referring to Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), as these two Sahaabah were with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) from the very early days of Islam.

Hazrat Amr bin Abasah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) says:

I then said to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “I am also your follower and I wish to remain with you.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “For now, return to your home. When you learn of my deen becoming dominant and strong in the land, then you may return.”

In this manner, I embraced Islam and returned home. I continued to ask people for news of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Muslims who were with him. Finally, when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) migrated to Madinah Munawwarah, I came to him and asked, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Do you remember me?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) remembered me and replied saying, “Yes, you are the person who came to me while I was in Makkah.” I then said, “Yes, I am that same person. O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Teach me something of deen!” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then taught him the importance of salaah and the great reward one will acquire for performing tahajjud salaah. (Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/169-170)