Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Accepting Islam: There are different narrations recorded regarding Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) accepting Islam.
The First Narration: The first narration is reported by Hazrat ibn ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma). He says:
When the news reached Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had claimed Nubuwwah, he said to his brother, “Travel to the valley of Makkah Mukarramah and enquire regarding the person who claims that he is a Nabi who receives revelation from the sky. Listen to his message and thereafter return to me.”
Accordingly, his brother travelled to Makkah Mukarramah and listened to the message of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). When he returned to Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he said, “I have seen him commanding people to adopt excellent character and he speaks words which are not poetry.” Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “The information which you have brought me is insufficient to convince me regarding his being a Nabi.” He thereafter packed some provisions, took his water skin and travelled to Makkah Mukarramah.
When he arrived in Makkah Mukarramah, he proceeded to the Musjid and began to search for Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, he did not know what Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) looked like and was reluctant to ask anybody about him. He thus remained in the Musjid until night began to set in. As it was now late and he had nowhere to go, he lay down. At that point, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saw him and realized that he was a stranger. Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) therefore invited him home where he hosted him for the night. The entire night passed and neither of them spoke or asked each other anything regarding the purpose for Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) travelling to Makkah Mukarramah.
When morning dawned, Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) took his water skin and provisions and proceeded to the Musjid where he again waited the entire day without finding Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). When evening set in and Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) lay down to sleep, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) once again passed by and remarked, “Does this man still not know what he has come for?” Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then took Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) home where he hosted him for the second night. That night also passed without any of them mentioning the reason for which Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had come to Makkah Mukarramah.
When the third day arrived, Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) again went to the musjid and waited until the evening without finding Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) again took Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) home and on this occasion, he asked him, “Will you not tell me the reason for which you have come here?” Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “If you give me your word and promise me that you will guide and assist me, I will.” Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) promised him that he would guide and assist him and he thus informed Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) that his purpose for coming to Makkah Mukarramah was to meet Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and listen to his message in order to ascertain whether or not he really was the true Nabi of Allah. When he heard this, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “It is the truth. He really is the Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Follow me in the morning so that I may take you to him. If I see anything which causes me to fear for your safety, I will stop as if I wish to relieve myself. If I continue walking, follow me until you enter where I enter.”
When it was morning, Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) did as Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had instructed and followed him until he finally entered into the blessed presence of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) met Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and listened to his message after which he embraced Islam. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then instructed him saying, “Return to your people and inform them of Islam. Remain with them until you receive instruction from me.”
Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), however, was so filled with the fervor and eagerness to announce his Islam that he said, “I take an oath by that Being in whose hands lie my life! I will most definitely openly call out and announce my Islam in the very midst of the disbelievers!” He thus proceeded to the Musjid where he called out at the top of his voice, “I testify that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is His slave and messenger!”
As soon as he had declared his Imaan, people fell on him from all sides and beat him so severely that they dropped him to the ground. On seeing the people attack and assault him, Hazrat ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) rushed to his aid. He crouched over him to protect him and shouted to the people, “Woe to you! Do you not know that he is from the Ghifaar clan and that they are on the route by which your trade caravans travel to Shaam?” The people immediately ceased hitting Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as they feared that their trade caravans would be attacked and waylaid by the Ghifaar clan in retaliation.
However, the eagerness of Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) could not be suppressed and so he went to the Musjid the next day and again announced his Islam. The people had such a hatred for Islam that they could not control themselves and again began to beat him. Once again, it was Hazrat ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) who rushed to his side and rescued him.
(Saheeh Bukhari #3861)
Source: Whatisislam.co.za
