Daman bin Tha’laba interrogates the Prophet

The Prophet’s message had spread so far that even the unlettered, uncouth dwellers in the wilderness, such as the tribe Sa’d Bin Bakr, had heard of the man called Muhammad and his message from Allah, Lord of the Worlds. Accordingly, their chief, Damam bin Tha’laba, journeyed to Madinah to interrogate the Prophet Muhammad .

Damam arrived in Madinah, his long hair in two braids, and after making his camel kneel, he tethered it right at the mosque. Then he turned to the people and asked, “Who among you is the son of Abdul Muttalib?” When the people pointed out the Prophet to him, he approached him and said, “O Muhammad, I shall ask you something bluntly and you are not to be offended.”

“Ask whatever you want,” The Prophet said. “Your envoy came to me and told me that you claim to be a prophet,” he said.

“He spoke the truth,” the Prophet said emphatically. “Well, who created the sky?” “Allah,” the Prophet replied. “Well, who created the earth?” He asked. “Allah,” the Prophet replied once more. “And who made this mountain and what it contains?” “Allah,” the Prophet replied. “I ask you in the name of the One Who created the sky, the earth and these mountains, has He commissioned you as His Messenger?” “Yes,” the Prophet affirmed. “Your envoy also tells us that it is obligatory to perform five prayers each day.” “Yes, he spoke the truth,” the Prophet said. “I ask you in the name of the One Who commissioned you as His Messenger, has Allah commanded this?” “Yes,” the Prophet replied. “Your envoy also says that we owe a charity tax on our property.” “He spoke the truth,” the Prophet replied.

“I ask you in the name of the One Who commissioned you as His Messenger, has Allah commanded this?” “Yes,” the Prophet replied. “Your envoy also said that fasting the month of Ramadan every year is obligatory.” “He spoke the truth,” the Prophet replied. “I ask you in the name of the One Who commissioned you as His Messenger, has Allah commanded this?” “Yes,” the Prophet replied. “Your envoy also says that Hajj is obligatory for everyone who can afford it.” “He spoke the truth,” the Prophet replied.

“I ask you in the name of the One Who commissioned you as His Messenger, has Allah commanded this?” Said Damam, “I swear by the One Who sent you with righteousness, that I shall neither add to nor subtract from what you have told me!” The Prophet remarked to his Companions about Damam, “If he has spoken the truth, he will certainly enter Paradise.”

After Damam bin Tha’laba embraced Islam in Madinah, he returned to his people and told them about his meeting with the Prophet . All of his people became Muslim that very day, and they built mosques and began praying five times a day.