more beautiful, nor any message more just.
So I embraced Islam and bore witness to the truth. I then said, “O Prophet of God, I am a man whose word is obeyed among his people. I am returning to them to summon them to Islam, so pray to God to grant me a sign that will aid me in calling them.”
He prayed, “O Allah, grant him a sign.”
I set out toward my tribe, and when I reached the mountain pass that overlooks their settlement, a light like a lamp appeared between my eyes. I said, “O Allah, not on my face! I fear they will think it is a blemish that has struck me because I have left their religion.” The light then shifted to the tip of my whip. The townsfolk could see it there shining like a hanging lantern as I descended the slope toward them, until I arrived and spent the night among them.
When I settled in, my father—an elderly man—came to me. I said, “Stay away from me, Father; I am not of you and you are not of me.” He asked, “Why, my son?” I replied, “I have embraced Islam and followed the religion of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.” He said, “My son, your religion is my religion.”
I told him, “Go, bathe, cleanse your clothes, and then return so that I may teach you what I have learned.” He did so, and when he came back I presented Islam to him and he accepted it.
Next my wife approached. I said, “Stay away from me; I am not of you and you are not of me.” She said, “Why, may my father and mother be sacrificed for you?” I replied, “Islam has separated me from you; I have followed the religion of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.” She said, “Your religion is my religion.”
I said, “Then go to the spring of Dhī al-Sharā and purify yourself there.” (Dhī al-Sharā was the idol of the Daws tribe, whose sanctuary contained a small pool fed by water that trickled down from the mountain.) She asked, “Do you fear that Dhī al-Sharā will harm the little girl?” I answered, “No, I guarantee her safety.” She went, bathed, returned, and I presented Islam to her, and she accepted it.
I then invited the rest of Daws to Islam, but they were slow to respond. I therefore went to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, in Mecca and said, “O Messenger of Allah, fornication has overwhelmed Daws; pray to God against them.”
He said, “O Allah, guide Daws. Return to your people, invite them, and treat them gently …”