The Desert Chief: Story of Thumama Ibn Uthal by Khurram Murad

Author:Khurram Murad [Murad, Khurram]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Nonfiction, Religion, islam, history, Middle East, Biography & Autobiography, Religious, People & Places
ISBN: 9780860376781
Google: MfstDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Kube Publishing Limited
Published: 2017-08-14T00:08:25.869525+00:00

The first thing the Blessed Prophet did upon returning to his quarters, which led directly into the mosque, was to ask his family to prepare the very best food they had and to milk the she-camel every morning and evening so that Thumama would have plenty of fresh milk.

One of the Companions was then asked to untie Thumama’s hands so that he could eat some of the delicious food. The Companion could not believe his eyes when he saw the meal which the Blessed Prophet had ordered for his enemy. ’I thought we would be ordered to execute him, not feed him like a king’, he exclaimed to the others.

After Thumama had eaten his fill, the Blessed Prophet came to see him and said:

’Now, Thumama, what do you have to say?’

Thumama, who had really enjoyed his meal, looked up at the Blessed Prophet with a little more respect: ’Muhammad, all is well with me. If you kill me, then so be it. If you show me kindness, I shall be grateful. If it is wealth and riches you need, I can provide them. The choice, of course, is yours’, answered Thumama, in a calm voice.

Thumama was prepared to accept his fate with dignity. But the Blessed Prophet left him without saying a word and did not speak to him again for two days, during which time he ordered that Thumama be served the very best food and fresh camel milk.

On the third day, the Blessed Prophet approached him again.

’Well, Thumama, what have you to say to me?’

’Look, Muhammad’, he answered, ’it is like this: I am prepared to die, if that is what you decide; if you continue treating me as you have been doing, I shall be grateful. And if it is money you want, you know full well that I can provide you with a generous ransom. There you have it.’

The Blessed Prophet stood looking at him for a moment and then, without replying, walked off.

Another day came and went. Thumama began to feel more like a guest than a prisoner. Not only had he been given excellent meals worthy of the chief that he was, but he had been entertained daily by the gatherings and Prayers of the Blessed Prophet and his Companions. ’It is not so bad after all, being a prisoner of this curious man. At least he is a man of honour, from what I see.’

The next day the Blessed Prophet returned and once again asked Thumama the same question:

’Thumama, what have you to say now?’

Thumama couldn’t figure out what the Blessed Prophet wanted of him. ’Don’t you understand what I am saying, Muhammad? I repeat that I am at your service. You may kill me, feed me, or ask for my wealth. It is all the same to me.’

’Alright’, answered the Blessed Prophet, and, turning to the Companions, ordered: ’Let him go.’

Two men came forward, untied Thumama’s wrists, and released him. Thumama was dumbfounded. What kind of a man was this? Did he

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