Impact on Character - From Wickedness to Righteousness – III
25/12/2011| IslamWeb
Even when the Muslims flooded into Makkah on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, 'Umair, may Allah be pleased with him, did not forget his old companion and relative, Safwaan ibn Umayyah. He, may Allah be pleased with him, was hoping that Safwaan would accept Islam, as there was no doubt now, after the great day of the Conquest of Makkah, in the truthfulness of the Prophet, 
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Safwaan had traveled to the seaport of Jeddah on his way to Yemen by sea. 'Umair, may Allah be pleased with him, felt saddened and sorrowful at his departure. He hurried to the Prophet, , and said, "O Prophet of Allah, Safwaan ibn Umayyah is the chief of his people. He set off escaping from you to throw himself into the sea. Give him safety. Peace be upon you." The Prophet, , said: "He is safe." `Umair, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "O Prophet of Allah, give me a token for his safety." The Prophet, , gave him the turban which he, , had worn the day he entered Makkah and conquered it.
'Umair, may Allah be pleased with him, set out, following in the trail of Safwaan. He caught up with him just as Safwaan's ship was about to sail. 'Umair, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "O Safwaan, I sacrifice my mother and father for you. Avert perishing yourself. This is the token of safety of the Prophet of Allah I came to you with." Safwaan replied, "Woe to you! Go away, do not speak to me." 'Umair, may Allah be pleased with him, again said to him, "O Safwaan! I sacrifice my mother and father for you. The Prophet of Allah is the best, the most righteous, and the most clement of all people. His glory is yours and his honor is yours." Safwaan said, "I am afraid." `Umair, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "He is more clement and more generous than that."
, was. Safwaan said to the Prophet, , "He claims that you have given me safety." The Prophet, , returned: "He speaks the truth." Safwaan said to the Prophet, , "Give me the option for four months." The Prophet, , granted him this. After a while, Safwaan embraced Islam, and 'Umair, may Allah be pleased with him, rejoiced that his cousin had accepted Islam as his religion; this acceptance had saved him from the Hellfire and severe torment in the Hereafter. Indeed, Allah The Almighty guides whoever He wishes, and misguides whoever He wishes; and the story of how 'Umair, may Allah be pleased with him, accepted Islam has lessons for those who contemplate. , but his plans were foiled, and he was led to believe wholeheartedly in the veracity of the Prophet, . From being one of the most malignant adversaries of the Prophet, , he became one of his most loyal and faithful Companions, may Allah be pleased with him. Even after the death of the Prophet, , 'Umair ibn Wahb, may Allah be pleased with him, continued on his blessed journey towards Allah The Almighty. He, may Allah be pleased with him, followed in the footsteps of his beloved Prophet, , and in the light of the guidance that he, , brought with him for all of humanity, for all times.