PROPAGATION OF ISLAM IN YEMEN

During 8H the Prophet (s.a.) deputed Khalid bin Walid with a group of Companions to Yemen for propagating the Message of Islam there. He stayed there for six months, but the efforts didn’t bear any fruits. There was no positive reaction from the people there.Bara ibne Aazib, who was a member of the delegation, says:

“The Prophet (s.a.) sent Khalid ibne Walid to Yemen

for inviting people to the Faith.

I was one of the persons sent with him.

He stayed there for six months,

but none paid any heed to him.

Ref: Tareeq e Tabari, Vol 2, Page 289

When the Prophet (s.a.) learnt about the failure of the mission, he sent Ali ibne Abi Talib (a.s.) to take charge of the work. He asked him to send Khalid and his team back. Those from the team who wished to stay further in Yemen, they may be permitted to stay back. Bara ibne Azaib says that he preferred to stay on with Hazrat Ali (a.s.). When the Yemenis learned that Khalid was going and Hazrat Ali (a.s.) was replacing him, they were keenly interested and gathered at one place. After the morning prayers Hazrat Ali (a.s.) went to them and read the letter that the Prophet (s.a.) had sent for the people of Yemen. Then he delivered a Sermon on the virtues of Islam. The talk was so effective that the people who didn’t respond even after six months of Khalid’s efforts, embraced Islam. The Historian Tabari writes:

“The entire tribe of Hamadan embraced Islam in one day.”

Ref: Tareeq e Tabari, Vol 2, Page 390

When Hazrat Ali (a.s.) informed the Prophet (s.a.) about this event, he did a Prostration of Thanksgiving and said thrice: Assalaam ala hamadan

On Hamadan my Salam

.”

In the Battle of Siffin the tribe of Hamadan was solidly behind Hazrat Ali (a.s.). Seeing their exploits of valor, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) said:

“If I was the keeper to the Gate of Heaven,

I would have asked the Tribe of Hamadan

to enter peacefully.”

After the Tribe of Hamadan embraced Islam, the avenues for the progress and propagation of Islam opened up in Yemen. With the rays of the sun of knowledge, the darkness of infidelity was dispelled! In every nook and corner there were the voices witnessing the Unity of Allah!