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in category Seerah

Can you name any companion the prophet(saw) proactively invited to Islam individually on a one to one basis?

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Masters in Education from Nottingham University in the UK. Also studied Masters in Islamic Studies and Islamic Banking & Finance. Political activist with interests in Geopolitics, History and Phil ...
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In a Nutshell:
On reviewing all of the early seerah books, it would seem there were none. The prophetic call to Islam was an invitation to society to an alternative way of life and not a call to individuals to a personal religion.

Some cite the following examples however on closer examination none were invited to Islam by the prophet as detailed in this referenced answer:

  • Abu Bakr, the traditional example, heard rumours about the prophet (saw) making claims of prophethood, rejecting the idols and commenting on the foolishness of the Quraysh. He approached him, the prophet (saw) didn't approach Abu Bakr,
  • Khadija reassured him and told him he was a prophet (saw) - he didn't invite her,
  • Bilal overheard his master Umayya bin Khalaf speaking about the prophet (saw) and went to speak to him and accepted the truth,
  • Ali saw the prophet praying and enquired into what he was doing and the prophet (saw) responded and Ali after some deliberation believed in him,
  • Abu Dharr and Adi after hearing of the rumours went to the prophet (saw) - they were not individually approached either,
  • Tufayl was told by Quraysh themselves about the prophet (saw) and later approached the prophet (saw) - not the other way round.
  • Suraqa was the Meccan who pursued the prophet and Abu Bakr as they did hijra in order to bring them back and the prophet (saw) told him of the truth of his message - the prophet (saw) did not approach and call him first.

It's not possible to call individuals to "Islam". Islam is a way of life for a community or polity, addressing institutions, laws, norms etc How would an indidividual live that way of life?

How would they create a bayt al-maal?

An Islamic judiciary?

Military for defence?

At best they can follow some personal elements, worships and morality. They can follow aspects of Islam - ajaza al-Islam - at best.

It has to be society that is called to Islam so they can collectively live by this way of life. It is why the prophet called the Qurayshite leaders to collectively reorient their way of life, thereby reorienting their institutions, laws, structure, culture, norms etc

The prophet (saw) never called individuals to "Islam"... missionaryism was not his template.


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