91. Be brave and start from now! (cont.)

So I decided to go to him…" "When I arrived in Madinah, the people began to say, 'This is 'Adi bin Hatim! This is 'Adi bin Hatim!' I continued to walk until I reached the Messenger of Allah who said to me: ''Adi bin Hatim?' I said: 'Adi bin Hatim'." The Prophet became overjoyed by his arrival and welcomed him, even though 'Adi had previously fought against the Muslims, ran away from the battle, despised Islam and sought refuge amongst the Christians. Despite all of that the Prophet met him with a smile and took him by his hand to his house. As 'Adi walked alongside the Prophet , he considered him to be completely equal to himself, since Muhammad was the ruler of Madinah and its outskirts while 'Adi was the ruler over the Ta'i mountains and its outskirts. Muhammad was a follower of a heavenly religion – Islam, just as 'Adi was a follower of a heavenly religion – Christianity. Muhammad had a revealed scripture – the Quran, just as 'Adi had a revealed scripture - the Gospel. 'Adi thought that there was no difference between the two except in terms of power and military might. While they were on their way, three things happened. As they were walking, a woman came and began to shout in the middle of their path, "O Messenger of Allah! I need your help!" The Prophet left 'Adi's hand and went to the woman to listen to what she had to say. 'Adi bin Hatim −who had witnessed many kings and leaders - as he watched this happen, began to compare this with what he knew of the actions of kings and ministers. He thought for a while, until it occurred to him that these mannerisms were not that of kings, but rather of the Prophets! When the woman's need was fulfilled, the Prophet came back to 'Adi and they both continued to walk, and as they did, a man came to the Prophet . What did he say? Did he say, "O Messenger of Allah! I have surplus wealth and am looking to give some to a poor person?" Did he say, "I harvested my crops and I have some extra fruit. What shall I do with it?" If only he were to have asked such questions so that 'Adi would have felt that the Muslims had wealth. Instead, the man said, "O Messenger of Allah! I complain to you about hunger and poverty." The man was unable to find anything with which to abate his and his children's hunger, whilst the Muslims around him could barely get by, and hence, were unable to help him. 'Adi was listening as the man asked the Prophet his question. The Prophet then responded to him, after which he left. When they continued to walk, there came another man who said, "O Messenger of Allah! I complain to you about highway robbers!" Meaning, "O Messenger of Allah! We have numerous enemies surrounding us and therefore cannot safely leave the walls of our city due to the disbelievers and thieves." The Prophet responded to him with a few words and continued. 'Adi began to think about what he had seen. He himself was honoured by his people, and he didn't have any enemies waiting to attack him. Why then were so many people accepting this religion whilst they were weak and poor? They both reached the Prophet's house and entered. Inside there was only one couch available so the Prophet gave it to 'Adi in his honour, saying, "Take this to sit on." 'Adi gave it back to him and said, "Rather, you should sit on it." The Prophet said, "Rather, you should sit on it." 'Adi then did as he was told. Then the Prophet began to break down all the barriers that existed between 'Adi and Islam. He said, "O 'Adi, accept Islam and you will be safe." 'Adi said, "I already have a religion." The Prophet said, "I know more about your religion than you do." He said, "You know more about my religion than I do?" The Prophet said, "Yes! Are you not from the Rukusiyya?" Rukusiyya was a sub-sect within Christianity with elements of Zoarastianism. It was because of his skills of persuasion that the Prophet did not ask, "Are you a Christian?" Rather, he circumvented this fact and mentioned something more particular, i.e. the sub-sect of Christianity which he belonged to.