In the early days of Islam, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was preaching his message in Makkah, those who responded to his call found themselves at the receiving end of a campaign of persecution aiming to bring them back to idolatrous beliefs. The campaign was brutal against the weaker elements of society, such as the slaves and those who affiliated themselves to different tribes. On the other hand, Muslims who belonged to distinguished families might be subjected to physical hardship by their own families, and suffer other forms of pressure and ridicule by others. Some, however, were spared such pressure by virtue of their own high standing in society, or by a social practice of the Arabian society of the time. This practice meant that a man of high position would declare that he was extending protection to someone who did not belong to his tribe. When such a declaration was made, it signified that the tribe of the man would honor his declaration as if the recipient belonged to it, even if it meant fighting others to protect him.
Uthman ibn Maz’oon was an early Muslim who enjoyed such protection. He was a man of intelligence and mature mind. Prior to Islam, he realized that intoxicating drinks had a negative effect on the mind and declared that he would not taste such a drink, saying: “Why would I drink something that deprives me of my mental faculty?” Hence, when the Prophet started to preach Islam in secret, Uthman ibn Maz’oon was one of the first people to accept it. Only 12 people were ahead of him in adopting Islam.
Uthman enjoyed tribal protection extended to him by Al-Waleed ibn Al-Mugheerah, one of the leading personalities in Makkah. Uthman, however, was keenly troubled by the fact that other Muslims were subjected to torture and other forms of persecution to try to force them back into the established ways of idol worship.
He compared his position to theirs and felt that it reflected badly on him that he should enjoy protection by an idol worshipper. He thought that it was not much different from staying behind in safety when his own people were fighting an enemy who had launched an assault against them. Therefore, he went to Al-Waleed and said to him: “Abu Abd Shams! You have honored your promise and I wish to release you of your commitment.”
Al-Waleed said: “Why should you do that? Is it perhaps because someone of my own people has harmed you?”
Uthman said: “No! I only prefer that God alone should be my protector. I need protection by no one else.”
Al-Waleed felt that this was a very strange stand, and feared that people might misinterpret it, thinking that he might have fallen short of honoring his pledge. Therefore, he said to Uthman: “Come then with me to the Mosque where you can release me of my promise in public, as I have extended protection to you in public.”
When they were in the Mosque, close to the Kaaba, Al-Waleed said to those who were present: “This is Uthman expressing the desire to release me of my commitment of protecting him.” Uthman followed, saying: “This is right. Al-Waleed has been kind to me and he has honored his commitment in the best form. However, I prefer to be under the protection of none other than God Almighty. I am releasing him of the commitment he made when he extended his protection to me.”
They then left.
Shortly afterward, Uthman sat with a group of people from the Quraysh who were listening to poetry recited by a well-known poet called Labeed ibn Rabeeah. Labeed then chose a poem starting with the statement: “Indeed, everything other than God is false.”
Uthman commented: “You are absolutely right.”
Labeed continued: “And every form of blessing will certainly come to an end.”
Uthman rejoined: “This is false. The blessings in heaven are endless.”
Labeed was offended. He said to those present: “You people of Quraysh! It was unknown that anyone should be offended at your place.”
One person said to him: “This is a stupid person who joined a few stupid ones abandoning our religion. Do not be upset at his remark.”
Uthman answered the man in a similar fashion and there was an exchange of abusive words. The man then slapped Uthman on the face and gave him a black eye.
Al-Waleed was nearby watching. He said to Uthman: “My nephew! Your eye could have done without such pain. You had been granted firm protection.”
Uthman said: “Indeed. However, my other eye would love to have a similar injury, enduring it for God’s sake. I am indeed enjoying the protection of One who is mightier and greater than you, Abu Abd Shams!”
Here we see a man of sound mind feeling ashamed not to join the suffering of his brethren, putting himself in a position where people could assault him without fear, but trusting that God would not allow him to suffer their aggression. When someone gives him a black eye, he takes it lightly, feeling that any suffering endured for God’s sake would be rewarded.
Mus’ab ibn Umayr was another companion of the Prophet who adopted Islam in its early days. He was a young man who enjoyed life’s comforts. Growing up in a loving and wealthy family, he was given everything in plenty. His mother looked after him well, particularly because she wanted her son to be the best in the community, sparing no expense for that purpose. She could do that because she had plenty of money of her own. In fact, the Prophet remarked about Mus’ab’s appearance: “I have never seen any one better in appearance or wearing a more luxurious outfit than Mus’ab ibn Umayr.”
When Mus’ab heard about Islam, he wanted to learn more about it. Told that the Prophet taught his companions at Al-Arqam’s house, he went to see him there. When the Prophet told him about Islam and its beliefs and basic principles, Mus’ab was soon convinced of the truth of Islam and declared himself a Muslim. However, he did not publicize the fact of his conversion to Islam, fearing that his mother and family would not take it well. He continued to visit the Prophet secretly. One day, Uthman ibn Talhah saw him praying and he told Mus’ab’s mother and people. They were furious with him and they locked him up, preventing him from communicating with any Muslim.
When the Prophet advised many of his companions to immigrate to Abyssinia, where they could enjoy the freedom to practice their faith in safety, Mus’ab managed to escape and join the immigrants. However, he did not stay there long. He was among those who returned when they heard that the situation of Muslims in Makkah had improved. His mother noticed that the travel had changed her young lad into a man of experience and maturity. He made it clear to her that he would never revert to her religion, no matter what temptation she could offer or what pressure she could bring to bear on him. So she accepted the fact without further ado.