THIS conversion story is based on a hadeeth recorded by Bukhari (Book 56, Hadeeth 725).  The story was told by Abu Jamra, who heard it from Ibn Abbas.

Abu Dhar belonged to the tribe of Ghifar.  The Ghifars heard that a man in Meccah was claiming to be a prophet.  Abu Dhar wanted to know about the Prophet, but he was too shy to go see him.  He told his brother, “Go to Meccah for me and meet that man claiming to be a prophet.  When you come back, tell me all about him.”

Abu Dhar’s brother packed some food and began the long walk to Meccah.

Abu Dhar was excited when he saw his brother finally returning.  “What did you learn?” Abu Dhar asked.

The brother said, “With respect to Allah, I found a man who endorsed goodness and prohibited evil.”

“That’s it?” Abu Dhar said.  “You were gone all that time, and that’s all you can tell me?”  Abu Dhar was annoyed.  “I guess I will just have to go find out things for myself.”

Abu Dhar filled a leather pouch with water, and he wrapped some dates and bread.  He got a walking stick and started walking across the hot, dry sand.

By the time Abu Dhar got to Meccah, his water was gone.  He filled his water-skin with water from the well of Zamzam.  He then went to the mosque, but he was too shy to ask anybody about the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him).

Ali, the son-in-law of Muhammed, saw Abu Dhar.  “Hello, stranger,” Ali said.  “Come to my house, and I will share my food.”  Ali did not ask Abu Dhar why he had come to Meccah, and Abu Dhar was too shy to tell him.

The next day, Abu Dhar again went to the mosque.  He hoped that someone would just start talking about the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him).  He did not want to have to ask anyone anything.

Again, Ali saw Abu Dhar in the mosque.  Ali asked him, “Haven’t you found a place to stay yet?”

Abu Dhar just said, “No.”  He was too bashful to try to explain anything.

Finally, Ali asked him, “Why have you come to Meccah?”

Abu Dhar said, “I’ll tell you if you won’t tell anybody else.”

“Okay,” said Ali, “I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

“My tribe the Ghifar has heard about a man calling himself a prophet.  My brother came to talk to him, but my brother didn’t tell me much.  I wanted to meet the man for myself,” Abu Dhar explained.

“Good for you!” said Ali (may Allah be pleased with him).  “As a matter of fact, I was just heading over to see the Prophet myself.  You can come along.  Follow me wherever I go.  If I see someone who may cause trouble for you, I will signal to you by pretending to adjust the strap on my shoe.  If I give you the signal, you should leave.”

Abu Dhar was glad to hear that.  He was afraid and did not want to have any trouble with anybody.

Abu Dhar followed Ali, and they went into a house.  Abu Dhar was surprised when he was suddenly standing in front of the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).  The Prophet saw that Abu Dhar was too shy to speak.  The Prophet grinned and pointed to a rug.  “Tafadal,” the Prophet said as he invited Abu Dhar to sit.

The Prophet was so kind that Abu Dhar began to feel comfortable.  Finally, Abu Dhar explained why he was there.  “Please tell me the principles of Islam,” he said.

“Islam is based on five principles,” the Prophet began.  “Testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammed is the Prophet of Allah.  Perform the formal prayers five times a day.  Donate the required amount of charity.  Perform the pilgrimage to Meccah.  Fast during the month of Ramadan.”

Abu Dhar believed, and he embraced Islam.

The Prophet (peace upon him) told Abu Dhar, “For now, you should keep your new faith a secret and return to your tribe.  When you hear that the Muslims are victorious, you may safely return here.”

Abu Dhar was too happy to keep his religion a secret.  He told the Prophet, “With respect to Allah, I am going to tell everybody I see.”

Abu Dhar went to the mosque.  Some nonbelievers were there.  Abu Dhar said, “O people, I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammed is the Prophet of Allah.”

The unbelievers’ faces got red with anger.  “Jump him!” shouted one of the men.  With that, the unbelievers knocked down Abu Dhar and began beating and kicking him.

Al Abbas, one of the Muslims, saw what was happening.  He got on top of Abu Dhar to protect him from the kicks and punches.  “Stop it!” Al Abbas yelled.  “This man is of the Ghifar tribe.  You have to travel through the Ghifars’ land when you do business.  Do you really want to make them mad?”

The unbelievers stopped beating him, but Abu Dhar was already bruised and bloody.  He soon returned to his tribe, and he was never too shy to tell others about Islam.  May Allah be merciful to Abu Dhar because, in Islam, he found courage.