The Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) Reception of Foreign Delegations
Reception of Foreign Delegations
The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) always showed the highest level of attention and care not only to the delegations that came to him but also to individuals who came to accept the religion. While our Master (peace and blessings be upon him) , who was appointed by God as the final prophet for humanity, was sending envoys and letters to surrounding tribes and states, he was also receiving the representatives and letters sent by them. Especially after the conquest of Mecca, followed by the acceptance of Islam by the Quraysh and then another powerful tribe, the Hawazin, many tribes from different regions of the Arabian Peninsula began sending delegations to Medina. The year when these delegations arrived in large numbers was the 9th year of the Hijra, which became known as the “Year of Delegations” (Arabic: Sanat al-Wufud).
These delegations came to Medina for various reasons. However, most commonly, they came to announce that their tribe had accepted Islam and to pledge allegiance on behalf of their people. Along with this, they came to learn the rulings of Islam and return to their tribes with this knowledge or to request someone to be sent to teach them the religion. There were also a few who came for worldly gains, to accept Islam under certain conditions, or to declare that although they would not convert, they would pay the jizya (tax) and accept Islamic rule.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would hold official meetings with these envoys in a particular part of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, known as the “Pillar of the Delegations” (Ustuwānat al-Wufud). Because these envoys represented tribes or states, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would have their letters read with great care, accept their symbolic gifts of friendship, and engage with them personally. Regardless of the reason for their visit, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) would always receive the envoys with kindness, treat them with a warm and smiling face, and instruct his companions to treat them with the same respect and care, so as not to offend or alienate them.
His conversations with the envoys would take place in such a sincere and warm atmosphere that the formal stiffness and rigidity typically associated with diplomatic meetings would dissolve in the presence of the Prophet’s words and conduct. Such a welcome was both important and necessary because among the members of these delegations were individuals who were held in high esteem and respect within their own tribes and communities. These people were accustomed to being treated with honor, so it was essential that they receive a similar level of attention in Medina. This would help them feel at ease in the new environment and eliminate any discomfort caused by unfamiliarity.
Moreover, many of these delegations were official. Once Islam had been declared as a state system, the surrounding tribes and states sent delegations to Medina to assess the situation. These delegates were not ordinary individuals; nearly all of them had their own worldview and set of values. When they returned to their homelands, they would take back with them impressions and opinions that would undoubtedly influence their people or governments. Therefore, it was crucial that they left with positive impressions—and this was closely tied to the warm reception and interest shown to them.
We can summarize the sensitivities of the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) on this matter as follows:
He Would Have the Delegations Welcomed Outside the City.
Regardless of their beliefs, the delegations that came to meet the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in Medina were always treated with respect. In fact, they would be met at the outskirts of the city. A designated greeter would escort them to the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). For example, the delegation from the tribe of Thaqif was received by none other than the prominent Companion, the respected Abu Bakr, along with Mughirah ibn Shu‘bah.
He Paid Attention to Clothing.
As a reflection of the importance he attached to these delegations, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would wear special attire when receiving them. He would also instruct his companions to wear clean and proper clothing suitable for the occasion.
He Would Listen to the Visitors’ Requests with Courtesy.
Before expressing his own views, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would listen attentively to the thoughts and requests of the delegations. He never resorted to forcing them to accept Islam. He put into practice the Qur’anic command, “There is no compulsion in religion” (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:256). For instance, in 630 CE, when the envoys of the Himyarite king came to Medina to announce their conversion to Islam, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave them clear instructions: “If a Jew or Christian accepts Islam, he becomes one of the believers and shares their rights and duties. But if they choose to remain in their religion, they will not be harmed so long as they pay the jizyah (tax).” Likewise, the Prophet did not immediately reject the delegation from Thaqif, who wanted to become Muslim but had certain conditions. He listened to their proposals with patience, explained the problems with their requests that contradicted Islamic teachings, and encouraged them to abandon those ideas. Eventually, they accepted Islam unconditionally.
He Would Use Various Forms of Connection to Honor Them.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would show warmth to the visiting delegations by emphasizing any tribal or ancestral connections they might share. For example, when the delegation from Banu Amir ibn Sa’sa‘ah visited—who were also descended from Adnan—he asked, “Who are you?” They replied, “We are the sons of Amir ibn Sa’sa‘ah.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) honored them by saying, “Welcome! You are of me, and I am of you.”
He Would Sometimes Personally Host and Honor his Guests.
The visiting delegates were usually accommodated in portable guest tents set up next to the mosque and the platform (suffah), or in the homes of companions who were suitable hosts. However, there were times when the Prophet himself took on the responsibility of hosting, especially in consideration of the guest’s status. One example is Adiyy ibn Hatim, a famous tribal chief known for his nobility, eloquence, and quick wit. When he came to Medina and introduced himself, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took him to his own home and honored him. The Prophet sat on the ground and offered Adiyy a cushion to sit on. They had a long conversation, and Adiyy later stated that it was the Prophet’s noble character, humility, and modest way of life that moved him to embrace Islam without delay.
In this context, it’s worth mentioning another point: the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sometimes personally took care of serving his guests. For instance, he himself showed hospitality to the envoys sent by the King of Abyssinia (Negus).
He Would Respond to Rude Words and Behavior with Noble Character
One of the notable aspects of these meetings was the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) kindness and tolerance, even toward those who failed to observe the etiquette expected in his presence. Among the delegates, there were sometimes individuals who spoke in a rough or uncultured manner. Yet, with his immense patience and high moral character, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would act as if nothing inappropriate had occurred and would listen to them calmly.
For example, a delegation from the tribe of Halimah (the Prophet’s wet nurse) once visited him, led by a man named Dimam ibn Tha’laba. As soon as he entered, he abruptly asked, “Which one of you is the son of Abdulmuttalib?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) calmly identified himself. Dimam then remarked that his manner of speaking might come across as harsh or blunt and asked the Prophet not to take offense. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) reassured him, saying that he could ask whatever he liked and that he would not be offended. Dimam proceeded to ask his questions in his own way, received clear answers to each, and ultimately embraced Islam before returning to his homeland.
Another example from that period involves Musaylimah al-Kadhdhab (the Liar), who falsely claimed prophethood and sent a delegation to the Prophet. In his letter, Musaylimah wrote: “I have been made your partner in this matter (prophethood). Half of the earth belongs to us and the other half to the Quraysh. But the Quraysh are a people who transgress.” At one point, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked the envoys what they thought of this. They replied, “We say what he says.” Even then, although the Prophet gave them a firm verbal response, he did not physically punish them despite the outrageous nature of their message.
He Placed Great Importance on Giving Gifts
Another gesture the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to win the hearts of the delegations in the name of Islam was to send them back to their lands with gifts. This practice was a way of honoring and rewarding them. He even extended this generosity to children or servants who accompanied the delegations. For instance, even a young boy from the Banu Tamim tribe received a gift from the Prophet. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) greatly valued the giving of gifts. In fact, one of the final three pieces of advice he gave during his last illness was: “Just as I used to give gifts to the envoys, you must also give gifts to show them honor.”
By including this in his final will, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) emphasized the importance of this practice and the deep impact it would have in the future, both near and far.
He Respected the Religious Requests of Visiting Delegations
One clear example of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) respect and tolerance for the religious practices of others is found in his treatment of the Christian delegation from Najran. This group of sixty individuals traveled to Medina to investigate whether the Prophet was truly a messenger of God. When they arrived, they went to the Prophet’s Mosque to meet him. During their stay, when the time for their prayers came, they requested to perform their worship inside the mosque. Some of the Companions were hesitant and wanted to prevent them from praying in the mosque. However, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed that they be left alone and allowed them to worship freely. As a result, the Najrani Christians, including their priests, performed their prayers peacefully inside the Prophet’s Mosque, facing east.
In summary, all these actions were part of the Prophet’s consistent and unchanging principles. He always treated both individuals and delegations in accordance with these noble values—values full of wisdom and purpose. First and foremost, these people were guests who had just arrived and had not yet fully embraced Islam. They were likely experiencing the discomfort and uncertainty that often comes with travel and unfamiliar surroundings. If they had not been met with the warm, reassuring atmosphere that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) created, they might have made very different choices—choices that could have resulted in a great loss for them.
Thus, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would show extraordinary kindness and care even to those who came with only the slightest inclination toward faith. This helped them avoid making any decisions they might later regret. It is a lesson that remains profoundly relevant even today and should be carefully considered.
A Contemporary Reflection
As we can see from everything mentioned so far, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), especially after the conquest of Mecca, was exceptionally sensitive in how he received and interacted with delegations from neighboring tribes and states. He also wished for these practices to be continued after him, something he explicitly emphasized among his final instructions at the end of his life.
Can we mirror this example today? In response to such a question, Fethullah Gülen, in the first volume of his work Prizma, offers the following reflection: “First, we must admit that no one can completely replicate the conduct of the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him). No human being has the strength or capacity to do so… Whether it’s the heartfelt attention and interest he showed to the delegations, or the way he completely forgave past wrongs and accepted people regardless, it is impossible for us to implement or represent these traits in the same way.”
After drawing attention to the unique nature of the Prophet’s conduct, Gülen offers a vital reminder to the followers of Islam: “Still, we are obligated to do our best within our capacity. Otherwise, we risk representing a universal mission in a substandard way—and that would be a betrayal of this sacred cause.”
The Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) Approach to Other Foreign Guests
The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) did not limit his graciousness and attention only to official delegations. He consistently showed the highest level of care and interest to individuals who came to him with the intention of embracing Islam. Fethullah Gülen also comments on this aspect in his book Prizma, stating: “For example, when prominent figures from Mecca such as Khalid ibn al-Walid, Amr ibn al-‘As, and Uthman ibn Talha came to Medina, each of them received such honor and attention from the Prophet that even the respected Abu Bakr and Umar had not experienced anything like it at that time.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said about Khalid, ‘I used to wonder how someone as intelligent as Khalid could remain in disbelief.’ Shortly afterward, he honored him with the title ‘The Sword of God’. Amr ibn al-‘As had caused much harm to the Muslims and had, until that point, used his brilliance against Islam. But once he accepted Islam and arrived in Medina, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) welcomed him with such warmth that he didn’t even hint at any of Amr’s past misdeeds. When Amr asked for a prayer, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘Do you not know that Islam wipes away all sins committed before embracing it?’ When Abdullah ibn Jarir al-Bajali came into the Prophet’s presence, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) looked around, clearly desiring someone in the gathering to stand and offer him a seat. When no one picked up on this, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself stood, took off his cloak, and spread it on the ground for Abdullah to sit on. He then offered his timeless advice to his Companions, saying that one should honor the noble among any people. And finally, his affectionate reception of Ikrimah, the son of Abu Jahl, is another powerful example full of lessons. Despite Ikrimah’s lineage and past, the Prophet met him with words of praise and kindness.”
Conclusion
These meetings with foreign delegations and guests were of vital importance for the correct understanding and acceptance of Islam, and thus represented a great opportunity. The fact that these delegations came on behalf of entire tribes was a significant advantage. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), who possessed the highest moral character, demonstrated prophetic tolerance and hospitality to these visitors and treated them with great kindness and respect. Through this process, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) laid the foundation for what would later become a comprehensive state protocol.
It is clear that this Prophetic approach and sensitivity should be taken into consideration today as well. Therefore, anyone who wishes to achieve results in this regard must, to the best of their ability, follow the path traced by the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him). They should aim to reach that level of excellence and continually train themselves in this area.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yener ÖZTÜRK / January-February-March 2009, Year: 22 Issue: 83
