The Year of Delegations

DELEGATIONS:
After Makkah had been conquered and the Prophet had returned
victorious from Tabuk, Arab delegations began to pour into the heart
land of Islam. They learned about Islam, saw the character of the
Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah, and the life-style
ofhis Companions. Tents were erected for them in the courtyard of the
mosque ; they heard the Qur'an recited; watched the Muslims praying
and asked the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah to
explain the faith to them. He impressed them with his eloquence and
wisdom, and he constantly quoted verses from the Qur'an. They believed
what they heard and were well satisfied. They returned to their homes
full of zeal, calling on their people to accept Islam and decrying
paganism and its negative effects.
Dimam ibn Tha'labah came to Madinah representing the Banu Sa'd ibn
Bakr. He was a Muslim when he returnedto his people and he was
determined to invite them to Islam.
The first thing he said to them was, 'Al-Lat and al-Uzza are evil!'
They answered in alarm, 'Stop, Dimam! Beware of leprosy. Beware of
elephantiasis! Beware of madness!'
He said, 'Confoundedly you ! By Allah, they can neither hurt nor heal.
Allah has sent a Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and given a
Book to him through which He seeks to deliver you from your sorry
state. I testify that there is no god but Allah without and associate
and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi
wassallam). I havebrought you what He hascommanded you to do and what
He has forbidden you.
Before that night was over there was not a manor a woman in his tribe
who had not become a Muslim. Adi the son of Hatim, whose generosity
was well-known, came toMadinah. He became a Muslim after witnessing
the character and humility of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi
wassallam) of Allah.
'By Allah!' he said, this has nothing to do with the way all the kings behave.
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah sent Mu'adh ibn
Jabal and Abu Musa to Yemen to invite the people to Islam and he
advised them, 'Make things easy and not difficult. Cheer them up and
do not make them afraid.'
THE OBLIGATION OF ZAKAT:
In the ninth year of the hijrah, Allah made zakat obligatory upon the Muslims.