An Enemy becomes a Friend     Description:  A staunch enemy of the Prophet becomes one who loves him dearly, due to the compassion shown to him as a prisoner. By Abdul Wahid Hamid In the sixth year after the hijrah (the migration to Medina), the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, decided to expand the scope of his mission.  He sent eight letters to rulers in the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding areas inviting them to Islam.  One of these rulers was Thumamah ibn Uthal. Thumamah ibn Uthal al Haneefi was one of the most powerful Arab rulers in the pre Islamic era.  This is not surprising since he was a chieftain of the Banu Hanifah and one of the rulers of al Yamamah whose word no one dared to challenge or disobey. When Thumamah received the Prophet’s letter, he was consumed by anger and rejected it.  He refused to listen to the invitation of Truth and goodness.  More than that, ... [more]