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Umar’s conversion strengthens Islam 
So far the Muslims had always prayed in secret. To pray in 
the open was to risk being abused and beaten by the Makkans. 
Umar , however, felt that the time had come for Muslims to 
practice their faith in full view of their enemies. “O Prophet!” 
Umar said one day. “Don’t we have truth on our side whether we 
are alive or dead? Why should we hide our faith? I swear by Allah 
who has sent you to us with the Truth that we will no longer 
hide.” 
Umar’s words rang true, so it was decided that from then on, 
there was no need to pray in secrecy. The Muslims formed rows 
behind the Prophet and walked to the Ka’bah, one row headed 
by Hamzah, the other by Umar. The Makkans could ony watch as 
the Muslims began to pray behind the Prophet . From that day 
onward, Umar was known as “Farooq,” one who distinguises truth 
from falsehood. 
Ibn Mas’ud , one of the Prophet’s Companions, said, “The 
day Umar accepted Islam, we gained both strength and prestige.” 
He also said, “We could not perform our prayers at the Ka’bah 
until Umar embraced Islam.” 
 

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84 
An offer no ordinary man could refuse 
Once again the Makkan pagans decided it was time to hold 
talks on the growing strength of Islam. The conversions of 
Hamzah and Umar had changed things considerably, and the 
Makkans realised their power base was fast collapsing. 
Utbah bin Rabi’a, a member of Banu Abd Shams, was a 
chieftian of his people and well-respected throughout Makkah. 
He addressed the other notables of Makkah who had gathered to 
discuss the problem of Muhammad and his followers: “O 
people of Quraysh, shall I not talk to Muhammad and bargain 
with him? Perhaps he will accept my offer, in which case we will 
be rid of him.” The council approved, and Utbah was charged 
with approaching the Prophet with an offer no ordinary man 
could refuse. Utbah found Muhammad sitting alone at the 
Ka’bah. He said: 
“O my nephew! You know you enjoy a high position in this 
city. You are the best among us in lineage. Now you have brought 
something very serious, and you have created a rift among your 
people by ridiculing them, insulting their gods as well as their 
religion, declaring their forefathers to be heathens, and rejecting 
theor customs. Now, listen to me. I will make a few suggestions, 
and you may find one agreeable.” “O Abdul Waleed,” replied the 
Prophet , “go on. I am listening.” 
Utbah continued: “My nephew, if it is wealth you hope to 
obtain by your preaching, we will collect enough for you so that 
you will be the richest among us. If it is honour you desire, we 
will make you our chief and leave every decision to you. If you 
wish to be king, we will recognise you as our monarch. If you 
desire beautiful women, choose any woman from the Quraysh – 
we will give you ten such women in marriage. And if you are 
possessed by a demon, we will find a skilled physician for you and 
spend all that it takes to restore your health.” 

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85 
“Is that all you have to say?” the Prophet asked. “Yes,” 
replied Utbah. “Now listen to me,” said the Prophet . “I am 
listening,” he said. The Prophet then recited the opening verses 
of the Surah Fussilat: “Haa-Meem. A revelation from Allah, the 
Most gracious, the Most Merciful. A book with verses that are 
explained in detail. A Qur’an in Arabic for people who 
understand. Giving glad tidings and admonition, yet most of them 
turn away, and so do not hear. They say: Our hearts are veiled 
from that which you invite us to accept, our ears are deaf, and 
between you and us is a screen. So do your work, and we will do 
ours.” (41: 1-5) 
The Prophet continued to recite, and Utbah listened 
carefully. Then the Prophet came to the following verse: “And if 
they turn away, then say: I have warned you of a thunderbolt like 
the thunderbolt that struck Aad and Thamood.” (41: 13) 
Utbah put his hand on Muhammad’s mouth and pleaded 
with him not to bring about such a terrible punishment. 
The Prophet came to a verse that required him to prostrate, 
and he did so. Having finished his recitation, he asked Utabh, “O 
Abdul Waleed, have you heard”’ “Yes,” he replied. “Then it is 
time for you to decide,” Muhammad said. 
Utbah then left and went directly to his comrades. As he 
approached them, they noticed a strange expression on his face. 
They asked him what had happened, and he related what had 
passed between him and Muhammad : “I have heard a 
discourse the like of which I have never heard. I swear to God, O 
Quraysh, that it is not poetry, nor is it the result of spells or 
witchcraft. Take my advice and leave this man alone. By God, 
something more astonishing is bound to happen than what I have 
heard. Now, if the Arabs kill this man, your task will be 
accomplished by others, and if this man brings the Arabs under 
his control, his kingdom will be your kingdom, his honour will be 
your honour, and he will prove fortunate for you.” 

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86 
Utbah’s audience grew suspicious. “You have been 
bewitched by his tongue,” they said. “This is my opinion,” replied 
Utbah. “Now you may do whatever you think fit.”