Biography of Tufayl ibn Amr al-Dawsi [radiyallahu anh]

Al-Tufayl ibn Amr was one of the most respected leaders of the Daws clan, a branch of the Azd tribe in Yemen. Even before the advent of Islam, he was renowned for his virtue, honor, and generosity. His home was a haven for guests—no one ever knocked on his door and left empty-handed. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.

A gifted poet and a man of profound intellect, al-Tufayl’s opinions commanded respect, and his words carried weight.

When he later began calling his people to Islam, a miraculous light appeared at the tip of his whip—a divine sign. From that day forward, he came to be known by the honorific “Dhu’n-Nur”, meaning “the Possessor of Light.” Through years of tireless effort, he became a key figure in the spread of Islam among the people of Daws. He was eventually martyred at the Battle of Yarmouk.

May Allah be pleased with him.

We now recount, in his own words, how he embraced Islam and invited his people to the truth.

His Embrace of Islam

“One day, I arrived in Makkah. As soon as I entered the city, the chiefs of Quraysh came to greet me. They showed me great hospitality, laid out generous feasts, and after gathering among themselves, they said to me:

‘O Tufayl! Among us has emerged a man who claims to be a prophet. He insults our gods, disrupts our customs, and threatens our unity. We warn you: do not listen to him. His words are like magic—they separate father from son, husband from wife.’

Their words affected me deeply. I feared for myself and my people. I resolved not to speak with him, not even to hear his words. When I visited the Kaaba to worship the idols, I stuffed my ears with cotton, determined to block out his voice.

But then… I saw Muhammad.

He was worshipping at the Kaaba, but his prayer was unlike anything I had ever witnessed. There was a stillness, a sincerity in his movements. He seemed to be reciting something. Curiosity overtook me—I watched him intently until I found myself standing beside him, listening.

What I heard did not resemble any earthly speech. It was as if the words belonged to another realm. I thought to myself:

‘O Tufayl, people consider you a man of intellect. You can judge right from wrong. What harm could there be in hearing what this man has to say? If it is good, accept it. If not, walk away.’

I followed Muhammad as he left the Kaaba. Just as he was about to enter his home, I called out:

‘O Muhammad! Your people have warned me about you so intensely that I plugged my ears not to hear you. But today, I heard you reciting something during your prayer, and I found it captivating. Tell me, what is it that you call people to?’

The Messenger of Allah [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] explained Islam to me. He recited to me Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Nas. I was overwhelmed. I said:

‘By Allah, I have never heard words so beautiful. Stretch forth your hand, O Messenger of Allah—I pledge my allegiance to you!’

That very day, I became Muslim. I stayed in Makkah for some time, learning the tenets of faith and memorizing ayahs from the Qur’an.”

Calling the People of Daws to Islam

“After some time, I sought the Prophet’s permission to return to my tribe and invite them to Islam. I said:

‘O Messenger of Allah! I am a man of influence among my people. Allow me to preach Islam to them. And ask your Lord to grant me a sign to aid my mission.’

The Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] prayed:

‘O Allah, grant Tufayl a sign.’

When I returned to my homeland, I climbed to a high place and gathered the people. At that very moment, a radiant light appeared between my eyebrows, glowing like a star. I lifted my hands in supplication:

‘O Allah, do not let this sign be on my face, lest people think I have been disfigured for abandoning their religion.’

Allah accepted my prayer, and the light shifted to the tip of the whip I held in my hand.

I began preaching to my people.

My father approached me first, and I said firmly:

‘Father, stay away from me! I am no longer of you, and you are no longer of me!’

Shocked, he asked, ‘My son, why do you speak like this?’

‘Because I have embraced the religion of Muhammad.’

‘Then, my son, let me embrace it with you.’

‘In that case,’ I said, ‘cleanse yourself and purify your clothes. Then I will teach you what I have learned.’

He did as I instructed and became Muslim. I then invited my mother and my wife in the same manner—and they too embraced Islam.

But despite my efforts, no one else from my tribe accepted Islam at that time—except one man: Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him.

The Prophet’s Supplication for Daws

After some time, I returned to Makkah with Abu Hurayrah to inform the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] of the situation. I said:

‘O Messenger of Allah! My people have hardened their hearts. They persist in disbelief, revel in sin, and refuse to listen.’

At these words, the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] rose, performed ablution, and prayed two rak‘ahs. Then he lifted his hands to the sky. Abu Hurayrah feared the worst and whispered:

‘Woe to my people! The Messenger of Allah will now curse them—they will be destroyed!’

But instead, the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] prayed:

‘O Allah, guide the people of Daws. O Allah, guide the people of Daws. O Allah, guide the people of Daws.’

Then he turned to me and said:

‘O Tufayl, return to your people. Continue calling them to Islam—and be gentle.’

I obeyed his command. Through persistent effort and compassion, I witnessed—before the Prophet’s death—the entire tribe of Daws enter into Islam.”

May Allah be pleased with al-Tufayl ibn Amr.