Today, we study one of the highly important aspects of the life of Prophet of Islam, which is his approach to communication.

These approaches led to the promotion of sacred religion of Islam in large parts of the Arabian Peninsula and other regions across the world. Appropriate and logical behavior with people coupled with dialog and reasoning, was one of the importation communication approaches of the Prophet of Islam, in his invitation of people to convert to Islam.
A research in history makes us realize that Prophet Mohammad, in relations with his opponents, always maintained amity and kindness. Given that the sacred religion of Islam matches the innate nature of mankind, Prophet Mohammad held dialog with his opponents, with reliance upon this characteristic feature of Islam. Usually, the conversations of the Prophet of Islam with his opponents and polytheists revolved round the topics of monotheism and Day of Resurrection. The Prophet, upon presentation of logical reasons and recitation of ayahs of Holy Quran, addressed polytheists, urging them to contemplate and to liberate themselves from the yoke of superstitious beliefs of the Age of Ignorance. The Prophet of Islam maintained a peaceful approach in promotion of the sacred religion of Islam. In return, the polytheists started to somehow refute the sacred Islamic teachings, while persecuting Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny), and his followers. However, gradually people wholeheartedly converted to Islam.
As previously mentioned, Prophet Mohammad wanted to declare his global prophecy. Surely in order to materialize this goal, a calm and peaceful environment in the absence of any bloodshed is needed. This fact was so important that even after the conquest of Mecca by Muslims, the Prophet of Islam had no intention of retaliating against those, who had persecuted him and his followers.
Throughout the life of Prophet Mohammad, one observes many cases of such kind behavior and conduct by him, which led a significant number of non-Muslims to convert to sacred religion of Islam. Given that the invitation of the Prophet to Islam was based on the inclination and discretion of individuals, he adopted logical dialog to encourage people to convert to Islam. According to a historical account, someone named Safvaan bin Umayyiah fled Mecca after the conquest of this city by Muslims. However, he returned to Mecca after a while under the protection of the Prophet. He sought a two-month period in order to think things over and to contemplate on Islam. Meanwhile, Prophet Mohammad granted him a four-month period to ponder over the sacred religion of Islam. After a while, this man wholeheartedly converted to Islam. The Prophet held talks with leading polytheists, hoping to soften their hearts. In these dialogs, the Prophet only intended to enlighten and guide polytheists, while presenting the Islamic concepts.
Negotiation with the visiting delegations to Medina was another approach adopted by the Prophet in his invitation to Islam. These delegations mostly headed for Medina after the conquest of Mecca by Muslims. They were often comprised of tribal leaders, who resided in Mecca for a few days. The Prophet of Islam kindly hosted these visitors and treated them with respect. The leading members of these delegations held talks with the Prophet, getting familiar with the sacred religion of Islam. Many of them were influenced by the kind behavior of Prophet Mohammad, and converted to Islam. Upon acceptance of Islam by leading tribal figures, usually other tribal members followed suit and converted to Islam. Based on historical accounts, a total number of 75 delegations visited the Prophet in Medina.
One of the other characteristic traits of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny), which paved the way for dialog, was the Prophet’s broadmindedness. The Prophet never got upset upon hearing the opposition views. His behavior was such that others comfortably expressed their criticisms, and opposite views.
The Prophet also consulted with his disciples over topics of importance. Muslims felt honored to consult with the Prophet of Islam. This fact in turn highly promoted Islam. On many cases, the Prophet’s conduct was based on the views of his disciples.
In addition to guidance of people, the Prophet of Islam took measure to guide his era’s major emperors and rulers. This was because guidance of the then rulers could play a crucial role in promotion of Islam. Hence, the Prophet, after reinforcement of the Islamic ruling system in Medina, sent letters to the important kings of his age to invite them to Islam. These communications were successful.
The letters of Prophet Mohammad to the then rulers were uniquely eloquent. Presentation of the main subject and avoidance of details were examples which proved the eloquence of these letters. All of these letters invited the addressees to convert to Islam in an amicable atmosphere. In the Islamic month of Moharam of the year 7 AH, the Prophet prepared six letters for the Roman, Persian, Abyssinian, Egyptian, Jordanian, and Yemeni kings, inviting them to Islam. Upon the consideration of these letters, one concludes that the Prophet of Islam believed if the rulers were reformed, reformation of people was more likely. These letters make us realize that the Prophet of Islam sought dialog in the global scene to invite people to sacred religion of Islam. Also, via sending letters to other regions, the Prophet showed that he was the savior of mankind and was divinely appointed to guide the entire human community.
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