The story of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his wrestling match with Rukana ibn Abd Yazid RA is a fascinating episode from early Islamic history that demonstrates the Prophet’s physical strength, character, and approach to dawah (invitation to Islam).
Rukana was known as one of the strongest men of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. According to narrations, he was undefeated in wrestling contests. One day, while tending to his sheep in the valleys outside Mecca, he encountered Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet invited him to Islam, but Rukana was not interested in the message.
During their conversation, the Prophet challenged Rukana to a wrestling match, proposing that if Rukana lost, he would consider the message of Islam. Confident in his superior strength and wrestling ability, Rukana accepted the challenge, believing he would easily defeat Muhammad.
To Rukana’s astonishment, the Prophet seized him and threw him to the ground. Shocked by his defeat, Rukana asked for a rematch. The Prophet agreed, and again overpowered him. Some narrations mention that they wrestled three times, with the Prophet winning each contest.
Impressed by this unexpected display of strength, Rukana recognized that there was something extraordinary about Muhammad. This experience created an opening for him to consider the Prophet’s message more seriously. While some accounts suggest Rukana converted to Islam immediately, others indicate that he embraced Islam later, following the conquest of Mecca.
This story illustrates how Prophet Muhammad connected with people through means they could relate to and respect. By demonstrating strength in an area valued by his society, he created a pathway for deeper conversations about faith. It also shows the Prophet’s willingness to engage with people on their own terms while inviting them to something greater.
