Incidents about the Character and Actions of Rasulullah SAW
Inspired People to Accept Islam.
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| Illustration only intro page of a book about letters invitation to embrace Islam, and announcement on the conversion Zaid bin Suna-The Rabbi to Islam. |
The Conversion to Islam of Zaid
bin Su'na RA who had been a Jewish Rabbi. Abdullah bin Salaam RA narrates that
when Allah SWT decreed that Zaid bin Su'na RA should accept Islam, Zaid bin
Su'na RA himself said, "When I looked at Rasulullah SAW, I recognized all
the signs of Nabuwaat except for two signs that I had not tested:
(1) That his self-control should
outstrip his anger and
(2) His tolerance will control
the display of any extreme foolishness."
Zaid bin Su'na RA narrates
further that Rasulullah SAW had just emerged from his rooms one day with
Saidina Ali bin Abi Talib RA when a rider who appeared to be a Bedouin came to
him. He said, "0 Rasulullah! A few people from a certain tribe have
accepted Islam because I told them that they will receive a n abundance in
sustenance if they accepted Islam. However, no rain has fallen and they are
afflicted by a drought. 0 Rasulullah! I fear that they may leave the fold of
Islam out of greed just as they had entered out of greed. If you agree, we
could perhaps send them something to assist them."
Zaid bin Su'na RA - says,
"Rasulullah looked at the person beside him whom I assume was Saidina Ali
RA. He said, '0 Rasulullah, I don’t think that anything is left of that wealth.'
Zaid bin Su'na RA approached Rasulullah SAW and said, '0 Muhammad! Do you wish
to sell to me a fixed amount of dates from the orchard of a specific tribe (to
be paid) before a specified term?' Rasulullah SAW replied, 'Alright, but do not
specify whose orchard it shall be."' Zaid bin Su'na agreed and the deal was
done. Zaid bin Su'na opened his purse and paid eighty Taal of gold for the
specified amount of dates on a specified date.
Rasulullah SAW handed over the
money to the person and said to him, "Take this to assist them."
Zaid bin Su'na RA narrates
further that there were only two or three days left for the expiry of the term,
when Rasulullah SAW left his home to perform a funeral prayer. With him were
Saidina Abu Bakr RA, Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA Umar, Saidina Uthman ibn Affan
RA and several other Sahabah.
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When they approached a wall to
sit by it, Zaid bin Su'na came to Rasulullah SAW and grabbed hold of Rasulullah's
collar. Staring angrily into the face of Rasulullah SAW, he said. "0!
Muhammad! When are you going to pay my dues? By Allah! All that the children of
Abdul Muttalib have learnt is how to procrastinate! By mixing with you people,
I now have first-hand knowledge of this! “Zaid bin Su'na says that as he was
doing this, his gaze' fell on Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA. He noticed that
Saidina Umar Al Khattab eyes were starting to roll with anger and he stared
with fury. He said, "0 enemy of Allah! Do you speak to Rasulullah like that
and treat him in this manner.
Had it not been for respect of being in the
company of Rasulullah SAW, I would have cut off your neck! Zaid bin Su'na -
says that all the while, Rasulullah SAW looked at him in a most calm and
unruffled manner. Rasulullah SAW then said to Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA,
"0 Umar! All that the two of us need is for you to tell me to pay him
quickly and to tell him to place his demands in a better manner. 0 Umar! Go
with him and give him his dues. Also give him twenty Saa of dates extra in lieu
of the threat you gave him.'
I, Zaid bin Su'na says that
Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA took him along, paid him what was due and added
another twenty Saa to it. When Zaid bin Su'na' asked Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA
what the twenty Saa extra were for, Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA said that it was
the command of Rasulullah SAW because of the threat he had made. Zaid bin Su'na
then asked, "0 Umar!
Do you recognize me?"
"No," replied Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA. Zaid bin Su'na said,
"I am Zaid bin Su'na." "The Rabbi?" asked Saidina Umar Al
Khattab RA. "Yes, the Rabbi," was the reply. Saidina Umar Al Khattab
RA then asked, "But why did you behave as you did? Why did you speak as
you did?"
Zaid bin Su'na replied, "0 Umar!
When I looked at Muhammad, recognized all the signs of Nabuwaat except for two
signs that 'I had not tested; (1) that his self, control should outstrip his
anger and (2) that his tolerance should conquer a display of extreme
foolishness. I have now tested both these attributes. 0 Umar! I make you
witness to the fact, that I am content with Allah as Rabb, with Islam as the true
religion and with Muhammad SAW as the Nabi. I also make you witness to the fact
that I give half of my wealth - and I am one of the wealthiest people - as
charity to the entire Ummah of Rasulullah SAW." Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA
said, "Say that it is for a part of the Ummah because you will be unable
to give all of them." "Alright," said Zaid bin Su'na RA,
"then for a-part of the Ummah."
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Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA and
Zaid bin Su'na RA then returned to Rasulullah SAW and Zaid bin Su'na exclaimed,
"I testify that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and that
Muhammad is Allah's servant and Rasul." He therefore accepted Iman and
pledged his allegiance to Rasulullah SAW. Zaid bin Su’na participated in many
expeditions with Rasulullah SAW and was eventually martyred during 'the
expedition to Tabuk as he was advancing and not retreating. May Allah SWT
shower His mercy on Zaid bin Su'na RA,(3)
(1) Tabraani. Haytharni (Vo1.5 Pg.310) has commented on the chain of
narrators. Umawi has alsonarrated the Hadith in his Maghaazias reported in
Isaaba (Vo1.3 Pg.441).
(2) Approximately 400 grams.
(3) Tabraani. Haythami (Vo1.8
Pg.240) has commented on the chain of narrators. Ibn Hibbaan, Haakim, Abu
Shaykh and othes have hlso reported the Hadith. This is mentioned in lsaaba
(Vol. l Pg.566) together with commentary on the chain of narrators and an
addition which states that aJew said, "I have seen every description of
Muhammad @$ as mentioned in the Torah except for.
The story has been transmitted by Tabarani (al-Mu`jam al-Kabeer), to
which al-Haithami says that all of the narrators of the Tradition are sound.
Also transmitted by Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban, and Hakim, among others The Arabic
version of this story has been taken from Muhammad Yusuf Kandhlawi's Hayaat
al-Sahaaba (The Lives of the Companions).
