I. COMPANIONS OF THE PROPHET(PBUH)

By: Prof. Mahmoud Esmail Sieny

The Honest Jewish Rabbi Who Became a Teacher of Islam

    Many historians of religion have pointed out that prophecies were made by the Prophets in the Old Testament and by Jesus Christ in the Gospels about the coming of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Bible had in fact detailed descriptions for Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This fact is clearly stated in the Qur’an which says that the Jews “know him (Muhammad) as well as they know their own children….” In the life story of many early converts like Salmaan Al-Farisi we have historical testimony to this fact. For ti was their knowledge of the coming of Muhammad (pbuh) in Arabia (knowledge they learned from pious monks in Iraq and Syria) that made them leave their own homelands in those parts of the world and journey to the deserts of Arabia. And at Makkah and Medina those lucky seekers of truth were fortunate to meet Muhammad (pbuh) the awaited Messiah or Prophet.

    Today, we will read about another important case which gives strong historical proof to our belief that Biblical scholars knew very well about Muhammad (pbuh) even before the advent of Islam. For our today’s hero was no other than the greatest Jewish rabbi and scholar at Medina at the advent of Islam. For Abdullah ibn Salaam (whose name was Al-Hussain ibn Sallaam) was very well known to the people of Yathrib, both Jews and others alike. He was a rabbi, highly respected for his knowledge of the scriptures as well as for his righteousness and straightforward nature. History tells us that ibn Salaam divided his time into three divisions: one third he spend at the temple in preaching and devotions, one third taking care of his farm, and one third he devoted to the study of Torah. Every time ibn Salaam read the portions in the Torah about the Arabian Prophet and the prophecy of his migration to Yathrib (Medina) where our hero lived, his heart throbbed with joy. For he realized that according to the signs given in the Torah the time for that great event had come . He prayed that he would live to meet the Prophet about whom much is said in the Torah.

    Obviously, our hero’s prayers were answered by Almighty God. Let us listen to our hero ibn Salaam narrating his own story. Abdullah ibn Salaam reported: “When I heard of the appearance of the Messenger of God I tried to investigate his name , his lineage, the place of his appearance and to study these in the light of the descriptions given in our scriptures. It became evident to me that Muhammad (pbuh) was the Prophet given mention to in the prophecies of the scriptures. But I tried to keep quiet about it until his coming to Medina. When the Prophet arrived at Qubaa’ (in the vicinity of Medina) a man came announcing his arrival. I was then at the top of a palm-tree pollinating it. When I heard the news I unconsciously jumped down out of joy, exclaiming, (God is the Greatest)! My aunt was surprised, saying ‘Had you heard about the coming of Prophet Moses son of Imraan you would not have done more than what you just did?’ I said, ‘But, aunt, he (Muhammad) is a brother to Moses and is preaching the same message.’ She asked: “Is he the Prophet you rabbis have been telling us about? ‘Yes,’ said I …. I rushed to see the Prophet and I struggled through the crowds in order to meet him. The first words I heard him say were: ‘O people greet each other, feed the hungry, pray while others are asleep, and you will peacefully enter paradise.’ Our hero continues: “I kept scrutinizing his (Muhammad’s) features and face, and I was convinced that he could not be a lair. So I went over to him declaring, ‘I bear witness that there is no diety except God and that Muhammad (pbuh) is the Messenger of Allah.’ He looked at me and asked, ‘What is your name?’ ‘It is al-Hussain ibn Salaam.’ ‘But Abdullah ibn Salaam,’ said he. By God I will never like to be called except by this name! Then I went back home and informed my wife and children and old aunt Khaalidha, all of whom accepted Islam. But I asked them to keep the news of their conversion a secret from the other Jews. Then, I went to the Messenger of God (pbuh) and told him: ‘O Messenger of God! The Jews are people of slander and treachery. I would like for you to invite their leaders here, and hide me in one of the rooms next to you. Then ask them about me and what they think of me, without their knowledge of my conversion to Islam. For if they knew of my acceptance of Islam they would falsely find all sorts of faults with me.

    “The Messenger of God hid me in one of his rooms. Then he invited the Jewish leaders, and tried to preach Islam to them, but they kept arguing and debating with him, while I listened to them. When the Prophet found that there was no use in continuing the discussions, he asked them, ‘What do you think of ibn Salaam?’ They said, ‘He is our master and son of our master, and he is our rabbi and scholar, son of a rabbi and scholar.’ He told them, ‘Would you accept Islam if he converts to it?’ They said, ‘God forbid that he convert to Islam. He would not do it.’ At that moment, continues our hero, I came out and said, ‘O Jews! Have fear of God in your hearts and accept the teachings of Muhammad (pbuh). For you certainly know that he is a Messenger of God, and you find his name and descriptions in the Torah. I bear witness that he is the Messenger of God. I believe in him and trust him.’ When they saw that they said, “You are a lair. You are the worst of us and son of the worst one, and you are the most ignorant, son of the most ignorant one of us.’ They kept fabricating allegations against me. I said to the Messenger of God, ‘Have I not told you that the Jews are people of slander and falsehood, people of treachery and corruption?’”

    As a sincere convert and a man with scholarly inclination our hero Abdullah ibn Salaam devoted his life to the study of the Quran ad the teachings of Muhammad (pbuh) to become one of the well known teachers of the message of Islam; thus, becoming the first ex-rabbi to preach Islam and its teaching.