“Respond to the caller of guidance and set your hopes—
with Allah—for the knower’s cherished wish in Firdaws;
for the recompense Allah grants the seeker of guidance
is gardens of Firdaws, decked with cushioned canopies.”

Abu Sufyan said, “By Allah, he means Saʿd ibn Muʿadh and Saʿd ibn ʿUbada.” (1)

Saʿd ibn Muʿadh embraced Islam at the hands of Muṣʿab ibn ʿUmayr.

Ibn Ishaq states: When Saʿd had accepted Islam, he stood before his people and said, “O sons of ʿAbd al-Ashhal! How do you regard my standing among you?”
They replied, “Our chief in excellence, and the most trustworthy among us for taking pledges.”
He said, “Then know that your speech to me—men and women alike—is forbidden until you believe in Allah and His Messenger.”
Ibn Ishaq continues: By Allah, not a single man or woman remained in the dwellings of Banu ʿAbd al-Ashhal without embracing Islam. (2)

Abu Ishaq narrated—through ʿAmr ibn Maymun—from Ibn Masʿud, who said:
“Saʿd ibn Muʿadh set out for ʿumrah and lodged with Umayyah ibn Khalaf; whenever Umayyah travelled to Syria he would pass through Madinah and stay with Saʿd.
Umayyah said, ‘Wait until midday, when people are heedless, and then perform your circumambulation.’
While Saʿd was making tawaf, Abu Jahl approached and asked, ‘Who is this who circles in safety?’
Saʿd replied, ‘I am Saʿd.’
Abu Jahl said, ‘Do you circle the Kaʿbah in safety while you have sheltered Muhammad and his companions?’
‘Yes,’ he answered.
The two exchanged harsh words.
Umayyah said, ‘Do not raise your voice against Abu al-Hakam, for he is the chief of the valley’s people.’
Saʿd retorted, ‘By Allah, if you prevent me I will cut off your trade route to Syria!’
Umayyah kept repeating, ‘Do not raise your voice.’
Saʿd grew angry and said, ‘Leave us be! I heard Muhammad—peace and blessings upon him—say that he claims he will kill you.’
Umayyah asked, ‘Me?’
‘Yes,’ Saʿd replied.
Umayyah concluded, ‘By Allah, Muhammad does not lie.’