for my father a large estate, and one day he was pre-occupied with a building he was putting up. He said to me, “My son, today this construction has kept me from attending to my estate, so go and look after it for me. See to such-and-such matters as well.”
As I set out he added, “Do not be long, for if you stay away I shall worry about you more than about the estate, and you will distract me from everything else I have to do.”
I left, heading for his lands, but on the way I passed by a church belonging to the Christians. I heard their voices as they prayed, and—because my father had kept me shut up in his house—I knew nothing of what people outside were doing. When I heard their voices I went in to see what they were about. What I saw of their prayers delighted me; I was drawn to their way and said, “By Allah, this is better than the religion we are upon.”
By Allah, I did not leave them until the sun had set; I never reached my father’s estate at all. I asked them, “Where is the origin of this religion?” They replied, “In al-Sham.”
I then returned to my father, who in the meantime had sent people to look for me and had been kept from all his work on my account. When I came in he said, “My son, where have you been? Did I not charge you with what I told you to do?” I answered, “Father, I passed by some people praying in their church; what I saw of their religion impressed me, and by Allah I stayed with them until the sun set.”
He said, “My ⦗1⦘ son, there is no good in that religion. Your religion and the religion of your forefathers is better than it.” I said, “No, by Allah! It is indeed better than our religion.”
He grew afraid for me, fastened a shackle to my leg, and locked me up in his house. I then sent word to the Christians: “If a caravan of Christian traders arrives from al-Sham, let me know.” In due course a caravan came from al-Sham, and they informed me. I told them, “When they have finished their business and are about to return, tell me.” They did so; I removed the iron from my leg, went out with them, and traveled until I reached al-Sham.
When I arrived I asked, “Who is the best among the people of this religion?” They said, “The bishop in the church.” I went to him and said, “I have come to desire this religion and would like to stay with you and serve you…"