he realized that death was upon him, he said, “O assembly of Jews, what do you think drove me from the land of wine and fine bread to this land of hardship and hunger?” We replied, “You know best.” He said, “I came only to keep watch for the coming of a prophet whose time has now drawn near, and this town will be his place of emigration. I had hoped that he would be sent while I was still alive so that I could follow him. His era has now overtaken you; so, O community of Jews, do not let anyone reach him before you. He will be sent with warfare—shedding blood and taking captive the children and women of those who oppose him—so do not let that repel you from him.”
When Muḥammad ﷺ was commissioned and laid siege to Khaybar, those young men—still but youths—said, “O Banū Qurayẓah, by Allah, he is the very prophet about whom Ibn at-Tayyihān charged you.” They answered, “He is not.” So the youths left, embraced Islam, and thereby safeguarded their lives, their wealth, and their families.
By the same chain, Ibn Isḥāq said: Khadījah had told her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal—who had read the earlier scriptures and adopted Christianity—what Maysarah had recounted to her about the monk’s words and the two angels shading the Prophet. Waraqah remarked, “If this is true, Khadījah, then Muḥammad is the Prophet of this nation. I have long known that a prophet is awaited for this community.” He then grew impatient, asking, “How much longer?” and composed the following lines:
I have persisted, ever mindful, persistent indeed—
Long have the yearning cries been raised for their need;
And tale upon tale you recount, Khadījah—
My waiting has lengthened, O Khadījah.
In the valley of the Twin Meccas I remain in hope,
Your report that at last his emergence will show;
By what Quss the monk once told us both—
A word I pray will never swerve or slope:
That Muḥammad shall rule and his people lead,
Vanquishing all who challenge his creed;
A brilliant light will spread through every land,
By which mankind from turmoil will be spanned;
Whoever fights him will meet with loss and rue,
While those who make peace will find a passage true;
Oh, would that when that moment comes to pass,
I might be there—the very first to enter that class.