“…Is Suwād ibn Qārib among you?” No one answered him that year. When the following year came he again asked, “Is Suwād ibn Qārib among you?” They said, “Who is Suwād ibn Qārib?” He replied, “The way he first embraced Islam is truly astonishing.”
While we were still speaking, Suwād ibn Qārib appeared. ʿUmar said to him, “Tell us how your Islam began, Suwād.” He said:
“I was living in Hind, and I had a familiar spirit from the jinn. One night, while I was asleep, that spirit came to me in a dream and said, ‘Rise, listen, and understand—if you have any sense—for a Messenger has been sent from the clan of Luʾayy ibn Ghālib.’ Then he began to recite:
I marvel at the jinn and their impure band,
driving swift camels with saddle-cloths at hand;
they hurry to Mecca, seeking guidance and light—
the faithful among them are unlike the impure in sight.
So hasten to the Elect One of Hāshim’s line;
lift up your eyes toward the summit where lights shine.
‘O Suwād! Allah has sent a Prophet—go to him, and you will be guided and find right direction.’
“On the second night he came again, woke me, and said:
I marvel at the jinn that quest and strive,
urging their camels, with baggage tightly tied;
they hurry to Mecca, in search of the way—
those at the forefront are not like the rear in the fray.
So rise to the Chosen One from Hāshim’s clan;
fix your eyes on the point where true guidance began.
“On the third night he returned, roused me, and said:
I marvel at the jinn and the news they bear,
pressing their camels that groan under care;
they hurry to Mecca, imploring the guide—
the wicked among them are not like the righteous beside.
So rise to the Chosen One of Hāshim’s line;
believing jinn are not like the faithless in kind.
“Love of Islam then filled my heart, so I tightened my saddle-bags and travelled until I reached the Prophet ﷺ. He was in Medina, with people surrounding him like the mane of a horse. When he saw me he said, ‘Welcome, Suwād ibn Qārib; we already know what has brought you.’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have…’”}