against the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, yet by day’s end he was serving as an armed escort for him.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ dismounted at the edge of the lava plain outside Madinah and sent word to the Helpers. They came to him and greeted the two of them with peace, saying, “Ride on in safety; you are protected and obeyed.” So the Prophet and Abū Bakr mounted again, and the Ansār surrounded them with their weapons. Word spread through the city: “The Messenger of Allah has arrived! The Messenger of Allah has arrived!” He advanced until he stopped beside the house of Abū Ayyūb.

It is related that he was speaking with his household when ʿAbd Allāh ibn Salām—who was in one of his date-orchards picking fruit for his family—heard of his arrival. He quickly put down the basket he was filling, came with it still in his hand, listened to the Prophet of Allah ﷺ, and then returned to his family.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked, “Which of our people’s houses is the nearest?” Abū Ayyūb replied, “Mine, O Prophet of Allah—this is my house.” He said, “Go and prepare a place for us to rest at midday.” Abū Ayyūb went, arranged a resting place for the two of them, then returned and said, “O Prophet of Allah, I have prepared a place for your siesta; rise, with the blessing of Allah, and take your rest.”

When the Prophet of Allah ﷺ entered, ʿAbd Allāh ibn Salām arrived and said, “I bear witness that you are truly the Messenger of Allah, that you have come with the truth, and that the Jews know full well that I am their chief and their most learned.” He then related the rest of the report, which is recorded by al-Bukhārī.