755 – Al-Sāʾib al-Makhzūmī (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he had been the Prophet’s partner before the advent of the mission. On the Day of the Conquest he came to the Prophet, who said to him, “Welcome, my brother and my partner.” Narrated by Aḥmad, Abū Dāwūd and Ibn Mājah (1).
— Authenticity
The ḥadith is ṣaḥīḥ (sound). Al-Ḥāfiẓ said in al-Talkhīṣ: “It was transmitted by Abū Dāwūd, al-Nasāʾī, Ibn Mājah and al-Ḥākim from him, and also by Abū Nuʿaym and al-Ṭabarānī through the isnād of Qays ibn al-Sāʾib. Al-Ḥākim declared it sound, and al-Dhahabī concurred.”
— Vocabulary
Marḥaban (welcome): From raḥuba, yarḥubu, ruḥban wa-raḥābatan, meaning “to become spacious.” Hence the greeting marḥaban wa-ahlan (“welcome, you have come to ample space and to family”).
— Points of benefit
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When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) conquered Mecca, people came to embrace Islam. Among them was al-Sāʾib ibn Abī al-Sāʾib al-Makhzūmī. The Prophet greeted him, saying, “Welcome, my brother and my partner; he neither quarrels nor compromises the truth.”
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The narration shows that commercial partnership existed in pre-Islamic times and that Islam endorsed and validated it, for Islam retains every useful and wholesome practice and abolishes whatever is corrupt and harmful.
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It demonstrates that good dealings and sincere counsel leave a lasting imprint and a good reputation, no matter how much time passes.