He answered,

“By Allah, it is not because of any personal grievance I bear against them; rather, I consider them to be astray.

So I set out in search of the true religion. I first went to the rabbis of Yathrib and found them worshipping Allah while associating partners with Him. I said to myself, ‘This is not the religion I am seeking.’

I continued on until I reached the rabbis of Khaybar, and there too I found them worshipping Allah yet still setting up partners beside Him. I said, ‘This is not the religion I seek.’

Then a scholar from among the rabbis of al-Shām said to me, ‘You are asking about a religion that, to our knowledge, no one practices in worship of Allah except for one elderly man in al-Jazīrah.’

So I travelled to him, told him why I had come, and he said, ‘Everyone you have met is in error. And who are you?’

I replied, ‘I am one of the people of the House of Allah, from a clan known for shawka and qaraz (thorns and acacia).’

He said, ‘A Prophet has already arisen—or is about to arise—in your own land; his star has appeared. Go back, acknowledge him as true, follow him, and believe in him.’

I returned, but thereafter perceived nothing.”

He said: