and we would go out with him and beg Allah for rain; by Allah, he would not even rise from his spot before the ravines were running with water. He did that not once, nor twice, nor three times—but many times.

When death drew near to him and the people gathered around his bedside, he said, “O community of Jews, what do you think caused me to leave the land of wine and fine bread for this land of hardship and hunger?”

They answered, “You know best.”

He said, “I left only because I was awaiting the advent of a prophet whose time is now at hand. These lands will be his place of emigration. Follow him, and do not let anyone reach him before you when he appears. O community of Jews, he will be sent with the shedding of blood and the taking captive of the children and women of those who oppose him—yet do not allow that to deter you from following him.”

He then passed away. On the night that Qurayzah was conquered, those three young men—mere youths—said, “O community of Jews, by Allah, he is the very one Ibn al-Hayyabān told you about.”

Their people replied, “He is not.”

The youths insisted, “Indeed, by Allah, he fits the description exactly.”

So they descended from the fortress, embraced Islam, and left their wealth and their children behind.