“The Trustworthy One gave you a brimming cup to drink—
then the Trustworthy One made you drain it to the dregs.”
Ibn Hishām (1) says: One of those versed in poetry recited to me:
“Who will carry from me a message to Bujayr?
Will you still stand by what you said at al-Khayf—will you really?
You drank with the Trustworthy One a cup well-filled;
that Trustworthy One made you gulp it down and chew on it.
You spurned the paths of guidance and yet followed him—
why, alas, did someone other than you direct you to that course?
Upon a creed no mother or father of yours ever held,
nor will you find upon it any brother of your kin.
And if you will not desist, I shall feel no regret,
nor, should you stumble, will I cry, ‘Alas for you!’ ”
Ibn Isḥāq (2) relates: Kaʿb sent these verses to Bujayr. When they reached him he disliked concealing them from the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—so he recited them to him. When the Messenger of Allah heard the line,
“The Trustworthy One gave you a brimming cup to drink…,”
he said, “He spoke the truth, though he is a habitual liar; I am the Trustworthy One.”
When he heard the line,
“Upon a creed no mother or father of yours ever held,”
he remarked, “Indeed; neither his father nor his mother ever found him upon it.”
Bujayr then wrote back to Kaʿb, saying:
in the ṭawīl metre
“Who will convey to Kaʿb—will you not consider that way
which you blame as false, though it is the wiser course?
Turn to Allah alone, not to al-ʿUzzā nor al-Lāt;
so you will be saved and kept safe when salvation is sought.
On a Day when none shall escape or find refuge
except a Muslim of pure heart.
The creed of Zuhayr—indeed it is nothing,
and the creed of Abū Sulmā is forbidden to me.”
When Kaʿb received the letter, the earth seemed straitened for him; he feared for his life, and his enemies present with him spread rumors, saying, “He will be killed.” Finding no alternative, he composed the ode in which he praises the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—mentioning his fear and the rumors of his enemies.
He then set out for Madinah, alighting with a man of Juhaynah with whom he was acquainted, as I was told. At dawn that man took him to the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him. Kaʿb prayed the morning prayer with the Prophet, then his host pointed him out, saying, “That is the Messenger of Allah; go to him and ask for his protection.”
Kaʿb, so I was informed, went up to the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—sat down, placed his hand in the Prophet’s hand—the Prophet did not recognize him—and said, “Messenger of Allah, Kaʿb ibn Zuhayr has come to seek your protection, repentant and having embraced Islam. If I bring him before you, will you grant him safety?”
The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—replied, “Yes.”
He said, “Then, Messenger of Allah, I am Kaʿb ibn Zuhayr.”
Ibn Isḥāq (3) reports: ʿĀṣim ibn ʿUmar ibn Qatādah told me that a man of the Anṣār leapt upon him and said: