He went on to say: “Abū Saʿīd also related the tradition and gave the full wording. This version is closer to the mark—Allah knows best—and its chain meets the standards of the compilers of the Sunan, even though they themselves did not include it.”

[Section]

We have already discussed the visits of the jinn to Mecca before the Hijrah, and we examined the matter in detail (1) when commenting on the Almighty’s words in Sūrat al-Aḥqāf 46:29: “And [recall] when We turned toward you a company of the jinn listening to the Qur’an.” (2)

There we collected the relevant ḥadīths and narrations, and we cited the story of Sawād ibn Qārib, who had been a soothsayer and then embraced Islam, along with what he reported from the familiar spirit that used to bring him news—and who likewise embraced Islam (3)—when it told him:

[Metre: al-Sarīʿ]
“I marvel at the jinn and their baser sort,
How they urge on their camels with saddle-pads taut;
They rush to Mecca in search of the light—
The faithful among them are not like the foul.
So rise toward the Chosen One of Hāshim’s line,
And lift your eyes to the crest of his rank.”

Then it said:
“I marvel at the jinn and their earnest quest,
Driving their mounts with tightened girths;
They speed to Mecca to seek true guidance—
The foremost of them are not like the rear.
So hasten to the Chosen One of Hāshim’s clan,
And fix your gaze on the peak of his fame.”

And again:
“I marvel at the jinn and their scouting bands,
Binding the packs on their camels’ backs;
They hurry to Mecca in search of the way—
The wicked among them are not like the good.
So make for the Chosen One from Hāshim’s seed—
Believing jinn are never like their unbelievers.”