I was struck dumb until Hind asked, “What is the matter with you?” I came to myself and said, “This is sheer falsehood; he is too sensible to utter such a claim.” She answered, “Indeed, by Allah, he does say it, and people are supporting him—he already has companions who follow his religion.” I replied, “That is false,” and went out.

While I was circumambulating the Kaʿbah I met him and said, “Your merchandise has brought in such-and-such an amount; it has done well. Send for it and take it—I will not charge you the commission I take from my own people.” He refused and said, “Then I shall not take it.” I said, “Very well, send for it and I will charge you only what I charge my people.” So he sent for his goods and received them, and I took from him the same fee I took from others.

Not long afterward I set out for Yemen. When I later reached al-Ṭāʾif I stayed with Umayyah ibn Abī al-Ṣalt and said, “Abū ʿUthmān!” He replied, “What do you want?” I asked, “Do you remember what the Christian said?” He answered, “I remember.” I said, “It has happened.” He asked, “Who is it?” I said, “Muḥammad son of ʿAbd Allāh.” He said, “The son of ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib?” I replied, “The very one,” and recounted to him what Hind had told me. By Allah, he broke out in a sweat, then said, “By Allah, Abū Sufyān, it may well be he! The description fits him exactly, and if he prevails while I am alive I will certainly earn a plea before Allah by helping him.”

I went on to Yemen, but before long news of his public proclamation reached me there. I returned and again lodged with Umayyah in al-Ṭāʾif and said, “Abū ʿUthmān! The affair of the man has unfolded just as you have heard.” He said, “Indeed it has, by my life.” I asked, “So where do you stand in regard to him, Abū ʿUthmān?” He replied, “By Allah, I will never believe in a Messenger who is not from Thaqīf.”

I then headed for Mecca, and, by Allah, no sooner had I drawn near than I arrived to find his followers being beaten and abused. I kept saying, “Where, then, are his hosts of angels?” A feeling of jealousy such as comes over people entered my heart.

Al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Bayhaqī also related this report in his book Dalāʾil al-Nubuwwah through the isnād of Ismāʿīl ibn Ṭurayḥ, but the account we have quoted from al-Ṭabarānī is fuller and longer. Allah knows best.