the ʿAbdī (1) was a Christian, well-versed in the exposition and interpretation of the Scriptures, knowledgeable about the chronicles and maxims of the Persians, proficient in philosophy and medicine, plainly intelligent and refined, of striking beauty, and possessed of ample wealth. He came to the Prophet ﷺ as a delegate, accompanied by men of ʿAbd al-Qays distinguished for their judgment, seniority, eloquence, clarity, and cogent proofs. When they arrived before the Prophet ﷺ, he stood in his presence, gestured toward him, and began to recite:
[from the Khafīf metre]
(2) O Prophet of guidance, men have reached you—
they crossed wasteland after wasteland, plain upon plain.
(3) They spanned toward you the hard barren flats, impelled,
counting no weariness in your cause as weariness.
(4) Every desolate expanse from which the eye recoils
our she-camels sped across with swift, relentless strides.
(5) Noble mounts swallowed the distances beneath
bold riders that glittered like shimmering stars.
They seek deliverance from a mighty Day of dread—
fearful, wounding hearts and striking terror—
provisions for the Gathering of all created beings
and a rupture with those who persist in error;
a journey toward the light of God—His radiance and grace—
toward piety and a blessing to be gained.
God, O son of Āminah, has chosen you for goodness
when bounty after bounty came in succession.
So grant us, O Proof of God, a generous share from you—
not a share revoked or ever diminished.
He said:
The Prophet ﷺ drew him near, seated him close, and remarked, “O Jārūd, the promise concerning you and your people has been delayed.”
Jārūd replied, “May my father and mother be ransomed for you! Whoever lags behind you has forfeited his portion—that is the gravest loss and the harshest punishment. Never was I among those who saw you or heard of you, then turned away from you to follow another. I am now upon a religion you already know of. I have come to you, and here I am abandoning it for your religion. Will that purge sins, offenses, and burdens, and win the Lord’s pleasure for His servant?”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “I guarantee you that. Devote yourself to God alone in pure monotheism and renounce the Christian creed.”
Jārūd answered, “May my father and mother be ransomed for you—extend your hand. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone without partner and that you, Muhammad, are His servant and Messenger.”
He embraced Islam, and a number of his people entered Islam with him. The Prophet ﷺ rejoiced at their acceptance of Islam [and honored them in a way that delighted and gladdened them]. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ turned to them and said,
“Is there anyone among you who knows Quss ibn Sāʿidah al-Iyādī?”
Jārūd replied, “May my father and mother be ransomed for you—we all know him, and I, among them, am well acquainted with his story and fully aware of his matter: Quss was…"