with the clan of Banū ʿAmr ibn ʿAwf. Early the next morning my father and my uncle, Abū Yāsir ibn Akhṭab, went out to him while it was still dark. By Allah, they did not return until the sun had set, and when they came back they were languid and weary (1), their steps slow and heavy. I hurried toward them as I usually did, but—by Allah—neither of them so much as looked at me. Then I heard my uncle Abū Yāsir say to my father, “Is it really he?” He replied, “Yes, by Allah.” He asked, “Do you recognise him by his description and qualities?” He answered, “Yes, by Allah.” He said, “And what is in your heart toward him?” He replied, “Enmity toward him—for as long as I live, by Allah.” (2)

Ibn Isḥāq said: Muḥammad ibn Abī Muḥammad, the client of Zayd ibn Thābit, related to me on the authority of Saʿīd ibn Jubayr, and ʿIkrimah from Ibn ʿAbbās, who said: When ʿAbd Allāh ibn Salām, Thaʿlabah ibn Shaʿyah (4), Asad ibn Shaʿyah, Usayd ibn ʿUbayd, and the other Jews who had accepted Islam believed and were eager for it, those among the Jews who disbelieved said, “Only the worst of us have believed in Muḥammad and followed him. Had they been among our best, they would not have left the religion of their forefathers for something else.” Thereupon Allah revealed (5): “They are not all alike. Among the People of the Book is a community that stands firm, reciting the revelations of Allah throughout the night while prostrating themselves (113). They believe in Allah and the Last Day, enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and hasten to do good works; such people are among the righteous.” (Āl ʿImrān 113–114)